This week's Journal is an eclectic mix of personal highs and lows..........
On Monday,The English Apple Man spent several hours having investigative 'health tests' and although the results were good, driving was not allowed for 24 hours due to the sedative administered on Monday. This stopped me from attending the Marden Fruit Show AGM on Tuesday, something I never miss.......
The Marden Fruit Show AGM was held in the superb surroundings of Hadlow College Animal Management Lecture Theatre. Following the routine society business, presentations were made by various speakers....more on that next week!
On Wednesday we set off for London for a special birthday treat for my wife; my brother and sister-in-law took us to The Royal Opera House for a performance of Giselle. This was a celebration for her 75th Birthday back in January.
Below: Marianela Nunez
While I am an enthusiastic football fan (Arsenal is my team) the physical performance by the dancers, is stunning, in particular Argentine dancer Marianela Nunez in the role of Giselle, with Russian dancer Vadim Muntagirov is Count Albrecht. Nunez who is on her 'points' for much of her performance with one element where she is on 'one point' and moves across the stage while holding perfect balance - 'absolutely amazing'.........
Thursday morning and 'my lady' could not move due to acute 'sciatica' - thanks to Paracetamol and Ibuprofen + a hot shower, she managed to get moving again and we were able to fulfill the second part of her birthday treat with lunch at Daphne's in Draycott Avenue.
Below: Daphne's ......................
Below: The English Apple Man with Laksham Thakur aka The Himalayan Apple Man
Home again on Thursday evening and news from The Himalyan Apple Man: Lakshman Thakur grows apples in Shimla in the Himalayas. His son Vikram has become a very good friend of mine. Vikram lives in Surrey and works for Shell; he is very proud of his family roots and spends every opportunity to learn as much as possible about modern apple production wherever he travels in the World; he also attends as many orchard walks as he can in England.
Vikram reports that orchards on his father's farm are at different stages of development. His orchard at a lower altitude - 4,800 feet is almost finished with bloom and expecting a good fruit set, while the higher altitude orchard at 6,300 feet is 60% in bloom; however, weather has turned bad!
On Wednesday in some areas of Shimla, 5 to 6 valleys got a huge hail storm and in some areas there is nothing left on the trees. Lackshman was saved from this serious damage, but had a small '20 second' splash of hail, now it is a bit wet. 'Time will tell' how much damage has been inflicted.
Yesterday; Thursday 7th April, I received this amazing picture sent by one of Vikram's family in the Shimla region of snow falling on trees with pink bud and blossom. Vikram said this is the first time in his living memory this has happened.
Below: Apple trees at the Pink Bud/Early Blossom stage covered in fresh snow.......
Its now Friday 8th April and checking my apple trees 'bud development' - the bud stage is between 'bud burst' and 'mouse ear'
Below: from left - Bud Burst - Mouse Ear - Early Green Cluster
Below: Bud stages from 'Bud Swelling to Fruitlet
Bud stages vary from year to year and this season has been running about two weeks behind 2015 - the recent warmer weather has brought bud development on and its is now about one week behind last year.
Currently bud stages vary from Bud Burst to Mouse Ear depending on variety with Breaburn the most advanced of the commercial varieties. Conference Pears show variation from Bud Burst to Green Cluster
Sorry this week's Journal is a bit short on apple related matters; next week I will be fully back on the apple trail...
Take care
The English Apple Man