Not quite so much the mists but definitely time to pick the elderberries! Off we set for the bushes which produced some fine berries last time (2 years ago?) only to find that they were not very good. We got a few then drove back to the start of the Cheshire Lines path near the garden centre. These were much better and we soon had 2 carriers full of berries, still attached to stalks. Not sure if this was the requisite 6lbs so decided to go over the road to the 'owl' wood. We got another half bag full and decided to check up on the big stone owl as he cannot be seen now that the trees have grown so tall. You will all be delighted to know that he is fine although I don't think any of you have ever seen him - I think even Ben managed to escape that one!
We then set off for Widnes which the Yellow Pages assured us had a homebrew shop. No good having the berries without the yeast! We never found the wine shop but did find a Wilkinsons which sells wine yeast so all was well. Spent a while wandering and also bought a 1000 piece cat jigsaw for £2.99 and a few bits and pieces. The jigsaw was a picture of lots of cat photos, not for the cat to do! I spent the rest of Sunday separating the berries from their stalks and discovered I had enough for 4 gallons rather than 2! I have frozen 6lbs and have set the other 2 gallons off fermenting. On Wed I need to add the sugar and pout them into demijohns. The rest will just happen as if by magic. Isn't nature a wonderful thing? It will all seem worth it when I have 24 bottles of delicious home made elderberry wine to savour.
Mel is getting excited about going to San Francisco and I think we have got nearly every thing ready now for a 7.30 am drive to the airport on Wednesday. J will do the pick up at the end of Mel's holiday. Hope she enjoys it as much as we did, I could just do with a laze in the sun. I don't think Mel will get much of a laze though with all of the things B & M have planned!! xx
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