…especially those gardeners challenged by the dismal Scottish summer weather this year.

This is a picture of three year old Katya in our garden. She’s produced a great crop of apples and is clearly a good variety for the challenging growing conditions on Deeside. Then there’s her nearby companion, Bon Chretien, (below) with a modest crop of pears after three years. The picture  is a bit dark, but you can just make out that it’s not all doom and gloom on the gardening front this year.

In a spirit of friendly rivalry, I should also say that there is at least one follower of this blog who will note – possibly with some slight envy – that the cotinus growing next to Katya is flourishing rather well.

Finally, a free taste of Katya apple to anyone who supports my friend and colleague, Sue Leftwich, on her charity cycle ride next month – you can find details here. Sue is the excellent exercise professional who takes a weekly class for the Deeside Stroke Group in Aboyne.