wassailing

17th January is old Twelfth Night, and a good time to wassail the orchard. I have almost finished pruning the apple trees which we planted seven years ago.

Wassailing is traditionally a way of ensuring a good harvest with lots of noise to scare away bad spirits and some merrymaking with toast and ale from a wassail bowl. You can read about it here : https://www.nationaltrust.org.uk/discover/history/art-collections/wassailing-ritual-and-revelry I did drink some ale from a wooden bowl and brought some bread, and sang along to a Spotify list of wassailing songs, some of which I knew from choir. It would have been nicer to do it with more merrymakers, I think :-)

Today has really had a “wood and water” theme, with a visit from the plumber, aqua and sauna, and more exercise wheeling around barrows full of split logs.

Yesterday’s main blip was taken on my phone, the extra with a proper camera. Thanks to all who commented.