Blackberries
Well, I said yesterday that we were going blackberrying today. And it's true, we did go. And very successful it was too. In fact we went twice, once in the morning, and once in the later afternoon. We gathered a total of just over five kilos. The season is nearly over, but there were still plenty on the bushes for us to pick. Nice and juicy, and very sweet. But isn't it strange that the best ones are lways just out of reach or hidden tangled up in amongst nettles and the blackberry bush's own thorns? Both Junko and I are feeling stung and scratched all over, but it wouldn't be so much fun if it was easy, would it? As we were walking home with our deep red juice stained hands and loaded plastic bags, we met another couple who too had a bag full of delicious berries. All four of us agreed that there was something so satisfying in going through such hardships to get a kilo or so of fruit- was it the superior flavour of wild blackberries? Or the fact that they are free? Or being out in the sun and wind, enjoying the sound of the brids singing and the view in the pleasant spot we were picking in? I guess it's all of these, and probably more.By the way, we eat these blackberries, after they have been boiled for a few minutes, with Junko's home-made yoghurt and muesli. A delicious lunch! And for some reason, part of the tradition is that the generous-sized bowlful is eaten using a teaspoon! When today's harvest has been frozen and stored it will last us well into the dark winter days, giving us many nice memories as well as a healthy diet.I'm listening to the radio at the moment, and two of my favourite rock tracks have been playing while I have been writing this, isn't that nice? The tracks are 'My old school' by Steely Dan, and 'In the light' by Led Zeppelin.