tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22442315756084371042024-03-13T07:58:27.504+00:00The Urbane ForagerThe fun and healthy family foraging activity of identifying fruit and nut trees on local public land, locating them on a map and then picking, eating, processing and preserving the produce.Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.comBlogger367125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-72240143050394393092024-02-20T13:55:00.004+00:002024-02-20T13:55:44.168+00:00<h1 style="text-align: left;"> 2024 - <b>Blossom Walk and Volunteering Opportunities in Mansbridge Community Orchard</b></h1><p style="text-align: left;"><b>TBA</b></p>Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-11168347212831876252023-06-29T18:48:00.003+01:002023-06-29T18:52:29.382+01:00Cherries and the lovely little Boat Club in St Denys<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapxjJ5OqPwRYQRb6uekybwjorENsDedm7pDWCYKyfkxVWCD9MGfnWFVqDLCsYOiOXMyiKYn29tx5jx2_JRjM8bmxvdRte9P2458LP3h3WfTtX8mkYNE1dcGTjXEfC0dmGkATGJ6XR_OZA9D2yT5XBB-l5JnOWJsUqNvB9_2VjGvSo3NlHxVPKUHV5/s3264/IMG_3270.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhapxjJ5OqPwRYQRb6uekybwjorENsDedm7pDWCYKyfkxVWCD9MGfnWFVqDLCsYOiOXMyiKYn29tx5jx2_JRjM8bmxvdRte9P2458LP3h3WfTtX8mkYNE1dcGTjXEfC0dmGkATGJ6XR_OZA9D2yT5XBB-l5JnOWJsUqNvB9_2VjGvSo3NlHxVPKUHV5/w300-h400/IMG_3270.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our daughter is back from university, and on a sweltering sunny day, she asked if I wanted to go for a walk around the park after I returned from work. </span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZStyOxaL5Q7R4GrEmKq_JP5pPuJpzSfH0Tmdob7t3VuLomYjuQtGjfN3P9W56C09GeV8Tga40KFmhrh-81tFUIIu3PjRXAOEFeKQ_6nmwUdlXiYHMjlwXIJuYmzz3sLvAmV_cOBxFiCbWX6ahHiGkGQJu05cHehRrnFtUxdtmPMcZcIEe29KaWzL/s3264/IMG_3256.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTZStyOxaL5Q7R4GrEmKq_JP5pPuJpzSfH0Tmdob7t3VuLomYjuQtGjfN3P9W56C09GeV8Tga40KFmhrh-81tFUIIu3PjRXAOEFeKQ_6nmwUdlXiYHMjlwXIJuYmzz3sLvAmV_cOBxFiCbWX6ahHiGkGQJu05cHehRrnFtUxdtmPMcZcIEe29KaWzL/w400-h300/IMG_3256.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As we were crossing the bridge over the Itchen river, it occurred to me that it was time for ripening cherries (we have a small but prolific tree in our front garden).</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDomFNvoJFKZJ1dcCJ00PhUTXGRm0xQ_eo2u8wSqDh6uIiL8_Rob7DGy3XGHCym4tCvO9ieHhEIz6SJ-hGuNdgjFcCa8arLes6F8E6GK4RaKai2TBxBd4DRlNATFIAiUMAq3efoftczVk2ECuH3DYVe1XxhH7MCMV58eGXbZQmvki1pEuahZhq9fyZ/s3264/IMG_3258.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDomFNvoJFKZJ1dcCJ00PhUTXGRm0xQ_eo2u8wSqDh6uIiL8_Rob7DGy3XGHCym4tCvO9ieHhEIz6SJ-hGuNdgjFcCa8arLes6F8E6GK4RaKai2TBxBd4DRlNATFIAiUMAq3efoftczVk2ECuH3DYVe1XxhH7MCMV58eGXbZQmvki1pEuahZhq9fyZ/w400-h300/IMG_3258.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I suggested a short detour through St Denys, where we had collected cherries before. The tide was low but it would return the next morning.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHKamzlEq335VSY-0i4a54HNwBGY3gB_wYY9-dNNHVW1s6vx0-GlAnri5Qsi4Kowq824JMrIorgitBAj2NL8oduuyfUY_nfCtK3tjFp2HQEZJXAU23HZfkcIDLWLMF5w1mPIT6zmGsjRSibJu6eB0JlArvn8BbOBMq9-_KvYna0OyhTIzLyDGrvND/s3264/IMG_3261.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBHKamzlEq335VSY-0i4a54HNwBGY3gB_wYY9-dNNHVW1s6vx0-GlAnri5Qsi4Kowq824JMrIorgitBAj2NL8oduuyfUY_nfCtK3tjFp2HQEZJXAU23HZfkcIDLWLMF5w1mPIT6zmGsjRSibJu6eB0JlArvn8BbOBMq9-_KvYna0OyhTIzLyDGrvND/w400-h300/IMG_3261.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Our luck was in and the timing was perfect, the trees we looked at had lots of ripe fruit and the birds were starting to pick them off, making a mess on the pavement. We grabbed a few by reaching up as high as we could and shoving them directly into our eager mouths, then vowed to return the following morning, armed to the teeth with fruit pickers.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj717wLLx_Mop9ClBH4hqjDFqSJ5xNIEO2sObir57MMlZKBU8s6jvwRQjBwo7fCHuxaabJreKedAFpkWBr9MBK-ieB23LuIgSMkuLKQl_aAXhTaT-9WoJlxtdHtO3tRypLY3DJFFM6YQIpkyqAJNH6OAfOpyurEvPdKVIt68WIHPnvBpei_9g2bB2Tw/s3264/IMG_3267.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj717wLLx_Mop9ClBH4hqjDFqSJ5xNIEO2sObir57MMlZKBU8s6jvwRQjBwo7fCHuxaabJreKedAFpkWBr9MBK-ieB23LuIgSMkuLKQl_aAXhTaT-9WoJlxtdHtO3tRypLY3DJFFM6YQIpkyqAJNH6OAfOpyurEvPdKVIt68WIHPnvBpei_9g2bB2Tw/w400-h300/IMG_3267.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Bright and breezy the next day, we filled our collecting box to the brim, whilst still stuffing our greedy mouths with whatever we could manage. We then zipped out for a lovely paddle board down the river, joined by our son, before finally bringing home the booty, or what was left of it any way.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvtOyasLhC09cxA4qzaFS4cJzBKeS5IrQuThhpH-p9c2oA5EWaLhIllxGLWaI52wxMNXRobL23Zj3Uq3q63Gx7AvfoXPleWQBXki3kzVPLPxU0rL0st3JSXqzfOkmqqvb6gGtKQ1myYVc5lIpzNs-36OI0PLg6y9rrNI8ggZF3RMwsx16tXFE1ic8/s1280/IMG_3266.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="1280" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgvtOyasLhC09cxA4qzaFS4cJzBKeS5IrQuThhpH-p9c2oA5EWaLhIllxGLWaI52wxMNXRobL23Zj3Uq3q63Gx7AvfoXPleWQBXki3kzVPLPxU0rL0st3JSXqzfOkmqqvb6gGtKQ1myYVc5lIpzNs-36OI0PLg6y9rrNI8ggZF3RMwsx16tXFE1ic8/w400-h300/IMG_3266.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #38761d; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><br /></p>Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-7232451884976033832022-11-20T11:57:00.040+00:002023-01-04T16:09:03.794+00:002022<div style="text-align: left;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: large; text-align: justify;">It has been another busy year for us. Our daughter has been preparing for university and our son is out of school and into college. I'm delighted to say that we do still have plenty of fun picking fruit together, and we always enjoy getting out and about in the Autumn months to see what we can find.</span></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdd6Jg-VBpSWvbR86GftR-Vg9-ctCBg9q_Ig5YvvBXaRw7a7p6UqPq6wjn6-VTeLUGXphxNxFDGMZYgXy4FWdS9NJd1hFm39JSLgv9xEL75_oKwiFUx87AKdVFMTZ_JcB1ebM84iQjxX3io0I3Z2dnt4cwdCWDtQfoeWoglbE3AsdOnnE6r68AKA/s320/IMG_0079.JPG" width="320" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13;">Earlier in the year, I popped into a <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2013/12/mistletoe-wreaths.html" target="_blank">local school fete</a>, and took a gamble on a random selection of chillies and peppers. They were only very young when I bought them, so I had no idea what would develop, but I'm pleased to report that they are still producing fruit in November. We already had enough chillies to make, <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=sweet+chilli+jam" target="_blank">sweet chilli jam</a>, which is a house favourite, and the peppers are now long, yellow, pointy and sweet.</span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsXYrtBlc1bTupt0iz-dFcjWaxxmqg_2tL-bW9s0vLImX-cVps0_reoqAJr787PvK1V8V8GYtFb6ymaIe5bmnP_gv9-qnXUCM0tlGLfhXC1YpLpJtsuRVTRfVix3O6iw25B8c9Aii4npl_3y5ckmFbDjQV32SiGhNDwOZL5Ote5kv_lzVwtcGIw/s3264/IMG_0088.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJsXYrtBlc1bTupt0iz-dFcjWaxxmqg_2tL-bW9s0vLImX-cVps0_reoqAJr787PvK1V8V8GYtFb6ymaIe5bmnP_gv9-qnXUCM0tlGLfhXC1YpLpJtsuRVTRfVix3O6iw25B8c9Aii4npl_3y5ckmFbDjQV32SiGhNDwOZL5Ote5kv_lzVwtcGIw/s320/IMG_0088.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13;">My <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=allotment" target="_blank">allotment </a>produced its normal load of delicious soft fruits but the veg (and I) struggled with the drought conditions and my lack of attention, so this will be my last year there. A sad point here, is that an apple tree, <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2016/11/pre-peared-for-winter.html" target="_blank">grown by our son from a pip</a>, has been producing loads of very nice apples that keep well and are good for eating. We will leave it for the next occupant.</span></div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREjxqaCXg-k2YdikCWzlBh6GGQrdA0MkqjBWi9CXLTYbzW3OrNcss7BAFLHVWEhkVa3g3eXahSK64Cux8ptHaGhBOIglUfLu9s2tyYDqXcp-BHo0xm-uxTbO6wR50THHfnsfGDtEDrvr1zK2yKoMXtmGVCqnmmX7sQ2ZnW8GOORzWbDyE59NZPQ/s3264/IMG_9339.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhREjxqaCXg-k2YdikCWzlBh6GGQrdA0MkqjBWi9CXLTYbzW3OrNcss7BAFLHVWEhkVa3g3eXahSK64Cux8ptHaGhBOIglUfLu9s2tyYDqXcp-BHo0xm-uxTbO6wR50THHfnsfGDtEDrvr1zK2yKoMXtmGVCqnmmX7sQ2ZnW8GOORzWbDyE59NZPQ/s320/IMG_9339.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: justify;">I am now working at the local <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2013/12/awesome-autumnal-update.html" target="_blank">university </a>and have taken advantage of their beautifully landscaped campus during lunch breaks, including the mulberry tree, which produces a different fruit from the red ones we were familiar with, so I froze the fruits while I consider their best options. I think it might be a white mulberry, good for feeding silk-worms apparently. There is an interesting historical story about this, <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=silk+worms" target="_blank">elsewhere on this blog</a>.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMd53FYKXkEo39X6q5qFinP3gplsi14leO4ACUI78yVbwTwpfZpdpBjF672OsyB_oQhNaJUkQtv0cpJTqpphiMs80skZHhFY7uiKfUzAqtuTT_zsNnpIFKZJskXwWqdo3dU2IIRljwAUDgmLjFzdnz0RR5K4A9pkJcyIWWf90dxKzCW04WsT-xQ/s3264/IMG_9624.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVMd53FYKXkEo39X6q5qFinP3gplsi14leO4ACUI78yVbwTwpfZpdpBjF672OsyB_oQhNaJUkQtv0cpJTqpphiMs80skZHhFY7uiKfUzAqtuTT_zsNnpIFKZJskXwWqdo3dU2IIRljwAUDgmLjFzdnz0RR5K4A9pkJcyIWWf90dxKzCW04WsT-xQ/s320/IMG_9624.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: justify;">During a crazy day or two in September, the kids and I went out to pick pears and apples in huge quantities, we then had a nice apple day in the garden, inviting friends and teenagers to help press and drink the golden juice, the rest is steadily <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2011/09/apple-avalanche-leads-to-cider-tsunami.html" target="_blank">fermenting into cider</a> in my shed!</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZRezfp99yOqZCOaiD1jao3lbnh-SQR65Jse0deKke3ayiMnWxMM94e_4QBLBqEJhJJOyfdr1VD3Ky1OzV9CUWwmeqiM9Lvd65aL-nkIzoFHtvk69FCFhmxjTd4ktrrXjCPjzsdKK6bBQhP8Qcz16IESTGhwTcfWMvi1R5FI8pE06AlbmTTo6GA/s3264/IMG_9914.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifZRezfp99yOqZCOaiD1jao3lbnh-SQR65Jse0deKke3ayiMnWxMM94e_4QBLBqEJhJJOyfdr1VD3Ky1OzV9CUWwmeqiM9Lvd65aL-nkIzoFHtvk69FCFhmxjTd4ktrrXjCPjzsdKK6bBQhP8Qcz16IESTGhwTcfWMvi1R5FI8pE06AlbmTTo6GA/s320/IMG_9914.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white; color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Along with my good friend Lou, we also organised an Apple Day at the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/180486315362683/permalink/5528668080544453" target="_blank">Mansbridge Community Orchard</a>. It had been a couple of years since we had been able to do hold this annual event, so we were unsure how many people would turn up. However, we soon had <a href="https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=10166501814940307&set=pcb.5528668080544453" target="_blank">a substantial crowd of helpers</a>, participants roamed off to gather fruit and returned with bags full of bounty. Back at base camp the keen team smashed and pressed the fruit into delicious juice, which was gulped down and used to <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/p/campaign.html" target="_blank">fill drinks bottles to take home</a>.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDh3ZQuZuiLNbZ5uTJx8ehdGPRgu7ggMl3ZpoUsJY_gi-alZCwtNw-MTU0na_Ko5FOfnGm6RHUHfEGFYYOnwuCTTIOKJSSPTf1X8C8jtKEUFQHZ-tfHZ45ud4kTgvglrFVFT13RvTcGgTvZ_8PnZyytjleqHSFfPotwK0sZQ7tokwP664FF2hKg/s3264/IMG_9920.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEDh3ZQuZuiLNbZ5uTJx8ehdGPRgu7ggMl3ZpoUsJY_gi-alZCwtNw-MTU0na_Ko5FOfnGm6RHUHfEGFYYOnwuCTTIOKJSSPTf1X8C8jtKEUFQHZ-tfHZ45ud4kTgvglrFVFT13RvTcGgTvZ_8PnZyytjleqHSFfPotwK0sZQ7tokwP664FF2hKg/s320/IMG_9920.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><p><br /></p>Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-31409092275771663572022-06-24T15:15:00.001+01:002022-06-24T15:16:39.866+01:00Red & Ready Summer Berries<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Visiting my allotment I realised it was time to start harvesting my Summer berries. I started with the Raspberries, which always taste divine, straight off the plant.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MoVs7ybqrduvRDm8x04Xm4_wnDH2etlKd9UHi2KRWMSluUnudz6M2QEmRTgHP5O_aUMb8FN_mdlqSYzfgtLg0PR49cVZ76ccaK47zMwVgGKF2q0cP78aY-4DqAYYt2D4XuRO7OY-1B_qr14nkZsW3uHnYFced4rTHrzLsaUkcVtFvWQsb5kH-Q/s3264/IMG_9167.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3MoVs7ybqrduvRDm8x04Xm4_wnDH2etlKd9UHi2KRWMSluUnudz6M2QEmRTgHP5O_aUMb8FN_mdlqSYzfgtLg0PR49cVZ76ccaK47zMwVgGKF2q0cP78aY-4DqAYYt2D4XuRO7OY-1B_qr14nkZsW3uHnYFced4rTHrzLsaUkcVtFvWQsb5kH-Q/s320/IMG_9167.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Then I moved onto the tart little Redcurrants, which always add a bit of bite to the sweeter fruits in puddings and also help when making jam.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80n6alJlZmB9hc0mbwRimsr5W9z4kSALQCyNILbDamxPpBMOOsAWmTrjbi_yHZL5qUREms2xFqor3o-QVMYcZYA3gOvpX33sFaoLU6Hkr4N_OIruhsouOrDlZlUlMlvBSSQM1zb3DcOmJ4VzBwtuElQ2l662TapwfzlA4kITB2Ao9PTivAkiUVw/s3264/IMG_9173.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg80n6alJlZmB9hc0mbwRimsr5W9z4kSALQCyNILbDamxPpBMOOsAWmTrjbi_yHZL5qUREms2xFqor3o-QVMYcZYA3gOvpX33sFaoLU6Hkr4N_OIruhsouOrDlZlUlMlvBSSQM1zb3DcOmJ4VzBwtuElQ2l662TapwfzlA4kITB2Ao9PTivAkiUVw/s320/IMG_9173.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: arial;">Then it was the Tayberries, as long as my thumb on occasions, and always a tad more risky to pick due to their fine thorns.</span><span style="text-align: center;">.</span></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaVx2xUbQEhgpNGnV_1NRY9qNustZF1Zvez_50Z7IddkQ5NxySdmw8HdlPJtGvjyDdgX06jKNRS6p4aQkzLnoaCqD8X61jkWmRmvjC33QqMte-wD-sHmDOpkIly91uJ3kipewvW0c4PoEVQJRR7sJb6f2uJOZN5JoXJfUfsENHDcsl_elFGx66w/s3264/IMG_9177.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZaVx2xUbQEhgpNGnV_1NRY9qNustZF1Zvez_50Z7IddkQ5NxySdmw8HdlPJtGvjyDdgX06jKNRS6p4aQkzLnoaCqD8X61jkWmRmvjC33QqMte-wD-sHmDOpkIly91uJ3kipewvW0c4PoEVQJRR7sJb6f2uJOZN5JoXJfUfsENHDcsl_elFGx66w/s320/IMG_9177.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">Finally my favourites, the lusty Loganberry, tasty sharp, sweet and large. The only drawback is that they can get over-ripe quite quickly.</span><p></p><p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaM4k8vDOMH96WL92m8AE-N19rLe19rVtJZWsaIwUaM0P52FOzaktD1Pc1IVxVPOExXZ9WoHIvyANuJ8Hb7cSyXuueyf8k0XSnE-gyqPN9TGCq8WDEyX1jKF4xWlSz5SHAQaX-qcuZjGwivhwB1kK_-wx1MSBnumDsNPwagF7K17PTZElPaHQxkg/s2448/IMG_9170.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaM4k8vDOMH96WL92m8AE-N19rLe19rVtJZWsaIwUaM0P52FOzaktD1Pc1IVxVPOExXZ9WoHIvyANuJ8Hb7cSyXuueyf8k0XSnE-gyqPN9TGCq8WDEyX1jKF4xWlSz5SHAQaX-qcuZjGwivhwB1kK_-wx1MSBnumDsNPwagF7K17PTZElPaHQxkg/s320/IMG_9170.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I also picked some Blueberries because they were getting ripe, before returning triumphant with my large box of soft fruit, ready to be scoffed with ice cream or added to muesli for breakfast.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdb94ycSUkmH4cWjBXN-wMp9WpDlLiI7Sk6a729ocd-HVKioPFwDE-YGYiJbSXnXn7-cBWh9lmbBr8_xik1wpn69cVt8DYA7sIDyAie0VfHk6biM8XWGjEQPxUWW3gg37vFxF08raPjDRpQpiTqe2mQF7e7orreo9wGCVWUvaRb0x1GojF4sdXA/s3264/IMG_9181.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiUdb94ycSUkmH4cWjBXN-wMp9WpDlLiI7Sk6a729ocd-HVKioPFwDE-YGYiJbSXnXn7-cBWh9lmbBr8_xik1wpn69cVt8DYA7sIDyAie0VfHk6biM8XWGjEQPxUWW3gg37vFxF08raPjDRpQpiTqe2mQF7e7orreo9wGCVWUvaRb0x1GojF4sdXA/s320/IMG_9181.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">As I arrived home I realised that I also needed to begin harvesting my Cherries. On close inspection, I realised that something had been eating them before they were fully ripe...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJIo0TBt2-b4wqJz8AOB4_JTwltYruXmvHbQCzLllXXI1lT-yEpXfEEnt11mk5CbiM56rW9uxs2v7PLdE3UYecEfpW0mt3Siw16Vjs28yrgAwTSap5jDYbVo8Ha3-TbmqVQYKB1Yn1KxLmXPX3UCNPb4wu7wh2wqi-NyE_t8esa0yOicA7kcVLw/s3264/IMG_9182.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiJIo0TBt2-b4wqJz8AOB4_JTwltYruXmvHbQCzLllXXI1lT-yEpXfEEnt11mk5CbiM56rW9uxs2v7PLdE3UYecEfpW0mt3Siw16Vjs28yrgAwTSap5jDYbVo8Ha3-TbmqVQYKB1Yn1KxLmXPX3UCNPb4wu7wh2wqi-NyE_t8esa0yOicA7kcVLw/s320/IMG_9182.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I laid in wait to discover the culprit...</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCy_V1Ahrs3kFpEHd8X2ZKygoQ9UCoQ4Ra9SO2NYEBfLod9H-cbAbYYXm60ld1g-AJM_g4eDsNC4Zvo3m2yoBLFMAIBSaeu6wKvTk88KJClOhmXCMljv4bxZaTlZ2JKLWYeaCNhf3WTyLCw7Ui5KI0U-PAjWocn9S_tJHL450h0xQcslm3AMSNyg/s3264/IMG_9185.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCy_V1Ahrs3kFpEHd8X2ZKygoQ9UCoQ4Ra9SO2NYEBfLod9H-cbAbYYXm60ld1g-AJM_g4eDsNC4Zvo3m2yoBLFMAIBSaeu6wKvTk88KJClOhmXCMljv4bxZaTlZ2JKLWYeaCNhf3WTyLCw7Ui5KI0U-PAjWocn9S_tJHL450h0xQcslm3AMSNyg/s320/IMG_9185.JPG" width="240" /></span></a></div><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><span style="color: #274e13; font-size: medium;"><br /><br /> </span><p></p>Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-23761992884968450822022-01-11T13:56:00.000+00:002022-01-11T13:56:57.189+00:00Reflections on the Fruity Constancy of Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQsDJfO8hfzzZspzVg-BtOkEBotb64UJSlqUEWmJW3vZZOJzPJ2z39SJDaMFBJhqQ72xK_mVz2hVtFyOdQiqggmTu2GVlZ55XYnGy4Szon2RdUhBNFao8g4drDI1027Y-3GAI3F9QO4-eAOi6-U-AAQKg52A_S9N_LAY9Abz-d5qsnx_kTEP6pCQ=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjQsDJfO8hfzzZspzVg-BtOkEBotb64UJSlqUEWmJW3vZZOJzPJ2z39SJDaMFBJhqQ72xK_mVz2hVtFyOdQiqggmTu2GVlZ55XYnGy4Szon2RdUhBNFao8g4drDI1027Y-3GAI3F9QO4-eAOi6-U-AAQKg52A_S9N_LAY9Abz-d5qsnx_kTEP6pCQ=w400-h300" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">Normal is not a word that we will be using easily any time soon. The global pandemic has touched everyone </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">probably,</span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; text-align: left;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">in numerous different ways. For me the biggest changes in the past two years have been, </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">losing my elderly parents, and </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; text-align: left;">being made redundant after 15 years in one job. These two things were not directly linked to COVID-19, but they occurred during this period and added to my emotional stress levels. However, <i>because </i>of the pandemic, I did quickly find temporary employment, in a state of the art Coronavirus saliva testing laboratory, this was exciting, challenging, interesting and lasted for nearly a year. </span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTk_bSoFtcI5gTdyJKtLXJNISJZZjPba0Yb2MzYcXcBEoKRVVb4mbY-FmDfqwXaac1xAtOTdrIak0HeIVMV8feaLownxrYsr6E6uD4P7sRClR5XGqftj-npn1E9YlCxPUyhRw_akQYMlpV9bcv77-v_0-7qLfB46bPR7cELo2hjg3cu0em9mmZTg=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhTk_bSoFtcI5gTdyJKtLXJNISJZZjPba0Yb2MzYcXcBEoKRVVb4mbY-FmDfqwXaac1xAtOTdrIak0HeIVMV8feaLownxrYsr6E6uD4P7sRClR5XGqftj-npn1E9YlCxPUyhRw_akQYMlpV9bcv77-v_0-7qLfB46bPR7cELo2hjg3cu0em9mmZTg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">One aspect of my life that changed directly as a result of the virus was being unable to coach and train Wing Chun (Chinese kung fu), my hobby for over 30 years. I think the most significant thing that I missed was the social aspect of running a sports club. Being in frequent close proximity to people, who's company you enjoy and trust, while taking part in physical activity and learning, is tremendously beneficial to mental states and wellbeing. While we were unable to train together, I set up an online </span><a href="https://www.facebook.com/QigongKeys/?ref=pages_you_manage" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">Qigong course</a><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"> to help people to reduce personal stress and control anxiety, while learning this solo art.</span></div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWJEVmO-ffBqDIhG5llZd7G5ycH1zrT9V9br5zyG4Byr76d8QNMJKE9gD4tbfWXaXw-GOb0HgRY1IvZ6qBr0ZTP6cN38aR06nNBwzNG2B_wHjnNVMPdrNWrORrh6KJvvs_cQKl0Tf6Azd-ZQVtoQrvyKSeU2nmldHwJfkuqzwZRVOSv7DyYaz2OA=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhWJEVmO-ffBqDIhG5llZd7G5ycH1zrT9V9br5zyG4Byr76d8QNMJKE9gD4tbfWXaXw-GOb0HgRY1IvZ6qBr0ZTP6cN38aR06nNBwzNG2B_wHjnNVMPdrNWrORrh6KJvvs_cQKl0Tf6Azd-ZQVtoQrvyKSeU2nmldHwJfkuqzwZRVOSv7DyYaz2OA=s320" width="240" /></a></div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">In many ways, being outside often, walking, observing nature and actively partaking in the seasonal changes, has been a consistent balm to my stress and anxiety levels during this difficult time and being aware of the ordinary changes, constantly reminds me that change is not only healthy but also is actually the only normal there can ever be.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3ZxuZ_IduAlSQ-oLRH_1i1YVQRkYTNcdBvJXx9pPTOrvoh_ulmC2KQmN0EoYGN8o4K-b4A9OxKh6250MWODYp2oC6Ji6VWDwX_xgGZ7I0pCPkkQl6jQ1XsY2FHo-8PySJ7kyHnlMZct-mXcYOZ1GG5zJ2cfRAk_QqkI6eEx7rSPQGkhVVDA3glw=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEj3ZxuZ_IduAlSQ-oLRH_1i1YVQRkYTNcdBvJXx9pPTOrvoh_ulmC2KQmN0EoYGN8o4K-b4A9OxKh6250MWODYp2oC6Ji6VWDwX_xgGZ7I0pCPkkQl6jQ1XsY2FHo-8PySJ7kyHnlMZct-mXcYOZ1GG5zJ2cfRAk_QqkI6eEx7rSPQGkhVVDA3glw=w300-h400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">Lots and Lots of Lovely Apples</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">Our children have now grown into teenagers, so their wants and needs are ever changing, but I'm pleased to say that they are still very happy to come apple picking with me in Autumn.</span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuc-Bh48obTcOwPafl3X3AIeKchMVRoBV7fZ8jYkqmFMNTiRXVE0DwkW9I29_FKrRnsWODqqI8DDAfOZJ97OUSW4Owq5Boltex6s4I57NzrSUNTZblw_PsNo_btgr901FFxwrwps4LOfyBZh4a-4g4bg7EKwU5-bckmvJT9NLpzw_usLk3gzmDvw=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhuc-Bh48obTcOwPafl3X3AIeKchMVRoBV7fZ8jYkqmFMNTiRXVE0DwkW9I29_FKrRnsWODqqI8DDAfOZJ97OUSW4Owq5Boltex6s4I57NzrSUNTZblw_PsNo_btgr901FFxwrwps4LOfyBZh4a-4g4bg7EKwU5-bckmvJT9NLpzw_usLk3gzmDvw=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">The Processing Begins with the Stainless Steel Spade</span></div></td></tr></tbody></table></span></div><p></p><div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">The kids and I along with my friend Andy picked about 300 Kgs of apples this Autumn, a really tasty haul. Lugging the heavy bags of colourful fruit up to the back of my garden, was quite enough exercise for one day.</span></div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicHdAB25ZElx3tETi8qz_DjjWmvi7HV_ju92_K5rNQTWgUunFqJS7b9r4sAyJQp27kbRwGYbVTk7NfvVkAFVZjIe_Rb6ozYLl3TgWbAd6uc5LrlxS_h0mwIAWMfC-42sM0Gl_oBETM3zRRWaY4ouzC5IuhrvLir82KjpwlK7lGcKMdtWGX-bY2qg=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEicHdAB25ZElx3tETi8qz_DjjWmvi7HV_ju92_K5rNQTWgUunFqJS7b9r4sAyJQp27kbRwGYbVTk7NfvVkAFVZjIe_Rb6ozYLl3TgWbAd6uc5LrlxS_h0mwIAWMfC-42sM0Gl_oBETM3zRRWaY4ouzC5IuhrvLir82KjpwlK7lGcKMdtWGX-bY2qg=w300-h400" width="300" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">The Delicious Juice begins to Pour</span></td></tr></tbody></table></span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><div style="text-align: justify;">Then, one sunny weekend, Andy and I smashed, bashed, crushed and juiced the piles of apples and produced around 60 litres of delicious apple juice. It was a hard work,. but a nice (not to mention productive) way to spend the day. After our hard grafting we stored the juice in various buckets and jars in the garden shed, where it soon began to ferment into 60 litres of tasty cider. We aim to reduce this volume soon, it's taking up a lot of room in my shed!</div></span><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7Y_lw770mCru63yaQsqhzg1z9Kxcd87-wf5m0bYMJ7ymBaOrhu7gKaRdPEyY7u8v-rzD0Uf-S2CnfgXffuIqYR6Z6bsTArkkx438Ukm2DqLQxyl40q-fcy9LqStSqM84H_3hwf4-HwHp9IjAWQwAdSres9G35WYCC5dYnEgfJ8ttwQx3QKTQhcw=s3264" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEh7Y_lw770mCru63yaQsqhzg1z9Kxcd87-wf5m0bYMJ7ymBaOrhu7gKaRdPEyY7u8v-rzD0Uf-S2CnfgXffuIqYR6Z6bsTArkkx438Ukm2DqLQxyl40q-fcy9LqStSqM84H_3hwf4-HwHp9IjAWQwAdSres9G35WYCC5dYnEgfJ8ttwQx3QKTQhcw=w400-h300" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: x-small;">Quite a Lot of Cider!</span></td></tr></tbody></table></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">I also collected a good load of delicious yellow plums, which my daughter was more than happy to consume.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtjIGL5sYaaJmahBXmPCSBFmsmhTvyIQ-URQSaEWNotQD7OGM627MRJ2j_RVRYgKbH39eUfOaMeu_pnz4zIrIbLFrcebxZK7P69AZxSz_dkJ_Uje11g-RYMGM-dLQtfvRF6EXNJw2NEA1M8z_tY8IG70xDLIcZFeJzU5HH5F6um6NVJz_Dsf_veg=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgtjIGL5sYaaJmahBXmPCSBFmsmhTvyIQ-URQSaEWNotQD7OGM627MRJ2j_RVRYgKbH39eUfOaMeu_pnz4zIrIbLFrcebxZK7P69AZxSz_dkJ_Uje11g-RYMGM-dLQtfvRF6EXNJw2NEA1M8z_tY8IG70xDLIcZFeJzU5HH5F6um6NVJz_Dsf_veg=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><br /><div style="text-align: justify;">In November I started new employment, as a research technician at Southampton university. While wandering about during lunch hours, I kept an eye on the Medlar tree, situated near the Physics building, where I now work.</div></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyKqCtjQJCTkXLag6NBHTXdGdrgfEAD2QVEAEt69zVeZy1YAnvm55tbT2ssBaCJ0A3LyIGXDj894880yNuhYemCKoa23FrAUJwdK_egrrTxw0kLt7fY44t_csGGmIB2kgx0J4cOJPysKIrRo2-Mo1LZou1fj_EziW9HH0iMmN9-YuMAOzkGwhy0A=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: "Times New Roman"; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3264" data-original-width="2448" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgyKqCtjQJCTkXLag6NBHTXdGdrgfEAD2QVEAEt69zVeZy1YAnvm55tbT2ssBaCJ0A3LyIGXDj894880yNuhYemCKoa23FrAUJwdK_egrrTxw0kLt7fY44t_csGGmIB2kgx0J4cOJPysKIrRo2-Mo1LZou1fj_EziW9HH0iMmN9-YuMAOzkGwhy0A=s320" width="240" /></a></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">I have meddled with Medlars before, making wine and jelly but fancied something different this year. I gave a load to my friend Matt, who made nettle beer with me earlier in the year, and he produced a delightfully fruity Medlar Ale. </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">I covered some Medlars with gin, in jars to supplement our Christmas Sloe Gin. We picked bags of Sloes during a much needed break on the Isle of Wight, and I can now testify that Medlar liquor is just as fruity as Sloe Gin, with a unique and distinctly different flavour and colour.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-jfgkfz9_bBigVF9I6uuea01CDjvWo0rEcJYCPBi0Ni6MZ3WVfGsTE3RbTM7YZ9VsgjNd_rXhJ6dYmvqPjPaHrD8aixZBIkP915x3K4vArFilGQGPAAf9GeAXw70h6bMUsTtBi-uIEEPQb-m-8VtFMHWn-JSNiMboZAX7G0KSEZrU8t8yqJWPqQ=s3264" imageanchor="1" style="font-family: arial; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2448" data-original-width="3264" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEg-jfgkfz9_bBigVF9I6uuea01CDjvWo0rEcJYCPBi0Ni6MZ3WVfGsTE3RbTM7YZ9VsgjNd_rXhJ6dYmvqPjPaHrD8aixZBIkP915x3K4vArFilGQGPAAf9GeAXw70h6bMUsTtBi-uIEEPQb-m-8VtFMHWn-JSNiMboZAX7G0KSEZrU8t8yqJWPqQ=s320" width="320" /></a></div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">With my remaining Medlars, I produced Medlar fruit cheese or fruit leathers (as the recipe named them). Personally I don't think they bear any resemblance to cheese or leather, they are sweet, deliciously moist, very fruity, and they also keep remarkably well.</span></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhisTDYiXyxAOeYXA9k0J006id4MAtFN7OFq_inbAxS-jI2N6ZLHwZLIyM1DKW9y2MKqGaef5w6NiUXikFLhCGYjKepgClZx6Am_ZyL2yul8xbmLoWpJnsy4n6xBCUngsMc5oaig5uszX6Vbka7MDX6I106HcePCi9BcToLFps-9a6ZBOlbSuwxag=s2196" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1484" data-original-width="2196" height="270" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhisTDYiXyxAOeYXA9k0J006id4MAtFN7OFq_inbAxS-jI2N6ZLHwZLIyM1DKW9y2MKqGaef5w6NiUXikFLhCGYjKepgClZx6Am_ZyL2yul8xbmLoWpJnsy4n6xBCUngsMc5oaig5uszX6Vbka7MDX6I106HcePCi9BcToLFps-9a6ZBOlbSuwxag=w400-h270" width="400" /></a></div><br /><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><br /></span><p><br /></p></div></div></div>Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-19987409413942533962021-10-10T19:37:00.008+01:002021-10-13T17:08:09.047+01:00Foraging and Qigong Walks - National Park City Status <div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; font-size: x-large; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_NCOfAk88U-HG8b3QvdzIJj5bS92Uh9yZEOAJmLj3eB0KvCWT1THhlCn9BrKxnz2w-m_5HZsmoOinva3XvUOdlpPUYEX8Sf6_hyphenhyphenl5s0ev_macD3stJ_zwCzZNh4TxDWfeb19yULYfQ/s2048/IMG_6153.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL_NCOfAk88U-HG8b3QvdzIJj5bS92Uh9yZEOAJmLj3eB0KvCWT1THhlCn9BrKxnz2w-m_5HZsmoOinva3XvUOdlpPUYEX8Sf6_hyphenhyphenl5s0ev_macD3stJ_zwCzZNh4TxDWfeb19yULYfQ/w400-h300/IMG_6153.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="font-size: medium;">Autumn is always a busy time, and we have already harvested over 100 kgs of apples, that's around 40 litres of juice (quite enough cider for the year), but we will be picking a whole lot more soon. </span></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_jPH3yEP8cYVOvIclyE108F0RAm-ywEQkeEqB8g-oUwYM1MohLMIFNFf6LBdmO42bHs3MLrJsyuV8-_i1I968DJXr9A10YMi3YQ7BzU2T3xWNpAulPSBNolfUBkrQAiDYJOpb4si9w/s4608/P1060071.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk_jPH3yEP8cYVOvIclyE108F0RAm-ywEQkeEqB8g-oUwYM1MohLMIFNFf6LBdmO42bHs3MLrJsyuV8-_i1I968DJXr9A10YMi3YQ7BzU2T3xWNpAulPSBNolfUBkrQAiDYJOpb4si9w/w400-h300/P1060071.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium; text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I recently lead two, very enjoyable, foraging walks around Southampton, one in Mansbridge and the other on Peartree Green</span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">targeting <b><a href="https://www.nationalparkcity.org/" target="_blank">National Park City</a></b> status for our lovely city. </span></div></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IumzCwZf6eab8SorDd_aV8Jo85E_bHB1IgdebaoMB1JosGavqyj6HAuvYLIT3Kxax-eVhOc-Q5nFqOAsD6cdYtJwelHL5Yq-wvrF4xlFEBbhN1KY0YbMbyzbvE8N2y_AdQOoqKya6g/s4608/P1060109.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3IumzCwZf6eab8SorDd_aV8Jo85E_bHB1IgdebaoMB1JosGavqyj6HAuvYLIT3Kxax-eVhOc-Q5nFqOAsD6cdYtJwelHL5Yq-wvrF4xlFEBbhN1KY0YbMbyzbvE8N2y_AdQOoqKya6g/w400-h300/P1060109.JPG" width="400" /></a></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">I will also be leading a </span><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">morning</span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">, </span></span><i style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qigong-walk-for-health-and-wellbeing-national-park-city-with-alan-gibson-tickets-188991226847" target="_blank"><span style="font-size: medium;">Walk with Qigong</span></a></i><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: large;">, </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;">for beginners, on Sunday 17th October, on Southampton Common.</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXJLDFmMNKEtQhjqtlSIQmnWtve-h78ekQDdR6K-RfMqFVFraAwzpESzEd1ExnNqlTkoK1BKFxI4cJ35jdNThdFu07fHwfeAu9q8Qwl7Sor4PRFFHGHboRmZGlc_n0EyjoD1R1-A1kA/s4608/P1060113.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhnXJLDFmMNKEtQhjqtlSIQmnWtve-h78ekQDdR6K-RfMqFVFraAwzpESzEd1ExnNqlTkoK1BKFxI4cJ35jdNThdFu07fHwfeAu9q8Qwl7Sor4PRFFHGHboRmZGlc_n0EyjoD1R1-A1kA/w400-h300/P1060113.JPG" width="400" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Horseradish</td></tr></tbody></table><span style="font-size: medium;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/QigongKeys/" style="font-family: arial;" target="_blank">Qigong </a><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">(pronounced chi – gong) is a system of breathing, mindfulness and movement exercises that underlie many Chinese martial arts. It is similar to Tai Chi and has proven health benefits – it is enormously helpful to those in sedentary occupations, helping with posture and back strain, it is a fantastic method of stress and anxiety reduction, and has overall health benefits of improving cognitive skills such as concentration and attention, flexibility and balance.</span></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZ426a3VfrqF5GN1HJ2xKf2mKPHh_birlzjLFXvISNimYuaLSKnFaaiBg5fz0r6TO5-Q1cRgvXIUaSVaYJo_ZB8ySecalgWOXuVdSTWukZGOdTochipLOfPUJRFeEKsHCLbm_X0Bv0A/s2048/IMG_6150.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQZ426a3VfrqF5GN1HJ2xKf2mKPHh_birlzjLFXvISNimYuaLSKnFaaiBg5fz0r6TO5-Q1cRgvXIUaSVaYJo_ZB8ySecalgWOXuVdSTWukZGOdTochipLOfPUJRFeEKsHCLbm_X0Bv0A/w300-h400/IMG_6150.JPG" width="300" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chicory</td></tr></tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We are fortunate to have many beautiful parks in our city. Practising <a href="https://youtu.be/oPtVx-4L4TY" target="_blank">Qigong outdoors</a> enables us to mindfully connect with nature; spending time in green spaces is increasingly recognised as positive for wellbeing, and it also benefits eye health, particularly for those spending long hours looking at screens.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGsiKAhnNUOj9PT716wQmuzAgROFb9syDhyl8n-Q2uYQJBtY5JLPYQ11nCT6RKjNdm65D6OyO9DWopqCe7ZzF19oxi8zR6a0pBvZYcdH7Rah_IOUZfFnvq-ADQDvv5awosTzGlPfI8w/s1200/PHOTO-2021-06-07-18-18-47+8.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="918" data-original-width="1200" height="306" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcGsiKAhnNUOj9PT716wQmuzAgROFb9syDhyl8n-Q2uYQJBtY5JLPYQ11nCT6RKjNdm65D6OyO9DWopqCe7ZzF19oxi8zR6a0pBvZYcdH7Rah_IOUZfFnvq-ADQDvv5awosTzGlPfI8w/w400-h306/PHOTO-2021-06-07-18-18-47+8.jpg" width="400" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;">If interested, click on the link below for further details and to purchase a ticket. This is a funded event, so very reasonably priced.</div></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><b><span style="color: #274e13;"> </span><a href="https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/qigong-walk-for-health-and-wellbeing-national-park-city-with-alan-gibson-tickets-188991226847">Qigong Walk for Health and Wellbeing, National Park City with Alan Gibson Tickets, Sun 17 Oct 2021 at 10:00 | Eventbrite</a></b></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div>Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-30111712645223437052021-07-17T16:17:00.002+01:002021-12-21T12:10:07.890+00:00Pandemic ll the 3rd Wave<p> <span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: large;"><b>We Live in Interesting Times, S<i>till!</i></b></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">We still take lots of lovely walks; the Devil's jumps' are a series of Bronze Age burial mounds, on the South Downs. They align with the setting sun at Midsummer (if it's not too cloudy). So, this was my Father's day walk/picnic.</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vfGNz-4G_d6IIgrPYSV2kUsjTqmXTK2l8QNixEtT0OH8lNUNMqrTYMtGDpbVOdsRg3OM5mCIZJ-p7S-d_jJwv6IQKqrNzjch2NRsdbjYGlsBrlHO3fvNrccZAXOTCeKQJ-I_Lqhr6Q/s4337/P1040916.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3253" data-original-width="4337" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0vfGNz-4G_d6IIgrPYSV2kUsjTqmXTK2l8QNixEtT0OH8lNUNMqrTYMtGDpbVOdsRg3OM5mCIZJ-p7S-d_jJwv6IQKqrNzjch2NRsdbjYGlsBrlHO3fvNrccZAXOTCeKQJ-I_Lqhr6Q/w400-h300/P1040916.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium; text-align: justify;">However, simple fruity foraging trips are just as bountiful
and popular as ever.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAik4VTQHEjom82t-o0MCfpHfbZ7znUH6FJO3w7F-8n6wMXy_9zVZUxP3N8RTqvzcVRYzDYZ97BweIPIGtzeM0kHIulyKj-rckx0lS0Zf73eALwKN7QxiozuO6AKY44f90teVbViQ0pA/s3701/P1040897.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3314" data-original-width="3701" height="359" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAik4VTQHEjom82t-o0MCfpHfbZ7znUH6FJO3w7F-8n6wMXy_9zVZUxP3N8RTqvzcVRYzDYZ97BweIPIGtzeM0kHIulyKj-rckx0lS0Zf73eALwKN7QxiozuO6AKY44f90teVbViQ0pA/w400-h359/P1040897.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">In the normal order of things we began collecting
Elderflowers as soon as they arrived, the season tends to be short-lived, so we
got out of the traps early, when the weather was suitable. I have made extra
Elderflower Champagne this year (4 gallons), because we always run out. Two of
these gallons are an experimental batch with an added tint of raspberries,
which I think sounds very tasty. Only time will tell.<o:p></o:p></span></p><p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5jRQbn6L6t1Fhgd7TTexh58dj9RpYeMNQ4FWOwbhZnjKJ6QyoRaeaxjbEFGHHeAKiIaxMNaGboWhRXrT_N2JjpydCvttk9XNI6YBKtehID3JITZ1hVqPpFKnr_QStqKeC4Z4ULhCKQ/s4608/P1040655.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjD5jRQbn6L6t1Fhgd7TTexh58dj9RpYeMNQ4FWOwbhZnjKJ6QyoRaeaxjbEFGHHeAKiIaxMNaGboWhRXrT_N2JjpydCvttk9XNI6YBKtehID3JITZ1hVqPpFKnr_QStqKeC4Z4ULhCKQ/w400-h300/P1040655.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;">My friend Matthew also joined us picking Elderflowers too. Matt makes really good
beer, and following my attempts last February, we collected a good crop of nettles and he produced a lovely strong & smoky ale. Next he wanted to try
an Elderflower Ale.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kk6rgmFbRdUYAYlZkwdnaDu1Ko2qqCexmGD-9wQHd8fxmnHddKhLZdpwDDKKxANutuXnrISfOPkDxDIBL24yn7vexwDmMaaTdeB3P0DMy3mE40yKkOXKeQMVy6cFxqdXblqBAPX_aA/s4608/P1040918.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1kk6rgmFbRdUYAYlZkwdnaDu1Ko2qqCexmGD-9wQHd8fxmnHddKhLZdpwDDKKxANutuXnrISfOPkDxDIBL24yn7vexwDmMaaTdeB3P0DMy3mE40yKkOXKeQMVy6cFxqdXblqBAPX_aA/w400-h300/P1040918.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"></span></p><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: justify;">It was a good year for cherries, and I gathered a good crop
from my front garden tree. Small sparrows seem to have been pecking away under
the nets, so I will need to adapt my protection next year.</div><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"></p><p class="MsoNormal"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NzIoGdArWLukwOp5uNiF0neK7PVMbya5RAfbE_s1MJSrRt-usnZ2bDOftLuVIU9DCunSdtdBG7maC5gUfqQ33lFVJdE5RQ4-dWUtONm807NA2i_L98hThAJ5ZMF7J4xJpl6DUBnHAg/s4608/P1040920.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9NzIoGdArWLukwOp5uNiF0neK7PVMbya5RAfbE_s1MJSrRt-usnZ2bDOftLuVIU9DCunSdtdBG7maC5gUfqQ33lFVJdE5RQ4-dWUtONm807NA2i_L98hThAJ5ZMF7J4xJpl6DUBnHAg/w400-h300/P1040920.JPG" width="400" /></a></p><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><div style="text-align: justify;">At the allotment the summer raspberries have had an
exceptional harvest, which made up for a poor show from my Loganberry and
Tayberry bushes. The thornless Blackberry is going to be so impressive that I
will soon need a bigger freezer.</div><o:p></o:p></span><p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLd5VooqtxIhxxq-iR2cgVYDjjirjJiF5vGnt2jtfkokEwFNCi-Q87En0QJl1_FNCP3vr-jh2Z907m2dyAqwBhdxPLRmzhRo4LsZxmGAIMqhhLpk86_pN2HgtMNslr0sqn-m3YdDULw/s4608/P1040922.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3456" data-original-width="4608" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfLd5VooqtxIhxxq-iR2cgVYDjjirjJiF5vGnt2jtfkokEwFNCi-Q87En0QJl1_FNCP3vr-jh2Z907m2dyAqwBhdxPLRmzhRo4LsZxmGAIMqhhLpk86_pN2HgtMNslr0sqn-m3YdDULw/w400-h300/P1040922.JPG" width="400" /></a></div><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"></span></p><p class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier;">I am looking forward to doing some work with the Scouts and
other groups and</span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier;">hoping to organise some
public foraging trips, to promote the Southampton parks, in the late Summer or
early Autumn. Who knows?, we may even be able to run our traditional Apple Day
in October.</span></span></p><o:p></o:p><p></p><p class="MsoNormal"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><br /></span></p>Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-17878218973744807262020-09-15T10:09:00.000+01:002020-09-15T10:09:32.205+01:002020 an Interesting Year<p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">It has so far been a year like no other but I'm glad to say that some things have remained constant.</span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgs4SIv4wSpFsOea3aqmxth7eioDACvabjrHiU3gQZuJDVkDW-aq6N7cOgI-JS0VFio-pbgxtTFw_TtSWZ_oaLEssfOEY2HbCg31OuxJNQ5wJnAX_E1tIVLln6i6roxA1GTpaRGBPmzRQ/s320/IMG_2392.JPG" width="320" /></span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">We had an unseasonably hot spring which, along with my nettle beer, helped me through lockdown. Fruit-wise, the warm spring gave us a great crop of soft fruits, from which, my daughter created some truly spectacular deserts to cheer us all up.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4Cg-7Hw77N4CrpQwa22jTePMjSWydzoOOmdaEq01701rCfKz1_SGfxcpuTGYPPN3nGU8QRV0IW77BuOy90Yd79BJ7z9B6W50EeomcxCfCMKdiJRfH-HGtsIOj4w1DZmRCWabn7N4MVw/s320/IMG_2397.JPG" style="text-align: left;" /><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM8fy9HMe9mQP1sqHKT74_AU9h4RtsqXW-ZDcR2oe9cVECDMwTLBa4Ek6xkpjlEmAJf8KB4HMOYTqZYpKUPh9hhTiMe_HXdMzYVPXEVx33mi8mZ7uc5e32AVJHTIXDb0nvi4C3DRoFdw/s320/IMG_2442.JPG" style="text-align: left;" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">The summer period contiued to be hot and dry for long periods and this seems to have hampered some fruit trees due to lack or water. Many apple trees had ripe fruit a month or two before they would normally.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_a3wq0VcM5hvU_oPDhRFDXrwo2KcZvB9kcZ5Axb9sBes0-mdmkzw8dsIESAmLeUGyMFpydQoL-s0Wr5Cj2ldQTte0TTmtHY5DhboVGHYg4gBmnQUeYNniv2vRXJQQ8X80tOMEieFkgw/s320/IMG_2727.JPG" style="text-align: left;" /></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">As part of our frequent walks, we got out to gather Mulberries and make yet more delicious things, I have added some more recently to my cider - I successfully did this last year, as an experiment, to great effect.</span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrjFnQ75ZziCCD9nX5jQO1a3d9g89abJPA4ddQ3MNF87LKW_wClPZeRf5rpOJii81FzTeHAnt5JtqdW8T7ksoJkR9OxyZqKJCz61ZWTzj-raXt-iv1pHTsaCf05xzc1O3mcsTIZNZew/s2048/IMG_2426.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQrjFnQ75ZziCCD9nX5jQO1a3d9g89abJPA4ddQ3MNF87LKW_wClPZeRf5rpOJii81FzTeHAnt5JtqdW8T7ksoJkR9OxyZqKJCz61ZWTzj-raXt-iv1pHTsaCf05xzc1O3mcsTIZNZew/s320/IMG_2426.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">I also gathered enough Elderberries to make a gallon of port/wine, so perhaps I will be able to test its alleged antiviral properties, in a highly un scientific manner.</span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1770" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3b9A_6Zme_VshXvELO9_fZfhhstAvRz7SjQ4Sm02LXY-FvFCsSJJKP1-WVR4P4chpI7y4_HJcy3D-FDBRiTA3y5Lmlo2IQmaA3vhsTro4Vu0Rfy2GZtJ6i66q0xAyk_9tZ4YsrZp9ZA/s320/IMG_2829.JPG" style="text-align: left;" /><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKQiWW_6rkYsVymTRFT_RYnBtxPRyF7VwVu8eqB6wugxmIU8ZnHq3zY0KWPGgdqKdCOYrvNRmMB4dXrvqDT8IGy99WQ6EJ5mq2xWhN_hyYvvOwIb8JqYR1vRDlXSeE5Osg9xoyLG9dXA/s320/IMG_2831.JPG" /></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">At the moment, it looks like our normal, public Apple Day event at Mansbridge Community Orchard, will not be able to proceed due to government restrictions on gatherings but we been doing plenty of pressing, with Apples and Pears, at home in our garden.</span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOy-Zq13gMsEyjr4uGoLbIZ2O9vvVnzcjxSwk1pC8hywbvIaLy0jb3Vp17NG8_5t3FIg2kMQC4bIBjZscih2ker6O6748PiOVhXN5ogoKwaQgdDPYvgwkA1dELCUF-qsAY_A664EuydQ/s2048/IMG_2834.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1985" data-original-width="2048" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjOy-Zq13gMsEyjr4uGoLbIZ2O9vvVnzcjxSwk1pC8hywbvIaLy0jb3Vp17NG8_5t3FIg2kMQC4bIBjZscih2ker6O6748PiOVhXN5ogoKwaQgdDPYvgwkA1dELCUF-qsAY_A664EuydQ/s320/IMG_2834.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial;">Of course, more fruit means better cakes, provided you have some great cooks in the house. If you don't have great cooks, you can always learn some new skills yourself. In difficult times, it is important to adapt; change is normal, be agile, be creative, keep fit & healthy, build resilliance into your bodies and family systems...</span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div>Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-88235494991276627492020-03-26T10:40:00.001+00:002020-03-26T10:43:28.621+00:00Seasonal Stinging Nettle Beer<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The whole world has changed significantly since my last post. I hope you and your families are all staying safe, well and ideally in your homes.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My allotment gets a wealth of Stinging Nettles around this time of year, which are used in many traditional recipes, they can even be made into twine or woven into fabric. However, I wanted to make something seasonal that would take a couple of weeks to mature, but also be something that we could enjoy, even if we had to stay home a lot.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaGKp_o87-BeTRWc_MQ4L0lp_cFw4PbyIKfNzec-KQcnDaTlHV7az7BG4rcyR9n1WcuJsRYR24f-mtcPzf2EtW_fQHZ33632ZbDuaEevoT2oW3HQcMN43T2MsKI-0ps1FOs1njHViFg/s1600/IMG_1117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinaGKp_o87-BeTRWc_MQ4L0lp_cFw4PbyIKfNzec-KQcnDaTlHV7az7BG4rcyR9n1WcuJsRYR24f-mtcPzf2EtW_fQHZ33632ZbDuaEevoT2oW3HQcMN43T2MsKI-0ps1FOs1njHViFg/s400/IMG_1117.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have always fancied making Stinging Nettle Beer; it is a very simple recipe and anyone with the basic equipment can try it. You can safely tinker with both the amounts and method, according to your equipment and requirments. I found making this very satisfying and enjoyed the process so much that I did it all twice, and may do it again soon.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHmGvDS6Km0qpZnQTzNGIJliv_CnoUEoDgcsJBKM6Tk_h9ey4fR46tNV2_HulcEJg7XL1zd9h0pmP15-TrmwMdKpfYP5wsvEaf-vryyjVq1ORGSPKutXWuV73PAduud7rwV0leCg0nA/s1600/IMG_1118.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIHmGvDS6Km0qpZnQTzNGIJliv_CnoUEoDgcsJBKM6Tk_h9ey4fR46tNV2_HulcEJg7XL1zd9h0pmP15-TrmwMdKpfYP5wsvEaf-vryyjVq1ORGSPKutXWuV73PAduud7rwV0leCg0nA/s400/IMG_1118.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
<b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Equipment</span></b><br />
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<ul>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gloves!</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Large carrier bag or similar</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bucket</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Demijon, barrel or brewing bucket</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Suitable pressure safe bottles</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk7SHsZlHa-niGPXpPjuevIVz5X2DzqAqT-0cwlgj3YsacaQEz5x6laaRupJRvG91Vos6jOboze3Id6HCOcMsU4x3GGu6MjCpstjROUErcCq7W7lPv78N7JEABKDDdWJUWs8IswFS7g/s1600/IMG_1119.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgk7SHsZlHa-niGPXpPjuevIVz5X2DzqAqT-0cwlgj3YsacaQEz5x6laaRupJRvG91Vos6jOboze3Id6HCOcMsU4x3GGu6MjCpstjROUErcCq7W7lPv78N7JEABKDDdWJUWs8IswFS7g/s400/IMG_1119.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
</li>
</ul>
<b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Ingredients</span></b><br />
<br />
<ul>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1kg Stinging Nettles - approximately one large carrier bag stuffed to bursting.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">400g - 1kg Sugar - the strength of the beer will depend on the amount you use, you could mke it weaker still, like ginger beer for kids</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 x Lemon juiced</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">1 x gallon of water (I used a demijon)</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">25 g Cream of Tartar</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yeast</span><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrKMlGBqr1ncgpF1tJMo1YL5h4v0G6967qiBLJDVdjZFjz07tWGfmKyKs0qFflpo8Fp5yyUelmcXeDqabsRrhLqbK3LtlJaqmIcW8ng1lH1cNs2Cf6DISb3ZTpgN0ENx0JjFjhMSfoQ/s1600/27DA8CE8-9FB2-4B4D-82A5-DBC9EBA5684B.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="900" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSrKMlGBqr1ncgpF1tJMo1YL5h4v0G6967qiBLJDVdjZFjz07tWGfmKyKs0qFflpo8Fp5yyUelmcXeDqabsRrhLqbK3LtlJaqmIcW8ng1lH1cNs2Cf6DISb3ZTpgN0ENx0JjFjhMSfoQ/s400/27DA8CE8-9FB2-4B4D-82A5-DBC9EBA5684B.jpg" width="222" /></a></span></div>
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</ul>
<b><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Method</span></b><br />
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<ol>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Pick the stinging nettles (using gloves), collect only the tips, or top 6" of the plants and stuff them into your big carrier bag. Pack them down well, it takes about 30 minutes.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Boil the water and gradually add the nettles, they will eventually boil down and should all fit in. I used a large preserving pan, but you can adapt the amounts according to your needs and available equipment.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Let the nettles simmer for 15 minutes, then strain the liquid off. I used a collander over a bucket to achieve this and it worked very well.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Add the sugar, Lemon juice and Cream of Tartar to the liquid and stir untill all disolved.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leave the liquid to cool to body temperature and sprinkle the yeast on top.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At this point I added the liquid to my demijon but you could also leave it in a bucket covered with a muslin cloth / tea towel.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Leave to ferment for a week</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Siphon into bottles and leave for a further week.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Drink!</span><br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVENvdjMpPvT2TMrwz2RHeCj5pktOa9XCHF0xJa7yMfXKAOef5xzGcP8lpeArUrtgCCdDsHF5msBsp-4oy1A_hJ723Om6bHI-s-GJE0teadkstI2Fg900tYCcaHbigwg74eCMhKavMQ/s1600/P1020120.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTVENvdjMpPvT2TMrwz2RHeCj5pktOa9XCHF0xJa7yMfXKAOef5xzGcP8lpeArUrtgCCdDsHF5msBsp-4oy1A_hJ723Om6bHI-s-GJE0teadkstI2Fg900tYCcaHbigwg74eCMhKavMQ/s400/P1020120.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My Improvised Standing Work From Home Station</span></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
</li>
</ol>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: red; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Stay Safe and Keep Healthy</span></div>
Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-7956310697886710382020-03-06T09:35:00.005+00:002021-07-17T16:20:11.331+01:00Apocalyptic - Optimistic<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYAFLV8XekdjtjSgEXtdzr9YOriu05qBrCtZptDEHBR6w6ACMer4nvsrptiJUbpFXkp1lDAuQj0WqFSjxekmvgQii3_n5rLfPl8l8qbp8d3nlNXDSeE3huMcmgAWJcYmfdtQbTBFzrQ/s1600/IMG_0671.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1113" data-original-width="1600" height="277" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdYAFLV8XekdjtjSgEXtdzr9YOriu05qBrCtZptDEHBR6w6ACMer4nvsrptiJUbpFXkp1lDAuQj0WqFSjxekmvgQii3_n5rLfPl8l8qbp8d3nlNXDSeE3huMcmgAWJcYmfdtQbTBFzrQ/s400/IMG_0671.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">It has been an interesting and very busy time since my last post. </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">We have had </span><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p083p92v" target="_blank">serious floods in the UK</a><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> and t</span><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-51742646" target="_blank">errifying fires in Australia</a><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> and </span><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-50573623" target="_blank">the Amazon</a><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">, all caused by climate change, brought on by human activity. </span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e4FZWFrKbmprSjdOvX0hO-D2Y8pz9ciFHG7HJ7zDkfd7GWfd9OI0TnAPAyTMsLAbaf4alecUoeEjf951T9ls_1fXiw_JIQ9cN_9zTeIYHDbq9zRgK0EvcXEcfMJY4UxZ6tJTssWW5Q/s1600/IMG_0505.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6e4FZWFrKbmprSjdOvX0hO-D2Y8pz9ciFHG7HJ7zDkfd7GWfd9OI0TnAPAyTMsLAbaf4alecUoeEjf951T9ls_1fXiw_JIQ9cN_9zTeIYHDbq9zRgK0EvcXEcfMJY4UxZ6tJTssWW5Q/s400/IMG_0505.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Now we have plague, the new <a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-51749352" target="_blank">Coronavirus</a> has taken our planet by storm. </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Next it seems we may be threatened with imminent economic collapse</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">, in some areas,</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> as a result.</span></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbZSdBZd_rluOIL74-pqHlcrA6iEE4G2dvM1it7VMQcExew9uVzZ4kEbksgKsA7DHG-ICWIuhXYL6U9p9KJmvikaaDFFKEqxJDJmc5lnaLf83KVxJxH5D5u6NpUDA3yW5vt49hzhFjw/s1600/P1020015.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXbZSdBZd_rluOIL74-pqHlcrA6iEE4G2dvM1it7VMQcExew9uVzZ4kEbksgKsA7DHG-ICWIuhXYL6U9p9KJmvikaaDFFKEqxJDJmc5lnaLf83KVxJxH5D5u6NpUDA3yW5vt49hzhFjw/s400/P1020015.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">However, I am an optimist, so let us look on the brigh</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">t side, while we still can. </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">Every cloud has a silver lining; </span><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/01/world/nasa-china-pollution-coronavirus-trnd-scn/index.html" target="_blank">NASA satellite images</a><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> have detected a dramatic fall in nitrogen dioxide levels over China, since the shutdown caused by the virus. </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I also predict significant decreases in some of the most polluting luxury industries, </span><a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-51746564" target="_blank">aviation </a><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">and </span><a href="https://edition.cnn.com/2020/03/05/health/california-coronavirus-cruise-ship-thursday/index.html" target="_blank">cruise liners</a><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> to name just two obvious ones.</span></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r33FsWHWcApwW2IlQ_raG40sjT4etrRwpAE3eNKX4tNhBkO1Sr8Kz8qd0jwb_bBKsscllIzBVk6IwjCgCrgjUXvLbZfhQ1Du0WrkndM1DtQtpZWvHrH4ZKzcqn_y-tr5-XnizipEOA/s1600/IMG_0541.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-r33FsWHWcApwW2IlQ_raG40sjT4etrRwpAE3eNKX4tNhBkO1Sr8Kz8qd0jwb_bBKsscllIzBVk6IwjCgCrgjUXvLbZfhQ1Du0WrkndM1DtQtpZWvHrH4ZKzcqn_y-tr5-XnizipEOA/s400/IMG_0541.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">No one really knows what the knock on effects of all these seemingly apocalyptic </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">threats will be, but </span><a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=spring" target="_blank">Spring </a><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">cirtainly seems to be coming around as normal, albeit somewhat wetter than normal. </span></span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjRQ0ITWt2-fmj_T0v963Cep5Mwm0T4wwABNyfsOlIfD56BpdK18Fb5YYrNndwkc1aVOM4zpOscJ_aWbhjTcAUkRQ7aeFBylXI4J-X0p0Msd7vj3EpyUo1Wb63nN9PZjQcj8U4HBHPQ/s1600/IMG_0555.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyjRQ0ITWt2-fmj_T0v963Cep5Mwm0T4wwABNyfsOlIfD56BpdK18Fb5YYrNndwkc1aVOM4zpOscJ_aWbhjTcAUkRQ7aeFBylXI4J-X0p0Msd7vj3EpyUo1Wb63nN9PZjQcj8U4HBHPQ/s400/IMG_0555.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="text-align: justify;">What staggers me, is the amount of fear and immediate action over the virus, compared to the inaction and disinterest, over the far more significant threat of climate change. Sadly, I can only put this down to individual selfishness, and a complete lack of foresight. </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="text-align: justify;"> </span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtK4PvCExmc7PtMYpsJGnYdhZxvlJDe1vkqTcIek74xAMhQyvRgKj4qKyfNrMCOoF_UWAFbaqkjzyQSag-FjRn5S0Vq6kHm4gKgGuh9n6m15PPbA_jGczjU2EdmN0DmZq2sy4rioOIA/s1600/P1010994.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1093" data-original-width="1600" height="272" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwtK4PvCExmc7PtMYpsJGnYdhZxvlJDe1vkqTcIek74xAMhQyvRgKj4qKyfNrMCOoF_UWAFbaqkjzyQSag-FjRn5S0Vq6kHm4gKgGuh9n6m15PPbA_jGczjU2EdmN0DmZq2sy4rioOIA/s400/P1010994.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">I'm still <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=blossom" target="_blank">seeing and smelling the blossom</a> on the trees and </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">enjoying the</span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif"> </span><span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif">daffodils on the roadsides. </span>After this, I'll be looking forward to a break in the clouds, feeling the sun on my back, getting my shorts back on and getting out to gather some <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=elderflowers" target="_blank">Elderflowers </a>as <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=summer" target="_blank">Summer </a>creeps around the corner.</span></div>
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<span face=""arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif" style="color: #274e13; font-family: courier; font-size: medium;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdE9JWC3-f3_Xvdgo7npgpERp6TU2z3YUX1xcFAyp-goELfhlpishgVfxhlOl3p6nUY1SVyibdkPSIn98m9vWKUkDZ5AiPme2d-4_ypX1q5Lr-ZB_CVgrnpbJWDvJ7dacQrDPr78TIw/s1600/IMG_0939.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLdE9JWC3-f3_Xvdgo7npgpERp6TU2z3YUX1xcFAyp-goELfhlpishgVfxhlOl3p6nUY1SVyibdkPSIn98m9vWKUkDZ5AiPme2d-4_ypX1q5Lr-ZB_CVgrnpbJWDvJ7dacQrDPr78TIw/s400/IMG_0939.JPG" width="300" /></a></span></div>
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Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-72041943172285931812019-11-11T13:01:00.005+00:002019-11-11T13:02:09.784+00:00Mulberry Tinted Cider<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUB_4kjPWeX2zYnXsgCTUAh6vZnLMWwfGvTJR1BHX_0eJ1uZZwdXlqUsnkkeElHZPdAXgbbSxrLRZljoLm4TzmBwMRl9M6wA9hI0yUX_ATiQsWtvJw1xqG5dz7E3zHjnEoIPinbwtmw/s1600/P1010299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1549" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtUB_4kjPWeX2zYnXsgCTUAh6vZnLMWwfGvTJR1BHX_0eJ1uZZwdXlqUsnkkeElHZPdAXgbbSxrLRZljoLm4TzmBwMRl9M6wA9hI0yUX_ATiQsWtvJw1xqG5dz7E3zHjnEoIPinbwtmw/s400/P1010299.JPG" width="386" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">The first batch of this year's cider is being bottled. This time, as an experiment I added some Mulberries and Blackberries to a couple of gallons. I'm happy to report that </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">he result was a resounding success; the drink not only tastes superb, the fruit sugars have taken the edge off the sharpness and added subtle flavours. Also, as a bonus, it also looks rather splendid too!</span><br />
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Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-60571750218473092442019-10-22T14:44:00.000+01:002019-10-22T14:44:43.877+01:00Apples, Pears, Grapes & Walnuts<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsYMnmLcqLpk_xbPC4nXDNhmxqSgLErEv0bYKNmBw_16gVqi2QRXOWqCyIO6q7dTLivnDadzYUiWnp2_kWznFheXqPqVqmcizRG_M3ryVS0RDl0YO2OKWtTIGass7PnjF_h61PFsjXQ/s1600/P1010121.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBsYMnmLcqLpk_xbPC4nXDNhmxqSgLErEv0bYKNmBw_16gVqi2QRXOWqCyIO6q7dTLivnDadzYUiWnp2_kWznFheXqPqVqmcizRG_M3ryVS0RDl0YO2OKWtTIGass7PnjF_h61PFsjXQ/s400/P1010121.JPG" width="300" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It has been a very wet and very busy October. We have processed about 300kgs of apples. I needed a faster way to chop them on my own and a stainless steel Spear & Jackson did the job perfectly!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Gallons and gallons of delicious juice has been produced, some has been Pasteurised for later, some has been turning into cider and lots has been glugged back straight from the press by keen, thirsty workers.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Apple Day at Mansbridge Community Orchard was delayed by stormy weather but we delivered the following week and a gang of curious local kids and adults came out to help, which is what it is all about. We had wheelbarrows full of apples, boxes of pears and even had a bucket load of grapes to press.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The grapes produced a gallon of juice, which is now fermenting into red wine along with my cider and various other alchemical concoctions. </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have also been collecting lots of Walnuts, to go with our Hazelnuts; there is a huge tree in Mansbridge, near the orchard. It has delivered a fantastic crop this year, most of which is lying on the green waiting to be gathered or gobbled by hungry squirrels.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My Apple Store is now completely filled to bursting and this should keep us in fruit through the winter, with a little luck. Unblemished Apples will keep for many months if stored in a cool dark place. They should not be left touching each other, so that if one goes bad, it will not affect the others and can be easily removed.</span></div>
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<br />Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-78017106625787717242019-10-09T09:32:00.005+01:002019-10-09T09:33:41.054+01:00Apple Day at Mansbridge Community Orchard<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The excitement is building, <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2015/10/apple-day-orchard.html" target="_blank">Apple Day</a> is upon us once again!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Apple Pressing Day Sun 13th Oct 2019 2-4pm with Southampton Woodcraft Folk , Transition Southampton and Alan Gibson at Mansbridge Community Orchard (Southampton). </span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">All welcome, all ages! </span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2017/10/mansbridge-apple-day-2017-community.html" target="_blank">Bring a flask of tea, cake and refreshments</a>.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meet by the playground at the end of Octavia Road. </span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">If driving, park by the Swan Inn. </span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Wear appropriate clothing for the weather, and for clambering about in woodland and/or operating apple presses or chopping apples. </span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Bring a cup for sampling the deliciously fresh Apple Juice! </span><br />
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Also you could bring any apples from home to add to the pressing.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Weather disclaimer - if it is really <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2013/11/apple-day-apocalypse.html" target="_blank">REALLY horrible</a>, we'll put it off until the 20th - watch this space <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/180486315362683/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/180486315362683/</a></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile, my shed is filled with 115kgs of apples that we picked last weekend - the press is working overtime - 5 gallons of juice has already been processed and two gallons of cider is fermenting nicely!</span>Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com031 Octavia Rd, Southampton SO18 2ND, UK50.937576936382264 -1.369058775176995450.936846936382267 -1.3711187751769953 50.938306936382261 -1.3669987751769954tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-7173549650965865012019-09-21T14:32:00.000+01:002019-09-30T16:07:46.372+01:00Apples, Apples, Apples Apples, = Juice, Juice, Juice!<br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Apples, Apples, Apples, Apples, </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Juice, Juice, Juice!</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: start;">It's finally that time of year again folks. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We, well my son and I, have been collecting apples from all manner of trees for the last couple of weeks and building up a good stock for our family Apple day. Sometime, there are a few pears to chuck in, to add some extra sweetness to the mix. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK5lfuXf2NxiuQqUdV3MWke8wQnNmIDqlGyryEAXsiocQCJVXYa-GXAfHSP30Y8kqZ_sV9b8lSdH96lO72NGE71fmUJH0ni97Q5a6GcGEcl1ynafvBvc6gmj7gwCaepUMxSRmTx7Usw/s1600/P1000907.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1175" data-original-width="1600" height="293" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfK5lfuXf2NxiuQqUdV3MWke8wQnNmIDqlGyryEAXsiocQCJVXYa-GXAfHSP30Y8kqZ_sV9b8lSdH96lO72NGE71fmUJH0ni97Q5a6GcGEcl1ynafvBvc6gmj7gwCaepUMxSRmTx7Usw/s400/P1000907.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's always difficult to say precisely when it will occur because the weather can be fickle. It tends to be an outdoor event, normally followed by a BBQ. Although we have done it under umbrellas, a borrowed gazebo and once even based in our shed.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtv6BjDBtFiDMZDaOFVGG0OGy3NfxwSumcYVbr-7DKFTLZ4IaMYCxZqD6RMEn1acLEC6ICcuzuPQAqIZx0tetsJkZhEW4FS82e2y6MiI7wVSzU40qw1IAhH-rFsl_wj8OiEyAyh0Hog/s1600/P1000986.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1589" data-original-width="1600" height="396" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCtv6BjDBtFiDMZDaOFVGG0OGy3NfxwSumcYVbr-7DKFTLZ4IaMYCxZqD6RMEn1acLEC6ICcuzuPQAqIZx0tetsJkZhEW4FS82e2y6MiI7wVSzU40qw1IAhH-rFsl_wj8OiEyAyh0Hog/s400/P1000986.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As a result, invites inevitably go out at the last minute and many people will already have other things to do. However, I personally always enjoy not knowing who will turn up and when they might arrive. I simply get on with setting everything up, processing what we have and dealing with the vast amounts of delicious juice that we produce.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeTzrqotXHUpiAarAO4V8BtQiA_7SJdzxTyGE-w9Vvx5pzy_0YhABgJlb7-CZdoYOQdQIn3C1cP6cS8jSGl24pW4R4z00f5TCkN8ktRHIMNsqhNPOj061-T6rwQebGmQY5p525DLI3w/s1600/P1010002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqeTzrqotXHUpiAarAO4V8BtQiA_7SJdzxTyGE-w9Vvx5pzy_0YhABgJlb7-CZdoYOQdQIn3C1cP6cS8jSGl24pW4R4z00f5TCkN8ktRHIMNsqhNPOj061-T6rwQebGmQY5p525DLI3w/s400/P1010002.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">After our family Apple day, we have the Community Orchard Public Apple Day and then that is normally it for the year. Although, this year there may be some extra surprises. The press is thoroughly hosed down and stored until the next year; it is a beast of a thing and is constantly taking up space in my shed but it's well worth the inconvenience.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvF4GGuol7awddlY_RMYPjEb45E-UDBE4qv2kE3kN6tracRxQQgfWtrH9H3KCuLlRI4nuDB7TUoRCS8Q6CZw2On55ca27fgYnuIgxVcbdgFM4b427sv8hL0EhLBOrz8oTzcPMFt71lQ/s1600/P1010003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipvF4GGuol7awddlY_RMYPjEb45E-UDBE4qv2kE3kN6tracRxQQgfWtrH9H3KCuLlRI4nuDB7TUoRCS8Q6CZw2On55ca27fgYnuIgxVcbdgFM4b427sv8hL0EhLBOrz8oTzcPMFt71lQ/s400/P1010003.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-29956792025877908712019-09-05T09:23:00.002+01:002019-09-05T10:07:05.488+01:00Summer Fades to Autumn<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOx2oXMIb5vyP6e5YwnpHctcodo0UqzV7XhC2AshgyA4E-dN2HaXkmTT4ewgF9XWRmfOpfP1Vte5FxzVEDO0RdYvBmPKYmWd22dRjAellqnLpytVYYfAV1PE9UtrIsKm3RQBXthyphenhyphenaVg/s1600/P1000758.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEOx2oXMIb5vyP6e5YwnpHctcodo0UqzV7XhC2AshgyA4E-dN2HaXkmTT4ewgF9XWRmfOpfP1Vte5FxzVEDO0RdYvBmPKYmWd22dRjAellqnLpytVYYfAV1PE9UtrIsKm3RQBXthyphenhyphenaVg/s400/P1000758.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2011/10/blackberry-ban-boshed.html" target="_blank">Blackberries </a>are currently available all over the place and did yo know that the sweetest fruit will be found on the South side of the bushes, due to the direction of the sun (in the Northern hemisphere). So this means it is, in theory, possible to <a href="https://www.naturalnavigator.com/news/2019/08/foraging-for-blackberries/" target="_blank">navigate by taste</a>!</span></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mulberries are also ripening nicely too.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUACU5Oq2lBGMtQJo8ZgXdGFlt_rqoNPGSvJ12fbl42ZpfnyqCf3oYk7WLbx2eOLeAm8gJyAjz-dXomAeIJrFz2Tsj5OWuSsZP4d8KmkjMaXFBJfJH4Nh4-RM2fea3fr0-vzz-zINQw/s1600/P1000487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWUACU5Oq2lBGMtQJo8ZgXdGFlt_rqoNPGSvJ12fbl42ZpfnyqCf3oYk7WLbx2eOLeAm8gJyAjz-dXomAeIJrFz2Tsj5OWuSsZP4d8KmkjMaXFBJfJH4Nh4-RM2fea3fr0-vzz-zINQw/s400/P1000487.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">It looks like it will be a very good year for </span><a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=apple" style="text-align: justify;" target="_blank">Apples </a><span style="text-align: justify;">and Pears and people tell me that they are falling early in their gardens. Personally I like to wait until late September / October because they always get fatter and sweeter as time goes by. </span></span><a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=walnuts" style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;" target="_blank">Walnuts </a><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">will be ready around the same time as the Apples and Pears. Plums, in many different colours, are still available now.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgjJprxc9b9Y4Fvlbd366uExMObauKmt1NR4Kk7AvUYwXHxwnYDIakNycYzz7xVqX3qLTE6OpUxIh2tUrh-jLJA0fq90UiKU5PsQetx22mLob3JIHEEqkd4DsiHtzad1OOyVIaF3hXQ/s1600/P1000757.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgfgjJprxc9b9Y4Fvlbd366uExMObauKmt1NR4Kk7AvUYwXHxwnYDIakNycYzz7xVqX3qLTE6OpUxIh2tUrh-jLJA0fq90UiKU5PsQetx22mLob3JIHEEqkd4DsiHtzad1OOyVIaF3hXQ/s400/P1000757.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">However, the end of the school holidays has always meant to me that <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2011/09/blog-post.html" target="_blank">Hazelnuts </a>are ripe and falling. I have been gathering pockets full during my lunch hour and transporting them home in my sandwich box, to store in a wicker basket for later <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2015/12/we-made-our-own-fliping-nutella.html" target="_blank">use</a>. I keep some at work as a snack and smash them open with whatever I find to hand, when I desire a nibble.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhDWoUMtYVSERDYRVLFyoij8BU4q5UKHvnMLjIe9GcUTwUrDjUgVKRKXhk_2OjFCil5ZzIJeb01uC0yOV-k2z80QHTl2Ey7_dRD46aulwPZVz0fUwPs8hVoeOioYaxEJfKmlYLFbXSQ/s1600/P1000800.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjqhDWoUMtYVSERDYRVLFyoij8BU4q5UKHvnMLjIe9GcUTwUrDjUgVKRKXhk_2OjFCil5ZzIJeb01uC0yOV-k2z80QHTl2Ey7_dRD46aulwPZVz0fUwPs8hVoeOioYaxEJfKmlYLFbXSQ/s400/P1000800.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-67035117386993452462019-07-17T14:17:00.002+01:002019-07-17T14:17:23.999+01:00Plumb Line<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Around this time of year, you might find <i>subtle</i> clues as to the location of highly forage-able fruit, such as <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=plums" target="_blank">Wild Plums</a>, Mirabelles, Damsons, Cherry Plumbs & Greengages.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZKBJNtQSu8aFRD7o-WYUg9hyphenhyphenfRnrSGQjRL9i9Ai8gotf_Lk692n7Tav6pujZwWSnNwiBGzLZfHowDZk0bwCeKo51orw8hEwwZPXIA_BNt75B3rgugCRyUNcrmn-q3C71pbPM5qE-eQ/s1600/P1200125.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIZKBJNtQSu8aFRD7o-WYUg9hyphenhyphenfRnrSGQjRL9i9Ai8gotf_Lk692n7Tav6pujZwWSnNwiBGzLZfHowDZk0bwCeKo51orw8hEwwZPXIA_BNt75B3rgugCRyUNcrmn-q3C71pbPM5qE-eQ/s320/P1200125.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These tasty plumbs are best eaten straight off the tree. Although they come in many varieties and colours, you can tell they a ripe when they will fall lightly into your hand, just as you touch them.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19wz5tri9oAP3-l8P_63x_HuObUmrVFQq5wqCsj_2mpDiJ9A36Hb-qQtKhoFdJIZtUJdiPc9c3LetcV-_MuSqMAick8K6whHtQThEc0zloRdc7iUKATrCPu6yL1ltJpM4Stwt4-3MUw/s1600/P1200126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="229" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh19wz5tri9oAP3-l8P_63x_HuObUmrVFQq5wqCsj_2mpDiJ9A36Hb-qQtKhoFdJIZtUJdiPc9c3LetcV-_MuSqMAick8K6whHtQThEc0zloRdc7iUKATrCPu6yL1ltJpM4Stwt4-3MUw/s320/P1200126.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Quite apart from the juicy joy of immediately eating these beauties, they can also be turned into pies, chutney, wine, puddings, jam and hundreds of other <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2015/07/millions-of-mirabells.html" target="_blank">delightful </a>things.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIP8vjimfo8wsF9KHTCUHdxEPSA-aXfYJg8a5MeM2bTDpZs6n9OO20SaxHfq4r-UmEEy2Ig6WeISAjYw0qYm0I6hcL6jZ8zhfDy7msWSqrLuv9aktva2CbP5q4l-6qw64RAdKQ3bvkXQ/s1600/plum1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1198" data-original-width="1600" height="239" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIP8vjimfo8wsF9KHTCUHdxEPSA-aXfYJg8a5MeM2bTDpZs6n9OO20SaxHfq4r-UmEEy2Ig6WeISAjYw0qYm0I6hcL6jZ8zhfDy7msWSqrLuv9aktva2CbP5q4l-6qw64RAdKQ3bvkXQ/s320/plum1.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I tend to eat as I go along during my lunchtime wanderings, then I pick a bunch and take them home for the family to enjoy.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPQ_mW0nfyG1JHjzuMEksY0PwtuFuKMOKa4QcAFgeWi_qNly06xdeKzx7wrJjRrhWGCxtb7kIH1DCOgjho9ul46wdMWGVExNAlDCgGFE3bpWUFDf4T_p4tQYYgFbYPDgMc0dySchwlQ/s1600/plum5.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiOPQ_mW0nfyG1JHjzuMEksY0PwtuFuKMOKa4QcAFgeWi_qNly06xdeKzx7wrJjRrhWGCxtb7kIH1DCOgjho9ul46wdMWGVExNAlDCgGFE3bpWUFDf4T_p4tQYYgFbYPDgMc0dySchwlQ/s320/plum5.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-23856774491459448902019-06-28T12:32:00.000+01:002019-07-01T18:07:35.511+01:00Ruby Red Race<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjhOMpel0Ei2kWg6NyWwYNJ9F3pQfR2OqBN_zgtpjUUN_KKe5vWQva31isUnvyMRA1YZTcHYEdhsDxnUMYTlUJNNAidNUqKfr0aGR2azLDTwvCWN12tqJjwIfqfSnourTQnFPlxElDQ/s1600/P1200006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDjhOMpel0Ei2kWg6NyWwYNJ9F3pQfR2OqBN_zgtpjUUN_KKe5vWQva31isUnvyMRA1YZTcHYEdhsDxnUMYTlUJNNAidNUqKfr0aGR2azLDTwvCWN12tqJjwIfqfSnourTQnFPlxElDQ/s400/P1200006.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">At the <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=allotment" target="_blank">allotment</a>, everything is growing like crazy, including the weeds. I have been focusing on gathering our growing hoards of soft fruits. The <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=strawberries" target="_blank">Strawberries </a>have provided us with a great crop. the Red Currants have also had a good year and I have deployed nets to thwart the birds.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51oKgnk9xvjRHWPfE6y5OEgHbhkpMdGFHg2ke5FDkH2tuLRWkRX4zlCDPE10YeVWdCr9_Q5QNdDpTw9pVAtfTg_jq-7RYtgLE7mLHYLhVUCbqO8U06HisiOwkKpb4tZjSsk0JLFpXAQ/s1600/P1200004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi51oKgnk9xvjRHWPfE6y5OEgHbhkpMdGFHg2ke5FDkH2tuLRWkRX4zlCDPE10YeVWdCr9_Q5QNdDpTw9pVAtfTg_jq-7RYtgLE7mLHYLhVUCbqO8U06HisiOwkKpb4tZjSsk0JLFpXAQ/s400/P1200004.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Our Summer <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=raspberries" target="_blank">Raspberries </a>are going great guns; the superbly tangy Loganberries (a cross between a raspberry and a blackberry), which I planted last year are ripe right now. The juicy, sweet <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=tayberry" target="_blank">Tayberries</a>, a slightly different cross between a <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=blackberry+ban" target="_blank">blackberr</a>y</span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and a </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">raspberry </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">are just ripening too.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqr-GGAN2AREKB24q1ZblkmVWRS4_gepFlk4EjG2Wua6MxHV1Co5UUGOh_G0_1B4kV3LhBBj3fQq_xvwbG-ZRtmKWJYFz2LVd_Nq9bi7CSQ4qnoxPVyAMW_qRpUN0csDyt_01Zqh2fw/s1600/P1200034.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcqr-GGAN2AREKB24q1ZblkmVWRS4_gepFlk4EjG2Wua6MxHV1Co5UUGOh_G0_1B4kV3LhBBj3fQq_xvwbG-ZRtmKWJYFz2LVd_Nq9bi7CSQ4qnoxPVyAMW_qRpUN0csDyt_01Zqh2fw/s400/P1200034.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It's like a delicious red race and there is so much bounty and so little time that I tend to simply pick as much as I can of everything and lob it all in the same box (or my mouth). Those that make it home are made into family favourites <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=Clafoutis+" target="_blank">Clafoutis </a>or <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=summer+pudding" target="_blank">Summer Pudding</a>!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZxJCPpvz9FyeGz5kmBaZ4K99omIEqYD9sjOy8FHdv2nWk8wrb9xXk7iYgXRcP8h-84AphIH4eHr_wMCiuSZwyK4sWsdWbMcr0h9coJGM_nsctgDvbuOSzTik5P0rAe1qiqfqrU4Tkw/s1600/P1200039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1127" data-original-width="1600" height="281" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6ZxJCPpvz9FyeGz5kmBaZ4K99omIEqYD9sjOy8FHdv2nWk8wrb9xXk7iYgXRcP8h-84AphIH4eHr_wMCiuSZwyK4sWsdWbMcr0h9coJGM_nsctgDvbuOSzTik5P0rAe1qiqfqrU4Tkw/s400/P1200039.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2015/06/first-fruity-fun-of-year.html" target="_blank">Cherries </a>in <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2015/07/plum-picking.html" target="_blank">our garden</a> are also ripening on the trees and it is always tempting to eat them early when they are red but it is better to wait until they turn black, as long as you can keep the avian hoards at bay.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDAF3RMEJiV7ccuofxdQGPbTOpl5erww1QZAUC4pwIjLdoZJJLoisj7MuuFtIWnkFAsonlP02jASprDlfuqeH7u3qhWmDVAYzFKADKZD1udalAM4CzRoZ8qSoB7e_-NXfVJf0xoDqEQ/s1600/P1200028.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1058" data-original-width="1600" height="263" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDAF3RMEJiV7ccuofxdQGPbTOpl5erww1QZAUC4pwIjLdoZJJLoisj7MuuFtIWnkFAsonlP02jASprDlfuqeH7u3qhWmDVAYzFKADKZD1udalAM4CzRoZ8qSoB7e_-NXfVJf0xoDqEQ/s400/P1200028.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year, at the allotment, I decided to create a wild-flower garden patch by collecting seeds from poppies, cornflowers and other things that took my fancy last year. It has been a real success and is already looking absolutely lovely.</span></div>
<br />Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-91488907792988790642019-06-10T12:52:00.002+01:002019-06-25T15:45:35.943+01:00Strawberry Powered Bike Rides<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3hScr5paH1w8SEAWU-dAq_O7BLQlb_RT-LLsLzzlT5-apikbwsE4jbPXKkbEQysNcs_aCqtEAmDbIaNY-mc9O77Jv_eknf0YQjv9S0DXFrgPi0wD06hACSss5viCWVeEFJpwaxRuMQ/s1600/P1190668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_3hScr5paH1w8SEAWU-dAq_O7BLQlb_RT-LLsLzzlT5-apikbwsE4jbPXKkbEQysNcs_aCqtEAmDbIaNY-mc9O77Jv_eknf0YQjv9S0DXFrgPi0wD06hACSss5viCWVeEFJpwaxRuMQ/s400/P1190668.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">This year's Elderflower Cordial has been Pasteurised and safely bottled, thanks to my daughters efforts.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI9_lGZfznBIvQSepFUdV8R3HdLIOppB-a7neo4eHdPvmPDxpNGnzTQtBnJWLa4jOvUHGHYYTr2hmPszrjpx44b1KJTlpueSDWswZcfZoz2easDMbs5uDuT_BpmQr5C29jgA7IGPoag/s1600/P1190671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigI9_lGZfznBIvQSepFUdV8R3HdLIOppB-a7neo4eHdPvmPDxpNGnzTQtBnJWLa4jOvUHGHYYTr2hmPszrjpx44b1KJTlpueSDWswZcfZoz2easDMbs5uDuT_BpmQr5C29jgA7IGPoag/s400/P1190671.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">At the time I was too busy, brewing up a double batch of Elderflower Champagne, it always seems to go too quickly.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_c9kJbsj6BPijmuCp9j_WvGCc_ZcAA85n2n-VZk2bWKATa3D5Q8PJB_pDnID8qSDHfh_y_1kl9Rsex9yz_wd7gss9a-q3zgy3tZ8Hqi7P0aFxn4uvccpJg44i-wQsnf6tyeKGq3IjA/s1600/P1190775.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjL_c9kJbsj6BPijmuCp9j_WvGCc_ZcAA85n2n-VZk2bWKATa3D5Q8PJB_pDnID8qSDHfh_y_1kl9Rsex9yz_wd7gss9a-q3zgy3tZ8Hqi7P0aFxn4uvccpJg44i-wQsnf6tyeKGq3IjA/s400/P1190775.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We had a blissful half term holiday, camping and cycling in France. We did not realise initially, but it was the week before the D Day 75th anniversary, and there was a great deal of preparation going on. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGtsEjEZN730LedUCbXdgR_jKuJ4U7R-FA1_mvaDeQitxTyDw6xSzfDmsMg3tzd098XTaHTYcomiLT-iit2x0vkTXbaFe-N1czeUgxhHTNoOTXqAIMdmrjp3_8sncocItZpUHq-m5kQ/s1600/P1190764.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhDGtsEjEZN730LedUCbXdgR_jKuJ4U7R-FA1_mvaDeQitxTyDw6xSzfDmsMg3tzd098XTaHTYcomiLT-iit2x0vkTXbaFe-N1czeUgxhHTNoOTXqAIMdmrjp3_8sncocItZpUHq-m5kQ/s400/P1190764.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">We spent most of our time on our bikes; the French do know how to make perfect cycle paths and networks. We would cycle from one town to another, along peaceful, nature laden pathways, without a single car in sight.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1TEsjXUaXtX_oEyra9mpeojqx7_SIPZ1Tj1TjImkG1IcWHq3biDYH0XugCg3gJwG1KIMj4gCKbQ0U8iQzHTZcpaIF6e0KfEsYLx_n5gf_M0aIWXqKpfIWPVPyz4UR9KucV8pPiMQ6w/s1600/P1190765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjx1TEsjXUaXtX_oEyra9mpeojqx7_SIPZ1Tj1TjImkG1IcWHq3biDYH0XugCg3gJwG1KIMj4gCKbQ0U8iQzHTZcpaIF6e0KfEsYLx_n5gf_M0aIWXqKpfIWPVPyz4UR9KucV8pPiMQ6w/s400/P1190765.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">On one of our cycle trips, we spotted a large patch of Wild (Alpine) Strawberries, so we called a short rest break. We proceeded to feast our faces on these delicate little juicy fruits, before setting off again, fully rejuvenated.</span></div>
Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-17436984289373310072019-05-01T14:39:00.001+01:002019-05-01T14:42:45.634+01:00Bluebells Blossom & Beltain<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I once before wrote a post here called<a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2012/04/blossom-beltain-and-beautiful-game.html" target="_blank"> Blossom, Beltain and a beautiful game</a>. That was quite a while ago and then Saint's were moving from the Championship into the Premiership. Since that time they have just about stayed up.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Jv_1YU3Mf6bfyKuB_U3wK7UgkwOybAv7qnFezmur4xoerZtyFiZlsruaaEGoTvANVi_XpyotihExK5zyWS58I_qjBULGsh-KxJX0J7kQD4LDRqgbZ7nbsxQ3tjMGtEVevSc8JfpHOQ/s1600/P1190544.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0Jv_1YU3Mf6bfyKuB_U3wK7UgkwOybAv7qnFezmur4xoerZtyFiZlsruaaEGoTvANVi_XpyotihExK5zyWS58I_qjBULGsh-KxJX0J7kQD4LDRqgbZ7nbsxQ3tjMGtEVevSc8JfpHOQ/s400/P1190544.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=bluebells" target="_blank">Bluebells </a>are looking magnificent this year and it's well worth taking a lovely, long walk through a local wood, simply for the pleasure of gazing on this wonder.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUq2S6MUN63gzsJ_cFXsxfnnsn8KREWsqw9ZE9oj7Z-dQ8H6K8WRKqoooDzMFhQOGrlELIj0XMn8bOca2nTbkO3hzjZBm4ollgYhGZkqllfNX4ZlzE9E31iZUdQNvL46MUn_qnVnuqw/s1600/P1190541.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1146" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIUq2S6MUN63gzsJ_cFXsxfnnsn8KREWsqw9ZE9oj7Z-dQ8H6K8WRKqoooDzMFhQOGrlELIj0XMn8bOca2nTbkO3hzjZBm4ollgYhGZkqllfNX4ZlzE9E31iZUdQNvL46MUn_qnVnuqw/s400/P1190541.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I have spotted early <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=elderflower" target="_blank">Elderflowers</a>, waving their blousy, citrus blooms to herald the onset of Summer. Yes, that's right, the warm season will soon be upon us and I'm already wearing my shorts in preparation.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=plums" target="_blank">Plums </a>are gradually fattening on the branches, <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=Hawthorn+" target="_blank">Hawthorn </a>is flowering in the hedgerows and everything is growing like crazy.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This year, as normal, I will be visiting <a href="http://www.butserancientfarm.co.uk/" target="_blank">Butser Ancient Hill Farm</a>, with the children for <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/search?q=beltain" target="_blank">Beltain</a>. The celebration culminates with burning of their truly massive <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/p/the-new-urbane-forager-book.html" target="_blank">Wicker Man</a>; the kids have been, quite literally, looking forward to it all year.</span></div>
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Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-55283987128348453422019-03-01T15:35:00.004+00:002019-03-21T16:00:02.385+00:00Spring Blows Hot and Cold<div style="text-align: justify;">
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">February was playing games. It was frosty, it was foggy and it has also been unseasonably sunny and warm.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have been out in hats coats </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and</span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> glove</span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">s and we have been out in shorts and t-shirts.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plum Blossom is filling the hedgerows with a white bloom, Blackthorn and Hawthorn will soon follow. </span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Meanwhile Daffodils and Crocus are painting the road sides and gardens. Flashes of colour to fill in between the new growth of trees and bushes.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5AKdeITSvdB_pJobtncfU-bf1f40-mt1tiqxXbRaRjEX8k3q2ObznW6cP3J4A0iy_0oR7MJO0VAQLpHSKEoHlh130p3H7RLcrR6TPmTT8cPeFEKxZoUDcHd1y_SapiD2cUXVex3n5A/s1600/P1190037.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg5AKdeITSvdB_pJobtncfU-bf1f40-mt1tiqxXbRaRjEX8k3q2ObznW6cP3J4A0iy_0oR7MJO0VAQLpHSKEoHlh130p3H7RLcrR6TPmTT8cPeFEKxZoUDcHd1y_SapiD2cUXVex3n5A/s320/P1190037.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have been on some lovely walks, including down Hurst Spit and around the Keyhaven nature reserve. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivofLZJX-Tp618iPrhbcBZqq5F-PqST81tPoooJwRFuUsIpCYaObF99fVY_flwfn1S9KXSvhlYKr7vP7II5pjCTGB-cjR-1Lp7zFCZx0d7eOVQ9B8TPGfWm3USy4wrwjNgn4HQNHwk9w/s1600/P1190132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1127" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivofLZJX-Tp618iPrhbcBZqq5F-PqST81tPoooJwRFuUsIpCYaObF99fVY_flwfn1S9KXSvhlYKr7vP7II5pjCTGB-cjR-1Lp7zFCZx0d7eOVQ9B8TPGfWm3USy4wrwjNgn4HQNHwk9w/s320/P1190132.JPG" width="225" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When the sun has been hot and the tide good, we have been messing about on the river with boats from <a href="https://www.stdenysboats.co.uk/" target="_blank">St. Deny's Boat Club</a>.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8HbdAtMeMhvjRolIhUm1oVfG9QF0x0KfWZs7WdNkWcyWPVOZYzYFfsLTb4LtzHm9yRqHoexaXDnTdW62UTa_yuI0-f00bntN8AOjLN4TIyu1rx0JlLpL4m42_hYk_HXvDfbcKmkj_Q/s1600/P1190145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg8HbdAtMeMhvjRolIhUm1oVfG9QF0x0KfWZs7WdNkWcyWPVOZYzYFfsLTb4LtzHm9yRqHoexaXDnTdW62UTa_yuI0-f00bntN8AOjLN4TIyu1rx0JlLpL4m42_hYk_HXvDfbcKmkj_Q/s320/P1190145.JPG" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">March looks set to start with a good old fashioned storm. How it will turn out after that, only time will tell, but I hope the prevailing wind stays Southwesterly.</span></div>
Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-57178530279312819202019-02-14T16:06:00.001+00:002019-02-14T16:07:05.715+00:00Signs of Spring<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBK48kKlL2Q4aOt5x1sUaElC1y_wDPAjvTXYZAQosgn2_K3y4LtDQlnBIlh9b_TELox03H-odMqMYdNiGt9cvPm4mjCREjblz7A2Er1X4MJCF2ttU0tCMKxytRRezfNiRUHODeyTtsw/s1600/P1190007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBK48kKlL2Q4aOt5x1sUaElC1y_wDPAjvTXYZAQosgn2_K3y4LtDQlnBIlh9b_TELox03H-odMqMYdNiGt9cvPm4mjCREjblz7A2Er1X4MJCF2ttU0tCMKxytRRezfNiRUHODeyTtsw/s400/P1190007.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">As I ride my bike to work, through the February weather every day, I notice changes, over time, in the roadside foliage. I think about what might be growing there in a few months and I make a mental note to check back on my prospects in the Summer.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwBK48kKlL2Q4aOt5x1sUaElC1y_wDPAjvTXYZAQosgn2_K3y4LtDQlnBIlh9b_TELox03H-odMqMYdNiGt9cvPm4mjCREjblz7A2Er1X4MJCF2ttU0tCMKxytRRezfNiRUHODeyTtsw/s1600/P1190007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span></a></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXivV4GFfiXq5ObEZV-aOxQuO4xlzAZHjiM2seKawnGo3URkFpO_qw_5-OFu_11noiE1hsElBKlGuUKUy8z-25tfoeta9XqDpm_dzqL0eM8TWSJTEo5S9z6kKV4dq9MXk0yiwpYcHjw/s1600/P1190002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1224" data-original-width="1600" height="305" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYXivV4GFfiXq5ObEZV-aOxQuO4xlzAZHjiM2seKawnGo3URkFpO_qw_5-OFu_11noiE1hsElBKlGuUKUy8z-25tfoeta9XqDpm_dzqL0eM8TWSJTEo5S9z6kKV4dq9MXk0yiwpYcHjw/s400/P1190002.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Winter & Spring is always a lean time for foragers, especially those of the Urbane persuasion. So to entertain myself during the <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2017/05/butser-beltain-and-wicker-man.html" target="_blank">cold dark periods </a>I like to test out my home made drinks and preserves to see how they are maturing. I was delighted with my <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2018/05/ransom-capers.html" target="_blank">Ransom Capers</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtA5uywQ3J5NnQ9ToYUCBH9cXutqS6CQY_yfRoXRfLYdNz4HOZFTRDnRuH86xiuBIt1xWio0ut46sj4-rur1kuU9tGtBEPnwVA72UNgGRLPVPxxkouAQNytWcvNeoPT_ojBR2vgajysg/s1600/P1180996.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1255" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtA5uywQ3J5NnQ9ToYUCBH9cXutqS6CQY_yfRoXRfLYdNz4HOZFTRDnRuH86xiuBIt1xWio0ut46sj4-rur1kuU9tGtBEPnwVA72UNgGRLPVPxxkouAQNytWcvNeoPT_ojBR2vgajysg/s400/P1180996.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2018/02/spring-snow-storms.html" target="_blank">Elderberry Wine</a> seems effective at staving off the colds, the <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2017/10/walnuts-wooden-rain.html" target="_blank">Walnuts </a>and <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2017/09/a-pocket-full-of-hazelnuts.html" target="_blank">Hazelnuts </a>are great for baking or simply nibbling, the <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2018/09/autumn-arrives.html" target="_blank">Cider and Apple juice</a> is still lovely, and the Grape wine has matured into a perfectly tolerable rose.</span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNmPH6ZgQdF-Ob620sw8jQwEmCewJWMYc9R6clwwXkIHMvKItjaxXNLrvR-pBhYjBH5w63-zVtKyVc9NnSSb6qf5tRIjK3-XlRHN-xRyzUXgPno7mS05md9FwNuWMNcVGO0IW7VTyxQ/s1600/P1180999.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdNmPH6ZgQdF-Ob620sw8jQwEmCewJWMYc9R6clwwXkIHMvKItjaxXNLrvR-pBhYjBH5w63-zVtKyVc9NnSSb6qf5tRIjK3-XlRHN-xRyzUXgPno7mS05md9FwNuWMNcVGO0IW7VTyxQ/s400/P1180999.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">So, to keep </span><i style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">you </i><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">amused during the Winter/Spring months, </span><i style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Dear Reader</i><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">, here is a fun quiz, to get </span><i style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">you</i><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> thinking about the hedgerows in </span><i style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">your own </i><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif; text-align: justify;">area...</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SQs40WieGvldfdXZ01euLPl-H3Fruve-Fng9-6TOS4pjsb_7O4QMdBdwn_EK8whGuQzDpjIrImG7S3m_L7rEWrJpMHAH0ASmaNGzacJK7A2XputEi4cSQiobiuqeZWSnkTyGXCSfqQ/s1600/P1190004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5SQs40WieGvldfdXZ01euLPl-H3Fruve-Fng9-6TOS4pjsb_7O4QMdBdwn_EK8whGuQzDpjIrImG7S3m_L7rEWrJpMHAH0ASmaNGzacJK7A2XputEi4cSQiobiuqeZWSnkTyGXCSfqQ/s400/P1190004.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<ol>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="http://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2012/04/free-seasonal-tree-id-sheets-ready.html" target="_blank">Identify the tree & flower images on this page</a>. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Work out if they will deliver anything edible. </span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Work out the time of year that you would harvest and produce.</span></li>
<li><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Plan what you could make from the available bounty.</span></li>
</ol>
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<br />Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-73874732080689246952018-12-12T10:55:00.001+00:002018-12-13T11:44:00.287+00:00Yuletide Traditions<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpdf09MvYp8sMeWyV4lueiy363PazaD9JCys6c5Wq5m9qs8xitVFEdGZrfbK7guIb_OC1wMidybvkBBldZ_XI40kNowgxm5WqQkgbMKh1vFj9WbF8ey1RTfbOWKqduaEiZfgIWf5lJg/s1600/P1180661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1062" data-original-width="1600" height="265" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIpdf09MvYp8sMeWyV4lueiy363PazaD9JCys6c5Wq5m9qs8xitVFEdGZrfbK7guIb_OC1wMidybvkBBldZ_XI40kNowgxm5WqQkgbMKh1vFj9WbF8ey1RTfbOWKqduaEiZfgIWf5lJg/s400/P1180661.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Another Yuletide is looming fast and the stormy weather has been perfectly suitable. We have been busy with all the normal preparations and arrangements. We cut our own Christmas tree from a local quagmire (nursery) and this has been a fun, and inevitably muddy, tradition in our family for years. Then we spent about 2 days in the loft hunting for the lights, which were actually buried, deep in my son's bedroom.</span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjQjqV7-0aiIReQH3bEzzDJbnzSC368gHXByxhyobr1S2QP6axl9qB67GhDSlGpU1p7drF3ie8Z-MElwLtCxijgWQ8IXUWoijthPDX2IgRWZNnM_wWxbUJayuh0El0etNsWaB3Jy9Ew/s1600/P1180660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgLjQjqV7-0aiIReQH3bEzzDJbnzSC368gHXByxhyobr1S2QP6axl9qB67GhDSlGpU1p7drF3ie8Z-MElwLtCxijgWQ8IXUWoijthPDX2IgRWZNnM_wWxbUJayuh0El0etNsWaB3Jy9Ew/s400/P1180660.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">Venus has been shining brightly in the East each morning. I'm far from superstitious, but I'm sure that this will be bringing love into our homes. Although, just in case, we did also pop out and harvest a big carrier bagful of mistletoe, to hang around the house. This also always makes a welcome gift to friend and neighbours.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FJY4Lu3l7mDpxoLatqixAkAOZDJrvMj5CFHhYymRoWJQkFZ87tzJs6A_o7jAH4sFFsgY2vI_SoZUSeScyN5bTDh9A3KANEciyyOIjznVTg3rBrvt2PL97H13pBAwagnyZ8GdFcgBAA/s1600/P1180669.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9FJY4Lu3l7mDpxoLatqixAkAOZDJrvMj5CFHhYymRoWJQkFZ87tzJs6A_o7jAH4sFFsgY2vI_SoZUSeScyN5bTDh9A3KANEciyyOIjznVTg3rBrvt2PL97H13pBAwagnyZ8GdFcgBAA/s400/P1180669.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">I have also been siphoning & bottling this season's cider, and I'm pleased to report that it is tasting mighty fine already, and will only improve with time. We are looking forward to adding some spices and mulling several bottles, to take to parties.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yoVq1sTZ3Tr5Wl3nwrRuRBQG7oSZwOuX3QkfLUNl8flf1cF1xzdEZafDBIpCQd0Olos3KeCKGje2uPczagaU7loRp8RheDLPnL7ZPOZpS_GTUPFT4yxnlWTAy95lueGqUbQCkQ8Avw/s1600/P1180614.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1yoVq1sTZ3Tr5Wl3nwrRuRBQG7oSZwOuX3QkfLUNl8flf1cF1xzdEZafDBIpCQd0Olos3KeCKGje2uPczagaU7loRp8RheDLPnL7ZPOZpS_GTUPFT4yxnlWTAy95lueGqUbQCkQ8Avw/s400/P1180614.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">We also have 2 gallons of fine rose wine to bottle, this is the produce of our grape growing escapades this year. Obviously, this needs more time to mature but all the signs are good and I have high hopes for it being drinkable!</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO44FYWmg2fBCv7hAquP2JWydQ8nVhebALYlXK_MTa-vMcSqqaX4fGfPFn2iVS1iswfyJMCeuLUZVM4QAHXfg8sLaUvjnMBTU2Xlwly1qHd8iqxQ6eBis7a7UlUZ6kMXWG-SXpZmQTUA/s1600/P1180666.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO44FYWmg2fBCv7hAquP2JWydQ8nVhebALYlXK_MTa-vMcSqqaX4fGfPFn2iVS1iswfyJMCeuLUZVM4QAHXfg8sLaUvjnMBTU2Xlwly1qHd8iqxQ6eBis7a7UlUZ6kMXWG-SXpZmQTUA/s400/P1180666.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-7069265128703216262018-10-16T10:08:00.001+01:002018-10-16T10:09:19.634+01:00Sweet Chestnutting<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKgHmTZHZZBFQegulUS5wEkbAd0K9jkdczd1sHIVROeunMP6aGMQ2ReADLWbihNmy5ZrZqvCQYaoj0REAmQayMC5y2YpgKAAKHusRg0h8pjPq8GJO1aVsQwEOLEpoGAVj21wfnqBKzQ/s1600/P1180379.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEioKgHmTZHZZBFQegulUS5wEkbAd0K9jkdczd1sHIVROeunMP6aGMQ2ReADLWbihNmy5ZrZqvCQYaoj0REAmQayMC5y2YpgKAAKHusRg0h8pjPq8GJO1aVsQwEOLEpoGAVj21wfnqBKzQ/s400/P1180379.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2011/10/autumn-abridged.html" target="_blank">Autumn progresses</a>, the storms start to blow in, and when the wind comes from the North, we begin to feel the cold again. We have picked most of our allotment goodies now, the grapes have been pressed and the juice is now fermenting vigorously. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVHlaFYQTD7hkAroxp51sOt94xq5Rjocrmzr9SWL8ztGKy0wwTJwxo14awMPbnaiK4Kuo_I6Rbv5W7VVyVkgPIlOVSIdwXGswZUwQKd_pONTGicPP9-XBVfaRZ1s_kjf8ImW56NbtVA/s1600/P1180425.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1110" data-original-width="1600" height="276" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEirVHlaFYQTD7hkAroxp51sOt94xq5Rjocrmzr9SWL8ztGKy0wwTJwxo14awMPbnaiK4Kuo_I6Rbv5W7VVyVkgPIlOVSIdwXGswZUwQKd_pONTGicPP9-XBVfaRZ1s_kjf8ImW56NbtVA/s400/P1180425.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The wind also brings exciting new things down from the trees for us to eat. Sweet Chestnuts are falling </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">now, </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">and you'll need to be swift to <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2013/11/wonderful-woods-and-scuttling-squirrels.html" target="_blank">beat the squirrels</a>. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIIrVyXyLFG07X3NgWV1UKjhHZCzYd0kCkg3TkzvrPlhkt-Nysp__5bR7lrj7zigOTiGpoHTe7fZHNF3ICrueayzwI3MLKbaaOqsFom4QPNmQr_fUaPqj_WcDCpevcd8mnFNxFBvCYQ/s1600/P1180427.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIIrVyXyLFG07X3NgWV1UKjhHZCzYd0kCkg3TkzvrPlhkt-Nysp__5bR7lrj7zigOTiGpoHTe7fZHNF3ICrueayzwI3MLKbaaOqsFom4QPNmQr_fUaPqj_WcDCpevcd8mnFNxFBvCYQ/s400/P1180427.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We squeeze the nuts out of their <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2014/11/spiny-sweet-chestnuts.html" target="_blank">spiky husks</a>, with our feet and collect the biggest ones to take home.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSitDEw_H0Cy7kBtVi-LRMC-rirXomJgdPClv4rWuP_K0jUnScAz1ij5BKbggzVM1RwwZsAuNnOKG0R08eAyxRofe3q3a9Y1rWJBxbjW6ayg8dcQzIvBvDJRD1oORXl8Zn-AVeEaQrw/s1600/P1180431.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1066" data-original-width="1600" height="266" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibSitDEw_H0Cy7kBtVi-LRMC-rirXomJgdPClv4rWuP_K0jUnScAz1ij5BKbggzVM1RwwZsAuNnOKG0R08eAyxRofe3q3a9Y1rWJBxbjW6ayg8dcQzIvBvDJRD1oORXl8Zn-AVeEaQrw/s400/P1180431.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There are all sorts of things you can bake and cook using Sweet Chestnuts but we prefer to simply roast them over a <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2011/10/chestnuts-roasting-on-pot-bellied-bbq.html" target="_blank">fire or BBQ</a>. On a chilly Autumnal evening, there is little that I enjoy more than <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/2017/10/well-clocks-have-gone-back-we-have-had.html" target="_blank">sitting in the garden</a>, watching for bats, while nibbling hot Chestnuts.</span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnl2XQK7LTeFiFzhPFRG8m2GSdRKF-d2kR03oEV4f2Hw9pB5LnhX8WTHDWtap6D36Gs9AGQf_MfwNpo8JpH62wQ7yhUM0lzpJq_Su0PK3cCK2viV_lWQnAjiPBnGOuPzNlkXsRBv81A/s1600/P1180433.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1151" data-original-width="1600" height="287" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisnl2XQK7LTeFiFzhPFRG8m2GSdRKF-d2kR03oEV4f2Hw9pB5LnhX8WTHDWtap6D36Gs9AGQf_MfwNpo8JpH62wQ7yhUM0lzpJq_Su0PK3cCK2viV_lWQnAjiPBnGOuPzNlkXsRBv81A/s400/P1180433.JPG" width="400" /></span></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had a lovely Apple Day at <a href="https://theurbaneforager.blogspot.com/p/campaign.html" target="_blank">Mansbridge Community Orchard</a>. The fruit was plentiful, as was the juice. The sun did come out, we met new friends and caught up with some old ones too.</span></div>
Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-55398795282628690662018-10-01T15:28:00.000+01:002018-10-01T15:28:15.751+01:00Harvest Moon<div style="text-align: justify;">
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GUKl3xg5ZMh7Se62Ugm4q-oG2NeuiYRjcB4f3VGQpQAVzaUgwTZNi9P8YoYZxyYnAdMMGZrNKeNkNuHhT4qT-_80OAzM1REpUIodnp3KhpRc8vxc3YnYII_-tqXhLwL1Ko1QbJ_-vw/s1600/P1180369.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1147" data-original-width="1600" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_GUKl3xg5ZMh7Se62Ugm4q-oG2NeuiYRjcB4f3VGQpQAVzaUgwTZNi9P8YoYZxyYnAdMMGZrNKeNkNuHhT4qT-_80OAzM1REpUIodnp3KhpRc8vxc3YnYII_-tqXhLwL1Ko1QbJ_-vw/s400/P1180369.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The season of mists and mellow fruitfulness is once again upon us. A baleful harvest moon illuminated the evenings of the equinox weekend, and the traditional Autumnal storms came billowing in from the Atlantic. None of this prevented us from breaking out the Apple pressing kit. </span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNULM7_LziROMgc409vxrdzpLsaiQJZWOZ2PJmIi0abu8QAmM7rYVkCYy0E084IHxXT4_FUmzjludvxD5oMFy-64G0v33iV_9Kqc7_6Ix7Qw9YN97_psX7Uq5iMM_Jp_9etKCTvRSd_A/s1600/P1180359.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1201" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNULM7_LziROMgc409vxrdzpLsaiQJZWOZ2PJmIi0abu8QAmM7rYVkCYy0E084IHxXT4_FUmzjludvxD5oMFy-64G0v33iV_9Kqc7_6Ix7Qw9YN97_psX7Uq5iMM_Jp_9etKCTvRSd_A/s400/P1180359.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We had been harvesting loads of Apples and on the Saturday, we set about pressing them into </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">35 litres of </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">juice; I filled my demijohns, and several gallons are now merrily bubbling away, tuning into cider. The remaining juice was pasteurised and bottled up, ready for the forthcoming year.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFIjN20HeDroy0uL63mQ4wo9gPh10I_mdVoqz6grA-xcbpz4o1C1iHiuLLQFcCK-Gdc94yLw_j6VIP7YXvch-umY4PkQdAxuNFuA9rRO2vGA4moZ4xmx9Ppw-5_3JPTWLAZI1VrR5Pg/s1600/P1180360.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiAFIjN20HeDroy0uL63mQ4wo9gPh10I_mdVoqz6grA-xcbpz4o1C1iHiuLLQFcCK-Gdc94yLw_j6VIP7YXvch-umY4PkQdAxuNFuA9rRO2vGA4moZ4xmx9Ppw-5_3JPTWLAZI1VrR5Pg/s400/P1180360.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We also collected enough Pears for me to produce my essential annual stock of Chunky Pear and Walnut Chutney. We still had Walnuts and Hazel nuts left over from last year, and fresh ones are falling </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">already</span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">, early, like so many other things this year.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYcTvTdICnTwx1vc5v_SgqPNgqknUh5w8SPbduVmibCQV3hdTsPQIpqx9pCIZ-pIxx5f5rF_RwxWoIn12t_Gffq7Yw4rpabAh4xzPO0q66JGxWOFr8Xb9vWu529oM3XxmPUenYvOB2Q/s1600/P1180373.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihYcTvTdICnTwx1vc5v_SgqPNgqknUh5w8SPbduVmibCQV3hdTsPQIpqx9pCIZ-pIxx5f5rF_RwxWoIn12t_Gffq7Yw4rpabAh4xzPO0q66JGxWOFr8Xb9vWu529oM3XxmPUenYvOB2Q/s400/P1180373.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It turns out that the 2018 weather was perfect for vineyards and it promises to be a special vintage - we harvested our own grapes from our allotment and produced several gallons of tangy juice, most of which will be fermented into a new rose wine, Chateau Vin du Witts Hill, perhaps.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IphbUfGRd6w9rw0bj45j_VrpWeRT1UP2qMjrzCr9RyBRiBOTm4ChmhzOnCoolEyIhyphenhyphenaInwChJ7VfKusUkj71sVCI7V8_vl6HCjr87KYTWJYg0ZTOQ7vppwOJVFKbl4RKzUE7pu6Oiw/s1600/P1180374.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5IphbUfGRd6w9rw0bj45j_VrpWeRT1UP2qMjrzCr9RyBRiBOTm4ChmhzOnCoolEyIhyphenhyphenaInwChJ7VfKusUkj71sVCI7V8_vl6HCjr87KYTWJYg0ZTOQ7vppwOJVFKbl4RKzUE7pu6Oiw/s400/P1180374.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Sweet Chestnuts also look like they will be falling soon, we will be out gathering, and competing for the largest, fattest fruits to bring home and roasting them on our fire as the cooler, darker evenings draw in.</span><br />
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Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2244231575608437104.post-61655284337616223312018-09-17T13:00:00.000+01:002018-09-17T14:49:20.870+01:00Autumn Arrives<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s54K1qtrc2CjV2yWl-bVABOXwwNZCcjtsw3_79QsodWwgEJZa9Skj9u-iod4qbLWeiIs2iTj-fFYdUk0E4AENKxG7rL9EQOdKVx0sWJUNonpwiS3Mjo-24_4lBMTayVF4NBjRmx8Jg/s1600/P1180306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1s54K1qtrc2CjV2yWl-bVABOXwwNZCcjtsw3_79QsodWwgEJZa9Skj9u-iod4qbLWeiIs2iTj-fFYdUk0E4AENKxG7rL9EQOdKVx0sWJUNonpwiS3Mjo-24_4lBMTayVF4NBjRmx8Jg/s400/P1180306.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="text-align: justify;">This year we have seen one of the longest and hottest Summers on record, but now, finally Autumn is upon us. We are having cooler mornings with dew on the grass, the wind is whipping up and the long awaited rain is arriving, cheering allotmenteers, gardeners and ducks alike.</span></span><br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBMncqQT7Vz7lAFsEDwOexvsb7AMg6qwqkW93_N2OeGfNFC-roBqoG5Hsnv9iAxabdK9EO6gt2qc5fzXnxH0roOGUtd9H1TteF4oxoAG_WunKR7K_cvK1-fAXmDXX0-azhcMhyphenhyphenrGafA/s1600/P1180307.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="1200" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBBMncqQT7Vz7lAFsEDwOexvsb7AMg6qwqkW93_N2OeGfNFC-roBqoG5Hsnv9iAxabdK9EO6gt2qc5fzXnxH0roOGUtd9H1TteF4oxoAG_WunKR7K_cvK1-fAXmDXX0-azhcMhyphenhyphenrGafA/s400/P1180307.JPG" width="300" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We have been busy hunting down Hazlenuts, Apples and Pears, in all our familiar and favourite locations. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_pLdQqSExCY32chBDnZmvOEThzIvI6z9D8j8ZtvFx1PNccgzCzwjNTIdNn2EwhM7YTQvdt2dPIp0xTfLcGqr1IJuk4mIPdUwSZiJXa9b_qVGWgLxeaApVDUzQ0jLP94LTsoYA8bEMQ/s1600/P1180302.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgu_pLdQqSExCY32chBDnZmvOEThzIvI6z9D8j8ZtvFx1PNccgzCzwjNTIdNn2EwhM7YTQvdt2dPIp0xTfLcGqr1IJuk4mIPdUwSZiJXa9b_qVGWgLxeaApVDUzQ0jLP94LTsoYA8bEMQ/s400/P1180302.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">It seems that all the lovely snow, bought to us here earlier this year via the Beast from the East, must have affected the pollinators and blossom of the </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;">trees because the fruit count is relatively low.</span><br />
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbg_8-qjSvYa-qsMu-fj94y0DsF2b6hEyF41oJ5nCjQfv2iy3KhtViaEgU0fzkjdb6pxkd3ieBrZ81tdOrRmF8Y5Lr9iKi0HpVHXPtgJOnQsfdoalKYGhRLTU_mpbjbW-SsHQN5yiB7g/s1600/P1180310.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbg_8-qjSvYa-qsMu-fj94y0DsF2b6hEyF41oJ5nCjQfv2iy3KhtViaEgU0fzkjdb6pxkd3ieBrZ81tdOrRmF8Y5Lr9iKi0HpVHXPtgJOnQsfdoalKYGhRLTU_mpbjbW-SsHQN5yiB7g/s400/P1180310.JPG" width="400" /></a></span></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">This massive and sustained Spring storm, followed by the long hot dry Summer may have caused the trees to change their normal patterns. </span><span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Many trees also appear to have smaller than normal fruit that is ripening and dropping earlier than I would have expected.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudNxC2ec3-mDoWDPAZQN3iZlDu4vmmFOfq7IsJRT_Dcae9jmkwHWk0k-Hp_sFgIpT8xrEBH9X3ZfGWTeNDPuwh199rTL0Mk-F6YInKGjDeQBrxt7-Dv4mAm65AUqccv4V3oednwsUfw/s1600/P1180311.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiudNxC2ec3-mDoWDPAZQN3iZlDu4vmmFOfq7IsJRT_Dcae9jmkwHWk0k-Hp_sFgIpT8xrEBH9X3ZfGWTeNDPuwh199rTL0Mk-F6YInKGjDeQBrxt7-Dv4mAm65AUqccv4V3oednwsUfw/s400/P1180311.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I'm quite sure that there will be some trees that have managed to overcome the trials of the weather, but a cursory glance around our normal haunts shows a distinctly diminished harvest.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrP_lQp4FQmvE2hXjizo0O0ZGcQ0AkUOoBb7qau__CRQS2Q4w1iOMLcJZxro6PkGMi3YeUIokXMf-HfxheGI2I1RHKXsQw5AhrMzA0Ruzr2SWCapoeh_6asYHD6fLTtEWsJJz1OkYk9g/s1600/P1180314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrP_lQp4FQmvE2hXjizo0O0ZGcQ0AkUOoBb7qau__CRQS2Q4w1iOMLcJZxro6PkGMi3YeUIokXMf-HfxheGI2I1RHKXsQw5AhrMzA0Ruzr2SWCapoeh_6asYHD6fLTtEWsJJz1OkYk9g/s400/P1180314.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="color: #274e13; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Having said this, we do know where a lot of trees are locally, over time we have located and monitored hundreds. As a result we are still managing to gather enough apples to store for the winter, press for juice and to create a good stock of cider.</span></div>
Alhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14220955144459387163noreply@blogger.com0Hampshire, UK51.057694800000007 -1.308062899999981750.418768300000011 -2.5989563999999818 51.696621300000004 -0.017169399999981794