“Any major effort takes time, and the time it takes travels through various states of our soul . . . “ – Fernando Pessoa
My boots squelched as I dragged some branches deeper into the clearing closer to the sharka. Michael was adament that the rows olive tree cuttings shouldn’t be too long, as we were still uncertain how to deal with it. In an ideal world, we would feed it through a chipper and add them to our compost heap. None of which we have yet. Not to mention a lack of time, as we only had one week on the land, and dealing with olive cuttings wasn’t actually on our official to-do list. It was one of those tasks that sneaked up on us.
As Michael had to finish the kitchen, install a bathroom cupboard, design and take measurements for a cupboard to hide all the various pipes and utilities in the bathroom, and other fiddly bits, the job fell to me as the only available unskilled labourer on the property. I tackled it with enthusiasm, as being surrounded by fresh air and birdsong, while soaking up the warmth of the sun came pretty close to my version of the idylic picture of joy. At least that’s what it felt like in the early hours of the morning after a good night’s sleep, before it deteriorated into one of the many degrees of exhaustion I came to know intimately as I huffed and puffed under a cruel sun, dragging or carrying the cuttings from forty trees away from the olive grove where the birdsong was drowned out by the whine of Matthias’ electric saw relentlessly adding to my workload.
* * * *
“You’ve ruined it for me.”
I flung these words at Michael, as I walked past him dragging a bunch of cuttings he secured with a rope, much bigger than what I could manage. He looked at me, baffled.
“Now I can’t say that I’ve done it all by myself.” I muttered, more upset with my own inability to complete the job in time than the help he offered when it became clear that I would not finish the job on my own in the time that was left.
“Don’t worry.” He soothed. “I won’t tell anyone.”
I nodded. Too tired and too busy to waste any energy on unnecessary words.
Written by: Jolandi
# We still don’t have any idea how we will deal with all the cuttings. I guess it all depends on when we would be able to make it back to the land, which in the current Covid-19 world of lockdowns it may well be many months from now. As I write this, stuck in a small two-bedroom apartment on the 8th floor in Abu Dhabi I realise that I would much rather be working on the land, no matter how exhausting the work, than being unable to move about freely.
I missed the previous post! I had to go back and read that one to put this newer one in context. Clearing pruned limbs from an orchard is hard work, even if you managed to cut them into smaller pieces. The last photo however looks great, almost like a rustic garden. I do hope you get to enjoy your farm someday without all the chores hanging over your heads!
We will always have some sort of physical labour or chore we need to take care of, but I trust that as we get the hang of things and can keep our finger on the work it will never feel as overwhelming as it currently does. I’m actually looking forward to the day I can spend part of my days engaged in a physical activity on the land, without having to rush through it. This pandemic has obviously messed up all our plans for the year, as it is impossible to know how long it will take for things to return to some sort of normal, but but we are now more convinced than ever that we yearn for a life closer to nature, Hangaku. – Jolandi
As always, a wonderful read and not to even start with the photos and videos, they’re great.
I’m sure you have wished more than once that you could really divide yourself in four to finish all that work sooner.
And I think it very sweet that Mike won’t breathe a word of him helping you, but that you’re good enough giving him at least some credit. Hahaha.
Hopefully we’ll all be able to return to a relatively normal life real soon. Hugs and love to you both. Take care.
I can’t wait for life to return to some sort of normal, although I’m not holding my breath that it is going to be within the next month or two. I had the same thought – if only I could have divided myself in four I would have been done in a day! 🙂 – Jolandi
I can’t imagine how exhausted you must have been after all that branch-clearing! I wonder how many miles you walked! It all looks wonderful; no wonder you miss it and wish you were there instead of in your apartment.
Not only has this Covid-19 been the death of thousands of people but it has put us into another recession
and messed up so many plans! Let us hope it calms down soon and we can get on with living our lives.
Take care and keep well, Jolandi!
I also wondered about the number of miles I did, Clare. Although the land looks fairly flat, there is quite a bit of an incline, so I quickly realised just how unfit I am at this point in time. 🙂
I feel sad for the families who have lost loved ones to the virus, but even more so for the millions of people who have lost their livelihood overnight. The recession we are being pushed into and messed up plans will have far reaching effects. I wonder how it will change the way we think and live in the world. Like you, I hope it will calm down sooner than later to diminish the impact. Take care, and stay safe, Clare. – Jolandi
Hello, so relaxing to watch s’one else do hard work 🙂 What a job, I believe you had no E left & Michael saw, appreciated & tried to relieve that. But what a trooper you (both) are! PS dare say the pile of branches might still be there next visit to be photographed & we can be your witnesses. Sad that the time there was so short, but looks like you made opportunity of every second, including getting back to your provisional ‘home’, safety & pussycats.. PS what is the ‘sharka’ – looks lovely.
We are very grateful for the time we could spend there, but even more grateful that we planned only a week and not two weeks, as we would have been stranded there otherwise, Alena. And no matter how much I would prefer being on the land than in our apartment in Abu Dhabi right now, it would have been a financial disaster for us. The sharka is a bit like a seasonal “puddle” (or small dam) that forms during the rainy season, but disappears in summer.
That had to be exhausting work, but for now it is done and hopefully you will discover a way to discard the cuttings. I am glad to hear you and Michael are well and safe. It feels as though the world has been shifted off of its axis. I too am beginning to feel very confined, missing my freedoms that I won’t take for granted again. Thank you for the post, it gave me a fun something to read and watch the video. Please take care.
Terri
I don’t think any of us will take our freedoms for granted again, Terri. Who knew that a trip to the supermarket could feel like an adventure! I wonder what the world will look like when this has run its course. When I find my sanity wobbling, I watch videos of our time on the land, as a way to escape feeling confined. Strange how I now miss things I’ve previously grumbled about. 🙂 Take care of yourself, and stay sane. – Jolandi
How lucky that you did not have that two week break on the land. I imagine by the time you can return most of the leaves and thinner branches will have broken down of their own accord. Perhaps become a home to some of the local wildlife. Then maybe you can hire a chain-saw for the day and saw the trunks into lengths for firewood. If not yours, someone will be happy to take it off your hands. Thank goodness your renovation is past the lock-up stage!
Isn’t it amazing how one can always find something to be grateful for? It will be interesting to see what those cuttings look like by the time we can return. We really hope we will be able to cut some firewood (like you say) and perhaps feed the rest through a chipper.
I miss the land, and am looking forward to making that permanent move. – Jolandi
Hello Jolandi,
It seems like such a daunting task!
Still, the area looks so beautiful. I am happy you were able to make progress one step at a time, and made it back safely before the quarantine. Wishing you both continued health and happiness!
I marvelled at how quickly the task that started out joyful turned into one that was rather daunting, Takami. Yet, now I would much rather be on the land busy with physical chores. 🙂
It really was a blessing that we could make it back to Abu Dhabi, even though I miss the land.
We hope you and your husband are well, and surviving these trying times with good spirits. – Jolandi
Don´t worry Jolandi! the UAE will open it´s borders soon and you will be able to enjoy the sunny Portugal. I want to have a taste of the next olive´s batch.
Take your time to check the link below on some tips about growing olives.
https://www.haifa-group.com/olives-fertilizer/crop-guide-growing-olives
Cheers!
Thanks for the link, Ewans. I will definitely check it out. There is so much to learn.
This whole pandemic just serves to reinforce why I want to live a simpler life on the land.
How are things in Lisbon?
Stay healthy and sane!
– Jolandi
A lot of work, but ultimately rewarding. Yes, to be in the sun working on and enjoying the land beats imposed isolation. I’m not sure when international borders will re-open, or if a simple 1-2 week trip would require a 2 week isolation period after each international flight. Do you have someone continuing to manage and work on your new home in the interim?
It definitely beats this isolation. There is vague talk that ‘European’ borders will open during summer, but that could mean anything, and will also depend on a whole lot of things to be right first. The question is also how they will open and if they will have extra requirements. We suspect that there will be a two week self-isolation in most places after international travel. So my plan is to, the moment Portugal opens its borders, to fly there for an intended period of 2 to 3 months. I will then be able to move the last of the work forward and also see if I cannot get some of the official paperwork I need to start my residence visa process sorted. To play it safe, Michael won’t join me, as we suspect borders will open and shut down again. Perhaps a couple of times, before things normalise, and it won’t be a problem if I get stuck, but it would be one if he gets stuck. That’s the plan for now, but we will have to see how things play out. At the moment no work is happening, as the electrician is not allowed to work. – Jolandi