As I write this blog post the nation is in the clutch of a icy arctic blast during the run up to Christmas, with the thermometer hovering at a chilling minus seven.

If that isnt enough, its the time of year when we transform all the fruit we froze into jams for next years sales, fruit like damsons, quince, blackberries and rhubarb. But you dont have to worry about us being chilled to the bone.... The preserve making process is just the job for cold winter days because with the hobs alight to soften the fruit and then make the jam, plus the ovens heated to warm the sugar and sterilise the jars, our kitchen is anything but cold! In fact, only yesterday we were busy making Cider Blackberry Jam and in addition to the roof vents being wide open and the extractor fan running hard, we still had to open the back door from time to time to cool things down.

But, our preserve making for 2022 is now at an end and our preserving pans have been put away ready for the Christmas break.

Thank you for all your custom during a season which saw a return to normality after two "pandemic years'.

That just leaves us wishing you a lovely Christmas and a happy New Year (which for us means only one thing - Marmalade!).