Stumble out just pre-dawn, load up. The Landcruiser tows the trailer with the bins. The Landrover follows. In case.
Crest the ridge as the red sun crests the next ridge.
Four to a row. Secateurs and basket. Two hod carriers. Is Henry's way. It's the old way.
Four to a row gives you breaks; you do your dozen vines then leapfrog the others. You get to the end quicker; psychologically.
But you are alone. Down low in your vine cell. Grapes are only a foot off the ground. Do you bend? Do you kneel? Squat? Sit? Crawl? You do all those. And others... Sharing the pain around the body. Snip snip snip - ow! The hoddies loom up and you must struggle upright, lift and tip your heavy basket. Ridiculously tall, some hoddies.
So it goes from 8am. till 12. Fill maybe 8 or 10 tubs. You dream of what Bernadette will serve. Pea soup today, a Nicoise, Fricassé of Pork, cheese, dessert coffee. But you've earned it. Henry doesn't pay his family or friends. Food and a T-shirt is it!
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