Damson Gin 2011

Well the hot weather this spring was truly kind to my Damson bushes this year, i had a bumper crop and even managed to supply the local green grocers. One tip i will give is when the weather goes dry for a good number of days, throw the odd bucket of water on the base of the tree just to stop the fruit from drying up. I have four demijohns on the go at the moment with the concoction in each one being the same.

One pint of gin, one pound of damsons { pricked all over } and half a pound of sugar. This has stood me the test of time but i do know some sweet toothed people who add more sugar. I shake the the mixture daily until the sugar has dissolved then let it sit for a month before straining and bottling. The lucky individuals who will be receiving a bottle of this fine liquor are a few local farmers who let me shoot on there land for bugger all, and Mr Hugh Fearnley Whittingstall for kindly signing my chefs hat at the Manchester food festival . ;} Many thanks, please try it as winter wouldn't be the same without it.

Red pike Cumbria 07/10/2011

I had a break from mucking out the hens last week and traveled with an old work colleague to the lakes, we headed for Buttermere down the Honister pass and soon found out that a good few other folk had come up with the same idea.We struggled to find a parking space in our usual spot and ended up scratching our heads on the car park behind The Fish Hotel, we needed to park overnight as we had arranged to stay at the legendary Black sail bothy, we no overnight option on the car park menu i decided to myther a local farmer. What a character, he was made up that we were not from London and gave me a dig in the ribs to show what he would do to southerners i think. After getting the space and parting with the princely sum of £3 we started our hike, up past sourmilk gill and onto the top of Red pike, named after the bright red stone only found on its slopes. The weather was glorious and shaun spotted a euro jet practicing maneuvers about half a mile below us. I managed to get a picture of it hope you can spot it cruising over crummock water. After a dodgy decent down red pike to the banks of the river Liza we were happy to find the remainder of our trip was a straight man made road all the way down the valley to Black sail. If you have never stopped here before and you love the outdoors please put it on your to do list, you always receive a warm welcome and although remote this hostel is kitted out with everything you will ever need. I must say that after a long trek a warm shower whilst being watched by a Herdwick and then a cracking three coarse meal is just what the doctor ordered. One word of advice would be to open up to your fellow travelers, you are forced upon one another in close proximity whilst staying here so you must remember to take a chill pill and don't act as if this is your own home. My next visit will be in the summer next year to see dawn rising over the natural monuments of England so i hope to see you there.

My Day With Jamie Oliver and friends

This is me { in the center } after a very successful day baking with Mr Jamie Oliver, he was a true gent and had a really good chat with me about hunting and shooting. This was in sainsburys head office and i didn't leave until i had sold the last cheese scone. We raised £500 for comic relief, and i even managed to get my chefs whites signed by him. The other people around are finalists in a cookery competition that i entered last year and we all still remain friends. 09/03/2011 What a great day ;}