The weather has warmed up over the last 2 days , and this is making things really grow after all the rain . Now is the time for pruning the olive trees .
When we first came here 9 years ago the locals gave me instructions on how to prune . The gist of it was to make the tree shaped like a crinoline skirt , not too high , with the centre left clear to allow the air to flow through the tree . But now with the many machines available for picking they tend to keep the shape slim and not bother too much about the height . But as I pick by hand and stick to the original shape . Any thick prunings are used for firewood and burn very well . Any shoots from the base and the trunk are trimmed off and it is usual to use a sharp axe as you do not want to leave a nodule that can regrow .
In the meantime the almonds are breaking into blossom . Some white and some pink . The pink are the commercially grown trees and the lower slopes of the mountains now have a pink hue and give the valley a beautiful setting .
Meanwhile the animals are happier but I still have not finished the new chicken run . Always something to do .
More tomorrow .
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