We’re heading off [virtually] to the countryside in the Alentejo region of Portugal.
Where the cork trees turn the flowing plains of Alentejo into an enchanting place of sun and shadows, it is here where the most extensive cork forests in the world are found. The sturdy old Oak tree with its gnarly tangled branches and thick truck are harvested of bark, usually during the late summer, which was when we were wandering around country roads admiring those sometimes lone oak trees.
There ends the first post about a specific tree during July’s Square Challenge. To view more information about Becky’s July Challenge then head to Becky’s blog The Life of B or check out her latest post – A view with a tree with links to many more images from bloggers around the world.
Life at No. 22 
Those cork trees are fab, as is the lovely Squire 😍 I would love to visit the Alentejo region of Portugal.
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Thanks, Jude. Those wonderful trees had us engrossed for quite a while. During siesta time we googled where to find cork products and more information on the trees. Portugal is an interesting country to explore. Though very hot during summer!
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yes better in the other seasons to visit – spring and autumn in Alentejo is just perfect. Do hope you get to return
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We have been to Portugal/Spain/Italy during off season and it does make a difference to getting out and exploring without the oppressive heat. Becky, you must be so looking forward to heading back to Portugal.
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One of these days you will make it and we can meet up there 🙂 we love exploring this part of Portugal but have only seen a tiny bit of the region. Lots to explore!
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Are you staying in your usual place in Olhão then, if you get over there? Or a change of scenery?
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Olhão initially just so we can find our feet again – more than 2 years now since we were there. Plus friends to catch up with. We will though be heading up into Alentejo when we can as I love it up there so much
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It would be fabulous if you, Jude and Jo got together. Actually, it would be fun if there were more blogging get togethers. One day.
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I don’t think I had known where cork comes from! Hello there. Enjoy your stay in Portugal.
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We are hardly in Portugal – though a revisit would be lovely.
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I misinterpreted part of the story. I need some coffee to wake me up!
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No worries Neil, I thought you may have done and I have now slotted in [virtually] into my opening sentence 🙂
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How interesting! Corks are one of those things I take for granted… not really considering where they come from. Now I know!
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That is true, Janis, we take some things for granted, and I find those who first thought to exact the bark off the trees and put the cork to use the most fascinating. It is a thriving business in Portugal, well, it was when we were there.
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So beautiful, caught and held in the light like that! 😍💕💕 Good to see him looking robust, too….
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Thanks Jo 😘
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P. S I read your article about Ourique but couldn’t comment. We’ve bypassed the town a number of times. Next time we must stop off. The house looks delightful. 😊💕💕
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Hi Jo, I’m guessing the reason for not being able to comment is because it was originally on my previous blog Globalhousesitterx2.com a few posts didn’t carry over in full. One day I may stay focused on sorting them out, then again, maybe not 🙂
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Same here, Suzanne. Sending hugs meanwhile 😘❤
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They are such fabulous trees, specially when they have recently been peeled. I love seeing them 🙂 and wonderful you are part of Squares again
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We enjoyed viewing them and fun to be part of the Squares “team” 🙂
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I know next to nothing about cork, except that it grows on trees and there’s not enough of it. We tend to have synthetic cork in wine bottles (if they’re not screw-topped (we’re very cheap)), but the corkscrews tend to push them back inside the bottle
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The changing of corks in the wine is perhaps a cost factor for wine producers? Not to mention the introduction of screw tops.
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Undoubtedly, but I’m fed up of my corkscrew pushing the ‘cork’ into the bottle and splashing me (and my kitchen floor) with wine that I’d rather be drinking.
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Good ones
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How fascinating to see and to learn about this.
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The ochre colour of the tree trunks is fabulous. I’ve never seen it in Portugal as I’ve never been in the right area at the right time but I have seen them in Spain where they also have cork trees and its breathtaking to view them en masse. All these looking-back blogs are making me feel bad about not being able to visit. I worry that my travels will be very much curtailed in the future, but then I’m sure we all do.
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Not sure you need to feel bad about not travelling. You are well-travelled person as are us two. Perhaps, quite a few of us won’t get to do long haul travel again. Who knows? Though as I mentioned we got to enjoy the world without a pandemic. Regarding the future, I think there is no point in worrying
about something we can’t alter.
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Am I the only person now singing “Tie a yellow ribbon round the old oak tree” in my head? Yes? Ok then.
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Haha, at this precise moment the answer is “Yes” 🤣
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Nope – I’ve been singing it too!
Awesome photos, Suzanne!
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Thanks very much, Donna. The link between the title and that song wasn’t made on purpose. A catchy tune 🙂
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The trunck of the tree is fascinating! Beautifully captured, Suzanne. 🙂
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Those reddish trunks are unreal! It’s because their barks were stripped?
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Our oaks don’t look that lovely. 🙂 Thanks for sharing these.
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Fabulous trees Suz and great to look back on very different times!
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Apologies for the late reply, haven’t been lingering on here for a while. I love all sorts of trees and especially been in the bush.
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