The Cuckoo has sung

I finally found half an hour to sit in my shed and rack of the Cider into bottles. Just after Christmas and again at Easter I tasted the cider in the barrels. I have two barrels on the go. One taste fine but the other was a bit vinegary. Now they both taste fine. One is still a bit dry, which is not to my taste, but H likes it. The cider is quite flat but is very clear.

I only managed to get one barrel sorted. It gave me twelves full 2litre bottles. I might do the other one this evening. I am looking forward the weekend. It is Bank Holiday weekend in the UK so no work for me on Monday, well not paid work.

• Saturday is bee moving day and for planting out at the lottie. The greenhouses are stuffed.

• Sunday I am enrolled for an international fencing match in Leicester. Leicester v Kregfeld. Leicester is twinned with Kregfeld. We are doing Leicester fencing club a favour by lending them some skilled swordsmen. I am quite good at fencing now, even if I say so myself. I win when a choose to but I am not very fit at the moment. It will be interesting to see how we get on. I will probably run out of steam in my legs. As long as I can the arm going

• Monday is walking. H is look for a suitable route.

Saturday and Monday are whether permitting. However I foresee planting in the rain if needs be. Bee fettling might have to done at a less than perfect time. I am resolved to being stung............repeatedly.