It's Damson or Sloe Gin making time

For locals there's a few nice Sloe trees by Wilfin Beck, by the Croft on Lonsdale Rd, some on Scar House Lane, Hawkshead and some by the road by Loughrigg Tarn, just before the turning for Elterwater, there are some also near Ash Landing but these are bare this year. Those are the ones I know of locally. 

So find a demijohn with an airlock, sterilize it. Pick over the fruit - a couple of lbs will do and prick each one. Put in the demijohn and pour over 1lb of caster sugar and then four bottles of gin. Aldi's gin is cheap and very good. Put an airlock on and put it away in a cupboard, shake a bit once a week until sugar dissolved and then forget it, bar an occasional check on the airlock.

The picture above was two year old, and was fantastic, but it would make a great gift this Christmas and at three months should be ready.