Despite the weather forecast it was luckily dry this morning so was able to pick 6 elderflower heads to make elderflower champagne. Someone else had obviously been picking them too, the grass had been trampled round the bush and most of those within easy reach taken.
There was also some horse dung on the path nearby, but a lot of joggers passing at that time so I felt too shy to start picking it up. A little further along I found some more and no one passing just then so I was able to start with two trowels shovelling into into a strong plastic bag. Strange, but once I've started I'm OK about being seen doing it!
I then did my usual circuit then started round again, stopped and picked the dung I'd missed earlier then took the path round the stable paddocks.
Elderflower champagne - use 4 pints hot water to dissolve 2 pounds of sugar, add 6 elderflower heads, juice of 2 lemons and 2 tablespoons of white wine vinegar. I was supposed to use the rinds of the lemons as well but they weren't unwaxed so I couldn't.
Now I stir night and morning for 3 days before bottling in bottles with strong tops, leaving plenty of room, then leave for several weeks. It makes a lovely drink for summer.
Horse dung or horse shit? Can't make up my mind which expression to use!
No need to feel shy about shovelling up horse dung, shit or manure (whatever you like to call it!) with joggers around. I don't suppose they think of you as strange. They would surely know what it was for and if they didn't, so what. I have recently been going down to the beach to collect seaweed and people walking their dogs look my way but it doesn't really bother me, and collecting seaweed is probably seen as more eccentric than collecting horse shit! Am I bothered!
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