MRS DOWN'S DIARY

We would have joined other folk with bountiful harvests putting a wheelbarrow full of windfalls at the farm entrance for passers by; but some thoughtful soul nicked the wheelbarrow last year so instead we dole out carrier bags of fruit to visitors.

I have even taken to putting the odd bag of windfalls in the boot of the car and handing them out if anyone looks as though they are suffering from apple pie deficit disorder, but we are still overwhelmed with the sheer abundance of our harvest.

Several years ago I came upon a remarkable contraption called a rotary apple peeler. Brilliant. Just whips off the peel and cores the apple at the same time.

The ducks and the geese in the paddock at the back of the house, devour the peelings and cores with gusto, never guessing the subtle flavoring they are adding to their final roasting day. The peeler was so good that I bought another one for when John has time on his hands.

My theory was that after his recent op he would get bored sitting around and long to devote time to the occasional domestic chore. So now I can alternate my apple coring as John has no intention of committing himself to life as my household slave and has been back on a tractor as quick as he can.

For full feature see West Sussex Gazette September 19