Dear Friends and followers,

I have finished my first day working for a Viticulture contractor. It is among the hardest work i have ever done in Horticulture. It is a remarkable experience working in a new area of horticulture and in such a beautiful location. The quicker i get at the job the better i can earn too (payed hourly but if quick there are bonuses).

I am working for Provine Viticulture and am the only Pome, the rest are Maori's Kiwi's and Pacific islanders (i like them!) The work is physically demanding particularly in the dry summer heat. The days are usually about eight hours long though sometimes longer.

Today as part of a team of about 25 labourers we did wire lifting on Oyster bay's Sauvignon and Chardonnay vines in the Wairau Valley, which cover 180 hectares. This is aleat modern Commercial horticulture making my old job look like a walk in the park (however much i miss that park, and all the people too)

I have got to know many Vanuatuans and Kiribasian's who work the vines seasonally too, which is interesting as they are surprised i know about there homeland. I am trying to learn basic Nauru-an.

Will update soon.

Cheers,

Felix