Every day we kept hoping the sun would turn up but alas we were let down.

No worries with the “Courier Orders”, they will still leave here early next week and all “Pick up Orders” are still on track for next week

So next Tuesday we will Open with “New Spuds” and Cherries

I am often asked about Parking

For those who haven’t been here before, when you turn off Teviot Road, where our Welcome sign is, you will find an “Entrance” sign halfway up our driveway.

Our Parking Area is huge – cars with caravans or boats, trucks and buses can turn with ease as we have an Exit so one doesn’t have to do a three point turn to get out of here

My Mum, Sandra, designed the roundabout over thirty years ago when she was establishing our massive garden which I always refer to as ‘our peaceful haven’.

The apricots are ripening well – should have them on the Fruit Stall by about the 10th January. PYO apricots should be all go by then

The early plums are ripening slowly so hopefully they will ripen by the 10th as well.

I will keep you posted

Remember you can always txt or phone me anytime,

(Ruby – 027 288 6090) for fruit queries, orders, weather reports or to catch up

#theweatherrulesourlives #comeonsuncomeouttoplay

#newspudsarelookinggood #cherriesareripeningnicely

If you are driving past, please remember that they are gas-fired, nobody is being harmed

They certainly don’t do any damage to birds or people

We are looking forward to the 18th December, when we open for the Season with our early spuds and cherries

We welcome everyone whether you are vaccinated or not.

Signing in/scanning and masks are compulsory for everyone over the age of twelve, as this is mandatory.

You will not need a Vaccine Pass

It was vital for us as a family to be vaccinated as we have two family members who are immune compromised.

We never thought for a minute this would be an issue for anyone.

Sadly we were proved wrong as my mum, Sandra and I were confronted by an elderly woman in the driveway the other day, who laughed in our faces and told us we would all die because we were ‘jabbed’

It was most distressing to listen to her cruelty. She just wouldn’t stop!

Her parting shot was she would never buy her fruit from us again.

We never thought for a minute we might lose customers over the fact that we are vaccinated.

We have friends and customers who are anti-vax and not one of them has ever mocked or laughed at us over our decision to be vaccinated and obviously we have never laughed or mocked them for their decision not to vaccinate so hopefully this was an isolated case.

Respect and kindness is all that is needed in these harrowing times as we are all in this together, trying to muddle through the best way we can

The 1 metre distance rule will be easy to maintain as we have changed the layout of the Fruit Stall.

We have seats out the side so you can still relax before your journey home and there are seats in the front of the Fruit Stall as well

Remember you are welcome to bring your blanket/deck chairs, if you would like to picnic in the Orchard or in our garden area

Hopefully our PYO apricots will be all go from about the 10th January

This date will be brought forward if the lovely weather keeps up.

Will keep you posted

We really hope to see everyone back again this year.

Remember contact me, Ruby, anytime, on 027 288 6090 for fruit updates, orders, weather reports or just to catch up

It is a fair question and as we have many customers/friends of all ages, ranging from very young children through to the very elderly, who are immune compromised, we have always catered for their needs by providing a safe fruit shopping environment.

The entrance sliding door, which is the width of our Fruit Stall, is always open as is the side door for continuous air flow plus all surfaces are wiped down on a continual basis.

Hand sanitiser and hand-washing is also a priority for us.

We encourage customers not to handle or squeeze the fruit which ensures total food safety.

Fruit is packed with great care using disposable gloves.

Hygiene is paramount and this has always been the case

The Stall is accessible for walking frames and wheelchairs.

For those who don’t want to come inside the Fruit Stall we are happy for them to sit outside either in the front of the Fruit Stall in the seats provided or in the garden area out the side.

My Mum, Sandra, and I are more than happy to take your orders from there

During the Lockdown period early last year, Orders were placed on a table outside the Fruit Stall area, with an Invoice popped inside each box so if anybody wants to use this method we are more than happy with this

Whatever method you want to use we will work in with you as nothing is a hassle at our Fruit Stall

And I nearly forgot – customers can PM/TXT or ‘WhatsApp’ me (Ruby…027 288 6090) and I can send photos of what we have available or I can just let you know what fruit is available on the day

The days for Courier Orders are either Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday and these orders must be placed the day before and “Fruit Stall pick up Orders” must be placed the day before as well.

Roll on the 18th December when we will open with new spuds and cherries so looking forward to this Fruit Season which will go through to June 2022

Remember we will be open 7 days a week from 7am – 9pm and we only sell what we grow

Braeburn apples are now available on the Stall these are delicious for eating and cooking. We still have Red Delicious and Golden Delicious apples as well both varieties are very tasty to eat and Golden Delicious is very good for cooking.

All apple varieties are available in 5kg and 10kg bags and also 2nd grade boxes

Quinces are still available and will be until roughly the end of next week – so there’s still time to grab some for making quince jelly, quince paste or just cooking them up with apples for a crumble

Splendour apples should be available from the weekend and Granny Smith apples will start next week – will confirm these dates towards the end of this week

All apple varieties and Quinces are available for courier – apples are sent in 10kg and 15kg boxes and Quinces in 5kg, 10kg and 15kg boxes. I am happy to mix and match varieties

Due to Anzac Day being observed next Monday, all courier orders will be sent out next Tuesday and Wednesday. Pm or Txt me if you would like to place an order, enquire about freight charges, etc.

Contact me (Ruby) on 0272886090 anytime if you want a fruit update, order query, weather update, etc. Remember we are open 7 days from first light until dark and we only sell what we grow.

We will also have a limited amount 2nd grade boxes of Golden Queen Peaches this coming week.

To all our people on our Golden Queen Peach list, I will contact you when your order is ready to be picked up or to be couriered

Due to Easter Holidays, courier orders will only be sent on Monday and Tuesday this week

Apples are couriered in either 10kg or 15kg boxes and Quinces in 5kg, 10kg and 15kg boxes – I’m more than happy to combine quinces and apples together if you only require a smaller amount of each – just pm/txt me with your order

We also have small Royal Gala apples available on the Fruit Stall at a cheaper price, which are ideal for wee kids lunchboxes I can also courier these out, however only in 15kg boxes.

Txt/ring me, Ruby, on 0272886090 anytime if you want a fruit update, order query, weather update, etc.

Remember we are open 7 days from first light until dark and we only sell what we grow.

I will be sending all three apple varieties in 10kg and 15kg boxes out next week on Tuesday and Wednesday as Monday is Otago Anniversary – either order a box of one variety or I can mix n match send me a message with what you would like or to enquire about prices/freight You will definitely like our prices

Quinces will be ready towards the end of next week so there is still time to get your preserving jars and jam/jelly jars prepared

Txt/ring me, Ruby, on 0272886090 anytime if you want a fruit update, order query, weather update, etc.

Remember we are open 7 days from 7am – 9pm and we only sell what we grow