Soyderrr!

One of the many things we're enjoying about living in the West Country is discovering its many hidden charms; quiet villages, tranquil lifestyle and of course Cider. As the preferred alcoholic beverage of many a Somerset, Devon and Cornwall resident, there are a myriad of local variants, mostly with silly names, and sometimes not even falling under the Cider umbrella (the version made from pears is called Perry). So when we found out about the Bath Cider Festival, an opportunity to taste over 60 of the region's finest, we just had to be there.

Upon arrival we surveyed our "tasting notes" and decided on our first tipple. Johnny, going purely by name, selected Dragon's Blood, which was widely agreed to be the most disgusting vinegar ever put in a barrel. His selections barely improved all night. Bec's friend Kath was over again from Kent, so we had a fun night of tasting and exchanging notes on the various fine (and foul) concoctions coming back from the bar.


As the effects of the cider started to really kick in, the band started up. The Mangled Wurzels are actually a cover band, playing the songs of the (slightly) better-known Scrumpy and Western band The Wurzels, who had a huge (UK number one!) hit with a song called Combine Harvester. The songs are all a celebration of West Country life - the rural lifestyle, farming equipment, and Soyderrr!!! (to use the correct local pronunciation!)


The songs alternated between hilarious and hilariously bad, but most people had had sufficient fermented-apple goodness to not care, with riotous singing accompanying the catchier choruses. One song in particular inspired Johnny so much he had to croon a rendition into his mobile.



Such is the power of the Soyder!