. . and Pear Day

It does pears as well.

Henry's mother always called them "bottling pears" - but as I have never bottled anything, I tried freezing them a few years ago, and they come out perfect to serve with ice cream etc. They don't keep unless preserved in some way. One year we picked tons and put away in a cool place in boxes and baskets. A few weeks later, they looked OK from the outside, but had gone rotten from the core outwards. Perhaps we'll try Perry one year if we can knock up some sort of crush. Years ago I made cider by putting chopped apples in a pillowcase and putting through an old mangle (Acme of course). All went well, until there was just too much in one end of the pillowcase and it burst. We still made the cider - a bit rough but very drinkable.

The pear tree has been growing at Strickley probably at least as long as Robinsons have been here(1875). This photograph was taken in 1914, and it looks well established then. It continues to thrive - but maybe that's because of what's underground rather near it. You don't want to know.