Bring on Vintage!!!

This blog will have some news that is ‘old’ in the mean time but nevertheless I will inform you.

After one week of mainly sorting some practicalities of life in New Zealand after my trip to Holland, I luckily could start working at the company where I would go for vintage anyhow. In stead of working in the laboratory I started as a cellar hand in the winery, which is something that is closer to my line of study than the laboratory. For a little intro to this company see: www.indevin.com. The work is pretty physical and I am only doing 5 days of 8 hours, while as soon as the grapes are being harvested I will work 7 days of 12 hours, although these will be nights. This is going to be an interesting experience again. I very much enjoy the work in the cellar and guess I finally figured out my direction in the wine industry.
(anyone who has some good tips and tricks about how to survive a few weeks night shifts of 12 hours for 7 days a week - I am very keen to receive some!!)

Of course I also made a trip by car over the hill again (to Nelson) to visit some of my best friends in New Zealand. I try to make the trip regularly but it had been a while again and we spent a lot of time eating, drinking (wine) and catching up on our life experiences. And just last weekend I went there again (just in time before vintage kicks off) especially to see my friend for a poole dancing event!!!!! I am sorry not to be able to publish pictures of this event – it is all copy-righted.

The last three years living in Blenheim I never had the intention to stay here long term, but this all changed in the course of last year when I realised that settling in Blenheim on my own before going on any other adventures would be the best choice for this period in my life. So it was finally time for me to seriously finding my way around Blenheim society. Since I am a very sporty person – uhhuummmm…… the first thing I tried was getting some tennis lessons with a few of my girl friends. And yes, since a few weeks we have been trying to hit the tennis balls with the racket with some very reasonable results. I am sure we are in there for the long run, although some of us have more eyes for the men than for the balls……..

Furthermore, I have had some job interviews for permanent roles but until now without success – this is however not of huge concern to me since I am very new on this job market and getting interviews is always a good start. At the moment I am happy with the vintage job I have and will see where that leads me.

A lot of time I have also spent with friends over dinner and drinks. Although I sometimes feel alone in Blenheim I have realised I have quite a nice group of good friends around me which I tend to neglect at times – sorry guys!!! This will change very soon – promised.

And then there was 22 February 2011, the day the big earthquake hit Christchurch and not only that city but all of the country was shocked. It was really a surreal experience since I was only 300 km away but still not able to do anything, while all the images in the media were about this horrible event. To show how perspective works, a few weeks later the big earthquake and tsunami hit Japan. Yes, we all know we live on the ring of fire and risks are always there. At the moment most people around me are preparing their emergency kits etc. Actually I should start doing something like that myself………

Well, I am sure I have forgotten to tell you a lot – but hey, now it is your turn since I will be pretty quiet for a while. Tomorrow the first grapes will arrive in the winery which means the official start of vintage for us. Bring it on and let it be a good one in 2011!!!

Looking forward to hear from all of you!

Anita