Jan sat next to me on the wooden wall. He was every thing a Dutch wine maker should be; tall, handsome, articulate, knowledgeable and he was a friend of Ashleigh.

Jan was a guest at Stanton a few years ago. He said that we were all blessed living in the Derwent Valley as we do. The air is different and the light picks out the green on the hills blending it with the purple sky. He lives in Sydney so I listened attentively.

We were at the Two Metre Tall Real Ale farm bar on one of those winter Saturdays where it is chilly but clear, then moving to a change of mood later on … it reminded me of the conviviality of the Trout Inn near Oxford, UK on an English winter’s day.

Everyone was at the brewery including Jan. He said he liked winter in Europe as it was a busy time with much to prepare for the new seasons ahead; the reward for effort being veggies and vines that actually work and give you something back.

He spoke like a farmer. I don’t think he is going to be a full time wine export manager in Sydney’s CBD for a great length of time. I’m glad such fellows as Jan and Ashleigh inhabit our world as talking to them provides me with mind flavour in a sometimes routine week.

This year it was frustrating to get winter organised the way it should, the normal winter jobs at Stanton were not flowing freely and it was wet.

August was a very drizzly month with the stuff coming up out of the ground as little springs. The winter rivulet known here as Cash’s Rivulet (Martin Cash the bushranger) has run strong since June and still has more to go.

I have renamed it Breakfast Brook as there is a nice spot under the trees for a lazy Sunday brunch. But not this time.

Rain constantly falling for a month on end turned us into window pane gazers looking out upon a scene of damp mist with centre stage a sodden horse who, just recently arrived from Queensland was probably wondering if they have summer here.

He will love it in November when Spring is full blown and the grass is juicy.

Staying inside for a month is hard to do. We pruned the soggy orchard, that will make us happy in March next year when the apples come on plus we will be ready for the European wasps when they turn up as well.

The cherries were also cut back sufficiently to allow for a fair supply of heaven’s best fruit.

To top it off a trip to Bushy Park was accomplished returning with ample used hop poles that will support the netting over a 30×30 metre cherry orchard.

Staying indoors for weeks by the fire makes you think too much really. Most of it forms into grand plans for something or another so taking you to a place that is both enticing and frustrating.

The chook shed is going to be made more comfortable for the girls with better lining, sturdier roof, a big run to keep them occupied before going free range at 3pm every day. The roosters have a job to do with this as they will be in charge.

The Stanton pine tree is another plan that will come along soon. But not this month. First we have to find another way of obtaining a new and continuous supply of dry firewood.

Stanton does not have gum trees so no charging out the back and loading up a ute load or two, it has to be brought in from further up the valley and this year it just wasn’t coming down as it should.

The cosy making stuff has to be dry, preferably two years in the process.

For now we will sift through a neighbours ex shed that is now hidden by blackberries and use the best to build something … perhaps a stylish chookshed.

August has not finished yet. There are a few days left in which to hoe out a new vegetable patch that will contain pink eyes, Dutch creams, broadbeans, tomatooes and corn.

I might have mentioned this to Jan, he will remember for sure, probably as he is looking at the Sydney skyline from his office window.

Outside we go! If the Europeans can do it …!