We have a very large, and very old pear tree in our Perry Vale garden.

This year the parakeets failed to destroy the fruit, so we collected a ridiculous amount of fruit (30kg+) and used it to make everything from pear vodka to jams, chutneys, cakes and more. The trouble with large trees is that you have to get a climbing harness and rope out to reach the fruit

We had plans to make perry, even going as far as visiting and chatting with perry makers in Herefordshire. Sadly the remaining fruit turned before we could use it.