Time to assist with the grape harvest, albeit later than usual and with low expectations after such a bad summer. So, on Tue 12 Oct, we hitched up Mr Toad and moved off grid at the vineyard for 2 days before moving on to Cambridge Camping and Caravanning club site for the weekend. The site is so noisy after spending 2 nights located miles from anywhere.
Over the long weekend we drove out to Burwash Manor for a quick mooch around, then stopped for tea and cake in the Orchard tea garden before heading for an appointment at Addenbrookes Hospital in the afternoon and then had pizza in the evening from the excellent van that stopped on site. Saturday we walked from Grantchester into Cambridge along the Grantchester Grind, but the city was packed with tourists and quite unpleasant so we had a quick pint in the Anchor before walking back to Grantchester and home. Sunday we filled the van to the brim with water, charged everything electrical we could find, went back to the vineyard, then out in Mr Toad to get some provisions for the week.
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| The Orchard Tea Rooms, Grantchester |
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| The Old Vicarage Grantchester |
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| The clock not standing at 10 to 3 |
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| Kings College |
Mon and Tues we picked the dreaded back muller (Muller-Thurgau left unpruned) and on Wednesday, as the forecast was so foul, we had a day off. It actually turned out to be a nice day. We went into Saffron Walden, had lunch in a pub, then off for a wander around Audley End house.
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| Saffron Walden |
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| St Mary's Church, Saffron Walden |
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| Audley End House |
Thursday and Friday it was back to picking and on Saturday it was a quick trip home for admin.
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| How much can you get in the back of a smart car |
On Sunday in glorious weather we were privileged to enjoy the first sample of the new season Sparkling Wine in glorious sunshine sitting amongst the Pinot Noir vines that produce that same wine.
On Monday and Tuesday it was a slog to get the last of the grapes in and the end of the harvest for another year. On Wednesday morning we hitched up, said our goodbyes and headed for home. In all, a great experience staying in a beautiful, peaceful location.
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| Different fruit for a change |
