Sunshine!

Hopefully, this seemingly protracted run of weather systems characterised by low, thick, obstinate cloud will soon run free of Essex – and the rest of the Kingdom.

Not only have the leaden skies frequently yielded yet more rain but their presence has prevented any discernible surface drying either by wind or sun. The latter really is of limited effect at this time. The two together through a dry week can make a difference. At present we are relying on land drains and ditches.

Of course, just twenty miles due west from here, at Gt Dunmow, the soil is about the opposite to the loam and gravel, which is underfoot here at Crapes.

I well remember beginning a new employment at New Farm , Gt Easton, the orchard, back in November 1979. I had no previous experience of pure heavy clay! Generations of drainage systems were silted solid. Just one wet day during Autumn and Winter, and annoyingly up until June in some years, created a lot of inconvenience. Trees died through being waterlogged. The soil took ages and ages to warm. The crop usually handled hot summer weather well. It was so easy to be tempted to use a tractor for a task and very soon regret the decision. I soon learnt and was considerably wiser some six years later!

The best remedy for this current plight is for the wind direction to change from a drier, colder place far, far away – The Ural Mountains! A good biting Easterly wind through January will work wonders, especially as the sun sits just a little higher and for a tad longer each day.

Just to confirm, the apples have now all sold. A few Medlars remain – all bletted now.

For Colchesterians a delivery of vegetables will be made on Friday 22nd December. The next delivery will be Friday 5th January.

Thank you all for your support through 2023. Apples will be just in a dream until late July 2024.

Hope it is warm on the night of the 24th so the fire isn’t lit – whichever way the wind blows!

Season’s Greetings from Crapes