At the apple crunching station, from here the apple mash goes into the apple juice press.

The weekend came and we were able to get started right off with a couple of bins I had some help picking during the week. Gregg, maurice and I got the apple works set up and underway before we what any pickers arrive. The weather Saturday was somewhat dubious with sprinkles on and off until the sun began to make a more consistent showing by mid afternoon. So by lunch we had a sober group of 40 or so and a few more bins of apples picked. By the days end we had pressed nearly 60 gallons of juice. Some went home with the pickers. Even after the entire weekend of picking there is only 20% of this bumper crop picked, but no worries Gregg can only store 150 gallons of juice and he has over a hundred gallons already. So next weekends picking and pressing will max out what he can hold for the coming twelve months for juice. The rest of the apples will go into cider over the next couple of months as Gregg has the time to get the apples pressed and into the fermentation barrels. It was a fun and low key weekend, thanks to a slow start on Saturday. Sunday was a gorgeous and very warm April day. It was really fun to have Richard Holt and Kristen Sparks come and pitch in with the picking and then stay and share their lunch with me.

I am looking forward to next weekend and wrapping up this seasons apple picking at the Totaranui Orchard. Carla organized all the food and freshments for the weekend. We even had a nine year birthday celebration to go along with lunch to add to the festivities.

Kristina, one time WOOFer at the orchard, and Maurice supervising the press. 

A couple of new friends, Saba and Doug, who came and picked during the week with me because they could not come on the weekend.

My first bin of brae burns destined for cider.

Picking with an ardent audience awaiting the drops. 

More new friends who came to help pick, partners Richard Holt and Kristen Sparks, both psychiatrists working for the Capital and Coast District Health Board: Richard for the Maori Specialty Mental Health Services and Kristen for the 30 bed in-patient program, both Americans who now live in New Zealand. 

Carla's dad Maurice van Zon, 90 years young and staying active. Here he is making sure I keep up with the apple washing and mashing to keep the press busy. 

Sorting the good from the bad apples

lunch break

Anita enjoying some fresh, just pressed juice, and finishing the sorting of another bin of braeburns.

Partners Emily and Nils and their  daughter Bonnie, making it a family affair while sorting apples.

Another beautiful Sunny Otaki sunset.