Get a grip woman!

Suffolk_lass

I think ivy is still a very valuable crop as it is the last flow of nectar before winter. I just want to check the advice to add sugar syrup at the same time so that if the autumn weather is cold or too awful they have another source and also the idea of mixing it so they expend less energy when they need to retrieve it in winter, because ivy is a very granular nectar (I am led to believe)

Suffolk_lass

Groans. Last day of August and we have stores stuffed but have spent far too much in the SM this year so far. Almost two thirds of the budget means nothing has been saved for Christmas yet (although that might be a modest affair). I think we might have a freezer week. To that end I have squash and chicken ready to make a curry. Might see if DS wants some too.

I also plan to go blackberrying and picking apples offered by our lovely neighbour

Suffolk_lass

Well inspired by @themadvix we went blackberrying - but before we got there we spotted ripe bullaces in the Churchyard (filled a 1 litre ice cream container), then hedgerow damsons (the other 1 litre container we had for blackberries)! Before we got to the (already well-harvested) blackberry supply, I stopped to peer at a neighbour's impressive new veg patch that backs onto the field and they arrived. I complimented them on the squashes and she reminded me I had gifted them the plants (quite embarrassed not to have remembered). Anyway, we were going to pick some apples too so I suggested she come with us (to another neighbour's house for some invited scrumping - he did offer to share with others)

Well a bit of rearrangement as I also had a carrier bag so we tipped the bullaces into that and picked a third container of blackberries before sending DH home with those while the neighbour and I went apple and pear scrumping. I wanted mostly good ones to store so DH brought a strong cardboard supermarket fruit box with the moulded purple card in and they are now nestled on top of the wine-rack in my larder. I also found a couple with earwig holes and took a couple of wind-falls.

We are so fortunate to live in this lovely place with lovely neighbours. I am seriously considering renting a fruit press as the apples are so huge and plentiful and so many are going to waste

themadvix

Sounds idyllic and very fruitful (pardon the pun!). What will you do will the bullaces?

trix-a-belle

Suffolk_lass said:

We are so fortunate to live in this lovely place with lovely neighbours. I am seriously considering renting a fruit press as the apples are so huge and plentiful and so many are going to waste

Um guess what I saw on the crazy bountiful place that is fb market (carnage) place for 50 squids (in BSE so not a million miles) i'm not trying to be a bad influence at all & at that price you could make it a community asset...?
I wish I had the space for growing and storing such bounties, maybe i'll get some way towards my own stocks next year, i've definitely got plans for another freezer in the garage but not in time to take advantage of this year.

Karmacat

Sounds absolutely brilliant, SL, very bountiful

Suffolk_lass

I think I will make a jam with a mixture of gages (too sweet) and bullaces (too sour) - both the same colour haha!

Suffolk_lass

Ok processing fruit as I type! I have made two batches of compote with raspberries, apples, strawberries and Victoria Plums. I have a small batch of damson jam on the hob now and a stoned (ie stones removed!) mixture of gages and bullaces in a jug ready to process next. I need to make more crumbles too for my lovely neighbour with the apples (my tithe for all the apples is to keep him going with crumbles, haha).

Money shuffles done and we have agreed we will pay off our mortgage next month in full. I feel nervous, even typing it.

Karmacat

Suffolk Lass, how wonderful!  Both bits - congratulations

themadvix

Exciting stuff!

And you were up and at it early with all that fruit prepped!