Casalinho

Mindblown: a blog about philosophy.

  • In the Kitchen: Bottling Elderflower Cordial

      One thing we’re not short of at Casalinho at this time of year are elderflowers. We love to dry them for making tea throughout the year, but I also make lots and lots of elderflower cordial whilst they’re in season. Recipes abound, but this is my tried and tested one – Elderflower Cordial recipe. more »

  • Reasons to be Cheerful: Just because …

    Just because they’re beautiful ….    

  • Busy Day in the Garden

      Anyone who’s spent time with us will know how much time we spend fighting to keep our rotovators working. Here’s a rare shot of one in action! Creating a new kitchen garden bed near the house.     Connor is planting pumpkin seedlings along the edge of this raised bed. Cardoon for cheesemaking and more »

  • Aphids, Ladybirds and Lamiaceae

      Many many aphids in the garden this year, it seems more than average. Waiting has been hard, but we’re now started to notice an influx of ladybirds. Nature has her own checks and balances, sometimes you just have to trust and be patient. The ladybird here is pictured on wood sage (Teucrium scorodonia). It’s growing more »

  • PDC designs – Summer 2016

    With our 2017 Permaculture Design Courses coming up soon, time to share the fabulous designs created by last year’s participants. Josh Gomez will be joining us again 18th – 29th August. See our course listing here for more details and join us this summer.  

  • Fabulous Time of Year to be a Goat

      After some rain, it’s a fabulous time of year to be a goat. The hills are totally yellow with broom (Cytisus scoparius) and carqueja (Baccharis trimera).

  • Meet Lambert Geeny

      This is Lambert Geeny, our new ram and future patriarch of what we’re hoping will become our new sheep empire. About two minutes after I took this photo Lambert chased Mr Goat all around the field. Mr Goat is now sulking in his shed, nursing his ego. Lambert is stalking the fence line, baaaahing more »

  • Glanville fritillary

    Glanville fritillary (Melitaea cinxia) on a chamomile flower

  • Cactus Fire Break

    For several years now we’ve been planting cacti along the border of our land, between our camping spaces and our neighbour’s land in the forest. Mature cacti can slow the spread of a fire, so a useful plant to have on the edges of our land. This year I’ve also harvested the cactus fruit to more »

  • Photo Gallery – Permaculture Design Course 2016

    Photo Gallery – Permaculture Design Course 2016

    With our summer course season rapidly approaching I was reminded that I hadn’t shared the marvelous photos which Nuno took for us during one of last year’s Permaculture Design Courses. Here are a selection of his photos of the event. Please join us for a Permaculture Design Course this year. Bookings are now open, and more »

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