Sloe, Sloe, Quick, Quick, Sloe........

Sunday afternoon saw the Malin clan, some more willing than others, of to a secret location in the National Forest which has more Sloes than I think I have ever seen. We made batches of Sloe Gin last year which, although great, isn't really to my taste so this first batch of 3lbs worth of fruit are destined to be turned into a Sloe Cordial. I will see how it turns out and post the recipe here assuming all is good.

Pickles Pickles Pickles Part 2

Bottled the first batch last night. 3lb of Shallots give me 1 x 1.14 litre large Sarsons jar plus about 3 x Dolmio size pasta jars. As mentioned I've never grown my own shallots but the quality of these have been superb with only a couple of questionable ones making it into the bin. Probably about another 8lb to go through.......

Pickles Pickles Pickles

Another bumper crop this year from the shallot patch. Pickling starts this evening. Sadly haven't found any good Sarson offers in the supermarkets of late so paid over a quid for a large jar of pickling vinegar. I know, I know I should make my own pickling spice.....Maybe next year

Home Farmer

A revelation.....I only nipped into W H Smiths to get the kids comics the other day and stumbled across a truly BRILLIANT magazine. I have added a link opposite. Check it out, buy it. You will not be disappointed.......Why haven't I discovered this gem before?

Chickens

A fairly recent addition and wish I had got them long, long ago. Not only are they excellent pets that the kids adore, they produce the most fabulous, rich yolked, eggs I think I have ever tasted. The picture is a rather poor mobile upload and they are at least twice the size and twice the trouble. Next year's project - Quails....

Updates

For all sorts of reasons I haven't updated my blog for nearly a year. No excuses. Have had a reasonable year in the garden with some excellent Suttons Foremost spuds earlier in the year. Quite a low density crop but delicious nevertheless. Runner Beans are too plentiful and starting to get on my nerves a bit. Cayene Chilli plants are starting to fruit. Lots and lots of Curly and Scarlet Kale so bountiful supply for the kitchen and any surplus the Guinea Pigs will devour. Gardener's Delight Toms are plentiful also but failing to ripen.....Green Tomato Chutney anyone?