Well, here we are at the start of May. Last night we had still got a fire going in the living room as it's chill, damp and...ick. It finally bucketed down yesterday but the sun shone today. So life and temperatures are looking up.
Anyroad up it's been a busy couple of months.
MARCH was awful weather wise although we had a couple of good days but so much rain it was incredible. Between bouts of rain we managed to collect all of the cut timber from our patch of forest, with the aid of a friend and their landrover,
and move it down to the woodshed to be processed and stored. 
We hope we have enough wood for next winter now!!!! Although these big buggers still need to be cut down to size. I burned off the rest of the tree trimmings.
It was friends Vanessa and Andy´s birthday on the same day so they had a camp out party by the lake. Sarah showed us how to use poyz I think they are called?
and Sylvi had a go with a glowing ball, only managing to hit the back of her own head a couple of times! 
Had a fishing session in the pond to palm off some of the hundred fish we have to a friend for their tank. Iris (their daughter) tried to help but mainly managed to scare the fish into corners and catch weed!
Sylvi went on a day out to learn how to make a willow basket with the withies from our trees. 
Amazingly it held together and we have pine cones in it by the fire ready for fire-lighting.APRIL still raining..... and we left for UK to Cornwall for my niece Hannah and fiance Steve's wedding. 
Amazingly we had really good weather over the weekend and all in all, it was a gas. The venue was in the old fort at Rame Head and Hannah and Steve had us all sprucing it up ready for the event!
The May/Trevithick/Kelly family
Jan and John (the Bride´s mum and her partner) worked hard to get everything stage managed and everyone lent a hand which made the day really special. We had a great time and in the evening lit paper lanterns which flew off into the dark. No fire engines so all seemed well.
Amazingly we had really good weather over the weekend and all in all, it was a gas. The venue was in the old fort at Rame Head and Hannah and Steve had us all sprucing it up ready for the event! The May/Trevithick/Kelly familyJan and John (the Bride´s mum and her partner) worked hard to get everything stage managed and everyone lent a hand which made the day really special. We had a great time and in the evening lit paper lanterns which flew off into the dark. No fire engines so all seemed well.We stayed in a small B&B cottage and our friendly host, Georgie, is an artist who makes wonderful mosaics.
We hope that she will be visiting us this year to give us inspiration for our mosaic wall outside the barn. Look forward to it Georgie.We met up with friends of ours, Phil and Kayti, from Prague who are now living in Plymouth in a wonderful new apartment for a brief but enjoyable reunion over lunch. 
We took the ferry from Cremyll and the weather was stunning. 
We took the ferry from Cremyll and the weather was stunning. 
Cornwall is so beautiful this time of year.... didn't want to leave!Went back up to Bath after the wedding, saw old friends did some vital shopping (like Cheddar and gardening gloves!!!) and Sylvi popped up to London to see her boys, accompanied by long-time friend and boys´godmother, Malc. Wedding gifts were duely handed over and then Sylvi dragged Malc the length and breadth of Oxford Street looking for wedding gear. Sore feet and bad tempers due to lack of purchases ensued.
When we came back to Portugal did loads of gardening in dry spells, as the weeds and grass had enjoyed the rain. Sylvi's rockery got a new pathway and is looking quite spectacular now. 
The hedgerow by the drive also has a new pathway (only needed half a ton of gravel!!!!!) Started strimming the terraces as the grass is taking over rapidly
The hedgerow by the drive also has a new pathway (only needed half a ton of gravel!!!!!) Started strimming the terraces as the grass is taking over rapidlyStarted work on the patio outside the barn and spent a weekend down in the Algarve with Jenny and Steve.
Since then I have been nose down in the Studio working on my painting and finding it hard work but getting easier every day.
Finally we decided to start a new section to our blog to celebrate the infestation of roundabouts that have appeared over the last few years across our region. We will feature a roundabout a month for your delight and edification.
ROUNDABOUT OF THE MONTH - Our village roundabout and our favourite so far...
I bet you can´t wait for next month´s.
