olives picked

...and the grand total is 192 kilograms. Now to see how much oil that produces.

The weather for picking was amazing! Unseasonal, glorious autumn days. The hillsides were alive with happy pickers, all at the same time. The true magic and romance of picking olives in Italy; as the truth is often very far from the romantic notion it was an absolute delight this year to hear such happy busy-ness all along the valley.

One friend, in his late 70s or early 80s, told me from the top of his ladder that he is only going to do five more seasons because the job is a bit much for him on his own, his 120 trees. I have thirty, and after the first season of doing them alone I have called on helpers every year since. Food for thought in there...

Today I am grateful for a successful harvest.