Hey hey.... we've now had a few days of dry weather so we've really been cracking on outside, we now have another three smaller terraces uncovered and reclaimed with another couple of tangerine trees and 4 more olive trees... There is still quite a way to go before all is done down there but its looking so good!! Although Rik being a pagan has caused him a little angst about cutting down so many trees , as the whole area is full of wild oak trees and saplings are everywhere, sadly oak is a weed here, its of no use for its wood as it splits too easily in the heat, and we desperately need the space they are taking up. So we've cut them down, most will be used as logs to keep us warm next winter, we have started a planned planting to try to make up for it though, plenty of fruit and nuts should help for a start. We have also been offered some good free sweetchestnut saplings to plant too, we just have to decide where to put them as they grow very big and we dont want them to overshadow other areas too much.
On monday I'll be leaving Rik to work on down there alone as I have to start making the area around the cottage look pretty for the spring, the bank by the carpark where I have my spring bulbs planted is very overgrown and tatty, as are the flowerbeds by the patio. It will all look a little bare untill flowers grow again but at least it will be tidy.
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