Cork on Top

... is the title of a leaflet advocating that we ask what the stopper in our wine is made of. When we buy cork, not only are we buying a great product, we're also supporting a unique and endangered ecological system, and the livelihood of thousands of people in areas where any other form of employment is limited. Portugal accounts for over half the world's cork harvest - all here in the Alentejo.

The trees above are on the farm we're staying on - the 7 means they were last harvested in 2007, which means they are due to be harvested next year. A cork oak takes 45 years before it's bark can be harvested, and then it renews itself and is harvested again every nine years. The extra is a close-up of one that was harvested this year.

Went to a rural show today to meet future colleagues, who were there selling their (wonderful) cheese. The winners of the race won: 1st place - a turkey (live); 2nd place - a hen; and 3rd place - a load of eggs, which they had to climb up onto some hay bales to receive.