Portugal- a little introduction to myself and whats going on here.

Hello! Years ago my now-husband and I travelled around Europe and North Africa (in a beaten up old land-rover), and we fell in love with Portugal. 'One day' we said, 'we'll come back here and buy a little ruin and piece of land'. We are now 'living the dream' as they say, in Central Portugal.The little ruin was knocked down and in it's place a big contemporary house (that architect saw us coming for sure!)- which we are probably going to spend the rest of our lives trying to finish (and/or clean!). The little piece of land is eleven acres of brambles, broom, oak, mimosa and olive trees. The land is very steep, and after two years of living on it we are still nowhere near clearing it. We have managed to clear a vegie garden, and have planted loads of new trees- lots of fruit trees, citrus and nuts.We are trying to be (nearly) self-sufficient, and organic- the latter being quite a challenge as all our neighbours are not shy with chemicals. Chickens, ducks and a couple of new geese have joined us, and we kept two pigs last year (which are now in the freezer!).My dream is to create a wonderful garden here- in my mind I see flowering almonds, neatly pruned olives, drifts of grasses and bulbs, and in reality it's pretty much solid granite and weeds! Sometimes I think I might have bitten off more than I can chew! The other consideration is the weather extremes- the winter is often cold and wet, and the summer can be scorching (it's an area prone to bush fires too). Irrigation is a major investment for us currently, in readiness for the summer- luckily we aren't short of water- like alot of the surrounding farms.Overall our Portugal experience has been truly fantastic- if not a little daunting. The people are wonderful and we have been made so welcome. The land here is amazing and uncovering the old terrace walls (and shoes- you wouldn't believe the amount of old shoes I have dug up!) is so rewarding.

"Others have ID ed it.
I chop them off at ground level with secutears then spray a drop or two of Praxys on the wound... if it doesnt killt he first time, it will the 2nd or 3rd"

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"If it has thorns it is likely to be a Robinia. I have a client who has a couple of trees 10 or so Metres away & this year they have been popping up all over the lawn. A nightmare tree for anybody who climbs!!!
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Comments

Kerrie John-The garden design Co January 19, 2009 at 6:08pm

Sounds wonderful Shelley, even if a bit daunting. Well done for being so brave. Would love to see pictures of the house as well as the granite garden!

What's with the shoes, was the site originally a cobblers or is there a more sinister reason......
PRO

Craig McGinty January 19, 2009 at 6:10pm

Hi Shelley, sounds as though you've had quite an adventure already in Portugal! Looking forward to reading more about your experiences.
All the best, Craig
PRO

Phil Voice January 19, 2009 at 6:12pm

Hi Shelley

Same here, well done on your success and I would love to see some photos too.

Best

Phil
Shelley Barnes January 20, 2009 at 12:22pm

Thanks guys- Kerrie I think the past residents just threw their stuff out of the back door when they grew out of it, or they wore out!- and shoes probably just don't bio-degrade very easily- at least thats what I thought- I haven't found any bones!!
I will put some photos on when I get a chance :-)