On Sunday, a little over a year since our last visit, we headed back to the berry farms in Abbotsford to pick some summer fruit. But first, there was a lunch stop at Lepp Farm Market, where their Corn Festival was in full swing. The place was full of families, many of them from the farms around the valley, out enjoying an idyllic summer Sunday. There was a barbecue, and corn aplenty, fresh, grilled, and popped. And for folks who can’t have enough sweet corn and want to show it, a corn eating contest!  There were lots of fun activities for kids too, including a petting zoo, rocks to climb, and giant tractors to clamber about in.

As tempting as it was to linger and enjoy the fun at Lepp, the fruit was calling. So, off we went to the farm, where Damon Warkentin was waiting to direct us to the blackberries, strawberries and plums that were ready for picking.

There have been some changes since our last visit, the main one being a number of bee boxes on the property, and the flowers on the wild blackberry bushes that lie at the far end on the farm were positively buzzing with activity. With a little luck, there will be a first gathering of blackberry and blueberry blossom honey in a couple of weeks from now.

The strawberries are wonderful this year, but they’re just as much effort to pick as ever. Taking advantage of a polite offer by Damon, we wiggled out of the “hard on the knees and back” strawberry picking, in favour of strolling between rows of conveniently situated (and thornless!) blackberry canes. The lone plum tree positively threw its perfectly ripe fruit at us, leaving us with the simple task of bagging as much as we needed, between breaks to feast on the juicy fruit. “Lean forward!” is the practical bit of advice we were given by our host, and we took it!

Several idyllic hours later, taking our cue from the bees that were returning to their hives for the night, it was time to head home.

Recipe for a blissful day

• Take the Fraser Valley on a late summer afternoon, warm, with lightly cloudy skies, and a gentle breeze blowing
• Add as much ripe, fragrant fruit as you can pick and eat
• Mix gently with the company of wonderful friends
• Take the long way home

Nourishes many souls

Until next time.

And back at home, there’s jam to be made 🙂