Algarvian goats and sheep

It was a beautiful day of early April. I drove down with our little 1996 Red Fiat Punto to Tavira with my friend C., to go and choose some Churra Algarvia sheep. We followed the picturesque N122 road from Beja to Mertola, as often with the impression of driving in a paintings gallery. Rows of tens of stork nests half way and the little village of Corte da Velha (above), nested on the right, at the very beginning of the Guadiana National Park. Mr. Neto picked us up and drove us into the Tavira barrocal to discover a mixed herd of goats and sheeps that the Neto family has been taking care of for several generations. Here is a little movie. Both Algarvian goat and sheep breeds are relatively endangered with effectives in the range of respectively 2000 and 3000 heads. Those of Mr Neto graze in the middle of a carob trees orchard (Ceratonia siliqua var. mulata) that he planted himself. And they also find some shade under magnificent cork oak trees.

C. was super enthusiastic about the goats. Their coat looks like a piece of art. Below are the few sheep we selected. 6 females and one male. As soon as we'll get a green light from the vets, they will be carried to the Alentejo. Have a look at the horns of this impressive male too!

Great people, great breeds! And the whole thing ended at Noelia e Jeronimo, highly recommended!

Avo Inacia

Avo Inacia would have been 100 years old today.

A Belgian swimming champion at Praia das merendas (Campinho)

In mid-April, one of the local paparazzi - Y.V., who has asked us not to reveal his full name for obvious legal reasons - came across a Belgian swimming champion in the middle of his training at Praia das merendas (Campinho). He was obviously taking full advantage of the gorgeous weather conditions. It seems that the swimmer's achievements can be found here. Although we are sure that this intensive training session didn't take place on April 1, we haven't been able to cross-check the information further. At the back, you can see Monte da Duquesa, very famous for its delicious goat milk and its three white stork nests. We are very pleased to be able to publish these pictures in exclusivity, one more sign that there is room for serious Alentejano sport journalism outside A Bola and O Jogo.

Verts d'avril à Campinho et Monsaraz

Violeta patiente...

 Elle attend avec grand calme en ce mois d'avril l'arrivée d'un ânon...

Minou

Arrivé au Monte en décembre, Minou - pardonnez l'originalité... - est une vraie star. Il court, se faufile partout, grimpe ici et là, prend le soleil au pied d'un Pélargonium. Lui et l'ânesse se caressent et les enfants l'adorent... Il se prend même à jouer les José R. (clin d'oeil de Yannick).

Cigognes!

Après deux ans d'attente, un couple de cigognes s'est décidé début mars à entamer la construction d'un nid sur la structure que nous leur avions installé. Et c'est parti, la couvaison est bien entamée! Ce qui ne les empêche pas de continuer à apporter des matériaux sur le nid (paille chipée à l'ânesse, sac vide de ciment,...). Elles ont même dû essuyer une attaque d'une autre cigogne, venue plusieurs fois piquer sur le nid, jalouse sans doute d'un emplacement si stratégique... Nous, on est ravis, avec des vols de cigognes à basse altitude toute la journée.