“Our species, whose origin stories lie in lost Arcadias, has always sought to re-create paradise on Earth . . . many of us have forgotten that these Edens didn’t just happen: they are the product of millennia of care and toil. If we really value them, the responsibility to preserve them falls on us.”
– Taras Grescoe from The Lost Supper
June has passed in a whirlwind of activity on the quinta. The landscape was covered in long, lush grass, as a result of a good rainy season.
We struck a deal with a friend with horses to cut and bale the grass, but as his tractor is broken they contracted a local guy who lives close to us to do the work. To make sure that no damage was done to his tractor and cutter, I had to strim open all the potential dangers that were hidden by the tall grass.
The promise of doing the work at the end of May was pushed back, until he eventually came on the 25th of June at 18h30 to cut the grass, which still needs to be turned and baled before the 15th of July, which is when I hand over the quinta to my cat and house sitter, who I would prefer not to bother with work that should have been done under my watch.
The floor of the workshop was finally thrown on the 6th, which turned out to be a brutally hot day, matching the hottest day of the month.
The delivery of part of the insulated panels got both Michael and I excited, but with a delay in the delivery of the rest, the starting date was pushed back to this coming Thursday (4 July). We’ve been told that it would take 5-7 days to do the cladding, which means that, if they start on Thursday without any other setbacks, it will be done only just before I leave for South Africa.
Lawrence, in the meantime has been hard at work building the small retaining wall that, if we can finally get a big machine in to remove some soil, may even be finished with the blocks in the next two weeks, although that is not necessarily the goal. He should start cladding it this week, but there is also backfilling to be done to allow for proper drainage.
Midnight managed to get a grass seed in her one eye, which is thankfully almost back to normal, as she hates eyedrops being put in her eyes, and was dashing in and out the house for food and water trying to avoid my hands.
We’ve had quite a lot of rain this month, including some hail, which brought the total to 118 mm, which meant that this season we had a lot more than the average yearly rainfall, totaling 1038 mm. The hottest day of the month peaked at 35.7°C on the 24th, which matched the day that the concrete for the workshop floor was thrown, while the coldest was a mere 20.2°C on the 28th.
A fox has been a fairly regular visitor during the month at that hour when the day finally gives up its light. Lily, when she spots it, most often than not, goes into stalking mode, but only gives chase when it is already trotting off, while Midnight seems to be less interested in defending her territory. It is not bothered by humans, and even when I walk towards it, doesn’t run away.
A Special Memory or Moment of Joy
Despite all the work, and endless amounts of strimming, I managed to make a quick trip down to the Algarve for 3 nights to see a friend who was celebrating her 50th birthday, arriving back on the quinta with just enough time to get everything ready for Michael and his daughter, who came for a quick week-long visit.
Portuguese Expression:
Barata tonta – the literal translation is dizzy cockroach, and refers to the erratic and fast movement of cockroaches, which is used to describe a person who seems to be rushing around for no apparent reason
Notes:
The grass at the beginning of the month was so long that one couldn’t even see that there was a stream, or clearly see the well. I often marvel at how much change can happen within a month, which is clearly illustrated by the following photos.
Written by: Jolandi
“Barata tonta” this made me laugh out loud, as I can relate. Oh gosh, the strimming must have been an enormous job. When you casually mentioned that you needed to do that prior to mowing I nearly groaned, knowing how much work it would be. Later you said “endless strimming” and I see it’s still on your mind. So much work. Being done with it (and that final shower) must be a relief. Poor little Midnight with the seed in her eye. I’m so glad it’s gone without additional damage from scratching. I wonder: with all the heat and with all the rain, how humid is the climate there? It sounds brutal. Those industrious little ants are simply a marvel. Thank you for sharing those photos with us. I feel like I might get distracted for an hour, just watching them and following their trail.
But best of all! A date for travel! I want to jump up and down and dance and hug you! Home, home, home! And so soon too. Oh Jolandi, I hope it is the salve you need. It might end up not feeling like it is long enough, but the time you get will feel so good. And returning home will also feel so good, knowing that now, finally, you are free. <3
You know, that is exactly what I did with the ants, Crystal. I grabbed my camera and sat down, just watching them. They make these pathways all over the quinta that in places actually looks like highways. They really are a marvel.
Summers are hot in dry in general. Just before and during the actual rain that fell during the month it was slightly humid, but it doesn’t linger. I grew up in a part of South Africa that has both dry heat and cold, and I must say that it is definitely my preference.
As for my trip, I am definitely looking forward to seeing my family and immerse myself in my mother tongue again. I no longer view South Africa as my home, so it will definitely be interesting to see how I respond both emotionally and intellectually when I am there. I find the concept of home and belonging an interesting one, so I suspect I will be writing about that in the near future. – Jolandi
Oh my, it’s great to have the expression barata tonta. I’ll try to work it into conversation. Have a wonderful break. I know what it’s like to go home to a place that isn’t really home anymore.
Thanks so much, Peggy. After all these years away from your country of birth, I can only imagine what you must feel like when you return. Good luck with working ‘barata tonta’ into a conversation. I hope you have fun with it. – Jolandi
Hi Jolandi
What a lot of work you do! I admire your patience and tenacity on what seems like a massive job to get your place how you both want it. I hope that along with the responsibility of such a huge task you do enjoy the end results. Have a wonderful trip back to SA – you deserve a rest!
Although I love the physicality of my life here on the quinta, I cannot wait for the day that it is limited to seasonal and daily chores (with the right tools), and no longer these huge building projects. But with every task done, we are one step closer to what we want. I always think of how much of my life force I’ve already spent here, which is a great motivator to keep going, and is perhaps what fuels my tenacity, Christina. This trip will definitely be a great break from the quinta, which is something I desperately need. – Jolandi
It’s great to hear about the rainfall. I hope this year’s summer in your part of the world will be tamer than the previous years. Reading about how things got delayed made me imagine what I would do if these happened to me — I think I would be so frustrated, but then what other options do I have? I’m so looking forward to your stories from South Africa, Jolandi! Fingers crossed everything will be completed at the quinta before your date of departure.
PS: I laughed at the expression “barata tonta”. I hope that’s not how people see me when I go home — a combination of walking fast to the train station while navigating the people around me who walk much more slowly than me probably makes me look like a dizzy cockroach! 🙂
Now you have me laughing with the image of you in the train station walking like a crazy cockroach, Bama.
I also hope this summer will be mild, as it can be thoroughly unpleasant when littered with heatwaves. Summer used to be my favourite season long, long ago. Up to 30C I find pleasant, but hotter than that, and it becomes less so.
I do my best to not freak out about delays, and although I am starting to get used to not being able to rely on dates people give me, I will most probably find it frustrating for the rest of my life. I honestly have no idea how Michael can work in project management without going off his head. One day, all this work will be finished though. At least that is what I keep telling myself. 😅 Fingers crossed it will all fall into place in the end. – Jolandi
I love the photos of the ants you captured doing their own busy harvest work in preparation for the time ahead. I imagine being so tied to the land now has given you a different perspective on the more-than-human creatures who share the space with you. Wishing you a lovely rest of the summer.
Thanks, Atreyee. And yes, you are quite right about the different perspective. I sat for a long time just watching these industrious little ants. They really are amazing at what they do. May you have a lovely summer too. – Jolandi
Your trip is so soon! I hope you can leave the quinta behind (mentally, of course) and enjoy your family, friends, and all the things like food and language that were once a big part of your life.
Thanks, Lexie. You are spot on. Leaving the quinta mentally will be the difficult part. – Jolandi
Wow. You have been busy and more to come with the big home visit. I can’t wait to hear about it all. 😘
The cut grass makes a huge difference, that must have been a big relief. We got a lot of rain too, well, we’re still in the monsoon season, so this will last a little bit longer. Not sure how long though.
Love all the photos. The ones of the ants! My goodness you have a great camera or those insects are enormous! xo
I have a Canon PowerShot that I use, Lani. Nothing fancy, and it has seen better days, but it does take nice photos.
I’m not sure how enjoyable monsoon season is, but I hope you are enjoying your summer. – Jolandi
I’m at the tail end of another road trip – nothing remarkable – this one has been more about driving long distances to visit one friend after another, with the sense that it “was a good thing” to make the effort, as who knows when we will meet again? I hope your trip “home” is not overladen with such awareness … but, bon voyage!
I also hope your house/pet sitter has as much fun as I did on my seven-week spell. I’m still mourning being separated from my newest best friend, aka Fido.
Such a lot of work on the quinta! At least you’ll be going to SA with a cache of stories. No awkward moments wondering how to keep the conversation going. I’d love to be a fly on the wall.
As for ants, I worked with a lady who was Jain Indian, so ants are precious to them. And I have a little story about my brother, who as a young boy, allowed his cousin to crash into him from behind with a pedal car rather than carry on forward and run over them. He was always a gentle soul (except for when he thought he needed to “father” me in the way he understood men controlled their daughters – but that’s another story).
Anyways! Again … Bon Voyage!!!
You always have the most amazing memories and stories to tell, Gwen. I hope that your trip has been a good one. It is lovely seeing my family. Lots of stories and catching up! Not a quiet moment in sight. – Jolandi