Nearly winter veg

I've had a bit of time out from the blog having been to Mallorca for part of October and more recently making sure that I had everything sorted out ready for the Arnside Knott Race that I organise and which took place last Sunday.
Despite it nearly being winter there's still plenty to be harvested from the plot ,including salad leaves ,Cavolo Nero kale, January King cabbage, and brussels sprouts which particularly appreciate the heavy clay soil!
The parsnips wouldn't win any prizes and while the leeks are still small (an Italian winter variety) I've started to lift them early as they have a lovely ,slightly sweet, taste and there are plenty more to last through the winter.
Scorzonera ("black salsify") is an unexpected bonus.A few plants that were not fully dug up last year have  developed much bigger roots.

I think it will be less parsnips and more swedes and scorzonera next year as they seem more suited to the soil.
Last night's supper recipe was add a large potato ,then cut veg up into chunks and simmer for a few minutes.Drain and empty veg into a baking dish ,then pop into a hot oven adding a skinned wild salmon steak on top part way through the baking time.Salmon was rod caught from the River Lune of course from the freezer at the new Aldi in Carnforth.

Slovakia and eastern Austria September 2014

In early September I revisited Slovakia and eastern Austria,staying in some of the same regions that I went to last year.
Here's a link to the photo album.

After flying to Bratislava I went by train and bus to Stefanova,a small village on the north side of the Mala Fatra mountains and climbed Velky Rozutec an impressive limestone peak much loved by the locals.

Maly and Velky Rozsutec from Stefanova

Originally I'd planned to walk across the mountains the next day but learnt that the way was blocked by severe landslides and the valley approach closed so I took the bus to Strecno via Zilina and walked up to chata pod Suchym a lovely mountain hut.

 

After staying the night I continued up to the the main ridge, then down to Vrutky and caught the train to Ruzomberok which I used as a base for trips to chata Magurka from Liptovska Luzna valley,and chata pod Borisovom from Liptovske Revuce.

Garden in Zelena dolina

chata pod Borisovom redecorated since my visit last year

For the second part of my trip I travelled back through Bratislava ,staying in Vienna before travelling on to Murzzuschlag to start a four day hut to hut walk in the Schneealpe and Rax mountains which are 2000 metre high limestone plateaus surrounded by steep cliffs.
Although it was 27 degrees C walking up to the first hut  the weather deteriorated over the next couple of days so I had to adapt my plans and take a lower route on the second day to avoid a difficult protected scramble in the rain.

Schneealpe from Lohmgraben

Raxkircherl

Ottohaus through the Torl

After walking down from the Ottohaus to Payerbach I was able to catch a regional double decker commuter train back to Vienna and then stayed in Bratislava on the final night before flying home.I'll probably do a similar Slovakia/eastern Austria trip again as there are so many variations of walks and huts to visit.

Early Autumn haul

Still lots to be had from the plot .Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness and all that......

Golden,Rhurbarb and Pink Passion chards with wild rocket at the back

Runner beans,mangetout peas with Trombone ,Pattypan and unknown squash

Cylindra beetroot and unknown pepper

North Yorkshire Moors and coast walk August 2014

In mid August I did a six day walk with two of my long time friends Richard and Andrew,starting at Helmsley and then following the Cleveland Way round the western and northern edges of the North York Moors and southwards down the coast to Whitby.
Here's a link to the web album.

A somewhat brief and belated post as I've been away again since to Slovakia and Austria....photos of that trip published soon.......