“You can’t have the light without the shade.”
– Stephen Fabes
After a long, cold winter here in Portugal, I was quite excited when the days started to warm up and the landscape around me was transformed in froth of white flowers breaking over the slope of the neighbour’s land like a giant wave. Spanish broom (Cytisus multiflorus), also referred to as bridal veil broom has a sweet scent, not unlike jasmine, and can be quite impressive as it can easily grow taller than three metres.
That wasn’t the only way spring arrived. It also presented itself as a shimmer of purple, when the lavender, which can easily be overlooked otherwise, burst into flower. I love lavender and have always dreamed of having fields of it surrounding me, so it is a good sign that it not only grows wild here in Portugal, but is also the national flower.
The calls of the cuckoo floats towards me as I busy myself these days with cutting away dead branches among the lavender and rock roses that cover a rocky slope on our land, but had been completely neglected until now.
With spring, unfortunately, also came pollen, which flared up my allergies, and with all the cutting away of dead plant material, the aggravated pain and discomfort of carpel tunnel syndrome. And so, once again there is proof that life never exists only in a single state, but will always be a heady mix of pain and pleasure.
Portuguese Words:
lavanda – lavender
alergia a pólen – allergy to pollen
inverno – winter
primavera – spring
panorama – landscape
In case you were wondering what else I’m up to:
# Matthias has been back to prune our olive trees, and although he is not done, it meant that I, once again, had to drag olive branches to a corner of the land where, this time, they will get burned. There are both signs of the olive bark beetle and tuberculosis (caused by a bacteria) present among the trees, and as the best way to deal with tuberculosis to prevent it from spreading, is to burn the affected cut branches that is what I will do.
# As I’ve been reluctant to use the heavy, and according to me, unwieldy strimmer, Michael had the bright idea that I should buy a lawnmower to bring the vast expanses of tall grass close to the house under control. It turned out to be an excellent idea, and I absolutely love the ease with which I can make my immediate surroundings look neat and tidy. The only problem was that he neglected to point out in advance that it would come in pieces and that I would first have to assemble it. Neither Midnight nor Lily was helpful in the process, although they did inspect each individual part.
# All the freshly cut green grass was great to add to my temporary compost heap, which although not quite the way it should be, at least is a way to get rid of all the household scraps and will eventually decompose.
# Trying to kill the weeds among the paving stones is one of those tasks that I despise. I’m utterly useless at it, and as I haven’t found the perfect way to deal with it (read easy way), I tend to put it off until it becomes even more of a struggle. So if you have a fool proof method that works really, really well, apart from pouring boiling hot water over it, please share it.
# Wheelbarrows in Portugal have inflatable wheels, something I’ve never known existed until now. Anyway, Michael left me with a flat wheelbarrow tire, so at first I refused to deal with it, then stubbornly announced that I had no inclination to learn how to fix it, but eventually I caved in during the week and bought a new inner tube and replaced it. The wheel is now patiently waiting for me in the trunk of the car so that it can be filled with air next time I go past the petrol station.
# The seeds I’ve planted in seed trays inside the house have germinated, and I’ve even potted on some of the tomato seedlings. Apart from reading about vegetable gardens to educate myself on the intricacies of growing food, I am also spending time on Charles Dowding’s YouTube Channel.
# Despite the never-ending saga of lockdowns and closure of non-essential shops, our custom made couch and cushion for our window seat were delivered and collected. Now I’m waiting in anticipation for the relevant shops to open so that I can find the perfect rug. There are still various things in the house that aren’t done, but I assume we will eventually get it all done.
# Learning Portuguese, it turns out, is a real challenge for me, despite the fact that I am following a structured approach with a subscription to an online programme at Portuguese Lab. I’m not sure if it is my aging brain, or the fact that I’m too exhausted most evenings to persist in a regular regime of learning, but every time I think I’ve mastered a handful of words I find they are gone by the time the sun rises again. Anyway, I will continue to battle on, but please don’t ever make statements like “your Portuguese must be getting really good by now”, as you might just find me glaring at you in response.
# As part of my coping regime (apart from yoga and long Zoom calls with Michael), I’ve discovered Foxtale gin, distilled and bottled here in Portugal. Ah, the smell of strawberries in its pink version is an instant pick-me-up.
# I miss teaching yoga, so I’m seriously thinking of setting up private online classes with a focus on mobility training. With my own aches and pains and challenges I think it is so much more beneficial to have classes that cater to each student’s specific challenges and needs, instead of a general group class.
# I’m also dreaming of outside living spaces: a way to incorporate the old stone oven in a braai area where we can dine and visit when we have friends over – a fire pit for winter evenings and a protected space to soak up the winter sun – a splash pool – a space for hammocks to take summer siestas in – raised beds and a patch of grass – compost bins . . .
Written by: Jolandi
Lovely. Just lovely.
Spring and Autumn are definitely my favorite seasons in Portugal.
Don’t worry too much about the slow initial pace of learning a new language. It takes time and patience.
Building up vocabulary in the beginning is really tough, but it will get progressively easier.
I have been told that listening to an audiobook while reading along the actual book helps a lot. You might want to give it a try.
Best wishes.
That sounds like really good advice, Alex. Thanks. Seeing that I can’t handle sentences much more complicated than “Eu sou a Jolandi”, I should have a look at some children’s books. That should be a good place to start. Apart from just learning new vocabulary, I also find the verb conjugations difficult to remember, because they tend to sound like vastly different words. There is definitely nothing simple, easy or quick about learning a new language, and whoever thinks or says differently has either never had to learn another language or is a genius. – Jolandi
Children’s books are a great way to start learning a language. So are cartoons and sports broadcasts. Focus on the everyday things. In the market, ask the vendors ‘what’s this?’. You’ll get there. The daughter who went on exchange always said things began to fall into place about month 5. But she was surrounded by native speakers and could not fall back on English. Give yourself time and sleep!
Thanks, Peggy. Yip, it is definitely easier and quicker when one is surrounded by native speakers and cannot fall back on English, although still a lot of hard work. I should write a post on my other adventures in language learning when I was younger . . . It seems this time around my brain is struggling to forge new connections! 😉 – Jolandi
In spite of a few small problems and frustrations, you seem to be living in a more and more beautiful and comfortable place every day. The lavender and Spanish bloom are such happy plants, and both your work on the outside areas and your dreams for it are invigorating just to read about. I can picture that braai and splash pooI and know those mental pictures would energize me! I got a good laugh out of your third coping mechanism; you deserve all sorts of little treats for all your hard (and solo) work!
You are so right, Lexie. I do love my space and although work sometimes progresses too slow to my liking, the constant improvements are so satisfying. Also, I think it is good to first understand how I live and want to live in the space, before for instance embarking on creating outdoor living spaces that could be wrong for their intended purposes if I don’t quite understand my own needs (not to mention Michael’s) and things like the movement of the sun . . . Also, ongoing dreams are important, as like you point out, they are indeed energising.
I’m glad my third coping mechanism gave you a good laugh. I absolutely swear by it. 😉 – Jolandi
Re learning another language, some of it depends on the type of learner you are. I’ve always been a note taker, even after I got out of school, so I find it helpful to write particularly difficult words or phrases on an index card and glance at them as I review previous lessons.
Another good way to learn is to find a conversational buddy who will help you practice your speaking skills and memorization of vocabulary. This is where Zoom and a fast internet connection are critical: you really need to see the other person’s mouth and facial expressions in order to pick up the words. Also, your buddy must be patient and a good listener: I had a tutor/conversation buddy when I was learning German in college, and he spoke far too fast and criticized me when I made even the smallest error. When I finally lost my temper and yelled at him, he said, “well if you actually go to Germany and try to talk to people, they aren’t going to wait for you to blunder your way through a sentence.” He was right: but for a student, it was horribly discouraging, and I eventually quit. Since you’re actually there in Portugal however, give yourself time and don’t be discouraged by memory lapses or mistakes. You’re actually reshaping your brain when you learn a new language, and yes! It’s harder with an old, set-in-it’s-ways brain. 😀 Plus making that connection between the brain, the ear and the mouth is tough! Children have it a lot easier, but we adults have the advantage of being experienced students.
I like your use of cue cards, Hangaku. I’m also a note taker, but I tend to collect various words and phrases in a notebook, which I then don’t regularly consult! I should try the cue cards.
I will definitely give up on learning a language very quickly if someone keeps correcting me for every tiny mistake I make. Way back when I was 21 I lived in Germany for a year as an au pair and had a vastly different experience with learning the language, which I could speak fairly well by the time I left. Not that I remember much of it 30 years later!
Like you say, those connections between the brain, ear and mouth can become tricky when the brain is already set in its ways. 🙂
I should actually write a blog post about my adventures with different languages, as English isn’t my mother tongue, yet I now feel more comfortable in it than my actual mother tongue, Afrikaans. – Jolandi
It’s funny you mention that about being so comfortable in English, Jolandi. My boyfriend says the same thing, and his native language is Spanish. He says when people speak to him in Spanish, it takes a while for him to translate in his brain.
I completely understand your boyfriend, Crystal. Speaking a different language definitely requires a completely different way of thinking, as the way one expresses oneself in a language is usually quite different from one to the other, and trying to translate directly usually just complicates things. It always takes me a while to switch from one to another, and I often marvel at the way translators can shift so quickly between different languages. Perhaps because I was definitely not gifted with that skill. – Jolandi
Spring has definitely sprung in Portugal! The lavender looks gorgeous. We have to wait until May and June for all those wild flowers to bloom here and we are due some cold weather again next weekend. We have been getting pollen allergy symptoms recently as well, probably from the emerging tree blossoms. Anti-hystamine tablets are such a boon!
Weeds in-between paving stones. Ugh! My husband ignores them knowing that eventually I will have to deal with them as I can’t bear weedy paths. I have no easy way of clearing them; I scrape them out with a knife and get backache and sore hands.
Most wheelbarrows here have solid tyres but we were gifted a barrow with an inflatable tyre a few years ago. I love it but it does get punctures easily. My husband has some glue-like substance which he puts in the tyre and this keeps it inflated for ages. He has gone to bed already so I can’t ask him what the stuff is called. I’ll let you know.
As for trying to learn a language during lockdown when we hardly get to speak to anyone and we are all anxious – I am amazed you have done as well as you have! The best way to learn a language is to use it by talking to people. I would learn conversational Portuguese, if I were you and then learn the grammar afterwards.
I guess there is no easy way to get rid of weeds between paving stones, Clare. I’ve been busy pouring boiling water over them, but will have to revert to scraping the remains out with a knife like you.
It would be wonderful if you could tell me the name of the product your husband uses to inflate the wheelbarrow tyre. I actually found plastic wheels, so I could have bought one to replace the inflatable one, but I didn’t have the axel/wheel measurements with me, so I thought buying a new inner at 4 euro is better than spending 21 euro on a wheel that isn’t right. Oh, the things I learn!
It is true that it is much more difficult to learn a new language during lockdown when we have less interaction with others. And when we do our mouths are hidden and muffled by masks.
Good luck with the next spell of bad weather coming your way. – Jolandi
Wow, so much greenery and colourful flowers. Sure does make a big difference from all the shades of browns in the UAE. I’m loving the idea of the outside area it sounds perfect.
Keep up the good work and we are looking forward to seeing the fruits of your labour in person one day.
It does make a good and welcome change from the browns of the desert, Mike. Having a comfortable and useful outside space is important, as our house is so tiny. Michael and I need to still battle out the details though, but like I keep telling him, “I am here, and you are not. You will come for a visit one day, and it will just all be done.” 🙂 Very cheeky of me! – Jolandi
I’m sorry to hear about your pollen allergies. I can imagine how frustrating it must be to have all those beautiful flowers before you which can cause discomfort to your body. You don’t need to be too hard on yourself about learning a new language. Let it flow, try to memorize the same words over and over again, and maybe watching or listening to anything in Portuguese would help. Enjoy the spring!
Thanks, Bama. On the odd occasion that I drive in the morning I listen to a radio show, where there is a lot of chatting between the hosts, and although I have no idea what exactly they are saying, I do find myself recognising certain words (even when I cannot always recall the exact meaning :)). One needs a fair amount of vocabulary to express just the basics, and like you point out, it does involve a lot of repetition. I trust that eventually I’ll be able to retain something. 😉 – Jolandi
Wow, your Portuguese must be really good now! 😀 Hahahaha. You really did set yourself up for that one.
But seriously, lots of hard work, satisfying work and what a 180 from your life in the UAE, right? You must pinch yourself everyday. Love the flowers and green and open spaces.
Take good care, Jolandi. xo
Hahahaha! PAUSE * Insert silent glare!* I did indeed. 🙂
Yip, and you certainly know both sides of the language learning coin well, Lani.
You are so right about how different my life is here from the one I left in the UAE. I love the green and the flowers so much, although I do love the browns of the desert too, but for the most part I prefer where I am right now. – Jolandi
The land is a feast for this gardener’s eyes. We can’t grow that specific lavender here; and it’s my favorite also. Good for the mood. So many things to do; I feel the burdens you carry and pray for you for a lifting; they certainly affect the body, along with all the physical work. Weeds in cracks are the bane of my gardening existence. All I know is poison or boiling, neither of which appeal to me. Unless you want to dig out the grass and fill the cracks with some sort of mulch, gravel mixture. A lot of work. Pray your olive trees survive their sicknesses. A thought I had as I was reading: is your learning Portuguese mostly in the evening? I find I’m way too tired to study then. Can you use headphones and listen/practice during the day as you go about your chores? Hoping you’re doing conversational learning as well as just the straight parts of speech, vocab thing. Take care, friend.
Thank you, Sarah.
I’m a very visual learner, so unless I see the words I retain nothing. I do have recordings of vocabulary lists to practice pronunciation, but I use them only after I’ve done some studying. The lessons are designed in such a way as to combine all of the components. I like the way the course is put togehter, but one still has to sit and simply do the work. I do find that I cannot do two things at once, though. I’ve tried to combine it with chores, but it isn’t really working for me. I’m a bit all over the place at the moment trying to fit too many things into a day, but I do find that if I do a bit of learning just before going to bed and repeat it after I wake up in the morning, I tend to retain it better. At least that is what it feels like. I just need to become a bit more consistent and keep plodding. But even then I suspect it will take a lot longer than what I wish it would. 🙂
I’ve started to systematically kill the weeds with boiling water and will have to finish them off by scraping the remains out the narrow slits between the paving stones with a knife. Unfortunately I think it is the only way to deal with them. We won’t be using poison on the land as an organic bee farmer will be keeping some bees here, which means we can make use of his organic certification to sell our olive oil as certified organic if we want to. I’m quite excited about that and can’t wait for the day he delivers some hives. For now we are busy trying to get a wall built in the area where he will keep them, and like all work here there are both delays and intricate stories for these. Once all is resolved I will write about it.
There certainly isn’t a dull moment here. – Jolandi
What a lovely first spring you’re having! You never forget your first one. 🙂 And you’re so full of plans, great to hear. I’m missing plans and visions myself, even though nature is doing its best all around me, and around you too, I can see. The cats are loving it. And you’re really really good at the trips out of your comfort zone. Extremely good going.
Thank you, Manja, especially as you know all about the challenges of adapting to a new country. And moving out of my comfort zone is always an enormous step for me.
It is so true about the first of anything really. The cats and I are really enjoying the warmer days and the lovely flowers. They love chasing butterflies which I find really adorable, and it is really lovely for me to have company when working outside. – Jolandi
Hello Jolandi,
Lady Spring has indeed arrived to your part of heaven! What beautiful views and well worth the long, cold winter. I am sorry I have been remiss in catching up on blog articles – it has been a manic time. Reading this most recent update has been a real treat and breath of fresh air. So happy to see that you are continuing to make progress, one step at a time. All our best to you, Michael, and your furry friends 🙂
Thank you, Takami. I hope things will slow down a bit for you. It certainly has been a very busy time for me too, so I feel for you. Although I like it when it feels like there is progress, I also prefer a slower pace. I hope your spring is as welcome and beautiful as mine. Big hug. – Jolandi
Hi Jolandi, I am having trouble figuring out the comment section. When I commented on your last post, it called me anonymous, so I guess I should introduce myself. I’m Crystal! And I have a blog and everything. (I’m also the commenter who said my bf Pedro is now more comfortable in English than Spanish) But I don’t know how to make the comment section recognize me. Ah well.
It’s a delight seeing these spring photos and I didn’t even know there was such a thing as Spanish broom, but I imagine it’s similar to what I call Scotch broom here, only your flowers are white and mine yellow. That first shot of white flowers sweeping up the hill is so lovely. Bully for you, taking on the tasks of your new place. You are so funny, having a little fit, then finally just doing it. I can SO relate. To all of it. I recently figured out what kind of battery-operated tire inflator I could use and purchased it, and inflated all my wheelbarrow tires that have been flat for over a year. I have lived at my place almost six years and I have finally decided to buy myself a chainsaw and just frigging deal with learning how to wield it. I have been that stubborn. I love how you want to include the stones in your outside spaces. Of course you would.
Well, at least I know who anonymous is. 🙂 I hope you’ve got the commenting figured out. Sorry about the clunkiness of it, Crystal, but unless it is setup this way it gets flooded with spam.
I’m glad you had a bit of a giggle about my fit. Most probably because you recognised a kindred spirit from the sound of it. Respect to you for deciding to buy a chainsaw. I am beyond petrified of them. I cannot even be around Michael when he uses any kind of saw. Freaks me out completely. I am definitely trying my best to toughen up and get more confident doing things I never thought I’ll ever do, as I don’t want to be helpless and rely on others for everything.
Spring is such a beautiful time of the year. I hope yours is gorgeous too. – Jolandi
I’m glad spring has arrived in Portugal, Jolandi. Compared to where I live, your spring looks much more lush and I love the vast expanses of broom and lavender. I imagine the air smells heavenly.
I hope you continue to make wonderful discoveries on your land, despite the hayfever and carpal tunnel.
Best wishes,
Tanja
The air smells heavenly indeed, Tanja. Especially now that the hawthorne trees are also flowering. Yes, spring here is quite lush, but summers are hot and dry, so I must definitely allow my eyes to delight in all the colour. Thank you for your good wishes. Yes, beauty and joy also come with their opposites. Such is the yin and yang of life. – Jolandi