Gooseberry Wine - First Bottle (6), 8th-10th May 2014

Julia died on Thursday night. Just writing that down makes it a little more real. We came home early from the Lake District to say our goodbyes. In time, my abiding memory will be of Julia-proper rather than ill-and-weak-Julia, struggling for every breath. I weep at inopportune times. At the Sainsbury's check-out wasn't great.

Claire brought me a glass of gooseberry on Thursday night whilst I was in the bath as a suitable wine to mark the occasion. The gooseberries are from Julia's allotment, of course.

I cannot convey the loss.

That's Julia, looking at the camera, singing

Gooseberry & Elderflower Wine - Fifth Bottle (A2), 7th May 2014

I brought this bottle to Millbeck as my Comedy Bottle. Irritatingly, it was merely okay. Nick said it was not Absolutely Awful, and spoke of it being too large for a white. There is a musty aftertaste, but it is not as pronounced as I had remembered. And when I added cassis, it was definitely drinkable. 'Drinkable' here does not translate as 'Nice'.

The day has been typical for the Lake District in one respect - it has tipped it down constantly. Mostly I have spent it indoors - most entertainingly in the Puzzle Museum in Keswick, which had optical illusions aplenty - some of which made me laugh with delight. Thoroughly recommended.

One of the Puzzle Museum's illusions

Elderflower Wine - Ninth Bottle (B1), 6th May 2014

Rachel promised us a gentle six mile walk around Derwent Water. She lied. Instead we got a ten mile hike with plenty of climb and descent. This is after a day of hard walking when my knees very nearly packed up entirely. Still, having done another long walk means we can reward ourselves with alcohol.

One of tonight's bottles was this elderflower, and everyone thought it was a good bottle. It is semi-sweet, floral and refreshing. We drank it with a dish of fish and tomato sauce (not ketchup!) prepared by Nick, which was delicious.

So far this holiday I have yet to open an unpopular bottle of wine. This hit rate cannot last.

Rhubarb Wine - First Bottle (B1), 5th May 2014

This bottle was the reward for a long and difficult walk. We did a circular route starting from Buttermere, taking in Scale Force, Red Pike, High Stile and something else besides. It was a beautiful and varied walk, and on the whole 'Up' was not a problem. 'Down', however, was a different matter entirely, and I have a bruise on my right buttock to show for it. Hence the rhubarb wine being a reward. It is its usual reliable self - pink tinge, fresh white wine taste, lovely.

Photo-bomb on the top of Red Pike

If you want to see how I made this wine, click here.

Crab Apple & Strawberry Wine - Fourth Bottle (4), 4th May 2014

This bottle was universally popular, and quite right too. It is semi-sweet, a glorious pink colour and has a distinct, fruity taste.

The ascent of Catbells

We are in a cottage in the Lake District with Rachel, Duncan, Nick and Ann, and of the three bottles of mine opened so far (all of which have been good), this has been the best received. It came at the end of a day where we climbed Catbells, and walked by Derwent Water. The summit of Catbells was monumentally windy. I struggled to stay upright. But there is a joyous feeling at the top of a hill being hit by a gale. I loved every second.

The top of Catbells

Blackberry Wine - Fifteenth Bottle (A2), 3rd May 2014

I climbed Skiddaw today. All 934 metres of it. There was a massively steep bit close to the top, and I worry about how stiff I shall feel tomorrow. Each step was painful, and any steeper would have required grapple hooks and ropes. It all means that I have earned a bottle of blackberry wine, and another three bottles besides - shared between six of us. Not only that. but I cooked as well. A Beef Burginione (or however you spell it). The gravy was fabulous, and blackberry wine was a suitable accompaniment. I'm now firmly on the bush tea, however.

Skiddaw under cloud from Catbells

Blackcurrant & Red Gooseberry - Fifth Bottle (3), 2nd May 2014

We are in Millbeck in Cumbria, staying in a cottage with Rachel, Duncan, Ann and Nick, and I have brought seven bottles of my wine along, of which this was the first. It was one of many bottles finished on a wonderful, laughter-filled evening. Duncan caused me to weep with hilarity and now (the following morning) I cannot remember why. It was a good night.

This bottle of wine was excellent - really tasty, full of fruit with a beneficial fizz. Everyone liked it, and they were not merely being polite.

The people with whom I am sharing a cottage