Scaping ice off the van window on a thin Cumbrian morning we headed early up the M6 North towards Carlisle and Tarn Rd nurseries. After a minor scuffle with the sat nav we arrived to find the nursery starting its day. Fires were being lit in the wood buring stoves, and a large golden longhaired hound had already bagged the warmest spot. Nursery owner John Treeby had got my order ready so we were back on the road shortly with high quality healthy looking plants.

Victoria, Glaskins Perpetual, Invicta, Ben Lomond, Ben Tirran, Glen Ample and Autumn Bliss.  - wonderful old names for the rhubarb crowns, blackcurrant and gooseberry bushes, and raspberry canes.

Whilst the rest of the country was under driving rain and flooding, we had cold and grey but dry day and got all the plants in. A small crowd gathered to mark the development of Mother's Ruin's Cumbrian arm to loud cheers.

It's definately deep into autumn if not drifting towards winter now.. Plenty of leaf kicking opportunities all over Walthamstow! It's been a full on week bottling and labelling in preparation for busier Saturdays in the market at Wood St, and the E17Designer Fair at Orford Rd on the 1st of December. One day the gin business will be wealthy enough to buy a machine to put the lids on bottles, in the meantime I'm developing lid twisting callouses.

Heading North this weekend to plant the soft fruit orchard and allow for the coming winter and spring rains to help it settle in. Here's hoping for clement weather or at least not torrential rain!

Mother's Ruin is back from her last minute hols to the Canary Islands where she sampled some of the local liqueur Ron Miel, Honey Rum, mmm very tasy. To remind me of the Spain I have used the Seville oranges that have been soaking in rum for a year to make a spicy and delicious Christmas mincemeat. It'll be on sale from Thursday at the Gin Palace, so you can stock up your Christmas larders.