tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-36330992032398418022024-03-12T20:24:04.231-07:00Helen and Peter in PortugalUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger97125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-45392414042824778542020-10-29T06:13:00.004-07:002020-10-29T06:13:38.197-07:00Autumn Colours<p>As the colder weather returns and the rain falls, the mushrooms appear across the woodland floor leaving sots of colour amongst the fallen leaves.</p><p>Our mountain is not one covered in pine and eucalyptus, we're lucky to have native oak trees growing in the valley. The oak brings the change of the season to life as the leaves turn a wonderful bright yellow and mushrooms start to spring up underneath.</p><p>Walks in the hills become a quest to identify the mushrooms. I can spot them, but not identify them. You need an expert guide like <span style="animation-name: none !important; font-family: inherit; transition-property: none !important;">José Pais from <a href="http://www.villachanca.com/" target="_blank">Villa Chanca</a> to tell you what is tasty and what will kill you! </span>José organises walks in the Penela and Castanheira de Pera districts. His walks end with a tasting menu of the edible mushrooms the group picked and it's well worth doing one of his walks to learn more.</p><p>Here are two I know are edible. The parasol mushroom (below) grows extensively around here in late October. The walks behind our house across the fields in Pera are full of the mushrooms after the first snap of cold weather. Be quick though, the locals know when to collect them and will be out at sunrise to get them. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBN0sq9J2xuBgZSnmEe0gqpI4F78o2aaJdiVE-20WcFlbCiGirzF34c93KCrAIpooCTIYhYMJCd4FDQ4CthIPH6Hgp9_nJbOMKDrb22iVcw4keV36mtFYWX7-8-a3VbTZwXEz7nd02RqAS/s2048/20191105_145430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhBN0sq9J2xuBgZSnmEe0gqpI4F78o2aaJdiVE-20WcFlbCiGirzF34c93KCrAIpooCTIYhYMJCd4FDQ4CthIPH6Hgp9_nJbOMKDrb22iVcw4keV36mtFYWX7-8-a3VbTZwXEz7nd02RqAS/s320/20191105_145430.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIac3XIYhaqLtXz149Bntf9oufPHmCaVWk9q5eZLfzY8Q96_7ku8X7HRrXD3wcAmulnJnBcsIycwJpjnq9Z9gU9-tt6PAfrdj7RhaUURk-C6MwQeXYJV45E9zGpg04seMWF5G1x22Wu-2/s2048/20191105_080854.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyIac3XIYhaqLtXz149Bntf9oufPHmCaVWk9q5eZLfzY8Q96_7ku8X7HRrXD3wcAmulnJnBcsIycwJpjnq9Z9gU9-tt6PAfrdj7RhaUURk-C6MwQeXYJV45E9zGpg04seMWF5G1x22Wu-2/s320/20191105_080854.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>The cauliflower mushroom (above) is rarer. I know of four places it pops up each year...same place every time. Try driving on the back road from Castanheira de Pera to Pera and you might spot one. Or try the walk from Sarnadas to Coentral along the 'roman' road through the woods. I've picked a few before and handed them to José Pais who turns these into a sweet sticky paste which is put into filo pastry.</p><p>Other mushrooms I can never be sure of, is the boletus (below) the tasty one or the bitter one? There's lots at <span style="background-color: white; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px;">Poço Corga river beach. Here you'll also find lots of <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lactarius_deliciosus" target="_blank">saffron milk caps </a>which are edible, but make sure they bleed orange and not white otherwise you're in for a rough night!</span></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquOzyoHqAkSDnoiZcxdAZXDOEmRctHj550JvdC5UeK6-tjHu_k351NmaAoncXFrFRc0zt4IsS1bh7hBxR-S1O2x0eqIEsqallImmqJd86iBwiFyaVS2Xxi2EOZp2ETB83otY6_Zge6rTk/s2048/20191106_082132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiquOzyoHqAkSDnoiZcxdAZXDOEmRctHj550JvdC5UeK6-tjHu_k351NmaAoncXFrFRc0zt4IsS1bh7hBxR-S1O2x0eqIEsqallImmqJd86iBwiFyaVS2Xxi2EOZp2ETB83otY6_Zge6rTk/s320/20191106_082132.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p>If you'd rather let someone else take care of the identification the picking and the walking then a really great autumn getaway is the <a href="https://www.conventodebelmonte.pt/en/" target="_blank">Convento de Belmont</a>. Not only is it a beautiful hotel set in stunning Serra da Estrela countryside, the chef is a well-know mushroom expert. Chef Lubave served us a tasting menu of local mushrooms, which includes a mushroom ice cream. The Convento organises a <a href="https://www.conventodebelmonte.pt/en/mushroom-festival/" target="_blank">mushroom festival</a> too.</p><p>The greatest thing about the mushroom season is to suddenly come upon one of these brightly coloured jewels, where there were just leaves yesterday, today is a fly agaric brighten up the forest floor. These all add to the colours of autumn in Central Portugal </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3i-jCmbn3PvBFW2DGTxxZM1k41P9nXf18ceU0S5qGvYi2XgbPFxVzajC0gcfY3nJ5lS3JrSq9thYYv3iiZqPr9RZsPQGD_HnEOW73qJbwITR_AYxde1yCA7Cdum_hLYUKulvO9by5m10l/s2048/20191106_082417.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3i-jCmbn3PvBFW2DGTxxZM1k41P9nXf18ceU0S5qGvYi2XgbPFxVzajC0gcfY3nJ5lS3JrSq9thYYv3iiZqPr9RZsPQGD_HnEOW73qJbwITR_AYxde1yCA7Cdum_hLYUKulvO9by5m10l/s320/20191106_082417.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xLo24PxEOrplJNf_YYOTIzcPI1tfKAWQWthcWB1EQcT3YrbQT0SU4LTsR7Tb-JCByRKoakrQ4WBaxuqE4svDZ_MvWF9tLLvTDcQi2bA8pxZfHGsZ0UDdFHUIzmsSren-sKeS6TlbQG96/s2048/20191104_145916.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-xLo24PxEOrplJNf_YYOTIzcPI1tfKAWQWthcWB1EQcT3YrbQT0SU4LTsR7Tb-JCByRKoakrQ4WBaxuqE4svDZ_MvWF9tLLvTDcQi2bA8pxZfHGsZ0UDdFHUIzmsSren-sKeS6TlbQG96/s320/20191104_145916.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VEmXzWgKaRw7b25s5NlXL4fS94MATGjcoXkqYj9-FCNkWFo-ayZwL9-OiqWuVZJCTigX7N1pBwVwoW1hk_dVO6TeGKaKbob_EcLBMGXPjjkF8crkFr5dDOuDqLbqjIj_WiyBpOnH2J1D/s2048/20191106_082328.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2VEmXzWgKaRw7b25s5NlXL4fS94MATGjcoXkqYj9-FCNkWFo-ayZwL9-OiqWuVZJCTigX7N1pBwVwoW1hk_dVO6TeGKaKbob_EcLBMGXPjjkF8crkFr5dDOuDqLbqjIj_WiyBpOnH2J1D/s320/20191106_082328.jpg" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrE4_J8FhWUwU8uFdn-iz9JePd2kp0ffhmdHtqWNVmOVs6bGvNgjbBUJFaHqE_rhwEpEEy729vreXSvzagyDTN4Tt79m6iY0ARgabjimYwYRxpW_yk1cfzur1dtXVHLD9V16sfVnUg3nJV/s2048/20191104_145537.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrE4_J8FhWUwU8uFdn-iz9JePd2kp0ffhmdHtqWNVmOVs6bGvNgjbBUJFaHqE_rhwEpEEy729vreXSvzagyDTN4Tt79m6iY0ARgabjimYwYRxpW_yk1cfzur1dtXVHLD9V16sfVnUg3nJV/s320/20191104_145537.jpg" /></a></div><br /><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-40671201760879561402019-11-04T05:51:00.001-08:002019-11-04T05:51:20.683-08:00Chestnuts and SaintsSt. Martinho or St. Martin of Tours, became the first non- <a href="https://pt.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/M%C3%A1rtir" title="Martyr">martyr</a> saint to receive official church worship and became one of the most popular saints in medieval Europe. (Source wikipedia). His feast day is 11 November, deep into autumn and the chestnut season.<div><br></div><div>In Portugal, as it's chestnut season 'Magustos'are celebrated in St. Martinho's name. A magusto is a group of friends and/or family who get together and bake and eat chestnuts. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRZMd_ztVoxcQXDDsQmiBb1Leu6he5Uqbwo4JD665QmXQpdgDRGrxqFea0pda9gXXDbNARBNJtlkSUV1Uuv3ZIEJGPDj0KUl-b-f6Xqnrdbp1bS-FKomeQBD2QsRpt699b7Du291jRqTW/s1600/1572872295309517-0.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRRZMd_ztVoxcQXDDsQmiBb1Leu6he5Uqbwo4JD665QmXQpdgDRGrxqFea0pda9gXXDbNARBNJtlkSUV1Uuv3ZIEJGPDj0KUl-b-f6Xqnrdbp1bS-FKomeQBD2QsRpt699b7Du291jRqTW/s1600/1572872295309517-0.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>We have our village magusto at the weekend. </div><div><br></div><div>Meanwhile at home I've been celebrating the chestnut instead of the saint. This 'celebration' involves collecting the chestnut harvest, splitting, cooking and shelling hundreds of these shiny brown chestnuts. Well, there's not much else to do on a wet Monday in these hills.<br></div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eoqq0-iVIx57905SGoFe9saPmBEheFPpyAG5EyYDxeS0E1j3iafq7faug27Rs4bLMoX_gplj5OS5cIP1jiAonP8VR4rxRkJrBZ4SIqQs2QYSMmZT4CNUGDcTqrEmpYLfFmzhiDFjfE7z/s1600/1572872290150855-1.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-eoqq0-iVIx57905SGoFe9saPmBEheFPpyAG5EyYDxeS0E1j3iafq7faug27Rs4bLMoX_gplj5OS5cIP1jiAonP8VR4rxRkJrBZ4SIqQs2QYSMmZT4CNUGDcTqrEmpYLfFmzhiDFjfE7z/s1600/1572872290150855-1.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Now I've got a bowl full of chestnuts I'm looking for recipes. Here's what I've tried so far:</div><div><br></div><div>Chestnut cake. Made by using blitzed chestnuts instead of regular flour. I used Rachel Allen's Italian hazelnut cake as a base recipe. </div><div>http://thatseasypeasy.blogspot.com/2014/07/heres-rachel-allens-italian-hazelnut.html?m=1</div><div><br></div><div>Alas my chestnut version looked like a Spanish tortilla! Tasted nice (especially served with caramel condensed milk) looked like hell. It wasn't worth a photo!</div><div><br></div><div>Sweet potato, squash and chestnut curry. Using Mildred's recipe as inspiration. </div><div><br></div><div>http://www.mildreds.co.uk/2017/02/13/recipe-sri-lankan-sweet-potato-and-cashew-nut-curry-mildreds-kings-cross-one-year-birthday/<br></div><div><br></div><div>By cooking in some chestnuts it added a really good extra texture to this delicious curry. It's especially good when your Portuguese teacher gives you the squash and sweet potato from her garden. </div><div><br></div><div>Autumn pasta. A Peter WD special recipe. Roasted autumn veg swimming in locally pressed olive oil, with chestnuts dropped in. All tossed with tagliatelle. Totally delicious.</div><div><br></div><div>Creme de Marron (chestnut cream). </div><div><br></div><div>https://food52.com/blog/16144-a-not-nutella-french-spread-for-oatmeal-toasts-yogurt-etc-etc-etc<br></div><div><br></div><div>It's sitting in a jar in the pantry. It'll sit there until it's chucked away in two years time when I cull all the jams and jellies! </div><div><br></div><div>The hardest thing to do, and my burnt thumb can confirm this, is the cooking and shelling of the chestnuts. If you don't need whole chestnuts (and none of the above recipes need whole chestnuts), then this is how I do it.</div><div><br></div><div>Put a large pan of water on and simmer the water.</div><div><br></div><div>Get a really sharp knife and cut the chestnuts almost all the way through. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATxwYu4bJcBlyaCHuZ5C5A62h9m1pJohhz1_fMSbdYKHkC3Y972UnlWJh6fjjH215p3qn1EPvsqupFANFPH3WPadhF9kZib0cKlagkjrdbn-AlbthWWmqu6SPWmGp9FBNdRfOz-W6KiZJ/s1600/1572872285683062-2.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiATxwYu4bJcBlyaCHuZ5C5A62h9m1pJohhz1_fMSbdYKHkC3Y972UnlWJh6fjjH215p3qn1EPvsqupFANFPH3WPadhF9kZib0cKlagkjrdbn-AlbthWWmqu6SPWmGp9FBNdRfOz-W6KiZJ/s1600/1572872285683062-2.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Check the chestnut for bugs. Believe me, there's nothing worse than burning your fingers on a hot chestnut to find a boiled maggot inside it. Throw the bug-free chestnuts into the water. </div><div><br></div><div>Simmer for 15 mins. The water turns a muddy brown colour. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9sNI_izOVnRPszO-vcYsmoMvDUNKFknT64lMIiExLUwSBgsVImtRWQzbOWwxwVp6AUYC-4OiIQ9XY-gz36ke58a_W7a9qUEAyzJh4JdZ65I8xHxM_u0I8wWh_NURjKwVkkTxg-lzKAGZ/s1600/1572872281019223-3.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiM9sNI_izOVnRPszO-vcYsmoMvDUNKFknT64lMIiExLUwSBgsVImtRWQzbOWwxwVp6AUYC-4OiIQ9XY-gz36ke58a_W7a9qUEAyzJh4JdZ65I8xHxM_u0I8wWh_NURjKwVkkTxg-lzKAGZ/s1600/1572872281019223-3.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Drain the chestnuts, but leave them in the drainer sitting over the hot water. </div><div><br></div><div>The chestnuts have an outer shiny layer and an inner 'skin'. This skin is easier to remove when the chestnut is hot...although sometimes it's almost impossible to get it off! So some skins remain on!</div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-KUJVfyZX5N_SAN7rqXrIeS8YD5rCtuERf6-h3l8IME1FO_xI1nwZhVq3JsZuWVob71G_YU_xKSb9UsqxpQ2i3wwB0lBySGD2pXbZi37o3XlaIECUeD142t5xAr7Ng7LRJwNMhQfGo6M/s1600/1572872275529607-4.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu-KUJVfyZX5N_SAN7rqXrIeS8YD5rCtuERf6-h3l8IME1FO_xI1nwZhVq3JsZuWVob71G_YU_xKSb9UsqxpQ2i3wwB0lBySGD2pXbZi37o3XlaIECUeD142t5xAr7Ng7LRJwNMhQfGo6M/s1600/1572872275529607-4.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Having asbestos fingers helps now! While the chestnuts are still hot, shell them by gently squeezing them. Most will pop out, but some you'll need to work at. Don't worry if the skin stays on some. Use these in your savory dishes and save and 'bald' chestnuts for your sweets. </div><div><br></div><div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGEU4UUKVBhfxm6v95kYQugOr7oEti44A8eZLwP0jZiBdHXOEUSvDRrE9PHVIfQDlxqysw24Sz1m8q2PFZpy_sWQc5NsusRQAIzYQBJWxN0-1qpyMerr9Na7UOKneq7Hq2gKI40GGAncS/s1600/1572872269274608-5.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;">
<img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGEU4UUKVBhfxm6v95kYQugOr7oEti44A8eZLwP0jZiBdHXOEUSvDRrE9PHVIfQDlxqysw24Sz1m8q2PFZpy_sWQc5NsusRQAIzYQBJWxN0-1qpyMerr9Na7UOKneq7Hq2gKI40GGAncS/s1600/1572872269274608-5.png" width="400">
</a>
</div><br></div><div><br></div><div>Happy St. Martinho day for 11 November, enjoy your magusto.</div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div><div><br></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-25787706466219869812018-11-28T05:04:00.001-08:002018-11-28T05:16:58.405-08:00Is it worth it?<span style="color: black;">When we moved to the hills of Portugal we thought we'd be growing all our own vegetables, picking grapes, harvesting olives and being just a little more self-sufficient. But over the last 8 years we've not really embraced this way of life. The veg patch is more of a place where veg goes to die, we've never picked the grapes and up until this month we've never bothered with the olives.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">We have about 13 olive trees in our garden. Each year we watch the olives grow, fall on the ground and rot. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">I hack back the grapevines so hard the neighbours come out to laugh at my poor pruning skills. They tell me each year 'you'll never get grapes if you do that' I reply 'I don't want grapes, I just want leaves'....they shrug and laugh to themselves as the walk away.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">And as for that poor veg patch...well aphids, rot, bad soil and a whole host of problems mean we only plant peas (which we often forget to harvest until they've gone hard), tomatoes (you cannot beat a home grown tomato fresh off the vine) and raspberries (which for some reason don't seem to grow as well as everyone else's). You see it is just much cheaper to go to the local market and buy your veg from one of the old ladies selling their in-season and home-grown stuff. Except for those berries.....I must say a prayer to the patron saint in charge of gardening, Saint Fiacre, about these.</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">We seem to have a bumper crop of olives this year (despite many areas having a shortage). So while I was in England, poor bored Peter decided to harvest the olives. He tells me he spent four days working in the garden, cutting the olive branches to get to the olives and thin the trees. Locals say you must 'thin the trees so a bird can fly through them'. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black;">He ended up with four large tubs of olives...</span><br />
<span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04DiTUZjjssaJgN5CKSo8v5aJUvUmBBJK-Ke-4BvE4_igTuY0mAxwLSR74GmzJYj3lJF_wLQUmG2f93nHG09NDQqNt4UAFELXWnkggvJhNATTVQaEkF80xNvsOfg9TVlhKkU7ROnuLCXg/s1600/First+Weighing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="color: black;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh04DiTUZjjssaJgN5CKSo8v5aJUvUmBBJK-Ke-4BvE4_igTuY0mAxwLSR74GmzJYj3lJF_wLQUmG2f93nHG09NDQqNt4UAFELXWnkggvJhNATTVQaEkF80xNvsOfg9TVlhKkU7ROnuLCXg/s320/First+Weighing.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
<span style="color: black;">Our local press is the <a href="https://www.facebook.com/lagardobolo/">Lagar de Azeite do Bolo</a> and seems to be well respected in the area as a cold press specialist. The difference between cold pressed and hot pressed olive oil is explained <a href="http://here./">here.</a></span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black;">The process begins with a weighing...113kg of olives should give us about 10 litres of oil. </span><br />
<span style="color: black;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9n857Ebo631BghaRCtOS7YLtbEUz8hIHyKKHDxq9CCWh4X88WN0rLLdoHtQnAc4_RzPxfxC5XAzThoIm4LilMjmWd2UMTAGgdH44HGXS9GqPysO7q7XQvp7B9Coi-Prymoy1-pCChA4pL/s1600/113kg+should+give+me+about+10+litres+.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9n857Ebo631BghaRCtOS7YLtbEUz8hIHyKKHDxq9CCWh4X88WN0rLLdoHtQnAc4_RzPxfxC5XAzThoIm4LilMjmWd2UMTAGgdH44HGXS9GqPysO7q7XQvp7B9Coi-Prymoy1-pCChA4pL/s320/113kg+should+give+me+about+10+litres+.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
Next the olives go through a leaf removing machine as the leaves make the final oil too bitter.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36jc5L31o2grNz6bt5uK7atmCZ-aLv1edNbngxuyRjAtR00H6rwajDeFv3eAYv79b_eYNBmcbVvAzQ-J_kVquUiToF-HuGQ3z0PSDf34HASuS8XwDm04TSFG70CJBEtWv60Dlfre2GBi4/s1600/Through+the+leaf+remover+if+neccesary%252C+too+many+make+it+bitter.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg36jc5L31o2grNz6bt5uK7atmCZ-aLv1edNbngxuyRjAtR00H6rwajDeFv3eAYv79b_eYNBmcbVvAzQ-J_kVquUiToF-HuGQ3z0PSDf34HASuS8XwDm04TSFG70CJBEtWv60Dlfre2GBi4/s320/Through+the+leaf+remover+if+neccesary%252C+too+many+make+it+bitter.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
Then the process begins, from washing the olives through to pressing through the wicker mats in the compressing machine.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgdR5jsVpGxEy5suKD70bjSC_-HxF_kzK2zlj4i5g_e94wFIjToW-Y_p0TI5IO7Y1owXJHlV4jhEkBDejAkK0nwAsTU2ZdKfo_o9eY24M7Yc329ZNtVwPvC6Ll0dfoojGjncqJW684Ge-/s1600/u+the+chute+then+pressed.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiYgdR5jsVpGxEy5suKD70bjSC_-HxF_kzK2zlj4i5g_e94wFIjToW-Y_p0TI5IO7Y1owXJHlV4jhEkBDejAkK0nwAsTU2ZdKfo_o9eY24M7Yc329ZNtVwPvC6Ll0dfoojGjncqJW684Ge-/s320/u+the+chute+then+pressed.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnxMnz6oRNERcNta39jZRmNqCluj-7uAyzIaMIRMWx9n7eyqUpobgglbWorgSkQ8Cri8mbK2Nr0Duz2J0bITI7-3rfGnYX0QJ0WWt6GRqOux17pbYnw6cuzDve5CdN2HSHg0FRtd0EUvM/s1600/The+mats+are+then+squeezed+by+this+old+compressing+machine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHnxMnz6oRNERcNta39jZRmNqCluj-7uAyzIaMIRMWx9n7eyqUpobgglbWorgSkQ8Cri8mbK2Nr0Duz2J0bITI7-3rfGnYX0QJ0WWt6GRqOux17pbYnw6cuzDve5CdN2HSHg0FRtd0EUvM/s320/The+mats+are+then+squeezed+by+this+old+compressing+machine.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<u><span style="color: #007600;"></span></u><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
A small amount of olives means that your olives are thrown in with a larger batch. Peter was the second customer of the season, our olives went in with the first of the season...a much bigger batch from down the road.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fLAJs1cQAZA1bozuH49LGcREi7_QPhVC-oGD4dJykU9MaaxdZRZdvvAgWYB5ZtL13mEnJpq86xdeXuNCmGtrI_Y0c4_iSALa9ENk6lLhOCrUlFQ0WYwEA1df7BtsGvYizDa6KjBiCY-U/s1600/large+customer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7fLAJs1cQAZA1bozuH49LGcREi7_QPhVC-oGD4dJykU9MaaxdZRZdvvAgWYB5ZtL13mEnJpq86xdeXuNCmGtrI_Y0c4_iSALa9ENk6lLhOCrUlFQ0WYwEA1df7BtsGvYizDa6KjBiCY-U/s320/large+customer.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div>
A few days later we went to collect our olive oil. 10 litres of oil as agreed and a price of just 1 euro a litre. Chances are, the shortage in olives this year will mean a price rise on olive oil bought direct from the <i>lagar</i> (olive press) so our hand-picked, cold-pressed olive oil was a bargain….if you don't count the 4 days manual labour, the burning of the cut branches, the lifting of four large containers to the olive press, the labour at the press itself and the electricity and water used to press the olives.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Is it all worth it? Some would instantly say 'yes' the satisfaction of the process, the lack of food miles, the knowledge that you are using the land to support yourself and the fact that you are eating something you've grown. But in the end, it comes down to flavour....the olive oil needs three months to mature in the container before it'll be ready....so I'll have to just let you know!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<br /></div>
<u></u><br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-19287936416999616622018-11-05T04:31:00.004-08:002018-11-05T04:37:05.602-08:00A bit fishy<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">Portugal has a long history of preserving fish, it seems to have started in Peniche with two main ways of preservation recorded. Either drying on racks in the sun or as Roman remains have shown, they were salting fish and putting it into clay pots. The first modern commercial preservation factory was started in 1853 and put locally caught sardines in olive oil. In fact this company are still doing it today with a wider variety of fish canned - <a href="http://ramirez.pt/">http://ramirez.pt/.</a> </span></span><br />
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34mo_inK3GPORAq9qCJQLwq8yVU4GDpHiBMAifohCu9WpKfTWQK0Kw432anozTxgRoFqfEok7v0KzYXRp4qkdqXe9bMXXA9N-FRKVLI_BywLtraV23w-xgDBmt4-hj5igruevNU3C6UeW/s1600/20181005_103308.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: "times new roman"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh34mo_inK3GPORAq9qCJQLwq8yVU4GDpHiBMAifohCu9WpKfTWQK0Kw432anozTxgRoFqfEok7v0KzYXRp4qkdqXe9bMXXA9N-FRKVLI_BywLtraV23w-xgDBmt4-hj5igruevNU3C6UeW/s320/20181005_103308.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tuna from Ramierz</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span></span>
<span style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; display: inline !important; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">As time went on canning factories used new canning technology to preserve the fish for longer, opening up the international market and by the 1980s there were over 150 canning factories in Portugal.</span><span style="color: black;"> However, c</span></span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">anned fish went out of fashion and as processing costs grew many factories closed down. In fact in the year 2000 there were just 20 factories still canning fish in Portugal. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">In recent years canned fish has made a come back in Portugal, it's become a fashion choice, with brands spending their money on nostalgic packaging and offering a 'high-end' canned fish. Bars in Lisbon and Porto specialise in offering a drink and a can of sardines, where you can choose your brand from the huge choice available behind the bar. Tourist shops sell expensive cans for the ultimate Portuguese gift. The choice is huge, from traditional sardines in olive oil to smoked cod or eels cooked in brine. Old style <a href="https://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g189158-d1908043-Reviews-Conserveira_de_Lisboa-Lisbon_Lisbon_District_Central_Portugal.html">shops specialising in canned fish</a> have become the 'must visit' place while walking in the back streets of Lisbon or Porto.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">In recent years <a href="https://www.mundofantasticodasardinha.pt/">O Mudo Fantastico das Conservas Portuguesas</a> (or the fantastic world of Portuguese conserves) has jumped on the canned fish bandwagon. The brand has been launched in an attempt to reach the very lucrative tourist market and is even available in a large (and no doubt expensive) commercial space at Lisbon Airport.</span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheT913bRqpUsLLgGxzBSr6EpzvT5aa5VPg2hyVZesUDb-bRGpLdMkSKfDn55k2X5FWotX34pmW3rPPPaF3XpN7VzPPJARAAmq18XFe6duIx9wLGvozIUxqpdXjiXAwh0nt9G2z5ZM99w2T/s1600/20181006_122039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: #0066cc; font-family: Times New Roman; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheT913bRqpUsLLgGxzBSr6EpzvT5aa5VPg2hyVZesUDb-bRGpLdMkSKfDn55k2X5FWotX34pmW3rPPPaF3XpN7VzPPJARAAmq18XFe6duIx9wLGvozIUxqpdXjiXAwh0nt9G2z5ZM99w2T/s320/20181006_122039.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></b><i style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></i><u style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: underline; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></u><sub style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.06px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></sub><sup style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 11.06px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></sup><strike style="-webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: left; text-decoration: line-through; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"></strike><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br /></span>
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheT913bRqpUsLLgGxzBSr6EpzvT5aa5VPg2hyVZesUDb-bRGpLdMkSKfDn55k2X5FWotX34pmW3rPPPaF3XpN7VzPPJARAAmq18XFe6duIx9wLGvozIUxqpdXjiXAwh0nt9G2z5ZM99w2T/s1600/20181006_122039.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">The shop is pure whimsy, like a fairground, bright colours, bold design and a huge choice of canned fish (all at a price). A huge amount must have been spent on the brand, the packaging is great, wonderfully traditional with a modern twist. </span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGR_uduc5TE3tdldAdoyLeXZAbJd-gq1oO_hiUDw1IHqeua49V4xJolks8yi3QobtU6zzP0XQaVgXPFTNiPHjm5PlhaZEkXSxk_T9FnOfO_N9CphdrWq9_LOmh6rL5KP4InCwOXb37I2tM/s1600/20181006_121928.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGR_uduc5TE3tdldAdoyLeXZAbJd-gq1oO_hiUDw1IHqeua49V4xJolks8yi3QobtU6zzP0XQaVgXPFTNiPHjm5PlhaZEkXSxk_T9FnOfO_N9CphdrWq9_LOmh6rL5KP4InCwOXb37I2tM/s320/20181006_121928.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;">All of this translates to the supermarket, where the canned fish aisle has grown over recent years, offering the consumer a wider choice of premium and low costs brands, from sardines to tuna or cod to clams. </span><span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span><br />
<span style="color: black; font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYhnm_6t_LY5kdBn3QiO-xfSwlyohlkfHLHp-FzpVwSVjp_fOpwxmbsAhyphenhyphenfAx1fWM2fuTbtt1m7jV0dHIBwNL6kGwOyEohbWiVt3Ws06MpP_XLCsoc-DAV4XzHt_QJl6-rtwodEam0nBE/s1600/20181005_103041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMYhnm_6t_LY5kdBn3QiO-xfSwlyohlkfHLHp-FzpVwSVjp_fOpwxmbsAhyphenhyphenfAx1fWM2fuTbtt1m7jV0dHIBwNL6kGwOyEohbWiVt3Ws06MpP_XLCsoc-DAV4XzHt_QJl6-rtwodEam0nBE/s320/20181005_103041.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #330000; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SRWDbWENmrVBc087Avb2hd9PAfGHtCpeHr7pMGYwpEP3rse0NgQOb1A56_HnnlifcaSmlUrMckP8McAn19PK6GAFJWsMTASWGxkYpumNo_tsLBxXJpOIR48OUloZWPb8z-DjYMDG6UlB/s1600/20181005_103249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-SRWDbWENmrVBc087Avb2hd9PAfGHtCpeHr7pMGYwpEP3rse0NgQOb1A56_HnnlifcaSmlUrMckP8McAn19PK6GAFJWsMTASWGxkYpumNo_tsLBxXJpOIR48OUloZWPb8z-DjYMDG6UlB/s320/20181005_103249.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #330000; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #330000; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #330000; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;">For me, the love is not the canned fish itself, I can take it or leave it. But I love the dedication the design and marketing team have put into the branding. From the old school to the modern, the choice of brands available for tinned tuna and sardines is overwhelming. Judge a book by its cover and go for the brand that suits you...although I'd always steer clear of canned eels!, especially at 13 Euros a can!</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #330000; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsAl3ihMbsIhwjahGjdTa2RMEvjVQ5YeEspHX0S_tHoCCStlfBbBYQYPaV105xaVjqcWFr95i5sec5rr-ufNHomMBigkrL5StHiBHLWM0F8OnTR5-aLIDB3sUSA90MvUSd4b8LoslRXkd/s1600/20181006_121939.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJsAl3ihMbsIhwjahGjdTa2RMEvjVQ5YeEspHX0S_tHoCCStlfBbBYQYPaV105xaVjqcWFr95i5sec5rr-ufNHomMBigkrL5StHiBHLWM0F8OnTR5-aLIDB3sUSA90MvUSd4b8LoslRXkd/s320/20181006_121939.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #330000; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #330000; display: inline; float: none; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; text-align: left; text-decoration: none; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; word-spacing: 0px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "hk_grotesklight" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #004000;"></span><span style="font-family: "hk_grotesklight" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #b06400;"></span><span style="font-family: "hk_grotesklight" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="color: #b06400;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="color: black;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="font-family: inherit;"></span><span style="color: #001000;"></span><br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-66480373005957039642017-07-06T07:37:00.000-07:002017-07-06T08:06:22.614-07:00After the fireJune saw Portugal's worst forest fires in living history....174 square miles of central Portugal burned and tragically, 64 deaths and people still in hospital.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjAZ_yzo5TNb27iMx1oOeVXfTBA1K59xbAJVcbGtf85KAGbdTPwM6LTv7sanJRuBSxxf4ydESUY_0Nm2xUr4z7ptgp1H2RRPcK1PaGjKYqMvRR208s8h4r7jMvmRc71L6ND2YOJY8pqAt/s1600/19423996_10155413002921081_2472554047577855669_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="761" data-original-width="624" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLjAZ_yzo5TNb27iMx1oOeVXfTBA1K59xbAJVcbGtf85KAGbdTPwM6LTv7sanJRuBSxxf4ydESUY_0Nm2xUr4z7ptgp1H2RRPcK1PaGjKYqMvRR208s8h4r7jMvmRc71L6ND2YOJY8pqAt/s320/19423996_10155413002921081_2472554047577855669_n.jpg" width="262" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Area of fire damage</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
We were lucky, the fire reached the top of our village then, as we were evacuated, took a turn and moved upwards...we were lucky. People have lost their land, their home, their family, their life. <br />
<br />
We were very lucky.<br />
<br />
We ran, we ran for the coast....away from the fire, away from the smoke, away from the fear. But in making this trip we drove along the main road out of town passing the burnt-out cars where people died in their cars, fleeing their homes as the fire moved at over 200 miles an hour, at temperatures which melted glass. I try not to think too much about what that was like for them. <br />
<br />
The fear of being surrounded and trapped by fire was very real, friends of ours in other locations were already surrounded in their homes. What I'll never, ever forget is the smell of fire, the yellow colour of the sky, the sick churning of fear and the basic instinct to flee - but what surprised me was the sound of fire....a boom as trees went up in flames and the sound of birds singing as they made a desperate bid to escape too.<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/peterwd/videos/10155404486296081/">Here is a video of the fire coming over the hill into our village</a> and our car journey out of town and you'll get a sense of what I mean.<br />
<br />
The reason for the fire is not yet confirmed, but what is known is that the fire created it's own 'weather'...created an inverse tornado which spread the fire far and wide with a terrifying strength. It was certainly helped in its progress by the eucalyptus trees planted everywhere (for the paper pulp market) a tree which just loves to burn.<br />
<br />
There's been a lot said (and the debate continues) about the cause, the blame, what can be done to enforce the laws relating to eucalyptus farming and changes to the law to make sure this never happens again. It won't be easy...change is never easy and in Portugal, I fear it'll be even harder....but change has to happen.<br />
<br />
What has struck me has been the support 'after the fire'. Very quickly donations started coming in...currently over 2 million euros has been donated. Clothes, shoes, and domestic products have been donated from across Europe and now fill the previously empty spaces in Castinheira de Pera and other affected towns. Food and drink have also been donated, from someone dropping off a bag of drinks to the local fire station to corporates donating thousands of litres of water. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcAggh5OiRFuOggN40-R_0PD5tT5giW4zl6A_ZyF3VvM20sxKwDiee-oBkoFnGRfr2uCeUKozeXH6lcHEAEImX9aro-r4465J2WWk02UETMFnVG0iMaAXKui0oFrrnUgku7BdyLOjIFVa/s1600/19260786_10155404524986081_6259800385969264131_n+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="720" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAcAggh5OiRFuOggN40-R_0PD5tT5giW4zl6A_ZyF3VvM20sxKwDiee-oBkoFnGRfr2uCeUKozeXH6lcHEAEImX9aro-r4465J2WWk02UETMFnVG0iMaAXKui0oFrrnUgku7BdyLOjIFVa/s320/19260786_10155404524986081_6259800385969264131_n+-+Copy.jpg" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Water delivery</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQPNDcDC6wuVQ21g-N5xlz_stEO06P9mOt5BLSpI-1z2c0O2Zpqp-UbgiLfZ2eaRzekRg34xZ-PFESjKoAE2Ny4jbAYNwVnRQwiGx1ycS-3KL4pPlLcYN0fFWZu7V_DMn_pBr2uwjX6jz/s1600/19397108_10155404525111081_5982759046763181971_n+-+Copy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="720" data-original-width="960" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvQPNDcDC6wuVQ21g-N5xlz_stEO06P9mOt5BLSpI-1z2c0O2Zpqp-UbgiLfZ2eaRzekRg34xZ-PFESjKoAE2Ny4jbAYNwVnRQwiGx1ycS-3KL4pPlLcYN0fFWZu7V_DMn_pBr2uwjX6jz/s320/19397108_10155404525111081_5982759046763181971_n+-+Copy.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Clothing donations</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Days after the fire swept through, the road crews were re-painting lines on the road where people died trying to escape. Burnt trees were being felled and chipped. Electricity poles were being replaced and cables re-strung. Just 2 and half weeks since the fire, we've had our fibre optic cable reconnected. The infrastructure support has been impressive.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxp5-Hjf9-IcTp84AlLMOhQnhljxeHXjZ9HIZC1MXib8rWYg9l2XFsIolwG-CYGdu5kjZe2GsNIAO0rHwSv7WePm9BV4o-hCWrWqm-n8oe5n3RRDpNpCjDxhHC-gFvUFHdD024Y7xP7Pd/s1600/20170623_112439.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="900" data-original-width="1600" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEglxp5-Hjf9-IcTp84AlLMOhQnhljxeHXjZ9HIZC1MXib8rWYg9l2XFsIolwG-CYGdu5kjZe2GsNIAO0rHwSv7WePm9BV4o-hCWrWqm-n8oe5n3RRDpNpCjDxhHC-gFvUFHdD024Y7xP7Pd/s320/20170623_112439.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Working on the road </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
But 'after the fire' the landscape has changed dramatically and in some ways the sepia tones which now dominate are strangely beautiful. The shape of the trees are stark against the black wasteland and exploded olive tress create unusual shapes, the landscape has altered and revealed views through the forest to pathways and old stone buildings. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYt6A3NbHSDtGJwHkCxf9fyS_RepB6REbNDib8sHkZnAgu-mgfEXeY4VEJ-qaTrb06nFAosxmjcK7SQoU0gI-Nib_RduyoaCo3AU4apRJlGsLeesdz80mccih9oKjLtKpM89DSGUIXt8jF/s1600/19248015_10155409992886081_5738993728485490669_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYt6A3NbHSDtGJwHkCxf9fyS_RepB6REbNDib8sHkZnAgu-mgfEXeY4VEJ-qaTrb06nFAosxmjcK7SQoU0gI-Nib_RduyoaCo3AU4apRJlGsLeesdz80mccih9oKjLtKpM89DSGUIXt8jF/s320/19248015_10155409992886081_5738993728485490669_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd0PeDvudmB6QYSL9lDTGLHXk21p4o_CJ_viCH3bK3a2idKJKb086o4wskPi27-ktg8wnYHovNevLrrqHs62UuACT796rP3PZzE2mxRPcrPXiq3jz9twCEf8aA5ZRroyFKlQfoMUHrKEI/s1600/19420719_10155409993516081_7521347423872157964_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZd0PeDvudmB6QYSL9lDTGLHXk21p4o_CJ_viCH3bK3a2idKJKb086o4wskPi27-ktg8wnYHovNevLrrqHs62UuACT796rP3PZzE2mxRPcrPXiq3jz9twCEf8aA5ZRroyFKlQfoMUHrKEI/s320/19420719_10155409993516081_7521347423872157964_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pid2Zp2_WtyhEYXcNi9H_1UkKa2zxT_dP8g4OJieCKFHs6V1tpDPB5RVbNjiT86VFUrIg4OpIvBt_tTEODh4ugZOg7ziHel0gqhoUZZVEGrUh3JS-p9KDdXn3l464sn9FSIemknWyRBc/s1600/19399402_10155409995386081_7030524996693760231_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-pid2Zp2_WtyhEYXcNi9H_1UkKa2zxT_dP8g4OJieCKFHs6V1tpDPB5RVbNjiT86VFUrIg4OpIvBt_tTEODh4ugZOg7ziHel0gqhoUZZVEGrUh3JS-p9KDdXn3l464sn9FSIemknWyRBc/s320/19399402_10155409995386081_7030524996693760231_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOHgf_YAlOKVI0Dw1XvdpM-nUp3aLmiMomtYKttD5QASKvkWznkKnMB2H-An1lpboJCCqsgcmNZHj8rZD9NxPJLivOrkbMYQUzryUy4tuqj80AeSvLIpwiKGU7afU1Ih_1mfcVmc9Lbf9/s1600/19430015_10155409991661081_5924429431556837217_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="640" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEihOHgf_YAlOKVI0Dw1XvdpM-nUp3aLmiMomtYKttD5QASKvkWznkKnMB2H-An1lpboJCCqsgcmNZHj8rZD9NxPJLivOrkbMYQUzryUy4tuqj80AeSvLIpwiKGU7afU1Ih_1mfcVmc9Lbf9/s320/19430015_10155409991661081_5924429431556837217_n.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
So what is left 'after the fire'? Frustration at the eucalyptus farming practices, a need for more emergency services training, fear of the smell of smoke and grief, as we all come to terms with what has happened to us, to our friends, neighbours, acquaintances and all the people we don't know. <br />
<br />
But there is huge pride in the local fire crews (many of whom are volunteers), there is a determination to rebuild and regrow and there is a movement for change, to ensure that this never happens again. As new growth already starts to come through in the burnt landscape it's a time for new beginnings.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO78Q3rH4Gvm4uexjo2cdAUjqCYYvJAZIOgIEa8N4Juxb_DixVRoBIyEcboeENywko7PEhyz4U7BoX0LSuVVhVAASn2rZXcWuT5ytcLlwI05pOQKOQ9IXmmysCQLZ8iGePHn2IaIan8Uu1/s1600/19424536_10155409992526081_8425488211053199655_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="639" data-original-width="960" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhO78Q3rH4Gvm4uexjo2cdAUjqCYYvJAZIOgIEa8N4Juxb_DixVRoBIyEcboeENywko7PEhyz4U7BoX0LSuVVhVAASn2rZXcWuT5ytcLlwI05pOQKOQ9IXmmysCQLZ8iGePHn2IaIan8Uu1/s320/19424536_10155409992526081_8425488211053199655_n.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<i><span style="font-size: xx-small;">If I have got facts wrong then I apologise to the reader. These are just my thoughts and are not meant to represent the thoughts of anyone else. </span></i>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-57909161652571220832017-03-03T08:24:00.000-08:002017-03-03T08:24:01.206-08:00Gates and DatesOne thing you do on dog walks is notice things, from the people on the bus (which passes at 8.10am) to visitors staying with family, how the sun is rising a little bit earlier every morning this time of year.<br />
<br />
One thing that has always intrigued me is the initials and dates on house gates. Once you start noticing these things then you see dates everywhere....and of course the JF initials on all the benches....who is JF......but more of that later.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidh0ry1xdUp7BhQCBEJHcshn6uk283BYCjyTL-Tqpl6rbHk3V0I8HMIqSX6HNFOiHz0uUsLAZlDtn8aVurkpRwrvCWpVFeh5PXBgbbaG-ojHkawbIWwcrOES5wcfgjb78DCh4Q4GaUG0Mg/s1600/20170218_080524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidh0ry1xdUp7BhQCBEJHcshn6uk283BYCjyTL-Tqpl6rbHk3V0I8HMIqSX6HNFOiHz0uUsLAZlDtn8aVurkpRwrvCWpVFeh5PXBgbbaG-ojHkawbIWwcrOES5wcfgjb78DCh4Q4GaUG0Mg/s320/20170218_080524.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So as a result of all this noticing, I've been thinking about the dates and what was going on for Portugal when our neighbours installed their gates.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNosKgpPnhKNeYg7lkWih6KKeGRSwUKAiEokuO96RfcHB3tqISh1ra-iGrMRmagI2vPxH7sF3PRJN1usi5wOH3jh8u5jJ4MmA_sIMgHq6_km81UhXZ587kShcMDv6LTN0_OS8XF_YJAjd/s1600/20170208_155721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNosKgpPnhKNeYg7lkWih6KKeGRSwUKAiEokuO96RfcHB3tqISh1ra-iGrMRmagI2vPxH7sF3PRJN1usi5wOH3jh8u5jJ4MmA_sIMgHq6_km81UhXZ587kShcMDv6LTN0_OS8XF_YJAjd/s320/20170208_155721.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
1916<br />
<br />
The oldest gates I've found in our village. The house is now abandoned, but it's a lovely place, with some great stone work. This gate was installed during the First World War. In 1916 Germany declared war on Portugal. Portugal had honoured its old alliance with Great Britain by seizing German ships anchored in Lisbon’s harbour following a request to commandeer all foreign ships in their ports. In March António José de Almeida became the President - born in Penacova in the district of Coimbra (our nearest major town) and trained in medicine in the University of Coimbra.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVPmPQkBmo0qujte57A1B1TU5wYaoykHL1ye8tK0vW3eXQJS6l0UKxXPqA9rkrvRBQSVm_4cGJlLcTsZGCvNE7-KIqblpT111jXC_isYNZf2hyphenhyphen15RBK8de2ZsVblY1p06B6GjRdV86PRF/s1600/Ant%25C3%25B3nio_Jos%25C3%25A9_de_Almeida_enquanto_estudante.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVVPmPQkBmo0qujte57A1B1TU5wYaoykHL1ye8tK0vW3eXQJS6l0UKxXPqA9rkrvRBQSVm_4cGJlLcTsZGCvNE7-KIqblpT111jXC_isYNZf2hyphenhyphen15RBK8de2ZsVblY1p06B6GjRdV86PRF/s1600/Ant%25C3%25B3nio_Jos%25C3%25A9_de_Almeida_enquanto_estudante.png" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Almeida as a student</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
In May, at the Battle of Namaca, Portuguese forces suffer heavy losses when engaged by German forces in northern Mozambique. Portugal’s participation in the First World War, never consensual, and the year was marked by a number of violent episodes against the war. Some of these were rural and urban mutinies, some were strikes, and some were attempts at coups d’état. In December 1916 a failed coup was lead by Antonio Machado Santos. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilA0dTTygobpghiyQ8BhOw17NKe6VQd1h_fMqlNNpCfZ_K5ZYNroJ2lot6zc9xYQzGZNj3ov6OlNtUOSs7Tt-1StI8OJu0UBy8G6AB15qDhgrPPBYKh2r9kmPcGaFzDRsV1wf-izPsoRPN/s1600/20170215_081533.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilA0dTTygobpghiyQ8BhOw17NKe6VQd1h_fMqlNNpCfZ_K5ZYNroJ2lot6zc9xYQzGZNj3ov6OlNtUOSs7Tt-1StI8OJu0UBy8G6AB15qDhgrPPBYKh2r9kmPcGaFzDRsV1wf-izPsoRPN/s320/20170215_081533.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1931</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It was a troubled year, in 1929 the New York stock market crashed, causing repercussions across the world. It was a time of social and political upheaval both in the Portuguese mainland, the colonies and the islands of Portugal. Between February and May 1931, there were uprisings in the military garrisons of Madeira and the Azores that spread to Guinea. In Madeira, discontent provoked by unemployment had been raging due to the economic and financial crisis and traditional exports of dairy and embroidery and the tourism industry crashed, leading to the bankruptcy of the main Madeiran banking houses. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In other news..... In Fatima on May 13, 1931, in the presence 300,000 people, the Bishops of Portugal consecrated Portugal to the Immaculate Heart of Mary.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
There were big changes coming to Portugal and The Estado Novo (New State) or the Second Republic, was installed in Portugal in 1933. Essentially this was the dictatorship doctrine of António de Oliveira Salazar.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpy6JQtZNecnD2GSm8bDGUFAwOtIatW9J7WSTFI8SLR5Ybz9BNXDrb6Y_xoMBdTrHRouNYrBEnZTwmhAZJFLAiCli6eRqYfskXgCQPuUFrXdnJq4ksxCjrlxXTDJIiluluOJCt-_1I2US/s1600/slazar.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjMpy6JQtZNecnD2GSm8bDGUFAwOtIatW9J7WSTFI8SLR5Ybz9BNXDrb6Y_xoMBdTrHRouNYrBEnZTwmhAZJFLAiCli6eRqYfskXgCQPuUFrXdnJq4ksxCjrlxXTDJIiluluOJCt-_1I2US/s1600/slazar.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Salazar</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
I couldn't find any gates from the late 1930s and 1940s but Portugal goes through the following:<br />
<ul>
<li>supporting Franco in the Spanish Civil War, </li>
<li>the banning of all secret societies by Salazar, </li>
<li>numerous attempts on Salazar's life, </li>
<li>the outbreak of the war with Portugal claiming a neutral stance with Spain, </li>
<li>the start of Portugal's Secret Police, and </li>
<li>Portugal becomes one of the founding members of NATO.</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1b5RvstUzIBNxn5ny4fZVZVV4CF2ty2yWqWzyxXUfft_QGYdEPp7yPoiJtqkPkuj1q3AftNd_XC-cPQyuAVNQrPDwVEKNjcxb6_5yeY4t1vyNezS9rbs38oZ0SeGXL5riTDinT5QHZIv/s1600/20170212_084614.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiH1b5RvstUzIBNxn5ny4fZVZVV4CF2ty2yWqWzyxXUfft_QGYdEPp7yPoiJtqkPkuj1q3AftNd_XC-cPQyuAVNQrPDwVEKNjcxb6_5yeY4t1vyNezS9rbs38oZ0SeGXL5riTDinT5QHZIv/s320/20170212_084614.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
1958<br />
<br />
<div>
Américo de Deus Rodrigues Tomás becomes President until the Revolution in 1974. Evidence later surfaced that the public voted for Tomás' opponent and the election was rigged to support by Tomás' friends in the regime of the New State. As a result, Salazar, still in power as Prime Minister, abolishes direct election of presidents in favour of election by the National Assembly—which was firmly controlled by the regime.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9TrC6wlxrSPf5JHX7Xn5fahcE1XGJXJ47xvtk5Uh-lf6cJu13rbMDSB-701ZswZbVmJUBypcN5ddl1HPWQxg1883wu1tO0mqNFDQ6GNXA52JS6DmXLySQM78Bey8N46jdTnGRFGQFjan/s1600/tomas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiu9TrC6wlxrSPf5JHX7Xn5fahcE1XGJXJ47xvtk5Uh-lf6cJu13rbMDSB-701ZswZbVmJUBypcN5ddl1HPWQxg1883wu1tO0mqNFDQ6GNXA52JS6DmXLySQM78Bey8N46jdTnGRFGQFjan/s1600/tomas.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tomás</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Unlike other European nations during the 1950s and 1960s, the Portuguese regime did not withdraw from its African colonies. During this period Portugal faced increasing dissent, arms embargoes and other punitive sanctions imposed by the international community.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EOSVbiY5sSE5SegqNoUuBrClfe4iYcpc_gBsaWD6xR68caPFZGX16VjFS-ot_FMBIH-KDyxS9K0eMcrFgxUl8vQ-IT9Fjuhbp5jg6yXnZJUqrYYTg7MGJfl_Dxfpp-X7bk_Ntuj79UC7/s1600/20170212_084904.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2EOSVbiY5sSE5SegqNoUuBrClfe4iYcpc_gBsaWD6xR68caPFZGX16VjFS-ot_FMBIH-KDyxS9K0eMcrFgxUl8vQ-IT9Fjuhbp5jg6yXnZJUqrYYTg7MGJfl_Dxfpp-X7bk_Ntuj79UC7/s320/20170212_084904.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div>
1960</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The economy of Portugal and its colonies was growing well above the European average. During the 60s Portugal saw a decrease in population as people emigrated to northern Europe. Only a year later The Angolan War of Independence began as an uprising against forced cotton cultivation, and the war became a multi-faction struggle for the control of Portugal's overseas province of Angola.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Marcello das Neves Alves Caetano was appointed as Prime Minister in the late 60s although the real power remains in the hands of President Admiral Américo Tómas.</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmf8OAM4IWrgY_fFLGt4uFgB9V25NN-ejdo-Jqpkgid8LAvrvM0-BRYWzCSqErpqt3Y4_dhWyOJ7f3HcX9XqB6KruWrEKc0NeaheFIe0GZ7-8zqKBAl6J0ps8RyEsh6ZOoQTHHCl27U7OZ/s1600/20170208_155708.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjmf8OAM4IWrgY_fFLGt4uFgB9V25NN-ejdo-Jqpkgid8LAvrvM0-BRYWzCSqErpqt3Y4_dhWyOJ7f3HcX9XqB6KruWrEKc0NeaheFIe0GZ7-8zqKBAl6J0ps8RyEsh6ZOoQTHHCl27U7OZ/s320/20170208_155708.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
1973</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
Independence of Guinea-Bissau (Portuguese Guinea) is declared and Portugal participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 1973, with Fernando Tordo and the song "Tourada" a triumph of a mullet, some cow bells and a musical tale of the bull fight - have a look at the pale blue suit of Fernando <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJX-eiSwBKg">here.</a> </div>
<div>
<br />
<div>
1973 saw the world oil crisis but Portugal still had large reserves of untapped oil in its overseas territories of Angola and São Tomé and Príncipe, promising untold wealth to come!</div>
<br />
<div>
Marcello Caetano had taken over the leadership after Salazar suffered a stroke. No one informed Salazar that he had been removed as leader of the regime! Caetano's power was largely held in check by Tomás and although Caetano had been one of the architects of the Estado Novo, he took some steps to 'blunt the harsher edges' of the regime.</div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiSsPNTdWO3ujXgS1BKW_p4vlxpc4vrJ7j_CaPM1SkgMGpOmN78s9VHU2gfzmW6bX6vvF57BroYzA_mxj6ScH8B5Kf2DMu84PIg5DiXnV-BSaqYd1MmNm7QJN9xw7kdkCYKd64Jg5Q5F0/s1600/25+de+abril+-+Marcello+Caetano.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJiSsPNTdWO3ujXgS1BKW_p4vlxpc4vrJ7j_CaPM1SkgMGpOmN78s9VHU2gfzmW6bX6vvF57BroYzA_mxj6ScH8B5Kf2DMu84PIg5DiXnV-BSaqYd1MmNm7QJN9xw7kdkCYKd64Jg5Q5F0/s1600/25+de+abril+-+Marcello+Caetano.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Marcello Caetano</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
In 1973various hard-liners in the regime used their closeness to Tomás to pressure Caetano into abandoning his reform experiment. Caetano had little choice but to accept this...so Portugal started to rebel. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
On 25 April 1974 the military overthrew the regime in the revolution. There was almost no resistance</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<b>Back to those benches....</b></div>
<div>
<b><br /></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAud6qNZYu_BE6DaszssWPr2AuaVbz1gknpKAC_YttnXYTMCxmFLOEoGxVw9wnJ7rSM0rVcKVZoZ0y8fdgMEaFGcRYZA0e9UgT5ukcQV9MlvBGhz7cOgJ-HeSiDNsm3Iy5EClZBIOpIWq/s1600/20170218_080524.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhzAud6qNZYu_BE6DaszssWPr2AuaVbz1gknpKAC_YttnXYTMCxmFLOEoGxVw9wnJ7rSM0rVcKVZoZ0y8fdgMEaFGcRYZA0e9UgT5ukcQV9MlvBGhz7cOgJ-HeSiDNsm3Iy5EClZBIOpIWq/s320/20170218_080524.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
So who is JF? I've wondered for many years who this important person could be. Did they pay for all the benches to be installed, was he the president when the village was at it's peak? Was he a wealthy 1950s landowner.....? I finally took a photo and asked a local.....unfortunately there is no story here. It simply means Junta de Freguesia the very unexciting Parish Council!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<i>any mistakes in history are all my own...despite frantic googling.....</i></div>
<div>
<i><br /></i></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-54082648001188636572017-02-05T05:37:00.003-08:002017-02-05T05:37:50.228-08:00Presépio <span style="color: black;">Now we are in February it seems like the right time to write about a Christmas tradition in Portugal. The Presépio translated in Google as 'The Crib' is firmly routed in the Jesus in the Nativity and not the Pimp my Crib show on MTV.</span><br />
<br />
The Presépio is traditionally a representation of the Nativity, from a simple Mary, Joseph and Jesus ornament arrangement at home on the mantle to a full on live <a href="http://www.penelapresepio.com/">procession</a> with donkey, cattle and shepherds.<br />
<br />
This year I spotted more representations of the Presépio around the district. It seemed to me that each town had two or three interpretations of this traditional celebration of the Nativity.<br />
<br />
Presépio made from recycled materials seems to be the big hit this year, here are some that have caught my eye.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2KqaW7jLamqr0uybO0x2ak8HbGWS1VsbkRvgMJbB7ZEm2C95MMuSlqoyXdjP4_MUCjE4C-Jb5gKTvQT8yYUioZBNUM50UmAn38jAYISI2FH8RJxWBke1-I4YuOcUZ71BHgaIBJtJbJXK/s1600/20170102_115721.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEht2KqaW7jLamqr0uybO0x2ak8HbGWS1VsbkRvgMJbB7ZEm2C95MMuSlqoyXdjP4_MUCjE4C-Jb5gKTvQT8yYUioZBNUM50UmAn38jAYISI2FH8RJxWBke1-I4YuOcUZ71BHgaIBJtJbJXK/s400/20170102_115721.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All smiles and used car tyres...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmZqT9w8XFp-KGc33isi0agAVB6CrgXMD48dyP2y7o6AG7kAhjSYcUll7QRFJTonkmCiBo71u24RisD6Z3oAgKoSUPRbfKO1WD-JPEjbG8bdODNppTO-2CaPMBP0NhHRgzgl3DJLbBfHK/s1600/20170102_120536.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQmZqT9w8XFp-KGc33isi0agAVB6CrgXMD48dyP2y7o6AG7kAhjSYcUll7QRFJTonkmCiBo71u24RisD6Z3oAgKoSUPRbfKO1WD-JPEjbG8bdODNppTO-2CaPMBP0NhHRgzgl3DJLbBfHK/s400/20170102_120536.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Tradition in a town church...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbHLnDUcRSM0BOxj-cKgKEUQU1qO0tRp6HyyblWBsLx34D_T1NrnM7sCuOtii53I_aPhVb5-QccIVw7ly9C01lRlvpJ7Zsc7SWeNpLjQsvqD3C5VHthCZ5L6dryIN80GzpZmvVavsfBqE/s1600/20170104_114947.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhTbHLnDUcRSM0BOxj-cKgKEUQU1qO0tRp6HyyblWBsLx34D_T1NrnM7sCuOtii53I_aPhVb5-QccIVw7ly9C01lRlvpJ7Zsc7SWeNpLjQsvqD3C5VHthCZ5L6dryIN80GzpZmvVavsfBqE/s400/20170104_114947.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Entrance to the Penela Presepio which included two iron cow statues humping (sadly not photographed)</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqZvQCloqq0y6R3Iw3SNKJc8yj2TO5kEhTf9d7q4e2lMa05ygkp4F5UBNM0mCDa89ZgenhnBOyCman8XaNNEj5rIn4GPJHFGtjLUezwIsw6s7lzzmm7P7US2ChRc_I0h-hkCZ-G8RfnM5/s1600/20170104_134128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgqZvQCloqq0y6R3Iw3SNKJc8yj2TO5kEhTf9d7q4e2lMa05ygkp4F5UBNM0mCDa89ZgenhnBOyCman8XaNNEj5rIn4GPJHFGtjLUezwIsw6s7lzzmm7P7US2ChRc_I0h-hkCZ-G8RfnM5/s400/20170104_134128.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Very traditional interpretation outside the main church </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yRveQIDF902xXTxpeQc51315fq-M8qwxVpyGEyBx_DoWkp6wPyUCRXeXOY5D72r6-paetSh_TL11BTIQa9KmcdE3ZGcG81p1rMFbWbwTgi_fuwJcP2-866QDTwX91Bme91i5O3Gx8fGL/s1600/20161231_093457.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4yRveQIDF902xXTxpeQc51315fq-M8qwxVpyGEyBx_DoWkp6wPyUCRXeXOY5D72r6-paetSh_TL11BTIQa9KmcdE3ZGcG81p1rMFbWbwTgi_fuwJcP2-866QDTwX91Bme91i5O3Gx8fGL/s640/20161231_093457.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Made with re-cycled cloth and bottle tops...</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNnDJbZr64Tj1uDMbrzxDSfKnji_vQXTgxN5Zy7Ng_kOvHOyNxkNNyvE4fcp1S3P-IrMk98mKPNvfai3OONOlIrGxXYyE-njbYbhkpYhjUU80A_enVVKlVUxwi7MaO4wtQfgnz-H7InwT/s1600/20161231_093538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikNnDJbZr64Tj1uDMbrzxDSfKnji_vQXTgxN5Zy7Ng_kOvHOyNxkNNyvE4fcp1S3P-IrMk98mKPNvfai3OONOlIrGxXYyE-njbYbhkpYhjUU80A_enVVKlVUxwi7MaO4wtQfgnz-H7InwT/s400/20161231_093538.jpg" width="400" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cardboard cut outs - love the donkey!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlKCh1k4Az_OF9c4aglOKPvSBBUpy15e04H6rQzP_BsIgkyKruPjBP8htOoFlq90envtAfaIplMsKZUaVmLhSaep57oQPU8No1jb_CcSV8aT4ctKBQ3cE4tzoNYc3ozhlFqRpCX_Wjyct/s1600/20161231_093655.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiBlKCh1k4Az_OF9c4aglOKPvSBBUpy15e04H6rQzP_BsIgkyKruPjBP8htOoFlq90envtAfaIplMsKZUaVmLhSaep57oQPU8No1jb_CcSV8aT4ctKBQ3cE4tzoNYc3ozhlFqRpCX_Wjyct/s640/20161231_093655.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My personal favourite. String and recycled paper/cardboard in a tent.</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZKuoDuM8sdvXezeGnCVAgzI6s-8RE4rjAvg_Zvlk6j3IuMXFIGGgDrfeZLpeaXb27gJoutfyhA8_cdX3gt5UBREOXnq9W8M54RokL88TtusBcqWJ5DXyde1AAtNb0r_l3ptZNWJBewvk/s1600/20170101_160430.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7ZKuoDuM8sdvXezeGnCVAgzI6s-8RE4rjAvg_Zvlk6j3IuMXFIGGgDrfeZLpeaXb27gJoutfyhA8_cdX3gt5UBREOXnq9W8M54RokL88TtusBcqWJ5DXyde1AAtNb0r_l3ptZNWJBewvk/s640/20170101_160430.jpg" width="360" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Amazing what you can do with some tarpaulin and gold spray!</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<span id="goog_1401123955"></span><span id="goog_1401123956"><br /></span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-72144613645688534532017-01-17T03:44:00.001-08:002017-01-17T03:44:29.724-08:00Building our Barrel Vault Wood Fired Oven
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
span.s2 {font-kerning: none; color: #004fa0}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">This is a short description of my barrel vault build that I have done here in Central Portugal.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">The final internal size is a 1m squared floor with a arch height of 50cm.</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">I hope you enjoy and get some ideas from it. I wish to thank <a href="http://ukwoodfiredovenforum.proboards.com/" target="_blank">ukwoodfiredovenforum</a> for their advice and support.</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 1: First I dug out a hole in the flower bed, on top of the stone wall, where the oven was to be built</span></div>
<span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.3333px;"><br /></span>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNyEG8NmevPZTMtOXreszPIIOxWancAW7IOa8AOhiW8mjk1da0WDTHJ-gvxZXsGECP4eZLlsM3MOqPQZheTp7h1RykiTYg9V1CoXI6prnllDyONC0TDz7DvcocJOFMtv_RKwxiQEZ0oi3/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNyEG8NmevPZTMtOXreszPIIOxWancAW7IOa8AOhiW8mjk1da0WDTHJ-gvxZXsGECP4eZLlsM3MOqPQZheTp7h1RykiTYg9V1CoXI6prnllDyONC0TDz7DvcocJOFMtv_RKwxiQEZ0oi3/s320/1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 2: Set up a form to pour in the concrete base</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNyZp6nBkkf4Gry51kMJrxVMiD_F5kcpDFC33JR4L-snKSts7zKEF2L_tNatFKptTS_bcaOhBBSKBNFP8Zw9UVi-oM8Af3uSwTSgmeV90-QSS6LKM6DKN17L-cazA9tG7eRKbvS8eKUYp/s1600/2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheNyZp6nBkkf4Gry51kMJrxVMiD_F5kcpDFC33JR4L-snKSts7zKEF2L_tNatFKptTS_bcaOhBBSKBNFP8Zw9UVi-oM8Af3uSwTSgmeV90-QSS6LKM6DKN17L-cazA9tG7eRKbvS8eKUYp/s320/2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 3: Pour the concrete base, which was about 5-6 inches deep</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZc50_4OHVNt9IiEMwU0WOWxv4WDXzfuHJCRSrA0wzxTwsUDXBdev5eLxrAkfwlTUp6FSfMb3AJTZbytHQXHY0tHjntlBlPLzN2lhOyXF29h2N5-cssE9zsUqPAwv7hPKWh1_rcxDHavph/s1600/3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZc50_4OHVNt9IiEMwU0WOWxv4WDXzfuHJCRSrA0wzxTwsUDXBdev5eLxrAkfwlTUp6FSfMb3AJTZbytHQXHY0tHjntlBlPLzN2lhOyXF29h2N5-cssE9zsUqPAwv7hPKWh1_rcxDHavph/s320/3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 4: On top of the base I cast 4-5 inches of LECA (light weight expanded clay balls) mixed with cement to hold it's form</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3b0GoxTb6nBwDzm-sgDCV1G_p3_fd8dy82ZlBUhIS8CBZVaJ2lnL1ozvz3DuwBTg5RFOFEUcsKhudcZVMgInTsE6jy_FG3kfgMpswFMNl7puIlpSOChyNh6K_8Ahyphenhyphen9Lsfk02o6tZuQfQ/s1600/4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjK3b0GoxTb6nBwDzm-sgDCV1G_p3_fd8dy82ZlBUhIS8CBZVaJ2lnL1ozvz3DuwBTg5RFOFEUcsKhudcZVMgInTsE6jy_FG3kfgMpswFMNl7puIlpSOChyNh6K_8Ahyphenhyphen9Lsfk02o6tZuQfQ/s320/4.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 5: Then I cast a 2-3 inch heat retaining base, to add to the thermal mass, using calcium aluminate cement with large grain sand, as a flat base for the hearth bricks to sit on</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6nvMf9GTEvicEPuxs4_-pdih2RYf0JFJX5nbJBphtwCCLitVdT-ykoAq5LuFlhNhP9BUQPa0RusfhmueADpPvN6Z2hvav4LyPO8AGzPr67nIAEMtX9StP43-cA04ZkrAQfmTHlZlLi1G/s1600/5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhy6nvMf9GTEvicEPuxs4_-pdih2RYf0JFJX5nbJBphtwCCLitVdT-ykoAq5LuFlhNhP9BUQPa0RusfhmueADpPvN6Z2hvav4LyPO8AGzPr67nIAEMtX9StP43-cA04ZkrAQfmTHlZlLi1G/s320/5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 6-8: I then dry laid the hearth bricks on a dry bed of fine sand and clay mixture, with the surround/edge bricks cemented in place to give support to the coming vault</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFbHfcq2cIqW5OrzD90G-6cw-f13gOMtkgjrUUxjDQQWkmYc9m9Q2b5ScG6j0U4ohnXj8WXIki6HZ0XFQMOq9C900bGInv9FMf4WWmAHSxNAXnem4z1LDO9LiP5l-P6VNlLdxReHHh49y/s1600/6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjxFbHfcq2cIqW5OrzD90G-6cw-f13gOMtkgjrUUxjDQQWkmYc9m9Q2b5ScG6j0U4ohnXj8WXIki6HZ0XFQMOq9C900bGInv9FMf4WWmAHSxNAXnem4z1LDO9LiP5l-P6VNlLdxReHHh49y/s320/6.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtEguxdha6mQLE4M4GfOBqc9eLWMYVHVv3fxC3OtejkF-X6Owc0hdoDxM457TtVaA6IviH6Eay_l3WNoVkNpCberlqKqa49S88Zwr4AopzQDvJQfg8WEjIg_o2MihduKj4sf0BGoc4K4o/s1600/7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBtEguxdha6mQLE4M4GfOBqc9eLWMYVHVv3fxC3OtejkF-X6Owc0hdoDxM457TtVaA6IviH6Eay_l3WNoVkNpCberlqKqa49S88Zwr4AopzQDvJQfg8WEjIg_o2MihduKj4sf0BGoc4K4o/s320/7.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKIv4LTnqqxJ5A4ecmAsruUd4EPd0tyckqPn_PqQQu5qQFbJ2CBVrDX3tP0wSsZb7GDbbXcaBR5Iqz3sdBe-41aptqvJY6eqhjR8XLUK1gjtVsOPCXDzbzV0PIPmXuSfiOllPeaPGlV4i/s1600/8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSKIv4LTnqqxJ5A4ecmAsruUd4EPd0tyckqPn_PqQQu5qQFbJ2CBVrDX3tP0wSsZb7GDbbXcaBR5Iqz3sdBe-41aptqvJY6eqhjR8XLUK1gjtVsOPCXDzbzV0PIPmXuSfiOllPeaPGlV4i/s320/8.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 9-10: Here I cut the bricks for the back wall, which had to sit inside and under the arches, due to possible expansion of the arches when heated</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdODj93rLey5VK0nwUx7PHt3mL4_tzDbFFTLNN-9eWI_9jV7bh9czEspYazqfOqPO0cmoGvZAVVUw6AkWEsVRZpfOGigniRUoIb4ZuEqOorz46H0pX0OfWUkfWF5M0bscxt-MDS-1TRtI/s1600/9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivdODj93rLey5VK0nwUx7PHt3mL4_tzDbFFTLNN-9eWI_9jV7bh9czEspYazqfOqPO0cmoGvZAVVUw6AkWEsVRZpfOGigniRUoIb4ZuEqOorz46H0pX0OfWUkfWF5M0bscxt-MDS-1TRtI/s320/9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOS3B-n-_hfvUJYgb7_v-s-T3iZ9I4X9-x8dVWMgiZ1D3penfSsF5HbHDE6YSJ6ZuaVEPNv6vRMYaAXh4Xv5XsoE8cvuoaTZfmEmLgn4GSOSPac6Lmfknj7AFauaHsTOHZ4tcuiD5gtTp/s1600/10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjeOS3B-n-_hfvUJYgb7_v-s-T3iZ9I4X9-x8dVWMgiZ1D3penfSsF5HbHDE6YSJ6ZuaVEPNv6vRMYaAXh4Xv5XsoE8cvuoaTZfmEmLgn4GSOSPac6Lmfknj7AFauaHsTOHZ4tcuiD5gtTp/s320/10.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 11: Put up the back wall, using calcium aluminate cement and fine grain sand</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3398ayaWpIhVTP5y9hclfnws2UVsoAEblEEKIOEhKt5eN5kU295xRvujQvQ0RAt55n-utH0AhwbRP9cLx-J1mOA-uPLQwYe7T4cTaYY_EZHwJq5r2Q2tJnFDIn7xl3D7gCI1YJp737FS/s1600/11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM3398ayaWpIhVTP5y9hclfnws2UVsoAEblEEKIOEhKt5eN5kU295xRvujQvQ0RAt55n-utH0AhwbRP9cLx-J1mOA-uPLQwYe7T4cTaYY_EZHwJq5r2Q2tJnFDIn7xl3D7gCI1YJp737FS/s320/11.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 12-14: The first arch of the vault goes up. I had to leave out the last two bricks from each arch until the next day, as the refractory cement dried so fast that as I tapped them in they knocked out the lower curved bricks</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz05oylHyu1yhb-dGQb6UVq0loqMeDKzNPwDMhrxWdNwLALTo49kwSrMPGI7Nf3ObgrRNyDU5lSXc4GSJSmZsSk6b9wcTjt5SZeHckTRJYKjviOsFhVPJRtUwdL96OJamOVDZltHnzV6Kl/s1600/12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz05oylHyu1yhb-dGQb6UVq0loqMeDKzNPwDMhrxWdNwLALTo49kwSrMPGI7Nf3ObgrRNyDU5lSXc4GSJSmZsSk6b9wcTjt5SZeHckTRJYKjviOsFhVPJRtUwdL96OJamOVDZltHnzV6Kl/s320/12.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8lAeKtmrJxYcpy7DAH597giB0_SPl4d88vMdDhtks1c7Ce9bkWKXGYHIWzFjBl5bplMevlo5SLS531eSuejLckcjLX1O0K_aqVPN1LRrBp7IRKZFoT96_U0Adj5VuLoPVyKPakVyxRAy/s1600/13.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB8lAeKtmrJxYcpy7DAH597giB0_SPl4d88vMdDhtks1c7Ce9bkWKXGYHIWzFjBl5bplMevlo5SLS531eSuejLckcjLX1O0K_aqVPN1LRrBp7IRKZFoT96_U0Adj5VuLoPVyKPakVyxRAy/s320/13.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6x-O-LpesGt42hatHojwQfH4Ro7jUnM53UTGsesUoCESAT7K9XKV5zT4wMcJsN3QMCw_KTqz_Hi3BFAZgeMdpN8EMHpbm6FJcVvkDrK8HJSCpq2bLFEJwZJf4EwkT2HFiP7_iOWl0FerH/s1600/14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6x-O-LpesGt42hatHojwQfH4Ro7jUnM53UTGsesUoCESAT7K9XKV5zT4wMcJsN3QMCw_KTqz_Hi3BFAZgeMdpN8EMHpbm6FJcVvkDrK8HJSCpq2bLFEJwZJf4EwkT2HFiP7_iOWl0FerH/s320/14.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 15: Showing the form I used to support the brick arches as they went up</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh514I0WPJFQ6dNBlKN_8zwP2ES-KFahJKb7wkDYyiDqQgFjjAU0Qqz52HOivJLjfQNja-tW3Ohz3KmvA4qTJ293X8xLZ4ocDqJ3fRZTVVSqXCRcPDeoLCilK00r32wt06Ujt_EcK9MAfcS/s1600/15.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh514I0WPJFQ6dNBlKN_8zwP2ES-KFahJKb7wkDYyiDqQgFjjAU0Qqz52HOivJLjfQNja-tW3Ohz3KmvA4qTJ293X8xLZ4ocDqJ3fRZTVVSqXCRcPDeoLCilK00r32wt06Ujt_EcK9MAfcS/s320/15.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 16: Some front arch and entrance designs, which changed several times</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AlNrFdU9IUOz-RHBN99Zs41oh5C26EUVUc0p0zK2k8jsDDvug6bukaYJBdgUbT5cDGROGCyyQ0sLboseJ2i4QhrI04Jc0zmwJ3nn5YHNrrt1Dvn86Lg99E0SnW404wbg-M73SBgoTG2B/s1600/16.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh7AlNrFdU9IUOz-RHBN99Zs41oh5C26EUVUc0p0zK2k8jsDDvug6bukaYJBdgUbT5cDGROGCyyQ0sLboseJ2i4QhrI04Jc0zmwJ3nn5YHNrrt1Dvn86Lg99E0SnW404wbg-M73SBgoTG2B/s320/16.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 17-18: The vault in progress</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-VA3Rg5sNy4OY5ZAtpeOuz7W6EHKDFfyL9O3zsuvdMCEgR6eR3uANBWRJyzENH2LfYyu8ZWa5S07RJaeRCZDKklvNUwe3lSOsL5l1hZcCJwIMc7wBbas27ty5cepBy_CVU9VFdONauoY/s1600/17.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg2-VA3Rg5sNy4OY5ZAtpeOuz7W6EHKDFfyL9O3zsuvdMCEgR6eR3uANBWRJyzENH2LfYyu8ZWa5S07RJaeRCZDKklvNUwe3lSOsL5l1hZcCJwIMc7wBbas27ty5cepBy_CVU9VFdONauoY/s320/17.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJdhlp6fwyY9kkQiAmWXT9Y-2oJzB_KUMXljQ-NGrZXd3OJbkumr8Q2uSxgR8_tui42wZp6oKYqOFcf-pxK-KuJhj1K7lq2uRr_Ezum3BIqEeKsOFImYD8zNrslNfa6xEYoXphud7-wrF/s1600/18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZJdhlp6fwyY9kkQiAmWXT9Y-2oJzB_KUMXljQ-NGrZXd3OJbkumr8Q2uSxgR8_tui42wZp6oKYqOFcf-pxK-KuJhj1K7lq2uRr_Ezum3BIqEeKsOFImYD8zNrslNfa6xEYoXphud7-wrF/s320/18.jpg" width="238" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 19: The front wall goes up</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWsnwwSypW8adn_0HxKixCYeHoqXMCS1fp3m1FL8GILYXCDbkUTQtnp-9DrV2elM2QZSvt_1YaPN97oj5-kLA7I5Uo-3tIM9RgJ2HEM8hHTV-HK3PFBMKfoJ5grkO1FXydC1-_Cd3LxwW/s1600/19.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjnWsnwwSypW8adn_0HxKixCYeHoqXMCS1fp3m1FL8GILYXCDbkUTQtnp-9DrV2elM2QZSvt_1YaPN97oj5-kLA7I5Uo-3tIM9RgJ2HEM8hHTV-HK3PFBMKfoJ5grkO1FXydC1-_Cd3LxwW/s320/19.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 20: And then the doorway arches, which are 65% of the total vault height (in the centre)</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNAUwMsctagcruCcyFoNx17DeYiAA1cCo_ncfIrsXUuIpWNYEuCyxs2id1J3vorcitgZZH1ogyAxkMyS4bp2dOntm-kz3VP0f5aP7p180Asj5ew0gcZuEXkIcIuV_zQTg3_QbuZsMAT4N/s1600/20.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgFNAUwMsctagcruCcyFoNx17DeYiAA1cCo_ncfIrsXUuIpWNYEuCyxs2id1J3vorcitgZZH1ogyAxkMyS4bp2dOntm-kz3VP0f5aP7p180Asj5ew0gcZuEXkIcIuV_zQTg3_QbuZsMAT4N/s320/20.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 21: The entrance walls go on, with many comments about the Sphinx</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_1WYmfzEyXQugv_6QvgVA3wo8rmz445Q0BbLdkH2LB7SB3088DsWRu2MPua0-RVrHDIS08VYib1yPdY5SSCqIJkEQmF5PwWuY1lFUNHfJBfZl-NCAtw8rFrwg62lR_WjQ8Cf26a0iNwd/s1600/21.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6_1WYmfzEyXQugv_6QvgVA3wo8rmz445Q0BbLdkH2LB7SB3088DsWRu2MPua0-RVrHDIS08VYib1yPdY5SSCqIJkEQmF5PwWuY1lFUNHfJBfZl-NCAtw8rFrwg62lR_WjQ8Cf26a0iNwd/s320/21.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 22-23: The start of the flue and chimney</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VLMZnB0CMiK609r7tZhyphenhyphenqwog_qa7dLIQtdNYMEA3EGWk2xGqT83BHIv2drqwYn1p5DcUfFhpDF4Qv6yI-ZsEb7q80f-wFMdrNBB55ZEO8gZHVW3DJleR8XtS0YeGIE62WlyvYyFLdA-y/s1600/22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_VLMZnB0CMiK609r7tZhyphenhyphenqwog_qa7dLIQtdNYMEA3EGWk2xGqT83BHIv2drqwYn1p5DcUfFhpDF4Qv6yI-ZsEb7q80f-wFMdrNBB55ZEO8gZHVW3DJleR8XtS0YeGIE62WlyvYyFLdA-y/s320/22.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnd6Uns3ZSmxUyz7WtPqnwFotc-MbmJQ2l-rFFtffOw_sNv4YLpYb7fovtVE9TgVgoeqJa5S9Dd5kDGMwXGahTHSrtRsqsA_0hhRQwlI0A75dFeJgmb4omK19qxA0Ozhyphenhyphenjjv5-zhSpPPV/s1600/23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibnd6Uns3ZSmxUyz7WtPqnwFotc-MbmJQ2l-rFFtffOw_sNv4YLpYb7fovtVE9TgVgoeqJa5S9Dd5kDGMwXGahTHSrtRsqsA_0hhRQwlI0A75dFeJgmb4omK19qxA0Ozhyphenhyphenjjv5-zhSpPPV/s320/23.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 24-25: The barrel vault then gets clad in another thermal mass layer of portland cement, clay, large grain sand and some gravel, sitting on a chicken wire support. This was left to cure and dry out for a couple of weeks</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWE1lMOxMZSBy1lb3at6IuSMQDKiLvO2dnj3K3pHcZiEG69HxuwXOEOcDXzj_S2_lUXgELnn9w0f0LAG_J6jXsN4KsYB6_YHQgw8BUtxgG9oE_C8PsJg1dqwHYAcrow7hyphenhyphenJ0b26RhwxmU/s1600/24.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLWE1lMOxMZSBy1lb3at6IuSMQDKiLvO2dnj3K3pHcZiEG69HxuwXOEOcDXzj_S2_lUXgELnn9w0f0LAG_J6jXsN4KsYB6_YHQgw8BUtxgG9oE_C8PsJg1dqwHYAcrow7hyphenhyphenJ0b26RhwxmU/s320/24.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJE8_hDIur0sxjnES1aFtU_9FUESk5YjyLZqNSwunRNZAeXT5HvmKp8RJS0w-ecyQ8qFYqkd_bpPHsihcUACzfAhp7rJX3RK98AFNjzlwx54HxqfMM7WOC5pJAb5uGBZZVupw863h92djH/s1600/25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJE8_hDIur0sxjnES1aFtU_9FUESk5YjyLZqNSwunRNZAeXT5HvmKp8RJS0w-ecyQ8qFYqkd_bpPHsihcUACzfAhp7rJX3RK98AFNjzlwx54HxqfMM7WOC5pJAb5uGBZZVupw863h92djH/s320/25.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 26: Then on went the insulating 25mm ceramic fibre blanket. I was advised to put this on before the curing fires so there was less temperature differential from the interior and exterior</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVE2NkEFAwcEhDG2ndd_zI-lJtRXLDauvVkrn5qVy7UnMwpwitDYWEVO-UGHbY4lc5dT-o3dimLmOs_JDY3DCw9q_rTbUdEKm7JYX9-smQ0pyQWuehdPV97JYfImjCmzh6uxxS0wkRHbA/s1600/26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcVE2NkEFAwcEhDG2ndd_zI-lJtRXLDauvVkrn5qVy7UnMwpwitDYWEVO-UGHbY4lc5dT-o3dimLmOs_JDY3DCw9q_rTbUdEKm7JYX9-smQ0pyQWuehdPV97JYfImjCmzh6uxxS0wkRHbA/s320/26.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 27-29: I then did a series of curing fires, starting at 100C and going up around 50C each day and finishing at around 500C, and trying to get it to cool down in between. I also did a bit of cooking at the same time</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnXn2lpbzW3OYUeY78QQ-cCumFK1aPP9DCpKi4CiHqGSWPoGkTgK4L3z65NuK98LdfxSmf-WxPB7ISg1hf-YJOfvlZ-Rov1ww4Ylf0_AOupObZpi-TMYs3xYmnRMH0AVSoxLdA8biv-Rz/s1600/27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCnXn2lpbzW3OYUeY78QQ-cCumFK1aPP9DCpKi4CiHqGSWPoGkTgK4L3z65NuK98LdfxSmf-WxPB7ISg1hf-YJOfvlZ-Rov1ww4Ylf0_AOupObZpi-TMYs3xYmnRMH0AVSoxLdA8biv-Rz/s320/27.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZFBX3Mgx3SYvpAEkzStVEDg5Te0ztaS7FYaVpuzCKLlWli4ZMHDkJ5iJkU-44CUNZmoLy1Ny5Zu631EkkIimnm39TkQdFsERtKv8Obzprj1mSlLK6NeYpdP3NRlcKGHdeRSoEXSRNOz4/s1600/28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBZFBX3Mgx3SYvpAEkzStVEDg5Te0ztaS7FYaVpuzCKLlWli4ZMHDkJ5iJkU-44CUNZmoLy1Ny5Zu631EkkIimnm39TkQdFsERtKv8Obzprj1mSlLK6NeYpdP3NRlcKGHdeRSoEXSRNOz4/s320/28.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOpu1jrCZInGVFOXOwSkZI3iMyLT-fkEfNOcB7MnIWTvGUr0N5abzX2rpYLCY8o0kHLg1Gk9ooX8MVjfb9CCkoMSJ5o2J2X3Jnk4KIT5fR0ME7TgT5qm02PQ9Po3HxpOcAaHayo6pVU66/s1600/29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwOpu1jrCZInGVFOXOwSkZI3iMyLT-fkEfNOcB7MnIWTvGUr0N5abzX2rpYLCY8o0kHLg1Gk9ooX8MVjfb9CCkoMSJ5o2J2X3Jnk4KIT5fR0ME7TgT5qm02PQ9Po3HxpOcAaHayo6pVU66/s320/29.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 30-31: Then on went a second insulating layer of LECA again, about 4-5 inches thick. I had to use a makeshift form to hold it in place, using foam insulation boards. This was also left for a week and then had another set of curing fires to try and get out as much moisture as possible</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3s6lJEsW77SXfSKQDQWxohImCGQTJC38ZxDfepLh2IHU0mj8BFVpaebCkzz-jXUSCOnYenuH17YnGAn9wWYgcsxaiW3cCS1KVZHRakwsVMPtHCsaB0Mm1kX7DYTDGb7c5iKQVuQlVGzO/s1600/30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQ3s6lJEsW77SXfSKQDQWxohImCGQTJC38ZxDfepLh2IHU0mj8BFVpaebCkzz-jXUSCOnYenuH17YnGAn9wWYgcsxaiW3cCS1KVZHRakwsVMPtHCsaB0Mm1kX7DYTDGb7c5iKQVuQlVGzO/s320/30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7MlI5f9CQ7foayklOPDrOStny-IopjWaYMY1Ssrpm1sgnmSIWqpWq27f22dY3pmA6KVsvxQrDcj58Z0BK4wA3eLfEOw5UvC4FRUSkt7bW7FgwlSjffDY28Srf_0CxQZ3DZqM5XVg9xyx/s1600/31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEih7MlI5f9CQ7foayklOPDrOStny-IopjWaYMY1Ssrpm1sgnmSIWqpWq27f22dY3pmA6KVsvxQrDcj58Z0BK4wA3eLfEOw5UvC4FRUSkt7bW7FgwlSjffDY28Srf_0CxQZ3DZqM5XVg9xyx/s320/31.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 32-33: Then everything was clad in a concrete layer about 3-4cm thick, to weatherproof and protect the LECA. This was then put through a couple of weeks of curing and cooking fires</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnznEi1b__qfHhUWZWAqJbnNfwVdIs8zZfV4JjcWwdYvkarI56cLdlvEQaiMk-xQ853BCeBBIwjLkvAGuxcXffZeo98gLhe8lHkC3gq1PivuFP50pVXgLEAs4MkWH1AwaXLNByd1NWe-FO/s1600/32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgnznEi1b__qfHhUWZWAqJbnNfwVdIs8zZfV4JjcWwdYvkarI56cLdlvEQaiMk-xQ853BCeBBIwjLkvAGuxcXffZeo98gLhe8lHkC3gq1PivuFP50pVXgLEAs4MkWH1AwaXLNByd1NWe-FO/s320/32.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC9OakrQKJdBrBuNRJ7jF9pP090CrXsjx0t-n9D_J9Yu6KGiqJYuaGzPzg2E7747CTbDqwTtS6EYft1yWXOs3C914STMQQClVeuC6dqbOW6oHUl0scQkY8p6F9k1v49mu_3rG06Hhkg6P/s1600/33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijC9OakrQKJdBrBuNRJ7jF9pP090CrXsjx0t-n9D_J9Yu6KGiqJYuaGzPzg2E7747CTbDqwTtS6EYft1yWXOs3C914STMQQClVeuC6dqbOW6oHUl0scQkY8p6F9k1v49mu_3rG06Hhkg6P/s320/33.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• 34: Then on go two layers of plastic coating paint with fibres, to make it fully weatherproof</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MfSs-93zvWNPqA4qmgNDJy7R393kVTn8lhyphenhyphenApMA6dmvn9RZ7jQvfpv4Ua7GFnSC2STbRyEChzIebrCGDjR8m6dcpM_PTgC4r1GckWmvI95c9f82F6mRqlf9D2z4r-Mw90JsUvgbZnAmV/s1600/34.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1MfSs-93zvWNPqA4qmgNDJy7R393kVTn8lhyphenhyphenApMA6dmvn9RZ7jQvfpv4Ua7GFnSC2STbRyEChzIebrCGDjR8m6dcpM_PTgC4r1GckWmvI95c9f82F6mRqlf9D2z4r-Mw90JsUvgbZnAmV/s320/34.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<style type="text/css">
p.p1 {margin: 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px 0.0px; line-height: 16.0px; font: 13.0px Verdana}
span.s1 {font-kerning: none}
</style>
<br />
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1">• Pizzas and lamb: Some shots of the many dishes we have so far made with the oven</span></div>
<div class="p1">
<span class="s1"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8RygzcE5OrRmI0y86sOfkjTQPAf7IySbwUvZKXDZGToMrn2jrSfDd9nmT3IaCYUwi4R5wgebwFxfHbiaDJDTl13axn8Kk0bYLxBEgVWpaUgYxH6COQj0EDmDejacU9SbfpdxATm9JFsR/s1600/Lamb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr8RygzcE5OrRmI0y86sOfkjTQPAf7IySbwUvZKXDZGToMrn2jrSfDd9nmT3IaCYUwi4R5wgebwFxfHbiaDJDTl13axn8Kk0bYLxBEgVWpaUgYxH6COQj0EDmDejacU9SbfpdxATm9JFsR/s320/Lamb.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsMb7RfpsTjpC0JKTdIMNMHIhbbEdgbuE5zuMISqOE2_09EP_QqwrXVVYLF3Bc3v5tZD3jOxvP6t_aSIUfODibcFykRSijOiKerh56ofTIt6taKbUw2MHarBVsHMmebmQar4vIAAobSCn/s1600/Pizza+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbsMb7RfpsTjpC0JKTdIMNMHIhbbEdgbuE5zuMISqOE2_09EP_QqwrXVVYLF3Bc3v5tZD3jOxvP6t_aSIUfODibcFykRSijOiKerh56ofTIt6taKbUw2MHarBVsHMmebmQar4vIAAobSCn/s320/Pizza+1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEb7Ym0bBI1BHHID0-OYYqPV_d_bPnThJFwp_WfVO2sARUGydkN4ATDyd9flcAC3l2l5qQyoDHEMsJFJMIoVTNq5Iw-idrs7GqcLdr0IcbMVypoKla6iRzyECHpDan8SFitTJFLiJl0j4/s1600/Pizza+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUEb7Ym0bBI1BHHID0-OYYqPV_d_bPnThJFwp_WfVO2sARUGydkN4ATDyd9flcAC3l2l5qQyoDHEMsJFJMIoVTNq5Iw-idrs7GqcLdr0IcbMVypoKla6iRzyECHpDan8SFitTJFLiJl0j4/s320/Pizza+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL62v-S_Zi03SUuQ05Xhd6N8FX5E7oYtPxIwIVik124La8apbRpp77PD7X4s05ibOXm_UwYwdv2Xk9KdPdSOLibqcKIrMf_lXB29_0D_K7_SD5G4uOv2sWKqNqBG_t-HtcKFWp3V-dXXg7/s1600/Pizza+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="238" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiL62v-S_Zi03SUuQ05Xhd6N8FX5E7oYtPxIwIVik124La8apbRpp77PD7X4s05ibOXm_UwYwdv2Xk9KdPdSOLibqcKIrMf_lXB29_0D_K7_SD5G4uOv2sWKqNqBG_t-HtcKFWp3V-dXXg7/s320/Pizza+3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; max-height: 1e+06px; word-wrap: break-word;" /><br style="font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; max-height: 1e+06px; word-wrap: break-word;" /><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.3333px;">• The next, and final stage is to clad the whole thing in stone, so that it blends in with the wall and garden. This will take a couple of weeks, and will update with images...</span><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; font-family: Verdana, Arial; font-size: 13.3333px; margin: 0px; max-height: 1e+06px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; word-wrap: break-word;"><br style="max-height: 1e+06px; word-wrap: break-word;" /><br style="max-height: 1e+06px; word-wrap: break-word;" />Read more: <a href="http://ukwoodfiredovenforum.proboards.com/thread/2811/barrel-vault-build-central-portugal#ixzz4W183beYO" style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: 0px 0px; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border: 0px; color: #003399; cursor: pointer; font-size: 13.3333px; font-stretch: normal; line-height: normal; margin: 0px; max-height: 1e+06px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; word-wrap: break-word;">http://ukwoodfiredovenforum.proboards.com/thread/2811/barrel-vault-build-central-portugal#ixzz4W183beYO</a></span>peterwd69http://www.blogger.com/profile/16309629386337182202noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-55543337402040700992016-09-30T04:36:00.003-07:002016-09-30T04:38:35.885-07:00When a squash costs 30 EurosEvery year our village holds its 'Harvest Festival' a procession through the streets with the villages, the local priest and the icons. Serenaded by a local band who play those religious classics such as 'Yellow Submarine' and the song I know as 'Hitler only has one ball/ Dad's Army theme tune'.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxrwbW_BCtK4QtdJTgqVYtH3Fiincgu-95De9wayTMk8d1pentVU59AJV4qozI2OTJo8f-6n4fnyKRcKzcCdNeCskoLmvqbp9MvCN2NUg9jBIkXO6KYpVugyii7-95UF4I1sqZji_hzbb/s1600/20160925_165545.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUxrwbW_BCtK4QtdJTgqVYtH3Fiincgu-95De9wayTMk8d1pentVU59AJV4qozI2OTJo8f-6n4fnyKRcKzcCdNeCskoLmvqbp9MvCN2NUg9jBIkXO6KYpVugyii7-95UF4I1sqZji_hzbb/s320/20160925_165545.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrmE-v_mPfo13ceYzGog9Gpz2SJtlPkzHuoJsqJ3nLgGTQu0rsa9Hzf_ggWoN9dcBiUMRXYl3vVx_FT2wf0kBftWAE8PJ8dQW57uUf7T6BF12gEL4bmJJWeOBfBz43kDAUL_1ehDyBmsC/s1600/20160925_171236.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhPrmE-v_mPfo13ceYzGog9Gpz2SJtlPkzHuoJsqJ3nLgGTQu0rsa9Hzf_ggWoN9dcBiUMRXYl3vVx_FT2wf0kBftWAE8PJ8dQW57uUf7T6BF12gEL4bmJJWeOBfBz43kDAUL_1ehDyBmsC/s320/20160925_171236.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
It's a time when the village fills with people once again, as the Lisbon dwellers come back to take part in this traditional annual festival. You can spot the Lisbon dwellers by their shoes....honestly, you can.<br />
<br />
After the procession, band performance and general standing around waiting for something to happen comes the annual harvest auction. Money raising for the church and to pay the band fee!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1B4tpkfr3CgxVHBIgGxA7jkP15aZ4Mw6HIKU4okYOfu35L6Hb8wOArhyeX_3UsaewJ5fanvX-vCdld6SXqnSTAXl3wXWyWNx23bOzY4TICrQkM7oSBw-7q7YhTg_FXfVNVaKKK51eKPLN/s1600/20160925_171249.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1B4tpkfr3CgxVHBIgGxA7jkP15aZ4Mw6HIKU4okYOfu35L6Hb8wOArhyeX_3UsaewJ5fanvX-vCdld6SXqnSTAXl3wXWyWNx23bOzY4TICrQkM7oSBw-7q7YhTg_FXfVNVaKKK51eKPLN/s320/20160925_171249.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Local people donate their home grown produce, usually string upon string of onions, and the biggest squash you can imagine. These items are then auctioned to the highest bidder as our local shepherd and honey maker tries his hardest to get money out of us all!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4nqjb1s__efr71PGgRjPgdVKHwmOiS-66rXGQ6nO2tqbf6nIlxZ4ks8O44tAc0NtMeCFbo_2tSBbvuOOuwO5LEAWZ1vP5ISpdQWrCmAfYQt9OkPMe2A5-CaiGaxJTpc9vYOQsgwWlEhv/s1600/20160925_172800.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-4nqjb1s__efr71PGgRjPgdVKHwmOiS-66rXGQ6nO2tqbf6nIlxZ4ks8O44tAc0NtMeCFbo_2tSBbvuOOuwO5LEAWZ1vP5ISpdQWrCmAfYQt9OkPMe2A5-CaiGaxJTpc9vYOQsgwWlEhv/s320/20160925_172800.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
It's a tough job. Every year there seems to be less and less donated. Every year there seems to be less and less people and every year his job becomes harder as people don't readily part with their money. It's a sign of the times. Even those with the good shoes don't seem to take part like they used to. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EIwW_blPntNtmoeGzjcusdfN5dpHXd8SGbmyc4bDntRVJKJbP_XjQVe4cCtdrjsx1rZiQNKMNhf1BRrlu8DbYJHGVRKSE_DzLn7i1qpOPWl3lNaLiB0eSpkTejCEakNQNppNzDwAN1xh/s1600/20160925_165219.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4EIwW_blPntNtmoeGzjcusdfN5dpHXd8SGbmyc4bDntRVJKJbP_XjQVe4cCtdrjsx1rZiQNKMNhf1BRrlu8DbYJHGVRKSE_DzLn7i1qpOPWl3lNaLiB0eSpkTejCEakNQNppNzDwAN1xh/s320/20160925_165219.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
But then who wants to pay 10 Euro for a bunch of figs when they are falling on the floor all around us and you can pick them from the tree as you walk by? </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1HN_l6hWy9X1ZT8czDBOKF9zFj_jsSyi1adp4A4M0I0AplQGOsMjdh1mTQhOv9PfeK7yfcNWyQjEighkY-LUh9AMetmYri5QYWfno_9C6dbdhu8f5UdV-ckOo3qYt_koGTPTl70YUNwY/s1600/20160925_172733.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiF1HN_l6hWy9X1ZT8czDBOKF9zFj_jsSyi1adp4A4M0I0AplQGOsMjdh1mTQhOv9PfeK7yfcNWyQjEighkY-LUh9AMetmYri5QYWfno_9C6dbdhu8f5UdV-ckOo3qYt_koGTPTl70YUNwY/s320/20160925_172733.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
The fact that strings of onions sell for 15 euro, a squash can raise 30 Euro, or a jar of honey can raise 10 Euro is a demonstration in how generous spirited the Portuguese can be when it comes to trying to keep their traditions alive. Despite the lack of people in the village, the economic climate and the changing importance of the church as the centre of village life, this tradition continues. </div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2e__UAsLfQaNPsdtOlCG-IA5JBKvnTZHuwMth6oQ-RAlZ8XK7TBmj_VAIhiGKBMdGwmoLEGxOwO__y7miZ3H4sdY-mn9JBmQIFyvrwAD6qzfCgPwWTDujDCnNjJHe6C-z02P0yj_-hJu/s1600/VID_31861101_061212.mp4" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhM2e__UAsLfQaNPsdtOlCG-IA5JBKvnTZHuwMth6oQ-RAlZ8XK7TBmj_VAIhiGKBMdGwmoLEGxOwO__y7miZ3H4sdY-mn9JBmQIFyvrwAD6qzfCgPwWTDujDCnNjJHe6C-z02P0yj_-hJu/s320/VID_31861101_061212.mp4" width="320" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div>
And then there are the giant squash, we've come home with a half size one, which will make enough soup to last a small family a few months. God only knows what this chap will do with the two he bought.....but at least he can get them home safely!</div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaUHg8JG2suq7s_m6GeBdWG8OA6gv5P5pvRcJf_fdadglICwCRm-lBg2-UfGJbfJ8Wr5s1wyuY13zR5y1YJKE03OhqQcXeRhqjezoTTz2BtaBNX6Elin4Kj4mMqPOsei_ZT8XT1kZoy_w/s1600/20160925_174609.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjaaUHg8JG2suq7s_m6GeBdWG8OA6gv5P5pvRcJf_fdadglICwCRm-lBg2-UfGJbfJ8Wr5s1wyuY13zR5y1YJKE03OhqQcXeRhqjezoTTz2BtaBNX6Elin4Kj4mMqPOsei_ZT8XT1kZoy_w/s320/20160925_174609.jpg" width="180" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-72682923585978459232016-08-27T05:11:00.000-07:002016-08-27T05:11:02.653-07:00It's all brownIt's been hot, too hot for too long - 35 to 37 degrees most days, making it impossible to do much at all. It's strange that you end up wishing for a cloud or two. <br />
<br />
Massive thunderstorms brought some much needed rain the other night, but by morning the ground was bone dry once again.<br />
<br />
Needless to say there has been no gardening done since June when this hot weather came to stay. Except emergency watering, which is done every two days. Not that it seems to have had much impact. The grass (well the weeds in the grass) have turned brown and dust is forming where grass used to be. The upside - no need to mow!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHX6A2d0-b032kAvRw3PpmueKGF2_e_Jb-lbiEnqtXO5xaZG6NNotRSoKldYm2ZxiskR7GK0l3AoOigRBBoyGNj-sg4wngtN1CUBWOE0kQy2DZThA-J9mPM74Vy_mvJVCLYSZx0HFxxlf/s1600/Garden+2+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjPHX6A2d0-b032kAvRw3PpmueKGF2_e_Jb-lbiEnqtXO5xaZG6NNotRSoKldYm2ZxiskR7GK0l3AoOigRBBoyGNj-sg4wngtN1CUBWOE0kQy2DZThA-J9mPM74Vy_mvJVCLYSZx0HFxxlf/s400/Garden+2+2016.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The African daisies which usually look wonderful have turned a brown colour and need a massive chopping back once the gardening weather improves and the oregano which grows like a weed has given up and is starting to turn a brown/grey colour.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsByI32vMkdcNbnKnOgnmSfxiuIa-YjV3oEst5Z5MgxpdMCXnZHrbakGiVEWo7baa6TZCCE8ooXFPONLouxr6RTBt2UgOpr38b81roxLp5MAYJaNKTv6MnReK-tjQimkrVMce4buWZ8AU/s1600/Garden+1+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpsByI32vMkdcNbnKnOgnmSfxiuIa-YjV3oEst5Z5MgxpdMCXnZHrbakGiVEWo7baa6TZCCE8ooXFPONLouxr6RTBt2UgOpr38b81roxLp5MAYJaNKTv6MnReK-tjQimkrVMce4buWZ8AU/s400/Garden+1+2016.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
The birds stay in their hiding places during the day, but I keep the food and water topped up for them every other day. I suppose the upside is they have given up eating Lord's left over food from his bowl!<br />
<br />
Our stunning wild garden which is at the end of the garden and was stuffed full of bugs and wild flowers last year has turned into a potential hay meadow. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE3038fvW5EohHgHHb7Tt2jtkee3FLTawjnEej0QgCZQRBSPjBNT4S8RfkeNYG96sbLSt4fjCfVrz3yOnph20dcTEWJn9FjbStlq-USzQbAT33ffhlZrqd3CwISqvruLL2uONOwbHfOEM/s1600/Garden+6+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtE3038fvW5EohHgHHb7Tt2jtkee3FLTawjnEej0QgCZQRBSPjBNT4S8RfkeNYG96sbLSt4fjCfVrz3yOnph20dcTEWJn9FjbStlq-USzQbAT33ffhlZrqd3CwISqvruLL2uONOwbHfOEM/s320/Garden+6+2016.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div align="left" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Despite watering this poor hydrangea is not going to make it. A good cutting back in October should bring it back to life next year - I hope.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwT6UlmIhRfgkQL8tz1nWmBgwnP8N4VxeOiJLpir154zLTn_f1pVnLOJhPwJ1FWMzCF15zW_t9dlX9m1Qg4v0XY650JbIYtbjHETL7PW2Lar7ReVKIrHYq9XHLgk9FLg7w1g8nerURQ7p/s1600/Garden+3+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZwT6UlmIhRfgkQL8tz1nWmBgwnP8N4VxeOiJLpir154zLTn_f1pVnLOJhPwJ1FWMzCF15zW_t9dlX9m1Qg4v0XY650JbIYtbjHETL7PW2Lar7ReVKIrHYq9XHLgk9FLg7w1g8nerURQ7p/s400/Garden+3+2016.jpg" width="225" /></a></div>
All in all, it's a bit dry out there. Having said that, the lemons are growing, the tomatoes are turning red, I'm sun drying home grown tomatoes for the winter and I know things will grow back.<br />
<br />
It's like my Mum says, 'it's got two chances', it lives or it dies.<br />
<br />
At least the new patio and the enormous lime tree is creating some much needed shade for Lord, who still wants to go for a walk at 3pm despite the heat!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3qSW8O4gWZmW01uvcPDnQDUsVHdsRZVexJM2ofQZ1AAK2ECe7qSfCoMoHNHuh-0f9540W_kL049Gnfr9FdEamOFVuGqmKyRpmVVjdMt-lMlQwhoV-X1HHghwvEhk1cOcCH7oumeKOh0q/s1600/Lord+AUg+2016.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhH3qSW8O4gWZmW01uvcPDnQDUsVHdsRZVexJM2ofQZ1AAK2ECe7qSfCoMoHNHuh-0f9540W_kL049Gnfr9FdEamOFVuGqmKyRpmVVjdMt-lMlQwhoV-X1HHghwvEhk1cOcCH7oumeKOh0q/s640/Lord+AUg+2016.jpg" width="360" /></a></div>
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-16172771886540966042016-08-01T05:48:00.001-07:002016-08-01T05:48:50.813-07:00Little Donkey<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">In a world before fridge/freezers how did you store your
food?</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Peasants used salt and created 365
recipes for salted cod fish, but royalty used ice.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Ice houses were built in locations around
Portugal and snow compacted within them to form large blocks of ice.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">This ice was then transported by donkey or
cows to the river, then onwards to the royal family.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S1E2DG9WsAd7CXn4ItXR_GTBA7DRMXmnB577Goh9zY3bxLWw3dWX0GgER3vnwdVX7bcAEA5VUuVouewxj0kCdaVzjQJwNgQgmv3cvOn9XWF0L-Iu-Xksq_zAAoe38Ruo1-giEGIqTmok/s1600/2066-Transporte%252520GELO_NEVEIROS%252520%252826%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S1E2DG9WsAd7CXn4ItXR_GTBA7DRMXmnB577Goh9zY3bxLWw3dWX0GgER3vnwdVX7bcAEA5VUuVouewxj0kCdaVzjQJwNgQgmv3cvOn9XWF0L-Iu-Xksq_zAAoe38Ruo1-giEGIqTmok/s1600/2066-Transporte%252520GELO_NEVEIROS%252520%252826%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><span style="font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></a>
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><a href="http://aldeiasdoxisto.pt/poi/33"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Santo António da Neve in the hills above us was one of
the places famous for ice, ‘</span></a></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Neveiros’ the snow farmers (so to speak)</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">worked
all year to cool the food of the high born.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">
</span></span></span><br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S1E2DG9WsAd7CXn4ItXR_GTBA7DRMXmnB577Goh9zY3bxLWw3dWX0GgER3vnwdVX7bcAEA5VUuVouewxj0kCdaVzjQJwNgQgmv3cvOn9XWF0L-Iu-Xksq_zAAoe38Ruo1-giEGIqTmok/s1600/2066-Transporte%252520GELO_NEVEIROS%252520%252826%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="113" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0S1E2DG9WsAd7CXn4ItXR_GTBA7DRMXmnB577Goh9zY3bxLWw3dWX0GgER3vnwdVX7bcAEA5VUuVouewxj0kCdaVzjQJwNgQgmv3cvOn9XWF0L-Iu-Xksq_zAAoe38Ruo1-giEGIqTmok/s200/2066-Transporte%252520GELO_NEVEIROS%252520%252826%2529.jpg" width="200" /></a><span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">The ice blocks made a slow journey from the top of the
mountain down the donkey tracks to the river.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">How the ice didn’t melt in the heat of the day is beyond me.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">There are still hundreds of ancient tracks in the
mountains here and I recently walked one to take a donkey to his new home.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_sZnl_k0DyTshTbhAEGWkUd7GNcQO60pxp-mFtzJIEcJG8c8SC_3D-1-LPSOBjIMDUHc7gHo4EfyuVma3g0ePWLGua7hQ3T12dk9DGE02UJHRohIqmVaxRL_4gCrIfhFLLdMxYPwYCBk/s1600/Donkey+6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV_sZnl_k0DyTshTbhAEGWkUd7GNcQO60pxp-mFtzJIEcJG8c8SC_3D-1-LPSOBjIMDUHc7gHo4EfyuVma3g0ePWLGua7hQ3T12dk9DGE02UJHRohIqmVaxRL_4gCrIfhFLLdMxYPwYCBk/s320/Donkey+6.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Friends of ours rescued an old female donkey last year and
have been searching for a stable mate for her.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">They finally found one on the
other side of the mountain.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">What do
you do when you need to move a donkey from one location to another and you have
no animal transport truck to move them?</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">
</span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><b>Well, you walk of course!</b></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Xisto (or Mr Xisto or my name for him ‘monkey donkey’) was
being handed over from his old owners to our friends in July.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vLiKePB5ETtfg9Q3RVoH7oZjcQa7q8cIkUiSYTf1nffxToxkuJ2nc9Wrqy2h7zthk_BXmSZ8uKWxgBdHITyHFJBmLMmgTLKcFoZc0KleqTW9bJKCQtomo5_sbIfFFclkkS5xxnm8czC6/s1600/Donkey+7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh9vLiKePB5ETtfg9Q3RVoH7oZjcQa7q8cIkUiSYTf1nffxToxkuJ2nc9Wrqy2h7zthk_BXmSZ8uKWxgBdHITyHFJBmLMmgTLKcFoZc0KleqTW9bJKCQtomo5_sbIfFFclkkS5xxnm8czC6/s320/Donkey+7.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">We met them on top of the mountain to do the
formal hand over.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Mr Xisto had already
been walked miles from his home to the top of the mountain, rested overnight he
had the other half of the walk to complete.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">My friend Ingrid and I decided to join Mr Xisto and his new owner for
part of that walk.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">It wasn’t easy, the quickest way down the mountain is also
the steepest!</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Mr Xisto was not happy as
he picked his way down the narrow track.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">
</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ut9TKXK7rY7cuKVg1ZQi6cZ7q6GuS_rUe-hOzSUp9oFHl7y-LnHly5qXCu2swSBy1myBHp8v0tQfRO-zyvpQtUETgPHmUh3qM79syVarqMEnvTaj21iq_quhV6Ji-n4qr6HoXrL5E1cl/s1600/Donkey+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ut9TKXK7rY7cuKVg1ZQi6cZ7q6GuS_rUe-hOzSUp9oFHl7y-LnHly5qXCu2swSBy1myBHp8v0tQfRO-zyvpQtUETgPHmUh3qM79syVarqMEnvTaj21iq_quhV6Ji-n4qr6HoXrL5E1cl/s320/Donkey+1.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">It was hot too, water stops were much needed.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">But donkeys are such amazing trusting
animals.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">He followed our lead and Ingrid
did a super job or propping him up when he needed her to lean on.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVvMza_7XAXVrL62PQW8YEOp7G_x4xh1sjt5DbLzPaj4aG5RFpVor5iPKRLyBh8uRIo6Ei-a094OtFWPaId8DlzeTiUMv7dKVPfH_-4Ie5no-MluZ2rHW8x1oXbohDMJQu7qvUt6oQaHL/s1600/Donkey+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVVvMza_7XAXVrL62PQW8YEOp7G_x4xh1sjt5DbLzPaj4aG5RFpVor5iPKRLyBh8uRIo6Ei-a094OtFWPaId8DlzeTiUMv7dKVPfH_-4Ie5no-MluZ2rHW8x1oXbohDMJQu7qvUt6oQaHL/s320/Donkey+2.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">We walked for two hours, met a group of
goats, sling shot some stones at some very nasty dogs and learned that Mr Xisto
stops when there are hornets having a go at his flanks.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGuhdAXYMgUBNE4I4wCw6ffwNvMLTGcM1U9p8csnuIVEcAWn7KpdYPxHU7xKl4TzYl9qWza2s1sPHmFequO8_iU8s6Rq3WEiVriKgEBbY4LvswAwIh6_mv82e9WdMkdkHcbLdn1m-FIM5/s1600/Donkey+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTGuhdAXYMgUBNE4I4wCw6ffwNvMLTGcM1U9p8csnuIVEcAWn7KpdYPxHU7xKl4TzYl9qWza2s1sPHmFequO8_iU8s6Rq3WEiVriKgEBbY4LvswAwIh6_mv82e9WdMkdkHcbLdn1m-FIM5/s320/Donkey+3.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">We felt like we were walking in the tracks of the </span><span lang="PT" style="mso-ansi-language: PT;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">‘</span></span><span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Neveiros’ – the romantic image of
walking in the shadow of the ancestors of Portugal, with a donkey in the
afternoon heat sustained our sense of humour.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">I am sure these ancient tracks are long gone, but the sentiment was
there.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuY_wuG7aqJVOXJYuRKdIDS9lu3ghkDZpnxrIfkwm2I-IxhL07k-6hpg6S9frw0vMQ17S8Xm-kJ71Yes4JMpTfP3BTNqd6q_bJC4JgICg4HnlIuvGgPf3jV453JctSpPtY2IsfB9XU6e8/s1600/Donkey+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEifuY_wuG7aqJVOXJYuRKdIDS9lu3ghkDZpnxrIfkwm2I-IxhL07k-6hpg6S9frw0vMQ17S8Xm-kJ71Yes4JMpTfP3BTNqd6q_bJC4JgICg4HnlIuvGgPf3jV453JctSpPtY2IsfB9XU6e8/s320/Donkey+4.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span lang="EN-US" style="mso-ansi-language: EN-US;"><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Instead of stopping after two hours we carried on and on, and took
Mr Xisto almost all the way home.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;"> </span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">But
with the light fading and feet hurting and backs aching we decided to call it a day and his
owners camped overnight on the mountain top.</span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">
</span></span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Mr Xisto and his owners got up at dawn the next morning and walked the
last part of the journey to his new home.</span></div>
<br />
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; font-size: xx-small;">Mr Xisto is settling in his new home with his stable mate
very well.</span></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfL0iyOzHKA9Du5o2uEMmbN1k9I-YkVf73wFtyQIdRySUZ6Cse_zbRHQE_9SORLMKTDqmhySjyV5Gmim9tXNU8GNqLR1wTwGxeeYD-nqu9997hBRDugmTosou00M-T6E4KTqK7GAH4qfb/s1600/Donkey+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSfL0iyOzHKA9Du5o2uEMmbN1k9I-YkVf73wFtyQIdRySUZ6Cse_zbRHQE_9SORLMKTDqmhySjyV5Gmim9tXNU8GNqLR1wTwGxeeYD-nqu9997hBRDugmTosou00M-T6E4KTqK7GAH4qfb/s320/Donkey+5.jpg" width="240" /></a></div>
<div style="margin: 0cm 0cm 8pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: xx-small;"><br /></span></div>
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-size: xx-small;"></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-28284734247196638832016-02-15T09:23:00.002-08:002016-02-15T09:28:33.829-08:00Innocent masked mischief<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
‘Entrudo’ is a traditional shrovetide celebration in Central
Portugal. Up in the mountains of Central Portugal they are trying to
keep this typical village tradition alive by keeping up the annual Entrudo and
encouraging new people to join in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp1qj_8HjQJqw_yUkLXfgHavpExHc6J0_09p7LD6UTTifRviOGX4cAy7ftxBgMCoycGLmCPqTWauDnC8pR1cWbm1k7L6Otb5oblU1RPcS-hcTxm-v-_zNzGAvbzAw_472hBLcMgrp9Nfx/s1600/en+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTp1qj_8HjQJqw_yUkLXfgHavpExHc6J0_09p7LD6UTTifRviOGX4cAy7ftxBgMCoycGLmCPqTWauDnC8pR1cWbm1k7L6Otb5oblU1RPcS-hcTxm-v-_zNzGAvbzAw_472hBLcMgrp9Nfx/s320/en+1.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Celebrating Entrudo means cross dressing and making your own cork mask
(a local resource in the hills of Portugal).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Once suitably disguised you go and make some innocent mischief in the
neighbouring villages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD2S9lqgSUPK90aODuEfbCNB3SAcrccrqmS1EOLi_AZ8H8wauQUwWK3nXBfW2aaBTdlanT7In9uXPAnET-sxu9UpyRr5JU8VdiXh1wOaASlFVTpb9PKzG4mJAxLRLus7K943yTBMujciJ/s1600/en+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgyD2S9lqgSUPK90aODuEfbCNB3SAcrccrqmS1EOLi_AZ8H8wauQUwWK3nXBfW2aaBTdlanT7In9uXPAnET-sxu9UpyRr5JU8VdiXh1wOaASlFVTpb9PKzG4mJAxLRLus7K943yTBMujciJ/s320/en+5.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span id="goog_857456212"></span><span id="goog_857456213"></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s
harmless enough; moving flower pots, creating barriers in the quiet village
roads, throwing cob nuts at people and generally making a noise.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sounds of the accordion are never far
from the ears and traditional limericks and bawdy rhymes are recited telling
the story of the villages, it’s history and it’s residents. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGlrT7VgXDiQSp-nskvA7_EPiVa6YZKr7uRXRR1O4CJZGqPjEXLrGh7Uo54RsvTpvDkTMYq0Qors7OXL-9ZbxkT_nXh6FiOIeII1LOoyas3QyWO-ON6yGK8Bn8eyuLLqgLxLxH0SmvqzR/s1600/en+10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuGlrT7VgXDiQSp-nskvA7_EPiVa6YZKr7uRXRR1O4CJZGqPjEXLrGh7Uo54RsvTpvDkTMYq0Qors7OXL-9ZbxkT_nXh6FiOIeII1LOoyas3QyWO-ON6yGK8Bn8eyuLLqgLxLxH0SmvqzR/s320/en+10.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The group of revellers was organised by<a href="http://lousitanea.org/"> Lousitanea</a>, a eco
business set in one of these traditional hillside villages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
tourism organisation helps to keep traditional village life alive.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They organise walking tours, bread making and
traditional craft events in this stone built village set in the Lousa mountain range.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lousitanea are the only group keeping the
tradition of Entrudo alive in this part of Portugal, with support from the
local tourist board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQpkHLjYr65BeqSTPehkuawhYjrVDM1i8-g5YFz2Fs7K0KQ_TMDAZWwpfOaHf3NsQKVspx-0PlmT4eBQc3n5MchAUzfmuCfX0F8WGEvwrHZwmK2yJYBL95l1xFCOkAzQBwx2o2IsBv-gc/s1600/en+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlQpkHLjYr65BeqSTPehkuawhYjrVDM1i8-g5YFz2Fs7K0KQ_TMDAZWwpfOaHf3NsQKVspx-0PlmT4eBQc3n5MchAUzfmuCfX0F8WGEvwrHZwmK2yJYBL95l1xFCOkAzQBwx2o2IsBv-gc/s320/en+2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
There were about
30 in our group (with about a third non Portuguese) and together we boarded a
small coach (paid for by the tourist board) and we visited three local villages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tracks taking us to these small and
sometimes remote old villages challenged the coach driver who barely left first
gear! Home owners in the villages joined in the merriment, as they served us
wine or sweets or danced along to the accordion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO7Y0wIESe_RNVeh4mbp-PiGLWbUpO0mLo-x7x1Wt2VuQynSlAiIe0st5KMstE_AcTJLjcO28ZqrZQ7oVmcIktuBlw6eKiHpiXv8zLEZUNXd1uXbPBkN12nxA-h5hWGAUAMNY1FuE18Iw/s1600/en+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijO7Y0wIESe_RNVeh4mbp-PiGLWbUpO0mLo-x7x1Wt2VuQynSlAiIe0st5KMstE_AcTJLjcO28ZqrZQ7oVmcIktuBlw6eKiHpiXv8zLEZUNXd1uXbPBkN12nxA-h5hWGAUAMNY1FuE18Iw/s320/en+9.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a great tradition, but its dying out because people
just don’t live in these remote villages anymore, these villages are full of
holiday homes and rich owners from Lisbon and only a handful of year-round residents.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5_38StlTuUH6HVxmjWEuadEknjBTSALmpSJBVbIZeZ7A6y93RYsmMOE3rWQbc4zXrPXED5cemzTRyNuPDatGrJ-p5iFgMbq4fu2xi7LxKuO-5Kio9s02hXXz1i1qrq-RcF5jq8ivReSW/s1600/en+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB5_38StlTuUH6HVxmjWEuadEknjBTSALmpSJBVbIZeZ7A6y93RYsmMOE3rWQbc4zXrPXED5cemzTRyNuPDatGrJ-p5iFgMbq4fu2xi7LxKuO-5Kio9s02hXXz1i1qrq-RcF5jq8ivReSW/s320/en+3.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’m told that the heritage of Entrudo is not written down in
the history books, instead it’s an oral history, passed down from generations
of villagers.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s become less popular
in recent years, since the Brazilian style of carnival took over in
the larger Portuguese towns. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Carnival
celebrates the same point in the religious calendar, but the Brazilian way is
to add scantily clad dancing girls and samba music – all very well in Brazil,
but in February in Central Portugal it’s a bit cold and these poor girls take
on a blue tinge to their skin as they dance through the streets.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS805iUi2dxUA9VY_QtIHKcyF5KrH_NbAcBgbWAfr3z-O6zcK4w9rZbIP99mAfhCPkVTHu_FA2pX4iz2tmi4D776OOoA3Nzn8JLQYQH9DnXLd1n4Q8BD4L4Bv8GFm-MNmG3gFhYYXYEe22/s1600/en+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS805iUi2dxUA9VY_QtIHKcyF5KrH_NbAcBgbWAfr3z-O6zcK4w9rZbIP99mAfhCPkVTHu_FA2pX4iz2tmi4D776OOoA3Nzn8JLQYQH9DnXLd1n4Q8BD4L4Bv8GFm-MNmG3gFhYYXYEe22/s320/en+4.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So, this Entrudo is taken pretty seriously, you must keep
your mask on in the village, as part of the group you cannot take out your
phone and start taking photos, you are asked to remain in character during your
visit to the village.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> Posing excessively is allowed though! </span>A group of people
in regular clothes join the group to keep you in check, make the visits run to
time, clear up after you and take photographs. </div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LGI-roKqIUvKPkh21WEVDjrOnf6Wvdzgf3QPL3nGHzqD0PzOt_ah_XydlUpnb4o6yAYyaw5QwdXVsnYc6cGqd_n2BDsbglTDJ7xA0ZVUktkMD2yF5oLwbsqr-jkbY-YopgQFg9b9m_GY/s1600/en+11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4LGI-roKqIUvKPkh21WEVDjrOnf6Wvdzgf3QPL3nGHzqD0PzOt_ah_XydlUpnb4o6yAYyaw5QwdXVsnYc6cGqd_n2BDsbglTDJ7xA0ZVUktkMD2yF5oLwbsqr-jkbY-YopgQFg9b9m_GY/s320/en+11.jpg" width="213" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s exhausting!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Hiding behind the mask you start to feel dizzy, dressed up in lots of
layers you quickly get hot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>One couple told
us that they take part in something similar in Lisbon during June and that gets
really hot!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
After three villages and a lot of noise we head back to the
start and lunch is served, taking off the mask is a relief…you quickly realise
that size does matter and the thinner the cork the lighted the whole thing is
to wear!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RtgXtwdm0MzPhZwVKR0EosiPIeGyPF7fnqTjS-aIMq8JlSas_tDa-Jks08fJrykYxCraSUiIhu8FOmnS96pm26iz7IcbFA8-TFfWQGkbhP7mVifwJFDBBIx1sAsLFZUBtyqdIvlnqM67/s1600/entroudo.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4RtgXtwdm0MzPhZwVKR0EosiPIeGyPF7fnqTjS-aIMq8JlSas_tDa-Jks08fJrykYxCraSUiIhu8FOmnS96pm26iz7IcbFA8-TFfWQGkbhP7mVifwJFDBBIx1sAsLFZUBtyqdIvlnqM67/s320/entroudo.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a great bonkers tradition that I hope will continue in
these villages.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it needs a community
to keep it going.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As more and more of
these old mountain villages become places for summer homes or are abandoned
almost completely these traditions won’t thrive and we’ve all got a part to
play in making sure that does not happen.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cev5JmcDSKNe9kSHBqMzdvy9sshCf4BoOmS1o5j8iPdyimr1XPS-zuEpb3tLD8jkXaIL4segUfVhyz1b2n2uyIWrxRDP0Qw3SumN1tY6vabfNdJ3cxe9VXTmaZ0bJ50gE35o-6lkEO-F/s1600/en+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi5cev5JmcDSKNe9kSHBqMzdvy9sshCf4BoOmS1o5j8iPdyimr1XPS-zuEpb3tLD8jkXaIL4segUfVhyz1b2n2uyIWrxRDP0Qw3SumN1tY6vabfNdJ3cxe9VXTmaZ0bJ50gE35o-6lkEO-F/s320/en+8.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-size: xx-small;"> Thank you to Amilcar Martins and Goncalo Sousa for the photographs which I have taken from various facebook posts.</span></div>
<div class="_6a">
<div class="_6a _6b">
<br />
<div class="mrs fsm fwn fcg">
<span id="fbPhotoSnowliftCreatorInfo"></span></div>
<span class="mrs fsm fwn fcg"><span id="fbPhotoSnowliftSubscribe"></span><span class="fsm fwn fcg"><span id="fbPhotoSnowliftTimestamp"><a class="_39g5" href="https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1668904326701999&set=a.1668904276702004.1073741848.100007473423418&type=3&permPage=1"><abbr data-shorten="1" data-utime="1454884444" title="Sunday, 7 February 2016 at 22:34"><span class="timestampContent"></span></abbr></a></span></span><span class="fcg" id="fbPhotoSnowliftProfileOnlyAttribution"></span><span id="fbPhotoSnowliftExpiration"></span></span><span id="fbPhotoSnowliftViewOnApp"></span><span id="fbPhotoSnowliftUseApp"></span></div>
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-59896462727961626132015-11-03T05:23:00.001-08:002015-11-18T03:55:19.814-08:00Sweet things<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
What is it about nuns that they feel compelled to mix eggs and sugar and pastry together and invent sweet treats? Convent sweets (Doçes Conventuais) are a big thing in Portugal, each region has its own specialties, but it is all versions of a theme.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUBx63qfCtVDKKzqSXvD0ya8yfTwUukKsBMypIWUZbBcfA3Mh5FiTQNOwk0pZM_cJq42j3PQuiTlRYHu6A4HZdxNsliLRf6vqup2rEFl-DuGweVnoyjU5pPbLm_3F1A4BMFyhsfFe78hF/s1600/DSC_0031.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjlUBx63qfCtVDKKzqSXvD0ya8yfTwUukKsBMypIWUZbBcfA3Mh5FiTQNOwk0pZM_cJq42j3PQuiTlRYHu6A4HZdxNsliLRf6vqup2rEFl-DuGweVnoyjU5pPbLm_3F1A4BMFyhsfFe78hF/s400/DSC_0031.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Mix egg yolks and sugar until a yellow paste forms and then shape, then that yellow paste is either encased in pastry or dough.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Fc4CXp2f1oAnVuqrrBQlOJimQkSALxKdjADPbq1nYuQj8NxCBvptvxVRHivZMH2e63HwWVAQQW2h3TAJN9EdPMpIivBKb3I68v9WW45pl2NzueKgh_Z37GeEJuFtCsqwhhhhad3JZKAg/s1600/DSC_0035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh1Fc4CXp2f1oAnVuqrrBQlOJimQkSALxKdjADPbq1nYuQj8NxCBvptvxVRHivZMH2e63HwWVAQQW2h3TAJN9EdPMpIivBKb3I68v9WW45pl2NzueKgh_Z37GeEJuFtCsqwhhhhad3JZKAg/s200/DSC_0035.JPG" width="112" /></a></div>
<br />
Convents and Monasteries started to churn out sweet treats in the middle ages, when sugar was made available in Portugal through the Portuguese world-wide trade routes. Eggs play a major part in the cake making process, as egg whites were used to starch clothes, nuns habits and alike. Egg whites were also used to clarify home made wine and beer.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU44_Rk44b3RBWCJ9EYEpVQ0Ke92P9Cil6CRn3xrKecYkoZmxuCt8gW6eewjRNQVb4UPYCc3UFy9SmK1Jh3CEAT6QZo5eJgcusD7ahb1i5ehqKtffayzf16HzjcuOKd0ejy77TGRr_bfVl/s1600/DSC_0030.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgU44_Rk44b3RBWCJ9EYEpVQ0Ke92P9Cil6CRn3xrKecYkoZmxuCt8gW6eewjRNQVb4UPYCc3UFy9SmK1Jh3CEAT6QZo5eJgcusD7ahb1i5ehqKtffayzf16HzjcuOKd0ejy77TGRr_bfVl/s200/DSC_0030.JPG" width="112" /></a></div>
What was left over was the egg yolk. So what do you do with all that egg? You simply add sugar. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMbjODaQ7c3sj6uz-Ozh8QhgpVQ_YhffPzVXNUXPIt6VrZI1WeDCK4t_BWWA2O8uho7kfQcyEd2ZmB-KZ4VSa5zAIoEpcgWp3ProBqPZQLsvTOvF1woJ2oyY6sVchWa88mfQf1nRHumiB/s1600/DSC_0032.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="112" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOMbjODaQ7c3sj6uz-Ozh8QhgpVQ_YhffPzVXNUXPIt6VrZI1WeDCK4t_BWWA2O8uho7kfQcyEd2ZmB-KZ4VSa5zAIoEpcgWp3ProBqPZQLsvTOvF1woJ2oyY6sVchWa88mfQf1nRHumiB/s200/DSC_0032.JPG" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
Nuns used their initiative and in the spirit of making money for the church started to sell sweets. It has now become part of the Portuguese culture. Coffee shops have a bewildering array of cakes on offer, there are the staples such as a Bolo de Berlim (a doughnut with the yellow stuff in the middle) the Pastel de Nata (a pastry case with a thicker bit of yellow stuff in the middle). There are regional treats such as ovos moles (translates as soft eggs) available in Aveiro (it's yellow stuff in rice paper)....there are Tentugal pastries (it's the yellow stuff in filo pastry).......But there are lots without the yellow stuff, such as beer cakes or bean paste cakes. Whatever they are they are intensely sweet and give a great sugar rush. Here is a<a href="https://uk.pinterest.com/framesportugal/portuguese-pastry-and-desserts/"> lovely summary</a> of sweet treats on offer in Portugal.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsremfhUDeil-443a-Pp8P07DkauRjAdEpx_2du0QJBF3xK4XyoKEHPqBKpfBwuSs8MNZxIrJzY9szYP0b8F-WjJgISysoeruOy13BSBZXuuZ1QF77F8MerRqHG8g8IXNsrCUuwMNR0gyg/s1600/DSC_0033.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsremfhUDeil-443a-Pp8P07DkauRjAdEpx_2du0QJBF3xK4XyoKEHPqBKpfBwuSs8MNZxIrJzY9szYP0b8F-WjJgISysoeruOy13BSBZXuuZ1QF77F8MerRqHG8g8IXNsrCUuwMNR0gyg/s400/DSC_0033.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
Each year a town close to us has a Doçes Conventuais exhibition, where local suppliers show off their sweet treats. We took a visit this year and sampled some of the pastry and yellow stuff delight and experienced the sugar high.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hzpwg_idrhLzWOtgApYEDz4KOv3lpPhRDaNyWyW-jvf44S7485ziwjiAGFO3lqOaEMCu9HLeBC9ZUxtwJHRgkyJfIbrq_8v5NiZJVtlsAF1EoxeVJ9cphmbM8bB3FijZwcQ0ibrfWWEd/s1600/DSC_0036.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2Hzpwg_idrhLzWOtgApYEDz4KOv3lpPhRDaNyWyW-jvf44S7485ziwjiAGFO3lqOaEMCu9HLeBC9ZUxtwJHRgkyJfIbrq_8v5NiZJVtlsAF1EoxeVJ9cphmbM8bB3FijZwcQ0ibrfWWEd/s640/DSC_0036.JPG" width="358" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-87186601165226392582015-09-12T08:45:00.001-07:002015-09-12T08:45:39.408-07:00Autumn's on its wayThere is a slight chill at 8am when I walk the dog these mornings, that and the acorns falling, the blackberry is out and the wasps are starting to get drunk on the figs fermenting in the trees...It's Autumn on its way and my favorite season.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvq5ASpKGn31odwUfbP455jWMU071E2QENoBW1dD-ECUZHl-b-buDNu5HLuHNaKOf6zBQfEo8Ml-DiZfM-HgwHvUZBYGNNvB1RunoBbKZYNUJ0XTooqpRqDROK1txSJznpvJAtlXJYtQcc/s1600/DSC_0044.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvq5ASpKGn31odwUfbP455jWMU071E2QENoBW1dD-ECUZHl-b-buDNu5HLuHNaKOf6zBQfEo8Ml-DiZfM-HgwHvUZBYGNNvB1RunoBbKZYNUJ0XTooqpRqDROK1txSJznpvJAtlXJYtQcc/s400/DSC_0044.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
This year there has been no veg patch work, a month away in the key month of June put stop to any ideas of growing our own vegetables this year. The raspberry, white currant and black currant all died off due to lack of watering, so this year there's been no making jams, juices or cocktails. <br />
<br />
There's a tree in a neighbour's patch which produces some of the best figs, I like them just as the bit of juice starts to leak from the underneath and the wasps are circling the tree. It's then they are at their best I think. So I scrumped some today to make fig preserve and fig roll. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSFLzcAijq35iY4LrTWDVTiOl8sp9NuTGcXtCZihR4RTVtA83L0WbP1_v0OeE6-_szxE-cQHNo3TvyvYEnG5ArK9cNTqMeK06oH6mJC5JFLz_drYPHuxQd-2lz7dpOZOy4EnQowFeRUWT/s1600/DSC_0045.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiPSFLzcAijq35iY4LrTWDVTiOl8sp9NuTGcXtCZihR4RTVtA83L0WbP1_v0OeE6-_szxE-cQHNo3TvyvYEnG5ArK9cNTqMeK06oH6mJC5JFLz_drYPHuxQd-2lz7dpOZOy4EnQowFeRUWT/s320/DSC_0045.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
I've also started to harvest the walnuts from our tree. It's a tedious job really (although not as bad as the chestnuts), this year I've decided to harvest them when they are immature. Which means that I have to go and shake the tree every day and process the handful which fall off. Even then about half of them have bugs or some strange growth in the kernel! Yesterday I stained my fingers black tearing off the green husks and cracking about 100 nuts. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqji-fOwpZO1m5QoxHfJvY3S1uXtgibkh3n4MXrKdMmd6l0hdQ49WwE_oHaWk6KmViu9czZ-PTsL26CVABL0TKdqlJIh_Tyvo2uIASzi3XOjB69JsttgWRk6z9yl6ZpiDE4oJPHdnVL74x/s1600/DSC_0046.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqji-fOwpZO1m5QoxHfJvY3S1uXtgibkh3n4MXrKdMmd6l0hdQ49WwE_oHaWk6KmViu9czZ-PTsL26CVABL0TKdqlJIh_Tyvo2uIASzi3XOjB69JsttgWRk6z9yl6ZpiDE4oJPHdnVL74x/s320/DSC_0046.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Shamed by my friends on facebook putting up images of their hard work
preserving fruits and vegetables, shamed by my complete laziness to get
off my arse and actually make something.<br />
<br />
So today I've made:<br />
<br />
1) Fig rolls<br />
2) Fig and ginger preserve<br />
3) Pear and walnut preserve<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Fig rolls</b><br />
<br />
200 grams of flour (use a mix on white plain flour and wholemeal)<br />
50 grams of dark sugar<br />
65 grams of butter and<br />
1 egg yolk<br />
1 pinch of salt <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbRWedP3L_SPWU4TdhvrHlK4t5-Z5waUaDvbcnmvJtxWhGvz5LRAWA5LgHc6pmd6FJxhXW23260tLkSICCJOLZRH7ktjJ26Z058MU56Kj1QvddIHw8s_8dafAzYy_ERoCEa-B1kx333ro/s1600/DSC_0039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGbRWedP3L_SPWU4TdhvrHlK4t5-Z5waUaDvbcnmvJtxWhGvz5LRAWA5LgHc6pmd6FJxhXW23260tLkSICCJOLZRH7ktjJ26Z058MU56Kj1QvddIHw8s_8dafAzYy_ERoCEa-B1kx333ro/s320/DSC_0039.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Make up a dough by mixing all the dry in a bowl. Then add the egg yolk to bind it together (you might need a bit of water too). When it's come together put the dough in the fridge while you make your fig jam.<br />
Most recipes I found online used dried figs, so they were a more solid jam. I used about 20 fresh figs and added a good squeeze of golden syrup (although honey would do just as well). I cooked the figs and syrup on a medium heat for about 25 mins or until the excess liquid had evaporated. I then took the magic wand (whizer thingy) and just blitzed the figs a bit.<br />
Next, roll out your dough into a nice rectangle, then cut off the uneven sides. Put a good dollop of your jam along the middle then fold over one side of the dough to meet the other. Slice up and put in an oven on 200c for about 30 mins. <br />
<br />
<b>Fig and Ginger Preserve</b><br />
<br />
20 figs (sliced into fours)<br />
1 tablespoon ground ginger<br />
Good shake of all spice<br />
60 grams dark sugar<br />
2 tablespoons of balsamic vineger.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOygPuj7izQCu5nThkok0sNNsZvj-PfTuW73OWp6Pgx0o_8Ceso2Coq22BQDPL7_HgXLCJxR_nTtbazom0OvyO3TvhZP-QANPP9A-2WuuG5fW62tjIK-wkoLVfohwnSgTPF6CyUrEW0Aj7/s1600/DSC_0040.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOygPuj7izQCu5nThkok0sNNsZvj-PfTuW73OWp6Pgx0o_8Ceso2Coq22BQDPL7_HgXLCJxR_nTtbazom0OvyO3TvhZP-QANPP9A-2WuuG5fW62tjIK-wkoLVfohwnSgTPF6CyUrEW0Aj7/s320/DSC_0040.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Put it all in a pan on a medium heat, heat for an hour until the excess liquid has evaporated. Turn up the heat for 5 mins at the end, just so it starts to catch the bottom of the pan and becomes very sticky. Put into a clean jar.<br />
<br />
<b>Pear and Walnut Preserve</b><br />
<br />
8 pears<br />
8 walnuts<br />
40 grams of sugar<br />
2 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar<br />
3 springs of thyme<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ouua2DQUfZ7E3jYxZ1fKzFalaoxMIBDB9V_uMVsrvu0grFrN-eRrzGi1jQTzP7Iow-lDpldMKgTN4N4JrKVLpCdC7_Cjsa_M9ybPcedu_Bjzv1SeoHv55d8bIigBfana4BCmRma5LuBX/s1600/DSC_0041.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1ouua2DQUfZ7E3jYxZ1fKzFalaoxMIBDB9V_uMVsrvu0grFrN-eRrzGi1jQTzP7Iow-lDpldMKgTN4N4JrKVLpCdC7_Cjsa_M9ybPcedu_Bjzv1SeoHv55d8bIigBfana4BCmRma5LuBX/s320/DSC_0041.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Peal and chop the pears taking out the hard core and pips. Crack your nuts. Put it all in a pan on a medium heat and leave it to slowly cook down. There is a lot of liquid in pears so this does take about 30 mins. After 30 mins add the thyme and turn up the heat, keep an eye on it now, because it'll start to catch quickly. Don't stir it, just leave it to become sticky and the liquid is thick looking.....don't let it burn on the bottom of the pan. Spoon it into a clean jar.<br />
<br />
So, once I got off my arse and did something I was well pleased. The bounty here in Portugal is amazing, and with limes finally coming on our new lime trees I'll have to have a think about my take on a Key Lime Pie!<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-68186346182945686802015-07-31T04:12:00.000-07:002015-07-31T04:19:48.762-07:00Art vs Craft<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">A recent day trip out to an artist in residence village in the mountains has got me thinking…when is art, actually art and when is it a craft? I mean knitting is a craft, but I think of my friend Jackie creating intricate patterns, putting these on paper then making them up into garments, I think that there is a real ‘art’ to that. <br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">So, I looked it up:<br /><br /><u><b> Art</b></u><br />noun<br /><br /><i>1.<br /><br />the quality, production, expression, or realm, according to aesthetic principles, of what is beautiful, appealing, or of more than ordinary significance.<br /><br />2.<br /><br />the class of objects subject to aesthetic criteria; works of art collectively, as paintings, sculptures, or drawings: a museum of art;<br /><br />an art collection.</i><br /><br /><u><b>Craft</b></u><br /><br />noun, plural <br /><i><br />1.<br /><br />an art, trade, or occupation requiring special skill, especially manual skill:<br /><br />the craft of a mason.<br /><br />2.<br /><br />skill; dexterity:<br /><br />The silversmith worked with great craft.</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i> </i><br /> OK so an craft is an art, but related to a special skill….hmm I am still none the wiser really. <i> I should know, I work for an art gallery and museum,</i> but sometimes what is deemed as art is not what I consider<i> ‘beautiful and appealing’</i> as per the description above - so who decides?<br /><br />What promoted this question was a visit to <b>‘Art Meets Nature’ </b>an artist in residence village in the mountains close to us. <a href="http://www.cerdeiravillage.com/en/artistic-residencies/artistic-residencies">Cirdeira Village</a> is where artists can go to get inspiration and develop their skills. </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Hp_WHPDoJBdM6L5rd8ikPvtyOT33OtO4auJUpCLRXh-B0absV3ZY-YrKTW7dMOZbuNSYUOwXxn8Jej-WYZEi57PJE_VEerRCtERJisqt7znbbRq0XK8SJBnqi7tjmru4Lhe8EpHD2M_b/s1600/c1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4Hp_WHPDoJBdM6L5rd8ikPvtyOT33OtO4auJUpCLRXh-B0absV3ZY-YrKTW7dMOZbuNSYUOwXxn8Jej-WYZEi57PJE_VEerRCtERJisqt7znbbRq0XK8SJBnqi7tjmru4Lhe8EpHD2M_b/s400/c1.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Visitors walk around the village and go into the renovated stone buildings to tour the arts and crafts on display and to watch artists work. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">It’s a fascinating place to visit mixing art and crafts together, in one room an old man shaved reeds to make baskets (surely a craft) while a young man was working on engraving a piece of wood (art). </span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfvBrTnjS6cbfR9NCM8AniL3YUhNZeGKqOVAt1EPjo7dr-h5axwS1FwmOE7A4yOa0th8maBijL7FsC50gfUNd_vhN4cGBVinjxJF7H1NcK2_VJ1LgNxrjoj9JPi68fTaftmkzhoX6n9oK/s1600/c2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiHfvBrTnjS6cbfR9NCM8AniL3YUhNZeGKqOVAt1EPjo7dr-h5axwS1FwmOE7A4yOa0th8maBijL7FsC50gfUNd_vhN4cGBVinjxJF7H1NcK2_VJ1LgNxrjoj9JPi68fTaftmkzhoX6n9oK/s400/c2.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br />They are fundraising to build a kiln on site at the moment, so please do go along to the village if you live in central Portugal and make a donation.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGySN3wqJDLY2CeZvjRfyLRDfdJAfeYzrTSiM4tC5tCIAyhIWswKAYFFdIc7JXW1ZXnxDAfeizWOS58jj0HC3x6KGuZ8OvwAMea6jA0hOPpScmbdNAZ2gJnUrTwZCdQhPfNlyGcPCw8J7/s1600/c3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="223" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivGySN3wqJDLY2CeZvjRfyLRDfdJAfeYzrTSiM4tC5tCIAyhIWswKAYFFdIc7JXW1ZXnxDAfeizWOS58jj0HC3x6KGuZ8OvwAMea6jA0hOPpScmbdNAZ2gJnUrTwZCdQhPfNlyGcPCw8J7/s400/c3.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><br /> </span></span><br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">In our village, every month there is an art and craft fair, where local artists display and sell their work along-side craftspeople who sell home-made soaps or make items from vintage fabrics.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSI-YWTcKuCEr9pa4_R4NUCghffCN9eA5wyyonht-Et_CevBJ4-YiPrGt73NYWkFMr2_nt2NuUs9Yjin01_nB-kKusmGkK3XaUafl053eaKrqOEhOMzEmQ1-ZGuaXUCQzQf48SYjsIwh7I/s1600/soap.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="300" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSI-YWTcKuCEr9pa4_R4NUCghffCN9eA5wyyonht-Et_CevBJ4-YiPrGt73NYWkFMr2_nt2NuUs9Yjin01_nB-kKusmGkK3XaUafl053eaKrqOEhOMzEmQ1-ZGuaXUCQzQf48SYjsIwh7I/s400/soap.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> <br /><br />I am amazing by the amount of arty/crafty people in the world, maybe us ex-pats coming to live in rural Portugal are a breeding ground for developing our arty/crafty side, maybe we have more spare time than most, maybe it’s a certain sort of person that moves here who wants to develop their skills – I have no idea. But amongst people I know, I’d say the vast majority dabble in art and crafts. From Peter, who has made tables and chairs and takes amazing photographs, to Jackie who creates patterns and knits, to Quinta da Fonte & Quinta Do Herio that make home-made soaps to Anka who paints bold and </span></span><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">strong images to Laurel who is a sculptor. </span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"></span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtfchElRTznfBxK8xbANDFd1hGVBX1BzDJ7V7C9Z4Y0F9YWe_SN5R5gtd-FomKZ-dAvSDASGsx659_3qpdRt7sYfF1SXXBv3d_ChNjihLM4PtA5GFv4Vy6KUSUTA2QUbZZHzLFZBJUDgt/s1600/anka.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgWtfchElRTznfBxK8xbANDFd1hGVBX1BzDJ7V7C9Z4Y0F9YWe_SN5R5gtd-FomKZ-dAvSDASGsx659_3qpdRt7sYfF1SXXBv3d_ChNjihLM4PtA5GFv4Vy6KUSUTA2QUbZZHzLFZBJUDgt/s400/anka.jpg" width="314" /></a></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<span style="font-size: small;"><br /><br /><i>I still don’t know what the difference between art and craft is…..</i><br /><br />But I am not sure it matters, just so long as people continue to create then that’s OK with me.<br /><br />The next art show in Pera is in the afternoon of 9 August, so please come along to visit if you live in Portugal and take a look for yourself…may-be you can tell me the difference between art and craft!</span>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-46362070395034340132015-07-06T04:53:00.002-07:002015-07-06T04:57:15.175-07:00Never judge a town by its ring road<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
I’d judged<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Caldas_da_Rainha"> Caldas de Rainha</a> from the ring road surrounding
it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We’d passed round the town many
times before on our road trips.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From the
ring road, Caldas seems like a town in need of some love, large supermarkets of
every brand, petrol forecourts, modern apartment blocks abandoned and large
areas of wispy grass gone yellow in the sun.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
One day we took a detour from the ring road and into the
centre of what is a charming town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The town (city in fact) was founded in the 15c by Queen
Leonor because it has naturally forming hot springs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around these springs a hospital was built,
where patients are still sent by their doctors to take in the natural healing
properties of this water.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Back in the
15c the queen believed in the healing properties of this stinky egg smelling
water so much that she sold her jewels to pay for the hospital.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="msoIns"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span class="msoIns"><ins cite="mailto:Helen" datetime="2015-07-04T16:27"></ins></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Like so many Portuguese towns, the historic centre is in
need of a bit more love.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The 1920s
municipal buildings in the city park and next to the hospital are derelict and
filled with pigeons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4_mxCHxrfEYehkjGTlsPIhQctuuicGLX8L6LTi0GmbadlASpKmIO721ldrPZTVKPK3kCMKkVbxLWHWx4dgAa96vP25NkCJhfixOwRo3nKfYW3XSLZh8Gmw6BzucixiPal82kvAqUIF8o/s1600/DSC_0012.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="225" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhB4_mxCHxrfEYehkjGTlsPIhQctuuicGLX8L6LTi0GmbadlASpKmIO721ldrPZTVKPK3kCMKkVbxLWHWx4dgAa96vP25NkCJhfixOwRo3nKfYW3XSLZh8Gmw6BzucixiPal82kvAqUIF8o/s400/DSC_0012.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
But they are
trying, the area where the fruit market stands has obviously had some funds
thrown in to make it a vibrant and useful space.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The new fish market with its high ceilings
has just opened following a delayed and over budget build!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The surrounding streets are full of shops and cafes, giving
the whole centre a vibrancy you normally only find in larger towns.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a place where locals, tourists and the
new ex-pat community gather to do their shopping and take a coffee.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOY653a7Z_d8NTBUI37KduzHgt2Hks8ej3c5_Vg9WrLxKFNJ_wnGlP1n3pMmts5F30P7WzrgwcLtw4q-KRAx96VEehhnroqH-hAKc8qIbloqCqx3geXwfUgwQkgBoyLnqQwdRx9vpdL2G/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHOY653a7Z_d8NTBUI37KduzHgt2Hks8ej3c5_Vg9WrLxKFNJ_wnGlP1n3pMmts5F30P7WzrgwcLtw4q-KRAx96VEehhnroqH-hAKc8qIbloqCqx3geXwfUgwQkgBoyLnqQwdRx9vpdL2G/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The daily fruit and veg market would keep me coming back to
the town.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s full of local produce,
friendly stall holders and great prices.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qpmiKCNWAa6z1YO13JHUAPoiGnSCvUjLTGelsfXkgbIcY3Y6ecwoUoU32QJgbgsCfBHoLYOhyhGMDtUsz19FXTZ5CAoo0x1v2wa9rY4URCyprmcET7zyMtiQM5mY2MeICF6eL4K9_OL7/s1600/IMG_20150530_092035.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5qpmiKCNWAa6z1YO13JHUAPoiGnSCvUjLTGelsfXkgbIcY3Y6ecwoUoU32QJgbgsCfBHoLYOhyhGMDtUsz19FXTZ5CAoo0x1v2wa9rY4URCyprmcET7zyMtiQM5mY2MeICF6eL4K9_OL7/s320/IMG_20150530_092035.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Surrounded on all sides by cafes and hardware shops, you can wander up
and down four isles of seasonal vegetables and sweet smelling fruits.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTunhi1tSq9hPSQdKbzkxoQAla6bhX83RtnNSC6BwGbwmjCCyyILEyED0K2fF_j_DW6AZ7HC28OrLOKvtlT_0EAlP9EPu06tZg1xUemdCbdb-KL3t_q5_N_UAUqvNe0egAttbV99zGLDSl/s1600/DSC_0005.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="180" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjTunhi1tSq9hPSQdKbzkxoQAla6bhX83RtnNSC6BwGbwmjCCyyILEyED0K2fF_j_DW6AZ7HC28OrLOKvtlT_0EAlP9EPu06tZg1xUemdCbdb-KL3t_q5_N_UAUqvNe0egAttbV99zGLDSl/s320/DSC_0005.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
June must be the best time to go, with all
the local peaches, plums and cherries on display.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the sunshine with the defused light by the
different coloured awnings, I cannot think of a better market.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkE3ihtZ7UteZf-p1z-gxoc_ZbK7ASN5LiMzyvav5a23Yo5XVlI5_Pba7rcP518yKUOk4pPSQEjLIqKVgv6_WV6XYVgF3aywq84Q__JgDh34Ogu1yL6CzG32YBl6zp-ccXItWFpXODEg2N/s1600/IMG_20150624_092725.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkE3ihtZ7UteZf-p1z-gxoc_ZbK7ASN5LiMzyvav5a23Yo5XVlI5_Pba7rcP518yKUOk4pPSQEjLIqKVgv6_WV6XYVgF3aywq84Q__JgDh34Ogu1yL6CzG32YBl6zp-ccXItWFpXODEg2N/s320/IMG_20150624_092725.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A walk around the edge of the market brings
forward a couple of vehicles selling local chorizo, fresh cheese and locally
made totally fresh bread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fV8vkg7w62fAV6FDE0d7aEUS_Rm8jZsLqs9q-dYHEE5D9nTgC68nzD6-U7G5rPbSKQ0xezF-1rAJxgBneCw6_tq5F6NkxMHCzNWq84oIZAdHQ-nMUnG_ZSIBF36yqcFZLRZUSzc1LmkJ/s1600/IMG_20150620_100234.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_fV8vkg7w62fAV6FDE0d7aEUS_Rm8jZsLqs9q-dYHEE5D9nTgC68nzD6-U7G5rPbSKQ0xezF-1rAJxgBneCw6_tq5F6NkxMHCzNWq84oIZAdHQ-nMUnG_ZSIBF36yqcFZLRZUSzc1LmkJ/s320/IMG_20150620_100234.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Cafe Central by the
side of the market was a hotbed for revolutionaries during the Salazar years,
and it retains a real 30s feel – you might pay a bit more for you coffee and torrada (toast) but it seems worth it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Caldas is also home to <span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">Bordalo Pinheiro a ceramics manufacturer famous
the world over for their crockery based on fruit and vegetables.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have long been a fan of the cabbage lead
plate and bowl.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpT9S8H14H-Oimj3g9PX3p6nSuehK8mFtzechD2DBOCj8vwoCiKdNqXvHivgEl4XGEwWOPnFZJ9lo_nOSqajhQ1Ed7r16uBjuXdCyNnguFcPk2peGADrrs0MU0Jn2OXRSJ_JRSMb6fpT5/s1600/IMG_20150624_102314.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiFpT9S8H14H-Oimj3g9PX3p6nSuehK8mFtzechD2DBOCj8vwoCiKdNqXvHivgEl4XGEwWOPnFZJ9lo_nOSqajhQ1Ed7r16uBjuXdCyNnguFcPk2peGADrrs0MU0Jn2OXRSJ_JRSMb6fpT5/s320/IMG_20150624_102314.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">The town is full of ceramic
shops, using this design.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But for the
real thing head for the Bordalo Pinheiro store on the outside of the city
park.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Head upstairs for the seconds and
bag yourself a bargain.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OeB3zQtvM_GDNIx-Y_bAR11R_xk2QE_mMRXJF5TWlaAXoE9NMUHtjfqZWTgq5G3pjSbuJa7kpiV8L1vRGCSWFUYQMyN1jGXnRQ-20wwneJ_GDO299TQWXFmnI2IY6j3HXs-cMF_zqdDh/s1600/DSC_0013.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6OeB3zQtvM_GDNIx-Y_bAR11R_xk2QE_mMRXJF5TWlaAXoE9NMUHtjfqZWTgq5G3pjSbuJa7kpiV8L1vRGCSWFUYQMyN1jGXnRQ-20wwneJ_GDO299TQWXFmnI2IY6j3HXs-cMF_zqdDh/s400/DSC_0013.JPG" width="222" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"> </span>The city park is lovely, with open spaces and tree boulevards.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lUK75S3Zx6HP6GwO_IZvAlXl2G2jHtGxddP66mIp6MMia1mrBzfBK5MRznGWDbG1iDfZxyILsbwbIkctP0WhPOpqvIOF1FaiH_oFh7NnzLWB6IH-bMLb5AIn_wZDJuEM018r_FbQ-CsQ/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1lUK75S3Zx6HP6GwO_IZvAlXl2G2jHtGxddP66mIp6MMia1mrBzfBK5MRznGWDbG1iDfZxyILsbwbIkctP0WhPOpqvIOF1FaiH_oFh7NnzLWB6IH-bMLb5AIn_wZDJuEM018r_FbQ-CsQ/s400/DSC_0010.JPG" width="225" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">A museum dedicated to<a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jos%C3%A9_Malhoa"> Malhoa</a> (a famous
Portuguese artist, who ended up living close to our home of Castinheira de
Pera) has some lovely animal sculptures in the courtyard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The lake still has 1930s looking boat house
where you can hire a boat to take a turn about the lake.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYHYHCzg-QtAmgcTTg7V99ZT5Cc2oBN2VsGeiWd0KSSIj6CsBC8krNuwdO2ORjkdSDOXc9RVcaAn3UO9hnQkLLPeVb_R6q8tIDQhorlv8TrhwR2bfNXB4CJJQYYW-g48Swr0byb9P1TTj/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="224" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZYHYHCzg-QtAmgcTTg7V99ZT5Cc2oBN2VsGeiWd0KSSIj6CsBC8krNuwdO2ORjkdSDOXc9RVcaAn3UO9hnQkLLPeVb_R6q8tIDQhorlv8TrhwR2bfNXB4CJJQYYW-g48Swr0byb9P1TTj/s400/DSC_0011.JPG" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;">So, I’ll try not to judge a town by its ring road again!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> I like it here.</span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptuKbF8CbbaQS7KGe0xiV453TdWbxf19sxcpiZEWdNW-nOzU8wsA3T-U-7PWLmdY-RZASg6ruLqwWdxztOEikA9rajN-f1zCTlzkDOHi_aLLjXcyejZTx3YZ5LKlqChDHufLWYGaiY2xJ/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiptuKbF8CbbaQS7KGe0xiV453TdWbxf19sxcpiZEWdNW-nOzU8wsA3T-U-7PWLmdY-RZASg6ruLqwWdxztOEikA9rajN-f1zCTlzkDOHi_aLLjXcyejZTx3YZ5LKlqChDHufLWYGaiY2xJ/s640/DSC_0008.JPG" width="640" /></a><span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN; mso-bidi-font-weight: bold;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-7525171452849217052015-05-14T03:54:00.002-07:002015-05-14T06:06:31.527-07:00What you've made there is breadThe words of Mr Paul Hollywood ring in my ears as I write this post, as he said to a Great British Bake Off Contestant in 'Bagel Week' - 'what you've made there is bread'.<br />
<br />
In the second edition of the Great Portuguese Bake Off, my friend and I decided to have a go at Bagels. We took a recipe from Dan Lepard, but I do have to say Mr Lepard is a little short on the descriptions of how and what your dough should look like to make it a good recipe.<br />
<br />
So, half blind from the lack of descriptive text we started the test. Old school vs New school. I used traditional strong white flour, slow acting yeast and a lot of hand kneading and my friend used, ready to bake bread mix and a Kenwood and substituted the tablespoon of vinegar for bicarb of soda. <br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TMpYD6L7kb6KSUZIZ0ak9LIX-2dNdI4BCp8-d2SwUYkG66P5LqpASAwrKb4b_YimaRBIqhNK1i3G1RPPWPqOH4mdSK7j9yGMLPRLJ_kL-og-oQx1ZyKenBzNJi2rLWsMwH46CWBYLuNG/s1600/DSC_0001_1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5TMpYD6L7kb6KSUZIZ0ak9LIX-2dNdI4BCp8-d2SwUYkG66P5LqpASAwrKb4b_YimaRBIqhNK1i3G1RPPWPqOH4mdSK7j9yGMLPRLJ_kL-og-oQx1ZyKenBzNJi2rLWsMwH46CWBYLuNG/s320/DSC_0001_1.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">OLD SCHOOL</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
It started well, things often do. Our dough looked similar. Nice and firm although my friends was a bit sticky following the Kenwood. We left them to rise. Mine doubled in size in an hour or so, but my friends were a little sorry for themselves so they got put in the sun to help them along.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEwh8eBRWOTMbZq_vbd3rgjCBdPem0YpntjR_koeL7i9nrjHtkzez7B8o4cPAZS2Cxi1bNRZ2z6hUEAwhlYSQeBQWOy2Ixt_maXJ23mKEGQRghkL6uZigqaSYTR-5OZI7zpBePOIdiiJA/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLEwh8eBRWOTMbZq_vbd3rgjCBdPem0YpntjR_koeL7i9nrjHtkzez7B8o4cPAZS2Cxi1bNRZ2z6hUEAwhlYSQeBQWOy2Ixt_maXJ23mKEGQRghkL6uZigqaSYTR-5OZI7zpBePOIdiiJA/s320/DSC_0001.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">FEELING QUITE PROUD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcZ-byULiJDtRRRJLuBlBYwiLRJCsLZuq-SQGH9s3_WiZLOBLyZppm_s4CbNMUw15-kdh9mSG7qQ64cXqcNEuLoJ-ZRbzS3DVX11iI6xyxEd8FSnVPbPo5oio2gu6bEN9e-abRk0tKjZ5/s1600/DSC_0003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvcZ-byULiJDtRRRJLuBlBYwiLRJCsLZuq-SQGH9s3_WiZLOBLyZppm_s4CbNMUw15-kdh9mSG7qQ64cXqcNEuLoJ-ZRbzS3DVX11iI6xyxEd8FSnVPbPo5oio2gu6bEN9e-abRk0tKjZ5/s320/DSC_0003.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">ADDING HOLE NOT AS EASY AS IT SOUNDS</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
It came to the boiling of the bagel dough. It turns out, this is quite important, as it stops your bagel becoming bread by stopping any rising in the oven, Mr Lepard does not explain that, instead he says to boil your bagel for 30 to 60 seconds....which is quite a big difference in dough world. <br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUzyTuSZt6Y6G6HFj5E2ZzZSpFB_cuDmsvJq0KJbBPhgd6mIecEWqcOoOWtH7tgSqCV-e_wMt1BSHdrPM72lDAX7i_vBdGQOdBJO0ie8yAoQ9GF_FA8IS7jovG9I-JZj4vGmZI_qlLchM/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVUzyTuSZt6Y6G6HFj5E2ZzZSpFB_cuDmsvJq0KJbBPhgd6mIecEWqcOoOWtH7tgSqCV-e_wMt1BSHdrPM72lDAX7i_vBdGQOdBJO0ie8yAoQ9GF_FA8IS7jovG9I-JZj4vGmZI_qlLchM/s320/DSC_0002.JPG" width="180" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">BOILING RAW DOUGH IS JUST ODD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmevJAqAmuCq9CjEXmlHIcM5b47qRttNBwFzDv05_miv-b-HruMKnU8b7kcN8qQA1q6q0jmQhLOCwQm6c-aLb9MMwHI-de3fVlElDTkf_CYp58ijHKWYg-v9NeoFbSKa6VNVvhXzHaSdR/s1600/DSC_0004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjmevJAqAmuCq9CjEXmlHIcM5b47qRttNBwFzDv05_miv-b-HruMKnU8b7kcN8qQA1q6q0jmQhLOCwQm6c-aLb9MMwHI-de3fVlElDTkf_CYp58ijHKWYg-v9NeoFbSKa6VNVvhXzHaSdR/s320/DSC_0004.JPG" width="179" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">AFTER BOIL AND READY FOR THE OVEN</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
I was thrilled, mine looked shiny, risen and started to fluff up in the oven as they went golden brown.<br />
<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi-zCxiHg-fBXtu9q7xUpNqP_y4Pm40diQ_6AjGAbDccsQZpmKIX31cU4fdpOA2DQdOkZZWGhMzpB7AV1MWaQqsRrnipJvBI58N__LvssWHLCOML2h3O6E8vDYrXww8-QQJKj6snhT4uI/s1600/IMG_20150509_163536.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIi-zCxiHg-fBXtu9q7xUpNqP_y4Pm40diQ_6AjGAbDccsQZpmKIX31cU4fdpOA2DQdOkZZWGhMzpB7AV1MWaQqsRrnipJvBI58N__LvssWHLCOML2h3O6E8vDYrXww8-QQJKj6snhT4uI/s320/IMG_20150509_163536.JPG" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">STILL PROUD</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
My friend had a different experience, following the sunshine the dough had risen well, but as soon as you stick a finger in to make the bagel hole the dough seemed to shrink. Boiling them gave them too much brown colour (from the sugar in the boiling water) and in the oven the outside cooked too quickly making them very brown and underdone inside.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekQE03zcEuXCM72K-efIoIgO9PFRNoboVT17jEc7it1FJz8EeIcuY5onIwvESkcpfJjgcNORXZkIh_L9cTI4cc7Cky695GXRaFG6Bs2LbZhndkgFMRFYOnOL32R35wS_XWeAJE8WAd3AD/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjekQE03zcEuXCM72K-efIoIgO9PFRNoboVT17jEc7it1FJz8EeIcuY5onIwvESkcpfJjgcNORXZkIh_L9cTI4cc7Cky695GXRaFG6Bs2LbZhndkgFMRFYOnOL32R35wS_XWeAJE8WAd3AD/s320/DSC_0007.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
Despite the lovely looking display, the bagels were not quite bagels. Mine had not been boiled long or hard enough so rose in the oven making a bread like bagel, nice but without the chew needed for bagels. My friend's bagels went brown on the inside (white flour was used), they had a stronger malty quality and had almost 'shrunk' in the oven. <br />
<br />
The shrinking was the over proving in the sunshine, the brown insides is anyone's guess....we don't know what caused this at all - the bread mix/the bicarb or the second hand boiling water boiling to hard to give too much colour throughout.....I have not been able to find a reason for this online.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4DKXCEkthDdQOYkP6N1T-XaIgLFwtCgSCmsJhlR5EsgLmSbGrYEzTVbwQaJM95Gdtp1lqJoRFhrnsMg1IuwRjUVotXf5kW3irjlGE89W_7vH0_nNXcS3f5shJ9UOyNAbSbc7XDrhveEe/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgg4DKXCEkthDdQOYkP6N1T-XaIgLFwtCgSCmsJhlR5EsgLmSbGrYEzTVbwQaJM95Gdtp1lqJoRFhrnsMg1IuwRjUVotXf5kW3irjlGE89W_7vH0_nNXcS3f5shJ9UOyNAbSbc7XDrhveEe/s320/DSC_0011.JPG" width="180" /></a></div>
I suppose it does not really matter, sitting outside in the afternoon sun with a bagel smothered in cream cheese and a chilled glass or two (or five) of white wine, it seemed less important to have a perfect bagel but more important to have a good friend and a fun day of bake off!<br />
<br />
Next time - Eclairs!! <br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZEugznQsLuo">Watch the GBB bagel episode here.</a><br />
<br />
Mr Lepard has updated his recipe from his book and a new version is online <a href="http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/sep/15/recipes.foodanddrink1">http://www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2007/sep/15/recipes.foodanddrink1</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-57456485552453335972015-05-01T05:10:00.002-07:002015-05-01T05:10:28.941-07:00The long wiat<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAamh0IgUBNyyqTYTQ0g3UKcwt_AN6TOMAp8BVV6T2ayxHfqKeofqm0R_Mw7lRBYbywBZID8T9imfb8oArN4-sNJGStvMt3iwjBfJ-VEHxZMgwlFjYyHCbu2m0eTpREv3WweKIoqsBYDTO/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgAamh0IgUBNyyqTYTQ0g3UKcwt_AN6TOMAp8BVV6T2ayxHfqKeofqm0R_Mw7lRBYbywBZID8T9imfb8oArN4-sNJGStvMt3iwjBfJ-VEHxZMgwlFjYyHCbu2m0eTpREv3WweKIoqsBYDTO/s1600/DSC_0002.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
Waiting for a doctor in Portugal is a bit of a pain. Whether it's a scan, a check up, an examination or something else, the Portuguese wait for hours.<br />
<br />
I'm not saying that the health service is bad in Portugal as the health care you receive as a foreigner here is excellent. It's the 'service' element that needs some attention.<br />
<br />
Portugal's health service has a real problem, especially in our central location. A very aging population combined with a serious amount of chronic diseases, cuts in funding, doctors moving overseas to earn more money, all go to add up to a system which from the outside view is in crisis. <br />
<br />
As an EU Citizen living in Portugal, you are entitled, automatically, to the same care a Portuguese person would get. This includes a family doctor, emergency service and hospital care should the worst happen. <br />
<br />
However, a visit to the doctor means at least a 3 hour wait in my experience and a visit to a health care service as an outpatient in the hospital is a whole lesson in patience. <br />
<br />
Our health service runs a 'triage' clinic for people who don't have an appointment booked (an appointment is booked 3 weeks in advance). You turn up a the health center before 9am to find a waiting room already full of old people. You have to find the nurse, she asks what's wrong, takes your blood pressure and weighs you, then tells you to sit down. You wait.<br />
<br />
You wait.<br />
<br />
Finally the receptionist, whose job it is to hate people and computers, comes and tells you to pay. This means you're in, you pay your five Euro and you sit back down. If the receptionist is feeling friendly or you ask with the nicest smile you have in your repertoire then you can find out 'roughly' what time you'll get seen. <br />
You go for a coffee<br />
<br />
You come back<br />
<br />
You wait<br />
<br />
You wait<br />
<br />
Then you get in. <br />
<br />
The doctors are always nice, they don't rush you. They give you a bit of a Portuguese lesson and thank god, often they speak perfect English. You never know how awful it is to try to describe pain in another language. <br />
<br />
It's much the same when you have an appointment at a clinic. You turn up on time, but this time is just a 'rough guide' often 50 people have the same appointment time as you. At a clinic you need to watch for the 'ticket system' some waiting rooms operate on a 'take a ticket and wait your turn' system, some don't. Failure to notice the hidden ticket machine can lead to a very long wait indeed. Other clinics just make you queue. <br />
<br />
Queuing is something the Portuguese and the English have in common - we do good queuing! <br />
<br />
The moral of this story is to take a good book - You're going to be waiting a long time! <br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-33059171909583791942015-03-17T05:11:00.000-07:002015-03-17T05:11:05.202-07:00If you go down to the woods today<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
There’s a few things happening down in the woods at the
moment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Firstly spring has arrived and
with that the procession of the killer caterpillars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>These <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pine_processionary">processionary pine caterpillars </a>live
high up in nests on the pine trees. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
first spring we had in Portugal we were overrun by thousands of these, in
recent years I have seen less and less as the weather has not been quite right
for them (too much rain I expect), but this year we’ve had an increase.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRoVIAQX7hKna25RASWX8E5RxSWuEL6_SPKENWqP9UkAqTqn7IGOwVBCJ-Lg14V83birqlsoVg-Iqkm6US_k73UpBwtWlVmXBpYWh6ympHkfgqNPiM86hlvnQzrknvY7BmB82oGVSJ4Vz/s1600/IMG_20150303_085901.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGRoVIAQX7hKna25RASWX8E5RxSWuEL6_SPKENWqP9UkAqTqn7IGOwVBCJ-Lg14V83birqlsoVg-Iqkm6US_k73UpBwtWlVmXBpYWh6ympHkfgqNPiM86hlvnQzrknvY7BmB82oGVSJ4Vz/s1600/IMG_20150303_085901.JPG" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
These little hairy things are trouble, their
hair is very irritating and produces a severe allergic reaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So severe that it can kill dogs and cats and
send humans into anaphylactic shock.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have been told a way to treat a dog who has licked or
trodden on one of these pests is to give the animal orange juice.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>All very well but for anyone who has tried to
get a tablet down a dog I think they know making a dog drink orange juice is
nigh on impossible. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Brighter, but as much of a problem as the killer caterpillars,
is the Mimosa has started to flower.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This creates a wonderful yellow throughout the forest, vibrant,
colourful and it tells us that spring is on its way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorBp3socF4XrWmLCsG5HnnEfDzGZf_QgyTjPXC-4EvrD4RaklUok_4K5GaBvpscTUr5L0iheTeVArn-g6HsFmf0MiKf0yyBlSMNAUz3qqkME56s7a32lQARXhWwXhEXTk-hjFLl0xxUvA/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhorBp3socF4XrWmLCsG5HnnEfDzGZf_QgyTjPXC-4EvrD4RaklUok_4K5GaBvpscTUr5L0iheTeVArn-g6HsFmf0MiKf0yyBlSMNAUz3qqkME56s7a32lQARXhWwXhEXTk-hjFLl0xxUvA/s1600/DSC_0010.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But it is becoming a big problem…..having
been introduced to Portugal (via Australia) as an ornamental plant, it has literally
taken root and is now a real problem to the natural forests and woods in
Portugal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tree produces seed pods
which seem to grow in any condition and the tree has adapted so well to
conditions here large areas of national forest are being ruined by this
invasive species.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The tree grows in
clumps, creating impenetrable areas in the forest.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Making song birds leave the area, making it
impossible for deer and boar to pass and creating a major problem for the
Portuguese Government who really need to act on the issue before large areas of
natural forest are lost to mimosa for good.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOvQH8SfxSiZA9ErtZwFthfeGaAdbqM_uFnFEw-eP_YXv0JnVqDZ8Pr4Mu7zDcbgz5nZPNMENiXlUXUmNPMpsdaQ2VEslq_nvfnU0SE8HlGaKdD92OfF5B-1vdunEtGWXCBKeZkFFMo3G/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNOvQH8SfxSiZA9ErtZwFthfeGaAdbqM_uFnFEw-eP_YXv0JnVqDZ8Pr4Mu7zDcbgz5nZPNMENiXlUXUmNPMpsdaQ2VEslq_nvfnU0SE8HlGaKdD92OfF5B-1vdunEtGWXCBKeZkFFMo3G/s1600/DSC_0008.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Mimosa clumping and nothing else grows</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Here in Central Portugal our natural forest of cork oak and chestnut are
already threatened by the over planting of the paper producing eucalyptus (another
Australian tree which does very well here).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>On the Silver Coast of Portugal the problem is even greater with the
National Forest being taken over by the mimosa.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Xqla3JojN7c3W2TlUe4p4s_6tsx3bZZF_eHSQNG6cbiY11PLwHTaxb_YViURxFqK5i28X_cn62ujMZREdlpwGxynD73yNHiVDMJ8J0ETeBUhSmAJY1kyDvleHdyTIF72zMoAOa-zYYlF/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4Xqla3JojN7c3W2TlUe4p4s_6tsx3bZZF_eHSQNG6cbiY11PLwHTaxb_YViURxFqK5i28X_cn62ujMZREdlpwGxynD73yNHiVDMJ8J0ETeBUhSmAJY1kyDvleHdyTIF72zMoAOa-zYYlF/s1600/DSC_0009.JPG" height="400" width="225" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A more natural habitat</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>The final thing which surprised us in the woods recently was
a great big digger coming towards us down the path.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I asked the Portuguese driver what he was
doing, and in perfect English with a very strong Yorkshire accent (four years
working in Yorkshire) he tells me that 41 pylons are going up in the forest to
transfer the electricity from the wind machines.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGeXvESIcC4pVz9ANjlZDRKaLjvODPr011gyUD6hfEy4uQw63a3Ra5ci3mjoxD-rPxrdG-8eJcMRh2nOCt0HWlU3T9_1CYF9gSVW7dxlISxNMRv8UEbh5ptrJ3CTRvf0RsdJFLGXkIYuL/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCGeXvESIcC4pVz9ANjlZDRKaLjvODPr011gyUD6hfEy4uQw63a3Ra5ci3mjoxD-rPxrdG-8eJcMRh2nOCt0HWlU3T9_1CYF9gSVW7dxlISxNMRv8UEbh5ptrJ3CTRvf0RsdJFLGXkIYuL/s1600/DSC_0006.JPG" height="640" width="360" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span>Looking up the mountain from
the other side of town you can see the great scars across the landscape as
trees have been cleared to make way for the trucks to dig the foundations for
the pylons.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The trucks have made a huge
mess on the local paths; tree roots have been dug up and dumped so walking
across some of these areas is impossible. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s a real shame that the beautiful natural
landscape is being treated so unsympathetically, but we all want to use the
power generated by the wind farms so complaining won’t do any good. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It seems that this spring if I go down to the woods I will
always be sure of a surprise.</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-14853573535743606572015-02-09T08:15:00.001-08:002015-02-09T08:15:46.537-08:00WaterPeter has a new toy. A video camera. He wants to share the stunning landscapes and way of life here in Central Portugal through video. He seems to be pretty good at taking some lovely images, but there is a lot to choose from round here.<br />
<br />
This video shows the amazing landscape right outside our back door. The clouds going by at a speedy pace (only one sequence was sped up)... <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/Q7yjgmk0Fj0/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q7yjgmk0Fj0?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe width="320" height="266" class="YOUTUBE-iframe-video" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/PWIiDoFEdkA/0.jpg" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/PWIiDoFEdkA?feature=player_embedded" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></div>
We've had so much rain recently, we must have had about three day's worth of rain in a few hours. While that has caused problems for the river beaches, with car parks being washed out and whole trees making their way down the river to the river beach, it has made for some lovely tranquil water images complete with some <i>plinky plonky</i> music.<br />
<br />
Finally, more water. We took the dog for a walk up to the mountain top the other day. I walked on my own as Peter was off filming waterfall footage and the dog ended up wanting to chase goats. Not quite what I had imagined would be an relaxing walk with the dog....but nothing is ever really what you expect I suppose. <br />
<br />
I won't post the video here, instead take a look at Peter's You Tube channel. <a href="https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSeBPweNXlve9vBx9pgBTvw"> https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCSeBPweNXlve9vBx9pgBTvw</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-6887754219365561672015-01-11T08:26:00.001-08:002015-01-11T08:26:21.215-08:00Comfort FoodHaving seen Julie and Julia over Christmas we were almost inspired to devote this blog to working through the Piri Piri Starfish book by Tessa Kiros. One of the best Portuguese cookery books available.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_Yd33u7OxpeNHuTlVJYZtGG08YyM0BvKBSH2K8bKHOt0aIrq2MsKWkvopw4DajuFJtLG0X2tHPKibjEv__4mH7v5EQyjnRthh5xlwfu4BFUifhe8rfjPjPMfisTp7_CHgRZhNkXx2Shr/s1600/PIRIPIRI.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjG_Yd33u7OxpeNHuTlVJYZtGG08YyM0BvKBSH2K8bKHOt0aIrq2MsKWkvopw4DajuFJtLG0X2tHPKibjEv__4mH7v5EQyjnRthh5xlwfu4BFUifhe8rfjPjPMfisTp7_CHgRZhNkXx2Shr/s1600/PIRIPIRI.jpg" height="320" width="281" /></a></div>
Instead I thought I'd pick one of my favorite Portuguese dishes and do a little research, and by research I mean eating it in lots of places so I can tell you where to buy the best version!<br />
<br />
Migas is a Portuguese side dish, made with cabbage, fried bread and black eye beans. It's a simple dish but with the right amount of garlic, salt and pepper it is delicious. <br />
<br />
Often made with cabbage shredded very finely by the old ladies in the market (the same cabbage in another favorite - Caldo Verde Soup). <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYCl-ToWsk2dl4-Ilu5iu3wE1JdFZgmuhBhfraynq8tW5CueHrJg7rESfZdeOPYX5-GGFOwOkYx6GYzGDT3gNiMWKMWBH961AGJmANwNugtef9l44EZ_FrltkxKr7daTr4cnLUicvtZFT/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPYCl-ToWsk2dl4-Ilu5iu3wE1JdFZgmuhBhfraynq8tW5CueHrJg7rESfZdeOPYX5-GGFOwOkYx6GYzGDT3gNiMWKMWBH961AGJmANwNugtef9l44EZ_FrltkxKr7daTr4cnLUicvtZFT/s1600/DSC_0007.JPG" height="180" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
It is fried in the pan with the seasoning and garlic then pre-cooked black eye beans are added along with cubes of fried bread (often corn bread).<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLjx6muQ7xPIJpMKurq5k0HDXch8cKo3SjQVjWO_qyPi5LtLEDfxJMdlIF0tYiyE1jxEjYnEuqeKXfPqT3aCKaHtS4ifiFOxZY8ub53nBqfx647NYIl9QHcXOUryxFkIcuB7_HJBQoADD/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwLjx6muQ7xPIJpMKurq5k0HDXch8cKo3SjQVjWO_qyPi5LtLEDfxJMdlIF0tYiyE1jxEjYnEuqeKXfPqT3aCKaHtS4ifiFOxZY8ub53nBqfx647NYIl9QHcXOUryxFkIcuB7_HJBQoADD/s1600/DSC_0001.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
The other way to make this, and something you find in a lot of traditional restaurants is to cut the cabbage in larger chunks and boil in stock for much longer than we would ever do in the UK. Then add to the beans and fried bread. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3xQEZ5jDLpZtt4JfhR2XUCbN_JTa-wIYuxKff-cQVM__CAh1tcbJFKJHpk8qNCZpbHRhkCGHPByj6mdG42nZadeJ9gqr4WpN9GApSKLOLW1hdlxDv6vvAxKLIdZc9ArNHBT5hO8ua22W/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjT3xQEZ5jDLpZtt4JfhR2XUCbN_JTa-wIYuxKff-cQVM__CAh1tcbJFKJHpk8qNCZpbHRhkCGHPByj6mdG42nZadeJ9gqr4WpN9GApSKLOLW1hdlxDv6vvAxKLIdZc9ArNHBT5hO8ua22W/s1600/DSC_0011.JPG" height="320" width="180" /></a></div>
<br />
Both ways are delicious and I with all that cabbage surely it's almost a super-food?!<br />
<br />
Having done some extensive research my favorite migas comes from O'Gill a restaurant in our nearest town. It's crisp, garlicy and very tasty. Last time I ate two helpings of it!<br />
<br />
That's Migas from central Portugal, but just a few hundred kilometers away in the Alentejo region, migas means something else altogether. A much heartier dish, fried together almost like bubble and squeak. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu7cDCjPX07LRmusS7DBa4P_1vIggZZLcu611v6mbiBfP6HgNCSQKCLYTY-xbRnMTu7lnIGgOkvMDwQl711cNKJacOOcvjudT3e3yUitAKivzkZ5Yp1NvS9YffLt3MnnpMV2GAC1nup4b/s1600/migas+1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVu7cDCjPX07LRmusS7DBa4P_1vIggZZLcu611v6mbiBfP6HgNCSQKCLYTY-xbRnMTu7lnIGgOkvMDwQl711cNKJacOOcvjudT3e3yUitAKivzkZ5Yp1NvS9YffLt3MnnpMV2GAC1nup4b/s1600/migas+1.JPG" height="320" width="236" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Take a look at this<a href="http://casarosada-algarve.blogspot.pt/2012/09/oh-crumbs-do-you-know-your-migas.html"> lovely blog</a> about Portuguese food for the recipe. <br />
<br />
I prefer the central Portugal version, and I will keep on the search for the perfect migas...it's a tough job but someone has to do it.Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-47513627922103603092014-12-06T09:49:00.000-08:002014-12-06T11:14:42.984-08:00It's Christmas<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
With the presents brought by Baby Jesus himself on Christmas
Eve, the Portuguese Christmas differs from the traditional turkey in
England.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Instead of the blow out meal on the 25<sup>th</sup> December
where drinking starts at 11am with the annual sherry <i>(boy I miss the
traditional Christmas) </i>the Portuguese share dinner on the 24<sup>th</sup> with
a big dose of Bacalhau, salted cod fish, which looks nothing before it’s soaked
for 48 hours.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Portuguese say that there’s
a bacalhau recipe for every day of the week…..they love it here.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLIKk6J7_mGGDndacbp9EcPPSw7lXw8h_JmMkZa-tTUfUq8tkpXcy3gN7k9ToH7vFaFm2N9t6kPMXjoe4nULyvdck1cUuf73I2I8e3hAhQ8LXowTRxmgKhBao1GCsGzROwhQkdCHUGW9g/s1600/bac+before.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhLIKk6J7_mGGDndacbp9EcPPSw7lXw8h_JmMkZa-tTUfUq8tkpXcy3gN7k9ToH7vFaFm2N9t6kPMXjoe4nULyvdck1cUuf73I2I8e3hAhQ8LXowTRxmgKhBao1GCsGzROwhQkdCHUGW9g/s1600/bac+before.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Before the soaking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwwgCPyFrexJ4e4ANHY6N0HjYTUAmTP35KOmKj0gBH99DXf3nF-ySbruIw2nHnDQX_Cky3_f7oMep9QmysXLYK5yr8IxS1-terd43qYte8JkuRedYyhhjZEkuNEnkIOxK5Y_Jf3sOBfFC/s1600/bac+after.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhYwwgCPyFrexJ4e4ANHY6N0HjYTUAmTP35KOmKj0gBH99DXf3nF-ySbruIw2nHnDQX_Cky3_f7oMep9QmysXLYK5yr8IxS1-terd43qYte8JkuRedYyhhjZEkuNEnkIOxK5Y_Jf3sOBfFC/s1600/bac+after.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the 365 recipes after the soaking</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUliSMtO5NWqqUicA-J_lXHiw71075N3S032Zcl4uvq1tI2XlYx-OQ9xPxOCFtDa7cJxj1QTL9NmB6TbS3uR6crJUnnZhjqrhiv8QaFIM_oajtNd3F05zSZJ7kKrM-3weLNmy4EjPD-1ie/s1600/bac+rec4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhUliSMtO5NWqqUicA-J_lXHiw71075N3S032Zcl4uvq1tI2XlYx-OQ9xPxOCFtDa7cJxj1QTL9NmB6TbS3uR6crJUnnZhjqrhiv8QaFIM_oajtNd3F05zSZJ7kKrM-3weLNmy4EjPD-1ie/s1600/bac+rec4.jpg" height="236" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another of the 365 recipes image from http://www.theydrawandcook.com/recipes/bacalhau-a-bras-by-claudia-salgueiro</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;"> After the family
meal, everyone will go to church for the 'Missa do Galo' or 'Mass of the
Rooster' service. During the service an image of baby Jesus is brought out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is then put in the nativity scene (the
presépio) which every church around the country has.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After
the service people go home <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>and open
their presents late into the night.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Unlike England
the streets are not littered with dead Christmas trees come the 6 January.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So, I can only assume it’s still not common
to have a Christmas tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Lots of
ex-pats in our area steal into the countryside at dusk to cut their own tree.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Something I want to do this year after
having three years of olive branches to hang my ornaments on.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Instead of
Christmas Cake we have a cake called 'Bolo Rei' ('King Cake') it’s a lovely concoction
of<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>a stollen like cake (without the
almonds) covered in candied fruit.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s
especially good cut into slices, toasted then covered in butter…..lots of
butter.</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyZW8V_0WUxa9X6GyFNdA1fnmhj5oTZozn5vsjtpB_0LEnPerHLk0FlvKe7YA8ZRMUHWNeJtzKVI8hjWWkWtXpIZ2Nehh-0oNEG0p_zUdnI9FV0wXho8fkczg8BkHG15LMRD2IKZ8EBxy/s1600/bolo+rei.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsyZW8V_0WUxa9X6GyFNdA1fnmhj5oTZozn5vsjtpB_0LEnPerHLk0FlvKe7YA8ZRMUHWNeJtzKVI8hjWWkWtXpIZ2Nehh-0oNEG0p_zUdnI9FV0wXho8fkczg8BkHG15LMRD2IKZ8EBxy/s1600/bolo+rei.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bolo Rei</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span lang="EN" style="mso-ansi-language: EN;">Traditionally a
broad bean and a gift (a little token) are hidden in the cake. If you get the
token you are allowed to keep it. But if you find the broad bean, you have to
pay for next year's Bolo Rei!</span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
A big night here in Portugal is actually Dia dos Reis or Day
of the Kings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Held on the 6 Jan, there
is a celebration of the Magi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Rather
like Halloween in the UK, kids have free license to go to people’s homes and
demand chocolates.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s usually a great celebration which put
paid to the dry January idea.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The traditional food of this celebration is the Cozido.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Cozido is a mixture of pork (all bits of
pork) and chicken, chorizo and black sausage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It’s cooked for hours with potatoes, turnips, carrots and cabbage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It sounds hell, but when it’s done well there
is nothing quite like the taste, but when it’s done badly then it’s a pig snout
served with overcooked cabbage.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBVCblNsK3mE-ULFVGx4xf2KQG_9Cl66kzRTUN236YzTwqETzKhoIu9hg3SwFmnI_rXl9iVyNRMsx4uFlOHkvHto3OgumCk-vzMjQU_eTDHlDjbLtgWejryj_bXCNTPPve6QUAJ-1WjgM/s1600/coz.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQBVCblNsK3mE-ULFVGx4xf2KQG_9Cl66kzRTUN236YzTwqETzKhoIu9hg3SwFmnI_rXl9iVyNRMsx4uFlOHkvHto3OgumCk-vzMjQU_eTDHlDjbLtgWejryj_bXCNTPPve6QUAJ-1WjgM/s1600/coz.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Traditional Cozido</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peter does a great version on Cozido, it’s a mixture of
style, from the traditional Portuguese cozido with Spanish Pote but with a
strong choizo sausage influence. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<b>Recipe </b></div>
<br />
<ul>
<li>1 xChorizo </li>
<li>1 x Negrito (chorizo flavoured with red wine)</li>
<li>Salt beef (but this means you have to salt your own beef)</li>
<li>3 x Potatoes</li>
<li>3 x Little turnip</li>
<li>Half a Cabbage</li>
<li>3 x Carrots</li>
<li>Water or Chicken Stock</li>
</ul>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
Just chop it all up into chunky bits, and put it in the
pressure cooker with salt, pepper and bay leaves for 40 mins.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then serve it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Simple, but very very tasty.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The cabbage is soft, not al-dente but there
is something lovely about this.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The dog
gets the left -over meat.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The next day I
whiz it all up and make a fantastic broth out of it.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
So the Portuguese Christmas may be different, but it’s still
all about the food. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>So that makes it OK
by me!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Boas Festas (happy holidays) and happy new year.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xXPW7XYSLH_tyKJAJShRyZhcMQi5WXWqKfjdmfJ6yleOz-9HA8ZM46wB7pyHSiH90qhX-v0aInlR97PXQfEApGEMjOUfY1iXw7GCU19ZF1TGCg1HEmDR0iMa0RQxrflSnXnnaWn9ItNG/s1600/boas.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-xXPW7XYSLH_tyKJAJShRyZhcMQi5WXWqKfjdmfJ6yleOz-9HA8ZM46wB7pyHSiH90qhX-v0aInlR97PXQfEApGEMjOUfY1iXw7GCU19ZF1TGCg1HEmDR0iMa0RQxrflSnXnnaWn9ItNG/s1600/boas.jpg" height="299" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-1557736236552138472014-11-06T04:31:00.001-08:002014-11-06T04:44:39.162-08:00The Build<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
It all started when I mentioned that it might be nice to
have a separate place where I could go and watch TV or read or play on the Wii…I
said that I’d also like a second bathroom and I’d like a utility room.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I wanted to convert the animal barn on the side of our house
(accessed through the kitchen) into a ‘snug’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a few months of persuasion Peter was in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We looked for a builder (traumatic enough,
<a href="http://www.helenandpeterinportugal.blogspot.pt/2013_11_01_archive.html">read the blog post</a>) we found the one we wanted and work was scheduled for
January 2014.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In December 2013 I started to take down the old bread oven
in the corner of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A mass of
stones, red clay, and 50 year old soot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I’d come out looking like I’d been down a mine.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Our 90 year old neighbour sat on her step
and laughed at me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>She was still
grinning when finally the oven was dismantled and I carried hundreds of stone
down the 14 steps to the stairwell for storage.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wouldn’t be the last time I moved those
stones!!!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6Oyg3-yqGup-TFTfIyNF6zcFbvMUJIeNbjhwBUlE1M2UW_c-8sTe5a1DIspN3zdtBB09OAPNjFKVjWX0asUJfggebKEGBIhobjZ6A4BJLmnhHL97rQbhHVCTQe9OZLIrEBeyVRjfYDWj/s1600/P1230004.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgB6Oyg3-yqGup-TFTfIyNF6zcFbvMUJIeNbjhwBUlE1M2UW_c-8sTe5a1DIspN3zdtBB09OAPNjFKVjWX0asUJfggebKEGBIhobjZ6A4BJLmnhHL97rQbhHVCTQe9OZLIrEBeyVRjfYDWj/s1600/P1230004.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
January came, Mark and Rupert our builders came, so did the
rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In fact, it didn’t stop raining.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
They did what they could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Took down and rebuilt a wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Removed the rotten and bug infested beams in the place.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Started work on the new bathroom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I started to clean the natural stone wall. The
floor was levelled with the large stones removed and a concrete base put
in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter carried hundreds of buckets of
concrete up 14 steps in the rain.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But
soon they all had to stop, the roof needed to come off and it just would not
stop raining.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RMaKHECU2sgy_gH6Ei5FPve2Kk7-_KTE3PnAZNu2eRopYO1m3jLkkPTx-jepuLXaPMrtaD4bu-muqlg9gdKvisJhoIFJ4dvU0m4gLClzUWE9dXq5ZD1rl5hLw4Uia0kZqB9qXQZtxjGi/s1600/P1270006.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-RMaKHECU2sgy_gH6Ei5FPve2Kk7-_KTE3PnAZNu2eRopYO1m3jLkkPTx-jepuLXaPMrtaD4bu-muqlg9gdKvisJhoIFJ4dvU0m4gLClzUWE9dXq5ZD1rl5hLw4Uia0kZqB9qXQZtxjGi/s1600/P1270006.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4cilF3XAwRfYywSV7aqYzRw3bjRbbzzrznx6kePIk2UDB0TvHsODs1iZg5jAevhAOWhMSkHswamksAUZMl241D8y0K5o_84-4Mh_F-Nh53XngIY6206dzBo1Dhz8LBS0-91E0lngjkOj/s1600/P2070003.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEju4cilF3XAwRfYywSV7aqYzRw3bjRbbzzrznx6kePIk2UDB0TvHsODs1iZg5jAevhAOWhMSkHswamksAUZMl241D8y0K5o_84-4Mh_F-Nh53XngIY6206dzBo1Dhz8LBS0-91E0lngjkOj/s1600/P2070003.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>February came and went in a mixture of rain, hail and
thunder.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept cleaning the natural
stone wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>A wire brush and a heap of
patience (which quickly turned into impatience),<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I soon realised why restoration work is so
time consuming.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Render the whole lot’
became my mantra. </div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7uzOg0QKdeXwHDpv_9OpxciQ6aKecNUFMyqm_O-iLCpX8q2LerFNLcowNop6uvPP1kpaFgEibfpLVBL8qCSXGXAkNsRcBnW2e2u3Qj_wRJouTEG2I7NbAFsTbDmac6IPX7gxGz98vDun/s1600/P1290026.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT7uzOg0QKdeXwHDpv_9OpxciQ6aKecNUFMyqm_O-iLCpX8q2LerFNLcowNop6uvPP1kpaFgEibfpLVBL8qCSXGXAkNsRcBnW2e2u3Qj_wRJouTEG2I7NbAFsTbDmac6IPX7gxGz98vDun/s1600/P1290026.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs2a6IlB-zSDVE_v9CVeEztX8HOmYVLSyPAAyKohU59BBvYRt-MzjoriW5l6TKXTgoj3-ky2Zxz-EGoymtwhGdCZQm0xb15IEXUCfwZTCfAP3e1bzwRN0zedgh5KRjBCge_YMn-cAdaLf/s1600/build.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs2a6IlB-zSDVE_v9CVeEztX8HOmYVLSyPAAyKohU59BBvYRt-MzjoriW5l6TKXTgoj3-ky2Zxz-EGoymtwhGdCZQm0xb15IEXUCfwZTCfAP3e1bzwRN0zedgh5KRjBCge_YMn-cAdaLf/s1600/build.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>March arrived and so did the builders.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Off came the roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>On went a new roof.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Suddenly we had a dry room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was still cleaning the natural stone wall
as my first attempt was ‘not good enough’ according to some.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWNBvNWgczXPrtFnXqHf66du0vJ7J1Mi35qdOpREIMaP-l2_2t7NHTrWDSIjMrINR2Fp_ta8BZ58FYZJptmu1Ud4RYOcYSOmobNNgUklUXd10euq1a9dQ5-7FsZBIKZHZlzk35DDCkmWg/s1600/P2150020.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEipWNBvNWgczXPrtFnXqHf66du0vJ7J1Mi35qdOpREIMaP-l2_2t7NHTrWDSIjMrINR2Fp_ta8BZ58FYZJptmu1Ud4RYOcYSOmobNNgUklUXd10euq1a9dQ5-7FsZBIKZHZlzk35DDCkmWg/s1600/P2150020.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a> Work continued on the new bathroom, and work started on the
megalith chimney Peter designed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was
then that I was asked to bring all the stones from the bread oven stored in the
stairwell back up the 14 steps and into the snug.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Following a few very choice four letter
words I started to grade the stones and bring these up. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzXibAy-ep5a-Ijr_dgwDctaOJzEtTwmQZ8WffKJ4b6HG3-4R5TrOX3pSwrcv8pJE6njJRM1jzxNrFstC0U_NttnNgP7JzpWTM5jE4E3_BVwefMQ3kzd7Yasw3_0iJQtZ5lvA2_5cK0Sj/s1600/P2150012.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjuzXibAy-ep5a-Ijr_dgwDctaOJzEtTwmQZ8WffKJ4b6HG3-4R5TrOX3pSwrcv8pJE6njJRM1jzxNrFstC0U_NttnNgP7JzpWTM5jE4E3_BVwefMQ3kzd7Yasw3_0iJQtZ5lvA2_5cK0Sj/s1600/P2150012.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOuigifsnAMHAD8xIx4SaNaNfBAh6TV3RTFbqBxB9xzAMHBJ9IJzd4A1pQLP4_FRAD0yQc7946WsHg-lqv9ocpMlqQqfq5-Sye_9mutB7Sjr16OW3Py_mMVa1fMD9G3iTtDftv4AA5ar7/s1600/sung+16.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQOuigifsnAMHAD8xIx4SaNaNfBAh6TV3RTFbqBxB9xzAMHBJ9IJzd4A1pQLP4_FRAD0yQc7946WsHg-lqv9ocpMlqQqfq5-Sye_9mutB7Sjr16OW3Py_mMVa1fMD9G3iTtDftv4AA5ar7/s1600/sung+16.png" height="400" width="298" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work continued on the chimney, it was getting bigger and
bigger.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>An intricate air flow system was
installed, including a hole in the wall to draw in air, a hole in the top to
let out air and a fan into the bedroom to pump warm air upstairs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The chimney got bigger.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIsLc4IfF_8OL85UvotFSuRbshA7aBJMSw5-WqFbfmbybQdvFs-VXPJd7_pt92mvMhumflwzZc4_J1g_gTcw89mcLtb8bkcCdQynZTDFIiUU5VDL96Bu58-eeN_QeGccuOH9hnViN6Q7T/s1600/P6170068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOIsLc4IfF_8OL85UvotFSuRbshA7aBJMSw5-WqFbfmbybQdvFs-VXPJd7_pt92mvMhumflwzZc4_J1g_gTcw89mcLtb8bkcCdQynZTDFIiUU5VDL96Bu58-eeN_QeGccuOH9hnViN6Q7T/s1600/P6170068.jpg" height="400" width="300" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
May came and the builders went off site to start another
project.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We had some work that needed
to be done, like cleaning the natural stone wall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Leveling and concreted the public path
behind our house and waterproofing one of the snug walls (which is below ground
level).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
We had the doors and windows fitted. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPH6PcmGe9SXxeCyrj_-YBgvtHIVQ4NMYza-VwKZzFxn94TshbXiTz1SSStFbgwKkE3W59FrToegP-R56Rl7ObLpppF6Bhflt1RTLdn5Q09qR1a5gBiCB8LNhNOlAoxSYPXO2hn6BHyB5Q/s1600/P5220002+2.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPH6PcmGe9SXxeCyrj_-YBgvtHIVQ4NMYza-VwKZzFxn94TshbXiTz1SSStFbgwKkE3W59FrToegP-R56Rl7ObLpppF6Bhflt1RTLdn5Q09qR1a5gBiCB8LNhNOlAoxSYPXO2hn6BHyB5Q/s1600/P5220002+2.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs2a6IlB-zSDVE_v9CVeEztX8HOmYVLSyPAAyKohU59BBvYRt-MzjoriW5l6TKXTgoj3-ky2Zxz-EGoymtwhGdCZQm0xb15IEXUCfwZTCfAP3e1bzwRN0zedgh5KRjBCge_YMn-cAdaLf/s1600/build.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiVs2a6IlB-zSDVE_v9CVeEztX8HOmYVLSyPAAyKohU59BBvYRt-MzjoriW5l6TKXTgoj3-ky2Zxz-EGoymtwhGdCZQm0xb15IEXUCfwZTCfAP3e1bzwRN0zedgh5KRjBCge_YMn-cAdaLf/s1600/build.jpg" height="200" width="150" /></a>In late May the builders returned, the chimney got bigger,
the new bathroom got tiled. The rendering started.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was starting to become a real room, four
walls, windows, doors and floor. Peter carried buckets of concrete up the
stairs, I cleaned up after people, washing and washing the floor in the
connecting kitchen (dirty work this building work).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘It looks like a building site’ was the
mantra for a while.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Y17B87rC0iCBP5Pf-Yc-7LH8zIMg5jMyqmFVgbJiMNIGcS7HQW0bZo1X9XfyngFSZlDBeeubPSo6ZtyDzA3O0nNxT7G6g_hPBD3Y9cUCQuHH3QpQ_5A1WK_lTWjm0rXKZ5zDsarPaL3S/s1600/P6170066.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh_Y17B87rC0iCBP5Pf-Yc-7LH8zIMg5jMyqmFVgbJiMNIGcS7HQW0bZo1X9XfyngFSZlDBeeubPSo6ZtyDzA3O0nNxT7G6g_hPBD3Y9cUCQuHH3QpQ_5A1WK_lTWjm0rXKZ5zDsarPaL3S/s1600/P6170066.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In June, disaster struck.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our builders had to go off and finish another job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They’d be back in July to finish up the
work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had planned to get them to
redesign our upstairs bathroom too.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>But one of the builders almost cut his fingers off in a wood saw and
while he was healing there was no way he’d be able to finish the rendering (he
since made a full recovery).</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOYdB8XrIKahIRMKeCGuMXXLE358Nrm5jV2Uqe6M3kKtcPKC7oaGGigZnZnxcX6zlFXRRxI1B9rhyphenhyphendY9_hr52khaGNTq0si6sm2_x2ZGZMoJk8RZLcvhWoRMAAzncvURk5Fu924q_FSnL/s1600/P2070004.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPOYdB8XrIKahIRMKeCGuMXXLE358Nrm5jV2Uqe6M3kKtcPKC7oaGGigZnZnxcX6zlFXRRxI1B9rhyphenhyphendY9_hr52khaGNTq0si6sm2_x2ZGZMoJk8RZLcvhWoRMAAzncvURk5Fu924q_FSnL/s1600/P2070004.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
July came, impatience set in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘Find another builder, I just want it
finished’ became my mantra.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>‘I’m fed up
with this’ became Peter’s. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkEb0R-TzIdOVaxzXHpiZwxdP8e8gHxI1RX562eBlSoL1l14O871DkjzjKCSD6sZadXzaQgxpYeDSHGPBo0Dduy7dG1aXJe1E7YvbsFFjJTaBgDec39EzxkmomwGzG5DVGr9a-mp5hDSa/s1600/P6170065.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrkEb0R-TzIdOVaxzXHpiZwxdP8e8gHxI1RX562eBlSoL1l14O871DkjzjKCSD6sZadXzaQgxpYeDSHGPBo0Dduy7dG1aXJe1E7YvbsFFjJTaBgDec39EzxkmomwGzG5DVGr9a-mp5hDSa/s1600/P6170065.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a>In August, Duncan came to finish the job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Duncan finished the rendering, pointed the
natural stone wall (which meant I had to clean the whole bloody thing again)
and tiled the stairs and the utility room floor.</div>
<br />
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq7cQJQPGfq7ygUuf028yBgLjfjre2rG_y5Uk0UNMX73igabMpZGhOMLU_MV-sdVVLvhAfz5RBJi-cnMvY0Jnssv4WGpePTu8WyT9zIT2Fb8C940Y0rfQRxcst5VCFkyb6jZYKmkGPhFO/s1600/DSC04683.JPG" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgYq7cQJQPGfq7ygUuf028yBgLjfjre2rG_y5Uk0UNMX73igabMpZGhOMLU_MV-sdVVLvhAfz5RBJi-cnMvY0Jnssv4WGpePTu8WyT9zIT2Fb8C940Y0rfQRxcst5VCFkyb6jZYKmkGPhFO/s1600/DSC04683.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Work started on the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>If only it was that easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The ceiling beams were not level, we’d
decided to keep some of the old wood and the whole thing just couldn’t be
plaster boarded unless we wanted a ‘wave effect’ on the ceiling.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2F9xMDMIcaMrPD-7PisFYClSAKWPyitL1NBS5afSC7y22q9aBIhJF5QHVLbrk_NysHh9k361ohrxTcRqOAtfsf-nt9AGqx_WZVUMLZUktBy8aaFBdqOnWYTchXzS7VZKjvUQOQlHLfhe/s1600/P6170067.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_2F9xMDMIcaMrPD-7PisFYClSAKWPyitL1NBS5afSC7y22q9aBIhJF5QHVLbrk_NysHh9k361ohrxTcRqOAtfsf-nt9AGqx_WZVUMLZUktBy8aaFBdqOnWYTchXzS7VZKjvUQOQlHLfhe/s1600/P6170067.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Peter put his thinking cap on and came up with a
plan….’we’ll fit the plaster board between the beams’ he said.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>After three weeks I bet he wished he’d come
up with another idea.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every day he was in
there cutting board to the strange shape of the room.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not a straight wall in sight.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now I certainly understand why they knock
down old walls and rebuild and don’t restore walls.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeNZG9VlDDuSnbjHtkBJMfIvVGXTapr7yBfrhdFQ9_ceR5Haxd5HqJJbpmRJfP6eT3-KBNwRodgPeBtNHxqWHJRMZSaGXr5T9pTtDzs2U0gMh6I-4RWOSMiyO0pDPMQyZLpBn9gGG51ip/s1600/P6170069.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEigeNZG9VlDDuSnbjHtkBJMfIvVGXTapr7yBfrhdFQ9_ceR5Haxd5HqJJbpmRJfP6eT3-KBNwRodgPeBtNHxqWHJRMZSaGXr5T9pTtDzs2U0gMh6I-4RWOSMiyO0pDPMQyZLpBn9gGG51ip/s1600/P6170069.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I cleaned the lime cement mix from the natural stone wall.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I got covered in plaster as I sanded the plaster board.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I broke the sander.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Duncan had done all he could do.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was now up to us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Paint, varnish, paint, varnish.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter continued with the ceiling.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Filling the gaps in between the plasterboard
and the wood, he varnished the wood.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I painted
the bathroom, not well.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
I painted the walls a little better.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter delicately painted around the
stones.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In September I went away for 2 weeks and the floor elves
(Peter and Simon) put in the wooden floor.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 144.0pt;">
<b>We are almost there, bear with me.</b></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 144.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 144.0pt;">
Just the snagging to do, Peter
worked his socks off.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Varnishing,
filling, touching up and then spent what seemed like hours trying to get the
fibre optic cable working. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 144.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 144.0pt;">
Finally we moved in.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>We love it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The fire heats up the room in about 10 mins, the dog sits on his bean
bag in the corner and finally we can sit at a table to eat our dinner.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 144.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHLRXSEs4noma9UM6_NHsZDJFBTB6AJI7axgT9bX9wxO7hmQeQ1mKwkO9aQisAmf2DirY7D502CECUGZxhAqTMMV9n41v6OTbse1Bs42qHp2xrD9mmnp5Vq3Nho5DUuPL_VL8Y_wXS7Gd/s1600/snug+8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhMHLRXSEs4noma9UM6_NHsZDJFBTB6AJI7axgT9bX9wxO7hmQeQ1mKwkO9aQisAmf2DirY7D502CECUGZxhAqTMMV9n41v6OTbse1Bs42qHp2xrD9mmnp5Vq3Nho5DUuPL_VL8Y_wXS7Gd/s1600/snug+8.jpg" height="266" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMft7OEVKY1vAxpUubEjGSPX63HXpIaBMaRYMqARTBypv9hZH6qNH6xady8cIq6rYPwK9A6nY7flnOL30GykSa_3tOcQHor2VwFYLTi6a8QAf_-DtA-Za4C324zaSQ5wbSFSdkG07-6wm/s1600/snug+9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrMft7OEVKY1vAxpUubEjGSPX63HXpIaBMaRYMqARTBypv9hZH6qNH6xady8cIq6rYPwK9A6nY7flnOL30GykSa_3tOcQHor2VwFYLTi6a8QAf_-DtA-Za4C324zaSQ5wbSFSdkG07-6wm/s1600/snug+9.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIMH771aNX6pBzqfzDH1md1DDi3hOhkh8w1ME6kBkW2HuPpF-sqZexTDEpH4A4lFyGnQvafHPtSvO4icuw-sOYemf4YC7TgErlz0YGrwQCmIv79g3szrx2udIIL5wFiZ0h08dGzJK4KSR/s1600/snug+12.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiiIMH771aNX6pBzqfzDH1md1DDi3hOhkh8w1ME6kBkW2HuPpF-sqZexTDEpH4A4lFyGnQvafHPtSvO4icuw-sOYemf4YC7TgErlz0YGrwQCmIv79g3szrx2udIIL5wFiZ0h08dGzJK4KSR/s1600/snug+12.jpg" height="212" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36qe573IIHzkr2OfPyp1LvLQfERPZnHRmAXp2xfdbE0VryzlZIizJMkZIa7hZ0XGG-wrzh_Uz5Io3mdp2SfLX5jTsoWzHBWyRZ5VYjZuSiJyyzmSfFytXMzE6RNMYJNgqZQ35PFAwepZi/s1600/snug+14.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj36qe573IIHzkr2OfPyp1LvLQfERPZnHRmAXp2xfdbE0VryzlZIizJMkZIa7hZ0XGG-wrzh_Uz5Io3mdp2SfLX5jTsoWzHBWyRZ5VYjZuSiJyyzmSfFytXMzE6RNMYJNgqZQ35PFAwepZi/s1600/snug+14.jpg" height="320" width="212" /></a></div>
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUAr_zHKUbL5J6dr8TkW2LtHOZOyDjJaRM2Ygseym7XGTCcAq3cOmV2Ruszv1joz6NFf4gmomDewO2QrMGEhQhqDRBeQ9SLKtxoDv4z3Nw9nMniTBluPoreX5DEM4iyzRIQfeYkAAF4Uz/s1600/snug+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWUAr_zHKUbL5J6dr8TkW2LtHOZOyDjJaRM2Ygseym7XGTCcAq3cOmV2Ruszv1joz6NFf4gmomDewO2QrMGEhQhqDRBeQ9SLKtxoDv4z3Nw9nMniTBluPoreX5DEM4iyzRIQfeYkAAF4Uz/s1600/snug+4.jpg" height="132" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">My Wall</td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 144.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 144.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 144.0pt;">
It does leave the other room a
little under used.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But Peter has a plan,
he wants a nice kitchen-diner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 144.0pt;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="tab-stops: 144.0pt;">
I am open to persuasion!</div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-61386741829791715622014-08-24T02:49:00.000-07:002014-08-24T03:21:10.884-07:00In celebration of the festa<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
<o:AllowPNG/>
</o:OfficeDocumentSettings>
</xml><![endif]--><br />
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:WordDocument>
<w:View>Normal</w:View>
<w:Zoom>0</w:Zoom>
<w:TrackMoves/>
<w:TrackFormatting/>
<w:PunctuationKerning/>
<w:ValidateAgainstSchemas/>
<w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>false</w:SaveIfXMLInvalid>
<w:IgnoreMixedContent>false</w:IgnoreMixedContent>
<w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>false</w:AlwaysShowPlaceholderText>
<w:DoNotPromoteQF/>
<w:LidThemeOther>EN-GB</w:LidThemeOther>
<w:LidThemeAsian>X-NONE</w:LidThemeAsian>
<w:LidThemeComplexScript>X-NONE</w:LidThemeComplexScript>
<w:Compatibility>
<w:BreakWrappedTables/>
<w:SnapToGridInCell/>
<w:WrapTextWithPunct/>
<w:UseAsianBreakRules/>
<w:DontGrowAutofit/>
<w:SplitPgBreakAndParaMark/>
<w:EnableOpenTypeKerning/>
<w:DontFlipMirrorIndents/>
<w:OverrideTableStyleHps/>
</w:Compatibility>
<m:mathPr>
<m:mathFont m:val="Cambria Math"/>
<m:brkBin m:val="before"/>
<m:brkBinSub m:val="--"/>
<m:smallFrac m:val="off"/>
<m:dispDef/>
<m:lMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:rMargin m:val="0"/>
<m:defJc m:val="centerGroup"/>
<m:wrapIndent m:val="1440"/>
<m:intLim m:val="subSup"/>
<m:naryLim m:val="undOvr"/>
</m:mathPr></w:WordDocument>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<w:LatentStyles DefLockedState="false" DefUnhideWhenUsed="true"
DefSemiHidden="true" DefQFormat="false" DefPriority="99"
LatentStyleCount="267">
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="0" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Normal"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="heading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="9" QFormat="true" Name="heading 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 7"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 8"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" Name="toc 9"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="35" QFormat="true" Name="caption"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="10" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" Name="Default Paragraph Font"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="11" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtitle"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="22" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Strong"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="20" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="59" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Table Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Placeholder Text"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="1" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="No Spacing"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Revision"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="34" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="List Paragraph"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="29" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="30" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Quote"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 1"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 2"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 3"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 4"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 5"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="60" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="61" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="62" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Light Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="63" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="64" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Shading 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="65" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="66" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium List 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="67" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 1 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="68" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 2 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="69" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Medium Grid 3 Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="70" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Dark List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="71" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Shading Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="72" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful List Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="73" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" Name="Colorful Grid Accent 6"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="19" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="21" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Emphasis"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="31" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Subtle Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="32" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Intense Reference"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="33" SemiHidden="false"
UnhideWhenUsed="false" QFormat="true" Name="Book Title"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="37" Name="Bibliography"/>
<w:LsdException Locked="false" Priority="39" QFormat="true" Name="TOC Heading"/>
</w:LatentStyles>
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 10]>
<style>
/* Style Definitions */
table.MsoNormalTable
{mso-style-name:"Table Normal";
mso-tstyle-rowband-size:0;
mso-tstyle-colband-size:0;
mso-style-noshow:yes;
mso-style-priority:99;
mso-style-parent:"";
mso-padding-alt:0cm 5.4pt 0cm 5.4pt;
mso-para-margin-top:0cm;
mso-para-margin-right:0cm;
mso-para-margin-bottom:10.0pt;
mso-para-margin-left:0cm;
line-height:115%;
mso-pagination:widow-orphan;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";
mso-ascii-font-family:Calibri;
mso-ascii-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-hansi-font-family:Calibri;
mso-hansi-theme-font:minor-latin;
mso-fareast-language:EN-US;}
</style>
<![endif]-->
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
As France empties for the month of August, Central Portugal
swells with the amount of visitors coming home for a month in the ‘mother land’.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(I read that there are more Portuguese in
France then there is in Portugal….is this possible?).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The squares are full of French cars, the main
language heard in the cafés is French and a cheery ‘Bonjour’ instead of ‘Bon
Dia’ will see you right in the morning.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
With all these extra people to entertain, we enter party
season – or <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">festa </i>season.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Portuguese festas are a funny thing,
speakers go up in the villages and the quiet is ruined with <i style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">pimba</i> music being piped through the
speakers from 10am (hear the horror of this below).</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/6JJSx7hBMbs?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>lights go up on the church.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVRDckmF7kbV7-3YWuvf56k7On0hcMgTYOb9UCGbfKveykiMpbej8XzOo2LIvdvC5Wk75JwKCrnLwlVAR9P_9h7D6J5DbHANi7PPb-nMesWrSpK1VSvIW3biNXG2-VzkbzOTtCp7xj94i/s1600/festa+3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEVRDckmF7kbV7-3YWuvf56k7On0hcMgTYOb9UCGbfKveykiMpbej8XzOo2LIvdvC5Wk75JwKCrnLwlVAR9P_9h7D6J5DbHANi7PPb-nMesWrSpK1VSvIW3biNXG2-VzkbzOTtCp7xj94i/s1600/festa+3.jpg" height="200" width="165" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The stage goes up ready for someone to come and sing along
to a backing track and the huts go up to serve the beers and pork rolls.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span> </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s pretty much the same all over Central
Portugal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>At 10pm the main act comes on,
there seems to be a competition to be the loudest it can possibly be without
ears actually bleeding.</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In August there are three festas in two weekends, in
villages within 1 mile of each other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pera (our village) mixed it up with a night of rock music, which
involved some very heavy rock covers with occasional lighter moments as they
belted out Lenny Kravitz and Guns and Roses then this Portuguese number….</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/w6MsVxW83sw?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
.......at
least is was different from the normal pimba
and that’s all I am saying on the subject. </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The Coentral festa stuck to the plan with the Folklore Group
the Neveiros do Coentral, a dance group based on the traditions of mountain
life….who are brilliant until the singing begins…… </div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/4X9UcBbCoK4?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
The following week was Senhora de Guia festa, it is one of
the best ones because everyone goes along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>The format is the same, lights, music, food and drink.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Pimba music, vaguely good singer singing
along to a backing track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiK5APCoSeYBA4CUVe9TG3fegm5vlvPxxnLkaXtO-PxEa0RfEB2hGEQeTCZZttvhuoTbucfY30dmgGlv5xROFkspol0QKlSt_s6kZSxpWK35o5zDfYy7poEOg7i4TpGmTzAYVFVPpoaQRF/s1600/festa+1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiK5APCoSeYBA4CUVe9TG3fegm5vlvPxxnLkaXtO-PxEa0RfEB2hGEQeTCZZttvhuoTbucfY30dmgGlv5xROFkspol0QKlSt_s6kZSxpWK35o5zDfYy7poEOg7i4TpGmTzAYVFVPpoaQRF/s1600/festa+1.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYTEo2YwgmW8Oqh5QjyneaTnX1RkJ6mmDt2zjjIigLYjc-VuZDAzhCsyvK7YoywwqWWoUMo8NKtBlmE2YQ2Z_LhOizJSqT4XqWccWMZG_0KJNptJEm7AnSCtjate0UOGgX0TiZFW1e_1n/s1600/festa+2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEikYTEo2YwgmW8Oqh5QjyneaTnX1RkJ6mmDt2zjjIigLYjc-VuZDAzhCsyvK7YoywwqWWoUMo8NKtBlmE2YQ2Z_LhOizJSqT4XqWccWMZG_0KJNptJEm7AnSCtjate0UOGgX0TiZFW1e_1n/s1600/festa+2.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"></span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"><span style="font-size: small;"><b>But truly, it is great fun and everyone goes along and has a good time. And at the end of the day, that's what's important.</b></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
It’s a formula that works here, so much so that throughout
the summer you can watch local festas on national TV with Total Verao…where you have the horror of watching over enthusiastic hosts interview a wide variety of
local people and listen to aging performers miming along to the latest hit with the added bonus (sometimes) of scantily
clad dancers faking it for the camera…..!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<object class="BLOGGER-youtube-video" classid="clsid:D27CDB6E-AE6D-11cf-96B8-444553540000" codebase="http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab#version=6,0,40,0" data-thumbnail-src="https://ytimg.googleusercontent.com/vi/FVTWn_etKMM/0.jpg" height="266" width="320"><param name="movie" value="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/FVTWn_etKMM&source=uds" /><param name="bgcolor" value="#FFFFFF" /><param name="allowFullScreen" value="true" /><embed width="320" height="266" src="https://youtube.googleapis.com/v/FVTWn_etKMM&source=uds" type="application/x-shockwave-flash" allowfullscreen="true"></embed></object></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
Well, as August comes to an end, the French cars are leaving
ready to join the queue of traffic to get back into France, the ‘Bon Dia’
returns in place of the ‘Bonjour’ and things return to a normal peaceful way of
life....... until there is a break from the norm….an artisan beer festival no less
and a break from this formulaic approach to festas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcuEglhTebL3E5qzI1_gMKHzEAVNT2TDTgGl1BQ33KScoTgdel1Mk9rsNTutsrd3s2vgZKfuCp2POz88iQaYqK2h0RIycISOf-UMrRp-D2ooZpvc50JYprwiTMeyi-zTTWc5-aDkusGn0/s1600/festa+5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhFcuEglhTebL3E5qzI1_gMKHzEAVNT2TDTgGl1BQ33KScoTgdel1Mk9rsNTutsrd3s2vgZKfuCp2POz88iQaYqK2h0RIycISOf-UMrRp-D2ooZpvc50JYprwiTMeyi-zTTWc5-aDkusGn0/s1600/festa+5.jpg" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
In a country where SuperBoc and Sarges rule, it is great to
see some artisan beers, in fact, beer is becoming quite the thing in some
parts of Portugal.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Peter and his friend Ferrie
took a hit for the team and went to try out this new festa in celebration of
hops.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
35 beers later, I think it was a success!</div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbamHCzpw-3lU5NAC-oA2iS1aPNmkFdT7LkodPNmK-eOL7wA4vxieHBP2p9Y8NvsIjDYtPqNKM7m07iFuZ-2dV3xue8nq74zxUEz9vVWvUR-lkpljjwNE_SvK7WbUiU69ceXPdrvnINLcU/s1600/festa+4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbamHCzpw-3lU5NAC-oA2iS1aPNmkFdT7LkodPNmK-eOL7wA4vxieHBP2p9Y8NvsIjDYtPqNKM7m07iFuZ-2dV3xue8nq74zxUEz9vVWvUR-lkpljjwNE_SvK7WbUiU69ceXPdrvnINLcU/s1600/festa+4.jpg" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-3633099203239841802.post-15792329926431693832014-07-24T09:48:00.002-07:002014-07-24T09:48:21.402-07:00The great Portuguese bake offI've tried and tried to make bread, it always comes out wrong. It can been too wet, too dense or rock hard and impossible to eat. I bought Paul Hollywood's Bread book, I watched the Mary Berry masterclass and bitten my lip in jealousy as friends serve up their perfectly baked bread.<br />
<br />
My friend Jackie from <a href="http://globalwanderings.co.uk/test/">Casa Azul</a> makes a great Focaccia which she always tells me is easy to do. So I asked for a masterclass from her when she visited me recently. Jackie favours the ready made bread flour recipe with easy bake yeast. I want to go 'old school' with strong white bread flour and bakers yeast.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxB9chwJuuUHbNES9nWFGn-zQIkcwRYNW07O9ir2wMsPNZq227w4s5smMiGCfsCGtISQxJrulxOTwQXMA6lLwENc-iTP9x4XJeh6HN4HC43R8cMy94NrgZFcRWDg5Szhfn-oWo_TShFzX2/s1600/DSC04654.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhxB9chwJuuUHbNES9nWFGn-zQIkcwRYNW07O9ir2wMsPNZq227w4s5smMiGCfsCGtISQxJrulxOTwQXMA6lLwENc-iTP9x4XJeh6HN4HC43R8cMy94NrgZFcRWDg5Szhfn-oWo_TShFzX2/s1600/DSC04654.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XMqvA6EJStz_9vnPcaZaYms8YRAdVDFgLjkSMqV2MqAVeEmlfQF62PVgysqj5URQXCpqBZ3DFuXklxUQQ56PESb9AHJNy8VMMFHAiU9V4UD1eyPrZzs4oehYHY2nAoV9PVbw-rlwPKok/s1600/DSC04657.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_XMqvA6EJStz_9vnPcaZaYms8YRAdVDFgLjkSMqV2MqAVeEmlfQF62PVgysqj5URQXCpqBZ3DFuXklxUQQ56PESb9AHJNy8VMMFHAiU9V4UD1eyPrZzs4oehYHY2nAoV9PVbw-rlwPKok/s1600/DSC04657.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5xrv9KhMDo9KZDlsMQJi6KoZUO1qwCzoXzvNDREY-jjkmPI1GDCwlH4i6sS0GLQd7aqUvJbOnx-wybvdHw2MYE-QTT2FVULv-rtN5o10BRZu2KDji4yeVfcpGfA0ovPF9hlT8b5cnkNF/s1600/DSC04655.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjl5xrv9KhMDo9KZDlsMQJi6KoZUO1qwCzoXzvNDREY-jjkmPI1GDCwlH4i6sS0GLQd7aqUvJbOnx-wybvdHw2MYE-QTT2FVULv-rtN5o10BRZu2KDji4yeVfcpGfA0ovPF9hlT8b5cnkNF/s1600/DSC04655.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Using the<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/food/recipes/focaccia_08389"> Paul Hollywood Focaccia </a>recipe we started the challenge. Now I may favour the old school method, but kneading for 20 mins is not for me. Not when I have a fancy new machine with fully functioning dough hook.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sjEMOYOV4Syu2zfQQPwK5_TQ4hXTwPdMQ3jJxtt0eyLJ5wNU7gXh5S0hbMNXF8IXBwZh04vm-tOYCQaoD9arkC2tynRf9uApq_jZl19Este6U4jQHQ64ALxkwh1FrfwMEwXA_NrCcQ2U/s1600/DSC04656.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1sjEMOYOV4Syu2zfQQPwK5_TQ4hXTwPdMQ3jJxtt0eyLJ5wNU7gXh5S0hbMNXF8IXBwZh04vm-tOYCQaoD9arkC2tynRf9uApq_jZl19Este6U4jQHQ64ALxkwh1FrfwMEwXA_NrCcQ2U/s1600/DSC04656.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Yeh, it's silver too!<br />
<br />
In the bowl both the mixtures needed longer than we though. The old school method produced more elasticity, so much so that it reminded me of our building project (when will it ever end). Can you spot the difference?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfJ7kWmeSlPTb_0xs4GeyP0lm4uxtysjIAJUV-aZglolFOSefChv2ayQ885asz1HFliLubxwy1vZaXdlDGfykKDsS99MduO84zgRctXrrQQqinixEXEYv_BR6CD-P1jjq94gRvK_FrxHK/s1600/DSC04659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjrfJ7kWmeSlPTb_0xs4GeyP0lm4uxtysjIAJUV-aZglolFOSefChv2ayQ885asz1HFliLubxwy1vZaXdlDGfykKDsS99MduO84zgRctXrrQQqinixEXEYv_BR6CD-P1jjq94gRvK_FrxHK/s1600/DSC04659.JPG" height="150" width="200" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCA1dr4ialMHAdkZsaXPyKXoHuiTUDBOuGeBa2mMomYcKkV9BzyjGqqgw1gjk2UEDQnB-YGxfg4IyFOypG-q2sOaX8Y0xtox5Zhh76OGQQonYtrMTjEeTpJj-pC_WIEGqmVLE0lPbME5bT/s1600/DSC04658.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgCA1dr4ialMHAdkZsaXPyKXoHuiTUDBOuGeBa2mMomYcKkV9BzyjGqqgw1gjk2UEDQnB-YGxfg4IyFOypG-q2sOaX8Y0xtox5Zhh76OGQQonYtrMTjEeTpJj-pC_WIEGqmVLE0lPbME5bT/s1600/DSC04658.JPG" height="200" width="150" /></a></div>
Leaving the mixture for the first proving they looked the same - identical.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuxEnUAg-RXZ7eSg60sOZ1hHpUCRqt9VPsBeQyW7lO5FKLVljhHt07KbPplE3Z1jN9uM6Ecx7EmnWSGwz_IrhqwG_Zf2loy2zZZiiWk92xdia5tVOEivrBz_IJAjsLMU8ZYfbkcjhdrln/s1600/DSC04653.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYuxEnUAg-RXZ7eSg60sOZ1hHpUCRqt9VPsBeQyW7lO5FKLVljhHt07KbPplE3Z1jN9uM6Ecx7EmnWSGwz_IrhqwG_Zf2loy2zZZiiWk92xdia5tVOEivrBz_IJAjsLMU8ZYfbkcjhdrln/s1600/DSC04653.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
But when it came to taking off the cling film, we had two very different results.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMDUEz3Be-YlG9jbr8vH4qA2VVK4NYGqsR33Wcj2u2t3dDvNcf4ApJm5Cn7ya_C71vcIBnaZbaLdP_-lhIJm01JjcpGxc_PxEorQSWVy6alYpACP0b78rgZIDOJFxz8MzNRWQmlNWimJy/s1600/DSC04661.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTMDUEz3Be-YlG9jbr8vH4qA2VVK4NYGqsR33Wcj2u2t3dDvNcf4ApJm5Cn7ya_C71vcIBnaZbaLdP_-lhIJm01JjcpGxc_PxEorQSWVy6alYpACP0b78rgZIDOJFxz8MzNRWQmlNWimJy/s1600/DSC04661.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
Old school, full of bubbles, new school, smoother finish, had risen much more than the old school version.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YeYE7IYljcqEN3IDO63XyMyD-5sfAibryRsgO8aEvUdHVUz-kRgDrI1ggDJHq5sl8YxBjQ3J9YAah1vd_BYiCJUqAXXA0gSF9P4Jv42ilxlsfuPh1oVyfK9MQ9GODvEvXxHpHqci28L2/s1600/DSC04663.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8YeYE7IYljcqEN3IDO63XyMyD-5sfAibryRsgO8aEvUdHVUz-kRgDrI1ggDJHq5sl8YxBjQ3J9YAah1vd_BYiCJUqAXXA0gSF9P4Jv42ilxlsfuPh1oVyfK9MQ9GODvEvXxHpHqci28L2/s1600/DSC04663.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
The real difference was in the touch, you have to poke holes in the bread surface to pour over olive oil. New school, while sticky, created nice holes and neatly held the olive oil.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_PrF_wYGo9eutLIWySViu8y_MYmOcQrB0r3MgrEvlK1-86CZXdoGy62GiFV3S6ILQXVFUkoFejn60EJHITtFh5I9rR0Lxlyt032aBFLLBH-8dCzvVAiBzKOk5TMJ5ZIa2MADOsFUT3u6/s1600/DSC04668.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6_PrF_wYGo9eutLIWySViu8y_MYmOcQrB0r3MgrEvlK1-86CZXdoGy62GiFV3S6ILQXVFUkoFejn60EJHITtFh5I9rR0Lxlyt032aBFLLBH-8dCzvVAiBzKOk5TMJ5ZIa2MADOsFUT3u6/s1600/DSC04668.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
Old school, looked like a dogs dinner. The dough was so sticky you couldn't make indentations in it, in fact if made more bubbles come to the surface. It didn't look good for the old school version!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XyTyscMVrRqMMXVUt-D1uru2uup65shRjLUou4ttw6LjoMlRKT8HZqN3aQ2TFjtsjJYy8Dl_Dcz2LWlk4WLNdTlC4JTuKGOCMVOVkYjgp50TiPO6UQ1dUfYWPUmMcvMOO3lwfCrkQIlV/s1600/DSC04667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0XyTyscMVrRqMMXVUt-D1uru2uup65shRjLUou4ttw6LjoMlRKT8HZqN3aQ2TFjtsjJYy8Dl_Dcz2LWlk4WLNdTlC4JTuKGOCMVOVkYjgp50TiPO6UQ1dUfYWPUmMcvMOO3lwfCrkQIlV/s1600/DSC04667.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
You know that weird thing they do in the bake off, you know, they sit infront of the over watching it cook their showstopper. Well we did that, then we got bored. We forgot the oven was fan assisted, yeh, we overcooked the new school ones a bit! (new school on the left and old school on the right).<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Disaster!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHt9Oh8RVRoj1-2pUHYRNla1vyE7SlGHa_yIub6VF7HUapsdaDBJK2xCgvTLk_SbyxoXK55TrS24nVCkxVwBehacXaSQUcLq3EOi1vEpihsU5hosbdgFGAulXn4mSAaY3lAmZyPvSeEgX/s1600/DSC04675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhoHt9Oh8RVRoj1-2pUHYRNla1vyE7SlGHa_yIub6VF7HUapsdaDBJK2xCgvTLk_SbyxoXK55TrS24nVCkxVwBehacXaSQUcLq3EOi1vEpihsU5hosbdgFGAulXn4mSAaY3lAmZyPvSeEgX/s1600/DSC04675.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
Cutting through the old school had a firmer crust. The old school had a more traditional texture, more holes running throughout the bread. The new school suffered from being on the top shelf of the oven and cooking too quickly and was more cakey in texture.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMgxJIKPfYgq9EACE_qtqLGSspGpp7h2i19z0VQeiMrXd5poqXiVf6wa0YJBVe-WHREveAmGJeBGNJ8MnWv6VwGEyzGd29e7blm5hFF9m_AmzrT4aLKoFAuiLNRwon6fv35ZUz_yYh4Ff/s1600/DSC04671.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgpMgxJIKPfYgq9EACE_qtqLGSspGpp7h2i19z0VQeiMrXd5poqXiVf6wa0YJBVe-WHREveAmGJeBGNJ8MnWv6VwGEyzGd29e7blm5hFF9m_AmzrT4aLKoFAuiLNRwon6fv35ZUz_yYh4Ff/s1600/DSC04671.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Now the taste test.....new school - cakey texture, slightly sweet (on fishing the packet out the bin we read that the ready mix bread has sugar in it). It was light, salty, sweet and tasty.<br />
Old school - much denser, a strong bready texture and you could smell the yeast coming through. <br />
<br />
So which is best...? Not sure....the old school has a better texture, the new school has a good flavour. <br />
<br />
Both tasty, both salty, both smothered in olive oil....need I say more!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWL8lAUYVyuISRMTyHxhHHOMMGuDa0iECCPWwCEXExFvgxQj0O6K6F3XmxbOs46Df5wN3vR9zstbQc0yUG9BPXszo_z9JwLoQ4VhCEgYZj2YpUf4oOADsPvrJTnzZ8zp-dCNILNuAcZnD/s1600/DSC04678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJWL8lAUYVyuISRMTyHxhHHOMMGuDa0iECCPWwCEXExFvgxQj0O6K6F3XmxbOs46Df5wN3vR9zstbQc0yUG9BPXszo_z9JwLoQ4VhCEgYZj2YpUf4oOADsPvrJTnzZ8zp-dCNILNuAcZnD/s1600/DSC04678.JPG" height="300" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0