Like my blogging friend Perpetua who lives a bit higher up Mid Wales, we took time out and went for a walk after dinner too. You just couldn't live around here and waste the glitches of November sunshine - we don't get too many days like this at the end of the year.
There's a sloe tree, dripping with sloes in the hedge along the lane. I made some sloe gin one year. You collect the sloes, wash them and then prick each one a couple of times with a sterilised darning needle. Sterilise a few clean coffee jars with lids. A few sloes in the bottom (about a quarter of a jar) Equal amount of sugar. I don't usually bother measuring, though if you want to, there are some good recipes on the internet. Top the jar up with gin and screw the lid down tightly. Keep turning the jar end to end every day for two weeks. As the juice turns to alcohol it takes on a deep rich ruby colour. Strain the juice into a sterilised bottle. Need to keep it for at least three months before using. The longer you keep it, the better it is ........
There are masses of rose hips and berries in the hedge - should keep the birds happy through the winter.
Another little bit of joy, finding mushrooms in the hedgerows near the gate. Not knowing much about identifying fungi, I looked them up. The nearest description I could find was 'Parasol' which are supposed to be a delicacy.I would never eat any mushroom I wasn't sure about, so for me it was just nice to see them growing.
There's the view across the field
Trees on the 'Moely -y'
The Long Mountain on the southern side.
Pampas Grass swishing in the wind, in our neighbour's garden
Then the trot back home, down the Mill Bank.
'How much for all that?'
'Nothing - it was all for free.'
There is of course that cracking old song "The best things in life are free".
ReplyDeleteYes, well, maybe, but we are gradually losing it bit by bit.
I was reading how they are going to increase Council Tax on those fortunate enough to have a 'better view', for example. Disgusting idea.
Now. I do enjoy a Parasol mushroom. You can't really mistake them. One of those, peeled and fried whole and then served up on buttered toast - leaves absolutely nothing else to be desired. (I'll overlook the expense of the gas/electric to fry it up, although you could, I suppose try an open fire?)
Cheers..... B x
Trust me to forget a link to "Gathering the Mushrooms" -
Deletehttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FI6ImQ6gbFM&list=WL3B70C5B2E8133633
Haven't read that one on the Council Tax thing, but nothing surprises me any more. Just going to have a look at the video. Have a good week Uncle B
DeleteJust seen 'Gathering the mushrooms' - and there was me thinking it was a documentary on picking mushrooms :)
DeleteThanks for taking us with you.....those snatches of brilliant sunlight on a November day are few and far between.
ReplyDeleteIt was all rainy and misely today
DeleteYou surely had a bright, bright sun shiny day.
ReplyDeleteThe only sloe gin I ever had was made by a Scottish friend, and she brought it with her across the ocean.
Apparently it's nice poured over baked plums, but not tried that one.
DeleteAnd some people (with more money than common sense) go to 'trendy' clubs, and spend £13,000 on an evening's drinking! I know which pastime I prefer. re The Parasol; they are HUGE. Very tall, with a very wide head. Once you've positively identified one, you'll never look back; they're delicious.
ReplyDeleteThere's one or two in the hedgerows. They look quite like the description. I'll try and get a better picture of one and post it up.
DeleteThanks for the walk Molly - thoroughly enjoyed down here.
ReplyDeleteLove reading about your walks too, Sue. Hope the vertigo has gone and you're keeping well xx
DeleteYou part of the world is so beautiful. We have very close friends who live in a similar border area -- Longtown in Herefordshire. It reminds me of the part of Vermont where I grew up. Thanks for the lovely visit...
ReplyDeleteThe countryside down Hereford is very beautiful. Vermont must be absolutely stunning this time of the year.
DeleteI love our walks - the best part of the day and a great reason to have a dog! Sloe gin is delicious - we have some brewing right now x
ReplyDeleteEnjoy
DeleteOh my gosh I feel like I was here with you. These pictures are absolutely amazing. Wow. I want to be there in those pics!
ReplyDeletethe weather was short lived - grey, wet and miserable today
DeleteThanks for the walk in your neck of the woods. So pretty!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous photos, Miolly, with a view or two I recognised. :-) You're right - the weather was just too good to miss and it didn't last, long did it? Today was downright dreary!
ReplyDeleteThe weather forecast for tomorrow looks a bit better
DeleteMill bank looks like our lane!
ReplyDeleteLovely day here to day
and here xx
Deletebeautiful pictures Molly! Our weather seems to be so similar. Love you!
ReplyDeleteYour walk sounded nice too.
ReplyDeleteI enjoyed "walking" with you Molly.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure what sloes are, a type of plum? Have you ever made rosehip jelly or jam? Rosehip cordial? There are recipes on the web, I'm sure. I've never done it myself, any rosehips around here are either tiny or well sprayed and few and far between, people tend to trim off any dead heads immediately.
Sloes are like small damsons or purple plums . They have quite a bitter taste. I've never made rose hip jam, but apparently they contain a lot of vitamin C.
DeleteSo nice to enjoy the countryside while it's still fine........
ReplyDeleteLove your photos Molly, you certainly live in a picturesque part of the country.
Claire X