Friday 14th October

We were up earlier than usual and dressed tp go and help Stefania with preparations for the arrival of her brother Angelo. We met her at the pool as she was ready to start the olive picking around the pool area. Stefano, prepared the  compressor which would drive the two ‘wands’ which would be used to shake the olives loose from the trees. After a short while he got the machine going and we spread the nets underneath the first tree and the shaking of the tree began. The olives both black and green came tumbling down onto the nets along with some leaves and small twigs. When the most olives had been shaken free, we gathered up the net carefully so as not to spill the olives we had harvested and then they were emptied into a cassette or crate. Five crates of olives will make about 10 liters of oil when they have been pressed.

The 'girls' show how it is done

...and then Bruno

We moved from tree to tree at the top of the slope and down to where the animals are kept. Some trees shed a lot of olives some less and some trees hardly had any olives at all. Due to the very hot summer here, the olive harvest is less than usual and some trees are bare. Nevertheless, even with s top for a nice lunch we filled about 12 of the cassettes. 

Even Curious George got into the act

Hand picking

The kitten sat in a tree watching the action and staying clear of Coco the dog who wanted to play.

The dynamic duo at work

The pickin's

There will be more to pick tomorrow. We stopped around 5.30 p.m. and showered and washed our dirty clothes.

Then we took a short trip into Cugnoli to buy a few supplies and then it was dinner at 8 p.m.. This was a lively affair with Angelo, Gianna, Stefania and Bruno exchanging stories and banter some of which MAC picked up. Then it was tired and to bed.