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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

In some alternative reality, why this song from my yoof has been an earworm through a sleepless night, may make sense. Still a cracking choon though. youtu.be/2uH5AhFh8UI?...

youtu.be

Rock Lobster

YouTube video by The B-52's - Topic

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

After trekking to the Copper/Bronze age stone circle at Duddo, it was disappointing to find no virgins to sacrifice. So we plodded on to the village of Etal & The Black Bull, purveyors of fine ales & good food. Pints of Durty Brewing's "Gold Run" & Firebrick's "Pagan Queen" went down very well. 😋

Duddo stone circle looking West to the late afternoon sun.

The sign for The Black Bull in Etal, Northumberland - the only thatched pub in the county. A pint glass of Durty Brewing "Gold Run" beer in the foreground.

The sun setting behind Etal castle, which sits at the side of the River Till, viewed from the pub.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

@mnkybridgecider.bsky.social These are the "other" apples mixed in with the Tom Putts. Write it down quick before I forget again 😂 I knew that although a "dessert" I wouldn't have planted it if it wasn't also good for cider. 👌 Thanks for the memory jog, Barry. 👍

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

The one near Bendor was nearly wiped out in Jan when a HGV skidded on snow & ice, crashed through the hedge & stopped on its side just short of the stone... Charmed life.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Also - & chuffing annoyingly - way too many of such like are on "private property".

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Good for the old cardio-whatsit 👍 There are a number of Battle Stones local to here. That one was originally raised during the early Bronze Age (c. 2400–2000 BC) as part of a wider ceremonial / ritual landscape. But then "adopted" for a 1415 skirmish between Anglo & Scos forces. Take your pick. 🙂

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

So: get the Slow Cooker going & then stretch our legs.👌 Just under 7 miles in total & just under 3hrs - we spent an hour picking Sloes...🙄 Some of those hills are steep! Beautiful countryside right on our doorstep, complimented by great beers in the village pub - perfect finish. 😋🍻 #walking #sloes

Our route from Footpath signpost to Footpath signpost, plotted using the O.S. app. Worth every penny. 👍

Lovely woman & some old bloke pictured at the start of our descent.

On our descent deciding whether to follow the "high route" (metalled road) or "low route" (proper grass & mud path). We chose the latter. 👍

Back at Base Camp (Red Lion, Milfield) with a bag of hand-picked Sloes (Endrinas) + pints of hand pulled real ale.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

A chippy tea will help cheer us up. 👌😋 And maybe another pint...

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Bright sunshine swiftly changed to grey clouds - then rain stopped play.🫤 So as it's our last full day, a bit of shopping & packing, then retire to the pub. Local ales from Anarchy & Firebrick brewers going down well, & Stokey🐾 is very content with a bag of pork scratchings. Woof! #beer #micropub

Stokey 🐾 waiting patiently for The Word to devour her pork scratching. 🍺

Action shot - surprisingly all of my fingers survived intact. 👌

Two pints of ale from local breweries. Unfortunately & unusually they are the only 2 on tonight.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Nice to see this prominently displayed today.👍 Chatting to the staff, it lists what they are both keen to & will uphold. 👌 I did point out that "Fosters" needs company, such as Lilley's & assorted shite "fruit ciders", plus kak such as Madri et al. #basicdecency #liferules #standards

List of basic zero-tolerance rules displayed behind the bar in the Brewis Beer Co. brewery.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

No ice creams today...😮☹️😳 But a circular walk along the coast then overland to Brewis Beer Co. for pints of excellent beers & yummy fresh-cooked pizza from Lucca pizza co. Nom nom nom. Oh - & Stokey says free dog-biscuits to die for, made from the spent grain used in the brewery. 😋🐾 #BskyBeer

We miscalculated the time to complete the walk. Waiting for opening time @ 16.00.

Nice to see easily identifiable entrance doors.

An impressive beer board. Can't say the same about the one "cider".

The pizzas were excellent. I tried the Porter (L) & the Stout (R). The stout had it, so finished with a pint of this: "Endeavour" by Brewis, so 'home-grown'. 5.4% ABV & most importantly for me, both Porter & Stout had zero Coffee notes. Yay! 😋

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Surely the camera tips the balance..? A gazillion brownie points...? 🤔

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

"I chuffin' swear Australia is down here somewhere...!"

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

"Where's the dog..?" "No idea. Isn't she with you?" "No..." ~~~~~~~~~~ Stokey🐾: "You go ahead & I'll catch you up. Still trying to find Australia..!"

Dog in the middle distance frantically digging in the sand.......

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

Afternoon in 3 pints: Walk to Warkworth & the Castle Brew House. But none of their beers available! So had only cask ale on from Anarchy Brew Co. After exploring village, into the Hermitage Inn for pints of Wainwright's Gold. Then steady walk back to Amble for ice creams & now more Anarchy beers.

Sat outside Castle Brew House across the road from Warkworth Castle.

Pint of Wainwright's Gold by the fireplace in The Hermitage Inn.

Post ice cream pints of Anarchy Brew Co ales in Amble.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

An afternoon in 3 acts: The tide was out, so a walk along the beach from our front door following the coastal path to the far end of Hauxley beach; then hot foot it back along the beach to Spurelli's for today's ice cream ration. 😋🍦 Now relaxing outside in the warm late afternoon sun with a pint. 😋👌

Quick photo opportunity with a British Standard Rock that was on hand while the tide was out.

Today's ice cream ration was thoroughly savoured.

Excellent beers once again to tie up the day.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I must confess my sins.😂 I followed that up with Honeycomb & Chocolate - after all, we missed out yesterday so needed two today to make up the count. 😋👌

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

En route to Spurreli's Maison de la Glace, where The Goode Wyffe had Bubblegum & Sea Buckthorn ice cream, while I had Rhubarb Crumble & Chocolate. 😋 Then into The Harbour Inn for a couple of different ales brewed by Alnwick Brewery.🍻 Stokey very content to devour a packet of pork scratchings. 🐾👍

Photo opportunity on Amble Pier (south jetty), at the side of Warkworth harbour (River Cocquet). Warkworth Castle just visible middle-distance with the Cheviots rising behind.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Thanks for that.🙂 No big wall but space for posts & wires...🤔 These 2 images show details of 1) the "wild" Damson(?) with lots of growth from below soil level & 2) a Damson cultivar growing on a Pixy rootstock. I'm thinking the best plan is to sit back & see what happens. And what fruit #1 produces.

Lower part of young self-set Damson(?) bush showing many fresh shoots / suckers. Growth is strong.

Lower part of young Damson growing from graft onto a Pixy rootstock. Damson variety is "Blue Violet". Growth is "steady" as expected from Pixy rootstock.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Pffft! 🙄 A whole 5-odd hours spent answering questions from the "buyer's solicitor" this pm.. A few clearly copied from: "A British Standard Guide To Questions To Ask Of Someone Flogging A House. 2026 version". Luckily Stokey decided to drag us down to the pub for liquid sustenance & relief.🐾 #beer

Two almost-full fresh pulled pints of beer.

It was all her fault! She made us come here! 🐾

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

I do love a good G-gramp. 👌

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

Looking for advice from folk who grow #Damsons 🤔 This "self set" was growing under the canopy of our Merryweather. Yes: it may be 'orrid or amazing, may even revert to a Sloe🙄. Should I try to train it - or as I've just read "never train Damsons"..? Was thinking fan or espalier - but now..? #damson

Self-set young Damson growing on its own rootstock. 2 or 3 years old, transplanted winter of 25/26.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

First day of our annual "Ice Cream & Beer" pilgrimage to Amble, Northumberland.👌 Used to take us well over 3hrs to get here; now just over 50mins.👍 Excellent pale ales from Anarchy Brew Co "Midnight Metro" & Firebrick Brewery "Stella Spark" being enjoyed in the Cock & Bull micropub. #BskyBeer

Ice creams being consumed at Spurreli's in Amble, Northumberland. Bubblegum & Sea Buckthorn for her; Honeycomb & Chocolate for him.

Two pints of real ale at The Cock & Bull" in Amble. Crisps & dog treats optional...

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 12/09/2026

A very good, well balanced perry that we demolished last night, big thanks to @mnkybridgecider.bsky.social 👌 From Hellens Manor nr. Much Marcle, Ledbury 🇬🇧 A blend of perry pears including a high proportion of the eponymous Hellens Early perry pear, which originated here. Lovely stuff 😋 #perry 🍐🍐🍐

Bottle of perry, displaying the label - from Hellens Manor, nr Ledbury, Herefordshire. UK

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

A wander down to the village local for beer & food. First & Last brewery are based in Bellingham just north of Hexham, Northumberland. Tempest brewery is due east of us just over the Cheviots & just over the Scottish border in Galashiels. Well kept, very tasty beers.😋 #Bskybeer

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

From a 70-yr old Brit who you all inspired as a schoolboy, & I still love following your thoughts & ethics now - Thank you. It's never wrong to dream that we can be better. 👌

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Image #1 has details of all 7 graft unions. I intended to use the "Z" graft style for all 7 but it was so cold in the garage I went for the quickest & easiest: inverted "V" cut into scion & matching cuts & trim to rootstock. Next year I plan to use Z-graft for all: orchardnotes.com/2025/03/16/h...

Graft unions between apple rootstock & scion 2026.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

How it started: April 2026. Current state: September 2026. Pleased with the growth of these grafts. 🙂👌 #grafting #apple

Newly grafted apple scion showing first signs of bud burst & growth.

Current height of the same graft - about as tall as me.🙂

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

That aligns perfectly with so many "cider making" forums currently awash with requests for mulled cider "recipes"...

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

Today was a 1+🐾 exploratory foraging walk while The Goode Wyffe was in't' office. First stop was the wild apple tree earmarked for scions: crisp, sweet, dessert, very tough skins. Then spotted the most bright red apples think I've ever seen; need to contact the owner. Sloes: lots & lots of Sloes.

Refreshment & paddling stop by the River Glen at site of Langeton medieval village, Northumberland. Yeavering Bell in the background (L) from the footbridge, Newton Tors (R), part of the Cheviots.👍🐾💚

Apples picked from a large, suspected Wilding tree growing out from under the wall of a very old stone building.

Apple tree loaded with bright red apples in a meadow.

Sloes getting close to ready for picking.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Have you got a couple of summat spare in exchange for the big red trough...? 🤔😋 Have fun at Rossfest. And drive carefully in that new cider wagon (has it got an aerial..? 😉).

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

As I'm playing with Damsons at the mo, I needed one spice: Cloves.😋 None in any of Wooler's stores; then remembered 'The Good Life Shop' on the High St., hardly changed since the 80s/90s/00s/etc (apart from new paint job). Big glass jars full of herbs & spices, sold loose.👌That handful cost me 16p.🙂

Shop front in Wooler, Northumberland: "The Good Life".

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

This is the first glass of Yarlington Mill #cider I've had since Yarly passed 🐾🌈. So raising this glass of Luke's finest in memory of her; she's never far from my thoughts 💔. In other news we've had a very good offer on our house which we've accepted - & I won a tenner on the Lottery. Bittersweet.

Glass of Yarlington Mill SV cider, showing its rich colour.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Just missing the bag of pork scratchings...

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Caught 697 Borders Bus as far as Akeld, to nearest micropub: The Cheviot Goat. Only 1 cask beer on now but very well kept: Allendale's Pennine Pale. Bottled ciders include Aspall's & Cornish Orchards "Vintage" - could be much much worse. Sat enjoying peace, quiet, & birdsong.👌 #pub #micropub #beer

Sign outside entrance to The Cheviot Goat micropub, in Akeld, Wooler, Northumberland.

Two fresh pints of ale on bench in the beer garden.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Meant to say it was "Under Station Road Bridge" we gave to Phil, we had another with our tea. 😋 We've also bought up some of your Yarlington Mill too. 😋

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I'm hoping to get some good feedback from Phil. He likes his ciders very dry.👌

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

2kg of our Damsons passed over to next door for jam; 2kg left for me to prepare. Cold water soak, wash & rinse, de-stalk, then in the freezer. A few Plum Moth grubs but all good protein.😋 2pints of Luke's @mnkybridgecider.bsky.social cider handed over to Phil next door for looking after my grafts. 👍

A colander full of damsons being picked over & washed.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

Time waits for no man or Damson. Heartbreaking to see the floor with a purple carpet of shrivelled damsons but with this ongoing drought, we're just pleased to have enough for a crumble or three.😋 They are sweet though.👍 Half the tree picked so far. #damsons #merryweather #pie #crumble #jam nomnom

A washing-up bowl & hand holding Merryweather damsons.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Enjoying some excellent full juice / whole juice #cider from Luke @mnkybridgecider.bsky.social which has been made from apples grown in our garden / mini orchard picked in 2025. Cracking stuff 😋 #cider #realcider #fulljuice #wholejuice #eastmidlands

20L box of cider (Bag in Box) from Luke, East Midlands cider maker based in Ironville, nr Ripley. Proper whole-juice fresh-picked & pressed real cider from UK grown apples.

The Goode Wyffe starting her pint of "Under Station Road Bridge" made solely from apples that we have grown in Hucknall, Nottingham in 2025.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Had house viewings this week & more early next week, so we had to pop down to Hucknall & so sadly have missed this year's event. 🫤 Hopefully we'll be there next year. 👍😋 berwickslowfood.org/berwick-food...

berwickslowfood.org

Berwick Food and Beer Festival - Berwick Slow Food

The Berwick Food & Beer Festival will be back in 2026! We’re excited to announce 2026 will be the 20th year of our annual Food & Beer Festival here in Berwick-upon-Tweed, and we’re already getting o...

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Hmmm. 🤔 Windfalls everywhere - nice & red & shiny, many likewise coloured up but still on the tree. Damsons black & carpeting the floor but hard as nails still. 🙄 The latter are probably good for jam but need to do some proper checks on those apples. #windfalls #drought #damsons #apples

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

Yesterday evening we cracked open a lively bottle of "Betty Prosser SV" perry from Kev of Monnow Valley Cider. Betty Prosser is a unique perry pear named after the owner of the farm upon which the original tree grew. Made in 2024 & bottled early 2025, the sweetness level had dropped to medium-ish.👌😋

A freshly opened 750ml bottle of Welsh Perry, an excellent "Betty Prosser" single variety. 😋

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

Popped down the village to our local for pints of Loch Lomond & Tempest ales. Lovely well kept beers, along with excellent food.😋 The Wee Black Beastie 🐾 is quietly crashed out under the table; she's still not worked out why she is flying solo but seems she no longer feels she has to defend anyone.

Pints of Tempest Brewing Co & Loch Lomond Brewery beers with the Red Lion's menu.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

We're forecast 29°C or 30°C way up here. Where it's supposed to be grim. Mind you it did pi$$ it down all day yesterday, so fair do's.

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Blockerz @huck-cider.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

2 weeks on, finally plucked up the strength to unclip & remove Yarly's harness from the back seats. Stupid old fart that I am, I welled up while doing this.☹️ I miss her Back Seat Wooffit antics & pubs just aren't the same without her always at my side ready for a pork scratching & a good tab fuss.🐾

Yarly's favourite past time was looking out for bunnies.

Typical Yarly, crashed out in the pub, fully scratchinged-up & enjoying a tab fuss.

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