What's eating my quinces???

quince eaten through netting!

Rats! or possums! or parrots?  Still, maybe if they are good for the animals they are actually ready to pick???  I love quince - it would have to be up there with the best stewed fruit in the world. I don't understand why it is not more popular. Is it just the work involved in peeling and stewing? Or is it the taste?

At least the grapes were luscious! Thank you Dan and Mark for the cuttings. Both lots have taken and next year I will net early and thoroughly!!

However, the cost of netting will probably mean

I could get a taxi to the markets in Melbourne weekly for the summer season and bring back ripe fruit for less money...We didn't really know what to do with the grapes- so we washed and juiced them, and then boiled it for 30 mins or so, and put in containers in the freezer. Next year, I'd like to try sorbets or even have a go at a wine, but would need a good recipe. The juice is very very sweet, so we've been using it like cordial and it's delicious.

lavender and rosemary boshes at the back

The garden generally is slowing down  though a few things are in flower. On the right is the greenhouse, but I find it is not really useful for long, as it gets so hot, and I have no water supply to it.
It is really useful in October to get seedlings started, but even one unexpected hot day will cause them to shrivel.So different to the N. Hemisphere, where I remember my grandfather having a fabulous peach tree growing permanently in the greenhouse!


And so to family. Here is a clip of cousin Deb, and her mum, Aunt Lizzie, with Will on the left and Leah on the right. We had a big family get together on Saturday, which Mum really enjoyed though she was particularly frank with her comments which is not how she used to be. She expressed surprise that one of her nephews had produced such a nice child!!! He (the nephew) said he had thick skin , so I hope he forgives her. She would never have thought that, much less said it, before Alzheimer's kicked in.

Aunt Lizzie, Will, Leah, and cousin Deb

And just to finish, cos it's so neat- here are bibs I bought for the grandchildren - they are padded, edged in bias binding, and have studs, which form the neck closure, and form a pelican pouch to catch food, but are machine washable. Clever idea I thought.