A day in the life in the North

[Stumpy]

Let me tell ya as Norts can attest, fighting a fire is damn hard and exhausting. I never had to go deep into one as a front line fire fighter. They usually put us volunteers on the 2nd line to clear dry shrubs and debris to hopefully stop it from jumping across. But a few times I was in it shoveling to put flames out and you feel the heat and you are wearing heavy gear for protection. When your shift is done you are whooped.

[Edmond]

Good enough true life movie.

Probably better than 'good enough', the bloke that recommended it to me said it was fantastic. It was very good and worth one watch.

[Stumpy]

Autumn is here. Morning temps 4c to 6c.







Soon the leaves will turn from green/yellow to a red/brownish then fall off. Once the vines are bare the farmers physically trim each vine back to promote new growth and healthy grapes for next season

[Edmond]

Once the vines are bare the farmers physically trim each vine back

Via Mexicans?

I've an ex that moved back to live on the family farm near Stockton a few years ago. Not the kind of UK farm that's stinkin' of cow poo and pigs. Beautiful place.

[Norton]

Once the vines are bare the farmers physically trim each vine back to promote new growth and healthy grapes for next season

[DrWilly]

Looks great. Super fresh temps but with blue skies and a brisk walk that would be very nice. Are they are particular grape variety or a mix?

[Norton]

Are they are particular grape variety or a mix?

Cabernet Sauvignon and Chardonnay are the most widely planted but others like Merlot and Pinot Nior as well.

[bsnub]

The Napa valley has consistently produced some of the finest wines in the world for many years, but of late Sonoma is talking the prizes. Two of the world's five top wines come from there, according to wine speculator.

[Stumpy]

^^ Yes on both Norts and Snubs posts. Lets not forget Zinfandels.

If you head over the mountain from Calistoga to Rohnert Park/Sebastopol areas, there are now numerous vineyards having expanded the "Wine" country as its all called up here.

The Napa Valley will always be iconic as the entire area was established and has so many wineries, the Napa Valley train, hot air balloons rides etc.

[malmomike77]

according to wine speculator.

hmm, i tend use Decanter, for my sins

Decanter World Wine Awards 2023 results unveiled - Decanter

[Stumpy]

^^^ I am glad you guys look into where the best wines are made. As I have posted, I know absolutely nothing about wine and what makes it a good tasting winner (other then some names). I do not drink nor like wine as odd as that is being I have been around it for 30+ years.

[cyrille]

hmm, i tend use Decanter, for my sins

Oh I have so many more sordid things to confess.

Aha

A hahaha.

[Molle]

I am glad you guys look into where the best wines are made. As I have posted, I know absolutely nothing about wine

Neither does bsnub but that doesn't stop him from stating that "america has the best" for just about everything discussed at TD.
US wine is ok but there are so many other countries doing it better, Australia, France, Chile, Spain, Italy to name a few of them.

[cyrille]

Leo Messi has become a decent player now, I heard.

[Switch]

For most people, wine is about availability and personal taste. Thailand was always a bit shit regarding wine choices.
My own taste in wines is for sweeter dessert type wines, because I never drank the stuff until I lived in Germany.

Having lived and traveled in various parts of the world, my taste now includes Merlot and Malbec, usually imported. Imported wine choices here are mostly Australian and expensive because of alcohol taxes living in a Muslim country.

I get the feeling that wine consumption is more civilised than beer, unless you drink the stuff by the bottle instead of by the glass, with food!
Alcoholics probably don’t care too much anyway?

[BLD]

True
We just want a cheap result. in Oz you can buy it buy it in 4 litre casks and when yer done there's a blow up pillow inside. The Aussies don't fook about

[Switch]

True
We just want a cheap result. in Oz you can buy it buy it in 4 litre casks and when yer done there's a blow up pillow inside. The Aussies don't fook about

I have favourite pic of my late Mum, cruising around a friends vineyard near Perth, on a 4x4 bike when she was 72. Game old gal.

[hallelujah]

. Game old gal.

Is that where you get it from then?

[Edmond]

cruising around a friends vineyard near Perth, on a 4x4 bike when she was 72.

Good on her. Mine went backpacking alone in India for a month or 2 in her early 60s.

[hallelujah]

Good on her. Mine went backpacking alone in India for a month or 2 in her early 60s.

I wish I could send my mum there for a decade or two.

[david44]

Russian River area as a volunteer

did you ever visit Farolles Gardens I met a baseball correspondant from there.

[Stumpy]

I get the feeling that wine consumption is more civilised than beer

in general wine is always enjoyed with a nice dinner and a bottle shared with the table guests. Seems to be used to toast as well. Beer is beer. It's doesn't get shared, the drinker typically belches after a good swig and he is usually eating food with buddies. Bottle clanks can be shared if watching a game and your team is doing well.

Another reason why I don't drink wine, I found it to be a bit pretentious. The cork sniffing silliness, the waiter showing the bottle, the amount poured in a glass. I also notice that people who drink it alot wake up with terrible headaches.

I'll stick with Bourbon or Rye Whiskey

[Norton]

did you ever visit Farolles Gardens I met a baseball correspondant from there.

Nope. Never heard of it. I did visit a very posh place twice in 1962. The Bohemian Grove on the Russian River.

Bohemian Grove - Wikipedia

[Switch]

Is that where you get it from then?

Hadn’t thought about, but I suppose there may be some genetic connection, yes.

[Stumpy]

Few random pics. Trip here is winding down.



Fall is coming fast. Cool crisp mornings and heavy fog.



One thing I always enjoy is the big western Canadian Geese flying over and stopping around local percolation ponds on their trip south to Mexico. I hear them every morning honking away. In flocks of 200 or more it is loud



30 plus barrels of wine being taking to their underground storage for preserving and aging.



Did a Mendo and wife and I had some Fish & Chips. Fresh local caught yellowtail rockfish or Cod as some call it. Seldom ever eat it so it was a nice change.