ISSSH MARSHH

Yes, you read the header correctly...we are tired...not tipsy or wasted, tired.

We have two boys, 2 and 5 (Quinn and Keenan). They did not like sleep for their first year. Not much on it since then either...in fact we like to think they're in Astronaut training to simulate multi-day space work...its really the only way we can reconcile their lack of sleep and never ending energy. But, to this crush, we'd really like to understand how we're not allowed to wake them up at 4:45 when Jake has to go to work and not have a mid-day nap...which we thankfully allow them both to accomplish if their meta-energy runs out (no sugar in those little bodies just BOY-Energy!).

AICH! I'll just have another cuppa coffee and get through another marvellous day! Stunningly cold last night though yesterday was quite warm (30C). The sugars on the Chard are still low in the 22.9, 23.4 range. We're picking around today to try to find the best fruit possible.

The basket press went in the can on Friday evening. All the gaskets and seals decided that now was the best time to stop functioning...so they exploded. We spent Saturday driving to and fro to meet Peter Peck from CDS (love him for taking so much of his time to help us through this moment) and collect 2 litres of food grade oil for the press. It was a clear liquid that had no odor and no taste (yes it was tasted...maybe gross but come on if it sneaks into the wine we've got to know what it tastes like).

Come Sunday the 2nd. ANDY MITCHELL TO THE RESCUE!!!! Andy Mitchell (sans his lovely wife, Vicki) came through on Sunday with the bladder for his 1.2 ton stainless tank, his destemmer, his expertise (surely with the sorting of the grapes inside the tank, after a free run of three hours, counts as an artistic endeavour) and his patience. He stood on the balcony sorting grapes while Ralph passed lugs to Rowan, who lifted the 20kg boxes over his head to me on the ladder, where Jake accomplished the "clean & jerk" with each lug, to John who hoisted them across the railing and into the de-stemmer. In truth is was a good workout. Fun and interesting for all of us...well not for Ralph's hands but fun for the rest of us.

But we're off to pick block 11 now and though feeling fatigue in the back of my sensory memory we're fond enough of coffee and anti-inflamatory drugs to allow for a bit of the work work work...

"High ho high ho its off to work I go..."

lovelovelove,

Sam & Jake

ps. Almost gone...out therer en sheshe vineshe...