Without Q around, it took Fendog several weeks to re-assemble the cider press and pulper in his back yard. But finally its all set up and he he has vowed never to move it again. Its a absolute monster.

After a tip-off from the Parson, Fendog, Gogs and I hit the Aston’s Eyot nature reserve to do some scrumping. We soon found a tree laden with apples and set to work…

We collected about three wheelbarrows full of apples and took them back to the Lab in the back of my car (which still smells pretty fruity). And then the fun and games began.

The pulper is lethal and required careful lid co-ordination to prevent the entire garden being showered with apple. Fendog’s housemates are of the opinion that we failed on this score.

After mincing the apples we made the cheeses by lining a mould with hessian and pressing the pulp into it. These were then placed into the press between wooden boards and the pressure applied either with the screw-jack or the bottle jack.

And hey-presto the juice is collected in a suitable vessel. We managed to do about 5 gallons that afternoon before getting bored. I took a bit to drink as juice and the rest was left to ferment naturally without adding any yeast or sugar.

Two summers ago, I happened to discover a couple of plum trees in the wild, not far from the lane by a village just south of Oxford. They were absolutely laden with fruit and the ground around them was ankle deep in plums. In half an hour I collected several carrier bags full which was ample supply for a spot of wine making, jam making, and a batch of plum brandy.

I went back to them yesterday and found them completely fruitless. They seemed to have some sort of problem as all the shoots were withered and there was no sign that any of the fruit had set. Maybe they hadn’t even flowered.

Anyway, I need to find an alternative plum supply. If you know of any other trees in the area, let me know.