The OS Doorstep - a helpful and supportive thread in these tough times

Cheapskate

fuddle wrote: »

Welcome pinkdebtster

Please, please, please tell me this is elderflower. Please



It smells very strong of floral/sweet/fruity - lime notes I would say. I would have took photo of the tree (did come from a tree) but the dog was pulling.

If it is, it's on my doorstep practically. :cool: I have walked for miles in the hunt for this stuff.

if it is, how do I wash it? You told me last year but I can't remember

Hi hun, looks like elderflower to me, especially with your description of the smell. Can't remember about how to wash, though, maybe someone who knows more than me will be along soon. Well done on finding some, it's all done round here!

A xo

[Deleted User]

OH YES IT IS FUDDLE!!!!!!!! You've got real honest to goodness elderflowers in that picture, they have a strong very distinctive smell ( likened to cats wee by some) and the clusters are flatish on top. Well found. If you're making elderflower champagne, don't wash them at all as it will wash off the yeasts and pollens you need to make it sparkle. If you're making cordial run a bowl of cold water and give the flower heads a swish in it, that should get rid of any small insects that might be in it. If you want the cordial recipe again let me know, Cheers Lyn xxx.

fuddle

Oh excellent, thank you Cheaps and Lyn. I'm over the moon!

I'm making cordial Lyn. I wanted so badly to do the champagne but haven''t a couple of the ingredients in. I've waited years for this and actually quite shocked that a year has passed since I was infusing cow parsely by mistake.

Off I go play, I've found a recipe Lyn but thank you

mardatha

I hate the smell of elder - yeugh. Funny how we're all talking about the old days and through the door today came my Co-op dividend - £35. Am happy!

bunbun2

kezlou I am so sorry to hear about your auntie

fuddle I found elderflower today too:j it's amazing what you find when you look. I have never seen it before. there is loads along the old railway paths. most of it is off the track surrounded by nettles. I will send OH with trousers and boots on!

I love reading all the memories...warm orange in tuperware I remember that. I also remember my first duvet. I had alot of freedom and played in the local fields and woods. I also played ball games against the house wall. My ds2 plays out alot with his friends but ds1 spends most of his time in his room on his computer and playing the piano. he doesn't see his friends out of school and is much happier on his own.

Once my OH has picked the elderflower does anyone have a good recipe for cordial?

fuddle

I'm using this one bunbun2 http://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/elderflower-cordial/

bunbun2

fuddle wrote: »

I'm using this one bunbun2 http://www.rivercottage.net/recipes/elderflower-cordial/

thank you!

juliettet

Hi Everyone,

I was born in 1960 and remember too the nylon sheets. My favourite Christmas present was a Ladybird dressing gown with ladybird buttons! It was ankle length and years later near my knees when it was cut up for cloths. I remember long bike rides with pals and tomato sandwiches with the said warm orange juice in the beaker with the plastic top. I also remember having an old hand me down dolls silver cross pram. As i did not like dolls my guinea pig was walked instead.

Popperwell

kezlou wrote: »

What a miserable day, we've had an amazing thunder storm, torrential rain and hail stone s. We just sat and, watched the scenes.

Afternoon All,
I'll be quick in case I'm off topic but some of my post ties in with Kezlou...

Travel website said I could catch a bus 8.20am and be at the food event in Northallerton by early morning. Found that was wrong. So sat on a public bench rather than go back home. Then again found there were no buses to N'allerton where I was supposed to change to another bus company. By then I had wasted nearly 4 hours and got nowhere.

Struggled to the train station and caught my first train in perhaps 30 years. And was there within approx 15 minutes.

No town buses running there either. Had to walk...later realised I had taken a wrong turn and added un-necessary distance, returning home was quicker.

The event was great. Saw my friend on her stall. I like the fact I can call her a friend and she has taken me under her wing.

I didn't get much chance for photo's but did take one video of a kind of trad jazz band(will put on my blog)

Any local posters who get to the local farmers markets/food festivals you'll really enjoy her range of goods...ask me and I'll give details;)there are exciting plans afoot and possible new items being added to the range.

Anyone who manages to go to Newcastle will find that Fenwicks also stock her products(so you know they are good:))

Well, I was shattered when I came home and here's the tie in with Kezlou's post.

I was slow off the mark...coming back into this area there were spectacular rain clouds from the train window(wish I'd taken a video or photo's)then at the railway station to get a local train back to my town I discovered it was delayed and the service was disrupted altogether because there had been a lightening strike in the Stockton area and it had caused total signal failure.

It wasn't brilliant sunshine but in N'allerton we did avoid most of the rain and blustery winds.

tattycath

bunbun2 wrote: »

kezlou I am so sorry to hear about your auntie

fuddle I found elderflower today too:j it's amazing what you find when you look. I have never seen it before. there is loads along the old railway paths. most of it is off the track surrounded by nettles. I will send OH with trousers and boots on!

I love reading all the memories...warm orange in tuperware I remember that. I also remember my first duvet. I had alot of freedom and played in the local fields and woods. I also played ball games against the house wall. My ds2 plays out alot with his friends but ds1 spends most of his time in his room on his computer and playing the piano. he doesn't see his friends out of school and is much happier on his own.

Once my OH has picked the elderflower does anyone have a good recipe for cordial?

There used to be loads of elder flowers and berries on the old disused railway line where I used to live. Not seen any round here though.
I never used to be interested when it was handy. Now I am interested I need to look harder.
Where abouts are you bunbun?