Berries Berries Berries

Westham Island is reknown for its winter migratory bird sanctuary. It is also reknown for its berries. Berry season began at the beginning of June and was heralded in this weekend with the annual strawberry festival at Bissett Berry Farm and Winery.

The strawberry festival was a surprisingly small affair really - very country, with its homemade wares and cooking, a sausage sizzle and strawberry shortcake (sponge cake, stewed cold strawberries and ice cream). I also learnt a lot about bees from a representative form the Department of Agriculture (bee culture is very interesting I might add).

There was also a U-pick strawberries going, and the promise of raspberries, blackberries, blueberries, gooseberries, plums, tayberries and apples, as the season progressed. We managed to gather 6 pounds of fresh strawberries for $4.50 - very tasty tonight I am sure!

All in all, there are three berry farms on Westham Island, all of which will be getting good patronage from us. We hope to freeze raspberries, when they are ready, and save some dollars over the winter when one bag of frozen raspberries cost over $6.