It isn’t every day I can show off a melon! And really, this is a rather pathetic attempt, (or so I thought before I sank my teeth into it!). I haven’t had any success with rockmelons for about five years. I think they really dislike our often humid conditions. But I’m stubborn and so I persevere. The vine had many flowers, but only one set fruit. And so I’ve been watching it. And waiting. Then I took my eye off it for a couple of days (ok, so I was busy….!!), and to my absolute horror on Saturday morning, I noticed as I was watering that it had split open! And there were ants. Oh, for goodness sake!
You’ve never seen anyone pounce so quickly….out came the secateurs; I snipped it into my waiting hand, then it was off to the sink & to find a sharp knife for a little surgery & clean-up! No real damage done…just the true sign of good organic produce.
The planned tomato lunch on Saturday just didn’t eventuate….it was a delectable combination instead, of perfumed Melon Charantais, cold roast chicken…a drizzle of olive oil, a basil leaf….a rather delicate and unexpected surprise. I guess I’ll just have try all over again next year!