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9:45 am
2nd Grader
Mon 28-Sep-09
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I usually Sloes for gin but where I get them from is 170miles away. Are they early this year? A friend in York has been making Sloe gin this week and thats 200 miles north of my usual Sloe location. I don't want to miss them!
10:09 am
Supreme Being
Mon 21-Sep-09
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Sorry I can't help but I am not sure if I have said hello or not, got rather lost in the forums I think. I used to live in Sheffield many moons ago and never discovered sloes, blackberries yes but sloes no.
3:47 pm
Councillor
Wed 30-Dec-09
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Hiya Noodle,
I can't remember what date I started picking sloes last year but they may be a bit early this year. I started picking some this morning on my way to the office but most were beyond my reach so I only got half a tub. I keep meaning to keep some kind of gardening/foraging diary where I note down when I plant/harvest/pick various things but each year I forget. Maybe next year 
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5:44 pm
2nd Grader
Mon 28-Sep-09
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My friend had been picking Damsons so panic over! Sloes should be October / November but hard to tell with out seeing them!
3:46 pm
2nd Grader
New members
Mon 20-Sep-10
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Hi Noodle,
I picked them last weekend and made my gin and ahem........chutney( it didn't turn out so great lol) They are defiantely ready down here in kent, I would think they will be a few weeks later where you are though.
5:16 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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They are ready now in North Bucks, so keep your eyes peeled.
I'll try that again!
7:47 pm
Senior Class
New members
Mon 20-Sep-10
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They are ready now in Wiltshire and have been for some time, one of my local trees is pretty much over by now, others are in full fruit. here do you get them from, surely there are sources nearer to Sheffield than 170miles!? My parents live near Macclesfield and there are plenty there.
7:54 pm
3rd Grader
New members
Tue 21-Sep-10
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we have some that have already finished in the hedge of our field, then there are others that have still to ripen, so anyones guess here, we appear to have our own climate in a climate!
10:51 am
Expert
New members
Sat 21-Aug-10
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Hi Toffeeapple! I'm on a quick visit to south Bucks.
If I jump up and down and wave you might see me 
I picked sloes yesterday and they are beautifully ripe. Now I have to decide what to do with them in a hurry as I'm on the train back to Cornwall tomorrow. I was going to start some sloe gin but Mother's medication means she can't drink alchohol 
Never assume anything - except an occasional air of intelligence.
12:58 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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Can you see me Ruthie? Are you calling in to see Kate - she is in south Bucks?
As for sloe gin, could you not drink it?
I'll try that again!
1:35 pm
Expert
New members
Sat 21-Aug-10
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yoohoo! you're as daft as I am Can't see Kate though....
I'm taking the sloes home with me, along with my mum' s old maslin pan. Its over 60 years old but not getting used these days. I'll be perusing sloe recipes before deciding what to do, so they'll join the others in my freezer fot the time being. I may make some sloe gin in honour of my Grampy's memory, as I used to help him pick sloes when I was a child. I'm not a great one for alcholic drinks but I guess I could learn to like it.... 
Is it any good for insomnia?
As for sloes being early, I'm of the opinion that if they look pickable you may as well pick 'em before some other bukka does!
Never assume anything - except an occasional air of intelligence.
1:41 pm
Moderators
Tue 22-Sep-09
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maggenpie said:
Well yes, that is a 'given'!
Sloe Gin is very good for insomnia, you'll either get it or get rid of it.
I envy you the Maslin pan, you'll be able to boil up a storm now.
I'll try that again!
9:34 pm
Improver
Sun 18-Oct-09
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Toffeeapple said:
They are ready now in North Bucks, so keep your eyes peeled.
Hey Danya....
Great to see another local yokel on here, I work in Biddenden and you are right there are absolutley loads of hedgerow fruits in kent this year ( Gages, Sloes and Damsons) litter Frogs Hole Lane , my cycle route to work ( I am thinking this winter may be another pooey one ) hope the Chutney has turned out mighty fine.
Toffeeapple sloe gin is good for insomnia but too much and you find you are forgetting what you were thinking about!!!..............what was I saying????? oh yes you lose your train of thought.. 
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