Mellow fruitfulness

It is that time of year when the grass growth is slowing, and the apples are falling, along with the rain.  Two Saturdays ago, there was good weather for the Barton wedding of the year.  This was a medieval handfasting in full dress, complete with jester, held at Barton Camp.  We were not invited, but Sue and Chris Sanders were there for the full do and we also heard a little from Anne and Bernie Tarleton.  Sounds as though it was a grand event.  This last weekend, Hilary and I picked some of the Bramley and Sunset apples.  The Sunsets, which are like Coxs, are not quite ready, but they will be soon and keep well in our apple store.  Likewise, the Conference pears are burgeoning, but are not ripe yet. However, the Beurre Hardy pears are just about there – juicy and slightly scented, they are delicious.  The Comice pears are also doing well, but not quite there. It looks a good fruit year – and we have already had plums – just four left to eat now!


We have also been picking blackberries and have made the first brew of Barton Blackberry Brandy, yum, yum.  Will you be lucky and get some for Christmas?  We also harvested some more lovely toadstools – tasty parasol mushrooms. Nothing quite like a little foraging.

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