I want the freedom to learn from my mistakes, I want to see what fate decides, I want to get lost on purpose, I want to risk everything, I want to feel alive.
There are 2 reasons that I can't do this and here they are
23 Sept 2011
Cruising
I don't want rules, I don't want health and safety, I don't want the latest technology.
I want the freedom to learn from my mistakes, I want to see what fate decides, I want to get lost on purpose, I want to risk everything, I want to feel alive.
There are 2 reasons that I can't do this and here they are
I want the freedom to learn from my mistakes, I want to see what fate decides, I want to get lost on purpose, I want to risk everything, I want to feel alive.
There are 2 reasons that I can't do this and here they are
He Does it To Annoy Me
Okay, so when it comes to foraging I don't really go out of my way, I just collect whatever I come across as I am walking the dogs. It surprises me that considering so many people walk their own dogs on the same route, there is so much bounty left untouched. Not that I am complaining you understand, it just means that I have to take a bigger basket with me and reorganise my freezer a bit more often.
As more and more people turn to self sufficiency with their allotments and reclaimed land that was once just a pile of rubbish in order to grow fresh, organic produce to lay on their table, the hedgerows and woodlands remain relatively untouched.
The blackberries around here used to disappear pretty quickly and I had to be up early in the morning to get my basket full. So off I used to trot at 6am with my foraging basket hooked over my arm, clutching a mug of coffee and the dogs trailing behind. This year however, the berries have been ripening and dropping to the floor which causes me to wonder if my previous competitor in the Jam and pie making stakes, has moved away from the area.
Nevertheless, even though the berry season has all but ended, there is plenty more produce to be had and largely left untouched by the locals because they either don't recognise it as edible, are unsure how to prepare or simply can't be bothered.
So, in order of collection, here is my afternoon's bounty.
Acorn collecting frustrates me. Every evening I sort through the ones that have fallen to the ground and any which have holes in, I toss over my shoulder into the field so that I am not sorting through the same ones again next day. I am convinced however that the farmer watches me do this and after I leave, he comes down and throws them all back under the tree just to annoy me.
When it comes to sloes, the only thing I do with them is make gin. Actually, that not quite the truth. We tried making sloe gin once and it tasted absolutely foul. Obviously we are not brewers. The project went the same way as out Bath Bomb experiment and resulted in a disaster, but it was fun all the same.
These days I cheat and buy a bottle of gin from the supermarket and add the berries to it :)
Who would know eh?
My wine making skills are far better than my gin distilling and I love the Elderberry wines and cordials that I make. The medicinal recipe is also, surprisingly, alcoholic, because I mix it with Vodka or Bacardi, leave it for a few months and then put it into a bottle to use as a cold and flu remedy.
Nearly there but not. I'm keeping my eye on the rosehips because they are also a favourite in the winter medicine cupboard. Although they do take quite a bit of preparation, Rosehip syrup is a nice addition to the cupboard.
And on the way back we have a nice little sit down on the log and watch the world go by. Well, smoke a cigarette actually, but hey I earned it. My left arm is covered in nettle rash, there's a maggot crawling up my leg and my shoes are covered in freshly spread horse manure. Okay I admit to adding that bit for any locals who happen to read my blog in an attempt to putting them off foraging.
As more and more people turn to self sufficiency with their allotments and reclaimed land that was once just a pile of rubbish in order to grow fresh, organic produce to lay on their table, the hedgerows and woodlands remain relatively untouched.
The blackberries around here used to disappear pretty quickly and I had to be up early in the morning to get my basket full. So off I used to trot at 6am with my foraging basket hooked over my arm, clutching a mug of coffee and the dogs trailing behind. This year however, the berries have been ripening and dropping to the floor which causes me to wonder if my previous competitor in the Jam and pie making stakes, has moved away from the area.
Nevertheless, even though the berry season has all but ended, there is plenty more produce to be had and largely left untouched by the locals because they either don't recognise it as edible, are unsure how to prepare or simply can't be bothered.
So, in order of collection, here is my afternoon's bounty.
 | |||||||
| Crab Apples - Make a lovely tarty apple sauce and not forgetting the ever popular, with me at least, crab apple jelly |
 | ||
| Acorns - Bread, Pesto or a simple snack |
 | ||
| Best left to fall to the ground but don't leave too long or they will soak up moisture. Even the green ones will turn brown after a few days on the window ledge |
Acorn collecting frustrates me. Every evening I sort through the ones that have fallen to the ground and any which have holes in, I toss over my shoulder into the field so that I am not sorting through the same ones again next day. I am convinced however that the farmer watches me do this and after I leave, he comes down and throws them all back under the tree just to annoy me.
 | |
| Sloe |
These days I cheat and buy a bottle of gin from the supermarket and add the berries to it :)
Who would know eh?
 | |
| Elderberry - wine, cordial, medicinal |
My wine making skills are far better than my gin distilling and I love the Elderberry wines and cordials that I make. The medicinal recipe is also, surprisingly, alcoholic, because I mix it with Vodka or Bacardi, leave it for a few months and then put it into a bottle to use as a cold and flu remedy.
 | ||
| Rosehip |
And on the way back we have a nice little sit down on the log and watch the world go by. Well, smoke a cigarette actually, but hey I earned it. My left arm is covered in nettle rash, there's a maggot crawling up my leg and my shoes are covered in freshly spread horse manure. Okay I admit to adding that bit for any locals who happen to read my blog in an attempt to putting them off foraging.
Drop Spot
Drop Spot
It never ceases to amaze me the kind of things that a spot of blog stumbling turns up and today I found Drop Spot. I imagine that a bit of secrecy is required when leaving and retrieving gifts, so that any old passer by doesn't catch on and constantly empty the drop, but nevertheless I am going to seek out a little place and create a drop.
This is the description from the Drop Spot web site
It never ceases to amaze me the kind of things that a spot of blog stumbling turns up and today I found Drop Spot. I imagine that a bit of secrecy is required when leaving and retrieving gifts, so that any old passer by doesn't catch on and constantly empty the drop, but nevertheless I am going to seek out a little place and create a drop.
This is the description from the Drop Spot web site
What is a Drop Spot?
A dropspot is a kind of alternative mailbox. It’s a hiding place in a public space, where people can leave things for exchange. Anything. It’s a weird and wonderful way to add personal character to the streets that we live in. Stash something fun and see what you get back.
To find a Drop Spot in your neighborhood, visit the Drop Spots map. Select a Drop Spot map marker near you, make note of its location and visual description and head out the door to find it! Once you locate the spot and discover your mystery gift, make sure to leave one in its place to keep the exchange going. For gift tips and ideas visit the FAQ page.
To create a new Drop Spot, find a hidden nook or crevice in your neighborhood to tuck away a simple gift you would like to share; perhaps a poem, photograph, favorite quote, or mix CD—something fun that represents you. Then log on to dropspots.org to map and describe the secret location of your gift so others can find it.
Chart the progress of all of your favorite Drop Spots online. Post photos, comments or messages relating to each spot directly in its virtual marker on the Drop Spots map. Visit this space to find out what someone thought of your gift, say thanks, share photos of items you have received or keep tabs on how many gifts have been exchanged at your spot.
Naming The Blog
Hee hee, yes yes I know, what a stupid name for a blog.
The thing is that when all the names that you want have been taken by other folks over the years you start typing any old crap in there just to get started.
It has been a long time since I blogged on a regular basis and as facebook doesn't really lend itself to my passion for writing drivel, I stopped. But now I have returned to torture unsuspecting passers by with tales of my daily life and as they skim through the blogs of note (yeah okay it's unlikely that I will make those dizzy heights) as they skim through the millions of blogs and stumble upon my bit of google, they will turn and say, "oooo look, there's Christine. Let's pop in for coffee and annoy the hell out of her"
So here you have it, My Eskimo is Full of Wine
Personally I think it's quite catchy, so live with it
The thing is that when all the names that you want have been taken by other folks over the years you start typing any old crap in there just to get started.
It has been a long time since I blogged on a regular basis and as facebook doesn't really lend itself to my passion for writing drivel, I stopped. But now I have returned to torture unsuspecting passers by with tales of my daily life and as they skim through the blogs of note (yeah okay it's unlikely that I will make those dizzy heights) as they skim through the millions of blogs and stumble upon my bit of google, they will turn and say, "oooo look, there's Christine. Let's pop in for coffee and annoy the hell out of her"
So here you have it, My Eskimo is Full of Wine
Personally I think it's quite catchy, so live with it
First Post
WARNING
If you like your photography crisp, with depth, focus, composition and wotnot, best not go any further eh?
If you don't care one way or the other. Carry on.
If you like your photography crisp, with depth, focus, composition and wotnot, best not go any further eh?
If you don't care one way or the other. Carry on.
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