Warners Gin 'Sloe Amnesty', and Harrington to Arthingworth Triangular Walk

 

Over the last couple of weeks I have been busy scouring the local hedgerows in search of Sloes. Sloes are the fruit of the Blackthorn (Prunus Spinosa). I've got a few scratches too, as a result of the long sharp thorns. My foraging travels have taking me to Strixton, Walgrave, Sywell Woods, Brackmills Woods and my home patch at Crow Fields Moulton. 

Armed with a 25 litre container full of of the precious Sloes we made the short journey to the village of Harrington. We are at the home of the famous 'Warner's Gin Distillery' 'Falls Farm'. 

Since 2012 the good people of Warner's have been producing high quality Gin from the family farm. Many of the ingredients and botanical's are grown on the premises too. In exchange for our haul of Sloes the good people of Warner's will exchange for bottles of their own produce, hence a 'Sloe Amnesty'.  

The first step on arrival is the 'weigh in'! The container goes on the scales and the reading comes back as 16kg which is a bit more than I had expected actually.

Once weighed the Sloes are then tipped unceremoniously into a huge vat of Gin. Here they will stay for a good 4-6 weeks as they infuse with the Gin providing wonderful flavour and colour. It is often said that Sloes shouldn't be picked until the first frost has been. However the same effect can be achieved by freezing and this also saves the tedious process of pricking or forking individually.

The exchange rate for the sloe amnesty worked out as follows.

Up to 5kg - A 5cl bottle

5kg - 9.9 kg - A 20cl bottle 

For every 10kg - A 70cl bottle

We received a 70 cl bottle of Sloe Gin, and a 20cl bottle of the Harrington Dry Gin. I also purchased a discounted bottle of the Lemon Balm Gin. The ingredients of Lemon Balm, Lemon Verbena,Lemon Thyme, Juniper, Coriander Seed, Lemon Peel, Angelica Root, Liquorice, Bee Pollen, Pink Peppercorn, Grapefruit, Cinnamon and Lavender were too much to resist!

Rhubarb in the Botanical Garden

It's lovely sitting in the Botanical Garden enjoying the sunshine with a 'Hot Toddy'. Of course it's no ordinary mulled wine being Warner's. This is a beast of a beverage with Sloe Gin, Apple Juice, Star Anise, Orange pieces and cinnamon sticks. 

I catch up with owner Tom Warner too who tells me that there is a Fete going on at the Village Hall next door. I like a tombola as much as the next man so popped in to check it out. After getting several quizzical looks from those gathered a well spoken Gentleman inquired as to why I had gatecrashed the village get together! It was clear that I was definitely 'persona non grata' Neither the offer of a sausage roll let alone a drink were forthcoming. 

I made my exit trying to remain as dignified as possible. Thanks Tom !

 

The scenery around Harrington is spectacular there is no doubt about it. Moving on from Warner's we picked up the footpath almost opposite and headed towards Arthingworth. It is a lovely early Autumn day. The trees are still in full leaf as we cross the old bridge over the River Ise. 

 

We continue into the village of Arthingworth, past the church and to 'The Bull' for a pint.

We back tracked to the same field but took a different path back across fields. I have done a similar walk before I'm sure, there is probably a blog write up somewhere on the list.

Lots of open countryside and big skies and nobody else around, perfect. Just the odd Red Kite and Buzzard circling the blue skies above.

The path takes us to the road, which goes to Thorpe Underwood if you choose to carry on. We take the bend and make the uphill climb back into Harrington passing the Tollemache Arms and the church. The festivities at the Village Hall all seem to have died down now. Not an empty Chardonnay bottle or 'Vol Au Vent' to be seen. Can't help but think if it was Moulton it would be just getting into it's stride!

It has been a great afternoon though. Enjoyed visiting the Warner's Farm Distillery for the first time. Hopefully the 'Open Days' will start soon and we can pop over for a proper tour. 

The 'triangular' walk was very enjoyable too and came in at just under 5 miles of fairly easy walking.