new addtition to the Velagota household!

We've been keeping a lookout for another boxer since we lost Mags last year- the occasional one has come up at the rescue centres aroung the country- but they've either been too far away or not suitable for us. So when we saw this litter advertised in the next village we thought 'aw- lets just go and have a look' (yeh right!). It was a lovely family home with two boxers who were very much part of the family- baskets in the kitchen, children playing with the puppies- so how could we resist?!

Just need to come up with a name now!

New arrivals at Velagota-

latest photos of new chicks and baby bunnykins- so cute and fluffy- don't mention rabbit pie anyone!

Festa for Tose'

Tose turned 50 this week and we held the party in our house. Only slightly hectic as you can imagine- not helped by the fact Tose told us it was 25 people right up to the last moment when he announced it was actually 40!

A great party anyway- and no shortage of Leitao (suckling pig) and wine (naturally!), finished off with some fado singing from Gloria and her brother, and some Beatles from me on the guitar! (everybody can sing along to 'Hey Jude'!)

new chicks

We have had a hen nesting free-range under some branches near the house. It's the second time she's chosen to nest outside the coop- the first time we moved her and her nest, inside the chicken ark, but she wouldn't continue sitting, so this time we've left her alone.
So far she's hatched three chicks- lets hope she hatches them all quickly and we can get them moved safely into the ark.

fun, festas and filth!

Big job this weekend cleaning out the well. The neighbours and their family members helped us and we thought it would be a pretty straight forward job. Actually it was bloomin' hard work- all emptied out by hand and bucket- we estimated about 5cubic metres of rotten vegetation and soil was dug out.

Lunch was a huge pork and potato stew and lemon meringue pie.

A very good job done- now we have to be very frugal with our water until it fills up again. It's very dry here and we haven't had rain for a couple of months now- so here's hoping!

After a well (haha 'well'- geddit?!!) deserved glass of cold Pimms (courtesy of Rob!) we walked up to the square to watch the dancing.

(apologies for photo quality- due to poor light if you click on the photo you can see the image much more clearly!)

side terrace

Paul's been working hard while I've been away and we have a lovely new side terrace- I just have one more thing to plant on the left hand side(a dwarf indian bean tree).

Messing about on the river!