Hawthorn tree again

That's very pretty, do you know what kind of hawthorn it is? I had a Washington Hawthorn for a while but ended up removing it because of the huge thorns.

Lol, I keep forgetting about the thorns when I'm working around it but it soon reminds me :-). This one is a Pauls Scarlet and I have just planted at the other end of border a Crimson Cloud. Funny thing is where I planted the Crimson Cloub, I have just spent 2 weeks working till most nights nearly 10pm trying to dig up lots of Blackthorn. They are very evasive and send out tons of runners. Best place for them is in hedgerows. Previous owners had not dug this corner in years so it was full of them. Saying that, the Blackthorn berries, Sloes, are good for making Sloe Gin lol.

That's funny, I had never heard of Blackthorn before so I had to look it up. They sound like a pain, are the berries good for anything else? It's hard to imagine them being edible if they're used in gin haha. The Paul's Scarlet hawthorn is very pretty, I have never seen that one flowering before. How large are the thorns on those? My Washington Hawthorn had 2 inch thorns that could puncture a lawn mower tire, when I got my younger dog I had to remove it to prevent her from getting hurt. She's a bit clumsy and careless playing fetch.

Sloe Gin is mainly a home made thing. Really easy other then getting lots of war wounds when picking. You take a pound of berries, sugar and 1 litre gin. Piece each berry, put in big jar, add other ingredients, seal jar and put in dark area. Shake every now and again, then ready to drink in about 8 weeks but better if left longer. I then put into small bottles and give as xmas presents. Then I take the drained off berries and pour a bottle of red wine and more sugar, reseal and leave for about 5 weeks. Sieve off wine, add some brandy and this makes Sloe Port. You then can take the berries which have 1st been in the gin, then wine, spread on a baking tray, pour melted chocolate over, let set, break into bits, then eat being careful on stones inside the Sloes lol. I did plum vodka this year as well, doing it the same. I don't really even drink but gave it all away lol. Sloes are very bitter but with lots of sugar, can make jam as well. To tell the truth not notice that the thorns being that big on the Pauls Scarlet, just know they are there as I've put my hand on the tree. Ben is a bit the same, if something there to hurt himself on he will. Spent Boxing Day (26th December, holiday over here) at the vets as he cut his top pad and had to have stitches.