Time For Ourselves

Smoke and vapour clouds from the Caramulo fire on our horizon yesterday

August has continued to be such a scorcher and there is very little motivation to be out and about beyond 11 o'clock each day. The land is crisp and dry.Portugal is on fire in at least 13 locations each day, some quite close too. Some friends of ours in the Caramulo mountains and also in Travanca de Largo have had close calls over the past week and, as we post this, some are still burning almost out of control. The EU is funding aircraft from Spain and France to help with the problem. 

image from the news

A female firefighter died last week and one yesterday but others have died too. People have been arrested for arson but we are not yet sure which fires they relate to. The full story is here if you are interested http://www.theportugalnews.com/news/dozens-detained-as-fires-rage/29214 

They should be charged with attempted manslaughter or reckless endangerment and given a hefty prison sentence with any  luck.

We are now having to water the newly planted forest and fruit trees at least twice a week. 

Early morning ramble for the dogs

The nectarine tree seems to have finally died, one of the new persimmon trees too and one of the new little flowering cherry trees didn't make it either.

Water Hyacinths in bloom on the top pond

Fraser has cleared the front reservoir of our choked water mine. The huge water hyacinth and water lilies, whilst beautiful, prevent light and air from getting to the water.
 Sylvi has given up on the vegetables this year, but the raspberries are starting to produce enough for Apple and Raspberry Jam and the little chilli bushes are producing enough tiny chillies for her to make the annual batch of Chilli Jelly.

Our biggest crops this year will be olives, figs and apples. So chutney will definitely be on the menu next month. Not all is lost.
So we have taken much more time for ourselves this month. Sylvi continues to work on her weight loss. Continued diet and regular exercise sessions, when her knees allow, including yoga, pilates and Zumba at home in the barn or with friends seem to be paying off. So watch this space.

Fraser is working on scratch building a small scale schooner The Scottish Maid, which occupies his time each day.

Sylvi has got back into her fabric appliqué work making abstract hangings. Deciding which way up they should go is always a bit of an issue!

Stardust for Veronika

Feather Landscape

Guineafowl #1

We have taken the dogs down to the river on several occasions to swim and cool off - in Bugsy's case and to wallow for Scraps.  

Bugsy has had problems with his sensitive skin again this year with allergic reaction to grass mites and other bugs.  So we have been treating him with Turmeric in his food and on his broken skin patches mixed with Copaiba oil which has really helped even if it increases his orange blots! 
We have also both been taking Turmeric to help reduce inflammation in our joints and Fraser takes it to reduce his breathlessness. It works too.

We sponsored our friend Steve who kayaked down a section of the River Mondego to raise funds for a child with CHARGE syndrome who is  hoping to have surgery to help him hear.  If you would like to donate to the fund for Danny's surgery please go to this link
http://www.helpmehear.info/
Once they had finished we met up with them and some other friends for a picnic by the river.


Our lovely Lexa had her 3rd birthday this month just a week after her Dad's 37th!
What a poppet she is! Happy Birthday Sweetie.

Despite the fires and heat of the day we are lucky enough to be able to sit out after sundown for dinner. Such a great way to enjoy the summer.