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.

Monday 16 December 2013

Olive trees

Lit my woodburner early this morning. Our weather is glorious. In the mornings and evenings the temp drops. I keep it burning for a while, then it heats up the whole cottage.

                                    Having had my tea and toast.. getting my book ready to see where I left off.
   Snr. Jose Maria. came once again to finish pruning the olive trees on the left side of the cottage.  I am really happy, as they look so nice now, and will give a good crop in 18 months.
                  Our sheep grazing on the lovely new olive leaves.
                                   Pretty radical..but was necessary.
                                     They didnt know which way to turn,there is so many branches

 There are a few more trees on the left side to prune.. but the other side , will be done after next years harvest.   So you can imagine, the chain saw has been going  zuuum zuum all day long.

I really cannot find the words to thank my dear dear blogging friends who left the most loveliest of comments  for me to read , upon the death of our dearest Manuel.

There is so much i could write.   My life was like a story book.. I have all those memories close to my heart.

"That though the radiance which was once bright be forever taken from sight.

 Though nothing can bring back the hour of splendor in the grass

 Glory in the flower

We will grieve not, rather find strength in what remains behind"

William Wordsworth.

Please forgive me for not answering your wondeful comments.. they all touched my heart.
you all know that i am sure.

I need to slowly start posting again.    My friend is with the angels..
I must plant flowers.

val..

41 comments:

  1. Oh how I'd love a wood burner Val. I haven't got a chimney but with a bit of work we could have a vent put on the outside wall. The only thing is I have a lovely fake fireplace and brick surround which would mean I'd have to have that taken away, a new fireplace installed because the wood burner wouldn't fit, the wall would need re-plastering and then the whole room re-decorated as well as a new carpet because there would be a gaping gap in our existing one. I think my man indoors is not going to be happy with this idea. So I'll have to dream on. But who knows, one day! Lovely to see you posting Val and you're still in my thoughts - a lot. Hugs
    Patricia x

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    1. I think it might be better to keep your fake fire place.. wood is very expensive too here Patricia. I do love my burner..as it heats up the house so well. My pipes are half in and half out. You can get smaller ones.. they can be put on an open wall. maybe in another place.. but sounds as though your place is just right. Thank you Patricia.. for your lovely comments.. everyone has been so kind.. happy week.. val

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  2. you live in a beautiful place. it will comfort you and hold you.

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    1. Hello Tex.
      Indeed it does. Thank you for your loving words.. so much appreciated.
      stay well.. I will be around.. just taking it slowly.
      xxxx

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  3. Pruning all the trees looks like a huge job! Be gentle with yourself and take things slowly,you are in my thoughts.
    Sarah x

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    1. Snr. Ze Maria.. does did a good job with the olives trees for this year.
      I dont do any work on the farm Sarah. I just enjoy it all, I have Pedro, and Olga ..and Ze maria looks after the olive trees.
      Thank you so much for your kind words of comfort.
      much appreciated.

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  4. What a nice little stove, I wish we had a couple of those in the end chimneys of the old farm house, just for when the power goes out. Really like the photos of the sheep and olive trees.

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    1. Thanks Sunnybrook.. also for your kind comments on my last post.
      Yes.. the stove is fantastic.. it heats up the whole little cottage.
      my brother in law, made one from an old calagas bottle.. he did a really good job. as they are not so cheap. The sheep like all the fresh leaves off the cut branches.

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  5. I have been thinking of you! Your heart will hurt for a long time. I am sorry.

    So tell me - it takes 18 months to grow olive crops? And it is okay for goats to eat the leaves - it won't hurt the tree. And do you cut those branches yourself?

    Love and hugs, sandie

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    1. Thank you Sandie.. Good thoughts will always be with me ..
      48 years is a long time.
      Olive trees take up to around 3 to 4 years before you can yield some olives.. then after the picking.. the trees are pruned. My olive trees are well over 60 years old..and needed radical pruning. so I will only get olives again in two years. I do not work on the farm. I have help. I enjoy it. I have lovely Pedro , Maria, Olga and snr Ze maria who looks after the olives. The sheep only eat the leaves that are on the ground off the cut branches..but they do try to climb up and eat them.. they love the olives.

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  6. Yes, Val you must plant flowers! We are here when you are ready...:)JP

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  7. Oh, Val, the sheep under the olive trees are a beautiful sight, quite biblical, and nice for Christmas. I am glad the weather is good for you, and you have your wood-burning stove. It is quite similar to ours, and I find the heat is excellent too, and prefer it to the electric heating. Beautiful words from Wordsworth, and yes, plant flowers in memory. Thinking of you and wishing you peace. xxx

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    1. Thank you Patricia..
      Yes, the wood burner heats the whole little cottage.. the trees ..seem to be smiling and are happy to have been pruned.
      I am just taking life easy ,

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  8. I would love to hear more about your story book life. I'm glad you are finding peace and beauty. xo

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    1. Hi Jen.
      Oh. my life is pages and pages of a story book. I will one day write some things. I am at peace and take each day as our lord gives it ... thank you

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  9. Val, that is probably my favorite passage in ALL of English literature. So moving and so appropriate for your time of grieving. And so true. I know those words will comfort you in the coming days. Such a cozy spot you have there by the fire. Take care of yourself, my dear.

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    1. Dear Sanda.. I am so pleased you enjoyed my choice of wordsworth.. i thought it fitting. They say so much.
      I am nice and cosy here. Thank you so much for your kind comments..so appreciated.

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  10. Love seeing your photos and learning more about where you live. Take care my friend. Sending you more sweet hugs tonight. Your friend, Diane

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    1. Thank you Diane.
      I am taking each day at a time.. peace and harmony with my surroundings..and good memories.

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  11. That's a beautiful verse and yes, your dear friend is now with angels. Glad to see you blogging again val. Give yourself time to heal .. Much love .

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    1. Thank you Pallavi.
      I will post now and again. I am a little slower these days.. just take my time to be at peace ..beautiful words by wordsworth.

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  12. We have spent many hours in front of our woodstove - it is the cosiest place, and like yours, it heats our whole house when it is lit. Do you use the olive wood, once it has dried?
    Thinking of you, still.

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    1. Hello Pondside. The woodburner makes such a difference it brings life into the home. Yes I burn Olive wood and oak..
      I am fine.. just taking life easy. well I live in the country..so life is always laid back. Thank you for your comments.

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  13. Dear Val,
    I would love walking through the harvest of your Olive trees. It is such a special tree. I'm not sure if I mentioned to you before, but in the back yard of our old home was a beautiful pool and on each side were huge lovely Olive trees. I miss them very much, so when I see yours, it brings back sweet memories.

    Your wood burner is so nice, and must make your house so warm and cozy.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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    1. Hello Sheri. The trees are so bare now. but they needed the pruning.
      I do remember you saying you had a pool , but not the olive trees.. I have one at each side of mine. The burner is like a friend.. i sit and look at the flames and my memory goes back to my youth. xxx thank you sheri ..for your kind comments.

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  14. Oh my God, Val, I didn't know about your loss as I haven't been reading any blogs because I was so overworked. I am so so sorry. Lots and lots of love and hugs.XXX

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    1. Thank you Silver Bunny.
      Life must go on. Try to take a little rest over xmas.
      your comments are much appreciated.. xx

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  15. Dear Val,I have been thinking of you! Your heart will hurt for a long time.I'm so sorry.Hope you find the time to feel much better in the feature.Wish you a nice week!Hugs!
    Dimi...

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    1. Thank you Dimi.
      I am ok. Life has to go on.
      I will emerge myself in my art next year.
      thank you again Dimi.

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  16. Dear Val - planting flowers is both therapeutic and relaxing. Take your time, and continue as you are by enjoying your home and family.

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    1. Are they not. Indeed.. i am looking forward to finding some new plants that can withstand our hot summers. It rained last night for the first time since november.
      I am at home. family off for christmas. thank you for all your kind comments Rosemary. To linger is not healthy. Manuel wouldnt like that. We are all coping..and sometimes have a laugh about things we remember.

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  17. So glad that you have lovely weather. Sunshine and beautiful scenery are healing for the mind and spirit.
    The olive trees should come back really well after a good hard pruning.
    Thinking of you.
    Hugs, Betty

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    1. Thank you Betty. Last night it rained ..first time since the beginning of november.. we really need rain.
      The trees are looking good.. seems strange to see them so bare after so long.

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  18. Those trees look like they'll be very productive now and you'll have an endless supply of kindling for your woodburner. Take it gently now, Val, and be kind to yourself. Grief is a slow process and can take a long time.

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    1. Dearest Perpetua.
      I have nothing to do with the trees. Ze Maria does all that.
      I just get my olive oil.
      I am ok and a peace has come upon me. I want to try to get my days normal again. Memories will always be with me. thank you Perpetua.. you have been so kind.

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  19. That is a very beautiful verse. Take one day at a time Dear Friend. God Bless.

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    1. Thank you Betty.
      Yes..thats what i do.. I take one day at a time.. Its been my philosophy for many years.. i appreciate your kind words.. wordsworth was a great man

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  20. I'd give my eye teeth to be able to light a log stove in the morning! Your little slice of heaven is sublime.
    Di
    xoxo

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  21. Val, what a beautiful post. We all know that you are going though a time of sorrow and this is a hard season to be in that kind of place. You are right, you must plant flowers. Enjoy your grandchildren and find peace in them and warm yourself by that lovely stove. It will all help..Judy

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  22. Dear Val,
    I hope you can enjoy a little bit this christmastime.

    All the best for you.

    ♥ ♥ ♥
    Franka

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