Wellllllll what's been happening, The broody is now off the nest after 25 days. I took the decision that they were not going to hatch and got her out of the nest, checking the eggs we had no development inside that I could see which makes me think either she false started them or the shenanigans in the coop with other eggs being added meant they were not being kept warm properly. Emily is certainly making the most of being out again, eating plenty and sun bathing at every opportunity - she's still the matriarch for sure keeping the other girls in line.

This year I've been fervently updating my journal each time something is done, I want to record dates for first crops on a number of vegetables. Our first tomatoes set in the green house about a week ago and today I pinched out the golden sunrise one at just 4 trusses, aiming to encourage early ripening or at least that's the theory :-) Likewise we had pea blossom last week, our first cucumber set on the greenhouse plant this week as well, very encouraging, and the courgette plants are covered with flower too; I am thinking we may be eating some of these by month end if we are lucky.
We were eating courgettes today from our freezer of last years crops, a very tasty 'cheesy courgette' meal with pasta, what with these, the french beans and carrots, they have kept us going for the whole year, a real nice feeling to know we have managed to feed ourselves with these and others more or less continuously.

First sowings today of Swede 'gowrie' which did very well last year planted really late, August I think, this year I'm doing some now and some later to see the difference. Also a sowing of Kohl Rabi, another first for us and to be honest I'm really looking forward to trying it out; It can be eaten raw in salads or as slaw or cooked in a number of ways, apparently it tastes cabbage like but sweeter and also a bit like turnip too!
We are also trying a new variety to us anyway, of Rocket, Wild Rocket in fact, interesting to see how this get's on alongside the other var. we have; Have to confess I love the stuff in salad's, sandwiches, everything really.

While we wait for all these tasty crops we are currently gorging ourselves on fat juicy strawberries, I'm hoping some will be jammed this week as you can't beat it with scones and cream!