Bees Knees

Paul's surprise from all the family was two bee hives (bees to follow in the Spring!). Very exciting for both of us. We have been thinking about the best place to put them- on the sunny side/out of the frost, but with shade from the midday sun. We've chosen a spot below the veggie garden- and at the weekend visited the local market to buy some more trees and then set about planting bee friendly trees around the area.
1 Liriodendron
1 Tilia
5 Almonds
5 Apples
1 Feijoa
1 Eriobotrya japonica (Loquat/Nespera)
1 Cherry

We also bought 5 olives for the terrace below the 'river garden'- which we've named 'The New Wedding terrace'. We want to keep this level nice and simple with green lawn and olives only.

Because it's the right time of year to buy citrus we also bought 4 more citrus trees- a Grapefruit, Blood Orange, Orange and Lemon- which we'll plant when the weather warms up a bit!

Pauls birthday

Paul had a big birthday this year, so we took a few days out and visited the Douro Valley (two hours drive north from here). Beautiful area to relax, walk and drink some local Douro wine.

2019

January we were straight back into the clearing below the house- also putting in new ramps so we can get the mower/tractor around most of the terraces now

Christmas 2018

We had a bit of a break over Christmas with friends visiting from the USA. We managed to do a bit of clearing below the house and our guests bought and planted two new trees! Alan the Almond- and Sunny D the Orange