They’re back in the packet now. Well, almost all of them are.

Son no.1 had bought them home as a present for me, how kind of him and how appropriate.

Its taken hours to shell these, it seems a much longer process than shelling peas. I love the clatter of the hard beans against the pottery and the feel of the hard shiny beans as they slip through my fingers. Son no.2 thinks I am slightly deranged, he’s probably right! We have 1lb 11oz, they will make a nice addition to home made minestrone and other bean soups. I’m so pleased that I’ve just ordered some Borlotti beans to try and grow for next year.