I had today all planned out. I was to get up early, get a few jobs done on the land and then go into town with my girls. But my friend who does the olive harvest with me, popped round to tell me that she didn't think we had enough quantity for the mill, so was there anymore trees I could harvest on the land.
Just the day before, my neighbour told me that he still had some olives on some of the trees on his land and that if I wanted to I could harvest them for myself. At the time I declined because I was feeling pretty exhausted after my 2 weeks of working. But low and behold, I found myself paying him a visit and taking up his offer.
So my plan for the day changed completely. I got started after breakfast and discovered that he had a huge tree, next to his yurt that needed to be harvested. There were a lot of olives on that huge majestic tree. My neighbour was busy building on his land, but he showed me a tower he had built, which he used in his yurt construction.
He told me that I could use it to reach the highest branches, I must say I was very happy to have access to such a useful tool, as this tree was just as big as the ones on my land. My girls came with me for a bit and just loved playing on the tower and begged me to make one for them.
I always get the olives on the lowest branches first, taking my time to make sure I get most of them. When that was done, it was then time to climb the tower and stand tall amongst this majestic tree. I climbed up and just as I got to the top of the tower, which had a platform in top, the wind picked up. I didn't dare stand up as I could feel the full force of it moving the tower.
Back to plan B, to climb the tree itself. It was an easy tree to climb, but a bit scary with the high wind, I really had to anchor myself on that tree, especially when I was reaching up to get the olives high above me. I felt a lot safer when there was a branch behind me!
All in all, I lasted 4 and a half hours and I reckon I collected close to a 100kg of olives. But the funny thing is, my body is not as achy as it was before. Maybe it's just because I have gotten use to it.
I didn't take any photos as I was too busy, but now I wish I had taken on of the tower. But hey maybe tomorrow.
I do love how young I feel up there in the branches, young and free. There is something so meditative about the work also, you can easily go into a trance as you find your rhythm.
But I can now say, without a doubt, that today was my last day,harvesting olives. From tomorrow, I am going to have a few days of rest. Well after I go into town, that is. So my original plan for today, is now on for tomorrow, lets see how that goes xxx
