Sunday, 31 January 2010
Saturday, 30 January 2010
January 30th, 2010
Following the visit from John and the reassurance that he has given me my focus will shift away from post bashing to pruning. This is one of the most important stages in the vineyard year as the actions taken now will shape the development of the vine for the next few years. We are using the Guyot system developed in the mid 1800's in France by Jules Guyot. Guyot is used throughout France and the rest of the world. It is widely regarded as the best system for vineyard management, yield and of course, producing quality fruit. The methodology involves selecting 1 (single) or 2 (double) fruiting canes that are tied to a fruiting wire. The buds produce shoots that contain bunches of grapes - simple eh? Well yes and no - we will find out over the next few years. The system is based on the fact that grapes form on the previous years growth or wood. Therefore, it is essential to select the correct canes to (a) prune away and therefore,(b) to retain for fruiting. Make the wrong decision and you do not have any friut!!
We are pruning the vines that made the most growth to ~700mm, this will be the height of the permanent leg of the vine. Hopefully, from the top of this leg we will retain the growth from 1 or 2 canes that will then become the fruiting canes for next year.
So that is the theory I'm going out now to put it into practice
We are pruning the vines that made the most growth to ~700mm, this will be the height of the permanent leg of the vine. Hopefully, from the top of this leg we will retain the growth from 1 or 2 canes that will then become the fruiting canes for next year.
So that is the theory I'm going out now to put it into practice
January 29th, 2010
I had a visit today from John the Agronomist. We walked through the vineyard looking for problems etc. He also gave me advise on the trellising, pruning and bud selection etc. I always look forward to visits from John as he provides much welcome feed back from a professional perspective. In such a new venture with no experience or formal training expert help is critical. It can be a lonely place - making an important decision in a vineyard in the snow of January when you know that the consequences will last months, years or even longer.
6pm Blizzard - only lasted a short time and it provided a small covering.
6pm Blizzard - only lasted a short time and it provided a small covering.
Tuesday, 26 January 2010
January 26th, 2010
Day off to go shooting, last of the season.
Weather turning colder -2DegC at 6pm near Chackmore. The ice is catching people out. There is a black spot just north of Water Stratford. On the way to French club some one had run into the ditch heading south and on the way back some one was in the ditch on the other side of the road heading north. Two accidents on the same bend within an hour.
Football last night. Winning 3-0 to just before 1/2 time. I scored one of them. 3-4 Poor substitutions. Lost 3-5. Bad night!
Weather turning colder -2DegC at 6pm near Chackmore. The ice is catching people out. There is a black spot just north of Water Stratford. On the way to French club some one had run into the ditch heading south and on the way back some one was in the ditch on the other side of the road heading north. Two accidents on the same bend within an hour.
Football last night. Winning 3-0 to just before 1/2 time. I scored one of them. 3-4 Poor substitutions. Lost 3-5. Bad night!
January 25th, 2010
We have a dam buster!
Note to self - explain to Stephanie about the turning circle of a Landrover Defender.
Didn't expect it to last that long. However, it has served it's purpose as I now understand how the water moves down the road. Next step is to make something similar but stronger or something that does the same job.
Friday, 22 January 2010
January 22nd, 2010
Raining today. Had to do some paperwork this morning then went up to the vineyard. I noticed the other day that a lot of rain water runoff was running down the side of the road and then turning into our field and running under the gate. I think that over the years this has contributed to the deterioration and water logging of the track. Having looked closely at the path that the water takes I decided that I could build a simple dam out of clay and try to redirect most of it. The first picture show’s this quite clearly. All the water is flowing into our field. The second photo post construction and 20mins later shows that I have successfully redirected the water along the edge of the road into the drain at the other side of our gateway. It will be interesting to see how much of a difference this will make over time. I also need to figure out a more permanent solution as one car over the dam will be the end of it!
Viewed Up the Road - Before Viewed Down the road - After
I also, cleared out the grips at the side of the road all the way to the Tingewick turn. The grips are made useless by a small dam that is formed by vehicles. One removed, within 10 seconds the water is gone.
January 21st, 2010
Just made a fantastic discovery. It is possible to rewind the film on our fax machine! We only get junk faxes and have to spend a fortune on films for the pleasure.
Trailer repairs. I have ordered some Diesel that needs to be collected and the only way is to use the much abused trailer. Hew Hitch Bolts, new electric plug and a spare socket to park the plug when not in use. Diesel collected safely.
Trailer repairs. I have ordered some Diesel that needs to be collected and the only way is to use the much abused trailer. Hew Hitch Bolts, new electric plug and a spare socket to park the plug when not in use. Diesel collected safely.
January 18th, 2010
Getting obsessed by stones again. They are appearing as if by magic. Photos to prove it. Need to speak with David (Royal Engineer) once more.
Back on the post bashing. Did 2 more rows today.
Want to make an observation about the snow. All gone apart from some areas. I can understand the sheltered areas would hold snow and on the north facing slopes, but this isn't consistent.
Picture 1 and 2 are almost adjacent rows to each other. However, One has retained the snow and the other hasn't. The one without the snow has the most shade from the big tree and therefore, I would have expected it to retain the snow better than the row with no shade and good exposure to the sun?
Friday, 15 January 2010
January 15th, 2010
A pesky mole is ruining my lawn under cover of the snow! As the snow melted today it revealed the damage.
Wednesday, 13 January 2010
January 13th, 2010
Lots more snow. School opened at 10am and then shut at 1pm. I was fuming this morning as I watched the gritting snow plough struggle to get up the hill. He compacted all the snow and made the surface so icy. I watched so many cars come down the hill, apply their breaks and just skid all the way down. No one could get up the hill - except for me in the Landrover, other 4x4's and a 4x4 Tractor. Also, one of the old boys from the village fell down and hit his head hard on the road, he was standing still. I filmed the incident, but the footage does not do it justice. Speaking to one of the neighbours he found out from the driver that the lorry does not even have a diff lock! And as you can guess - yes, he did not drop any grit! Make your own judgement.
http://www.chafor.co.uk/
info@chafor.co.uk
http://www.chafor.co.uk/
info@chafor.co.uk
Tuesday, 12 January 2010
January 12th, 2010
Had to go in to Buckingham and then Aylesbury this morning. On the way back I saw at least 5 Red Kites near Winslow and for the first time in about 5 years a Hare at High Hedges - I hope that he doesn't do any damage....The picture is not that of the abominable snow man but shows the form from where he got up. Most of the snow has gone from the roads but it is still thick in the fields. We have a forecast for light snow tonight.
January 11th, 2010
Schools are back. Spent yesterday afternoon clearing snow at the two sites. Had about an inch of snow overnight.
Friday, 8 January 2010
January 7th, 2010
The big freeze continues. At RAF Benson the temperature dropped to -18DegC over night. Benson is only about 30 miles from us. There is talk of a gas shortage?
Looking at the forecast this cold weather will stay with us for another week. I hope that the vines remain dormant. The post bashing and thoughts of pruning are on hold.
Wednesday, 6 January 2010
January 6th, 2010
Oh yes it did snow. About 7inches this morning.
The whole of the UK has ground to a stop. Went out at 9am and sorted out the chickens.
Spent the morning sledging with the kids then a pub lunch.
By the end of day we had ~8inches
http://www.chafor.co.uk/
info@chafor.co.uk
The whole of the UK has ground to a stop. Went out at 9am and sorted out the chickens.
Spent the morning sledging with the kids then a pub lunch.
By the end of day we had ~8inches
http://www.chafor.co.uk/
info@chafor.co.uk
January 5th, 1010
Back to the cold. -5DegC this morning. As you can see the ice is very thick. It said on the news that we had the coldest December for 15 years. More Post bashing. The mud on the trailer was so frozen that the wheels would not turn.
Clive came out to fix the lights on the landrover. The forecast is for heavy snow!
5pm started snowing.
11pm Still snowing. ~4inches
January 2nd, 2010
Back to work. Had a wonderful Christmas at home with my family and my parents. Started back on the Post bashing.
www.chafor.co.uk
info@chafor.co.uk
www.chafor.co.uk
info@chafor.co.uk
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