Oranges and lemons

Always have lemons in the kitchen

Mandarini tree, but the fruit needs the sunshine to taste sweet

It is a common sight in Northern Italy to see lorries selling oranges from the South of Italy . It is well- known that Southern Italians are full of life and vigour so maybe eating oranges can account for that . The lorries overflowing with boxes of oranges are certainly a cheerful sight. Yesterday I saw a lorry load of otanges bearing the sign Allegria e simpatia tengono lontano la gelosia , which means - cheerfulness and friendliness keep jealousy away . What that has to do with oranges I'm not sure but it sounds good. We 're told that we should eat lots of oranges here in Italy and they certainly are worth it .Large nets of oranges and mandarini are on sale in the supermarkets all winter. We have a mandarino tree on our balcony which is over ten years old and happily survivres the cold frosty weather , unlike our poor lemon tree. Mandarini, clementine, satsumas, oranges,tangerines all have one thing in common , they are ... Orange.

One of my favourite nursery rhymes was Oranges and Lemons. I can still see my mum and the other mums all holding hands to make an arch and running under their archway so I didn't get caught . I still love it and thinking of all the bells of London.

Oranges and lemons

Say the bells of St. Clements

I owe you five farthings

Say the bells of St. Martins

When will you pay me

Say the bells of Old Bailey

When I grow rich

Say the bells of Shoreditch

When will that be?

Say thr bells of Stepney

That I don't know

Says the great bell of Bow

Here comes a candle to light you to bed

Here comes a chopper to chop off your head . If you are born within the sound of the great bell of Bow you can consider yourself a true Cockney.

Boxes of oranges to make fresh orange juice every morning