Sardinian Cork

I had not given them a second thought until arriving in Sardinia - CORKS.

I've certainly come across a few though!

http://mysardinia.com/1481/galluras-cork-oaks/

Now I know that:

-  Sardinia is the main place for cork production in Italy.

-  Cork comes from the bark of special cork oak trees. (Quercus suber L.)

-  The cork is  harvested every nine years in a rather labour intensive process. One tree can grow around 2.5 to 5 cm of new cork in three to ten years.

- The estimated lifespan of the cork oak is around 150 years and the bark of the tree cannot be harvested until it is around 25 to 30 years old

-  Calangianus is the hub of the action, the cork capital.

- The cork is boiled to increase flexiblity and to remove unwanted extras then pressed before being processed.It is scraped clean by hand.

- The by products of production are used to dye wool.

-  You can make a lot more from cork than wine bottle stoppers!

 This is a very short video on the method of removing cork bark from the trees.

http://www.youtube.com/user/usfloorsinc

The shops are full of cork products that range from pens, to actual cork paper to containers and lampstands. Amazing!

By buying wine with corks rather than plastic stoppers you will be helping to keep this sustainable tradition alive and preserving the ancient cork forests of Sardinia.

Go ahead drink more wine, just do it sensibly and with a cork stopper!

So I just had to browse my favourite shopping mall for cork inspired items.

Please click on the pictures to go directly to the ETSY shops that sell these unique cork products.

Recycled Wine Cork Cufflinks by Miss Courageous

Cork Oxford Shoes by August Ballarinas

Beach Tote in Cork by Flux Productions

Custom Cork business Cards (set of 24) by Wearhouse Industries

Handmade Salvaged Wine Cork Mosaic by Bheaded5

Den Building

Den Building - making things boy style!

We've been on a couple of den building expeditions this school holiday. Last week we went to Abberton Reservoir, Colchester for an instructor led day of den building and campfires. The morning was spent scurrying around finding branches and tarp wrestling to make a makeshift sort of shelter. The boys had to stay inside while water was poured on to test for rainproofing qualities. The shelter worked well but the little boy on the other side of the shelter got a soaking as the instructor's bucket of water flew over the top to soak him.

After a packed lunch of chocolate, crisps and not many sandwiches (expedition food!) we helped to build a roaring fire. Whilst the flames died down we used potato peelers to whittle a pointy stick ready for the marshmallows. By the end the fire pit was full of foaming and flaming  pink marshmallows. Being a gang of boys the pink ones accidently fell off to be replaced hopefully by a white one!

Brothers!

After marshmallows we wrapped a dough worm around the stick to make damper bread. The mix of flour and water was made more appealing by the addition of melting chocolate chips. It was actually delicious.

There are lots more activities planned at Abberton for the summer (and other school holidays too). Please follow the link.

http://www.essexwt.org.uk/eventsactivities/abberton_reservoir_visitor_centre_events/

To make our den more cosy and homelike these products found on ETSY are on our wishlist for next summer.please click on the picture to go directly to the shop.

Felt Woodland Campfire - Neafus

Campfire tripod & 3 S hooks
My Blacksmith shop

Toasted Marshmallow Fragrance Oil Premium 1 oz 
 Indigo Fragrance

Personal Roasting stick by Firestick.