Berry picking...

Yesterday Grace and I went berry picking, it was her first day outside after her operation so we took it slowly. 

We went down to the Oakley Beat on the River Test. Roger used to work here as a River Keeper for the National Trust Mottisfont.  

Looking towards the Oakley Hut  where Halford spent all his summers in the early 20th century until he hies in 1914.

Closer view of the River Test

One of the oaks on the river bank

The Mottisfont Oak, thought to be between 800 to 1000 years old!


Crocuses under the gate

Looking down stream towards Mottisfont

After looking around we drove up Back Lane and into the car park for a walk in the woods.  As we were walking we were looking and listening to the sounds of the wood... squirrels jumping from branch to branch... birds calling to one another... movement in the undergrowth, could have been Blackbirds foraging for worms and beetles... and then a larger group of rustling - we saw a herd of Deer run off to our right. 

We picked lots of berries - Hawthorne, Sloe, Blackberries and rose hips. 
I think I will make this Hawthorne Jelly recipe.