July 2021

05 July 2021

So one minute it was May and the next it was July! Getting stuck into the pruning may have had something to do with that, as one day seems to blend into the other, but still!

So far we have pruned and laid new canes on the Sauvignon Blanc and the Semillon, and have started the Chardonnay. Pruning by hand means the repetitive action causes the hands to stiffen up when not in use, but all things considered, it's all good. Of course the choppers come out for the larger canes, lumps and rotten bits that are too much for the smaller pruners.

The weather has been rather ordinary, wet and windy, but with some good wellies, a beanie and good wet weather clothing it's rather fun to be working in the rain. It sounds weird but it is quite and enjoyable time, and it's always nice to look back at what we have done, and to look over the best office I have ever had. We get lunch given to us and it is always good. Often nice and hot and just what we need after a morning of rain and wind.

21 July 2021

Rain, rain and more rain. So much rain that we thought the 114mm in a few days might even be beaten, no not quite. Pruning has been going along regardless and we are thankful for keeping our back to the weather and clothing that keeps us warm and dry as the showers come through.

With some 70 odd rows done we are over halfway through the prune, but the next rows are twice as long as the ones we have already done!

On top of the pruning we have moved house and are now farm sitting until the end of August just a kilometre down the road from the vineyard. Don and April have headed off to visit family and have a trip away so we are left to look after the farm and 70 odd chook's which we let out and feed each day before we collect the eggs, size and pack them. Thankfully another farmer is looking after the cattle.

So, we have our house in the shed and we have moved into the fully furnished one bedroom unit at the back of the machinery shed. It's a great little unit and with two large wood piles to feed to the truck wheel pot belly we are dry, warm and toasty.

Not much photography due to the weather and our busy days, so the creative juices will get a chance to rejuvenate.

31 July 2021

Talking of weather, we have had 943mm of rain this month, and it is forecast to continue. We get storms and then blue sky, and then, even with blue sky it rains somehow. Thankfully we can see the big rain coming from the West and usually have time to prepare. Out in the vineyard it is a case of keep your back to the weather and put your hood up as we keep pruning. Thank goodness for wet weather clothing!

The last weekend before months end we took a drive around the area for a look and stopped at the Wilson Inlet River Mouth to view the surf. With the sand bar gone the inlet has flushed out the brackish water and is looking rather nice and even blue in places. The river mouth is wide open and with an off shore wind, the surf is up!

River Mouth Waves

Looking across the river mouth, the waves stretch across the bay in one continuous line.

River Mouth Surf

The locals are often late for work because of this.

Black Hole Rocks

Further around the coast at Black Hole, the scene was very pleasant with the water cascading over the rocks.

Mark Twain once said "...years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do that by the things you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbour. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." - and so we will.