Friday 11 January 2013

Blog Launch and Book Giveaway

Welcome to my new blog covering all things foragey!

If you've made new year's resolutions which include:

  • Getting more exercise
  • Spending more time outdoors
  • Finding a new hobby
  • Saving money
  • Improving your diet
  • Eating seasonally/locally

then foraging may just be the perfect solution.

I can't hand on heart claim to be knowledgeable in this field, but I love to discover new things and I hope you'll join me on this journey, maybe try some recipes, go out hunting for yourself and join the wild food revolution.

Anyone can have a go at foraging, you don't need any special equipment (except maybe a cute wicker basket so you can skip through the woods like Little Red Riding Hood).  What you will need though is a good identification book.  So to celebrate the launch of this blog I'm giving away a copy of two of my favourites.  First up Gabrielle Hatfield's book 'Hatfield's Herbal'.

click the image for more details


Whilst its black and white sketch images mean it's not perfect for an absolute beginner, used in conjunction with another field guide or cross-referencing online,  it is still a beautiful and fascinating book.

Exposing the secret history of British plants with folklore; ancient medicinal uses and literary references this book can only enhance a country walk.

Secondly, I'm also giving away a copy of Adele Nozedar's excellent book 'The Hedgerow Handbook'.

click the image for more details

When I first bought this book, I devoured it from cover to cover in one sitting.  With its beautiful watercolour and line drawings, identification is straightforward.  Each plant is covered both in terms of medicinal and culinary use and there are the most mouth-wateringly tempting and original recipes of any wild food book.

How can you resist trying Red Clover Lemonade; Ash Key Pickle or Elderflower cheesecake?

So to be in with a change of winning these two books, please leave a comment below saying whatever you like!  It could be a suggestion of what you'd like to see on this blog; a mention of a recipe you've tried, or you could just wish me luck and a few more hours in the day on starting another blog!

For an extra entry, please follow this blog (you'll see a box over there on the left).  Leave a comment saying you've done so.

For a further entry, please follow on Twitter @beechesandhaws and leave a comment saying you have done so.

Terms:

Sorry, open to UK entrants only.  Winner will be chosen at random from all valid entries.  Closing date is Monday 28th January at 12:00 midday.  One winner will receive both books.  Please allow 21 days for delivery.  If the winner has not responded and provided a postal address within 1 week of being notified, I reserve the right to re-draw.

173 comments:

  1. Good luck on this - something I'd like to try though lack of time big issue!

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  2. Followed the blog using GFC

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  3. Followed on Twitter as @totallydot

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  4. I would love to win these book as I have a huge interest in all things natural, and the food we can forage for free intrigues me so much. Plus the benefits are immense and I'm a total herbal remedies lover! Fingers Crossed! x

    http://anormalgirlsreviews.blogspot.co.uk/

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  5. Followed your blog via GFC

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  6. Following on Twitter too :) @kezzaseery

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  7. A lovely read following the commercial excesses of Christmas

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  8. oh how exciting ! I always love to read your stories about the scrummy stuff you find. Will follow with interest, really would love to learn what is edible and what is not !!!
    Hope this doesn't mean the end to me and my shadow ??? Hoping to get back with magpie monday sooonxxxx

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  9. Yippee! The blog is finally here, I was looking forward to reading it since you mentioned it a while ago. I have lots of plans for foraging recipes this year.

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  10. I have followed even before I read your blog post, but please get rid of the word verification thingy, I tried 20 times before my comment was published.

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  11. Ooh how exciting! A new blog and how lovely to already share a giveaway with us! I love foraging and def need to learn more - dare we go into the risky area of MUSHROOMS????? Would love to learn more (and have some books on it), but dare not actually pick any!

    M x

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  12. Hurrah for a new blog - and I love the subject, too. Good luck with it! x

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  13. Great idea. I look forward to following you on your forages x

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  14. Love your new blog! Currently I only forage blackberries, dandelion leaves and sloes, but would really love to learn more about it. Elderberry cheesecake sounds ideal for me as I live at Elderberry Cottage and have many of the shrubs growing around the place! Good luck with your new venture. Have followed you on Twitter.

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  15. Ooh fab new blog, looking forward to all your inspiring ideas.

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  16. Following on Twitter as @AttachmentMumma

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  17. Would love some more ideas for what to do with foraged fruit. I tried blaeberry gin last summer which was a real success. The cheesecake idea sounds genius...

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  18. Followed on email too

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  19. Good Luck! It is fun starting a new blog isn't it? I started one too this week, seems to have liberated writer's block for us both. My mum used to make elderflower champagne, have been meaning to recreate it for years, I have the recipe if you want it/want a guest post ever x

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  20. Such a great idea Liz! I especially love the name ;)

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  21. Super idea. When I am out walking with my friend and Aaron she always advises me as to which berries are safe to eat :-) xxx

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  22. What an epic idea for a blog - I'll follow with interest!

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  23. This is such a good idea! I've followed the blog & your twitter account! Can't wait to read more!

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  24. Hoorah, it's here! I had to send the husband to get my laptop so I could comment...bloomin' phone. I want to win because this is right up my street/field/hedgerow! Also following on Twitter (of course) and I've tried REALLY hard to follow by email but it's refusing me :-( and I don't know if it's worked!

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  25. I'm in! Email sub confirmed, hoorah! *raises a glass of sloe gin*

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  26. I love this. I have a herb medicine book of my great grandfathers, with all his handwritten notes and observations in the margins. It would be interesting to see the similarities. Great idea for a blog.

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  27. What a lovely idea for a blog, and a giveaway. I'd love to do a bit of foraging (somewhat inspired by my free dinner at Noma!)

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  28. I be following on Twitter too! @superluckydi

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  29. I am following on twitter @garethstevens5

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  30. Something I've always wanted to try but been afraid to incase I pick the wrong thing. Look forward to reading more on your blog x

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  31. Already following on twitter @toastingmallows x

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  32. Great idea for a new blog! Looking forward to learning lots from you.

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  33. So looking forward to reading your blog, already following on twitter. I have plenty if fields out back so may well "join" you in foraging adventures. The books look great x. @anexetermum

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  34. I quite like to do a bit of foraging once in a while. Blackberries are a given each year. The other year I made ketchup from haw berries. Interested to see what you come up with.

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  35. Following on twitter @ericahughes

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  36. How exciting, I always blackberry pick, I hadn't thought about what else I could use :)
    Following on Twitter as @kirstysparrow

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  37. Good to see the blog up and running. I'd love to see some suggestions for what to use foraged ingredients in/for.

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  38. Also following you on twitter. :)

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  39. Looking forward to this. I used to do loads of foraging with my mum as a kid and a fair bit before my kids came along

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  40. Am following on google friend -BlueBearwood

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  41. Following on twitter as @bluebearwood

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  42. We had our first go at foraging not long ago and have some tasty jam from it. Can't wait to learn more and try again!

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  43. Following via twitter as @CannuckinNI

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  44. What a great idea! Really looking forward to reading this blog....and getting myself a cute wicker basket! :)

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  45. Following your blog......if I can teach my Dad about blogs I think he'll love this!

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  46. Following on Twitter too @rhodak09

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  47. Great comp, thankyou :)

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  48. love foraging gets us out in the fresh air getting exercise and if we find edibles its an added bonus

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  49. I love foraging but haven't managed anything more than blackberries and bilberries so far. Would love to learn more.

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  50. looking forward to keeping up with your blog

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  51. Would love to learn the art of foraging.

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  52. A great give away foraging is something I would love to get into more I have only got as far as nettle soup :)

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  53. @paperwrist following on twitter

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  54. Would love to lear how to forage

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  55. would be of great use , with the economic climate as it is, forage or starve ,

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  56. Would love to learn how to forage for food. would be great look for the plants, etc when walking with the kids and pass on the skills.

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  57. Georgia McAllister14 January 2013 at 03:40

    I'd really love to win these books. I'm so interested in foraging. It's a real life skill as well as being a healthy activity.

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  58. Would be great to get a copy of those books. I would love to do more foraging - blackberries are about my limit at the moment!

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  59. This would be great to win. I made ransom soup (wild garlic) and it tasted great. I also forage an old orchard near where I live for apples and pears - stood on a wasps nest there and it was pretty nasty but that's another story. Brambles and apples together make great pie so more suggestions would be great.

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  60. Signed up to follow your blog. This should be really interesting

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  61. Also tweeted re blog. Good luck

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  62. Followed on Twitter

    @hammahnator

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  63. Would love this! Fab way to eat well, save money and get exercise, all at the same time!

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  64. I'm a keen forager, mostly for bunnies though. I've followed your blog and twitter @footballgirl732

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  65. I've done a little bit of foraging whilst out walking with my dogs but would love to know a little more about I should be looking for & what is edible.

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  66. Followed your blog with GFC

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  67. Following on Twitter @ras38

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  68. It's been a while since I've been foraging, maybe this will inspire me to get out there!

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  69. Following as @LyraLouBear thank you

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  70. I'd love to try foraging, free food!

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  71. D'oh! Above comment made by @LyraLouBear...

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  72. This would be great as on our walks through the woods my son is always asking me what everything is and I haven't a clue what is edible and what isn't. It would be great if we could learn together.

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  73. We've taken up walking (with the kids) this year and they ask some of the trickiest questions about the plants they see! Would be great to have the knowledge to tell them something useful!

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  74. I have been gradually adding raw foods into my diet over the past few months. These books look very interesting. I like the idea of foraging for foods in order to feed myself from the land.

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  76. I follow on twitter @ElvinFairy

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  77. Following. Would love to win the prize and get out into the countryside and forage.

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  78. Fabulous, have made Elderflower Champagne which was a gret success, would love other foraging recipes to try.

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  79. Have followed on twitter (@JoJoBald)

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  80. I would love these books!!!
    karen scammell
    twannywun at hotmail dot com

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  81. victoria critchley16 January 2013 at 06:02

    one of mine and my BFs resolutions was to go foraging so this would deffo help

    victoriacritchley at rocket mail dot com

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  82. 98 comments?! Obviously you have found a little 'niche' with this blog - good luck and I sincerely hope you do find the time. It looks great!

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  83. Wow I can't wait to see what appears on this blog! I'd like to see plenty of photos on the blog as well as recipes or complete meals made entirely from foraged goodies! I'd also be interested in the medicinal uses of wild herbs & plants. Some other books I'd recommend are A Hedgerow Cookbook by Glennie Kindred and Mushrooms by Roger Phillips.
    chedtaylor @ hotmail dot com

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  84. following by email

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  85. following on twitter (@pied_wagtail)

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  86. what a lovely giveaway! I've recently started foraging (well, within the garden!) and have made elderberry vinegar and wild strawberry jelly, but always looking for new ideas!

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  87. following on twitter @maxineflossy

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  88. I love foraging, although the rain this year means there hasn't been much :(

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  89. This would be an amazing gift for my brother!
    @emmav6

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  90. Following on GFC - Mickie Bull

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  91. Following on twitter - @MorningPostie

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  92. HI,
    I would love to win the books on Foraging. I have written a book myself called Kitchen Alchemy and there is a little section on foraging - I would love to learn more - also you are inspireing me to start a blog, Ive been meaning to do one for ages.

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  93. Best of luck with the blog - there definitely aren't enough good ones on this topic! (Following you on GFC under the same name)

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  94. Rebecca Woodroof21 January 2013 at 15:46

    would love to give this a go!

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  95. Always thought foraging would be so interesting but never knew what was safe to pick.

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  96. followed you on twitter good luck with the blog xx

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  97. Great books and an excellent idea with rising prices

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  98. Would love to read these books :}

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  99. Good blog, good competition - thanks!

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  100. Great competition. These books look really interesting. Thanks :)

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  101. I'd love some foraging advice as so far I've been limited to wild garlic and picking brambles x

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  102. I'm following on Twitter - @WeeWillWilk

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  103. Love foraging - every year I get sloes, damsons, greengages and apples. Would love to expand my knowledge!

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  104. When I was little my Dad took me out collecting mushrooms and he knew exactly which ones to get but unfortunately I never got him to teach me before he died.

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  105. Would love to know more to extend my foraging safely - Currently limited to blackberries and elderflowers!

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  106. Following you on twitter too ( @pinkbee78 )

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  107. Love to forage :) Followed @huffyknickers

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  108. Foraging is one of my favourite past times

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  109. Good luck - this is a really interesting subject

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  110. Would love to win this, currently only forage berries as am not sure about distinguishing the rest, so would love these books!

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  111. Ooohh I do love a good forage. Have followed you on twitter as well.

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  112. Ooh lovely will pop you in my favourites as me and mum were talking about making sloe gin this year - apparently its nothing like gordons so i said i would help :)
    Following you on twitter - msmsaclark

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  113. Great giveaway, I've always loved the idea of foraging, but don't know very much about it!

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  114. I fancy foraging but wouldn't know where to start!

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  115. We forage blackberries but I would love to learn more and forage for other foods too. :-)

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  116. Also follow on Twitter!
    @Bookworm_Em

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  117. Thanks for the chance to win :)

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  118. As a foodie, keen gardener and nature lover I will be very interested to follow and see what gems you can pass on.

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  119. Following on twitter @pompeypaul30

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  120. I'd love to win a copy of this book. I recently decided to be a stay-at-home mum and I'm always looking for interesting things to do with my girls. We love being out and about, exploring so this would be perfect.

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    1. I should finish reading - I hadn't realised you were giving away a copy of both books. Mmmm Elderflower cheesecake sounds delicious.

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  121. Followed and retweeted @lighterson

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  122. Please put me into the draw - thank you xx

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  123. Following you on GFC as Gillian Holmes

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  124. Following you on Twitter as @gholmes724

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  125. I would love to win either one of these books. It really intrigues me how you can get things from foraging. Really want to make elderflower cordial.

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  126. Would like to win either book, they look lovely and I would love to learn more about foraging!

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  127. I've followed on twitter @starcatch3r

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  128. we have abundance sharing here in west london with windfalls from apple and pear trees

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  129. Would be great to go foraging and actually know what was good & bad.
    Also following on twitter @kevinlaing1

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  130. Would love to win this

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  131. Hubby would love these, he's always foraging round looking for free food in the hedgerows!

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  132. Sounds like my kind of blog. :o)

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  133. Tweeted from @HGThroughTheFog

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  134. would love to win as we walk in the woods every day and could be missing all kinds of amazing goodies that we don't know about!

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  135. ..........and followed on GFC

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  136. .......and on Twitter @drglynners

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  137. Thought your new blog would be elligible for the Liebster Award so I have nominated you. All bloggers with fewer than 300 followers are elligible. Now, looking at all your comments, I think I've boobed. Am sure you must have more than 300 already! If you haven't, it would be lovely if you could join in. You can read all about it at www.countryidyll.co.uk Be grateful if you could let me know if you can participate. Many thanks.

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  138. What a lovely idea (and a lovely book) - I'm a big fan of forraging not just for blackberries but also for elderflowers and berries, sloes, apples, rosehips, wild garlic ect and some new ideas (love the sound of elderflower cheesecake!) would be fantastic!

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