I think I'll have to sort out my mollusc problem with the sweetcorn as well, in the few cobs that made it I found a slug had eaten itself a neat little den at the top, and with no stringy bits to go brown (the slugs must have eaten the hairs like spaghetti), I had problems telling when they were ready.

The leeks just didn't grow, finally harvested them last month but still only half inch across - I didn't want monster veg but they did seem a bit miserly.

Runner beans though, thank heavens I only grew 4 plants, with only two of us to eat them (our neighbours also grow veg), I had to resort to Delia's Runner Bean Chutney!.

Anyway, my afternoon of Artichoke processing is disappearing whilst I meander through the threads - love the wildlife section - just a few more bits to read then I really will get started .....