Bad backs and bleeding fingers

...but all in all a wonderful day out in the wooded mountains gathering chestnuts!

Chris and Brenda have made this an annual ritual, taking bags of chestnuts home to Yorkshire in the Autumn to enjoy by winter fires. They knew a great spot, as you can see. There are plenty to go round, and others had been there before us as many of the prickly pods were empty, but more kept falling as we gathered. I don't like wearing gloves, especially when I'm hot, so I paid with bleeding fingers. Brenda had to watch her back. But it was well worth it as we brought back bags of the beautiful big glossy nuts.


Then the best bit - we went to the wonderful Botanical Gardens restaurant for lunch!

And the views are spectacular too!

http://www.botanical-park.com