Tag Archives: Jakes Sunday Post

City Living in Lisbon

Posted on October 23, 2012 | 44 Comments

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!

How do people dry their washing in the city?

How do people dry their washing in the city?

Living in a city aprtment - how do you dry your washing?

Living in a city aprtment – how do you dry your washing?

Drying washing in a city apartment

Drying washing in a city apartment

Every time I visit a big city claustrophobia washes over me, absorbs my consciousness and makes me feel anxious and dizzy. There are just too many people, too many cars, too much pollution and too much noise! I’m a beach and country person through and through as the hypnotic sounds of the sea and tranquility of the countryside brings a certain peace within.

I could NEVER live in a city.

The only plus side of city living I can think of is that I would not have to contend with the bug problem – just masses of people!

Could you live in a city?

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Posted in Daily Life, Weekly Photo Challenge

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Black and White…or Colour?

Posted on August 21, 2012 | 43 Comments

The theme for Jake’s Photo Challenge this week is: Black and White however, I am not a great lover of black and white photographs. Yes, I know they can be “Arty”, but to me they look rather bland and soulless. (Please feel free to disagree) Perhaps, because I am rather a colourful person I can’t appreciate subtle shades of grey.

For example, here is a black and white photograph of a pretty beach called Praia do Camilo in the Algarve. Taken on a beautiful summer’s day the colours of the sea (in the colour photograph) against the formation of the sandy cliffs look quite effective. Do you think the black and white photo reflects the scene in quite the same way?

Praia do Camilo - Portugal

Praia do Camilo – Portugal

Does the view look as appealing in black and white? Can you appreciate the wonderful shades of blue which makes the sea look so inviting?

Praia do Camilo

Praia do Camilo

When would you take a black and white photograph in preference to colour?

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Posted in Photographs of Portugal

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Recycling water in the home

Posted on June 15, 2012 | 48 Comments
Recycling Water

Recycling Water

Recycling in the home is one of my passions, so before disposing of anything from egg boxes and string to plastic bottles and containers I now ask myself “How can I reuse this item – either in its current form or in an alternative way?” It’s amazing how creative one can be!

Recycling and conserving water is my latest crusade.

Saving the planet aside, it’s surprising when you focus the mind just how much water you can actually recycle.

5 ways we recycle water

1. Recycle the backwash from the pool. At least 250 litres every 1-2 weeks. (Update: this is a chlorine pool, not salt water)

2. Run the first 5L of cold water from the hot water tap into a container. In our household we usually run off about 5L of water before the water is hot. This saves around 30L per week.

3. Recycle bath water to use on established trees and bushes (I only use natural soaps) 250L minimum per week.

4. Recycle water from washing vegetables prior to cooking. I use this on my herb garden 30L per week.

5. Recycle water from the dehumidifiers to water plants. These produce at least 10L per week!

I’d always recycled tap water, but recently while on a cost cutting and recycling mission it suddenly occurred to me, like a light bulb moment, that the backwash from the swimming pool could possibly be recycled to water my plants.

Research on the net revealed that when backwash is stored in a plastic storage tank or bottles the chlorine levels dissipate over a few days. We bottled and tested the backwash and no sign of any chlorine!

How do you recycle water?

Check out the “The National Geographic” Water Conservation Tips

This topic was inspired by Jake’s Sunday Post. This week’s theme is H20

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Posted in Daily Life, Recycling

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