The weather improved a little and everyone in the village has been out grape-picking. We helped at one of the large vineyards in Silvares, and as usual were rewarded, along with about 50 others, with a large enjoyable lunch. We
Grapes ripen and figs are drying
We’re coming to the end of another long hot summer here. We have spent a lot of time in the swimming pool, and have cultivated lovely tans. The grapes are ripening and will be ready to pick in the next
Take care chopping firewood
Following on from the last post, about three weeks ago the lady from the village who helps with our cleaning, was helping her husband chop fire-wood. Somehow he managed to chop off the little finger on her left hand, they
An eventful start to 2012
A lot has happened since a very pleasant Christmas spent with Hugh & Jane in Parada da Gonta. The weather although cold at night has in the main been sunny and warm during the day. I have been out in
Harvesting olives, bottling wine
Winter is here again. Today is overcast, misty,drizzly, and cold! However to date although we have had some very wet days during November, the weather has also been sunny and warm for some of the time. We have been doing
Wine bottling
A steady stream of guests, and largely good weather. However last week-end was wet, and today is cool and cloudy, not normal! We helped our friends bottle 2500 bottles of wine, and visited Belmonte. There was a castle and some
Guests begin to stay
We have started to have guests staying, and were very pleased to receive the following: ‘Thlop’ fell the orange on the chicken’s head. ‘Clat’ dropped the walnut by the poolside. Gorse smelling as coconut. Fresh lemons and faded jasmine in
Incubating chickens
Do please check out our holiday apartments. April has been a month of two halves as far as the weather is concerned. The first half of the month was hot and sunny, but the last few days have been cool