Portugal. Cork harvesting, processing and use 60 years ago.

This would have been the way it was done in the 18th century. Note the axes used, these are  still still being made and used today.

The Bandeirantes

The bandeirantes were composed of Indians (slaves and allies), caboclos (people of Indian mixed with white), and some whites who were the captains of the Bandeiras. Members of the 16th–18th century South American slave-hunting expeditions called bandeiras (Portuguese for "flags"). Though their original purpose was to capture and force amerindians into slavery, the bandeirantes later began to focus their expeditions on finding gold, silver and diamond mines. They ventured into unmapped regions in search of profit and adventure. From 1580–1670 the Bandeirantes focused on slave hunting, then from 1670–1750 they focused on mineral wealth. Through these expeditions, the Bandeirantes also expanded Portuguese America from the small limits of the Tordesilhas Line to roughly the same territory as current Brazil. This expansion discovered mineral wealth that made the fortune of Portugal during the 17th and 18th centuries.

http://www.absoluteastronomy.com/topics/Bandeirantes

A Blog Award!!! And on my Birthday too :)

Sandra over at Possessions of a Lady has very kindly given my a blog award. Many thanks Sandra, this is sincerely very much appreciated.

To accept the award, one must:

1) Display the award and link back to the person who awarded you.
2) State 7 facts about yourself.
3) Nominate 15 bloggers for the award.
4) Notify the winners.

7 facts about myself:

1) I am an 18th century Living Historian.

2) I am a primitive skills instructor.

3) I am a writer and book author.

4) I produce primitive skills and Living History DVDs.

5) It is my Birthday today and I am 65 years of age.

6) I live in a forest in New England Australia.

7) I was born in West Sussex England.

Blogs I find inspiring in no particular order (not all are 18th century related, nor do I always agree with their content).

1) http://possessionsofalady.blogspot.com.au/

2) http://www.theoldfoodie.com/

3)http://gorges-smythe.blogspot.com.au/

4) http://treewright.blogspot.com.au/

5) http://ghostofthewoods.blogspot.com.au/

6) http://paulinespiratesandprivateers.blogspot.com.au/

7) http://buzzardbushcraft.blogspot.com.au/

8) http://peonyden.blogspot.com.au/

9) http://flintlockandtomahawk.blogspot.com.au/

10) http://twipa.blogspot.com.au/

11) http://traditionalcraftsblog.blogspot.com.au/

12) http://fimbulmyrk.blogspot.com.au/

13) http://belfastbushcraftblog.blogspot.com.au/

14) http://woodtrekker.blogspot.com.au/

15) http://newenglandaustralia.blogspot.com.au/

16) http://myneighborwellington.blogspot.com.au/

17) http://cradleofliberty.blogspot.com.au/

18) http://www.davesact.com/

19) http://pumpkinpatchgarden.blogspot.com.au/

20) http://www.ausbushcraft.com/

CONVENT SWEETS. A Link.

http://myneighborwellington.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/convent-sweets.html

Musical Instrument, the Cavaquinho. A Link.

http://myneighborwellington.blogspot.com.au/2013/03/quick-research-iii-cavaquinho.html

LIFE IN PORTUGAL AT LATE 18TH CENTURY . A Link.

Health, Hygiene and Diet in the 18^th century.
http://myneighborwellington.blogspot.com.au/2012/12/life-in-portugal-at-late-18th-century.html

QUICK RESEARCH II - BOTTLE GOURDS & TEA. A Link.

http://myneighborwellington.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/quick-research-ii-bottle-gourds-tea.html

I found this article to be a very interesting read, well worth checking out. Sara seems to be covering more of the 17th and 18th century of late.
Keith.

THE (MARITIME) DEFENSIVE LINE OF OEIRAS I . A Link.

http://myneighborwellington.blogspot.com.au/2012/08/the-maritime-defensive-line-of-oeiras-i.html

BARRETINA SALOIA- peasant's cap. A Link.

http://myneighborwellington.blogspot.com.au/2012/06/barretina-saloia-peasants-cap.html

THE ROYAL GUNPOWDER FACTORIES. A Link.

http://myneighborwellington.blogspot.com.au/2012/04/royal-gunpowder-factories-at-end-of.html