Greetings from Cheddar

[cheddarpaul]

I am new to all this - but mad keen to do my bit for me, my family and the countryside I live in.

Would love to know more about foraging for food (already make my own blackberry whisky and sloe gin), find out what we would do if we ever got an allotment (we're on the list apparantly) and learn more from other folks who must know a whole heap more than me.

Speak to some of you soon I hope.

[rhyddid]

...

[Chickenlady]

Welcome CheddarPaul.

[cheddarpaul]

The whisky? Well I had one batch with the blackberries in from August through to December - delicious. The second batch still has the blackberries - I will be taking them out at the end of the month for my birthday (with a batch of sloe gin made in November)....

2lb of blackberries
1litre of whisky (cheapest will do)
1.5lb of sugar

Add it all together in sterilised bottles and leave for at least 2 months. Shake regularly and enjoy....

[Wombat]

G'Day Cheddarpaul,

Nice to meet you!

Nev

[cheddarpaul]

Well I went out last night and spent an hour picking nettles - got half a carrier bag and when I got back found it was only half of what I needed.

Anyway, I adapted the recipe for nettle soup and made some this morning - its very very nice - spinachy but with the benefit that I paid nothing for the main ingrediant - the cream cost 30p, a stock cube, some salt and pepper, a tablespoon of flour and water.

Highly recommend it to everyone else!

[Andy Hamilton]

Hello there cheddar Paul. lovely area of the country you are from, just down the road from myself in Bath. There is also a nettle beer recipe on the main site if you fancy giving that a go.

I would also like to know a bit more about foraging, Dave seems to be the expert when it comes to that side of things. I was thinking of going on a course to learn a bit these people http://www.skills4selfsufficiency.org/ are situated in our neck of the woods down in glastonbury, might see you there.

[Muddypause]

In a similar vein, I can thoroughly recommend this: http://www.lowershawfarm.co.uk/october.html#fungus

It's years since I last went there; they run lots of other courses, too (eg Permaculture), and the people that run the place are deeply lovely.

[cheddarpaul]

Thanks Muddy and Andy - got their details so will look into both courses.

Andy - when are you thinking of trying the course?

[Andy Hamilton]

hi paul won't be for a little while yet as I still have to finish Uni before I go on another course. It will probally be aroung june time if they are running one then.

[PlayingWithFire]

Greetings!

I must go get some nettles this week - will compare notes with you!
Best wishes
~M

[Guest]

Nettles are only the start...hahahahaha (manic laughing) I got my eyes on everything else now. Its strange but whenever I go for a walk anywhere quiet I constantly look in the hedgerows and fields and think to myself "I wonder if I could eat that?".

[PlayingWithFire]

I know! I keep browsing as I walk the countryside - nibbling Hawthorn leaves - and I cannot remember returning without some fungus.

I have only scratched the surface - so much more to learn!

Walking has been transformed for me - used to be about "being outdoors", exercise and exploring places. Now it is about being amongst all this beauty and fascinating stuff ... so much to look at, touch and do things with ... I am forever playing!!!

As anyone who knows me will vouch, this is like my religion - playing!

It is good to find this website - stops me boring my wife all the time!

~Malcolm

[cheddarpaul]

Perhaps I am not alone then.... constantly on the lookout with my mind on overdrive about all the beautiful things around me.
I have to admit though my weakness is finding new things to turn in to some kind of alcoholic drink - so far have only scratched the surface with blackberry whiskey and sloe gin.... but one day.... one day