Today started as a grey, cloudy day, with nothing much planned, and turned out to be a sunny, but windy day, full of fun for me.
It started with a breakfast time chat with our older son, of course it was a midnight'ish chat for him. He has finished his undergrad course, and just has to weather the exams, to get his Bsc.
Dave had a day mostly at his desk working, but took some time out to come and cut wood with me, as we were down to a very small log pile.
That done, I settled down to some long delayed sewing, which was interrupted by a welcome hot, savoury, lunch roll. Half way through a friend popped in, to see if we wanted to take a trip 'up north'. Dave needed to work, but I set out with her, and we went right up to the end of the island. We explored a road neither of us had been far down before, and had a look at one of the oldest houses on the island. It is so cute, right next to a creek, and is up for sale, but it looked so sad and neglected, I hope someone buys it soon. Anyway we penetrated further into the bush until we were stopped by a 'NO ENTERY' sign. Obviously not put up by the Flinders Island Council, as they can spell. Still we turned around and went a-visiting.
We visited two different houses and got coffee and fish, to take home, at one, and tea and eggs, to take home, at the other. The people on this island are so generous and kind, and I love them for it.
We had such cheerful visits, and I learned a lot about where to plant trees, and how wind affects them, by looking at a relatively newly planted olive orchard. They also have a massive olive oil extractor, which I am just dying to see in action, it has to work better than my attempts at cast iron pot grinding! Roll on May when the olives will be ripe. I have offered to help pick, so I hope to see it all in action.
Just after we got home, another friend phoned to invite us to fish the North East river for Australian Salmon tomorrow. Dave can't go, but Carol and I are keen, so we may get a second trip on the river to try for them. Last time we didn't even get a nibble, so fingers crossed the fish are biting tomorrow.
Perhaps they would be willing to extract the oil for you? A large extractor should have plenty of free time.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't be surprised of the proprietors of the olive mill would let you use it. You'd probably have to contribute some of your crop - in France the cooperative mills take 10% or you can pay and they take nothing.
ReplyDeleteTalking of which, our olives are just about ready to be picked. This is early, but everyoen around is in the same boat and the mill is opening on Monday so I predict a few mornings of picking this week to get the first consignment in.
I will certainly ask them about using the mill, for next year.
ReplyDeleteI wish we could pop over and pick some for you, the ones Dave did here, are so delicious now!!