Near Kotë
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Unpolished
Life on the land, as it is
No styling and no filters. Things we see at the estate and around it, posted as they happen.
Near Kotë
One of the oldest olive trees on the estate
Near Kotë
Harsh summer temperatures
Very hot and dry summer this year with temperatures above 35°C, at times touching 40°C so much so the ground started showing cracks. Looks dramatic but normal in nutrient rich clay soils - continuous tree drip watering and pumping water from the Shushica River left us all a few kilograms lighter in weight.
Near Kotë
First ride to the estate
More of a personal blog, this one: my first time riding to the estate after my motorbike licence. From the coast in Vlorë out through scenic twisty roads in 34°C weather feeling the wind and enjoying the road - from the beach to the estate in approximately 20mins.
Near Kotë
My uncle’s experiments
My uncle’s experiments. Delicious watermelons on an empty patch of land: just seeds put into the ground and left untouched. August, so the heat is high, which is why the ground looks so rough and dry.
Near Kotë
Blossoming plum trees
A handful of plum trees my dad planted some years ago - very soft and tender plums.
Near Kotë
Natural persimmons
My dad’s handful of persimmon trees he added some years ago around the estate. I think these are the Hachiya variety - you quickly learn to not bite into an unripe one as it instantly dries up your mouth.
Ripe - they're delicious. The skin is soft and translucent like a natural bowl holding a rich, spoonable dessert. Sinking your teeth into the centre gives this intense honey sweetness vaguely like a super sweet very ripe mango without that tropical tang.
Near Kotë
Natural medlars (mushmolla)
Yet to try this very odd Venus Flytrap looking fruit - it needs 2 to 4 weeks of TLC (bletting) before it can be eaten.
Near Kotë
Olive trees flowering
Near Kotë
Row of almond trees
The Estate has varying ages of olive trees when a piece of neighbouring land was purchased and younger olive trees were planted - my dad planted two rows of fruit trees in-between both parcels making the estate in blossoming season absolutely pop.