Urban Diary

Summary

Mario López-Goicoechea shares his experience of collecting elderflowers with his girlfriend in the Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve and the ensuing interactions with strangers, while promoting his book and inviting readers to support him on Medium.

Abstract

The author, Mario López-Goicoechea, recounts a personal anecdote of foraging elderflowers with his girlfriend in the Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve, a place he had previously visited with schoolchildren. The couple's activity attracts the attention of passersby, leading to friendly exchanges. The narrative ties into the author's Cuban and Londoner identity and his book, "Cuban, Immigrant, and Londoner," which is available for purchase. He also extends an invitation for readers to show their support by buying him a coffee or joining Medium through his referral link.

Opinions

The author seems to enjoy the communal aspect of foraging in public spaces, as evidenced by the interactions with strangers.
He values the natural beauty of the Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve, indicating its significance as a local haven for wildlife and a place for community engagement.
The author is proud of his cultural identity, as suggested by the title of his book and his enthusiasm for sharing his heritage through his writing.
He appreciates the support of his readers, offering them ways to contribute to his work, such as buying his book, buying him a coffee, or joining Medium via his referral link.

An English garden-scented recipe

They’re behind you! The elderflowers are behind you! (photo by author)

“Between ten and fifteen elderflower heads, zest of a lemon, sugar, and of course, vodka.” It’s not the first time my girlfriend’s been stopped by strangers when they see us collecting elderflowers. This time it’s a couple of smiling women, out on a stroll on a warm spring afternoon in the Woodberry Wetlands Nature Reserve.

Funny that although both my other half and I live very close to this wildlife-rich, reed-fringed, natural beauty, we’ve never been here together before. Just a few weeks ago, I was on the other side of the pond with a group of children cycling back to their school.

I still remember the puzzled looks on their faces when I declared, staring at the trees ahead: “Elderflower time’s here!”

You can buy me a coffee here.

Urban Diary

An English garden-scented recipe

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