Help please !

[Blondelle]

Can anyone tell me please if theres a special name for the little black-brimmed hats that some of the elderly Portuguese men wear --I always think of them as "Fedoras" but thats probably not correct. I need right term for my next story "Gentlemen of Lagoa" --of these men that I Knew and talked with;of course the majority did and still do wear the cloth caps.Can someone put me right please?
Another question please--- Im growing twofig trees here in UK;I started them from seed of fresh fig--theyre now over 60 cms high,and though deciduous,I get beautiful large fig leaves through summer but will I ever get fruit? Theyre in very sunny border,good drainage.Ive restricted roots with stone slabs and occassional water them.Can I expect fruit ?or will they just become leafy shrubs?
I tasted my first ever fresh fig in garden I worked near Porches 10 years ago- delicious--shop bought are never the same!
A beautiful specimen grew from the foundations of an old house in Lagoa --restricted roots indeed! Thank-you, Elle.

[e-richard]

Many years ago we had a large fig tree in a house in Esher in Surrey. The first year we had hundreds (well... dozens anyway) of figs, but then 3-4 years of nothing, then 1 year of beautiful figs, then another long lean period. Never found out precisely why

However, in researching it a little, I remember reading that fig trees (in the UK) grew best when close to a wall or similar well sheltered corner. Our tree was well situated in the corner of the patio, and nothing changed from year to year, so we just remained confused, but hopeful.

Hope this encourages you...I do remember eating some beautiful fresh figs when they did eventually arrive.

[Blondelle]

Thank-you E.Richard for your info on figs--that must have been wonderful to have had fresh figs from an English garden--as you say and from my own experience its lovely to pick the fig straight from the tree and eat it. The same for anything you grow yourself I suppose---fruit,veg,herbs --from garden to table, marvellous.
Even after gardening for quite a few years,I still marvel and get excited at seeing a tiny seed turn into a flower,plant,and tree --i found a miniature oak tree,only 6in high in my hedge--there are no oak trees nearby--so presume it was carried by a bird--another miracle of nature!
I dont have a wall in my garden(only hedges with trees) so dont know if my fig trees will eventually fruit--theyre a bit young yet--Ill have to be patient ! Thanks again!
Ellie.

[Michael Crane]

Can anyone tell me please if theres a special name for the little black-brimmed hats that some of the elderly Portuguese men wear --

Are these the hats mentioned in my Lisbon posting on Page 3, March 24?

I think they are called balancy hats for obvious reasons

[Blondelle]

Well Michael, for that cheeky "chapeau" response I might just include your description in my story and call them "balancy "hats. Its much more descriptive than my "Fedora " one. Thank-you !Ellie.

[Michael Crane]

Just be sure you credit me with the description

[Blondelle]

Of course I will Michael!
Look out for little bit added to end of "Gentlemen of Lagoa"
A postscript will say:
My thanks to Michael Crane for helping me to describe elderly Portuguese gent in "Balancy hat"!
Is that ok? Do hope so .

P.S. Incidentily,the old boy I will tell of was a real character--and one i got to know well--he became quite "infamous " with the locals !
Thanks,Ellie.