It’s a lot cooler which is nice. The average being about 26ºC . We had some unexpected rain yesterday which posed a threat to my almond harvest. I am picking these slowly off the trees by hand. I could use a net but I feel it is more work than the task merits. The harvest seems mixed. Some of almonds which were a very good size last year are miniscule this year. While others are fine. Could be due to the drought conditions and extreme heat. The almond trees are not irrigated.
![almonds, amendoas, Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal](https://www.bright-work.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/almonds.resized.jpg)
While on the subject of extreme heat, my persimmon (diospiro) trees have dropped their fruit. I don’t think it’s due to lack of water as the leaves are green and growing. Surprisingly, the apples are doing okay. I really expected them to drop all the fruit during the heat wave.
![apples / maça, Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal](https://www.bright-work.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/apples.2.resized-rotated.jpg)
I have a decent amount of grapes to keep me going at the moment . ‘Italia’ came good despite the vine collapsing due to neglect on my part. The Donna Maria Branca’ are slowly ripening. They are definitely less bunches of this variety this year.
![grapes, uvas, Donna Maria Branca variety, Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal](https://www.bright-work.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/donna.maria_.resized-rotated.jpg)
I still have a few plums on one tree. I managed to gain something useful from the black plums (ameixa preta) which were heavily infected with worms. I harvested them early and made some good jam and a lot of compote. Some of the compote borders on jam quality. I used 25% in weight of sugar to the plums. I use the compote in my cooking. In sweet and sour pork, pasta and even rice. I also use it to make a super dip for chips 🙂 .
Super dip – chopped onion and chilli, a bit of chopped basil. I use the manjaricão which grows like a weed. To this I add 2-3 tablespoons of plum compote, a squirt of tomato ketchup and a pinch of black pepper. Sometimes I add a dash of cider vinegar.
I harvested and sold the bulk of my carobs. I had to take them down a couple of sacks at a time, 14 km round trip. It was okay but I hope to find a paid for transportation service for next year.
![Pepe Benelli, 50cc two stroke, Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal](https://www.bright-work.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/pepe.two_.by_.two_.resized.jpg)
The maize is still growing well. Fingers crossed!
![Maize /milho, Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal](https://www.bright-work.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/maize.endof_.aug_.resized-rotated.jpg)
It’s too late for the melons. The plants are growing and flowering but it will soon be autumn. The olives are growing slowly.. . 🙂 No olives for olive this year as the trees are resting.
![melon plants and young olive trees, melão plantas e oliveiras, Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal](https://www.bright-work.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/late.melons.resized-rotated.jpg)
Bonji says it'd been a very hot this summer!
![dog, cão, Belmonte, Luz de Tavira, Algarve, Portugal](https://www.bright-work.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/08/bonji.says_.resized-rotated.jpg)