After four months in Scotland we are now back in Sardinia. We have since heard that we left snow and cold in Drumnadrochit but here, although the temperature is around 12 / 14 degrees average in day time, the sun is shining, and the other day we reached 21 degrees at midday. The overland journey by train and boat was pleasant and we looked in at the house in Marazzino for a quick check, Pietro and Andrea having come to pick us up from the ferry in Porto Torres. Lesley decided to stay there for a while, and I have started the routine work on the vineyards and some of the vegetables.
Hanging out at one of numerous fountains in Toulon
First job has been to clean and prune the vines, weed the plants and plough the vineyard with the tractor. Some of these jobs have already been completed here in our land at Locoe. My brothers Tonino and Pietro have now started to do the same in the vineyard at Dule, a short distance away.
Week Two: Vineyard pruned and freed from weeds. Next job is to replace the missing supports (bamboo from the river)and to put more tension on the metal wires to support the vines.
some bamboo prepared today (15/3/23) ready for replacing the missing ones.
Cutting bamboo from the river side.
Almond tree near the house in bloom. Fingers crossed this year we should collect almonds after three years of failed harvests. The fragile flowers can be damaged by frost or wind but even when the almonds start to develop they are still delicate and subject to strong winds. The young almonds are green and soft ( called here cucuia) and can be eaten whole which means you are eating the seed and then two layers of protection. As almonds mature the top layer becomes inedible and the second one will be hard as a rock. This one needs to be cracked to expose then almond seed as we know it when we buy it in the shop.
Yesterday( 14/3/23) we were making bread back in Oliena with my brother Tonino and aunties Maria and Cicita (81 and 77 years respectively). We make the typical Carasau bread. We also made some casadinas ( pictured above) which is a typical regional savoury made at Eastertime with fresh cheese. The other casadinas are made with fresh cheese but are eaten as a sweet tart. In some parts of Sardinia they are made with ricotta. These pictured above are about to be cooked in the open fire oven when the bread-making is over.
Potatoes Lesley and me planted last October. My brother thought that the frost had killed the plants but I am still finding them and enjoying.
Some of those potatoes for tonight's dinner adding some wild fennel and spring onions.
Early morning in Locoe. The last three days have been very cold in the early mornings. Down to zero degrees. As soon as the sun is out the temperature will go up quickly.
Yesterday Andrea worked with the tractor preparing the vegetable plot. Soon we will start planting a variety of vegetables. We started yesterday by planting 450 potatoes.
An old house here in Locoe with the backdrop of Oliena mountain. A possible painting?
March has just finished and we have enjoyed very pleasant weather throughout, in contrast to last year's rain and cold. . Just a couple of drops of rain and some strong winds but generally warm and sunny.
There was snow on Oliena's mountain last year at the beginning of April, so we would not be surprised if the weather changes and brings a cold spell. Rain will be more welcome but we will see. Recently we planted some broad beans and peas with an addition of few vegetables but then main crops will be planted in the next two weeks or so.
Work continues in the vineyards both in Dule and here. Second pruning ( a more selective one) has started in Dule and as soon as we are ready we will start here. At the moment we are burning last October's cuttings (olive- and vine-prunings, chessa, and other undergrowth). This is needed before the usual ban on fire is imposed in the middle of May.
It could be that my attempt to return to the 'land of my fathers' has infected my brother Graziano, who recently purchased another piece of land which became vacant, adjacent to his patch of olive trees here in Locoe. Although still working full time, he is champing at the bit to be able to retire, and has now planted 16 fruit trees of 6 types, and three varieties of grapes, 60 vines in total. This project implies more work in the meantime, establishing the plants, but that's what Italian families are all about, it seems! (Lesley's comment). As there is no water supply on this piece of land, we need to take the trailer weekly and water the new plants until they are established (for about 3 years??)
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