Berry Foraging

On occasion you will see people picking blackberries along the Burke Gilman trail in Seattle. But I've always thought of this as a rarity in the city. For one, Seattlites are primarily limited to the non-native and inaccurately named Himalayan Blackberry. I can't help but wonder if this is just another attempt, albeit more passive, to beat back the throngs of vines and thorns. Or perhaps it is a way to find some positive aspect to this invasive plant. In either case, the sweet berries are surely a treat!

I have other friends who are avid foragers, and not just for berries, but for mushrooms, or herbs to make tinctures and salves. This is even a more elite group as they have the skill and knowledge to identify and use their pickings. I aspire to such skill, not simply for the products but for the simple and pure joy of foraging. My experience has been that as a novice forager it is somewhat difficult to see what you are looking for. Then, and quite suddenly, your eyes adjust and easily focus upon the particular type of mushroom or berry or flower that you seek. It becomes a real treasure hunt!

Yet, in Norway foraging is not for the knowledgeable few or the quirky urbanites plucking the low hanging fruit. Indeed, it seems a regular family summer or fall outing to walk into the forest or fields to forage. In mid-summer they pick wild strawberries, then come the wild blueberries and raspberries, and with the first turn of autumn come the mushrooms.

Ever inspired to experience Norway in the Norwegian fashion, Karl and I headed into the hills (known as Nordmarka) around Oslo to walk and pick berries. We set out rather modestly with one container and at first it seemed too ambitious as the pickings were slim (we were certainly not the first to forage here, you see). But then, as we explored further and our eyes adjusted to see blueberries and raspberries, we found we could easily fill our container.

Karl foraging for raspberries

Our initial slim pickings...soon it was near full!

  

After a while our fingers and mouths were berries stained (after all, all of the berries did not make it into our container!), and we were content with our pickings. We made plans for berries with cream and honey.

As we walked toward Frognerseteren, where we could catch the bus back into the city, we came upon a lovely view over Oslo and upper Oslofjord and an old cottage. 

View of Oslo from near Frognerseteren

Hytte (cottage) in Frognersetern