- REPORT: Wild Food Walk


Marcus Harrison from the Wild Food School based in Lostwithiel, Cornwall very kindly agreed to take two parties from the Slow Food Cornwall Convivium on a guided Wild Food Walk at Lord and Lady St Germans estate at Port Eliot recently.

Despite torrential rain two groups of hardy folk faced the elements and trekked around the estate searching for wild edible plants that could be used the following day at the Brunch to be hosted by Lord and Lady St Germans.

It was a most interesting walk and Marcus was very knowledgeable about his subject. Even though we had quite small children in our party he took the time to explain to us all how to look for the various plants and warned us not to sample anything without first checking with him as to whether it was safe to eat or not. He soon had the children splashing along merrily under their huge stripey red and white umbrellas eagerly searching for wild garlic and thistles.

Great shouts of glee would emerge as they found a green shoot or leaf and we would all gather around to help pick the spoils!!

It was a morning of great enjoyment and fun and we all picked quite a wide variety of herbs and plants that included, primroses, violets, thistles, wild garlic, lesser celandine! We walked through large open fields, leafy woodlands and along the side of a tidal river estuary - so there was much to see and do for young and old alike.

After two hours of happily foraging for goodies we all returned back to the house rather muddy and dishevelled but with glowing faces and baskets and bags full of our leafy spoils!

It was agreed by all that it was a most worthwhile and entertaining morning and that we would all do it again but maybe without the rain next time!!!


Helen Hatcher


QUOTES:

"It was a most excellent and relaxing event"
Ashley Wood, Food from Cornwall


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