Friday 24 July 2015
Wednesday 22 July 2015
So much has happened . . . .
Where to start?
It's been so long since my last post and my head is so full of news I can't wait to share.
We're in the middle of a heatwave here in the mountains, the temperature has fluctuated around the mid to late thirties for three weeks and doesn't seem to be going anywhere! Phew! We're fast learning as hardy Yorkshire folk to get up early and work while the sun is still 'simmering on the back boiler', midday sees a hasty retreat into the casa and cold showers reduce the number of times I wish we could afford air-con.
Lewis, Amelia and Amy have been for a visit, a lot of time was spent by the river in an attempt to keep cool, I think they were all finally a little relieved to get back to the English summer. It was so good to see them, we cried a bit (or in Andy's case, a lot) when they left.
We hatched another batch of chicks at Tineggiori, our first of 7 bantams arrived on day 21, we called him/her monkey, the last came on day 24 and we managed to 'catch the hatch' on video, not a great example of videography but we were surprised by it's late arrival, I've called him/her Charlotte.
We were out and about this morning, transplanting chillies, digging over more planting space and clearing a small paddock ready for our new pigs.
Ruth was on breakfast duty and served us a fantastic plate of homemade bagels with scrambled eggs and prosciutto, they were so much better than the shop bought varieties and reminded me how self sufficiency may mean less money in the bank but is not a compromise on quality of food.
It's been so long since my last post and my head is so full of news I can't wait to share.
We're in the middle of a heatwave here in the mountains, the temperature has fluctuated around the mid to late thirties for three weeks and doesn't seem to be going anywhere! Phew! We're fast learning as hardy Yorkshire folk to get up early and work while the sun is still 'simmering on the back boiler', midday sees a hasty retreat into the casa and cold showers reduce the number of times I wish we could afford air-con.
Lewis, Amelia and Amy have been for a visit, a lot of time was spent by the river in an attempt to keep cool, I think they were all finally a little relieved to get back to the English summer. It was so good to see them, we cried a bit (or in Andy's case, a lot) when they left.
We hatched another batch of chicks at Tineggiori, our first of 7 bantams arrived on day 21, we called him/her monkey, the last came on day 24 and we managed to 'catch the hatch' on video, not a great example of videography but we were surprised by it's late arrival, I've called him/her Charlotte.
We were out and about this morning, transplanting chillies, digging over more planting space and clearing a small paddock ready for our new pigs.
Ruth was on breakfast duty and served us a fantastic plate of homemade bagels with scrambled eggs and prosciutto, they were so much better than the shop bought varieties and reminded me how self sufficiency may mean less money in the bank but is not a compromise on quality of food.
More news to follow on chicks and pigs.
Much Love from Tineggiori xx
Wednesday 1 July 2015
It's Good to be Home
I've been away in the UK for a bit, I spent a lovely 3 weeks with my mum, we cooked together, spent time in the garden and did an inexplicably large number of jigsaws, I'm not sure if what I've come home with is classed as an addiction but it comes pretty close.
I also got to spend some time with my son Mark and his girlfriend Laura, I'm extremely proud of both of them, they have a drive and ambition that will take them both far, it was good to leave the 'ratrace' behind though and head for home. The journey back with Andy and Tilly took three days due to delays at Calais, there was an equal mix of singing, bickering and slow baking in the heat of a three seater van with no air-con.
Safe to say we were really, really glad to get home.
Ivy did a great job with the tomatoes, cucumber and broccoli, we're a bit late with the toms but are hopeful the longer summer will make up for our short comings.
The weather has been hot and we've enjoyed eating outside every evening, the TV is not up to much so we came back from UK armed with board games (thanks to Ivan and Dom's dad) and had a great game of Pokemon Monopoly last night. I do know how sad this sounds but my advice is give it a go, we all forgot how much fun you can have with some beer, a few folks and Cluedo :-)
Much Love from Tineggiori xxx
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