Spring!

Still raining but the mimosa in in full flower and when we do get the occasional sunny day the scent in the valley is lovely.
The carnival was a couple of weeks ago (can't believe it's come around again so soon!), a fun day (despite the rain) and a good porkfest the following weekend.

Twiggs continues to grow and is settling in well!!

Ishbel and I http://naturallymadesoaps.blogspot.com/ have been making 300 rose soaps for a ladies dinner here- nice to be doing something a bit different!

railings (and other stuff!)

We've finished the railings on the veranda- still have to finish the top level and the stairs (the posts need a few alterations).



























So in the meantime we've done some bits in the kitchen- putting up some gorgeous new blue tiles.




The quinta is springing into life again- thank goodness for the environmentally friendly lawnmowers (the geese!) who are doing a great job!
We said goodbye to the 4 young male rabbits- one went into a delicious rabbit and venison pie, and the others into the freezer for future velagota meals- what a great and easy (and tasty) animal for the smallholder.

before

and during
(after to follow!)

We took off the old scaffolding from the verandas yesterday and put up new posts. Just waiting for the steel cable now so we can finish the job. Quite a hairy procedure especially after we'd had lunch with Tose+Gloria!

it's all going on!

Lot's to report, Tose+Gloria have given us a lovely pair of bantams- they really are a funny looking couple- him resembling what can only be described as a bogbrush!

Paul had a great birthday- we had 12 for lunch- roast pork and plenty of 'vitamina' of course! (and a cake with chocolate piggies on it!)

The rain has finally eased off and we can get on with some jobs again!

We made use of the last couple of days having a digger here, so we have moved the hot-tub down to the house, and dug some planting channels near the entrance by the stone wall.

Yesterday we started on clearing the piece of land at the far end of the house- very interesting and rewarding work as it looks like there is an old track here.

Today we are starting on the railings so we can finally get that horrible scaffolding off around the house!!

squeamish (and vegetarians!) look away now!!

Sunday was butchery day! We decided to attempt this job on our own (just helped by Tose with the gutting and cleaning on Saturday as this really needs an expert hand). Last year the process was so hectic with neighbours and butchers and their families, we thought we'd try and keep it simple and calm this time! So assisted with our 'Hugh and Ray pig in a day' DVD, a butchers cuts chart, and the knowledge we gained from last year we sharpened our knives, scrubbed down the butchers block and set to work!

Working methodically, (with the odd glass of port to warm us!) we worked our way through- chopping chops, rolling loin joints, and trimming ribs etc etc!

All the offcuts have gone into the mincer and today we're making sausages. It's just been an amazing and rewarding process- knowing that we have happy, out-door reared pork and we managed all the processing ourselves- can't get better than that!!!

Porcos

Just a quick entry. Our two piggies were dispatched this morning. Like last year they went totally calmly and munching on some pears. I had a surreal moment standing in the falling snow this morning, cleaning the carcasses, looking out over the valley- all of us (Paul, myself and Tose, Gloria and Miguel) with frozen fingers scrubbing the skin with stones. Needless to say it was a 'moment'- can't describe it really but it's a memory that will stay.
Well, we have cleaned and gutted them and had a good lunch of Torresmos (pork, garlic and wine stew!) roast potatoes, and plenty of red wine- with Fado (Portuguese folk music) playing in the background. Off outside in the freezing cold now to bury the unmentionables and have another glass of wine to toast our lovely piggies who had a good outdoor life and a quick and stress-free end.

Bom ano novo!

Apologies for the lack of posts recently. We have both had a nice quiet Christmas at home and are raring to go for 2010! The weather has been WET WET WET and our well is 'well' and truly overflowing. Our olives harvested just 16litres- next year should be alot more productive (and alot more work, so any volunteers will be gratefully received!!). Twiggy is growing fast and we have a few new chicks on the block- including a lovely pair of bantams!


We've started the new year with some levelling- a nice sized parking area at the entrance to the house, with some planting beds to follow, and we've also have begun to dig out a large water tank- next to the well, ready for the summer.