The 'Lycra' Brigade

St Boniface. Friday, 5th June, 2020

I broke my usual pandemic timetabled routine again today. When out last Tuesday I had noted that the elder flower was coming in to bloom. On my stroll yesterday I saw more in flower so  arranged for a friend who was to visit today to bring lemons. I rose early and instead of staying in pyjamas I dressed. It was blustery and the Tay was being whipped up by the wind. The clouds scurried but fortunately a little sun shone periodically. The pundits tell me that it is important to pick elder flowers early and when they  are dry and preferably in the sunshine as this brings out the pollen and thereby the taste. 

By 9.30am I was on my way with secateurs and collecting bag. I came across many cyclists: the Lycra brigade, the rally brigade, the social brigade, the I-must-exercise brigade, the best-way-to-see-the-countryside brigade and the need-to-entertain-the-kids brigade.

I came across the dog walkers. I know it is ridiculous but I do match dogs to owners so you will be able to imagine the owners of 1. The poodle, 2. The three Labradors, 3. The Scottie, 4. The grey hounds, 5. The Great Dane, 6. The scruffy mongrel, 7. The sheep dog, 8. The Jack Russell. 

I came across the exercisers in the park: in all six of them. Physical jerks, sweat inducing robotics, running on the spot at varying speeds and a sort of yoga movement, which even I might just be able to manage but not in the impressive convoluted and tortured form I witnessed.

Then the ordinaries like me: just to breathe fresh air, to have a change of scene and to take a little exercise. The families had not yet appeared en masse. I relished snipping the elder flower heads, in sunshine by luck, but wondered if it was legal! 

Only yesterday I was given the following information by a radio listening friend: do not use heads that are brown, shake heads to dislodge bugs, strip flowers from the stalks with a fork, do not pick in the rain or when wet as it is the pollen that gives the distinctive taste. I picked twenty heads and found the smell intoxicating (an apposite word if you make elder flower champagne!) 

The mixture, as I write this, has been made. I have not used citric acid this time as I will finish the cordial within a month and the acid is for preserving. 2 kilos of sugar, four lemons, flower heads (twenty sufficient at this volume) and two litres of boiling water poured over the cut up and squeezed lemons and to dissolve the sugar. Stir and leave for twenty four hours. I have had a little taste and fear it may be too sweet....but I will wait and adjust for the next batch. 

I feel good, refreshed and as if life can be gentle and without trauma. Taking that little bit of time out has been a true tonic! Seeing all those other humans made me feel less alone and isolated. Making the cordial was a positive and purposeful achievement. I know things are challenging and hellish for many at the moment, I know life is changed deeply but I needed that little bit of normal to make it all manageable. It refreshed me as will the cordial.