Mike conducts his cidermaking business in splendid rural isolation at Broome Farm near Ross-on-Wye, Herefordshire. The picturesque approach to the farm is via a winding single-track lane, perched above the flood plane of a small tributary to the River Wye. A lovely drive through a quiet valley of pasture and mature cider orchards, even better by foot or cycle from Ross. Not so good when covered in a few inches of snow!
I was worried about this final approach to the farm, but thankfully there had been very little traffic this way and the snow was still powdery rather than icy. So much for the treacherous lane, just the 1-in-4 up to the farm to negotiate. This proved to be a risk too far and I decided to
leave the car on the lane. Following some light sampling in the ciderhouse, we delivered the boxes of cider to the car by sturdy wheelbarrow, and I made my escape before the next round of blizzards threatened to snow me in. Come to think of it, I can think of much worse places to be stranded...The ciders have now been delivered to the Red Lion, a fairly dry Whisky Cask matured cider, and a Medium/Dry blend of Ellis Bitter and Browns Apple. Get them while you can, they're going fast.
An inspirational tale in these wintery times
ReplyDeleteGlad you made it to Broome Farm. A marvellous little place. I've stayed there once and called in quite a few times, and the cellar's a great place to spend an hour or so of a winter afternoon.
ReplyDeleteEverything a cider farm should be. Mike's an inspiration to small-scale cidermakers like us, and we're always happy to stop by and sample the hospitality of the Broome Farm Cider Cellar. Sadly the Wassail has been canelled this year, a victim of the weather.
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