I have just had a visit from the Yorkshire Post. The Features editor and a photographer came over to talk about home-made wine and Ben’s Adventures in Wine Making. It was a pleasant hour talking about my favourite topic (that topic being ‘Me’ rather than ‘Wine’, which is only my second favourite topic) whilst Catherine took notes. I can’t really remember what I said: it wasn’t an interview in any sort of formal style. Basically, I just talked. The article will appear in the ‘Life and Style’ section a week on Wednesday (probably), and I know that I will have a troubled night’s sleep before it. Last night too – I was both eager and anxious about today’s interview.

The strangest part of the hour was the photography session. I am so rubbish at having my photo taken. I immediately feel really self-concious, and put on a Face which says “I’m feeling self-concious”. Bruce, the photgrapher, took photos whilst I talked to Catherine, which was fine. But then he had me squatting so that my head was level with a row of demijohns on the table behind me, and stare wistfully at a glass of elderberry wine. I am dreading the results.

Talking of photos, there are quite a few of me in the December edition of Home Farmer, which has just landed on my doorstep. I sent some random ‘Ben in winter’ photos to Paul and Ruth, expecting them all to be rejected. But no – there they appear in glorious technicolour. At least two of them were taken on (separate) Christmas Days. You can also see my skill at making snowmen.

Next week I’m on Radio Leeds, which again is something that will stop me sleeping. And then on Saturday 12th November, I will be doing a book signing at Philip Howard Books on Street Lane, Roundhay, Leeds between 2 – 4 p.m. So if you are free, and relatively local (I have absolutely no idea how many people read this blog or where they come from) please pop by. There will be several open bottles of wine to try, and I would love to say hello.