I love seeing how the changing seasons are reflected in the contents of the organic vegetable box that is delivered on Wednesday.

The first squash to arrive, along with beans and corn. An overgrown courgette, some heirloom tomatoes, oakleaf lettuce, new season onions and carrots. I'd also chosen some cavolo nero or black cabbage.

I haven't been having them for a week or two - holidays and the bounty from my own garden. But this week, the cupboard was looking decidedly bare and I refreshed my weekly order.

Heirloom tomatoes, beans and olives for lunch with fresh bread and a lemon and olive oil dressing.

I've found three recipes for the cavolo nero:
Jamie Oliver's Ribollita - a lovely, thick rich peasant vegetable stew.
Nigel Slater's orzo, black cabbage and smoked cheese - a glorified macaroni cheese with double cream (in the oven now) and
Blue cheese mash with cavolo nero.

This last recipe is on a page of recipes for autumn vegetables and includes chard with raisins and pine nuts and a lovely little recipe for baked squash - perfect for the one in my box.

Macaroni with cavolo nero and smoked cheese "toothsome" indeed!

By about 4pm I had done about 2,000 steps, so I stepped out for a turn round the Botanic Garden - absolutely beautiful in the late afternoon sun. I was pleased to see some other latecomers in there, a couple intently reading the information board about poison ivy, a little family with their dad, young lovers chatting on one of the benches.

The carp pond in the Botanic Garden - one of my favourite spots.

And the vine-covered walkway behind the pond.

Daily Activity, Walking