Its raining, its raining

The title is not strictly true. It has been raining and raining. I have been very busy with family commitments over the past few weeks which is just as well considering the weather. My auntie had her 60th birthday, so that was a day out being plied with food and drink. She lives near Ashton-under-Lyme so it was drive to get there and meant that I could not imbibe. My brother flew in from Fuertaventura, where he now lives, for a visit. He and his good lady, Tracy, stayed with us over night before returning to Manchester. Mum and Dad came too. We did go and have a look at the lottie though. Fencing continues on Tuesday nights. A team of us went to fencing competiton near Nottingham last Sunday. I had a series of close fought bouts in the pool rounds which damaged my position for seeding into the direct eliminations. I had a good outing but came mid field whereas Peter came third.

I keep going up to the lottie for an hour. Partly to weed and partly to see what has happened with all the rain we have had. My buddy Steve emailed me to say i had a massive puddle where my Patio [posh name for a bunch as paving stones at the entrance to my plot]. By the time I went to the plot the next evening the waters had subsided. I got the mattock out and hacked out a rough channel away from the plot towards the ditch. The water hosed along the channel. Since then the pond has not reappearred even though it has rained in biblical proportions. I have away dug a ditch round my large beds partly:

1. to give me some where to walk
2. as a boundary
3. to create a raised bed
4. to create a ditch
5. to a create a void that creeping weed roots can not cross or at least slow them down

The down hill sides of these ditches have been constant puddles and when it rain hard they are linear lakes. As I have said before the substrate of the site is clay over laid with imported aluvial soil. Because of the way I make big raised beds the top 4 to 6 inches of soil tends to drain quite well unfortunatley the underlying clay is slow to drain. This is a handy feature in dry weather as the clay holds the moisture for the plant roots. Just now my plants are suffering. Chic peas and Garlic in particular. I think I will have the garlic up this weekend and dry it out to see if a can salvage a crop. All the other plants seem to be making a living although they are covered in soil which has been bounced off the surface of the earth and been disposited on the leaves by the down pours.

Elderflower Heaven

This is the season for the Elder to flower. The Elder grows as a small tree or shrub. H and I have been watching the weather to gauge when we can go to collect Elder flowers. The Elder flowers during June and July depending on local conditions. We make the flowers into a cordial and a Champagne.

Cordial
One needs about thirty, big, full open flower heads per gallon for the cordial. The cordial has a uses 4lb of sugar, three Lemons, squeezed and zested with 80grams of Citric Acid. Bring the water to the boil and dissolve the sugar. Then the other ingredients are added and syrup simmered with until it reduces. Take the pan off the heat and allow the mixture to stand for twelve hour, over night in our case. Filter the contents of the pan through a muslin jelly bag or other such fine filter to remove the flower parts and bugs. The filter should not be too fine as the syrup will be quite thick. Then bottle. It freezes really well. Use the cordial 1:4 with sparkling water or white wine over ice, drop in a sprig of mint for a really refreshing summer drink. You will not have tasted anything so nice.

Champagne
This champagne is not alcoholic but refers to the fizz. Take a gallon of water and bring it to the boil. Take it off the heat and dissolve 1.5kg [3.3lb] of sugar. Zest two lemons and juice. Add the juice and zest to the water. Also add 2 tablespoons of White Wine vinegar. Allow the liquid to cool the blood temp [37 degrees C]. Add six Elderflower heads to the water. The water has to cool so that the natural yeasts are not killed. The yeasts are going to give the fizz. Let the whole thing stand 24 hrs. Strain the infused liquid to get rid of the flower bits and any bugs. Then bottle the liquor. Use bottles that can stand some pressure. Screw cap pop bottles are ideal. Leave the bottles to stand in a cool place for ten days. Check them every day to ensure they do not explode. One needs to let off some pressure so the bottles don't explode but you want some pressure so you get fizz. The Champagne does not keep long but that will be a good excuse to drink it and go and make some more.

The Elderflower is quite delicately scented but is pungent when infused. It is at its best if picked after a few days of dry, sunny weather. One should select the flower heads that are in full bloom and facing the sun. Since one only requires a handful of flower heads there is no point choosing anything but the best flowers, in peak condition. Flowers that not quite open or gone over impart a distinct "cat pee" odour and spoil the flavour of the product. H and I seek out Elders that do not grow near roads or heavy industry. We apply this rule to any hedgerow goodies we pick.

The other thing is that because so few flower heads are needed there are plenty left on the trees to run to berries which can be turned into jam and wine later in the year. Take note that the flowers and berries should not be eaten raw as they have a mild laxative effect.

Ooh the pain

Since the last post I have had four days in Dublin over the May Bank Holiday. In the days before I went to Dublin I planted lots of seeds and watered them in. The greenhouse was emptied again. We were promised and got plenty of rain which suited me since I was not to be stopped working and benefited from the down pours.

We stayed with our ex-neighbours who have moved to Dublin for work. We did the usual holiday things of too much to eat and too much too drink which incidentally, are my two favorite hobbies. In between eats we had a look round the countryside and the city. Top weekend out! On return from Dublin it was straight back to work. I did not get to the plot until Wednesday evening. The weed seedlings are starting to appear. My lottie buddy throught there might be a frost again as there had been one on Tuesday night so we fleeced over the tender plants and earthed up the spuds. The Ulster Prince potatoes got a dose of frost burn but I hope that will not set them back too much.

I got side tracked at home on Thursday night and we had friends over on Friday evening so no lottie those days either. In a fit of enthusiasm I accepted Tony's offer to go rock climbing the following day. Tony picked me up the 08.30 Saturday and we set off for Stanage Edge, Derbyshire.
It is ages since I climbed and although a could remember the techniques I did not have the strength or endurance for it to be an easy outing. On the third climb I stretched my forearm muscles and made it worse on the next pitch. Tony nipped off and solo'd a couple of pitches whilst I rested. But it was no good I am out of condition for that sort of exercise. Given it was only 3ish we packed or bags and went for a walk to Stanage Pole. From the Pole we took a wide right ward circular walk passed Redmire reservoirs circling back across open moor land to the car park on the Ringinglow Road behind the edge. We saw Curlew, Grouse and Snipe and at quite close quarters too as well as thick swathes of Heather and uneven tussocks of grass. It was hard going but enjoyable. We had an ice cream at the van in the car park and a well earned rest. Then it was a twenty minute walk back to the edge and down to where Tony's car was parked at it's foot. The walk turned into a hike of about six miles with all our climbing gear. It was 6pm by the time we got to the edge again. The sun had been out all day and was starting to journey toward the horizon. The edge glowed in the evening sun and since most of the climbers had left for the day it seem really quite tranquil with a gentle breeze blowing to take away the heat of the day.

Click the link for information about Stanage Edge. Movie buffs will probably know that High Neb was the location where Keira Knighly stood in the film adaptation Pride & Prejudice.
Having shimmied up Stanage Edge in the finger holds of greats such as Joe Brown and Don Whillans and stood breathless, albeit from exertion rather than emotion a la Knightly, I considered we had had a very fulfilling day which was topped off with a pint in the Little John at Hathersage.

My arm, shoulders and chest muscles were over worked so there was no point even attempting to do anything at the lottie on Sunday. After a leisurely breakfast and a potter in the garden H and I went for a walk round our locale. This walk turned into a ten mile hike. All this walking is good training for my summer holidays walking Wainwright's coast to coast.

I made an effort to go to the lottie on Monday evening mainly because I was able to finish work early. I planted out the Sweet Corn, Broad Beans to replace those scoffed by the mice, the remainder of the Leek and Parsnips. I also put in a few Marigolds. After the planting which was quite fulfilling I set about hoeing. It was tough at first but became easier as my muscles loosened up. I am happy to report that the Brassicas that I though had been attacked were in fact the victim of slugs. Since pelleting the area the damage has stopped and the plants have relished not being eaten and are grow like mad. I think the next visit will be Thursday evening if it has not rained. I might even go even if it has!