PLEASE TELL ME AUGUST WON'T BE HOTTER THAN JULY!!!!!

2nd July
After a lovely relaxing day at Idanha a Nova baragem we came home, ate Halloumi and mixed salads (it's good this cheese making lark), followed by home grown strawberries and goat's milk ice cream; then watched 'Eye in the Sky' a good film but quite scary realising today's technology!

3rd July
Hottest day so far 40+ in the shade ......
I spent the day over a hot stove making a goat milk style cheddar cheese. I thought it would be quick but I had to make two batches (2 gallons of milk) as all the recipes said it wasn't worth making less as there would be more rind than cheese.

Brett prepared the floor in the studio/workshop ready for tiling.

This afternoon I was so hot I went in the pool to cool down - we have a plague of biting beetles in it! I skimmed it, then spent the rest of the afternoon removing beetles from my underwear!

4th July
I got up early and took the cheese out of the press, rubbed it with salt, left it to dry; it needs to mature for 4 - 12 weeks, in a cool place, I'll have to use the fridge - it certainly looks the part, can't wait to try it.

We went into CB to buy tiles; if I had an unlimited budget these wouldn't have been my first choice, but they were cheap (only 4.99 sq. m. so the floor in my studio came to less than 100€), they're a kind of beige quarry tile ......

5th July
E muito calor .......
There is the most magnificent hydrangea display, I have ever seen, in our village; unfortunately it was not at its peak when I managed to photograph it (but it still looks pretty amazing).

While I had my camera (actually my tablet) to hand I thought I'd take some vegetable shots too; I couldn't actually see the screen (the sun was too bright), so it was a matter of 'point and shoot'. The tablet kept switching itself off, with a message saying "the device has detected unusually high temperatures and will switch off for your and the device's safety" (or words to that effect).

Lettuce

Strawberries

Carrots 

Winter Squash (Etampes)

Etampes

Aubergines

Cucumbers

Sweet Potatoes

Brett hit a big snag re tiling the studio today - the adhesive can only be used in temperatures between 5 - 30C!!!! So he's monitoring the heat (on the decking it's nearly 40 which doesn't bode well).
He left it until gone 6.00 but it was still 39C on the deck and 32C in the studio, fingers crossed!
We were forecast rain; lots of rumbles all around us, but pathetic precipitation.

6th July
We had a spectacular storm in the night; it started at 4.00 a.m. and continued for several hours, at one point it was right overhead (flash, crash, flash, crash, .......) and torrential rain. Much cooler today (about 34C). Brett laid all the whole tiles - it's looking good (and I love my windows!).

Turns out we were lucky with our storm; just 10-20 kilometers away they had 20 minutes of 1cm hailstones (which settles 1" deep on top of plants), potentially ruining all the vegetables in their gardens .........
This evening we were back down the bar (Wales v Portugal), it was heaving with Portuguese supporters.
Diane, Baptiste and Richie (Chicken of the Woods) entertained us after the match (yes, they'd brought guitars with them). Two rounds of free drinks tonight!

7th July
Happy Birthday Lesley xxx
Thomas & Diane brought us a couple of female muscovy ducks for Mr Muscovy; fingers crossed we can manage to keep these ones.
I'm resting my kefir grains; after weeks of multiplying like mad they've suddenly gone dormant. It could be that they are feeding quicker, due to the heat, and they have got out of balance. So they have been well rinsed and are now in the fridge in a sugar solution with added sea salt; the cooler temperature will force them to rest (according to the article I read on the internet).
All the tiles are down, grouting tomorrow evening (to avoid heat), wait 24 hours, then I'm in .......
Tomorrow I'm off to CB with Pam (the sales are on!).

8th July
Happy Birthday Lauren xxx
Pam and I had a good day at the sales; I bought a few half price items (for me!). Poor old Leon, who came in with us, didn't have such a good day; he came off his bike (a raised slab on the cycle path), he's covered in scrapes and grazes and his bike is in a sorry state too.
Mr Muscovy refused to leave his shed today as he two new lady friends were still locked in - he's a very happy duck.
Too hot to grout today!

9th July
Happy Birthday Rebecca. Xxxxx
Another 'today will be the hottest day of the year so far', 40+ in the shade. It's so difficult to work in these temperatures; I was supposed to be making cheese but I've postponed until tomorrow (I'm going to make another cheddar).
Thank goodness for the new pool I've been in several times today.
Still too hot to grout.

10th July
We went into CB to buy me storage, shelves and table tops for the studio (happy face!).
This evening we went to the bar to watch the football final (Portugal v France), Portugal won!!!!
Paul & Martine joined us (they had been teaching a drumming workshop at P&M's), they ended up doing a session at the bar. We were given lots of free drinks and didn't get home until 2.00 a.m.

11th July
Feeling rough!
Brett grouted the studio floor (very happy dancing).
Diane and I spent the afternoon relaxing by the side of Lola's pool drinking white sangria's (so decadent).
When I got home a Brett had put together my shelves and made me a table.

12th July
Today I moved into my studio; I carted all my craft stuff from the mezzanine above the kitchen (up and down the stairs so many times) across to the studio and now I'm shattered! And most of the new shelves are full, and I haven't even started on my glass making equipment, so I've got to get more .....

13th July
Diane & Thomas picked up the goat kids today (Bill and Mini-me), so Georgia and Hazel won't need to be put in the shed tonight. Georgia is quite obviously pregnant, Hazel probably is too, so we're going to reduce the milking* and let them dry up, to help support their pregnancy - which is a bit of a shame as I'm enjoying having our own cheese.
I spent some time in my studio ......
* There are various methods for drying up goats: (1) Just stop milking; but there could be the chance of mastitis, say the people that don't use this method. (2) Reduce the frequency of milking from twice daily, to once daily, to every other day etc. (3) Gradually reduce the amount taken each milking (this is the method we will employ).


14th July
Today we took only 500ml from Georgia and 250ml from Hazel - seems like a waste when they had so much more to give!
We went into CB and bought tiles for the workshop.
Played in the studio .....

15th July
So we took 500ml from a very full Georgia, went to take 250ml from Hazel, she gushed so fast we got 500ml from her too! Brett has decided we need to just stop milking (cold turkey) as, by milking them, we're just stimulating them to produce more milk - I get it but .... I hate to think how uncomfortable they will be!
I moved and unpacked eleven boxes from the shed three of the boxes had been nested in (mice) and were full of droppings, stinky piss and chewed up bits of paper (my books, prints, drawings etc). I was very pragmatic and just threw lots of stuff away (it still rankles though!!!!) and I have the smell of mouse piss up my nose!
Unfortunately some of my belongings have deteriorated in storage including my Badger brushes - all the bristles are falling out (slightly upset as they are expensive).

16th July
Shifted another 5 boxes and apart from glass and books I think that's it; I've got an awful lot of tidying and organising to do.
Last time I dyed my hair was a week or so before I diagnosed myself with cranial shingles; it was suggested at the time that I could have had an allergic reaction to hair dye, so I've been frightened to colour my hair since - it looks BAD! So today, with trepidation, I applied a natural vegetable hair dye (I was worried to read that it still contains Hydrogen Peroxide) so I'm now waiting to see if I have any reaction. I got Brett to cut 4-5" off the length too; he refuses to give me a 'pixie' cut, shaved sides or any of the other shorter styles I've suggested (because it's so hot)!
I took photos, which got immediately deleted as my face was too crooked ("Ooooh Sandra it doesn't show/ you can't tell", liars!!!!!!), even my sunglasses were lopsided.

17th July
It's so hot ...... 07.00 I was in the pool!
Andrew called round this morning to admire our pumpkin patch!
Brett did a mass if strimming, how can he work in this heat?
I made fudge, to take with us tonight; we're dining at Thomas & Diane's. And 'bread and butter pickle'; as we have so many cucumbers coming (I picked five this morning). All this was interspersed with jumping into the lukewarm (!) pool (with the annoying biting beetles - our neighbour's been baling his hay).
Our dinner date wasn't until 9.00.
3.00 a.m. the solar was reading 50% ........

18th July
OMG we didn't get to bed until gone 3.00 a.m. We had a lovely evening at Thomas & Diane's; A&K were there and a new couple, Andrea & Mark.
Hot, Hot, Hot ......
Despite all the sunshine our batteries are not charging well, I asked advice on a couple of off-grid sites and it appears that heat affects both panels and batteries, so I have been trying to cool the panels down with buckets of water! I had lots of advice that wasn't practical like "keep your batteries between 7-9C", how? Oh easy, insert 'earth pipes' or site them in a cellar ("Brett, can you dig me a cellar please"!).
I made my last cheese for a while, Chevre - the curds will be setting overnight. Hazel and Georgia look fit to burst, but they seem happy enough (staying with the flock, eating etc), I hate it I want to milk them, to make the comfortable!
I picked ELEVEN cucumbers this evening.

The batteries were 80% tonight ......

19th July
The curds weren't set this morning, they can take up to 24 hours.
Too hot to work so we went to Meimao baragem for the day,

we met Pete & Dawn there, chatted for ages, they have lemons, they leave to go back to UK on Thursday, they're bringing me lemons on Wednesday (happy days!).
We drove around the baragem to the less used side, it was rocky, in and out of the water, the getting in/out was not nice.
This evening the curds were set so I put them to drain in the oven overnight. I used some of the whey to make a fermented cucumber relish.

Bread and butter pickle (left), fermented cucumber (right)

20th July
The curds were a lovely consistency; I made two, garlic flavour, logs of fresh cheese and a small wheel that I will leave in the fridge to mature.
Yay, Pete & Dawn brought us a big bag of lemons.
I made buttermilk and yoghurt today.
We went to the village to fetch water, dump rubbish etc and met Baptiste with another new arrival (been here two weeks) - a lady called Rose.
I picked TEN cucumbers this evening ......
One of the Muscovy's started sitting on 19 eggs (they've been laying in the same nest - Me Muscovy's bed!).

21st July
Happy Birthday Saskia XXX
21 eggs in the nest this morning, so I made another nest and put 6 eggs in it (to encourage the non sitting duck to lay there).
Went into CB to buy wood for .... more tables for me and a workbench for Brett.
We had our first ever turkey egg; it was just laid on the ground out in the open, no hint of a nest! It's very pretty, all speckled.

Brett has started feeding my cucumbers to the pigs ......
Ok both ducks are sitting now (one took on 'my' nest), so I split the eggs between both nests, 11 each.

22nd July
These sitting ducks aren't like UK ducks, they get off their nest for food and drink (maybe because it's warmer here the eggs don't need so much heating?).
It's supposed to be cooler today, less than 35C.
I made lemon curd, Brett made hay racks for the sheep/goats.
C&D came round to see if Brett wanted some work (Baptiste's roof) - I'm a bit worried as it's a very high house (Chris reckons they need a 7m scaffold tower!).

23rd July
Ok I'm baffled now, both ducks are sitting but one is obviously still laying as there are 11 eggs in one nest and 12 in the other (I've marked the eggs now, so I can remove any freshly laid ones). Mr Muscovy, bless him, is standing (sitting actually) guard!

Brett started tiling the workshop; once that's done I'll have more room in the studio, atm it's full of tools.
I checked the duck's nests for extra eggs and what did I find nestled down in the middle of the duck eggs? A turkey's egg!!!
Another late night; Chicken in the Woods (Di, Baptiste,  Richie, Martine and Paul) was playing at Bar do Clube, in the village. There was a fantastic turn out from expats and villagers which meant there was a brilliant atmosphere, everyone had a good time. We got home about 2.30, we're becoming 'dirty stop outs'!

24th July
Happy Birthday Claire xxx
Feeling a little tired today!
I processed all the picked aubergines (there's masses more coming); 'Griddled Aubergines in Olive Oil' and 'Brinjal Pickle'.

Brinjal Pickle (left), Griddled Aubergines (right)

Brett had to break up a fight between a turkey and a muscovy (the muscovy was winning!), maybe the turkey was wanting to lay an egg in the Muscovy's nest?

25th July
Lobby has started being very verbal (she copies Lily); they had me up at 6.45 this morning .......
It's going to be hot today!
Oh dear, I had to break up a fight between a turkey and a muscovy!
Brett finished tiling the workshop; tomorrow he will grout.
Picked loads of tomatoes this evening - I will dry some tomorrow (unfortunately not in my super expensive (well the postage was!) dehydrator as the solar is not up to it).

26th July
Omg J&J had a fire on their quinta this morning, the bombeiros (fire engine plus helicopter) put it out; they said it was started by an electrical fault in their water pump.
I made ice cream, prepared tomatoes for drying and generally tidied up. Brett grouted.
41.6C (in the shade) at 2.00 p.m. - it was even hotter out in the open, we were both very moist!
42.4C this afternoon ...........
Still 40+C after 6.00, getting in the pool is like getting into a warm bath .......
Debbie & David have found some of my 'lost' glass pieces in the workshop in Wales but I'm still baffled as the where my glass blocks are and a couple if panels.

More VISITORS .....

22nd June
Ooooh I did a stupid thing yesterday evening; I wanted to post my blog (which I write as a QuickMemo), so I 'selected all the text' then pressed ...... 'cut' instead of 'copy'! There's no 'undo' (well there wasn't for that action the 'back arrow' was off), I panicked, all my blog lost, I 'googled' for help to no avail, I looked in 'settings' for a restore ..... tablets are not like proper computers! I couldn't find any remedy; all this time I kept the (now) blank memo open, and suddenly it reappeared, no idea how, I did nothing but I was relieved, I copied it pretty dam quick!
We went into CB and bought a pool; it's round, 12' diameter and 4' deep (so similar size, maybe a little bigger, to the tank). Of course now the ground has to be prepared to set it up - leveled, cleared of stones, layered with sand etc. Well that won't happen tomorrow as the roof is going on!!!!!!!!!!!!
The turkeys were gobbling (probably means they're all males?) and displaying, Lobby was jumping about and barking (I thought at the turkeys) but ..... it was a snake.
I made honeycomb to take to Alex & Karina's this evening.

23rd June
We had an exciting experience at K&A's yesterday, Mishka (their dog) gave birth while we were there. She was in the same room, sitting on a chair, making no noise and smiling through her contractions. She let me handle the puppies (I had to pick one up off the floor), she was so calm. She'd had had four by the time we left (gone midnight). Karina gave me some flower seedlings (zinnia, carnation and one she couldn't remember). The zinnia and carnation have edible flowers.
C&D came round and we put the roof on! Happy, happy, happy - though (despite having six windows) my studio is rather dark; Brett says plastering the walls will lighten it.

24th June
Oh no Brexit??????? I can't actually see it happening, they'll somehow manage to negotiate a better deal ......
Another snake had to be cut out of the strawberry netting.
Brett putting up a wall on the mezzanine (which from now on will be referred to as The Loft!), which will make it into a self contained room.
Me cooking and cleaning!

I always run out of lemon curd just before guests arrive (I have it for breakfast with yoghurt); fail safe recipe to the rescue .......
Haha there's already talk of a second referendum - how democratic is that?
Courgettes have started ........

This morning's harvest ....

OK house is as clean as it gets, studio/workshop is sleepable in - bring on the guests ........
The cat seems to have settled on the goat shed as a kitten home; they're three weeks old tomorrow - the same age the last lot were when they were killed. They are very cute; they're moving about, their eyes are open and they are happy to be held and stroked.

25th June
Happy Birthday Pam! Xxx
This afternoon we went into CB to collect Debbie & David from the train, then had a relaxing evening eating, drinking and catching up. AND admiring all the bits we'd managed to sneak into their luggage including ...... a cheese press and cheese cultures (presents from D&D), lino and lino cutting tools (Amazon), more lino, Tyvek and Lutradur (crafty stuff from Debs), DVD (D&D) etc.

26th June
Just stayed around the quinta (HOT).
Debbie and I made Feta cheese,

while Brett and Dave prepared the ground for the pool,

erected

and filled the

pool from the well near the house; the only one brave enough to go in was Debs

it was freezing.

27th June
We took D&D into Fundao & bought 200 onion plugs from market. D&D bought us a load of different shaped containers to use as cheese molds, then they treated us to lunch.
We all went in the pool this afternoon which had turned red!!!! We think it's iron in the water that has reacted with the Chlorine and oxidized.
The evening was spent at Bar do Club (England v Iceland) with C&D, Richie and Paul - it was a good evening AND we got free drinks again!

28th June
Debbie and I planted the onions whilst Brett and Dave watered and weeded.
After much research on the internet, Brett and Dave made a filter for the pool; fabricated from a 5L water bottle stuffed with the filling from a pillow. The filter turned dark brown and the water coming out of it was clear but .... the pump only pumps out water from the top of the pool and most of the red particles have sunk to the bottom of the pool.

29th June
This morning the pool was crystal clear but, the red particles had only sunk to the bottom, as soon as it was agitated the whole pool turned brown and murky - the homemade filter didn't have much affect.
Dave cut grass in the big field, Brett strimmered and Debbie and I played with crafty stuff; I taught her how to make a dress pattern.

30th June
My goodness this week had gone quickly.
Today we went to Spain. I had hoped to buy material and plant plugs but the market was not good. However we were treated (again) to a lovely lunch at Casa Laura (Valverde).
D&D have been splendid guests, helping with the gardening, taking over animal duties, washing up etc. Tomorrow it's back to the grindstone.

1st July
An early start as D&D's train left CB at 8.21 am. None of the shops were open until 9.00! So we had to hang around, then no-one sold anything to take iron from water (the videos we watched were American).
The cat has a swollen hind foot, and can't stand on her leg (in fact she falls over); we think it's a bite (male cat?), I'm hoping it's not broken (I dosed it with Iodine). Atm the kittens are ok but we are rather worried.
We dug up half the potatoes today; it's back breaking work.
I barricaded the cat (with her kittens) in the dog shed overnight; hopefully this will keep them safe.

2nd July
The cat and kittens were fine .....
We took a picnic

Note: our Feta cheese!

to Idanha

and had a relaxing day by/in the water.

HOT, HOT, HOT and we have no pool ...........

8th June
Today was forecast to be the hottest day of the year so far (it had reached 35.5C, in the shade, by midday); I'm seriously contemplating cutting off ALL my hair, to an inch or two all over - unfortunately I don't think Brett will do it for me (maybe Pam?).
OMG Brett was attacked by the horned ram; he charged up behind him, whacking him behind both knees, Brett's feet were whipped up off the ground and he landed onto his back and hip. The ram was setting up for another attack, but Brett forestalled him - so he's got to go; Brett says I'm not allowed in the field with him.
We went to pick up our tractor from P&M; they have done masses of grass cutting and are going to take us out for a meal to say 'thank you'.
Now we have the tractor back I have to cut the grass in the BIG field .......
By 3.00 p.m. it was over 36C on the deck, so we took our Kindles and cold beer, and spent the afternoon by the pool - it was only filled from the well yesterday so it was a trifle cold!
I was perplexed this afternoon, I was finding eucalyptus leaves all around the house (we don't have eucalyptus on the quinta), Brett explained it - there was a dust devil/whirlwind earlier which deposited debris as it passed.
Our ram (not the horned one) is still suffering; he spends a lot of time lying down. We've wormed him, but that's as much as we can do - so we might be dispatching two sheep next week!

9th June
HOT,HOT, HOT ....
And we think that's what's wrong with the ram; he's a huge beast and he can't take the heat. We moved the sheep back to Lavender paddock and he kept up with the flock easily enough, but then flopped down in the shade.
Brett had a horrible job today; the blocks on the side and central walls all had to be cut (with an angle grinder)to make a straight edge, to mount the roof beams on.

From this to ......

....... this

Added this because my windows look good!

I started mowing the big field this morning; after an hour I had done three passes around the boundary (it is a big field) and I was so hot ...... the temperature on the deck was 37.5C (out in the sun it was 45C). I parked the tractor in the shade of a tree and retired to the relative cool of the house; which I then proceeded to heat up by cooking Spanish omelette and making Halloumi and ricotta cheeses!
We wait until it's cooled down a bit (7.00ish), then do an hour or twos gardening each evening; me the perpetual weeding, Brett rotorvating and both of us watering.
The ram seemed a bit better this evening.
Beer out of the freezer, with ice crystals just forming, is so GOOD ......
We had some of the Halloumi as part of a tapas meal this evening; it was squeaky and tasty - I think I've cracked it!

Though, if I do have to criticise anything, it's the cost (I've had people ask to buy it but there's no way they could afford it); five litres of milk made twice the amount cooked this evening and it took me about four hours to make it - so I've worked out that tonight's serving would need to sell for a minimum of 25€ to make it worth my while selling it!!!! Though when we eat it or serve it to friends I think of it as 'free' food.

10th June
Portugal Day, another Public Holiday .........
I actually got up early (before 7.00 am.) to start on the grass cutting, before it got to hot but the grass was wet (dew), so I had to wait for it to dry off; however it's forecast to be cooler today (only 25C).
What a horrible start to the day; the ram was dead! We had to manouvre him into the back of the truck - he must weigh 20-30 stones (i.e. bloody heavy). His skin was purple, so we think heart attack - due to his weight and the heat. Of course we can't eat him as, (1) we don't know for sure why he died (2) he wasn't bled (3) we wormed him recently - what a waste ........
Brett cut the final wall and finished the block work (yay!). I spent several hours on the tractor - I estimate that I have a good third of the field done (well at least a quarter). It's dirty work and I can't stop sneezing.
Hmmmm, Brett says I've done about a fifth (pooh)!!!!!!!
P&M treated us to a meal at the 'skewer' restaurant; we had a lovely relaxed evening.

11th June
This evening we went to the bar (with more friends) to watch football, England v Russia (1,1) - it was a very boring game!

12th June
I spent most of the day weeding.
Brett fixed the doors to the studio/workshop.
Then I cooked and prepared for entertaining more friends (Nicky & Rich); another lovely relaxed evening.
And now we're socialised out ........

13th June
I have so many water kefir grains; everytime I start a fresh batch (every 48 hours) they have multiplied, I'm practically begging friends to take some - I might even offer them on Facebook. Karina took some today and Diane is having some tomorrow (and my grains will have easily reproduced by this amount during this time, so I'll still have a surplus!).

I started with 2 tablespoons! !!

Cesar might be bringing our joists tomorrow - the roof could be on by the end of the week ......
I weeded (six rows of onions nearly completed).

14th June
Well my hope that the pool would stay clear if we kept topping it up with fresh water didn't happen; it's green with clumps of algae floating on it - so we're going to have to buy a paddling pool (to use until next year when we'll get a proper swimming pool).
And I continued weeding.
Brett continued studio work whilst waiting for Cesar.

15th May
Rather dull today, with a bit of rain.
1.5L of milk this morning (most ever in one milking and I didn't milk them dry) this gave me a total of 7L of fresh milk = cheese making day; Halloumi and Ricotta, as they're the only ones I'm confident with - I can't wait for Debbie's visit next week when she can advise me!
I also made 3L of Kefir lemonade but only 2L of water kefir as I'm running out of bottles, and space; Brett is starting to complain (I have rather taken over the brown cupboard!).
Diane took some kefir grains but, as predicted, the grains are multiplying faster than I can give them away - Brett says I can always throw them away (doesn't he know me at all????)!.
We wanted to flavor the ricotta, so far we've just added salt, so we 'googled' suggestions, and liked the idea of 'maple syrup with walnuts'; our version is 'honey and pecan nuts', it tastes delicious!

The Halloumi was 'spot on'😀.
Still waiting for our joists ........ they arrived at 9.00 p.m.

16th June
Up at 6.30 (me), 8.00 (Brett), as we wanted to get an early start and go in to CB. It's awfully cold this early, in fact it was a cold night - we had to have an extra duvet.
Bought lots (11) of solar lights for the deck, and other bits and pieces.
This afternoon I finished weeding the onions (at long last).

17th June
We had to go into Penamacor for animal and human food shopping.
We met Andy in Mini-P car park (prearranged) and I gave him a huge jar of water kefir grains for Clare to distribute amongst the Red Tent ladies tomorrow.
Then we met Josh to show him Jo's quinta (which he's selling for her).
A quick coffee with P&M (to pick up the material she bought me from the Spanish market).
Phew ..... lunch at home, then Brett laid the mezzanine floor in the studio/workshop. While I planted out lettuce plugs and sowed lettuce in a polystyrene seed tray which I have floating in the irrigation tank (an experiment that Wendy told me about).

18th June
27C in the shade (temperature is climbing).
I want to try making Chevre again, but I'm waiting 24 hours while I test the viability of my culture (just add to milk, leave in a warm place (68-72F) and wait).
Brett started making a staircase for the mezzanine; once he's completed that all that's left is putting on the roof and building a partition wall (so no-one can fall off), then it can be slept on.
I weeded tomatoes, tomatillos, aubergine and peppers before lunch, squash after lunch.
For lunch we cut into my first matured cheese (only three weeks old) - it has made a thick rind in that time.

I booked my plane ticket (Rebecca & Paul's wedding), I wish Brett was coming too.
Our bird net is ruined ..... a snake got caught up in it and Brett had to cut it out (the snake survived).

19th June
The hot weather is back ....... and we don't have a pool (hopefully we'll get one this week).
Hmmm, the culture did nothing to milk, it's supposed to set like 'pudding', mine was still milk-like (but it does taste sour); this could explain our lack of success with Chevre (maybe Debbie's bringing a culture that will work?). Having said that I did use goat's milk, so I'm repeating the experiment using (pasteurised, skimmed - it's all I have access to) cow's milk.
Brett is racing against the clock; today he finished the staircase; it looks fantastic.

20th June
Happy Birthday Mel. Xxx
Yes, the cow's milk worked, I have cultured buttermilk; this evening I will try making chevre again (setting overnight to avoid the excessive heat in the daytime).
Oh bloody hell it's hot!!!!!! And we don't have a pool ........
Brett carried on with the building (I don't know how he can work in the heat), I started cleaned and tidying in preparation for visitors (it's so dusty here and the main culprits for bringing it in the house are the dogs!).
This evening we went to Bar do Club, with friends, to watch England v Slovakia football match. Before we left I made my Chevre (fingers crossed).
Despite another boring football match it was quite a social evening. We paid our tab at gone midnight and then we get given another round of drinks on the house (we really didn't need them).

21st June
39C in the shade .......
At first glance the chevre looked like it was fermenting like last time

(I was scrupliously clean) but it was just scum on the whey, there were perfect soft curds sunk to the bottom of the pan;

Lovely soft curds

hoo-bloody-rah, I was starting to think I'd never get it right. As it was so hot today I hung my curds to drip

in the oven (tip found on the internet) as it's insulated and therefore cooler than the ambient temperature. 5L of milk yielded 21.5 oz's of cheese.

Chevre logs flavored with fresh chives

After giving away all my surplus grains (4 days ago), I now have more to get rid of .....

Brett fixed the roof joists in place, now the roof can go on! Tomorrow, however, we are going into CB to buy a (much needed) pool; we're going to have it quite near to the house (so we'll be able to run a pump and filter) and, when Brett has time (Haha), we'll get decking built around it.
I spent the day inside cooking and cleaning -two of my most unliked jobs (1) cleaning the oven; which will soon be smoky and dirty again (a thankless task) (2) washing everything on the dresser; but it does look lovely and sparkle now with just my favorite things on it

(too soon it'll have milking paraphernalia and animal buckets back on it - I'm quite good about not being too precious about it).
Once the workshop has a roof all the sacks of animal food will be out of the kitchen and Brett's tools will be out of the living room (happy days).
We had a totally home produced meal this evening; goat cheese omelette, new potatoes and cougette (our first one) sauteed in olive oil - pretty dam tasty!

SUMMER HAS ARRIVED ....,,,

29th May
ALL NIGHT long this has been going through my mind over and over again, so I didn't sleep well; in an effort to get it out of my head I'm writing it down .....

In days of old
When knights were bold
Lady Godiva caught a cold
By riding through the streets all bare
Whilst only covered by her hair
Not so her husband Leofric
Who carried a fur lined walking stick
Whenever he went out to tea
In medieval Coventry
                    DENNIS KNIGHT

It's a silly rhyme made up, by my father, when I was a child.

Another dull day with rain showers forecast = another day when it's not worthwhile Brett starting work on the studio! So he strimmered around the house, hopefully he'll do enough so we won't need the ruminants back.
I feel a bit like a witch this morning; I have so much exciting bubbling and brewing going on:
~ Chevre cheese dripping out its whey through butter muslin on the table (though I am a bit worried about it as there were bubbles on top of the curds, maybe it was left too long?

~ Kombucha scooby making tea into a probiotic drink (which tastes like cider/vinegar depending on your taste buds!)
~ Kombucha drink fermenting (making it slightly alcoholic and fizzy), whilst growing a baby scooby
~ Kefir grains multiplying in sweet water, making another type of probiotic drink (and grains to share with friends)
~ A couple of bottles of Kefir water mixed with fruit juices (orange (ours) and mixed summer berries (mini-p's!)) which is on its second fermentation, making a fizzy, slightly alcoholic drink (which actually tastes good!).

The cheese making is getting better but it's still crumbly, rather than creamy; so next time I'll use 1/4 drop of rennet to a gallon of milk!

30th May
A sunny start to the day ......
Today we put the screening up around the deck; it looks like a cross between a Greek tavern and an African camp - but, once we get the gates on, it'll be animal proof.

31st May
OK I think summer has arrived ...... bright blue sky, full sun, 30C in the shade.
I was a bit 'iffy' about the screening yesterday but looking at it in the morning sun it makes fabulous shadows, which I love;

the decking looks so cool (in the 'not warm' sense, rather than the 'hip' word!) and inviting .......
Fourth attempt at Chevre; everything I have read suggests that too much rennet can result in a rubbery curd - so ONE DROP of rennet mixed with 4 tablespoons of water, I will use ONE tablespoon (i.e. 1/4 drop of rennet) of the mixture, and throw the rest away! Everything else will stay the same.
Brett started early on his blocking, he's hoping to have it finished by the end of the week - then the roof can go on!
The vegetable garden, in and around the plants, is a carpet of lush small weeds; I managed to weed around six tomato plants in four hours!!!! I'm being very thorough, getting every single weed out, plus the roots - it's mind numbingly boring work, but necessary as 50% of the growth is purslane - a clever little plant that can grow from the smallest cutting and rehydrate from a dessicated state! Yes thank you, I know you can eat it, I keep being told this (by, obviously, non gardeners and copious posts on Facebook!) .........
The decking in the evening sun looks good too.

7.00 p.m. I made the Chevre, that way I can catch it at exactly the right time to drain (should take between 12 - 18 hours).

1st June
8.00 The Chevre was no where near set.
Brett blocking, me weeding and doing the washing.
Lunchtime: looked at the 'cheese', the curds were fermenting/bubbling, which could mean alien bacteria (though I've been very hot on hygiene); Brett thinks it could be the heat (which is hotter than the recipe calls for) whatever the reason I'm bloody pissed off, it's getting ridiculous now Chevre is supposed to be a beginner's cheese i.e. easy!!!!
I'm very impressed with Amazon; I ordered Brett's birthday present last Thursday, it was dispatched on Monday (Bank Holiday), today (Wednesday) a van arrive at the house with his parcel - the driver had a random bloke in his cab who he'd stopped in the village to ask where we lived (he got in and showed him the way, we don't know him!).
We watched 'Alice through the Looking Glass' this evening - it was nothing like the book!

2nd June
Happy Birthday Jean, XXX
Brett blocking, me weeding, making cake and birthday cards. We're going to Bar do Clube for a few drinks with friends (17) tomorrow to celebrate Brett's birthday.

3rd June
Happy Birthday Brett💝💝💝💝💝Xxxx
Happy Birthday Nicky x
I gave Brett a Shepherd's Crook for his birthday - I think he likes it, it'll be very handy when he needs to catch specific sheep.
I spent the day cleaning the house and cooking, as Nicky and Rich were supposed to be coming for the night (unfortunately they cancelled as Rich has a bad back). Brett did some blocking (he wanted to).
Then we went to the bar to have drinks with all Brett's friends.

4th June
We're both a little bit delicate after last night's frivolities! It was a good evening - the drink and conversation flowed, we didn't get home until gone midnight.
We left Hazel and Georgia (our milkers) out in the field last night (in case we were in no state to milk this morning!); their kids fed off them all night, so they didn't need milking this morning but Jelisa (one of our new goats) did. We have never milked her before, we don't know if she has even kidded, but we have seen Sharon's kids (the other new goats) feeding from her. She gave a whopping 900ml of milk! It looks a bit watery (which is common in maiden milkers) so we'll feed it to the pigs for the time being. She was absolutely brilliant, just ate her food and her milk flowed out (more like Hazel than Georgia).
We went to Meimao for a picnic with more friends. Very relaxing, met lots of new people - mainly English but a couple of Portuguese. And I might have a commission; Christine's daughter has just bought a place locally, they have two doors with three small transom lights (like fan lights but rectangular)above, that they would like some coloured glass in (first job in the new studio?).
Picked a colander full of strawberries ..........

5th June
The cat has had her kittens - in the brambles underneath the living room window (maybe she's thinking we can protect them?). Only two this time and, as far as I can tell, completely white.

A bit dull today.
Hubble, bubble ....... I have two batches of yoghurt going; a goat's milk (which is what I ultimately want to make, but apparently it's a bit problematic) and a cow's milk (for comparison, and to ensure my culture is viable), they're sitting in the warmth of the car (I used to use the greenhouse in Wales). And my water kefir is going great guns; the grains have multiplied dramatically (I purchased 2 tablespoons and have just measured what I have now - over 9 heaped tablespoons), so I now have 2 lots of water on the go and have made, a second fermentation version of, lemonade (lots of experimenting).
Back to work today after two days off; Brett blocked this morning and cut grass this afternoon (hopefully for the last time for a few months), I finished weeding the carrots and did a good half a row of onions (it makes my hip flavors ache!).
This evening I dug up some potatoes (I had thought they were blighted, but chatting to Andrew on Friday he said his were the same and the plants were over without flowering); so happy, I dug up two plants and got nearly 2lbs.

We have a poorly ram, he just wants to lie down - he's very heavy and it's very hot, I'm hoping it's not his heart.

6th June
The yoghurt culture (Lidl's Greek Yoghurt) worked well - the cow's milk yoghurt is just right but the goat's milk one is runny and lumpy (as predicted by internet research), I will strain off the whey and make it into cheese - ha, that didn't work everything through the cheese cloth!!! But researching (via internet) tells me I should have killed off the natural bacteria (slightly different to cow's milk) in the goat's milk first, by heating to 180, so I'll try that tomorrow.
Brett has loaned his 'pride & joy' (the tractor) to PaM for a couple of days.
More blocking, more weeding ........ then I dug up a good amount of carrots (sown last autumn), potatoes and beetroot (again last year's, but it hasn't bulbed up, we'll eat the leaves).

7th May
It's getting hotter, tomorrow 35C is forecast .........
The pool has been cleaned out and filled; as we are watering the Portuguese way, flooding channels, we won't be putting chlorine in it this year - hope it doesn't turn green!
Blocking and weeding.