Letter from Espargal: 23 June 2017

The week started badly in Portugal. Sixty-four people died and three times that number were injured in terrible forest fires in the north of the country. A thousand plus fire-fighters struggled to bring vast infernos under control in torrid conditions. Most of the victims were caught in their cars as they fled the flames. Portugal suffers from particularly devastating forest fires, for reasons that this BBC article explains: http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-40341180



With some relief we noted the passing of the solstice as the sun changed tack and started its journey back south - not that we expect any relief until at least September. Our day temperatures hover around the mid-30s. I have been grateful for the air conditioner that we installed in the study. My sister, Cathy, who is flying in from Berlin this morning, will be equally grateful for the unit in the guest room.

A LICK OF PAINT IS ALL IT LACKS

Vitor called to say that he'd replaced the welded scarifier arm and finished renewing and servicing the implement. The toughest part of the repair was levering off and then putting back those heavy springs, not a task for the faint-hearted.



He did a great job, angle-grinding off numerous rusty bolts/nuts, replacing them and greasing the implement (for the first time in years) through newly-installed nipples. The previous ones had rusted into invisibility. I wasn't even aware of their existence.



Here, rather belatedly, is a picture from Natasha of her young son (right) competing in the synchronised trampoline. His mate/partner is on the left. Little wonder the judges are impressed.

JUST MY SIZE

Prickles laid early claim to a dog basket donated by Marie & Olly. They were among friends who joined us for several meals, out under the stars. The weather, prickly by day, is perfect for al fresco dining in the evenings.



For the rest, the week hasn't proved particularly bloggable. We did lots of unmemorable running around. As well as doing sterling work in the garden, Barbara took lots of pictures. She was fascinated by the play of light in the wine glass.



As dazzling as it was, I found the contents more appealing. At this time of year we tend towards the light, petillant vinho verde wines, which are both refreshing and forgiving. One can find perfectly acceptable bottles for as little as two euros.



Russ took his blue (comfort) blanket out on to the cobbles and posed prettily behind the marigolds. I trim him at least once a week. Prickles and Barri have also come under the shears.



You will all be familiar with the spectacular Tecoma Grandiflora. The gates and car in the background provide proof that I'm not just downloading other people's pictures from the internet.



And here's the voluptuous Hoya, now out in flower beside the back patio.



Jones also snapped this rare Zebra Swallowtail. (It's rare in our garden, at least!)



She wasn't as keen on the colony of long-legged spiders that she found breeding in the guest bathroom and on the south patio. I'd have vacuumed the lot up but she did her best to relocate them. A snake that found its way into our garden wasn't as lucky. One of the dogs did for it.



Suspicion has fallen on Pally, who continues to spend his days rooting around excitedly in the rockeries and the park. His three-legged agility is quite remarkable. As I say, it hasn't been a famously bloggable week, so I'll leave things there.