Hidden in the mountains of Serra Do Açor

     After most exhilarating events, or post party energy, the end of the excited feeling... has approached.   Calmness has set itself snuggly upon our village. Only the old ladies gathering at dawn to walk the roads around our mountains. The garden has been giving so much of late, and i am almost caught up the creek with how many ways i can feed my family using a mixture of potatoes in all their wondeful ways, green beans, pumpkin, courgette, corn, tomatoes, onions, garlic, lettuce, eggs, flour.... Learning all the ways one can turn an old spud into many delicious a meal. Fries, boiled, rissoles, mash, burgers, gnocchi, soup, the list goes on.   Tonight i made potato bread, that was fun, and the family loved it. Ill post some recipes soon too, of what we grow and how we eat it, store it for the winter months here on the farm.

    Journey's within and without, a vast land mass covered, has brought me back to the wonderful mountains of Serra de Açor, my home.   This summer the cool breezes sweep the hills, and valleys', predicted rainfall during the next few days, will bring restbite to the land and all the animals that dwell here.  Malhada Festa is upon us as we welcome in the people from the cities whom families have lived and worked here in this very village, years ago.  The convivio, local community space, is open, people gather, children reunite as do old faces. Preparations for the decoration are being organised, bunting to be put up in the streets, traditional Portuguese music is played in the square. Each year i learn more of the language as i talk with people. Usually i speak with the locals, about the weather, the garden, and various daily tasks. When the city people arrive my Portuguese seems unimpressive and i get things all the wrong way round. My son on the other hand, is pret