“It is not speed that matters, it’s persistence.”
– Abhijit Naskar
The past week was an exceptionally busy week on the quinta, and both Michael and I were exhausted yesterday. We told a friend on Saturday that no tool will be lifted on Sunday, as we were planning to make it a rest day, but nothing came of our good intentions. Sundays, for me is for writing a blog post, and resting, and although I started on it, Michael’s restless energy rubbed off on me, so I headed outside to work in the vegetable garden in preparation for him to lay some irrigation pipes for me. I was soon called away to help him put a pump into the well, which meant that it didn’t take long for me to completely abandon my intention of getting this post published on time. But let me start at the beginning of the week . . .
Monday started with us getting up early to unroll a couple of rolls of pipe in preparation of Tim’s arrival to help us dig the trenches and holes for the irrigation system of our planned orchard.
Six 50 metre length red pipes were rolled out on Saturday already, and we managed to connect and seal them to make three lengths of 100 metres each. These will serve as conduits for other pipes, and we have already pulled a 40mm water pipe through one of the red conduit pipes. We felt ready for Tim to dig the 100 metre trench connecting the well near the planned orchard to a place close to the house, where the Electrician will get someone else to dig under two dry stone walls and the road to connect to the electric box. He will then pull an electric cable through one of the pipes to give us power at the well to run the irrigation system, while the water pipe we pulled through will bring well water to the house for us to irrigate the garden, as we would like to only use the borehole for water in the house. The third red pipe is extra if we ever need to pull anything else through, as the biggest expense lies in digging a trench.
With the ground still soft after the winter and spring rains it was easy going for Tim until he struck a big rock halfway through our olive grove. Michael decided that he should finish the trench before finding a solution for that hiccup. Although Michael expected water to seep into the freshly dug trench it happened much quicker than we thought it would. Upliftment can be a real problem when too much water seeps through. The pipes will float, making it difficult to backfill the trench. We had to act quickly to avoid a problem and just managed to do so with Michael and I wrestling with the conduit pipes, while Tim backfilled the trench.
Next was to revisit the rock midway. One of Michael’s requirements for the trench was that it should be at least a metre deep, which meant that if we ever needed to, we will be able to plow the land without having to worry about pipes being plowed up or damaged. Tim dug around the rock to establish its size, and with an immense amount of patience and skill started to break it up. Luckily it worked, as the trench not only had to be deep, but also as straight as possible to facilitate pulling cables or another pipe through without it getting stuck midway.
Monday ended with the trench dug, pipes laid, and the trench backfilled and the ground levelled. We felt tired but happy with what we accomplished within a day, despite a couple of intermittent rain showers which drenched Michael three times.
On Tuesday morning digging work started in the orchard with 40 holes for trees and trenches for the irrigation pipes. Michael and I managed to lay out the design with string, rebar pieces and warning tape on Monday. While Tim started digging, Michael and my Stand-in started measuring out and cutting the irrigation pipes to the correct length and attaching the relevant fittings and connections. I was very grateful that I found someone who was prepared to come help Michael with work I would have had to do otherwise, which meant I had time to film the work, make copious amounts of cups of tea and get some much needed inside work done.
Wednesday was a continuation of work on the irrigation system, with all the pipes in place and trenches backfilled by the end of the day. (When Michael returns to the UAE I will spend time on compiling a video of the work and also write a more detailed explanation and description of our planned orchard.) The Electrician also came by to understand exactly what Michael’s requirements are, said he would order the correct cable to pull through, but in the meantime gave him 150 metres of electric cable, the pump and all the other paraphernalia needed to test the pump, which Michael had to build and connect himself.
On Thursday Michael and my Stand-in managed to finish building the last three layers of the well wall. It was back breaking work for Michael whose back went into spasm earlier in the week causing him severe pain. But, like he kept telling me, there is no other option but to push through, as the work won’t get done by itself.
Thursday also saw Matthias, our good friend and official olive pruner, come to prune the last of our olive trees, which meant that I had to drag more olive branches to a spot where I’m planning to burn them. This time, instead of just burning them, as I did in March when he pruned half our grove, I will try to make some biochar. I went to one of his workshops on biochar the weekend before Michael arrived, and am quite keen to give it a try. (More about that in a separate blog post I plan.) Matthias recently bought himself a battery operated strimmer, which he brought along for me to try out. It was my first time strimming, and I loved it. I managed to deplete the battery three times, before time ran out, and I felt I have enough confidence to soon give our heavier petrol strimmer a go.
After checking with Matthias on the size I need for my biochar pit, Tim, on Friday, dug me a hole (150cm x 150cm x 75cm, with sides sloping at about a 60° angle). He spent the rest of the morning levelling heaps of sand, moving a water tank, scooping horse manure into the 40 holes in the orchard, and dropping off bits of a straw bale close to each of our 40 olive trees for mulching. Having a digger and tractor and trailer around made all of this so much quicker, as I would otherwise have had to use a wheelbarrow to deliver the manure to the holes. I will still have to spread straw around the trees and cover the 40 holes with it as well, but that should now be much more manageable thanks to the prep work.
Tim also dug up a piece of soil and made holes for wooden posts, as well as dug a trench to accommodate a pipe for water, for an extension to my vegetable garden. Michael in the meantime welded a steel frame to place on the wooden posts, as I have enough tomato plants to feed a small army. This structure will allow me to use string as tomato supports, while also giving me the option of pulling shade netting over if it becomes necessary in July or August. In the meantime, I transplanted most of the tomato plants I grew from seed on Friday evening just before sunset, as it took me longer than I anticipated to measure out the beds and fill the pathways with woodchips.
On Saturday we had to take care of some shopping and stop by the garage where we bought our car, as there was a slipup with some paperwork that we needed to understand how to solve. Part of the biggest stress for me about settling into my new life is trying to get a handle on the towering paperwork bureaucracy. It sometimes feels like I’m trying to buy a ticket to the moon in rural Africa from a cattle herder, instead of finding myself in what is supposedly a first world country.
And just to spice things up Lily had an abscess under her tail which opened up and bled all over the bedsheets the previous Sunday morning. Instead of rushing off to the vet as I would normally do, we decided to just keep an eye on her, which was a good decision, as it healed nicely through the week. But that obviously added an emotional layer to our busy week.
Portuguese Words:
trabalho – work
semana – week
Segunda-feira – Monday
Terça-feira – Tuesday
Quarta-feira – Wednesday
Quinta-feira – Thursday
Sexta-feira – Friday
Sábado – Saturday
Domingo – Sunday
** Click here for an explanation of where the names of the days of the week comes from in Portuguese.
Written by: Jolandi
Jolandi the hard labour so depicted in the fundamentals of which are life necessary such as water , electricity all civil works….what a trojan Michael is! Can imagine this backbreaking work such a physcial challenge yet vital to your settling in to self sufficiency. Hats off to you both with this remarkable undertaking. Love your vocabulary at the end of your blog. Just cheers to you both and all the “handlangers” too. So inspirational to read your blog and thank you for sharing your life experiences with such insight.
x
Thank you for your kind words, Nanette. Like you point out so well, putting all the fundamentals in place takes a lot of work – not to mention money. Michael’s favourite saying is: “Infrastructure costs money.” And it seems to always take more money and time than what one expects. We are starting to see a big difference to what the quinta looks like since I moved here in October, which is very encouraging. – Jolandi
What backbreaking work, but so rewarding when it is done. Hope Michael’s back is feeling much better. I am so impressed by how you both are quickly making it your home. Love watching the progress. Stay well and safe.
Terri
Indeed, Terri. Despite all the pain and exhaustion we are really pleased with the progress we are making. It is easy to dream, but so much more challenging to act on those hairbrain ideas. 🙂 I love that my life now involve more physical outside work. It brings a lot of joy to my heart. – Jolandi
I will never complain about unclogging a bathroom drain or digging up an old shrub after reading this! Putting in plumbing is difficult enough, but having to dig trenches for irrigation is downright heroic. Kudos to you and Michael, though I admit I’m glad I’m reading about your work than actually doing it! My back started aching in sympathy. Take care!
Oh, how you made me giggle, Hangaku.
Michael shared the post on his Facebook feed with the words “Check out all the work we did the last two week.” He was a bit shocked when I reminded him that it was just what we managed to do over the last week. I must say, I’m exhausted. We both are. BUT we are quite happy with the results. – Jolandi
I do hope Michael’s back is feeling better this week. What an amazing amount of work you achieved last week involving different projects. So good to have help as well from Matthias, Tim and your stand-in. I hope the biochar pit works well and I’m glad Lily’s better now.
Take care xx
It is indeed great to have good help, Clare, especially when it is from trusted, lovely people. We feel very blessed to have them in our life.
Sadly Michael’s back appears to be a big problem. It has been an ongoing problem for years actually, but despite various scans and visits to doctors we are still in the dark as to what the problem is. He has recently been to a physiotherapist who specialises in sports injuries, who seems to have spotted a problem. We are hopeful that with rest and correct exercise the problem can be rectified. Time will tell. For now he is in a lot of pain, which is difficult to watch as he is determined to finish another couple of tasks. – Jolandi
This must be a worry! The best cure is usually gentle stretching exercises and plenty of rest! I can’t see Michael being able to do that for a while! xx
It is indeed, Clare. Michael is still in a lot of pain, but he has been doing the exercises the physio has given him, and is using a yoga trapeze to hang upside-down for some traction. He is also reading a very interesting book, called Healing Back Pain by John E Sarno, MD, which makes a mind-body connection. Michael had some scans before (his back has given him trouble for years) which didn’t shed any light on a physical problem or condition. At this point he is prepared to try just about anything. – Jolandi
Oh, just irrigation pipes! I saw the first image and imagined a full art installation going up on your property – the red coils encircling trees and festooning the green … ditches! I think I might be losing it after a year of isolation! But seriously, what a job. Jobs. And I know there are more to come. Keep the faith!
Ah, I love that you saw some colourful art installation, Lex. 🙂
You are so right as there seems to always be some project we are dreaming up.
We are both exhausted, and with only two days left before Michael leaves, we are trying to tie up some loose ends and get a tiny bit more done. I think we will both need a couple of days of rest to stay motivated. – Jolandi
Wow, I envy your energy and hard work. Mike will need a holiday to recover from all this hard labour 😉. But it will be all worth it when your orchard and veg garden are producing delicious goodies.
Love reading your posts and seeing your dream slowly becoming reality.
Mike will definitely need a holiday to recover. I’m a bit worried about his back – he truly is a broken man. I also suspect he can’t wait to get back to Abu Dhabi even if it is just to have a rest from the relentless tasks and projects on the quinta. It is much easier to issue instructions from the couch. 😉 We really are pleased with what we’ve managed this time around as the irrigation (he put some in to my veg patch too) will make a big difference longterm. – Jolandi
Good going! Let it continue. The well looks most excellent. Happy healing to Lily and happy harvest when it’s time. 🙂
Thank you, Manja. Our hard work is certainly paying off, and Lily is back to her old self chasing after butterflies. – Jolandi
Wow! what a job! I´m sure this hard work will payback soon. And the idea of keeping a free pipe for future needs is excellent! This will leave unlimited options for the future!
I think just now I got the drill…. Mike goes to Abu Dhabi for some rest and make some money. His real work is waiting for him in Portugal! :o)
You are spot on with your observations, Ewans. Michael’s real work is definitely in Portugal. 🙂
I told him to tell his boss to never give him 3 weeks of leave again, as he doesn’t know when to stop working. I’m exhausted. Well, so is he. We trust all our hard work will be worth it in the end. – Jolandi
Haha Jolandi, you’ll wear Mike out to the point he won’t leave Abu Dhabi again! But it is wonderful to see various people coming to the fore. It shows you are being accepted as part of the fabric of life there, and although I am sure these helpers are all getting paid lots, it seems they have buy-in to the success of this project. You have both put so much work in to reach this point. The cats look quite settled also.
The cats have settled in nicely, Gwen. As a matter of fact, I think they love their new life on the quinta and all the outside freedom they have. We are so grateful for the good people we’ve met, who are helping out with jobs we cannot do ourselves. Like you point out, it isn’t free labour, but working with honest, hardworking people makes it worth every cent. – Jolandi
I should have read this post before your newest one. Just reading your description and seeing the photos of the physical work and the mental toll have exhausted me (no wonder your are overwhelmed) . You guys are amazing in both your vision and execution. I wouldn’t have this in me. I’m glad Lily is OK…at least one less thing to worry about.
I never would have thought I have it in me either, Caroline. It is quite amazing what one discovers about oneself when placed in certain situations. Although hard, physical labour is exhausting, I find it is the worries and stresses of certain situations that are the most exhausting. The irrigation system should make our work so much easier later, so I trust that all this exhaustion will bear fruit later. – Jolandi
Wow, what a week. I’m glad all of you survived it. And not only that, you made a lot of progress. That must feel good!
We did make a lot of progress, and that at least make the exhaustion worth it, Tanja. There is nothing quite as satisfying as seeing what one’s hard work has achieved. – Jolandi