Blackberries, Crab Apples, Stinging Nettles, Doc Leaves and a photo from the past

Mabel, Millie and I went off down the "Green Lane" again today. It was very soggy under feet. Mabel had her new red wellies with hearts on. Millie her new ones with cats on and me, my old cheapo green ones that have been unused for months and gone all hard. Inside I discovered a snail and several spider "shells" as I checked them before fitting.



We were on the trail of Blackberries and Crab Apples and I know just the perfect spot for these. Next weekend is the Bishopstone Flowershow, and my veg is poor this year, so I have to at least submit a decent jam. I never do well with Jam. Liz often wins something with her cakes, and I usually get something for my figs. We'll see this year. Maybe nothing.




Mabel, Millie and I had a lovely time picking (and sampling). Once out of her push chair Millie soon figured out what you have to do. She loves Blackberries (and red ones, and squashy ones and even ones with stalks on). I've never seen a 1 year old blackberrying before. I laughed and laughed. Poor little soul. I recently picked up a link from another local blog which I have very much enjoyed reading at http://pollybathe.blogspot.com/. I think the author will identify with this! Thanks Polly.

On the way back home Mabel was stung by a nettle. And for those city folks who don't know... Nature is kind enough to provide on the spot remedies for these little things. I'm glad my kids will grow up knowing this stuff.

Simply crush some Doc leaves (Burdock) and squeeze the juice onto the rash left by the nettles. In no time at all, all was fixed and forgotten.

Here the rash, the nettles and the Docs.





Later this evening as I sat to write this post an email came in from some old friends who I've seen once since college days (we really must fix that Rob and Nicky!) with this picture attached of me.



I have no recollection of it being taken or why I was dressed up! I suspect some of you will laugh. I do know that it was taken in the back room of my student house (which was not that unlike the house that the Young Ones lived in). In fact we were a bit like them, probably a bit worse. I recall trying to catch a mouse by burning newspaper under the cupboards in the kitchen while a fellow resident stood by with a golf club!).