Above: view of Monte Brasil from our new favorite bar/restaurant after work

Summer’s End

It was a beautiful season on the island, but alas, summer is over. Like in past years, the sun and (relative) heat of July and August were quickly replaced with gray skies and mist. Oh, and our first hurricane!

Above: driveway, wall and house; newly cemented hole for new stone table

Yard Updates

The monstera vine we planted lasted year along the stream side is flowering and fruiting for the first time! It takes patience, though – I have read that it takes roughly a year for the phallic fruit to ripen.

Next up, here are some potted plants along the patio wall. Everything was found on our around our property: dracaena, tree fern, Japanese cedar, lily, and ice plant . The dwarf papyrus growing in the stone basin has gotten bigger and is looking great.

Lastly, our neighbor trimmed the hillside above the orchard and we trimmed a few big branches from the chestnut tree which has provided more air and much-needed late-summer light to the fruit trees. The black fig tree and the new pear tree seem to be happy with the additional space.

Hurricane Gabrielle

This was our first official hurricane in the two years we have been on the island. Thankfully, it was only a category 1 and passed just to the north of Terceira. Aside from loosing power for a number of hours and a blown-over banana tree there was no damage to our property. That said, it was an exciting drive to work that morning – lots of wind, rain, and fog as well as roads covered with leaves and small branches.

Above: some wind-damaged banana leaves and windfall annona fruits

Above: sunset behind the island of São Jorge from the west coast of Terceira