As it is half term this week we all try to keep the cockerels and pullets occupied as much as possible, making sure that they do their homework in the mornings and then arranging outings and activities for the afternoon. After the hard frosts of last week the sloes are ready to pick and we decided to make the Sloe Gin yesterday. I think the sloes looked plumper before the frosts as they are now a bit withered and wrinkley, but much easier to pick - or in our case - to shake off or jump in the air and swipe off.
Mrs Black and Truffle organised the picking of dock stems in order to make little baskets. The stems are a lovely deep russet colour and still very strong. We weaved them into little carrying pouches and off we went to the hedgerows. The cockerels shook the branches that they could reach and the pullets gathered the sloes - being sure not to pierce any with their beaks as they still taste very bitter. We brought our cache back into the barn and pricked the berries with a sharp quilly feather. Then we mixed them with some sugar that Mum had provided and put them in a jar. Mrs One Eye, with practised deftness, dropped a cinnamon stick into the mix and Gordon topped up the jar with some Gin (Mum had also bought that for us). We tightened the cap as firmly as we could and made a rota for turning the jar from time to time. Next April we will strain the mixture into a bottle and we can celebrate our Birthdays in style! Sylvia xxx
P.S. There is a picture of my Uncle Godfrey on page 12 of the new issue of Practical Poultry! Gordon xxx
Mrs Black and Truffle organised the picking of dock stems in order to make little baskets. The stems are a lovely deep russet colour and still very strong. We weaved them into little carrying pouches and off we went to the hedgerows. The cockerels shook the branches that they could reach and the pullets gathered the sloes - being sure not to pierce any with their beaks as they still taste very bitter. We brought our cache back into the barn and pricked the berries with a sharp quilly feather. Then we mixed them with some sugar that Mum had provided and put them in a jar. Mrs One Eye, with practised deftness, dropped a cinnamon stick into the mix and Gordon topped up the jar with some Gin (Mum had also bought that for us). We tightened the cap as firmly as we could and made a rota for turning the jar from time to time. Next April we will strain the mixture into a bottle and we can celebrate our Birthdays in style! Sylvia xxx
P.S. There is a picture of my Uncle Godfrey on page 12 of the new issue of Practical Poultry! Gordon xxx