Apple harvest means cider making time, my favourite day of the year when family and friends come to help and celebrate the abundance of juicy, tasty apples of the season.

This weekend was no exception – with the weather perfect, not even a chill in the air until mid afternoon.

Huge thanks to everyone who came along.

Very special thanks to granddaughter Tilley who from very early morning helped prepare a range of savouries and sweets for everyone (including mixing a wonderful 20-cups-of-flour pizza dough).

It was an excellent day with dozens of pizzas baked in the outdoor oven and lots of mulled cider to drink.

At end of day when everyone had had their fill of pizzas, the last of the dough was unceremoniously thrown into bread tins to make two rustic loaves.

Poor Puppy Poppy was exhausted by nightfall – she had the most wonderful day playing with the children and enjoying endless pats and cuddles from the adults.

Several kegs of apple cider are already starting to bubble, along with an afterthought apple/ cherry cider. This last was made from the overnight drainings of apple juice mixed with cherry juice we preserved at end of last season.

There’s a crate or two of apples left, which will be peeled, cored, sliced and preserved within the next few days, ready to be used in cakes, pies strudels, tarts and crumbles in coming months.

So all that remains to be said is …… bring on next apple harvest season. It never disappoints.