Cucumbers, courgettes and squash are piling up in the kitchen as Eddie brings in the harvest from his allotment. I’m afraid those vegetables that grew into zeppelins are rejected. I think after a certain size a courgette becomes a marrow. Is that right? Either way, they’re gross. Now we’re eating cucumbers and courgettes with everything. We’ve boiled, steamed, baked and pickled. A wall of sweetcorn is also building up, so that’s lunch sorted for the next week or so.

As I type this, I have a choice of homemade blackberry or cherry, or spring honey from the bees to have on my toast. Decisions decisions! I’m in the process of closing down our hives now. We have four, after coming into the season precariously with just the one, but then splitting one hive and catching several swarms and even combining. Each even has a queen – it’s a miracle. The honey has been extracted and frames cleaned by the bees before I put them in the freezer for 48 hours to deter any marauding wax moths who might look at them as incubators for their disgusting larvae. Then bundle them up in sealed bags to store ready to return to their rightful owners next April.

Soon it’ll be time for James to go back to school and start his A-Levels (maths, economics, physics and biology), while William is working out his gap year travels. My thoughts will turn towards making the Christmas cake and pudding which I always do in September so that I can pack the cake away and feed the pudding for three months in the run-up to Christmas. I can’t believe I’m writing about Christmas in August….Going to come round fast.

In the meantime, a stovetop, poached egg (thank you Pam), toast and jam are almost finished. My (Costco) brownies nearly baked and Dolly looking miserable and wondering when I’ll take her out. Time to crack on.