| Up in the mountains of Monchique we went to visit a
farm. Our hosts, a couple in the late sixties, had kindly offered to show us the process
of distilling the Medronho spirit. For
the remaining romantics, dreaming of a life of independence, being self sufficient and
living of the earth, here is the recipe!
Time vanished with the tarmac several kilometres before our arrival, twice we
had to cross a river, a four wheel drive vehicle is no luxury .
Chickens, a couple of pigs, dogs and a donkey for company, visits are
appreciated. The sparse supplies are happily shared.
Life could be called basic at these parts, electricity is supplied by a
generator but just a few hours in the evening, for the light and a little television. The
running costs prohibitive. A cellular telephone driven of a solar panel ensures contact in
case of illness or emergency.
Cooking takes place over a wood fire on the ground in a dedicated room, not
quite what Miele might call a kitchen. In the absence of a refrigerator, sausages are
hanging under the chimney, smoked indeed.
wild boars savaged the roof
Se deus quizer
"He who understands nature walks close with God." - Edgar Cayce
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