In search of sloes...

The Man, the dog and I went for a a walk today around Bob's field to get some sloes to make sloe gin. We had a lovely walk, but got very muddy - and all the sloes had gone!
Apparently according to the River Cottage website they challenge the rule that you should pick them after the first frost, and suggest that you pick them as soon as you see them before some other bugger gets them! Seems we were too late!