Wild fruits free and thriving on sea air

You know it's fresh and wholesome, and, of course it's absolutely free.

Everyone knows about blackberries and sloes, but there is something even better and it's available right here on our doorstep.

Cherry plums seem to thrive in the sea air and I have been gathering them here ever since I moved to Littlehampton 30 years ago. They can vary in colour from golden yellow through red to almost black, each tree having its own distinctive colour.

They vary in size, too, from two cm to about three cm, again this depends on each individual tree.

They have a great taste, a mix of sweetness and acidity, and make a superb, tangy jam.

I have also used them to make crumbles. I guess the only drawback is that, being quite small, they take a while to de-stone before use.

Now as to where to find them, you only have to go on a coastal walk where there are trees and you will spot them sooner or later through the month of August.

I'm afraid they are often quite high up in the tree, so a net and a stick are usually required. But be careful not to damage the tree.

Happy gathering!

Neil Robertson

Parkside Avenue

Littlehampton

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