Sunday 26 August 2018

Scratched hand season.




Hurrah; we SHALL eat Blackberry and Apple Crumbles this Winter.

It's been very dry (as if you didn't know), so they are a bit small so far, but the Blackberry season has now started. We shall make weekly trips to the 'picking fields'; we need a lot more yet.



35 comments:

  1. Lots of blackberries about but they are small this year aren't they. I like your walking stick/crook.

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    1. Give them another week, and I expect they'll plump up a bit. I hope so, at least.

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  2. The worst scratches come from when you feel a thorn touch your hand and your hand recoils only to be scratched by another thorn.

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    1. I need a suit of armour. The best ones are always at scratching distance.

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  3. Best year ever for blackberries in Italy, and for scratches too. Luckily the hedges round our orchard are full of them, we heard last week you need an annual permit to go out picking. Apples are also plentiful this year but he olives not looking so good.

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    Replies
    1. A 'permit' to pick Blackberries? That sound like officialdom gone crazy. There's always someone looking for new ways to make money!

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    2. 25 Euro per year payable to the region, it covers you for wild mushrooms, asparagus, herbs as well as fruits. Yes it is bonkers, I can’t imagine the police every checking.

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    3. They did talk of a Mushroom permit here, but it never happened. Wise, I think.

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  4. Nice. Blackberry and apple crumble sounds good. Reminds me I must make a raspberry or blueberry and apple crumble. (frozen berries)

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    Replies
    1. Winter wouldn't be bearable without Blackberry and Apple Crumbles.

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    2. As above, raspberry or blueberry make a good substitute.

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    3. We have a lot of Raspberries in the freezer too; just in case.

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  5. Remember it's Blackberry & Apple Crumble/Pie not Apple & Blackberry.
    Trading Standards = Largest Ingredient first!

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    1. I think everyone has it right so far; I wouldn't like to see fines handed out!

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  6. Oddly enough the blackberries are really fat here - can't imagine why with all that drought.

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    1. Very few here so far, I expect it'll improve.

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  7. We are in full harvest, the berries are now much fatter and sweeter after our recent rainfall.

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    1. We've still only had very light rain/drizzle; maybe next week!

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  8. We have lovely crops of fruit...its just now cold and wet so they are spoiling...hopefully next week...

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    Replies
    1. Scotland is known for the quality of its 'berries', so I'm sure you'll be OK.

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  9. Do you get Lady M to photograph you or do you use a tripod and shutter timer?

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    Replies
    1. She was supposed to photographing just the Blackberries, but took one of me instead.

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    2. Yeah, right. You have no cropping facility on your computer then?

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    3. It IS cropped; it was full length before.

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  10. Scratches or not you are very lucky to have a "picking field".

    cheers, parsnip and badger

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    Replies
    1. We have a few spots that are always fantastic. You hardly have to move to pick a whole bucket full.

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  11. We always have loads of blackberries , unfortunately they invade the flowers but, we keep them under control and can have pretty flower borders and some blackberries. We have a pear tree that was probably here in Victorian times but they always have things crawling inside !!!! I think blackberries go well with pears and apples. XXXX

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    1. Our (neighbour's) huge Pear tree is covered, as usual, and they are dropping in quite a good state this year. Usually they rot as soon as they hit the ground. Our own trees have been rubbish.

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  12. Hurrah for blackberry and apple crumbles. We had a peach crumble for dessert yesterday. Heaven.

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    1. We haven't actually had one yet; we save them for Autumn/Winter. But I'm looking forward to them.

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  13. We've had a couple of minor showers, but already the blackberries are looking plumper - we're a bit further north than you, maybe you'll get rain tomorrow - storms forecast here Tuesday. I Like your crook - I use a similar one for blackberrying, perfect for hooking a full branch!

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    1. Our storm is due on Wednesday. I hope it brings plenty of rain with it. I'm looking forward to Cepe hunting again.

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  14. A few scratches is worth it in your peaceful fields! Blackberries grow pestilentially in the country here and it takes a braver soul than me to approach them as they're havens for snakes.

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    Replies
    1. I don't like Snakes. My wife recently found a baby one inside our converted barn; otherwise no sign this year at all. Just how I like it.

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