Autumn in all her glory
Today I went on a magical walk with my family in some Berkshire woodlands and captured some stills of autumn looking amazing. We had a family lunch for my husband’s birthday and then headed out for a long walk. Here are my beautiful girls who happily pottered with me and also took photographs.
The clocks changed last night, and it really felt like we are heading for winter with a nip in the air and clear skies. This year the leaves are magical; holding onto the trees for as long as they can and turning the most amazing colours.
The climate has also produced some great berries this year. I have no idea what the purple ones are, but love the colour.
We picked some sloes to make Sloe Gin, always pick the ones with a dusty bloom on them, they are the sweetest ones and make the nicest gin!
Sloe Gin Recipe:
- 500g ripe sloes
- 250g golden caster sugar
- 1 litre bottle gin
Method:
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- Rinse and pick over the sloes, then pat dry in a clean tea towel. Using a stainless-steel fork or cocktail stick, prick the sloes and tip into a 2-litre Kilner jar, or divide between 2 smaller jars.
- Add the sugar and gin, and seal the top. Shake well. Each day for a week, give the jar a good shake, then put it in a cool, dark place and leave for 2-3 months.
- Line a plastic sieve with a square of muslin, set over a bowl, and strain the sloe gin through it. Decant into clean, dry bottles, seal and label. The sloe gin is now ready to drink but will improve and mature over time, so if possible make it one year to drink the next.
Nature can really take my breath away sometimes, and the woods were so still and quiet it felt like time had stopped.
We then headed home for large cups of tea as the sun set early on this first day of winter. Perfect.
Emma Kayne 