If it seems I’ve been a bit quiet of late, here is the reason why – in and around classes in the cooking school here I’ve made almost 300 bottles of cordials for an order – blackberry, cumquat and elderflower.

Also, on the stall at our gate this morning – there will be loaves of rye bread and barley bread. I’m about to start baking and have in mind some gooseberry and blueberry muffins, tartuffins even. All will be available from 11.30am. Oh yes, there are new preserves too – apricot chutney amongst them, and green tomato pickle.