The Poultry Keeper

rubychik · Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 2:51 pm Post subject: help identify?

are these Sloes?

and are these Damsons?

and does anyone know the rhyme about blackberries picked in September 'taste like the devil has piddled on them' and is it true?
So many questions! Embarassed

Lisa · Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:00 pm Post subject:

The top ones look like sloes... One way to tell is that sloe bushes have long evil spikes on them to stab you as you try to get the best berries (okay, about an inch long really Laughing

) Not loads, but they're there lurking amid the leaves and berries for when you lose concentration. Were there any of those?

Simillar to a sloe, but with a bit bigger berry and with no spikes on the bush, is a bullace. Was told on Downsizer that you can use them in the same way as a sloe (but some thought sloe gin tasted better than bullace gin, so I brave the spikes Wink

).

Never picked damsons, but aren't they like a small dark purple plum? So would the fruit be slightly oval? And with an oval-ish plum like stone in the middle? Not sure from the piccie how big the fruits are in the 2nd piccie.

rubychik · Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 3:08 pm Post subject:

yes the top ones had evil spikes of about an inch long and we have about 6 bushes/trees of them! Surprised

I've never heard of a bullace tho, the reason I thought they may be damsons was because they are 'plum shaped' and about twice the size of the 'sloes'

do you know anything about the blackberries in september rhyme too? Very Happy

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Bottom one definately look like Damsons

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2373 Location: South Cumbria

You are right on both counts Smile

I have just made a couple of litres of Sloe Gin and damson Gin just wondering whether to make Blackberry Brandy now anyone tried it ?

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

What are you trying to do Gilly, create your own liquer store?

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2373 Location: South Cumbria

I give it in 25cl bottles to my 3 children and my sister at Christmas Laughing

so I only get half of it myself just bottled last years so I have to refill the jars Wink

and the fruit is free grows wild locally along with crab apples and blackberries and Hazel Nuts then there is always elderberries and mushrooms too!! lots to eat in the hedgerows this time of year !

Dixie Chicks · Joined: 27 Jan 2006 Posts: 276 Location: Cumbria

Never tried Blackberry Brandy Gill, but I horrified my hubby a few years ago when I made some Blackberry Whisky - he's very protective about his "water of life"!! I just filled a bottle with blackberries then added the whisky and left if for a while - can't remember how long though! It was lovely.

Also picked some bullaces a couple of weeks ago on a bike ride in Eskdale and made a lovely crumble with them. I think bullace is also called cherry plum and you could definitely get the two flavours in the cooked fruit. NB plenty of sugar required as they are quite sharp.

I do remember something about the blackberry rhyme, but I don't know where it came from - sorry Rolling Eyes

.

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Oh I know, I grew up in Cumbria and we used to collect all sorts of things,
My mother used to make an amazing crab apple jelly
Smile

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2373 Location: South Cumbria

How can you bear to Live in London after a childhood in 'The Lakes' ?? my father was brought up here too and for a while in the 70's we lived near Ambleside before moving back to Yorkshire but we came back 3 years ago I love it ! my view is over Morecambe Bay to Ingleborough (Yorkshire) best of both worlds Smile

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

Easy, being gay in Cumbria is not the easiest life (and goodness knows how they'd re-act if they knew I had AIDS),

and there is so much happening down here
I used to be out every night at the theatre opera etc,
Although, I don't actually live in London now, I'm just to the south of it.

Anyway, I can go back and visit whenever I want as Dad still lives up there

Gilly C · Joined: 22 Jun 2006 Posts: 2373 Location: South Cumbria

I don't think they all are stuck in the dark ages ! I know what you mean about theatre we went over to Scarborough last weekend to see 2 Aykbourn plays, not so into Opera but that might have to change my sons latest girl sings in amateur perfomances she has just done the Boyfriend, I just can't stand all the hustle and bustle a country girl at heart glad you still get to visit:) you will have to come and taste the sloe gin !

George · Joined: 14 Apr 2005 Posts: 5661 Location: London

CP · Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 8:03 pm Post subject:

I remember something about not eating blackberries after a certain date, but not sure of the rhyme. Confused

You're not supposed to pick sloes until after the first frost, either. Wink

Heather · Posted: Wed Sep 06, 2006 9:36 pm Post subject:

that's just so you don't have to prick them CP - a quick spell in the freezer does just as well Wink