Category: Uncategorized
-
Carnaval, Mardis Gras, Fat Tuesday…
The Algarve is celebrating Carnaval. In Loulé, the festivities began on Sunday February 19 and continue until the end of the following Tuesday, or Mardis Gras. Having never experienced this event up close and personal, it was suggested by my friends that I go to Loulé. They were going to another town and a somewhat…
-
Sunshine and stormy weather
In the past few days, the weather has been somewhat changeable – a mix of cloud, rain, cool temperatures and then a glorious sun filled day. One of those came along and we went to Faro beach! And then there was a long leisurely lunch on the terrace of Wax restaurant. Good food, sunshine, breeze…
-
Birthday celebration
Yes, the day finally arrived – February 9th -and a huge thank you to Randy and Marc and Joanne for making my day so extra special. The hike I had hoped we would take didn’t happen because of rain the previous day: muddy trails are slippery trails and not that safe. However, the clouds did…
-
Festival das Amendoeiras em Flor
Festivals in Portugal, as in the rest of the world, have taken a Covid Pandemic beating so the 2023 Festival of Almond Flowers in Alta Mora drew a large and very vibrant crowd. Randy, Joanne, Jackson and myself set out on Saturday February 4 to check out what it was all about. It took slightly…
-
The dawning of the age of Aquarius…
As January gives way to February, Ireland initiates a new state holiday on the first day of the month – Saint Brigid’s Day. Plus, February is my birthday month along with my friends, Randy, Pearl and Clarence – Aquarians all! So, Happy Birthday everyone and let the celebrations begin! CORRECTION: Randy, although born in February,…
-
Art washes away from the soul the dust of everyday life…Pablo Picasso
The week began with a road trip to Quinta da Tor, a popular vineyard and winery a short distance from Loulé. Artist and friend, Marc Thivierge was involved in an art exposition that was officially opening on Sunday January 22. It was well worth the gut wrenching up hill and down dale drive from Estoi…
-
Get Thee Up Into The High Mountain..
Hiking was on the Friday & Saturday menus An invitation came from Randy and Joanne to meet up with them and Pat and Gary on Friday to hike the trail up Cerro da Cabeça near Moncarapacho. It was a beautiful sunny day at the beginning with a cool breeze that brought some cloud cover. Not…
-
The week began and slipped away…
“The road to hell is paved with good intentions”, was one of my English professor’s favourite responses to excuses regarding requests for extensions on essays. In my own defence, I’m not on that particular path, I’m on the retirement road thus blog posts will happen when they happen! This was a week of rediscovering the…
-
A new Sunday rhythm
Personally, Sunday has been a performance day given over to my duties as a church organist and choir director in various guises. In Estoi, I have escaped all of that, and the first day of the week takes on a new flavour, a more relaxed beat. So, a morning of laundry, a lovely long walk…
-
Lunch, Beach and Ocean
Sunshine ad blue skies predominated on Saturday January 14 and the suggestion of lunch at Dinis’s restaurant followed by a trip to Barril Beach sounded promising. Since I wasn’t familiar with the route to the restaurant, I elected to follow Randy, Marc and Joanne. Unfortunately, Jackson had stay home as dogs are not allowed on…
Five Feet, Nine Inches Above Ground 