A Creative Spirit
The prompt for this week's photo challenge is bridge. Unfortunately, after an extensive search through my photos for an inspiring bridge in Portugal, I drew a blank. Will a bridge in Venice suffice? On our first evening in Venice we sat at one of these tables sipping wine while watching the Gondoliers at work. It... Continue Reading →
My passion for gardening has now extended to include collecting succulents and cacti so every time I visit a garden centre my first port of call is the succulent and cacti bays. So far choice has been limited as most garden centres and shops sell nigh on the same plants. If anyone knows any specialist... Continue Reading →
I was searching through my photographs when I came upon this mystical sunset. The cross was evanescent, fading just as quickly as it had appeared. I still wonder if there was some spiritual significance.
The theme for this week's WordPress photo challenge is Heritage. Thinking of the words 'heritage' and 'Portugal' in the same sentence the first thing that comes to mind is Fado. We were fortunate to see the highly acclaimed Fado singer Mariza in concert in 2010. It is one of those treasured memories that will always... Continue Reading →
WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: this week's challenge is 'Reflecting I was taking a walk though the Portuguese countryside when this reflection caught my attention. Can you see what is missing from the picture that is reflected in the rather large puddle? '
I've been meaning to set myself this challenge for some time so after reading the theme for this week's photo challenge is  'Quest'. and according to Merriam Simple Definition of quest : a journey made in search of something : a long and difficult effort to find or do something I think a 'quest' to pick... Continue Reading →
This week's WordPress Photo Challenge is all about reflections. One of the least memorable trips on our Douro river cruise was a visit to Palácio de Mateus, near Vila Real. Please don't ask why but I was expecting to visit a vineyard for the Mateus Rose wine. Yep, the devil is always in the detail... Continue Reading →
I love the way the droplets of water linger on the petals and leaves like tiny bubbles. These are small details we often fail to notice yet when captured in a photograph remind us of the simplicity of nature. Other details include the unusual combinations of colours. And bees gathering pollen. While I find Gazanais... Continue Reading →
The theme for this week's WordPress challenge is 'Opposites'. Contemplating the differences in opinion for Brexit: 'Remain' or 'Leave', how could I express the extremes behind the vote and the wisdom of the 'Leave' result in terms of a photograph? In the end it will boil down to money. Some think the UK will be... Continue Reading →
The theme for this week's WordPress photo challenge is curve. Initially I was drawn to architectural curves and the many photos I'd taken of archways and bridges. But how boring... so seeking inspiration I looked in the mirror and thought of 'bodily 'curve's' and the sculptures of Karl Heinz Stock displayed in the extensive grounds... Continue Reading →
This week's WordPress Photo Challenge is Eye Spy. I see you, do you really see me behind the bars of captivity... ?
The theme for this week's WordPress Photo Challenge is Transition. When you stop to consider how we have evolved and the stress of living in a high-pressured, money-grabbing, politically correct and power crazy world where tolerance and excuses breed intolerance, have we really progressed? Dog eat dog and all that...
This week's Weekly Photo Challenge is 'Wall' This is  the noticeboard on my study wall. For the last year I have been staring at this piggin' mess with the good intention of removing all the redundant pieces of paper, cards and 'whatnots' I keep, 'just in case'. I now have SO much rubbish I can no longer see... Continue Reading →
The theme for this week's WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is 'Signs'. That's lucky, because I have the perfect picture! I spotted this sign outside the toilets in a restaurant in Ferragudo, Algarve. It made me chuckle so of course I just had to take a photograph! Are women always 'right' or do men just let... Continue Reading →
The statue of Infante D. Henrique (Henry the Navigator), sits pride of place in the Praça do Infante Dom Henrique within a few metres of the "Slave Market". Born March 4th, 1394 Henry was an important figure in the Portuguese Age of Discovery and sponsored exploration voyages in search of new trade routes down the coast of Africa.... Continue Reading →
This photograph was taken from the walls of the 10th Century Moorish castle of Aljezur in the Western Algarve. The castle, set high on the hill, has panoramic views across the rolling countyside, the historic town of Aljezur and to Monchique mountain beyond. This post is inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo challenge. This week's... Continue Reading →
The situation regarding the invasive Red Palm weevil will never be resolved in Portugal (in my humble opinion) due in part to the apathy and laziness of the few. No action was taken when it first arrived in our area two years ago by some property owners as infested trees on their land were left... Continue Reading →
Azulejos are hand-painted tiles used to decorate properties in Portugal both internally and externally since the middle ages. They were introduced to by the Moors and originally decorated with geometric patterns in a single colour. This post was inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge this week's theme is Geometry.
This week's theme for Jakes photo challenge is City Living in a city I'm sure has many advantages, but I've always pondered on the problem as to where city-dwellers hang their wet washing to dry in these tiny trendy city apartments. Now I know! Every time I visit a big city claustrophobia washes over me,... Continue Reading →
But not as we know it! Perhaps looking at this photograph you would be forgiven for thinking the shot was taken in the heart of the country, and not in a small town in the Western Algarve. When I captured this moment it was if I'd stepped back in time to another era and a... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 