Sink

A long day yesterday...after work Marty came by and we started to install the sink. The price of copper! Everything went well, took the feed off the kitchen supply, made up the waste pipes, but then the faucet. It's a bit of an odd set up and Home Depot couldn't provide the bits for us to finish it. So Marty's going to go to a more specialist plumbing supplier. Nearly there.

We also talked about the power supply for the pump. We agreed to install an outlet in the basement cieling, to avoid cabling on the floor getting mixed up with liquid and other pipes. This is also better than making up about 50ft of extension and running it from the main building.

I also gave Marty a copy of The Books and took him through last month's expenditure and current cash position. I also paid him for his sink expenses.

I also noticed that the State has cashed our A-2 license application fee. They did this on the 14th July. So we're in the system for sure. Just expecting our visit from The Inspector. "Any Day Now". Apparently that Day wasn't any day this week and I'm certain it doesn't include weekend Days.

I toyed with the idea of having Dad come over for the crush this year. Really unsure about it though. I know for sure he'd love it and God knows he's as strong as an Ox and would be a manpower asset, 'cos I phoned him in Italy last weekend and, as usual, for this hottest time of the year, he was still scything the grass on the land and raking it in so he can burn it later. The land is on a slope as the house is in the Appenines and he's about 72, or is it 74. There again, I can "see" him responding to what I may have to say by way of explanation on why I'm doing what I'm doing with his head cocked to one side, a broad smile and with a shake of the head and a laugh that turns into a "But.." go on to suggest something different..and he'd be right too. I can hear, "It's up to you..." too. Oh yes, also there's , "Do what you like.." , always with a laugh though.

Seriously, I'd love him here, and he'd be great in moments of panic as he'd see a way through. Speaking of panic... the scale of this operation, this year, to us, is beyond anything we've imagined. It is daunting. I'm playing out the process in my mind and this weekend I'll probably set it all out in the winery as if we were about to crush so I can "see" it and get it straight in my head. I need to get the hose lengths particularly accurate, allowing for maximum length for self priming of the pump and maximum head (ooh err, missus).

The tricky bit will be transferring to secondary fermentation. Not just the transfer and getting those whole barrels, jugs, demijons filled but also pressing the must out and then getting the must out of the basement and cleaning the barrels. I think we can reconsitute the must in a barrel with water, then pump it out of the basement into another barrel for taking to composting via the tractor/trailer. If not, it's going to be the old stompers filled and passed through the window again. All hands on deck!

What a venture! Into the relative unknown. it is exciting. I am already feeling nervous about it but take comfort that it has a certain inevitability - like you're on a ride and you have to see it through to end, just remember to keep your arms and legs in. Sort of like "going over the top" but without imminent death staring you in the face. Actually, no, nothing like that at all, sorry, but you get the idea.

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