Endless

The weeds in the vineyard are up to my waist, so each morning at 7.30, armed with the trusty strimmer and accompanied by three dogs, I continue the battle.

It's very satisfying to look back when a row is finished. The vines need sun and air to develop so this is the best we can do for them. Some people choose the weed-killer option but we prefer not to. Each row of 40 vines takes a good half hour to do properly. We have 5000 vines, so it's a long job. I finish at midday when it's too hot to continue.

Sometimes Ali joins me but we only have one strimmer which leaves her with cutting the grass on the roadways. For that we have a heavy duty thing like a lawnmower on acid called The Yellow Muncher. It's a brute and takes some wrestling. Neither of us have hands large enough to hold down the blade clutch so we have to string it in place. 'Elf and Safety would have a fit. Why is all agricultural machinery made for men?