Elder time at last

WE PICKED the first elderflower blossoms this week - such a joy to find them flowering at last; they are weeks later than usual.

It's been a changeable chilly spring, and everything on the farm, in the garden and even in the greenhouse is late.

As yet, we have had virtually no vegetables for the Farmers' Market. Normally by now we would have the courgettes and French beans, but this year we have just a few new seasons onions, some radishes and a few bunches of rhubarb.