The Team had an excellent day yesterday ay our first “Fruits, Roots and Cider” day. Lots of regular faces.
The day started out a bit grey and windy with even a few bits of rain. We thought we were in for a damp day but it soon brightened up into a gorgeous day.

Huw started the day off with his customary meet and greet, then Steve took over and started the foray. We had not even reached the gateway before the first fruits were gathered, some hips and damsons. Steve gave us an excellent talk on the differences between sloes, damsons and bullaces. Moving on up the path we soon started picking lots of blackberries, haws and elderberries. Much was remarked on the difference in blackberries, with some have a tart sharp flavour and others having a fuller sweet smooth taste. Again Steve’s excellent knowledge was put to the test with a discourse on the various species.
Some ingenuity had to be used as the modern practice of threshing the hedgerows leaves the fruit at a rather high level.

Then it was across the field to dig up some roots, both hogweed and horseradish were added to the haul.

After that it was back to camp for a well earned cuppa and further discussion on fruits and roots by Steve.

Then it was all steam ahead for the cider! Huw has a small orchard on the farm and we soon gathered a bushel or two of apples, both eating and cooking varieties.

The kids had great fun feeding the apple chopper hoppper.

to produce the aptly named apple “porridge”

Then it was over to the press for the first of many layers.

Soon we had a production line with everyone involved.

And let me tell you the apple juice produced was a taste of heaven!

After that we went on to make a few things with the produce we had gathered. Steve made a summer pudding with the blackberries, followed by some damson and blackberry jam. Then we all had a go making and eating blackberry pancakes.

A few guests had brought along other stuff to show, myself bring blackberry wine, red pepper jam and onion relish. Mike brought along some spicy haw jam and blackberry chutney. There was also blackberry jelly and Huw’s birch sap wine, as well as Ben’s excellent refreshing fresh-made lemonade!

All in all a most fantastic day!