A colder wind this week and our lime trees are just beginning to lose their leaves and take on their autumn gold while this female blackbird is finding some easy pickings among the berries.

A less common autumn bloomer is the strawberry tree (Arbutus Unedo) in the orchard – pictured here. The flowers are pollinated by bees and take around 12 months to mature into strawberry-like fruits. The fruits can be used for jam and in Albania, they use them as a constituent of their highly alcoholic raki!

Speaking of bees you may have heard that there have been two sightings of the Asian hornet in this part of the country. This incomer is truly unwelcome. It has the potential to wipe out our natural bee colonies.  Here is a copy of the poster that has been published to alert people about the danger. They have done serious damage in the Channel islands. There are also lots of gruesome videos on YouTube about hornets attacking bee hives if you want to see what they do. The bee is active until November.  Details on the poster if you think you may have seen one.

On a more positive note, it has been a remarkable growing year. Despite a cold spring, some are saying it has been the best year ever on the allotments. And now is the time for fruit. Apple trees around the area are heavily laden.  In the coming fortnight I shall be working an apple press at various venues as part of Healthy City Week. Many thanks to Ralph and Mark for gifts of apples.