I always remember the fist year we picked Olives at Les Cypres, we turned up at the mill with one large bucket weighing 9kilos. Believe me we were at the back of the queue at the weigh in.
A perfect Autumn day for picking.
Over the years our crops have increased , 49, 74 and then a mammoth 250 kilos - at which time we were warmly welcomed at the mill and considered one of the locals!
The happy team, Deb in green, Karen in beige and Gene in blue.
(note Kevin & Marion - good year not to come, collection bags still in use)
Since then the crop has varied, another year with 250, back to 110 and then last year around 230.
This years rather mottly pickings
This year we no longer have Les Cypres so have lost half our crop. Worse still a mild and damp winter, an excessively hot June then less warm July & August has played havoc with the crop, half the olives have fallen to the ground already, they are over ripe and a worm inside! lovely, so the upside , a couple of hours picking with our house guardians Deb & Gene , and a mere 11 kilos to the mill which will give us 2 litres of oil! Normally we have between 20 and 45 litres so the salads will be a little dryer next year!
Take note - this is not just happening here in the Luberon, its much of Southern France, Spain is also suffering a terrible crop caused by draught so Olive oil prices will rise - buy now - buy quality - but use it within a year.
At the weigh in! disappointing
Autumn colours are compensation!
