Yesterday, we headed off to our local PYO. It’s the end of the season, but still rich pickings to find.
We go each year. Not so much to pick bountiful baskets of fruit to store for the winter, but more for the experience. Outside. Fresh air. Beautiful views. Lots of mini beasts to spot. The fruit is almost an added bonus.
And there were lots of mini-beasts. A large variety of ladybirds. Mostly red. Mostly only a few spots. Mostly natives. The children found brown froghoppers that clicked as they sprang. No photo (similar to these ones in our garden)
Lots of hoverflies and bumble bees. Plenty of wasps, attracted to the flowers and not yet attacking the fruit. As we left them, they left us.
There were plenty of raspberries to collect.
A handful of raspberries.
Then home. We made vanilla ice cream and meringues to go with the raspberries for our pudding that evening. Our kind of Eton Mess.
Joining in with Fiona’s inspiring #CountryKids linky over at Coombe Mill.
Oh, those raspberries look wonderful and Eton Mess is one of my favourites 🙂 We haven’t managed to any fruit picking yet this year, must do that! #CountryKids
It wouldn’t be summer if we din’t go fruit picking!
We’re lucky to have a great PYO near to us, particularly as it has cherries (my favourite fruit). We’ve been going for 10 years now and I treasure the photos I have of the kids picking the fruit when they were just toddlers. We go every weekend in summer, and always follow it up with one of their home made ice creams afterwards. #countrykids
You are lucky to have a cherry PYO so near. Must see if we have one.
One of our favourite annual traditions too, like you for us it is all about the experience, evident by our poor harvest but always lots of fun. Looks like you managed both and homemade Eton Mess sounds bliss. Thank you for sharing with me on Country Kids.
The Eton Mess didn’t last long. Must make some more.
Where is this? I always wanted to do a PYO like what you said for experience and my son doesnt like to eat different fruits I reckon is he will see how they are picked and he will try them and like them!
This is such a lovely post and the photos are bright and clear! #countrykids
Sounds a great way to get him intrested. I’m sure it would make a difference. We go to Chosen Farm in the Chew Valley. They are getting to the end of the season, so check before you go. Used to be a lovely one near you, but I think it’s gone now. Cheddar has a new one, but I’ve not tried it yet.
Those raspberries look delicious. PYO is a lovely activity to do, I keep meaning to take my children.
Hope you make it to a PYO. It is fun.
What a lovely activity, and great to show children where and how our food grows. Good way of doing yummy cooking as well!