Friday 16 July 2010

Garden update and TDF - Blog 95

As I have been without a camera for some time, I thought that it would be interesting to give an update on the vegetable garden and how it is doing.

Chilli peppers (Very hot!)

Round courgettes (squash)

Our first grapes.

Yummy, Pumpkin

The Swiss chard is looking particularly healthy

We should have some beans before Nigel's return to  the UK.

A different kind of pumpkin.

Green peppers.

Tour De France update

14th July - stage 10 - Chambéry - Gap 179 km.

It would have been good if the stage winner  had been French, the day being Bastille Day, but it was not to be. Two breakaway riders contested the result. Sergio Paulinho (POR) from Team Radio Shack took the stage honours, by only a ¼ of a wheel from Vasil Kiryienka (BLR) Team GCE (Caisse d'Epargne).

There was little change in the overall positions, with Andy Schleck still wearing the yellow jersey, and Alberto Contador in second position.

15th July – Stage 11 - Sisteron -Bourg-lès-Valence 184.5 km

The stage win, after a sprint, went to Mark Cavendish from the Isle of Man and team HTC Columbia. Second was Alessandro Petacchi from Italy, of the Lampre team and third place went to Tyler Farrar from the USA team Garmin.

The yellow jersey positions remains pretty much the same with no major changes. The yellow jersey is still with Andy Schleck. The green jersey is now being worn by Alessandro Petacchi(having today finshed ahead of holder Thor Hushovd) and the polka dot jersey, for king of the mountains, is still with Jérôme Pineau. 

28 comments:

  1. Your veggies are looking lovely & healthy - the swiss chard looks amazing !

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  2. Diane, that is one fine looking garden. It all looks great and you definitely have a green thumb! Have a good weekend!

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  3. What fun it will be to harvest your fruits and vegetables. The plants look wonderful. Have a great day. Blessings...Mary

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  4. Love your garden. You'll be eating good.

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  5. I am loving your garden it is gorgeous as ever. It's interesting how the grapes all grow at a different rate on the same clump. The pumpkin is so pretty! I wish I could grow squash and use some squash blossoms! Thanks, I needed that today!

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  6. Wow!! Your garden is looking fabulous! Well done you - I hope you and Nigel are enjoying a lovely time xx

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  7. Lynda I have never had Swiss chard so huge. The leaves are at least 2 foot long and 9 to 10 inches wide:) Diane

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  8. Pam. not sure about the green thumb, but I have to say everything looks pretty good after the very slow start. Diane

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  9. Mary I have to say my own home grown vegetables taste so much better then the ones bought in a shop!! Have a good day. Diane

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  10. Gaelyn I love my home grown veg. I have also dug some of the potatoes and they are really yummy. Diane

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  11. Lyndsey I have not cooked any of the blooms this year but any moment....
    Diane

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  12. Hi Roz, the time with Nigel is already flying, had a trip to the tax office today....... Lots of entertaining coming up in the next few days so hopefully he will relax. Diane

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  13. Wonderful Diane. Enjoy all the bounty.

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  14. Your veggie plot is looking rather impressive.
    Hope you are having a lovely time with your man.

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  15. Thanks Nadege, we are enjoying it. It is so nice for Nigel to have fresh veg. Diane

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  16. Hi Lindy, it is so nice to have Nigel around. We just have to make the best of the two weeks he is here. Diane

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  17. Your garden is coming along nicely! I can't wait for my Swiss Chard: I love it cooked with rice, pasta, chicken....

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  18. Hi Diane...

    I am so impressed with your garden and I just LOVE your pics!! Isn't it so wonderful to be able to grow things and eat them like that??
    One day, Alex and I will have (hopefully) a garden, too!!

    I'd LOVE for us to come and visit you sometime!

    Have a great weekend!
    Hugs,
    Leese

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  19. Leesa, I have to say I am also impressed with my garden LOL. We are only here in summer sadly but if you are in this direction...... Diane

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  20. Marjie, I have never had such fantastic Swiss chard, maybe it is the fence keeping the rabbits out:)
    Diane

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  21. Love your veggie garden - our is pathetic. Pumpkin soup is the family fave here in the middle of winter.
    How did you enjoy the head-butting at the finish. Personally I'm not the least concerned with the occasional head butt between friends. Those guys actually come from a track background and used to the argy-bargy.

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  22. Hi Leon, I think that they went over the top by kicking him off the tour. As you say they are used to the argy-bargy. A fine would have been in order, but I don't agree with the ban.

    My pumpkin I roast with a sprinkling of cayenne pepper and cumin on it and I could eat the whole pumkin myself it is so yummy!!:-) I have butternuts coming on though and they make the most amazing soup. All my recipes are at http://www.recipe.nidi.org.uk/index.html if interested.
    Diane

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  23. What glorious vegetable! I hoipe Nigel gets to taste not only the beans from it before he head back to the UK - maybe with a "home grown veggie pack" to keep him going. The courgettes looks so good, as do their many blooms, and pumpkins are magnificent (no kiwi roast dinner is complete to me without roasted pumpkin!). Care and huggles from us, Michelle and ol' Zebbycat

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  24. Hi Michelle and Zebby, I am nuts about roast pumpkin, especially cooked as I have said in the above answer. Nigel only has hand luggage but all the weight will certainly be in vegetables:) Take care Diane

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  25. I love that magical new picture Diane... the mist is just too perfect as are all of your vegetables. What a harvest feast you must have. I think the new camera takes splendid photos..but then look what the lens has to work with. Lovely work!

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  26. longpastremembered, thanks for your kind comments. The camera is the same as the one that has gone haywire. It is Nigel's, so hope he gets the other one back for his own use:-) Diane

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  27. Are those peppers spicy? Can't wait to pick those grapes :)

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  28. Lani they are not the hottest chillies I have ever tasted but they are very hot never the less. Diane

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