Only Des would think of donning body armour to load a genny into a van!
Loading-the-genny-2
Loading-the-genny-2, originally uploaded by Paradise in Portugal.
While everyone was over we finally sold the old genny – it’s gone for its future life to Guinea Bissau – but the question was – how on earth were we to lift it into the van? The above is the answer; props, wedges, blocks and jacks, bit by bit and watch your toes!
Smithy, Araby, Beetle and Kate
Four of my favourite ladies.
Party-People
I know I haven’t written anything here for ages – and yes, I DO feel guilty – but there’ve been extenuating circumstances and these people have a lot to do with it!
I was 50 earlier on this year, February to be exact, but I wanted to throw a party where Archie, Araby and Alexandra could be here so decided to keep it over till July. The above were most of the participants and we had a right hoolie – but of course blog writing went by the board during those two weeks and then D & I had a dose of this Swine flu so that laid us out for a week or so. Anyway, back on our feet again and scribbling ….
Archie-&-F-Albuera-trip-29.6.09
The best bit about having kids is enjoying Life with them – and that’s why I haven’t written anything for a while …. Archie’s been to stay and we took the chance a few days ago to pop across the border into Spain and visit a Napoleonic battlefield at Albuera, fought on 16th May 1811. It was a fantastic day; slightly over 700 kms of pure bliss on two wheels, and with Archie filming lots of cork trees flashing past! Something we’re sure to cherish for ever ….
The-Gold-20090614
It’s not often we get the Gold out here – the last time I can remember was four years ago …. it’s a Family Heirloom, not worth much actually apart from the sentimental value.
My Gt Gt Gt Gt something or other got it when he was in London in the late 1700s bailing his son out of prison for some heinous offence and since then we’ve only lost one fork from the whole set so it’s a bit special.
Anyway, yesterday evening we just had a lovely American couple from New York for dinner, and as they’re on their Honeymoon we thought we’d give them an evening to remember so served dinner off the Elphinstone plates – another heirloom – and ate with the Gold.
A very special time for them and we wish them all the best for the remainder of their time in Portugal – and of course for their marriage!
Little-Owl-(Athena-noctua)-20090609
Little-Owl-(Athena-noctua)-20090609, originally uploaded by Paradise in Portugal.
I wasn’t going to put this picture up on this blog …. I posted it on my birding blog and was going to leave it at that … I mean I see these Little Owls every other day, they’re not that special, but ever since I put it up on to my Flickr Photostream I’ve been inundated with comments so hey, what the heck, if it’s that good I’ll post it here as well! I hope you enjoy it!
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Nowadays of course there are many more things being made out of cork than just bottle stoppers; I particularly like these water bottles and drinking ladles – these ones made from the very trees they now rest underneath …
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This job can only be done at this time of year as the cork comes away from the tree easier now when the weather is warm. It doesn’t kill the tree taking the cork off; the cork’s removed every 9 years. However, the Cork tree is a type of oak and as such is a slow grower – the first worthwhile “crop” is about 45 years after planting – so if this industry dies this rural mainstay will probably be gone for good ….
Cutters-20090609_4731
The cork oak trunk or branch is cut laterally twice about two or three feet apart and then longditudinally between the two. This is done with a very sharp, small “headsman’s axe” and the cutter has to be careful not to cut the phloem layer beneath the cork that sustains the tree. The handle of the axe is then used to pry the bark away from the tree ….