Foraging with Old Mary

 

Hello, My Dears,

As you know, I like nothing better than to meander around the Ackley Wood, foraging for herbs and wild flowers to use in my medicine. The recent rain has kept me from my leisurely walks but today was a fine day for a walk. My friend, Martha Ingle, from Rushton, is visiting with me and accompanied me on this morning’s walk. I like being in the wood early in the morning, to hear the birds, to feel that freshness only morning can bring. We had an enjoyable stroll and filled our baskets with several plants which I shall make into my medicines.

Martha commented on the teasel which is just coming to the bloom. She uses the dried flower heads when she is carding wool, to help align the fibres so they are easy to twist into threads. She does this with great ease, but tis not an easy task, this I know, for I have helped on occasion, trailing far behind Martha’s nimble fingers.

The dock was in abundance as was the couch grass, both beneficial to my medicines. Our baskets were fragrant with mint and lemon balm also. The hyssop was in bloom, looking very inviting, we taking a bit for our needs, and leaving the plant to replenish itself for future use.

As we walked, Old Foxy trotted out from the trees ahead of us, stopped to see what we were up to and then went on his way. I wonder what that rascal has been up to? No wonder we saw no rabbits, they know when Old Foxy is about and take to their warrens.

The brambles are all in bud so we may look forward to blackberries in a few weeks time. The hazel nuts are also nearly ready for the picking. I must remember to come and check on them and take what I need before the squirrels have them all and I none!

We knew the chestnut was in bloom for the distinctive scent wafted around us. Tis not such a pleasant aroma, however the nuts are most welcome to eat or to grind into flour. The primroses were rallying for their second bloom of the season, a pretty sight in the wood.

After taking a bit of horse radish root, our baskets were full and we made our way back to my cottage. We had spent the better part of the morning in the wood, for time has a way of slipping away when we are pleasantly occupied. Setting our baskets aside we prepared our lunch and afterwards tended to our herbs and flowers. Such an enjoyable morning.