We returned to Terceira from our Portuguese studies on the mainland at the beginning of February. It was a delight to be back home and a relief to see that everything in and around the house was still in good order (save for two of our homemade concrete paver blocks that were washed away in the stream). Unfortunately, we both picked up colds the last week of classes, so our first week back was mostly taking it easy and drinking herbal tea.

Visitors!

(Above, L to R: Uncle Marty, Cousin Jason, Aunt Debbie, Raymond, and Aunt Connie in the capital, Angra do Heroísmo)

Raymond and I were pleased to have our first visitors this month! After exactly six months here it was our pleasure to share the island with some of our family. Here are some highlights:

Cascades of Agualva

Angra do Heroísmo and Monte Brasil

Sulfur Vents and Cave

North Coast Views

Terrace Project

The terraces are really taking shape. On the lower terrace, the collards are getting big – we regularly cook them in soups – and we just planted some spinach and lettuce on that level as well. Along the side of the concrete paver blocks we transplanted some sod to help control rain runoff. On the middle terrace, the fava beans we planted before leaving for Coimbra are healthy and happy (as is the clover planted as erosion control along the rocks). The upper terrace has an additional planting of fava and is still a work in progress.

Front Yard

Raymond and I finally got around to pressure-washing the front yard / driveway. With the amount of rain we get here, the concrete gets quite slippery with moss and mildew and we wanted to make it safe for our guests. On a whim today we rolled the HUGE millstone away from wall area with the pots (where it had been for years, presumably) and across the driveway to the rock wall. We like the way the millstone demarcates the parking area from the front yard and are already enjoying the added space around the picnic table.