Money money money

There has been some research done in Spain by Uex indicates that less irrigation of olive trees results in better olive oil with greater health benefits.

This for me just indicates like all things done naturally with the minimum or no interference from man is generally better. Irrigation would only be used to increase fruit size and therefore fruit yield from a tree. The impact on quality would not be a discussion.

This is the sunset from a few nights ago.

Strada dell' olio DOP Umbria

Casa Margherita has joined the above which is a marketing channel for tourism promotion here in Umbria. It is a good link for information if you are planning to come to Umbria - www.stradaoliodopumbria.it

Otherwise we had some very welcome rain overnight and the occasional shower during the day. The forecast has more to come which is good as the fertiliser for the olives might finally get washed down to their roots.

Roma

Just spent a few days in Rome recharging the batteries. It was a way overdue trip as we worked out the last time we when there was 2009 which is shameful really as it's only a couple of hours by train.

We saw a couple of exhibitions and explored the Monti area which is full of designer shops, bars and restaurants - buzzing. It's just a few steps from Cavour metro station. Well worth a look.

Had some really nice food the worst of which was some overpriced Italian.

Also, I don't know how many k's we walked but wow the dog's we're howlin'.

Studio assistants

Like all good artists, Rachel has a couple of studio assistants who help her with the creative process.

It is very warm here at the moment hence Rachel painting outdoors. Still we await the rain as the ground is terrifically dry. I am still pruning most days.

What to say?

I was leaving my olive oil storage space when this man in a suit practically jumped in front of the car and asked me to drop him off at a supermarket down the road. I said yes and he got in. He seemed upset but asked if I worked. Is said I did and he said it was good to work.

He then said he was Albanian and had lived for 22 years in Italy and started to cry. He added that his wife had died 6 months ago and cried again. He was going back to Albania.

I offered my condolences about his wife and asked if the had family back in Albania. By this time he was crying a lot and asked me to stop the car and let him out.

What do you say?

Benediction

The local priest is doing the rounds before Easter blessing every house with the an offering duly collected. In older times when money was truly scarce payment was made with eggs. Being non Catholic and a tough kilometer down a stone track the priest has yet to pay us a visit.

Mind, the Church is finding times little tougher as Mario Monti (PM) has applied a property tax to all Church premises used for commercial purposes.

The marks we make

Google Maps have updated their satellite images of our area so you can see what we have been doing here at Casa Margherita.

It is very detailed so you can see the tyre tracks in the grove, the gravel square in the orto etc etc