A Creative Spirit in Portugal
The weather here continues to be warm and dry. Daytime temperatures range from 16C to 26C. We've had some rain but not enough to impact the drought situation so I continue to recycle as much grey water as possible. It's tough. I spent today feeding and watering all the plants using a watering can, writing... Continue Reading →
The weather over the last week continues to be reasonably hot, achieving temperatures of around 25C but still no rain. I am recycling water and reusing as much as I physically can. aka storing all the pool backwash, water from shower, dehumidifiers, collecting water in bowls etc. etc. Rant warning: While out for a walk... Continue Reading →
It never ceases to amaze me that writing poetry or fiction ties in so well with my other interests such as gardening, painting and mosaics. All are creative in different ways and one stimulates the other. We have started a new garden project which requires a significant amount of manual work. I am usually the... Continue Reading →
With the escalating price of food, especially fresh fruit and vegetables, I decided to get creative, experiment and attempt to grow some courgettes, plum tomatoes and cucumber through the autumn and winter months - a first! Okay, according to the seed packets I am out of time to plant seeds so I won't hold my... Continue Reading →
For this Week's SoS (Six on Saturday) I 'dug deep' and selected some of my more unusual specimens. I grow most of my plants in pots as they are easier to manage - especially plants that need to be moved to a more sheltered position in the winter. Thankfully, it's been much cooler this week... Continue Reading →
We are only halfway through July in the Western Algarve and already my vegetables have frizzled in the extreme temperatures and hot Southernly winds. With temperatures topping just under 40C and the serious threat of drought it's time to start gradually winding down and covering exposed soil until the autumn. It's been a while since... Continue Reading →
My Six this Saturday this week has proved quite a challenge. I had so much to write about but so little time. This morning we went to a fellow gardeners for a coffee, catch-up and a tour around his garden. It is amazing. So many projects and raised beds, covers, sheds, nooks and crannies. Gnome... Continue Reading →
For my Six on Saturday this week I have focused on our fruit trees which usually normally offer more challenges than fruit. Most people here have an abundance of produce from the popular almond trees, plums, apples, oranges, lemons, advocados, figs, olives etc,, but not us. Nope, we struggle and although I am reliabily informed:... Continue Reading →
My choices for Six on Saturday this week, focus once again on vegetables. I believe the hours spent nurturing all these plants help to keep me sane in the light of the daily challenges we face with COVID. Nature is a great healer and brings peace in these times of stress. Growing Leeks and Garlic... Continue Reading →
Growing Nabo in a Container Providing it doesn't look up at me from the plate, I try to keep an open mind when it comes to trying new food. However, Nabo is the most disgusting vegetable we have EVER tasted. When I ordered these seeds from a Portuguese seed company it was definitely one of... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 