The big elderflower bush is at the top of the top field at the far end next to the graveyard. A track around that field was cut but is already growing back rapidly and will need strimming again this weekend. As for the area around the bush and around the olive, mulberry and sweet chestnut trees I have planted up there, Mr Strimmer is needed badly.
But the kids are on half term so need entertaining. Joshua and I waded through the weeds and nettles and picked 91 heads off the bush. Some will be used tonight as I start making elderflower champagne. But 75 were cleaned last night and left to soak with the zest of nine lemons in 4.5 litres of hot water. That mix was strained today and we added the lemon juice, some white wine vinegar and 3 kg of sugar as the water simmered. Brought to the boil and then cooled off, the resultant cordial is now in sterilised bottles. Joshua loves it to drink but is even more excited as it is the base mixture for elderflower ice cream, his favourite of the home made flavours.
So he was an enthusiastic helper. Jaya less so and the cat just looked on. What sits on the table will be split, one third on making five litres of ice cream, the rest will bemixed with water and drunk. But none of it is for this poor wretched diabetic. It is all for the family and those attending Sharestock. Lucky them.
