Back-Breaking

These bronze vignerons at Puligny Montrachet are permanently stooped while tending the vines. My back aches just to look at them. The local winemakers only use pickers under 30 for the vendange (the grape harvest) because of back problems - and most of the grapes that go to make up the best Burgundies are picked by hand.

We made the short journey this morning to Beaune, a wonderful example of an unspoiled medieval walled city, unsullied by 20th century vandals - sorry, architects. The town is in the throes of a festival of film noir, and I had an event at the town's bookstore. Gratifyingly, there was a large turnout, and it was standing room only.

I met a family from Scotland, now living in Beaune, who share my surname, so it was a novelty to sign a book to La Famille May - even although it turned out they were not related.

The long drive home tomorrow.