We missed the blackberries this year. They were ripe so early and were about a week past it when we went looking. More for the birds. Looking forward to sloe-picking instead
Oh that’s a shame Laura. If you have a few possible spots you haven’t checked yet then you might get lucky as here some are very far over while others are still red. If not, as you say, sloes are a fine consolation!
Oh how I miss blackberries! Some brambles in the garden here that don't really seem to be doing very much. I live in hope. "We stitch our way up the footpath"...what a gorgeous image. Also that reading...glorious, have ordered one of his books now but am also sorely tempted to buy it on Audible. I have a whole list of spirits to bring back here next year, it's a vermouth desert here, have only been able to get rosé Martini here so far. A really lovely piece, Mark. Thank you. x
I just subscribed this morning - so looking forward to my Billy bargain of your beautiful book Spice, discounted plants from Otter Farm and allll the recipes. Plus I’ve been wanting to write a book for some time now so this offer in your newsletter was so timely; I’ll start with the three replays and then make the Blackberry Martini!
Oh gosh. I came here via a recommendation from India Knight and so glad I did. What stunning writing. Made me smile as I also had the poo bag/blackberry dilemma on the dog walk ☺️
Knickers to that! Ground to a halt after blackberry and apple jam and a crumble so need to make the most of the remaining harvest. Also is it possible to watch back your chat with Farrah? I missed it… #kickingmyself
We live close to some lovely meadows, grazed by a roaming herd of cows from spring to autumn. The blackberries were numerous this year but slightly small. I did pick some that made for a great yoghurt the following day, sprinkled with granola. We’ve had Sloes, Rosehips and currently there is a lot of elderflower out there. I’d love to be more handy with these things. Leaving plenty of course for the wildlife.
Sounds like you are in an lovely area Nick. That being ‘more handy with these things’ is a very great pleasure best acquired in my view by digging into one thing at a time - elderberries now, elderflower in spring, sloes very soon etc and making one thing with them. You’re very likely to get a taste for it and that will make you inquisitive enough to investigate more
Sod the blackberries that version of Solid Air, which I had never previously heard, is just glorious. Thank you. I may have to listen again - with a blackberry martini, of course 😀
Something that struck me about this year’s blackberries is they seem a month ahead as do most fruit this year. Now in early September they seem in the same condition as Michaelmass blackberries in a more usual British Autumn. I also expérienced this with my amazing crop of apricots, however I was chasing this crop and constantly checking under the tree for the yellowy orange gifs! Most were eaten/appreciated by me!
It’s very interesting about blackberries’ timing this year isn’t it - some here are by much over the top while others still very read. Some of that relates to how much sun etc they are in but i wonder if some plants are ripening their fruit in more instalments that usual
There are so many delicious descriptions in this that I have saved it. A beautiful piece of writing, Mark.
Thank you so much Deborah, that’s made my morning
I am glad!
We missed the blackberries this year. They were ripe so early and were about a week past it when we went looking. More for the birds. Looking forward to sloe-picking instead
Oh that’s a shame Laura. If you have a few possible spots you haven’t checked yet then you might get lucky as here some are very far over while others are still red. If not, as you say, sloes are a fine consolation!
That’s a good idea. I’ll widen my search
Oh how I miss blackberries! Some brambles in the garden here that don't really seem to be doing very much. I live in hope. "We stitch our way up the footpath"...what a gorgeous image. Also that reading...glorious, have ordered one of his books now but am also sorely tempted to buy it on Audible. I have a whole list of spirits to bring back here next year, it's a vermouth desert here, have only been able to get rosé Martini here so far. A really lovely piece, Mark. Thank you. x
Thank YOU Helen! I’m very confident you’ll enjoy his books - he’s such a great writer! I hope you find some wild blackberries x
I’ve lived the blackberries this year. Still picking them around Guildford. Some are so sweet and juicy.
Loved the recording - so evocative. Total joy.
What a wonderful read, Mark. Thank you.
Thank you Valentina, and I’m very glad to hear you have blackberries still!
I just subscribed this morning - so looking forward to my Billy bargain of your beautiful book Spice, discounted plants from Otter Farm and allll the recipes. Plus I’ve been wanting to write a book for some time now so this offer in your newsletter was so timely; I’ll start with the three replays and then make the Blackberry Martini!
Lovely to have your company Louise! I hope you enjoy the book too
Oh gosh. I came here via a recommendation from India Knight and so glad I did. What stunning writing. Made me smile as I also had the poo bag/blackberry dilemma on the dog walk ☺️
Hello Becky, lovely to welcome you here, and thank you so much
Knickers to that! Ground to a halt after blackberry and apple jam and a crumble so need to make the most of the remaining harvest. Also is it possible to watch back your chat with Farrah? I missed it… #kickingmyself
here you go https://substack.com/@markdiacono/p-172896307
Hello Lucy B, and yes, I’ll post the Farrah chat in a couple of days - was really enjoyable and 200 came!
Danny Thompson is the most amazing musician. Saw him several times at Cropredy.
He really is isn’t he. Envious of you seeing him a few times - I’d love to see him again
We live close to some lovely meadows, grazed by a roaming herd of cows from spring to autumn. The blackberries were numerous this year but slightly small. I did pick some that made for a great yoghurt the following day, sprinkled with granola. We’ve had Sloes, Rosehips and currently there is a lot of elderflower out there. I’d love to be more handy with these things. Leaving plenty of course for the wildlife.
Sounds like you are in an lovely area Nick. That being ‘more handy with these things’ is a very great pleasure best acquired in my view by digging into one thing at a time - elderberries now, elderflower in spring, sloes very soon etc and making one thing with them. You’re very likely to get a taste for it and that will make you inquisitive enough to investigate more
It’s great here, just south of Reading and close to the Chilterns and Wessex downs. I like the one thing at a time suggestion. Keep things easy.
Sod the blackberries that version of Solid Air, which I had never previously heard, is just glorious. Thank you. I may have to listen again - with a blackberry martini, of course 😀
It really is glorious isn’t it! So glad you liked it
Gorgeously read exert, thank you Seamus.
Looking forward to this evening's chat with Farrah Storr and loving the way wonderful people find each other ♥️
It's a funny old excellent world isn't it! See you later this evening Esther
Off topic but your posset recipe is the gift that keeps on giving.
That is the very best of off-topics! Thank you so much
That video is pure fabulosity.
I’m delighted you think so Lynne!
The martini sounds marvellous.
Thank you John - it Is perfectly suited to the time of year, and the boozy berries are the best setter-upper
Something that struck me about this year’s blackberries is they seem a month ahead as do most fruit this year. Now in early September they seem in the same condition as Michaelmass blackberries in a more usual British Autumn. I also expérienced this with my amazing crop of apricots, however I was chasing this crop and constantly checking under the tree for the yellowy orange gifs! Most were eaten/appreciated by me!
It’s very interesting about blackberries’ timing this year isn’t it - some here are by much over the top while others still very read. Some of that relates to how much sun etc they are in but i wonder if some plants are ripening their fruit in more instalments that usual
I was right there with you Mark. Beautiful.
Thank you JP. Happy Autumn to you