This post is to show you that sometimes the romantic images of owning a vineyard in the south of France just fly out of the fenêtre.
Temperatures have been below zero for the past week and the wind has been howling a gale at over 90 miles an hour. The wind chill factor is such that I can't stay in the vineyard for more than 10 minutes at a time before my fingers freeze off.
But my man is out there pruning the 100 year old vines in La Petite Vigne. He prunes a row and then shelters in the hedgerow amongst the boxwood and wild rosemary. He is wearing three pairs of trousers, two pairs of socks and two hats. I am sitting by the fire warming my toes thinking will I ever be a true vigneronne?
Arctic conditions in La Petite Vigne |
Taking shelter in the hedge |