GREAT WEATHER - PREPARING NEW GROUND

12^TH JANUARY 2015 -  CENTRAL PORTUGAL

Sky still clear and blue, sun shining from dawn to dusk, midday temperatures up to and over 20 degrees C.- ‘The glories of Portugal in January’. Even the chill early morning air cannot take away the benefits of abundant sunshine during the winter days. This, my Portuguese neighbour assures, was the norm in winters past, the heavy rain experienced in the years since we moved here would seem to be temporary aberration of the historic meteorological conditions enjoyed in the ‘Beiras’. Long may the high pressure zone remain above and the furious North Atlantic ‘Jet Stream’  bear the high wind and heavy rain to the north.

This sparkling start to the new season has caused a cacophony of new sounds to emerge from the valley and surrounding areas. The incessant ‘click’ of pruning shears bringing the wayward vines back into order sounds almost as if ‘castanets’ were being played. The ‘coupe’, or cutting back of almost everything that grows, has started with a vengeance. Within the week the numerous ‘trunks’, branches, twigs, runners, stems and other excised detritus will be consumed by the numerous bonfires which will miraculously appear, permeating the air not with the nostalgic aromas of Autumn but the pungent scent of Spring.

The vineyard opposite the Head Gardener’s backdoor is a perfect example of the verve and tenacity of the local residents. Two days ago at breakfast time it looked totally neglected, the vines were ‘leggy’ and winter weeds were either growing or dying at will. 

 

 winter weeds between vines

The dog heard the noise of the tractor first, or was it the aroma of the ripe manure being purveyed that tickled the olfactory senses? The new orange ‘beast’(most ractors are orange in Portugal) arrived towing a new and matching tipping trailer (must still be some money in the countryside) fully loaded with the recently removed contents of the ‘Pig Pen’ in the adega, plus wife and eldest daughter equipped with large forks. A trip up and down the rows of vines, commodiously planted three metres apart to allow free access by tractor and trailer, soon had piles of the ‘good stuff’ ready for spreading. At this point ‘Father’ left the ladies to this task and proceeded to work his ‘genetically’ inherited magic on the vines with shears and ‘willow’ whip string to secure the preferred shoots.

 

The Manure arrives and the vines pruned

 That was day one completed. Day two dawned and the ‘A’ team returned.  This time the tractor boasted a new ‘Harrow’ (think they must be a ‘ Euro-millions’ winner with all this new ‘kit’ in evidence). Manure, weeds now given the ‘New Machine’ treatment and within minutes the ground is clear, tilled to a fine ‘tilth’ in magnificent ‘fertile’ brown. Mother and daughter appear pushing wheelbarrows over laden with ‘Seed’ potatoes and proceed to plant the tubers at an amazing speed (plant second week January harvest the crop the second week in April), everything completed by noon, two aching backs and a man very happy with his new ‘Toys’.

 

Manure ploughed in, ground prepared and potatoes planted

About time for a good bonfire - still got the Olive branches cut off in November to burn (they should have had time to dry out by now so good ‘kindling’).  Have to go down to the Orchard very quietly as bonfires are not a favourite of the Head Gardener  as usually the sparks cause a plethora of small holes in the ‘Stoker’s’ clothes.(then little chance of coffee for at the least a week and much summoning  by the ‘Bell’).

Must dash, see you soon,

Stuart.