We went to the Helensville A&P Show a couple of weeks back and this got hubby thinking.
Years ago, we entered our homegrown produce into our local Kumeu A&P Show – including a rather special red onion which weighed in at approx 1.65kg (a lot). It won a First and Judges Choice beating all other entries. Nice!
Sadly the following year our 1.35kg onion got zip, so yours truly opted not to enter again – yes it appeared that I had the pip.
Anyway isn’t it nice to know that we can change? So on Friday we got up early, grabbed some veg from the garden, popped some fruit into a box and headed down to the show, paid our entry fees, filled out forms and had a laugh … ‘what were we doing?’
The A&P show is a massive event frequented by loads of people; locals, city dwellers, those that pride themselves on their animal or bird husbandry and those like ourselves who either grow veg, fruit or flowers for their own use and don’t mind some recognition for their hard work. So naturally we woke up on Saturday and raced down to see what was what.
The guinea pig below got Reserve Champion and its owner was so proud. Handsome chap too.
Given our love of chooks (mine particularly) it is only natural that we go and pay them a visit, there didn’t appear to be many this year but I couldn’t resist the bird below.
As you would expect there is food, entertainment, things to buy, and in no particular order …
My garden is winding down now, it is starting to get that ‘jaded’ look and fair enough too, it has provided us with loads to eat as it always does. In fact, there is a monster pumpkin still growing that I am so proud of. Pics to come I promise!
I have sown seed last weekend which has since germinated and been pricked out into some interesting containers with worm castings, these should grow like mad. Let’s see.
Peas have been poked into the dirt, and spuds have been teased from the soil only a few mind you, this bed I suspect is loaded with potatoes, but I’m going to wait a bit longer before I haul them out.
Yes I have started pruning fruit trees, a thankless task and only about another 10 to go ..
Our ventures to our local beach have to be shared – I couldn’t resist the feather in the black sand, nor the massive pooch, who is a such a gentle giant.
Before I go, I did promise a pic of some lichen. It is growing happily on many of our trees in the orchard, our olives and pine trees and our outdoor furniture as shown below.
Are you still interested … Did we win anything? Of course we did!
Happy gardening …