Northwest Recipes; Bilberry Charlotte

Bilberry Charlotte A little while ago I publishes an article about Bilberries, which are in season at the time of writing, here is a traditional recipe for a Bilberry Charlotte, which is basically a Bilberry pie with whipped cream on top. You can buy Bilberries frozen, fresh online from suppliers or if you are luckyContinue reading “Northwest Recipes; Bilberry Charlotte”

The Beefsteak Fungus

Beefsteak Fungus, Fistulina hepatica (Fistulina coming from the Latin Fistulosus, meaning ‘full of pipes’, and hepatica coming from the Greek word hepatikos, meaning ‘of the liver’) is also sometimes known as the Beefsteak Polypore, Ox Tongue Fungus and Liver Fungus. It is very common in some areas and highly regarded by connoisseurs of funghi, appearingContinue reading “The Beefsteak Fungus”

The Teasel

The Teasel, Dipsacus fullonum, is a tall, distinctive looking and handsome wildflower found throughout the British isles wherever nature has been given free reign to do whatever it likes, for this reason some refer to it not as a wildflower, but as a weed. In the first year of its growth it is a fairlyContinue reading “The Teasel”

Bog, or Lancashire Asphodel, an example of how modern science can back up ancient wisdom

Bog Asphodel, Narthecium ossifragum, also known as ‘Lancashire Asphodel’ or ‘moor gold’ in the north of England, grows in wet patches of bog and is a little orange-coloured plant with flowers that look like a little spike of orange wheat. They flower from July to August and if you look closely you can see thatContinue reading “Bog, or Lancashire Asphodel, an example of how modern science can back up ancient wisdom”

The ‘Glorious Twelfth’

Every year on the Twelfth of August, since around the mid 1800’s, on hills and moors all around the British isles, well-heeled men and women have taken to the hills with their shotguns, dogs and supporting entourage of loaders and picker-uppers to take part in the tradition known as the ‘Glorious Twelfth’. Contentious The sportContinue reading “The ‘Glorious Twelfth’”

Bilberry Season is here!

Bilberries Bilberry, or Whinberry, season traditionally begins at the start of August and doesn’t last long, although this year it looks like it’s going to be another fairly productive one. There are many regional names for Vaccinium myrtilus, in some parts of Ireland and Scotland it’s called a blaeberry, in the South of England aContinue reading “Bilberry Season is here!”

Meadowsweet

Meadowsweet, Filipendula ulmaria, is a common wild flower in the countryside, found growing in damp meadows and woods, on roadside verges, along hedgerows and near streams, it usually flowers between June and September. Its frothy tufts of delicate, graceful, creamy white flowers have a distinctive, sweet fragrance, possibly one of the reasons for its commonContinue reading “Meadowsweet”

The History behind Stocks reservoir

The history behind Stocks reservoir In 19th century Britain many people found they had enough disposable income, and public transport links had improved enough, for tourism to take off in a really big way, this was largely due to the industrial revolution. The industrial revolution, with all of the coal powered manufacturing activity associated withContinue reading “The History behind Stocks reservoir”