There are some words which give us away without us ever realising it. We’ve talked about some of them before. Hope. Believe. Try. And many more besides. 

 

They’re all words where we think we’re saying one thing, but the meaning – and intention underpinning them – is very different. It means we’re sending out mixed messages – both to ourselves and those around us – without ever realising it. Even worse, they’re words we use many times a day, usually without giving them a second thought. 

 

The words we’d like to focus on today are often referred to as “good intention” words which, to us, describes them very well. Although, ironically, they usually reflect what someone else thinks – or intends – we should do, rather than us! 

Having waxed lyrical about the joys of apples and pears a couple of weeks ago, this week we’re going to look at some of the veg which are at their best right now. And for the next few months too. True, they’re not as exotic as some of the other produce you can find at your local supermarket, but they provide just the right mix of nutrients needed during the colder months of the year. 

 

So, without further ado, let’s start with one group of veg that doesn’t have the best PR. They’re seen as rather dull and boring, not helped by the traditional tendency of overcooking them. Well, let’s be honest, boiling them for hours until they resemble a grey green sludge in the bottom of the saucepan. In fact there used to be a standing joke that one of them should be put on to boil in November to be ready for a certain day in December… 

 

Have you guessed what we’re talking about yet? 

With everyone still being swept away by the ongoing madness at the moment – “Pandemic the sequel” aka “the new abnormal” – this week we felt it was time for something completely different. 

 

So, we’re going to follow on from last week’s beautiful poem by John Keats, with another one that perfectly sums up the qualities needed to ride the very strange times we’re living in. It may have been written over a hundred years ago but is still as true today as it was then. Here it is: 

It’s amazing how the seasons suddenly seem to turn and this year is no exception. We may only be at the beginning of October, but it feels as though Autumn is well upon us, due in large part to the recent storms and torrential rainfall. 

 

Despite the signs of the winter to come, there are still lots of local goodies to enjoy at this time of year. While the blackberries may now be over, rosehips and sloes are coming into their own, with good crops of both to be found in the hedges if you’re quick. For a reminder about their many uses, as well as the joys of foraging, click here. 

 

However, it’s some other fruits which are at their best at this time of year that we’d like to talk about this week. They’re the ones found in just about every fruit bowl, all year round, which is probably why we take them so much for granted. But, as with any fruit in season and freshly picked, there’s nothing to beat them.