Thank you for the good wishes, though Halloween is not 'kept' in this part of England - some places where the population is not as aged have taken it up.

I am just gathering apples and sorting through my spice rack as it will be All souls Day on Sunday, and the tradition is to make Soul Cakes to hand out, and Dorset apple cake is a firm favourite at this time of year.

The apple trees have outdone themselves this year - I have never seen such a harvest on my two trees. The branches were bowed right down under the weight.

Some of the cider makers were even giving it away at various gatherings as they ran out of storage for it.

Anne the Pleater