Ladybirds

Is it just me or is there an abundance of Ladybirds this Spring?
It doesn't seem to matter what I'm doing on the allotment, whether it be digging, weeding or pruning I seem to disturb a Ladybird or few. Not that I'm complaining mind you. I love their familiar coloured uniform, and their healthy appetite for aphids.

First pickings of the year

 In order for me to ease my guilt about not tackling the ever increasing depth of dust at home, I have come up with a new rule; if the weather is nice I can spend time on the allotment. If the weather is horrible then that's the time to catch up with the chores. As today was a lovely sunny Spring day that meant, ( by my own ruling) it was an allotment day. Yeah!!! And a lovely time I had, especially as the very first Rhubarb of this year was ready for picking.

I am always surprised how expensive Rhubarb is to buy in the Supermarkets, considering how easy it is to grow. Anyway this lot was picked and in the pan stewing within twenty minutes, ready for tonight's yummy crumble.