Adventure wise, I had to throw the dandelion marmelade. It never set and I needed the jars.... but I did manage to rescue my second collection of hawthorn jam and on the advice of my dear friend Elaine. She came to visit me last weekend and had a whale of time!
It was very rainy when she came so we went to the Western (http://www.greatwesternhotel.co.uk/bar.asp) for a couple of nice pints of Avocet. After a tour of Exeter Cathedral and the Quays, we managed a quick pint in the Fat Pig (http://www.fatpig-exeter.co.uk/) - Pigmalion and Pigasus! Yummy! Then fish and chips and a few bottles of rose and trashy movies with Stan (he does love his 'Auntie Nell').
The next day we went to Topsham, to the beautiful 16th century Bridge Inn (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/foodanddrink/pubs/3344734/Devon-Pub-Guide-The-Bridge-Inn-Topsham-near-Exeter.html) with its cavalier helmets, small dark parlours and bunting from the coronation of George V and enjoyed some amazing beer and fruitcake with cheese!
After a quick ferry ride over the Exe (http://topshamlockcottage.co.uk/map/getting-here/) we made our way to the Turf Hotel (http://www.turfpub.net/) for a quick pint of Otter and on the way back Elaine went sloe and hawthorn picking (putting her stash in an empty milk bottle), whilst I filled my pockets with rosehips. Another swift pint (this time Jail Ale) in the Passage House Inn (http://passagehouseinntopsham.co.uk/) and then it was the end of our girly weekend.
One additional thing that came out of it was Elaine telling me that rowan berries are edible so today I took my bucket over to the island and picked around 1kg as well as the last of the hawthorn berries and even found a small stash of sloes (enough for a small batch of gin! Hurrah!) I've tried making the rowan jelly this evening. It seems very bitter but I've read that this lessens if you leave the jam for a few weeks before eating. I will keep you posted on how it goes!
Am planning a trip to the Yeoford Cider Festival (http://www.yeoford.org.uk/events/) tomorrow with the hubby - I will be taking my bucket!
God bless and until next time I leave you with the following lyrics to an old folk song....
Oh rowan tree, oh rowan tree
Thou'lt aya be dear to thee
Entwined thou art wi' many ties
O'hame and infancy
Thy leaves were aye the first of spring
Thy flowers the summer's pride
There was nae sic a bonnie tree
In a' the country side
Oh rowan tree
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