The Apple Man Cometh

We have had quite a good apple harvest this year

apples smaller than usual, because of the drought, but quite plentiful

We did more juicing than previously

We have a good store of Worcesters

Howgate Wonders

and Egremont Russets

among others.

But…

…every November there is a toot at the gate announcing the arrival of The Apple Man.

For fifty years he has been filling his van with orchard apples and bringing them to all corners of Wales. (His father before him used a horse and cart but probably did not range as far)

This year he brings more Howgates

bigger than ours

Plus

and trusty Coxes

He muses that for twice the cost of our purchase he filled up his van for his first run … and bought the van. Then he continues on his way.

This winter we will be fuelling ourselves with apple pie, baked apples

and other fortifying creations.

(Oh, and he brought pears too)

November…. Brrrr?

Today’s headlines:

“Records were also broken in Scotland, where the mercury hit 19.1C in Lossiemouth, and Northern Ireland, where temperatures reached 17.4C in Magilligan. Wales was the only UK nation where daily temperature records were not broken.”

humph, why are we left out?

“The record-breaking daytime temperatures came after another set of temperature records were broken overnight, with Northern Ireland and Scotland recording their highest November minimum temperatures, at 14.5C and 14.6C respectively.”

Well:

our minimum last night was 12.5 degrees, and we are at nearly 1000 feet.

The Saffron Crocus is meant to flower at this time

But these dandelions

have just appeared

The Aubretia

obviously thinks it is Spring and the Campanula

is joining in.

The Welsh Poppy

is cheerful whatever the weather (obviously).

Transhumance

The moon is getting bigger.

Full in three days when it is sometimes called the Frost Moon. Last year we had two nights of frost in November (down to minus 2) and the year before just one (minus 1) – all at the month end – so we don’t hold out much hope for it.

However, it is time for the rabbits to leave their summer camp

and say goodbye to their neighbours.

Being rabbits, they are not too sure of change

and would prefer to put their heads in a bucket

The hedgehogs have already moved on and no longer visit their night time buffet

The rabbits pass their new neighbour Dora, who lives in the sanatorium

and enter their winter quarters.

They cheer up when they view the facilities

Kitchenette with Radio 4 and additional heating

Fridge full of rabbit food

and start to settle in.

Getting use to indoor play

with just an occasional wistful look outside