We’ve just returned from the southern United States (hence the lack of posting on our blog for the least week or two), and what a difference….. When we boarded the plane in America the temperature was pushing 30°C (86°F), but by the time we landed back in Galicia the temperature had dropped to a chilly 15°C (59°F), even though it was midday when we arrived! Apparently the weather had remained cool and changeable in our region all the time that we were away, which was not good news for the flowering. Of course we are not sure what the long term effects might be as yet, but suffice to say that at this rate we could start picking our 2013 as late as October! As usual we find ourselves at the mercy of the weather Gods, who will ultimately determine the size and quality of our harvest….

One quick story from our trip – at France’s Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris I experienced one of the most ridiculous episodes of my life. We had just climbed off our overnight Transatlantic flight from Boston, and within 50 metres of leaving the plane, we were obliged to pass through security once again, in order to transfer to our flight to Vigo (despite the fact that we had clearly remained what is known as “airside”). We obediently succumbed to the usual routine – shoes off, jacket off, belt off, watch off, change out the the pocket, laptop out of the bag etc., etc., and then passed through the metal detector. Despite a green light, the ‘security official’, or should I say ‘jobsworth’, decided to give me an additional pat down (hand search). The only thing I had left in my pocket was a small plastic container of dental floss measuring about 4cm across (about 1½ inches).

The ‘official’ immediately seized my floss, stopped the entire queue of people behind me, went back and put this tiny PLASTIC container in it’s own, huge grey plastic tray, and then put it through the x-ray machine!!!! Unfortunately I was not able to take a photo to illustrate this entirely bizarre and ridiculous  incident as photography is not allowed (as is, apparently, dental floss).

We’ve just returned from the southern United States (hence the lack of posting on our blog for the least week or two), and what a difference….. When we boarded the plane in America the temperature was pushing 30°C (86°F), but by the time we landed back in Galicia the temperature had dropped to a chilly 15°C (59°F), even though it was midday when we arrived! Apparently the weather had remained cool and changeable in our region all the time that we were away, which was not good news for the flowering. Of course we are not sure what the long term effects might be as yet, but suffice to say that at this rate we could start picking our 2013 as late as October! As usual we find ourselves at the mercy of the weather Gods, who will ultimately determine the size and quality of our harvest….

One quick story from our trip – at France’s Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris I experienced one of the most ridiculous episodes of my life. We had just climbed off our overnight Transatlantic flight from Boston, and within 50 metres of leaving the plane, we were obliged to pass through security once again, in order to transfer to our flight to Vigo (despite the fact that we had clearly remained what is known as “airside”). We obediently succumbed to the usual routine – shoes off, jacket off, belt off, watch off, change out the the pocket, laptop out of the bag etc., etc., and then passed through the metal detector. Despite a green light, the ‘security official’, or should I say ‘jobsworth’, decided to give me an additional pat down (hand search). The only thing I had left in my pocket was a small plastic container of dental floss measuring about 4cm across (about 1½ inches).

The ‘official’ immediately seized my floss, stopped the entire queue of people behind me, went back and put this tiny PLASTIC container in it’s own, huge grey plastic tray, and then put it through the x-ray machine!!!! Unfortunately I was not able to take a photo to illustrate this entirely bizarre and ridiculous  incident as photography is not allowed (as is, apparently, dental floss).