Berry but not Mary

Back to Yew Hill this morning for a shot of hawthorn (yes, I couldn't resist getting in an autumn kindergarten-nature-table-type berry shot!). It was, as you can see, rather pretty at that point in the day, but as I type this around 4.30pm there's a cracking thunder and rain storm going on outside. So clearly I chose the right moment..

In his 1970s book Food for Free Richard Mabey says of these berries,
"They make a moderate jelly, but being a dry fruit need a long simmering with a few crab apples to bring out all the juices and provide the necessary pectin. Otherwise the jelly will be sticky and rubbery. It is a good accompaniment to cream cheese.
Personally I prefer haws eaten straight off the bush. Their creamy flesh, stripped off the central stone, is not unlike sweet potato"

Mmm, think I'll stick to Mary Berry and the 'Great British Bake Off' (Brit TV for those of you clever enough not to who don't live here). xx