2/3 of this batch were the red apples from the top orchard planted by me and the trees I planted by the river. The remainder were from the older orchard by the river, slightly less sweet but still fantastic. The blue machine is a scratter which turns the apples into a pulp which we then press and bottle.
Joshua and I now have 4 litres freezing so it can be used throughout the winter. The remaining bottles from batch 1 and from this batch will go off within two weeks so we enjoy them with supper each night.
Joshua and I now have 4 litres freezing so it can be used throughout the winter. The remaining bottles from batch 1 and from this batch will go off within two weeks so we enjoy them with supper each night.
All the newer trees are now clean but the old orchard is still heaving with apples for stewing with cloves and then freezing to accompany my breakfast oats throughout the winter. As of yesterday the kids and I have also harvested the last damsons and now have 4 litres of damson gin and 4 litres of slow gin sitting there waiting to be decanted and bottled for Christmas presents
There are still pears to be harvested and one crabapple tree to make a bit more jelly. I might do some rhubarb and ginger jam with the last of the rhubarb. Meanwhile the tomatoes are starting to ripen as are the chillies and we are still wading our way through marrows and courgettes.
The temptation to get a polytunnel and chicken coop and ramp up the self sufficiency is growing by the day.
