The month started with some tribulation over the noise in our apartment in BxB: The new restaurant down on the ground floor just plugged the old extractor that has been out of commission for several years, which unfortunatly is located right abobe our two rooms. The noise was bad and caused us to take the issue to the owner who at first was not too kind about it. Finally, we managed to sort out the situation, not before some negotiations and patient endurance. The problem seems to be solved, not totally to our liking but bearable for now.
This in turn caused us to spend more time at the farm. No big problem for me, (Jorge) much to the oposite. Autumn is nice here.
We were honored to receive Joana at the farm, where the quite and simple life of Autumn regenerates the body and inspires the soul. Sunrises and sunsets to remember plus pleasant dinners on the front porch. A visit to the Monsanto Village had to happen as part of the true Lusitania experience.
We are now ready for the next family visit, whoever that may be, and hurry up if you are coming because in exactly two month, God willing, we are leaving for Macau. Yes, it is confirmed. Unless the world’s situation deteriorates any further, that is to the point of hindering international travelling, or, God forbid, any health issue, we should be taking the Turkish Airlines to Hong Kong on the 6th of December (see the ticket schedule images below).
Hopefully, we should stop in Istambul for a few days on the trip back. More on these plans later.
Until then, we should get in top shape, especially since we have half tone of olives to reap in mid November, which should give us enough oil for our lamps in the next year.
Thank you for your prayers.
From mom (Donna):
We planted some “Christmas Cabbage”, Couves de Natal, refertalized our young fruit trees, set up a compost bin and finished setting up the side fence. Amazingly we harvested some delicious “honey drop figs” and rare grapes from the vines. Now the persimmons are ripening abundantly and are next on the menu. Over to the cabin, we installed a hot water heater which is run by the generator and extended the pipes so we could have both showers with hot water and also in the kitchen sink! Hallelujah!
We also adapted the heater to warm the side bedroom which will soon be very useful.
The weather turned very hot again so more time was spent out in the early mornings filming and producing nature/verse videos. Then the fires started. We came from Lisbon to protect and water our trees, and thank God the closest fire to us was on the other side of the mountains. We started praying for rain as at one point there were 172 fires raging mainly in central and northern areas of the country. A few firefighters lost their lives and thousands of hectares of land burned. Finally, it did rain, Praise the Lord and we do hope it will be the end of the forest fires this year.
We took a trip to Videmonte, Guarda, to hike the Passadicos do Mondego. These amazing walkways are all constructed in wood and take one down into the luscious green valley hiking alongside the peaceful Mondego River. It is a 12km hike, but there are ways to cut your hike shorter if necessary. Jorge did 6kms and I did a lot less! 🙂
At the end of the month Autumn arrived and to celebrate Jorge dug a big, big,hole and planted an Oak tree! This will grow and grow and give us lots of shade in the future! We also planted two “freixo” trees, which when grown should also give shade near the cabin and six baby Olive trees! An investment into the future, under which many will sit and shose shade many will enjoy!
We also received some beautiful photos from family this month, which we share here:
Love and prayers.