Barry M
@barmas.bsky.social
Maker of Kertelreiter cider & perry. Planter of orchards. Pear freak, wannabe pomologist, cider historian, homebrewer, former beer blogger. Editor at Cider Review. ACA Certified Pommelier. Irish in Germany. Owned by a border collie.
As thinking about pots the other day made me recall our Römertopf, I’ve dusted it off to make a bean and veggie stew. I don’t eat enough veg, being mostly a meat and cheese freak, but I do like this simple recipe. Let’s see how it looks in a couple of hours.
November 27, 2025 at 3:28 PM
As thinking about pots the other day made me recall our Römertopf, I’ve dusted it off to make a bean and veggie stew. I don’t eat enough veg, being mostly a meat and cheese freak, but I do like this simple recipe. Let’s see how it looks in a couple of hours.
Anu would like some pizza.
November 26, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Anu would like some pizza.
That 15L keg of Märzen I tapped last Saturday night after the final pressing (quince) is still giving. And it is now decided that was the final pressing. Anu and I walked through the orchard this evening and I think we’re done. The freezing temps a few days ago put an end to any more harvesting.
November 26, 2025 at 4:48 PM
That 15L keg of Märzen I tapped last Saturday night after the final pressing (quince) is still giving. And it is now decided that was the final pressing. Anu and I walked through the orchard this evening and I think we’re done. The freezing temps a few days ago put an end to any more harvesting.
A good example of a Pastorenbirne (Poire du Curé) with one of the classic indicators, that occasional stripe from stem to arse. Good keepers.
November 26, 2025 at 7:44 AM
A good example of a Pastorenbirne (Poire du Curé) with one of the classic indicators, that occasional stripe from stem to arse. Good keepers.
Meanwhile, on a long walk and it just struck me how odd it feels that there’s not a single person in sight the whole time I’ve been out of the village, and with a good couple km view in all directions. So quiet. It’s nice.
Anu patiently posed for that shot, she’s pleased with herself 😁
Anu patiently posed for that shot, she’s pleased with herself 😁
November 26, 2025 at 7:33 AM
Meanwhile, on a long walk and it just struck me how odd it feels that there’s not a single person in sight the whole time I’ve been out of the village, and with a good couple km view in all directions. So quiet. It’s nice.
Anu patiently posed for that shot, she’s pleased with herself 😁
Anu patiently posed for that shot, she’s pleased with herself 😁
Just to reassure those concerned about Pancakes health (as she peed in my office yesterday), she’s fine. She just made a poor choice (maybe because someone forgot to clean out her toilet)😄
November 26, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Just to reassure those concerned about Pancakes health (as she peed in my office yesterday), she’s fine. She just made a poor choice (maybe because someone forgot to clean out her toilet)😄
I’ve been resisting an impulse buy of an on sale cast iron Dutch oven all day, but if I wake at 4 in the morning again, there’s a high chance I’ll succumb. Don’t really need it, but I like the idea of throwing one into our fire pit with chilli or a beef stew. Look how inviting they make it! 😭😄
November 25, 2025 at 9:01 PM
I’ve been resisting an impulse buy of an on sale cast iron Dutch oven all day, but if I wake at 4 in the morning again, there’s a high chance I’ll succumb. Don’t really need it, but I like the idea of throwing one into our fire pit with chilli or a beef stew. Look how inviting they make it! 😭😄
Look at her. Like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. She’s trying to be nice to me after taking a piss in my office earlier today. Admittedly, most unusual for her!
November 25, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Look at her. Like butter wouldn’t melt in her mouth. She’s trying to be nice to me after taking a piss in my office earlier today. Admittedly, most unusual for her!
And here’s me stuck with delicious Märzen in my cellar on a school night. I’m still envious though 😄
November 24, 2025 at 5:49 PM
And here’s me stuck with delicious Märzen in my cellar on a school night. I’m still envious though 😄
The juice froze overnight (was -8 sat night), giving a slight gravity increase from 1.045 to 1.055 once drained from the ice. Would have liked to recreate the next night but temps rose again. Will ferment with bay leaves for shots and giggles.
November 24, 2025 at 4:52 PM
The juice froze overnight (was -8 sat night), giving a slight gravity increase from 1.045 to 1.055 once drained from the ice. Would have liked to recreate the next night but temps rose again. Will ferment with bay leaves for shots and giggles.
And a bit of my soul.
Anu says drink real cider and perry! 😄
Anu says drink real cider and perry! 😄
November 22, 2025 at 5:58 PM
And a bit of my soul.
Anu says drink real cider and perry! 😄
Anu says drink real cider and perry! 😄
Just tapped a keg of Märzen, as you do. I’m hoping someone comes by to help!
November 22, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Just tapped a keg of Märzen, as you do. I’m hoping someone comes by to help!
Pretty cold for pressing.
November 22, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Pretty cold for pressing.
Well fuck it. Looks like one more pressing. Forgot about the 120kg of quince on a pallet in the yard, now partially frozen, so don’t want them to go to waste.
Had to defrost some hoses before starting though!
Had to defrost some hoses before starting though!
November 22, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Well fuck it. Looks like one more pressing. Forgot about the 120kg of quince on a pallet in the yard, now partially frozen, so don’t want them to go to waste.
Had to defrost some hoses before starting though!
Had to defrost some hoses before starting though!
Maybe no tree planting today, but collecting new posts for the next phase. Taller and narrower than the last meaty ones.
November 22, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Maybe no tree planting today, but collecting new posts for the next phase. Taller and narrower than the last meaty ones.
She just doesn’t understand the concept of fetch. Once she gets the stick she’s keeping it.
November 22, 2025 at 8:24 AM
She just doesn’t understand the concept of fetch. Once she gets the stick she’s keeping it.
Of course while I was taking that photo Anu was seeking out a lovely frozen pear to eat. I swear this is her favourite variety, she will run ahead to collect pears from these trees when they are in season, and always finds the last that haven’t turned to mush.
November 22, 2025 at 8:07 AM
Of course while I was taking that photo Anu was seeking out a lovely frozen pear to eat. I swear this is her favourite variety, she will run ahead to collect pears from these trees when they are in season, and always finds the last that haven’t turned to mush.
The last Bayerische Weinbirne.
November 22, 2025 at 8:04 AM
The last Bayerische Weinbirne.
I’d been thinking about starting to plant trees today, but it’s far too cold to be digging my babies out and leaving their roots bare while I transport them to the meadow. Hmm, what do I do instead.
November 22, 2025 at 7:10 AM
I’d been thinking about starting to plant trees today, but it’s far too cold to be digging my babies out and leaving their roots bare while I transport them to the meadow. Hmm, what do I do instead.
Gunshots from the woods across the valley, I know my neighbour is out there hunting right now. Anu not a fan of gunshots, she stays close after hearing them.
November 21, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Gunshots from the woods across the valley, I know my neighbour is out there hunting right now. Anu not a fan of gunshots, she stays close after hearing them.
An unplanned evening walk, it was supposed to be my wife’s shift. There’s a border collie in the photo there somewhere, you can just about see the white of the tip of her tail.
November 21, 2025 at 4:07 PM
An unplanned evening walk, it was supposed to be my wife’s shift. There’s a border collie in the photo there somewhere, you can just about see the white of the tip of her tail.
It’s nice to be home and breakfasting with my best girl.
Taking some time off to attend a Neckartal-Odenwald Nature Park partner meeting. I’m feeling guilty I didn’t do as much for the park this year as I’d hoped, but good to be part of that partner network.
Taking some time off to attend a Neckartal-Odenwald Nature Park partner meeting. I’m feeling guilty I didn’t do as much for the park this year as I’d hoped, but good to be part of that partner network.
November 20, 2025 at 9:09 AM
It’s nice to be home and breakfasting with my best girl.
Taking some time off to attend a Neckartal-Odenwald Nature Park partner meeting. I’m feeling guilty I didn’t do as much for the park this year as I’d hoped, but good to be part of that partner network.
Taking some time off to attend a Neckartal-Odenwald Nature Park partner meeting. I’m feeling guilty I didn’t do as much for the park this year as I’d hoped, but good to be part of that partner network.
Thinking of your recent corona period remains post, @raynewman.bsky.social. At Mosbach-Neckarelz station, a reminder of the times we needed to do quick tests before we could go anywhere. This temp test centre long gone.
November 19, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Thinking of your recent corona period remains post, @raynewman.bsky.social. At Mosbach-Neckarelz station, a reminder of the times we needed to do quick tests before we could go anywhere. This temp test centre long gone.
But kinda getting tired of this repeating theme.
November 19, 2025 at 1:50 PM
But kinda getting tired of this repeating theme.
That was a busier few days than I expected, but that’s a good thing. However, looking forward to getting home and spending longer than 2 days there.
November 19, 2025 at 1:38 PM
That was a busier few days than I expected, but that’s a good thing. However, looking forward to getting home and spending longer than 2 days there.