blackberries!

[TikkiB]

looks like it's going to be a good year. We found an excellent patch near Snaresbrook, big, fat juicy ones.

How are they in other parts of the country?

Now for the ice cream.

 

[weepiper]

Brambles aren't ripe until September round here.

 

[kittyP]

Brambles aren't ripe until September round here.

Yeah here too really.

 

[TikkiB]

I admit i was surprised at how many were ripe even a couple of weeks ago here.

 

[geminisnake]

How are they in other parts of the country?

Still flowering in some bits here

 

[gentlegreen]

Very early down here in the southwest, but who knows know what effect the intense heat and lack of rain will have...

 

[farmerbarleymow]

They're ripening round here in Manchester. There is a fair thicket in the car park over the road, but as it is former factory and the car park has been being used by prostitutes to do their work, I'm leaving them well alone.

 

[Saffy]

They're very early here in Herts, just been out with the dog this afternoon and picked some beauties. Just weighed them and got almost 2lbs.

 

[maomao]

Brambles aren't ripe until September round here.

It's been a hot year though. I saw quite a few beginning to ripen in the Edinburgh area the week before last. And ripe raspberries up in Dunkeld, yum!

 

[iona]

There's been loads ripe for a few weeks now here in Sussex.

 

[DotCommunist]

theres a patch down the road that are looking ready but its on the side of an arterial motor route so I don't fancy the carcinogen ridden things.

 

[souljacker]

Picked an ice cream tubs worth the other day. They were lovely.

 

[ringo]

Got a big bowl today from next doors garden, some already beyond ripe. We made a lovely blackberry & apple crumble.
Sloes also ready, need to check the pear tree 'cos everything's early this year

 

[free spirit]

we're onto our 5th harvesting of the blackberries on our garden, though they do seem to have colonised the sunniest part of it.

 

[Cheesypoof]

They are amazing in Dublin. I was admiring some blackberries earlier

 

[mog1976]

Thay have been ready here for week. Use to pick loads and make wine and vodka juice with them.
Since i stopped drinking i dont see them as the great free and usefull item that i did before.

 

[Saffy]

I picked loads of sloes today and put them in the freezer ready to make some sloe gin next week.

 

[Badgers]

They're very early here in Herts, just been out with the dog this afternoon and picked some beauties. Just weighed them and got almost 2lbs.

Out in Hertfordshire early again. Got a fair haul yesterday and just off out for another session.

Blackberry and apple pie is the plan.

 

[weltweit]

Yep, quite a few ripe blackberries on my local walk at the moment.

Last dog used to like to eat them, this dog says - wtf I am not eating that shit!

 

[gentlegreen]

A big clump I pass every morning looked like they'd gone funny (not wearing glasses), so I will make a point of going out lunchtime to graze or I will feel cheated of a summer...

 

[Badgers]

A big clump I pass every morning looked like they'd gone funny (not wearing glasses), so I will make a point of going out lunchtime to graze or I will feel cheated of a summer...

It is a real mix. Loads round here are still far from ripe and loads have turned to mush. Plenty of good picking to be had though!

 

[Saul Goodman]

My garden is full of them. I made a load of blackberry jam a few days ago.

 

[Plumdaff]

We picked loads in the park on Saturday and made blackberry pie. May take another trip and make crumble this weekend.

 

[maomao]

I get a horsefly bite every bloody time I go brambling. Homemade blackberry jam (with seeds!) is one of the best things in the world though.

 

[pesh]

the bottom of our gardens full of them, we've eaten a lot, but the vast majority of them have ended up in the blender with a healthy amount of rum, lime and ice

 

[StoneRoad]

I have been known to pick masses of blackberries - I use them to make jelly and pies and crumbles. I've given up on eating them raw as they are a possible trigger for digestive problems ...

There's a fine line between under-ripe and unusable mush. Also need to be aware of those damm grubs.
Having had a check around, some are ripening nicely and recent rain should make for juicy berries this year.

 

[Badgers]

I have been known to pick masses of blackberries - I use them to make jelly and pies and crumbles. I've given up on eating them raw as they are a possible trigger for digestive problems ...

There's a fine line between under-ripe and unusable mush. Also need to be aware of those damm grubs.
Having had a check around, some are ripening nicely and recent rain should make for juicy berries this year.

Am torn between pie or crumble

 

[Pickman's model]

Am torn between pie or crumble

always with the binaries - it should be and not or

but which first?

 

[ska invita]

Bumper crop this year, must be down to the weather

 

[StoneRoad]

always with the binaries - it should be and not or

but which first?

I prefer crumble ... I make decent shortcrust pastry, always have done, but my digestive system doesn't like huge amounts of items containing wheat flour, for some reason, it likes crumble more than pastry.