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Gervase

Not that she's competitive, but...

My child bride is standing out in the kitchen garden as the rain squalls lash around her, scissors in hand and a manic gleam in her eye.
She's trying to find the right six broad bean pods for the county show. many have been discarded - we'll be eating broad beans until we lift off - the duster and polish is at the ready, and still she can't decide.
And then there's the peas. And the spuds. And the broccoli...
The rhubarb was harvested last night; vast fronds of the stuff filling the kitchen like the aftermath of some grand procession from Aida. Jack came back from rugby practice, looked round to door and said, "Cor, rhubard and custard tonight, eh?" Poor lad - he was met with a withering look: "This is not for eating - this is for the show, I'll have you know."
Ah, I'm being summoned to feel her pods...
Cathryn

Good luck MJ, I think you are very brave, the consequences of beating a reigning champion can be muttered about for many years.
Behemoth

Have you got your two scenarios for planned for the aftermath?. The "one where she wins" and "the one where she doesn't".....
Chez

Good luck, M-J!
Gervase

Ah, she's gone out into the rain again, still with a look of steely determination. On the broad bean front, she's narrowed the choice down to a possible six, but is worried that one pod is a bit 'nobbly', so it's another traipse through the mud and oomska out there to find a reserve pod - and possibly even a secondary reserve.
The spuds have been rejected. I do hope it's not because I grew them.
The tension mounts. Even the dog looks apprehensive.
Gervase

Failure is not an option. Broad beans with chorizo is, however.
Frewen

Good luck showing Very Happy

Nothing wrong with a bit of competitive spirit Cool
Chez

Gervase wrote:
Failure is not an option. Broad beans with chorizo is, however.


Best of luck with that, too Laughing
marigold

Gervase wrote:
Broad beans with chorizo is, however.


For breakfast? Shocked

Good luck M-J! Very Happy
Gervase

It seems we're now down to a choice of 17 reserve beans, each of which has good and bad points. I'm so glad that she did the crate of jams, pickles, curds, chutneys, booze and entries for the photographic competition last night.
I'd better book the car in for new shock absorbers tomorrow.
Gervase

And she's off. "I'm not going to win anything," she said - with about as much conviction as, er, someone with a competitive streak wider than the M4. I shall saunter up there mid-morning and take soundings before entering the produce tent.
Fee

Laughing Good luck MJ!
Chez

*passes protective headgear to Gervase*
cab

Is it just me who finds the idea of vegetable competitions quite surreal?

Good luck, though.
JB

cab wrote:
Is it just me who finds the idea of vegetable competitions quite surreal?

Good luck, though.


and yet somehow the village would be less without them.
Chez

cab wrote:
Is it just me who finds the idea of vegetable competitions quite surreal?


Yes. Laughing
mochyn

cab wrote:
Is it just me who finds the idea of vegetable competitions quite surreal?


We compete every summer: the old chap does the horticultural and I do cookery and crafts. Last year he won the cup at Llanfair for best onions from sets and the year before for best spuds, both in local classes. He won Top Vase there last year too. We usually do 3 shows: Royal Welsh, Llanfyllin and Llanfair Caereinion. Enormous fun: setting up is great. Bit of a club feeling.

Used to do much bigger stuff though: Large garden at Shrewsbury Flower Show every year, as well as the odd bit of NEC or Chelsea... Local shows are much more realistic.

And much more fun.
judith

Cathryn wrote:
Good luck MJ, I think you are very brave, the consequences of beating a reigning champion can be muttered about for many years.


It's getting close to that at our village show - the old boy who has been sweeping all before him for years, if not decades, is rapidly being caught up by a relative newbie (and an incomer to boot!). I expect ructions when he does!

(And M-J, of course it matters that you find 6 matching pods!)
mochyn

judith wrote:
It's getting close to that at our village show - the old boy who has been sweeping all before him for years, if not decades, is rapidly being caught up by a relative newbie (and an incomer to boot!). I expect ructions when he does!


Yup: that's the bloke the old chap beat for the onion and spuds cups... Embarassed Not at your show though, at Llanfair.
judith

Mind you, I have beaten Mal with my onions too (totally beginner's luck) - they aren't his strongest suit. Had the Old Chap beaten him on tomatoes or "arrangement of 5 vegetables in a basket", I reckon he would have got the wax doll and pins out Very Happy
mochyn

judith wrote:
Mind you, I have beaten Mal with my onions too (totally beginner's luck) - they aren't his strongest suit. Had the Old Chap beaten him on tomatoes or "arrangement of 5 vegetables in a basket", I reckon he would have got the wax doll and pins out Very Happy


So when he starts feeling arthritic I'll tell him it's just veg. envy, then.
Mary-Jane

Wotcha...I've just dashed back to have a shower and change (went straight up to the show from feeding the animals and stomping through kitchen garden). Then I'm off to help out with the teas in the President's Tent.

The judging is taking place as we speak. Shocked

But having seen the competition this morning, the only classes I stand a gnat's chance in are for jam, lemon curd (although the white bits are a worry...) and possibly photography - but only because when I put up one of my photos someone stopped and said how beautiful it was Very Happy That said, last year's winner of the 'Summer' category in photography was a sunset in which there was nothing else but the sunset and a bit of sea. It could have been at any time of the year...which I pointed out quite loudly. Embarassed

My rhubarb looked nice though...if you're into length rather than girth. Wink

Hey ho. Never mind - there's always next year. Must dash - the President's Tent awaits.
Chez

Mary-Jane wrote:
Then I'm off to help out with the teas in the President's Tent.


This conjures visions of you donning a floral shirt-waister and white gloves, popping your hair back in to a sophisticated 'roll' of some kind and simpering at the vicar ... Laughing. Did Mrs Miniver actually *enter* any of the classes, too?
gil

Chez wrote:
Mary-Jane wrote:
Then I'm off to help out with the teas in the President's Tent.


This conjures visions of you donning a floral shirt-waister and white gloves, popping your hair back in to a sophisticated 'roll' of some kind Laughing.


For me, too. Given the weather, possibly more like a tweed jacket, sensible skirt and wellies.
Grimnir

Good luck!
Soapnutter

**eagerly awaiting the results now**

Will check back later ....
Helen M

roflmao. brilliant. what imagery. you should write books x

however best of luck m-j you will do famouslyxx
2steps

Good luck M-J
Jamanda

Still no news. Has anyone any fingernails left?
Northern_Lad

Jamanda wrote:
Still no news. Has anyone any fingernails left?


Yes, but there's a few judges with only bamboo where their nails used to be.
Behemoth

Honey and ants come to mind.
Penny

Scissors 'eh? Wink
vanessa

Oooh, how did it go, MJ? I don't think I'd have the courage to enter anything like that ... not that it's the kind of thing they do here, so I'm safe (for now, at least Laughing )
Gervase

Shocked Shocked Shocked

Wink
judith

Does that mean rosettes?
vanessa

Oh c'mon Gervase, that's just not fair!! SPILL!!!! Laughing
Marionb

Looks like M-J did well..... and Gervase is dumbstruck at her success.... Shocked Laughing Laughing
Chez

Come on! You've know for AGES, now! Very Happy
Mary-Jane

I'm back and...oooh, I must go for a wee before I do anything.
gil

Mary-Jane wrote:
I'm back and...oooh, I must go for a wee before I do anything.


That has to mean she's won something.
Mary-Jane

gil wrote:
That has to mean she's won something.


Yes Very Happy But not in the jams, chutters and lemon curd section though Sad

But I got first for my broad beans;
Second and third for my french beans;
And second in the photography competition.

So not bad at all. Very Happy
Frewen

Yay! Cool

Congratulations Very Happy
Chez

Mary-Jane wrote:
But I got first for my broad beans;


Fabulous news! And that grumpy old Gervase can just keep his maundering to himself, next year Laughing.

Did anyone comment on the white bits in your lemon curd?
Marionb

Well Done Very Happy

Funny how the stuff you thought you might win with didnt win anything and the stuff you didnt think had a chance actually won... apart from the photography prediction which you got right Very Happy
gil

CONGRATULATIONS, M-J !!!! Very Happy
Well done. All that last minute work paid off, eh ?
Sarah D

Excellent, very well done! Been there, done that, still doing it. Bet you enjoyed it, though, didn't you? Cool
Fee

Mary-Jane wrote:

And second in the photography competition.

So not bad at all. Very Happy


Not bad indeed, well done you!

And do we get to see your photography competition entry? Very Happy
Grimnir

Congratulations!
Snowball

WELL DONE. Smile
Seconded to Fee's question. Also, I bet you've got photos of the prize winning beans.
Mary-Jane

Fee wrote:
And do we get to see your photography competition entry? Very Happy


Frosty bay leaves in winter...

Chez

Snowball wrote:
Also, I bet you've got photos of the prize winning beans.


I would have taken a snap. In case someone tried to sabotage me by swapping my perfectly buffed beans for scabby ones.
gil

Very nice.
What was the subject given in the Show Schedule ?
Mary-Jane

Snowball wrote:
Also, I bet you've got photos of the prize winning beans.


Actually no. I've lost our bloody camera...I last had it at the Royal Welsh (indeed, it's got Downsizer pics on it). Embarassed
Chez

Mary-Jane wrote:
I last had it at the Royal Welsh (indeed, it's got Downsizer pics on it). Embarassed


It's probably been handed in to the local police, then, under some kind of terrorism-prevention laws Laughing
Mrs Fiddlesticks

what fun! Well done M-J!

And how was the tea tent?
mochyn

Excellent. Keep it up, and I expect to see you competing at next year's Royal Welsh...
Fee

Mary-Jane wrote:
Fee wrote:
And do we get to see your photography competition entry? Very Happy


Frosty bay leaves in winter...



Lovely Very Happy
Mary-Jane

gil wrote:
Very nice.
What was the subject given in the Show Schedule ?


Winter. Which I did point out didn't give much scope to anyone who wanted to enter the competition at the last minute... Rolling Eyes
Mary-Jane

Mrs Fiddlesticks wrote:
And how was the tea tent?


Ruddy hard work. From 11am to 6pm I washed and dried up what felt like the entire crockery content of Wales. Neutral
Mary-Jane

mochyn wrote:
Excellent. Keep it up, and I expect to see you competing at next year's Royal Welsh...


Meep. Confused
mochyn

Mary-Jane wrote:
mochyn wrote:
Excellent. Keep it up, and I expect to see you competing at next year's Royal Welsh...


Meep. Confused


Belay that, Mrs Horganandwebb.

Piece of proverbial. We'll arrange a meeting time there and I'll guide you through it. Or the nice W.I. ladies will.
Mary-Jane

mochyn wrote:
We'll arrange a meeting time there and I'll guide you through it. Or the nice W.I. ladies will.


I'm not entirely sure whether that's a threat or not... Shocked
2steps

well done m-j. lovely photo Very Happy
mochyn

Mary-Jane wrote:
mochyn wrote:
We'll arrange a meeting time there and I'll guide you through it. Or the nice W.I. ladies will.


I'm not entirely sure whether that's a threat or not... Shocked


No threat: they're really kind.
Mary-Jane

Thanks everyone for your kind and Downsizery-odd/funny/amusing/weird/hilarious/encouraging comments.

I have to also confess that I may have won a second or third in the peas section as well (the winner's peas were superior to mine) - but I had a mental breakdown and only laid out 5 pods, instead of 6. Confused There was a note from the judge on my plate saying "Nice peas - but there should be 6 pods, not 5".

Rolling Eyes Idiot woman. Embarassed
Mary-Jane

mochyn wrote:
No threat: they're really kind.


They may well be in your part of Wales. Here they're the Provisional Wing...The Real W.I.

Be afraid...be very afraid. Shocked
lottie

Congratulations----err what variety were your broad beans?
Mary-Jane

lottie wrote:
...err what variety were your broad beans?


Bunyards Exhibition: http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/uk/en/product/140/1

Aquadulcie Claudia: http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/uk/en/product/138/1
lottie

Mary-Jane wrote:
lottie wrote:
...err what variety were your broad beans?


Bunyards Exhibition: http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/uk/en/product/140/1

Aquadulcie Claudia: http://seeds.thompson-morgan.com/uk/en/product/138/1

Thanks---just wondered --a chap off the allotments before we moved used to win the show every year with his saved and improved Bunyards.
hedgewitch

Brilliant!

But you should've used the food colouring in the lemon curd
lottie

I won a preserve class years ago[before I was honest] using colouring in the jam Embarassed
hedgewitch

lottie wrote:
I won a preserve class years ago[before I was honest] using colouring in the jam Embarassed


See, M-J, you should listen to me...
Frewen

Is that what people do?

I'm shocked Shocked
hedgewitch

Frewen wrote:
Is that what people do?

I'm shocked Shocked


Honestly, this is a competition, Frewen, the important thing is to WIN! Rolling Eyes Wink Laughing
Frewen

Embarassed Silly me Laughing

(goes and sits down in a corner)
hedgewitch

Frewen wrote:
Embarassed Silly me Laughing

(goes and sits down in a corner)


Now if it was felt... Wink Laughing
Frewen

How can you cheat with that then? Confused

Tell me NOW - I want to know Laughing
vanessa

That's fantastic, MJ! Well done you!! Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy
Mary-Jane

vanessa wrote:
That's fantastic, MJ! Well done you!! Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy


Embarassed Awww shucks...it was nothing really. Just a bit of fun.
vegplot

Mary-Jane wrote:
vanessa wrote:
That's fantastic, MJ! Well done you!! Very Happy Very Happy Very Happy


Embarassed Awww shucks...it was nothing really. Just a bit of fun.


You're loving this aren't you Wink
Mary-Jane

vegplot wrote:
You're loving this aren't you Wink


I have no idea what you're talking about... *looking all affronted* Wink
hedgewitch

Mary-Jane wrote:

Embarassed Awww shucks...it was nothing really. Just a bit of fun.


Why can I hear the tune from The Godfather playing in the background of this post? Shocked Wink Laughing
Erikht

Well, congratulations. Can I call you Mrs. Bean after this?
judith

Please do Very Happy
Mary-Jane

hedgewitch wrote:
Mary-Jane wrote:

Embarassed Awww shucks...it was nothing really. Just a bit of fun.


Why can I hear the tune from The Godfather playing in the background of this post? Shocked Wink Laughing


Erikht wrote:
Can I call you Mrs. Bean after this?


judith wrote:
Please do Very Happy


I really am just a source of ridicule for you lot aren't I? Rolling Eyes
Erikht

Mary-Jane wrote:
Erikht wrote:
Can I call you Mrs. Bean after this?


judith wrote:
Please do Very Happy


I really am just a source of ridicule for you lot aren't I? Rolling Eyes


A woman bragging about her pods....
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