The sloes are slow

well we have been looking forward to making our 1st batch of sloe gin all year,we know where all the bushes are.we went to a spot where last year they were in copious amounts,this year we went out last weekend pots bags etc all well prepared only to be very disapointed to find barely a handfull.oh well roll on next year.we are in watford by the way

Well it looks like my local area is devoid of sloes; I've had it confirmed by other villagers.  But my OH found a healthy supply around 20 miles away - strange that.  Wish he'd thought to pick some for me whilst he was there.  I was moaning about the lack of sloe to a bloke who was desperately looking for them in Kircudbrightshire, where I go on holiday.  He said when there is a bad sloe year, he uses cranberries instead, which he gets fresh from the supermarket.  Festive I guess, but not the same as that 'Oh this is made from real Suffolk sloes that I picked myself!' boast!