WELCOME TO Val's Alentejo -I write about my region of Alentejo. My art ,painting, my cottages, Family life, my animals -Travels And my love for Roses- and rural country life.

Wednesday 21 November 2012

A three day post!

November is a busy month. I wonder some days, how the time can pass so quickly. Its been a month of mixed weather.  From heavy rainfall for a few days, lightning and thunder.  Then warmer days with some sun coming through the clouds around 11am.   If the sun is out , I am out.
These photos I took during the last three days. 

MONDAY.
After the rain stopped i grabbed my camera and took my doves once again sitting on the wall.. first one then two. Looking up I saw a whole grouping of them on the telephone wire. Then they flew down onto the the ground and started pecking away.. I am thinking it was the olives on the ground they were pecking at!  If you look closely, you will see a nearly totally white dove.

TUESDAY
A couple of rose buds that had been opening.. Most of the blooms were damaged with the heavy rain. but these two were so lovely, still with some little drops of rain on them

WEDNESDAY.
Yippee.. today the men started picking my olives. I was sure they weren't going to come. I sure was wrong.  Lots of fallen from the trees due to the heavy rain.  They really should have started last week. I am pleased. Today its just snr. Jose. but he has cleared a few trees.
I can now look forward to at least some olive oil in March.

 Nets on the ground. snr. jose is clearing the trees in the inside garden.. they are making such a mess.
It really is a back breaking job.. and as dear Demie wrote on my last blog post.. Only when you know what it  entails to pick and harvest olives , do we appreciate the Olive oil.

Olive oil is pure and healthy.  Hope you all keep some on your kitchen shelf. Wish  I could send you all some.


Wishing you all a happy week.

val

33 comments:

  1. Val, Your photographs are just stunning and each time I see them they make me happy that although I can't visit Portugal, I can see it through your eyes. I can't believe you can make your own oil oil.

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    1. Dear Gretchen.
      Thank you for your comments. I am pleased that you like to pass over my way.
      Its nice to hear that you feel happy. I myself, most of the time am happy and life has so much to offer. I love the country . Just looking and gazing at the fields makes me happy.
      I dont press the olives..thats done at the village press.. but yes I get olive oil from my olives.. its delicious.

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  2. Dear Val, Your roses are still so beautiful. I am envious. How fortunate you are to receive olive oil from your very own olive trees. We wouldn't think of not having olive oil in our cupboards. I even use it when baking cakes.

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    1. Thank you Gina,
      I am amazed at the roses myself. I seem to be getting more buds coming along.
      they had a lot of feed at the end of summer.. could be that..then the rain then the sun.
      Olive oil is just so versatile ... for many things

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  3. Dear Val - Bravo for snr. jose turning up to gather your olives. It would have been a crime to leave them to rot away. I wonder how many litres of olive he will get for you, hope it will be enough to take you through 2013. Presumably he takes quite a lot for himself for going to the trouble of collecting the crop.
    Enjoy your trip to Lisbon tomorrow.

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    1. I was really pleased to see Ze.. I thought he wasnt going to come.
      I usually get around 60 or so litres from my trees. He gets a little more for his picking.
      I never buy olive oil.
      Thank you Rosemary.. yes lots of olive oil for 2013

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  4. so glad they are able to harvest, still! :)

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  5. oh! you are going to Lisbon! I have always wanted to travel there (since I read my first Fernando Pesoa book). I am glad you mentioned the men going on for many days with the same clothes... I felt a bit bad telling you how dirty I was ;)

    I hope you'll get lots of good olive oil Val!

    hugs

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    1. Ahh Demie, Fernando Pesoa .. a great poet and writer.
      Mr. Ze has been in the same clothes all week..dont worry.. its hard work.
      its not dirt.. its sweat and hard grit work.. i could'nt do it..

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  6. Hallo Val! We have heavy rainfall these days!Amazing photos! How fortunate you are to receive olive oil from your very own olive trees!Your roses are so beautiful!Wishing you a lovely evening!
    Dimi..

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    1. Thank you Dimi..
      I belong to a group that are in the area, that have the same type of trees and are organic.. they are then put together and taken to the press.

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  7. I wish you could send us all some oil too Val!!!

    I hope that you have had a good harvest and when March comes that you will have plenty of olive oil on hand.


    I love your roses, they are so pretty.

    I have only one! rose bloomin!!

    Take care

    x

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    1. Thanks Fiona,
      Yes, I should have like always my yearly quota of Olive oil..
      roses still blooming.

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  8. I do love a photographic visit to your place, Val. Your collages are lovely; the yellow and orange roses are perfect, and doing well as winter approaches. White dove is very cute among the others, and what a champ is Jose for harvesting your olives. I am going to look out for some Portugese olive oil, just to find out how it tastes! xxx

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    1. Pleased that you enjoy visiting my place Patricia.. likewise I yours.
      I am so amazed at my roses.. as its rained so heavily.
      Yes..do that. Try the Portuguese olive oil.. its good
      thank you

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  9. Hello Val

    There is never a dull moment around your place. I loved seeing the pictures of Snr.Jose as he works harvesting your olives. How many gallons of olive oil does a tree yield? How do you know you get your own olive oil back from the press? I am sure there is a working formula.
    Enjoy your trip.

    Helenxx

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    1. Thank you dear Helen.
      We have to get the olives off the trees inside the garden area first.. as they are falling onto the paths and making such a mess.
      I get about 60 litres of oil.. I am not sure exactly. Ze looks after that side for me.
      I just get my oil.
      I need to count how many trees I have again. I havent done that for years and i dont know how many..

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  10. It Hello, how are you? Thanks for the comments you leave on my blog, I appreciate them very much.
    I still believe in Santa Claus, even though I have only 45 years, I think it's a good thing for children but also for adults. Hello soon!

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    1. How wonderful that we can still be children at heart Franc.. and tell our little ones about the lovely christmas stories. Not forgetting the birth of our Lord ..baby jesus.
      Thanks for leaving your comments too..

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  11. Oh !! You will have your olive oil ,clear and healthy !! I can imagine your pleasure when you will receive it !!
    Your photos even after raining are wonderful !!
    How your roses are blooming yet ???

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    1. I am happy, because i dont have to buy olive oil.
      It was a lovely day today..but colder.
      Yes, my roses are giving a few blooms and seem to like the rain.
      x

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  12. lovely weather there Val!
    I loved the colors of those rose buds. And you are lucky to have olive oil, it is great for salads and meals prepared with vegetables.yummy :P

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    1. Yes the rose buds are lovely..its the rain that then damages them.
      I never buy olive oil.. i just have it always in.
      It certainly is yummi.. you must get good olive oil there too!

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  13. Dear Val,
    Your doves are lovely. I've been watching a pair in my garden today. They are such gentle birds. Beautiful roses Val.
    Great to know that your olives are being harvested. You will be able to enjoy the results in the year ahead.

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    1. The doves are so lovely.. It is great to see them wooing each other.
      thanks for your comments Betty.

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  14. Hello Val. I love your photos and can't believe you still have roses, how lovely. Your harvesting photos give us such an insight into the hard work that goes into it. I use olive oil in and on almost everything. Have a good weekend.
    Patricia x

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    1. I still have roses Patricia.
      There are less of course..but a few bushes are still giving buds.. when they open they are beautiful..then the rain withers them.
      A lot of hard backbreaking work to pick olives. some people have machines.. i dont.

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  15. We certainly appreciate Olive Oil so much more since we have been producing our own. Why I wonder do you wait for so long for your new seasons oil?

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  16. I am together with a few producers in my immediate area..we all have the same type of olives and organic.. they are then taken to the press ..I do not produce my own on my farm.. far too much work
    The factory opened late this year. Its all a little political Lindy.
    Most of them now, only want to give money and not your oil.. so we are lucky that this year they will do it.. but with this crisis.. things are not the same.
    thanks for your comments.. hope you have a good crop.

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  17. I was so excited to see pictures of the harvesting of your olives. Did they manage to gather them all in one day?
    Sarah x

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  18. Hello, lovely Val,
    loved this little peek into your days....
    So true about appreciating the time love and down right hard work that must go into producing wonderful Olive oil and almost any thing really!
    I love your Doves, Val.
    Thanks for kind words over on mine,I have been under the weather this week, so a PJ day was most certainly called for..
    Sending 'Twinkles' *****
    love Maria x

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  19. The roses are beautiful, Val, and the doves are so sweet. Did you have a nice Thanksgiving, dear? My family was all over, and we had such a nice day. Christmas is upon us, and I hope you are enjoying this special season.
    Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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