2015 2014 2013 2011 2010 2009 2008
Below you will find photos from our 2012 picking. This was an odd year. We started picking a week later than usual, realised that it was still way too soon, and had to stall everyone for several weeks. Thanks for hanging on in there. We think a combination of low sunshine hours and an initially dry autumn slowed ripening down.
First Weekend
Warning – teenagers at work. The work part is good but the chatter….
Twig removal on the first day. Before each crating-up it pays to remove any larger bits the press’s leaf blower may not remove.
Above the call of duty? A long way up!
Loading the tractor.
Second Weekend – Several Weekends Later
Don’t stand there – move that net! Momentarily distracted by the photographer.
Twig removal continues.
Third Weekend
Our main-man on the branch shaker this year. Seemed to be more leaves coming down this year than normal, maybe because picking was so late.
The increased leaf fall made us try something new – using a couple of garden blowers to blow off some of the leaves as we decanted into the bins. At a guess removed more than half the leaves. Though the local presses include their own leaf removal blower, you pay by weight for everything you deliver.
Fourth Weekend
A punk volunteer? No, but that’s what the beanie says!
Our Texan/Hawaiian immigrant workforce…a visiting friend helping out.
Dressed for the worst weather, but it wasn’t too bad – it didn’t hail…..
Dragging the nets between rows.
Dressed for the rain that never really arrived…
Our secret weapon, or parts of it, the M-team.
©2012-2016