Woofers, TMN Disgrace and lots of rain

        Maybe I am one of the last people to notice that my tinternet has been running like a snail on a rohipnol diet since the 15th of each month. A trip to TMN in Faro Forum Shopping led to an admission that since 15th February, Anacom, the Portuguese ruling telecoms body has limited each individual account to 15 GBs of downloads per month - then it changes to a 1970s style 128kbs max speed.

       No notice or apology. A call to the broadband suppliers resulted in a 25% discount, refused thank you - - BUT please notice if you are still reasonably happy with the service COMPLAIN and you will be offered this discount, They have changed your contractual details (ie it is not unlimited) which is a breach of contract and annuls your contract leaving you free to accept a discount or choose a new plan

       For the same money, I have signed up to a TV deal which is unlimited and I get 15 free Portuguese channels as well, They are also offering free boxes and installation. I am awaiting the engineer to fit all this so watch this spot...

      Meanwhile, down on the farm. Four more volunteers have been and gone and we have really improved our faciilties at Quinta Stuart.

Hemingway's

New Sofa Lounge at Quinta Stuart

Working hard in the winter sunshine, we have finished off the 25 square metre raised covered railed shaded deck. Three sofas and a couple of armchairs have created a really cosy space and we look forward to this summer - keep an eye on our web site for details of courses and retreats.


Hasta la siesta!! Sofa, stay awake... forget it.



Those with a fear of our hammocks, fear not!!



Decking path leads on to the Tipi

Woofer Ken has joined us for a couple of weeks and is busy working through the weeds. Strange that he looks like a cross between Van Gough and Ernest Hemingway!!



The Driest winter for 11 years is still upon us unless it changes radically changes soon. We have had to order water to be delivered, three months earlier than normal.
Deep mulching, watering only with "used" water saves a lot but the experience of eating Christmas lunch outside is several hundred euros of extra water due to a dry winter. We can call this year one in a seven or eight year cycle. Next year nearly as dry then a gradual increase in rainfall as the cycle duplicates itself. Forget global warming, this is an established circle that I have witnessed in nearly thirty years in the Algarve.

Owl is still in England working freelance for a private caring agency - currently in Dorset. The freezer is nearly empty, so come back soon!!

*** We have posted a couple of special offers on our Trip Advisor link - check it out and save 10% on early bookings!! ***

*** Avoid the Olympic chaos - and come here, special rates for the Alternative Olympics - Darts, Boules and Dog walking only at Quinta Stuart ***

Come and build a charcoal maker - Saturday April 14th 10am - including lunch and refreshments 25 euros per person, finish by 4pm, only 8 places available!!

Cuban Express

Hi!! Finally back from Cuba to the frozen wastes of the Algarve - who turned the heating off?? We travelled by modern buses through most of the country and stayed in privately owned houses.


South coast of Cuba... the sea was cold at 26 celcius



1952 Chevy ... Had to paint the house to match it


Local Asda ... one of the few things you can buy in the local currency


The local waitress was very popular



My new car

15 minutes with a local hero!!

Sometimes a quiet drink leads to great things...


Sunday morning at BJs in Sta Barbara and SIC National news get confirmation from yours truly on the pending collapse of the euro and all Portugal's banking system... you mean no-one told you?? Watch the whole article with Owl's legendary Jamesons Whisky Cameo role on the link below...

.http://sicnoticias.sapo.pt/pais/article1066037.ece

Absolutely fabulous December weather, sunset over the naked bones of the Tipi




A minor refit and total repaint of the inside of the Cheeky Chapati, making it much comfier.





A new deck path and gravel garden add a nice touch to Villa Ganeesha. We are currently installing a new roof and draft proofing the walls.



Weedsheet and pinebark to tidy up the garden below Cosy Cabin.



New stone wall, giant Streltzias, weed sheet and Spanish pea gravel in the area between Cosy Cabin and the house. Now the remaining areas can be mowed or strimmed making the general maintenance much easier... us Landscapers are lazy beggers really!!

So Christmas looms, both Holly and Becky are with us for the holidays. We head off to Cuba for few weeks early January to study urban Permaculture design (and how to make the perfect Mohito!) and are back mid February. Have a great Christmas and don't do anything I wouldn't...

Travelling in Time

An Eco Christmas, Part One



A years supply of wine bottles make an excellent Christmas tree at a fraction of the cost to this tiny planet!!

I am not a relaxed or organised traveller, but I know that when the hire car I booked is not awaiting me at the airport because of a computer mistake, it's the car hire company's problem. What I am slowly learning is that when the car isn't there because I accidentally booked it for the wrong airport, it's still sort of their problem.

Hot tears of self-recrimination are a waste of everybody's time; just take a deep breath, walk up to the desk and present yourself as a mess to be cleaned up. Advance planning can be psychologically soothing, but nothing will serve you as well as a relaxed attitude toward your own incompetence. Never apologise, never explain, and throw money at the problem if you think it will help!!

Travel hints number 1.

We all know about couch surfing, but choose the single hosts.. with no mates they are bound to cook you something!!

Admit your mistakes cheerily. No, I can't speak a word of Croatian, which is why I ordered the tripe. Yes, I lost my hotel key. No, this is not the credit card I booked with. Yes, looking at the ticket more closely, it does seem to be for yesterday's flight. No, I am not really fit to travel, but it's too late to worry about that. I'm here now.... well we will be soon as the guide book and map arrive - we are off to Cuba.

Travel Hints no. 2



Get free upgrades on your long haul flights, add Professor to your name by purchasing a £200 degree in drug abuse from The European City Of Opiates 2010 (formally known as Evertonia)

Just a small hurdle of Christmas, brothers, kids, nieces, vegetarian turkey and an overdraft to clear.... and a few jobs on the farm, better get busy!!!

Closing time on the farm

We bid a fond farewell to Super Mario and Sabina, our favourite Italians - not only did they persuade me to go deep sea fishing with them, they cooked all the catch!!


Lecca's finest!! They sure know how to cook (and pose!) in Southern Italy...


Last of the summer whine... Sooty in full camouflage mode.

The rain finally arrived in early November and after the first couple of storms we took the tipi down and winterised Cheeky Chapati ready for a new floor and a revamp. The list of jobs is so long -new sofa lounge, one more wooden house, more paths, planting, clearing, repairing... need more volunteers!! We also took advantage of taking a week end course in Tagledt plastering (Moroccan marble dust) which is sooo difficult - a fantastic week end and big thanks to Joachim of Casadecor.com for a fantastic time, two great lunches and lots of friendly kindred spirits - Adobe course next!!



Had trouble concentrating on the task. ex Newcastle United striker Brian "Killer" Kilkine's wife working opposite me!!


Owl next to one of her latest wall hangings - all made of used plastic bottles to highlight the waste we generate on this tiny planet.

We went up to Evora last week end to celebrate daughter Rebeccas 18th birthday... where have all the years gone? She started university in what must be one of the prettiest cities in Portugal... just do not try and find a coffee after 8pm...


Owl and Becky at Restaurante Malagueira, a great Spanish tapa place, the only restaurante that was full!


Yours truly and Holly


End of season at Quinta Stuart and the return of the naked gardener / chef / builder....


James, aka "Jimbo" our last volunteer of the summer..typical nice Aussie, thrashed me at go karting. couldn't beat me at darts though...

A clueless cretin abroad..

If you ever think governments actually have a clue how to run the country, rethink and consider the below...

Dafty Cameron advised yesterday for individuals to pay off their credit cards - sound advise but he may have forgotten that the whole world swings around on credit.... without credit or debit, there is no economy and the economy stifles. Anybody know why? Oh and not suprisingly he retracted the comment later on today. And then proposed more money to banks to lend (or to swallow themselves)

Obama has advised Europe to give the banks THREE TRILLION EUROS to solve the problem.. He obviously runs the whole world, not only the Uselss of A. When, dear friends did we actually have an economy that ran on the good old system, sell your products, spend the profit on your friends products and so on.... Nineteenth century aparently.

Meanwhile, down the farm, the credit crunch (or 3D, first to name the triple dip that follows..) plays a background role as fun and love gets in the way of bank and political theft!!



The Hug Deli at Manta Rota, Eastern Portugal, Invisible products at invisible prices.. the tour continues!!! Volunteers wanted!!


Used tyres, new shoes


Take a genuine Harley Davidson used back tyre, from the local dumpster


Use the old crocs as templates and cut out two new soles



Contact adhesive and glue together... another 2000 miles!!

The Triple Indian Summer still continues, my tan deepens and bar a broken projector, the hammocks at Quinta Stuart are still well occupied. A great bring and share curry night last week end signified the end of Quinta Stuart's summer season.

We will be adding another wooden house (Stuey's Shack) this winter and are planning more outreach and educational courses - watch this spot!!



Owl at the Lisbon Bike Run

We must remember that as long as we tread gently on this world, speak kindly, live carefully, love generously, care deeply we will all be okay. Stu and Owl x