Off to California

Off to California (in the morning.....)

Cider is made (7,000 L happily bubbling away), we (Welsh Mountain Cider) have finished our last market for the season and we're just running around finishing last minute jobs before we leave.

Before we leave we'll need to turn off our wind turbine and drain our water system down in case it gets really cold.  I've wrapped up our remaining stock in bottles really well, so hopefully all will be okay while we're away (the cold has only been a problem when it's been -18 for a few weeks, and I don't think that's likely this year ).  We've got a new security system at our cider shed and nice neighbors to keep an eye on things, but it's still feels weird leaving.

Welsh Mountain Cider Best Dressed Stall at Royal Welsh Winter Fair

The weather has been crazy here.  The wind is blowing, it's been off and on pouring rain, hailing and occasionally snowing.  We haven't blown away yet (I'm not sure about Paul and Steve, I haven't seen them yet today), but I'm not convinced that we won't one of these days.  When your home is a 36' showman's wagon, and you only have outdoor compost toilets,  you become much more intimate with the weather, especially in the Welsh hills at 1250 feet.
It is great having wind, I'm not complaining.  It has been so still this summer and autumn that we've been having to run the generator more than I'd like for power.  Now we've got three banks of full batteries and plenty of power for our central heating so we've got a super toasty home.

View of Prospect Orchard from Moelfre

Everything here is so much a part of us it is hard to get away.  My polytunnel is filled with lovely salad and winter greens.  We've got sacks and sacks of potatoes, tons of leeks and lots of other lovely fruit and veg to eat.  Salad keeps going really well in the winter polytunnel, so I know that it'll all still be here when I get back, and we've got a freezer full of fruit and veg as well that will wait for my return.  I'm hoping I don't have any break down and cry because there is no real food in the supermarket moments again this trip, but I have a feeling it might happen at least once.

Winter Salad

But I am really looking forward to going back to California and seeing all of my lovely friends and family!!!  I can't believe it has been two years since I've been back, it's the longest I've ever been away.  I hope everyone is as excited to see me as I am to see them.  I'm really looking forward to playing music with lovely folks, eating my weight in Mexican food and checking out some other California Cider makers.