This year is certainly testing ones resolve, excessive heat, high water costs, record low grape prices, 170mm of rain at the wrong time and now the fuel issue.
After eventually finding a home for most of our red varieties albeit at a horrible price, the potential extra freight charges from the high diesel prices may simply make it, not feasible.
While on a rant, our district drainage system that’s owned and unmaintained by Goulburn Murray Water is wasting us a lot of time and money.
The lack of maintenance of the drainage system has yet again led to serious water flow issues following recent rain events.
The excuse is always that there’s no money in the budget. Well, you’ll end up with far less if you continue the way you are.
We are about halfway through the grape harvest, and most yields have been lower than expected.
Harvest will go on for another few weeks with some later varieties ripening slowly.
After failing in two tennis final competitions, the racquet is now destined for the cupboard, along with the associated deep heat and other remedial concoctions.
It was great taking part and being with mates.
On the animal front, I had a good-sized snake in front of the slasher tractor two weeks ago.
Last month the snails were all escaping the heat in the shed fridge, but with the recent storms, the power went out, and the fridge went from cold to hot quite quickly and soon became a sauna for the 5000 odd snails.
Once they pushed the fridge door open, they slowly escaped over the cement floor towards the rain-soaked lawn.
Talk to as many mates as you can.
