We're in the process of becoming registered as private winemakers (cave particuliere) which, amongst a ton of other things, involves a trip to the Customs Office. The chap who deals with us is a jolly bully and sends us away with homework on a regular basis. The most recent task was to measure every parcel of land, noting each grape variety to see how they compare with his records. They have us down as having three varieties in two large plots, where, in fact, we have six varieties over three cadastral areas. No doubt we shall be in big trouble as that's what he threatens each time we visit. On the other hand, as the vines have been there for over 30 years, we can hardly be held culpable. I was dreading the measuring task as none of our plots is square, but rather in large curves as in an amphitheatre.
But my trusty iPhone came to the rescue. I found a fab application called AreaFinder - Land Area Calculator - which allowed me to measure all the separate parcels in half an hour, just by walking each perimeter and pressing a button at each turn. Amazingly our total land area figure agreed with those at the Customs Office. Thanks once again iPhone.
Two of our lovely volunteers, Peter & Linda, gave us a white flesh peach tree which I was finally able to plant this morning. It's been too cold and I was afraid the bitter winds would see it off, but two things made me think today would be a good day. Firstly, I spotted some early wild asparagus growing in the hedgerow yesterday, and then last night our favourite pipistrelle bat, Billy, came out of hibernation and was wheeling about outside our window, full of the joys.
This week I'm off to the vineyard to dig over the potager ready for Spring planting and finish strimming all the Grenache and Carignan vines. I'll have extra company. Alfie the dog who lives at The Stone House B&B in Caux is coming for a short holiday. Our two will be thrilled to have their pal on a sleepover. I feel chaos looming.
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