My allotment's burst into life over the last week or so. The gooseberry and current bushes are starting to leaf, and the buds on my apple trees are starting to open up. The broad beans are even looking like they're taking nicely.

Today I watched the 2 squirrels from next door's garden, cheekily running across the netting on my pond.[attachment=1]ebay 12 (56).jpg[/attachment]
Picture from last year

Back at the beginning of March, I took a chance & planted my seed potatoes, covering them as a bit of protection against the weather. After taking the covers off after 'Beast from the East 2', they were just starting to sprout, but really seem to have taken off over the last few days. :D

Apparently, grass snakes are harmless if left alone, but will strike if threatened (more of a headbutt, at they don't actually bite). From what I've read, they're not even classed as snakes, and are regarded as legless lizards.

I hate snakes Lex. Give me a rat any day!

Earlier on in the winter, I realised that something was living in my compost bin - holes dug in the rotting vegetation, and decomposing material being 'turned over'. Suspecting a rat, I left the whole thing well alone (didn't want said rat's teeth sunk into my hand).

On opening my compost bin this afternoon, to tip in some vegetable cuttings from my kitchen, I spotted a dark, scaly looking tail disappear down the hole in the compost. 'That's no rat' I thought to myself, 'that's a more snake-like tail'.

After a quick bit of research on the interweb, the suspected rat has turned into a quite probable Grass Snake. :D

A bit of good news for me. I have a dandelion problem on my allotment, and glyphosphate is really goog at getting rid of them: [url]http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-42135437[/url]

I did a slight variation of the recipe - didn't have all the ingredients - and really enjoyed it :)

Well Lex, if your meal was anything like mine last night you'll be very happy. Even Mrs R couldn't complain at ours!

Incidentally, Jamie Oliver (not that I'm a fan) is allegedly releasing a book containing 5 ingredient recipes.

Those look goof Rebbonk, I'll give them a go tomorrow.

This looks quite appealing and versatile Lex [url=https://www.thespruce.com/moroccan-potato-cakes-maakouda-batata-2394879]Link[/url]

[img]https://fthmb.tqn.com/q5b3YX6T4nIhFAryUNj8nDV_I4g=/960x0/filters:no_upscale()/about/Potato-Cakes-3264-x-2176-56a644905f9b58b7d0e0c0e6.jpg[/img]

I usually just use milk and butter. Mrs R complains bitterly if I use pepper (she has digestive issues down to her scleroderma) and I'm not supposed to have salt due to a past history of high blood pressure. - Though I will admit to sometimes cheating.

Sounds great Rebbonk. How do you do your mash? I usually mix it with milk, butter, salt, pepper & nutmeg.

Interestingly Lex, tomorrow I'm doing Mash with bacon bits and cabbage. It'll be done right way up and the mash crust nicely (I hope!) browned. I might even grate some cheese on top.... :)

I've tried a variation of your casserole recipe this weekend, Rebbonk. It's sort of a reverse pie, which involves filling a large pie dish with mashed potatoes (thanks for the idea of freezing mashed potatoes, Cathi) with a depression in the middle filled with leeks & bacon bits, and the whole lot covered with cheese sauce.

It's goes very well with the carrots I dug up from my allotment during the week. :)

Ooh, another good one. I actually taught myself how to make cheese sauce recently, so I might give that a go at the weekend.