New Year

C arrived at 8.00 am on New Years Day to attack a problem on my balcony. The two self-seeded olive  trees which originally came from Quinns were covered with black scab. This exuded a sweet sticky substance called honeydew which attracts ants. C brought secateurs and cut the olives into small pieces so that they could be tied up in bags and put in the rubbish. This was a job I had been putting off for ages! It left a bit of a gap on the wall, but fortunately there is a potted olive at Como which can come over here when everything has been cleaned up and sprayed. The creeper that remains is a passionfruit vine, which looks decorative but is unlikely to fruit as there is no pollinator nearby. The armies of ants keep returning to the spot, determined to consume all the honeydew stuck to the wall. I will leave them to it for a day or two.

Operation: extermination.

E did not participate, as teenage girls prefer to stay in bed till lunchtime! Here she is modelling one of her Christmas presents:

This is not a nightdress.

We celebrated the New Year by going out for a Japanese meal:

Sushi and sashimi selection.


The main course was a selection of tempura, including my favourite: soft shell crab.

Those not watching their weight enjoyed a dessert of New York Cheesecake