Wwoofing or black feet, babbling brooks, Moooooom, millipedes and other animal and human stories

Greta: We have been in Portugal for three weeks now and have already accomplished a lot! Since we are wwoofing, we have to help out here (much more than expected). We have finished the composting toilet house, weeded the garden, planted beds, sorted stones (they are abundant here), sifted soil, uncovered an aqueduct, and built a mud kitchen for the children using pallets. In between, we have cooked, played with the 3 children, fed animals, and visited nearby towns, such as Coimbra, where there are not paintings, but beautiful tiles hanging on the facades. There were also tiles with many mathematical formulas at a pharmacy in Pedrogao Grande. In Coimbra, we visited a café where there were amazing meringue clouds, a botanical garden, and the oldest university in Portugal. In the botanical garden, I identified a huge ficus tree and we walked through a bamboo forest.

And in between, heavy rain and Moooooom!

Nadine: Sometimes we were limited in our activities due to the weather conditions and focused on patching up holes in the roof and making the tents waterproof so that we wouldn't float away. Due to the rain, the slopes have collapsed, making the steep paths very muddy and making it difficult to access the garden. Well, the plants are happy and the weeds are thriving. The goats have also gotten used to the rain. There are many crawling creatures, lizards, and amphibians to observe here.

We tried to upright over 10-meter-high eucalyptus trunks for a tipi. Unfortunately, we didn't have enough people and it didn't succeed. But we won't give up and will continue to work on our technique! In any case, it's all about learning by doing.

There are plenty of other projects and big ideas here where we can be useful.

We are getting married on July 29th, 2023, and we still need some pallet sofas for the bar. No problem for Greta and Fridi! Said, done, and ta-da! Now there is a cozy seating area in the chill area. On June 17th, 2023, we inaugurated it with a small celebration with our neighbors, coffee, and cake. Surprisingly, there were enough women and men present who managed to set up the huge tipi frame in the garden.

And in between, the pigs escaped and had to be caught!

The garden is an ongoing project and the constant cycle of rain and sun not only helps the pumpkins and melons thrive!

In particular, the vetch and field bindweed and the usual weeds that we also know from Germany and cannot name are spreading here on Portuguese soil, turning paths and beds into a large meadow. In between, we have cabbage, beets, physalis, kohlrabi, corn, coriander, fennel, sweet potatoes, potatoes, peanuts, carrots, and more.

There are stones everywhere here, perfect for a rock garden. After three weeks, we have managed to give the garden a structure again and make it accessible.

And in between, we wash the laundry and hope it dries before the next rain comes.

And then there's Woods up and the eucalyptus! The traces of the forest fires from recent years can still be seen all over Portugal. As a fire protection measure, it is now required to cut down eucalyptus trees at least 50 meters around residential houses. Simon has been looking for native tree species and has made initial plans for transforming part of the forest property. He has discovered some small cork oaks that need to be supported. There are plenty of strawberry trees (medronho). Many eucalyptus trees have been felled and let's see what else can grow here.

And in between, we cook and enjoy coffee.

Over the weekend, we had time for smaller trips to the nearby area and the sea.

Fridtjof: To quote Mom: And in between, Noah, the youngest of us, would say 'Rille, rille, rille...' And in between, always '...only if Greta and Fridtjof come with me..!' And then we would spend time riding or playing hide and seek until it felt like midnight with Amadeus and Sabrina: 'You and Greta hide in the toilet house and I have to find you!' or '...find me, I'm under the bar!'

But when it rains, Greta and I can also work. But then the roof of the outdoor kitchen collapses and is quickly repaired during dinner. And eventually, the sun shines again. Finally, it's back to Portugal and almost 30 degrees. Just when the water pump is broken... oh well. It would be boring if everything always went smoothly, and we still have some time until the wedding. So... no stress!

On June 21st, 2023, we will pack up our tents and continue towards the Atlantic - to Nazare.