P..Pick up a...P...Pick up a Pumpkin

I love this time of year not for clocks going back and making it clear that winter is almost upon us, not for the constant rain that seems to have beset us, not even for the halloween stuff (which is really not my cup of tea) but for the wonderful pumpkin. What a travesty that every year the humble pumpkin grows itself to a good old size only to be dug out, poked holes in and set alight!
On Saturday Amos and I went with friends to a Pumpkin Day at Riverford Organic Farm where this fabulous orange beast had been treated with serious respect. Yes there was an area where you could carve out your own pumpkin but you were also encouraged to take the insides home with you. There was some delicious pumpkin soup being served up, pumpkin pictures to paint and even pumpkin face painting. Amos and his lovely friend Dulcie wanted their faces painted so after an hour waiting in the queue Amos watched Dulcie having hers done and decided he didn't want it after all!!!  There was a tractor ride around the farm which the children really enjoyed despite the dubious weather, all in all it was a brilliant day out. Pumpkins weren't the only stars, there was also apple pressing, chilli threading and some fantastic food and wine tasting.
Please think again after you've shovelled out the innards of your pumpkin, you could make soup, a pie or I've even had some great pumpkin jam!