It’s been one of those idyllic summer days.

Early this morning with a picnic hamper packed, we headed out on a fresh produce hunt, with apricots top of mind.

First stop was Lowdina Orchards, where we bought 40 kilos of Moor Park apricots, excellent quality. Most of these we will bottle, halves in light syrup.

We came across Frankham Figs and left with a goodly number of their juicy figs to turn into fig and port paste.

We bought peaches, potatoes and garlic at various roadside stalls, and a real treasure of elderberries, picked from the tree of a generous friend.

Back in New Norfolk we enjoyed our picnic down on the Esplanade, such a pretty spot as the photos show.

(Lunch by the way, was simple fare – homemade beef curry and potato pies with tomato relish, apricot coconut shortcake and mugs of strong tea).

That’s enough relaxation though, a big day of preserving coming up tomorrow!