Monday 23 September 2013

Food For Free


It's foraging time, and this year we are going for it full throttle. Apart from gathering ingredients for my home made Christmas presents, my sister in law and I have been seduced by the art of home brew. It was the Sloes we came for, and we found them in abundance. What we didn't expect was the sheer mass of gorgeous fat Blackberries and Elderberries. We picked the Blackberries, and are returning for the Elderberries this week.

 





Olly had a great time. As is his want he stripped for the occasion, running around the footpaths between Wicca and Zennor in his wellies and a vest. No pants (obvs). He ran into the cornfield and came back with a cob secreted about his person. Obviously I don't advocate theft, but it did make me smile. He told me it was his sword. Honestly the boy is all about Mike The Knight at the moment.




Marc & Karen hunter gathering



I have posted before about this wonderful walk. It follows a path known as the Zennor Churchway, and our walk took us past the remains of a chapel. Gramps told Olly that it was the witch's house! I love this building. It is being taken over by nature, and I guess one day it will fall down. It definitely has an atmosphere about it. Not bad, but it requires hushed tones.










Days out like this are made even more special when there is a little one with you. They have a zest and enthusiasm for life that starts to cool when they reach teen. Or rather their interest in picking fruit down a muddy pathway wanes between the ages of nearly twelve and about twenty one. Thank goodness for Olly! He may have flashed a few walkers. He may be turning into a mini kleptomaniac. He may have overdosed on Blackberries, if the rash on his tummy is anything to go by. But he turned the day from a good one into a great one.

I can't wait to show you the results of our labours. All that is required now is patience for the wine. The cider and ale will be ready in a few weeks. We are going to have an official tasting. However the Sloe Gin is off limits to all but me and Karen. Our injuries sustained pricking the sloes today has become our badge of honour. We have earnt the right to knock back the lot.

Leanne xx

11 comments:

  1. ooo show us how....i would love to make some sloe gin!!!!

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    1. I shall post the link on your blog, Jane. It's dead easy.
      xx

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  2. It looks like a lovely day, Leanne. Olly makes me smile, as always. He's very sweet and so entertaining! :)

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  3. How wonderful, and so good the chiIdren are involved. Hopefully it's something they'll take into later life when the've grown out of teenager stuff and early adulthood.
    I love foraging! We came across a hedge of sloes recently but they are too far away for ease (and cost in travel) for us and I don't know of any locally, apart from tiny wee shrubs with about 20 fruits on! I've just said on another blog, I'm looking forward to sweet chestnuts soon......chestnuts roasting on an open fire..etc etc! Yum! x

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  4. You got a fantastic haul there Leanne. When nature gives so plentifully it would be a shame not to use it.Bet you cant wait to taste the fruits of your labours!

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  5. Wow it looks like a fun time was had by all and you will have great memories in those cold days when you are tasting your bounty.
    Sarah x

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  6. What a wonderful day, in a really beautiful place. No-one does unrestrained joy like a small boy. Olly sounds an utter delight. I wish I still had a little man to accompany me during the day. Can't wait to see what you've made with all of your bounty.

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  7. Oh yay, food for free, I love it! I honestly wouldn't know a sloe berry if it bit me but I've been dazzled by the huge crop of blackberries I'm seeing everywhere this autumn. It's a homemade Christmas for us, too. And yes, small people are so good at finding joy in the little things that it's hard not to be swept up in it. xx

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  8. What a very beautiful place to go and walk, it is breathtaking. I would love it there. You took some really beautiful photos and thank you as always for sharing, it always brings that little part of me that use to love being able to go for my daily walks back alive and I am truly grateful. Olly is such a sweetie xoxo

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