I Love Lucy's Newsletter No 12

WE'VE HAD RAIN!!!!!

You wouldn't think it's the same place as everything is gorgeous. It was quite depressing watching things die off but the difference a few inches of rain makes is truly remarkable.Things are just leaping out of the ground. Its even lovely to see the weeds grow as they are so green too. This particular novelty will wear off soon when I have to start pulling them out but at the moment I don't care what grows as long as its flourishing.

THE 2007 VINTAGE

All the grapes are well and truly harvested by now and everyone is remarking on the high quality of the fruit this year. The harsh dry conditions meant that the quantity was much less but this has been more than made up for by the beautiful fruit. The vintage was nearly a month earlier than usual because of the dry weather so the fruit is already being transformed into liquid sunshine by the winemakers. There wont be as much available as usual, especially at Lucy's Run, but we're very excited about the quality.

The cows have now made themselves comfortable amongst the vines. They don't eat the vines but love all the grass surrounding the acres down by the Creek. They're usually fenced out until harvest and hang their big heads over the fence salivating in anticipation.

Some of our crop was mechanically harvested this year so the cows had an extra treat. When the guys wash down the harvesters all the grapes etc that have been caught up in the machinery are washed out in the paddock. The cows love the grapes and it's so funny to see their mouths, necks and chests covered in sticky purple juice. Their tongues are so big and fat they just curl them up around the bunches and eat the whole lot.

The donkeys love it too but they have become so fat they have had to be kept in the poorest paddock to try and lose weight. I know I can be a bit thick but I had thought that the fatty rolls developing on their necks was some kind of tumour!! The farrier put me right quick smart. Molly especially has become so big and fat that he couldn't manage to do her hooves. I usually calm them down by brushing them into a kind of stupor while he works but she was far too powerful and stroppy this time.

THE OLIVES and STUFF!

The olives look great. We became a bit worried about the crop as time went on as it was so dry. John thought that we lost a lot of the flowers in the winds but they may have been just too small and shrivelled to see properly. Things look a lot brighter now and the jumbo kalamatas are groaning under the fruit.

Soon it will be time to start pressing - not his favourite time of year as the workload is enormous. It is for a limited time though but that is not much consolation for his aching back. Once again he has decided not to press numerous small quantities for other people but he says this every year. He's a big softie. Its much more work doing small quantities and the results are never as satisfactory as pressing a large quantity. The press is far more effective if kept running for some time rather than being constantly turned off and on.

We'll probably exploit the grandkids to do some picking of the pickling varieties. They're nice and little and can pick the lower branches without bending over. Luckily they regard it as a novelty as we combine it with a barbecue and a game of backyard cricket.Bribery is usually an effective tool too! Unlike grapes there is no urgency to pick all the olives at once as the ripening can be quite uneven. The oil varieties are raked onto mats etc so they can't do those - unfortunately! The oil types don't have to be all the same degree of ripeness as the percentage of green to black olives in a pressing determines the taste and colour of the oil.

OUR BABIES

I never thought I'd say it but Lucy has finally realised that she is aging!! When John calls the girls to go and meet people at the shed, she will sometimes hold back and choose to stay lying on the cool tiles in the house. It's been good for Sophie though, as she has become far more sociable since dealing with customers on her own.

Just before Christmas we decided to have Lucy clipped as she was really feeling the heat with her thick fur, especially around the ruff of her neck. I was a little sceptical how this would go. She's been to the vet numerous times for repairs but she'd always been knocked out before shaving began. Well it was hilarious! We dropped her off thinking they would just do her neck and chest but when we came to collect her the girls had done her entire body - tail, body and bum included- in a no.1!!!We didn't recognise her when she came out and neither did she!! She kept behaving like a little puppy with these big feet and head. Sophie didn't know what to think and sniffed her constantly for three days before deciding that she did know her after all. Everythings grown back to normal now after 4 months but it was a successful move as she had a far more comfortable summer and gave her a new lease on life.

THE COWS

Our small herd is doing fine and we recently bought 3 more heifers to keep Snow White (the older of Snowy's babies) company in the 100acres. She's still too young to breed even though we only have our small bull Bruno (Dunbar's boy) to father any calves so she had to be kept apart. We will have to rethink our plans for her soon though as......

WE HAVE SOLD THE 100ACRES AND COTTAGE!!!!

It was one of our famous impulse decisions - like buying the property originally was. The Cottage as accommodation has been doing very well this last year with lots of repeat visitors but the amount of work required combined with a few potential costs and repairs meant extra workload.

Settlement is on the 1st June and we are taking bookings until the third week in May if you would like to take advantage of the opportunity to visit. Of course the remaining 80 acres includes our vines, olives, house and shed so Lucy's Run will still be operating just as before - we just wont be as tired!

So come on up and take advantage of our renewed energy and have a glass of wine. Lucy may even decide to join us!

Take care.

CHEERS!

Call us first on 02 49383594 to make sure we're there and not at the vet - again!

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