Does my bum look big in this???

I know its a little belated, but worth showing off. This is the latest trend in cider making gear... it is actually very warm and waterproof:

Now, this was a Christmas present. I asked for (and I quote my words as closely as I can remember them); "Something that I can throw on to press apples - it needs to be waterproof and a jacket I don't care if it gets really dirty. 'Cos it will!". Somewhere in my parents head, this must have turned into "I am a farmer and I need a really nice new jacket, with matching wax trousers. I might even save it for best".

Needless to say, I have used it for pressing - as per photo above. And, who would have believed it - it got bogging with apple bits and juice. But then I hosed it down and it has come up really well. So I guess it was a result after all. Not sure I will be allowed to wear it for best though!

It's Snow Joke!

As it was so pretty, but blooming cold, I figured I would take some pictured of my final day of pressing to show off on here. The images will also be available through the website gallery that I spent so long over Christmas on (whilst unable to press apples through being at the in-laws)

This last batch were the very late Fruitwise stored dessert fruit. These were picked for market but unsold – I normally get them as the very last apples to press, they are very well bletted (soft) and provide a welcome break to the grubby cider fruit I had spent the previous month working my way through. These will go into Hampshire Heritage to balance the blend to 50/50.

Fortunately the hosepipe didn't freeze... to much!

Ice Racks

Pressing went on!

The last apples. This isn't how they are normally stored!

"Would you like ice in your cider?" - I guess the washing water was cold!

Pretty, but tricky!