It was getting tough in 2006 and the workhouse still threatens us in 2011

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ceridwen wrote: »

It DOES help to see three other posters here commenting about everything forageable being gone before they get to it....as I did wonder if I'm in the only bit of the country where its often all gone before I get a "look-in" - even in circumstances where I'M obviously the "local on the patch" and therefore with "first foraging rights" (and indeed obviously respect other peeps' "first foraging rights" in reverse if I'm even a walking distance away from my own "patch" and that I have to share anything thats left after those in immediate environs have been in first). It REALLY REALLY does depend on exactly where one lives in the country as to what the situation is like in that respect.

Ceridwen, could it be that the birds, squirrels and other local wildlife believe that they, rather than humans, are the 'locals on the patch'' and got there before you?

I know that it is decidedly autumnal here and I was surprised today to be walking through a very wooded area to see that the trees are losing their leaves and turning that gorgeous burnished gold colour so early. We are seeing things here in August that we normally only see at the end of September. Perhaps nature sent the the local wildlife an early warning that the goodies were ready for the picking? I'm sorry that you didn't get a ''look in'' but hopefully the wildlife that really need it did.

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scottishminnie

Nothing much to report from my end. I'm debating picking my solitary apple from my two trees - but I need to think what I'll do with it since it's the one and only this year!

I planted purple sprouting broccoli today and sowed some spring cabbage. We're off on holiday in two weeks so I'm hoping that will be enough time to get them established. I'm also hoping to keep growing some salad leaves in the cold frame for most of the winter.


As predicted a few weeks back some of the price hikes in Asda have been to let them "roll back" the prices. The smart price mozarella cheese which rocketed to 54p a few weeks ago was 40p today so I picked up 2. It's like a lottery wondering what things will be hiked up each week. No whoopsies today which was a bit disappointing though.


My plan for the remainder of this evening is some clothes repairs, hems, buttons, that kind of thing although I've now been distracted by the Barefoot Contessa on channel 263 - she is making some sort of chocolate cake with orange frosting -I love her recipes and I would so love her kitchen. I can waste so much time watching her, it's so bad:o

Dunners

[QUOTE=Ceridwen,_I'm_afraid_I_don't_get_this_"first_foraging_rights"_thing._I_can't_see_how_someone_can_have_any_more_right_than_someone_else_to_something_growing_freely_in_a_public_place._[/QUOTE]

I'm usually just a lurker, but I couldn't agree more - all this "possessiveness" is just another form of greed......if you missed out and someone or something got there first then fair play to them!

newlywed

Regarding foraging, my mum decided not to cut back the brambles behind her shed - so we've had a lovely lot of blackberries for free from her garden - though foxes and lots of cats do come in the garden so we left the lower ones in case!

GreyQueen

short_bird wrote: »

What size and colour? At home, I have a box of brand new (and "wombled") zips that I can go through and might have one that fits the bill.

Oh, hun, that is so thoughtful of you. I went straight from work to my parents' place and Mum is the Queen of the Wombles and she has sourced me a suitable zip. It was very good of you to offer.

I haven't done any foraging this year at all, not even a blackberry, which is my choice motivated by being busy about other things. I'm not a very heavy user of jam, possibly eating about 3 jars a year and, although I like to give things a go, it wouldn't be worth my while tooling-up to make it. of course, if I happened to fall over a non-aluminium Maslin pan at the bootsales at the weekend (weather permitting I shall go to one each on Sunday and Monday) I will consider it A Sign and give it a go.

Storage of anything in my home is difficult and I often find that is more of a constraint on consumption than hard economics; I see lots of lovely things going very reasonably and have friends and acquaintances who have been kind enough to offer me things which I would have loved if I had anywhere to put them (like bookcases) but I have to say no. It's sort of one-in one-out at the moment.

I hope those of you in Scotland and other parts of the west and north aren't too blown about tonight. I came across two counties to visit the parents and it's throwing it down all the way. Hope Mardatha's hens aren't too miserable.

Signs of autumn abound at my folks' home; their two cats have returned from spending nights on the tiles and now want laps and to snuggle down on beds at night. I'm watching the weather somewhat anxiously as will be camping from next weekend. The tent is supposed to withstand 5000 HH but I shall put all my clothes into plastic bags as a failsafe. Have been caught out before.

Actually, I have had such appalling luck with weather on holiday that I have considered renting myself out as a rain-maker to some drought-afflicted part of the globe. All it would take was for me to book annual leave, save up for a year, travel to the rainless spot with a tent and whooosh! there would come the rainstorm. I shan't say exactly where I'll be in September but those of you on the western side of the Pennines might just want to take some time this week to fill sand-bags and/ or google plans for your ark.

I could compile a small comedy booklet of camping disasters but hope springs eternal and I keep expecting one more trip to come good for me and that I will enjoy Cool Camping, as a change from Soggy and Moist Insect-bitten Camping.:o

Anyway, Mum has already had a fossick in her sheds (she has 3) and it looks like we will be able to provide for SuperGran's cupboard shelves mostly using recycled wood, which is excellent. The bedding is almost dried out now, even the eiderdown is coming along nicely, so thanks for the top tips from other posters.

Flowertotmum, many congratulations on getting to DF status, you must have worked and sacrificed so much to achieve that and I hope that you will reward yourself with some suitable treat. Low spend or no spend, naturally.......;)

Well, tomorrow is our day with Nan and we shall do a few bits and pieces in the home and garden. Mum had me in hysterics alst week when she described how she was doing weeding under Nan (her MIL)'s direction. Mum has many many skills but she'd no gardener as she has no particular interest. I can be left unsupervised in a flowerbed as I can recognise most major weeds even if veggies are more my thing.

Hope everyone enjoys the weekend and that things dry out a bit or we'll start growing webs between our fingers and toes.......

silvasava

Just had a quick run through this page. Well done FTM!

Agree with most of your post Charis though on the news today they were banging on about an overweight population et al. I also wonder how much of this is because Domestic Science does'nt seem to be taught to the same standard now in many schools. My grandaughter has a 1 hour 'theory' lesson one week & a 2 hour practical the next whereas I can remember having at least a half day every week. Thank goodness there are forums like these to help people who want to learn & improve their skills.

scottishminnie

GreyQueen wrote: »

I hope those of you in Scotland and other parts of the west and north aren't too blown about tonight. I came across two counties to visit the parents and it's throwing it down all the way. Hope Mardatha's hens aren't too miserable.
Hope everyone enjoys the weekend and that things dry out a bit or we'll start growing webs between our fingers and toes.......

I seem to have my own little micro climate today. I was mowing the lawn, listening to the local radio station on hubby's ipod where they were telling tales of thunder, lightening and flash floods. I could see the dreadful weather literally all around me while, for once, I escaped it.

Hopefully I can avoid what's forecast for the weekend. When it rains I retreat to the kitchen and bake - lots. Which of course is followed by eating. Not good for the waistline, though one of my "neighbours" had a bit of an accident earlier in the week so instead of flowers I may take her some cakes.

Doesn't matter how awful the weather is here it's much worse on the East coast fo the US. I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed the dreaded Irene skirts past the coast and leaves them alone. Proves the theory there is always someone worse of than yourself.

bonnie_bumpkins

Thanks for the spicy courgette chutney recipe MrsVegPlot

and for the hanky gigervamp

Going on a little holiday to south wales over the weekend to see family - incl 2 little ones for the first time - so excited :j

If you are on the M4 and hear a tractor like noise coming from a small red dirty peugeot - it's me!!

Happy Bank Holiday to all.

ginnyknit

GQ just asked Oh's advice and it sounds as if hurricane GQ will be heading in our general direction - get the welllies out everyone. OH knows Im crazy so getting a severe weather warning this way doesn't even faze him now.

Scottish Minnie I have a picture in my head of you mowing with a circle of rain around you :rotfl: I love the Barefoot Contessa and her house, the local markets there and her trips to Paris - She stole my life!

As for zips, lots of people say their neighbours leave veggies on their steps, mine leaves bags of zips, sewing thread and elastic on mine. Just as useful and appreciated though

I have just made marzipan jam - yes you read it right. Did the dried apricot recipe I saw on the boards recently and it has almond extract in...maybe ...just maybe ...I added a bit too much it tastes strange but nice! Am quite proud of my collection of jams now and am saving my courgettes to make the chutney next.

Gigervamp

bonnie_bumpkins wrote: »

Thanks for the spicy courgette chutney recipe MrsVegPlot

and for the hanky gigervamp

Going on a little holiday to south wales over the weekend to see family - incl 2 little ones for the first time - so excited :j

If you are on the M4 and hear a tractor like noise coming from a small red dirty peugeot - it's me!!

Happy Bank Holiday to all.

The M4 goes right past my house, I'll keep an eye out for you!

Have a good weekend. It looks like you're going to be lucky with the weather.