Since the pasta making we have been back in the Locoe house
where we have managed to improve the stable door , not only by the addition of
a handle – left over from the stove flue – and a complicated locking mechanism,
but also , and more interestingly, providing a solution to our coat hanging
problem , in the form of a very stylish , elongated, two tone ex-oven handle.
We have not started the extension as outstanding jobs on the
cultivated parts of the land have left no time for it. At least the work on the
vines is now over, after at least twelve hours of back-breaking work; here
there are about 30 rows @ 40 vines per row to prune. This involves BENDING DOWN (or practising
squats) to scrutinize each plant to decide how to train its growth – taking
into account a series of factors – some of which you have to guess at – such as
the weather. You aim to end up with 2 to 3 shoots per plant.
My brother was out with his rotavator (motozappa) preparing
for the planting of potatoes and generally making the place look more like a
garden (his words). Lesley has been busy looking after peas and broad bean
plants, weeding and providing support to the plants.
Around the area there is a lot of activity and both young
and old people come every day to work the land or to look after their flocks of
sheep. Near to us a couple of girls still studying are working with their flock
of sheep and today we had a delivery of their own cheese. It is curious and creates a strange pastoral
idyll hearing the shepherd(-ess) calling out to and swearing at the sheep. You hear the sheep bells constantly, and the
shepherds move their flocks in groups from one field to another as they
graze. Nothing like Scotland at
all! Every now and then the dogs which
my brother keeps here to guard the land bark excitedly and you are aware that
the sheep are on their travels again! Oh, and they look more like goats than
sheep to me [Lesley] plus they have huge udders since they are a milk-supplying
flock of course.
Almond trees are in flower, beautiful, as are the fields all
around with orchids, vetches, all sorts of yellow flowers (!), poppies, wild
lupins and every day someone reminds us how good some weed or other is to eat
(lightly boiled, dressed with olive oil and salt and maybe mixed with potatoes,
rice, pasta or cheese). Bees are busy pollinating and – very encouraging - many
ladybirds have been spotted on the vineyard.
Flowers on the almond tree
