Old tired and past their best

18.11.07 This is the reason for planting new vines. The vines which we have taken out were close to 100 years old, tired and rotten at the root. Sometimes change is a good thing.

Real progress made today

18.11.07 Another early start, and a serious problem with the rotivator meant that little or no more rotivating could be done. A huge amount of rock was moved and then a neighbour came to the rescue with his beloved tractor! It made light work of the soil and will allow the terroir to get water over the coming weeks. He believes the soil is excellent and will be ready for planting. Thank god!

Rotivating and sorting rocks....

17.11.07 Back on the island from Athens for 3 days. Rotivating started early yesterday and will continue through to tomorrow. I think I under estimated the amount of work that the vineyard needs. There is still a mountain of work to be done until planting the new vines. Each night I am feeling more exhausted than the previous, but the desire to get the vineyard looking perfect is driving me on.