A blackthorn winter down on the farm

 

The hedgerows with an abundance of blackthorn in bloom. The white blossom gives rise to the old country adage blackthorn winter . . . the white flower may be seen as snow. The grass is lush and the dandelions are spectacular this year.

 

Dandelion flowers are used for making, in the home, a wine, and sometimes another wine called dandelion whiskey  and the fruit of the blackthorn, sloes, are used for making slow gin.