Allotment friend :)

When I actually get round to digging or weeding my plot, this little guy always pops over to say hi...

I need help to identify some botanical specimens...

One lunchtime last week I went for a little bikeride by the Thames, hoping to see Adders. Unfortunately there were none but I did discover an interesting plant which I've not seen before. It was growing by a lake (but not right in the water). I thought it looked a bit celeryish, but for some reason I didn't think to scratch'n'sniff. I will go back in a few weeks to see if it's flowering...



The second mystery is a tree (well, shrub I guess) that's growing near to my flat. I always wondered if it was something like a Bay, but now it has these strange red fruits on it. They have a stone or large seed in the middle... any ideas?



In other news - I am BORED BORED BORED of this cold north-easterly wind! What happened to the gulf stream? Brrr!

[edit] The mystery tree is now at least partially identified, thanks to helpful Flickr users!

Nettle beer update...

The nettle beer I made last month is the fizziest brew EVER! It is now mostly all over my kitchen floor and all over my cardigan. Tastes pretty good though! :)

Nettle beer and broad beans (but not yet)

Oh dear, I'm not doing very well with my weekly wild food foraging. I have been noticing and nibbling things, but it seems I just don't have the time to blog about them!

One thing I have managed though, is to start a batch of nettle beer. My flat currently smells a bit yeasty! I'm bottling it tomorrow.



This picture is a bit old - it was made back in January for a group art project. The nettles are actually much better at this time of year!

Something else interesting to distract you from the fact that I haven't done my homework - yesterday I found wild (or feral) broad beans! They are definitely beans and not sweet peas or anything like that. I'll have to keep an eye on them to see what happens (and whether they get trampled).



Oh yeah - and I discovered a nearby National Cycle Network route that looks like it'll be great for hedgerow foraging later in the year... :)

Yay!

Yesterday I walked by my favourite berry-picking hedge. This blossom looks like one from the prunus family, perhaps cherry plum (I know there are some along that route). The Blackthorn is about to burst into bloom too. Spring is finally here!



And to acknowledge British Summertime, I'm going to the allotment *later* :)

Broadening my blogging horizons...*

A selection of work from my "leafminers" series is currently on display at Cornerstone, the funky new arts centre in Didcot (Oxfordshire, UK). It's part of an exhibition called "Flora and Fauna" which runs until 18th April. If you're in the area I recommend a visit - even if only to sample the yummy cakes! ;)


(clicking the link will take you to Flickr where you can view the full set)



*I've decided to include my "artistic endeavours" in this blog, in an attempt to streamline my life! Or something.

Weeks 9, 10 and 11

Week 9: Yarrow

Yarrow tea - it's a bit odd. It doesn't have a particularly strong flavour. Some say it tastes of Rosemary but I'm not sure. Supposedly, it has psychotropic properties and makes you see in "pure colour". I do remember that the first time I tried it, some years ago, I suddely noticed that my friend's top was actually brown and not black as I had previously assumed. That's the best I managed though!


(This is an archive photo from a few years ago)


Week 10: Gorse

I made Gorse flower and small beetle tea! :)





I took a handful of fresh flowers and infused them in boiled water for about 10 minutes. The resulting brew smelled awful, but tasted rather nice! It didn't need sweetening at all (but I rarely sweeten tea anyway). It was similar to the Pine tea I made on week 2, but less sickly. Best one so far (apart from the beetles)!


Week 11: Garlic mustard

I'm going to be lazy with this one and point you to an old entry :)