A Creative Spirit in Portugal
Hi fellow writers. I am going to give a shoutout for Flashes. Flashes is a literary website where we publish short stories, non-fiction, flash fiction, poetry and author interviews. Our goal is to give talented writers a platform to showcase their creativity, with an emphasis on original voice, innovative style and challenging plots. If you... Continue Reading →
The Cistus Ladanifer can be seen across Portugal during May and June. It is a sticky shrub (as I discovered when I wandered off the track to take closeups). The sticky resin covering the stem and leaves is called laden and contains healing properties. It is also used in the cosmetic industry to fix perfumes.... Continue Reading →
Fortunately, we've had more rain this week. Not much but just enough to keep us on edge when we planned a BBQ or to invite friends round for a coffee on the terrace. A New Member of the Family - Solanum Rantonnetti We can always find room for one more plant, yes? Last week I... Continue Reading →
The Carpobrotus Edulis is a creeping succulent listed as one of the invasive species in Portugal. It can be found everywhere along the Portuguese coastline. It has the most amazing flowers which the bees enjoy. REF https://flora-on.pt/?q=Carpobrotus Citation: A.Carapeto, F.Clamote, P.V.Araújo, M.Porto, D.T.Holyoak, C.T.Gomes, J.D.Almeida, E.Portela-Pereira, et al. (2021). Carpobrotus edulis (L.) N.E.Br. - mapa... Continue Reading →
My Six this Saturday this week has proved quite a challenge. I had so much to write about but so little time. This morning we went to a fellow gardeners for a coffee, catch-up and a tour around his garden. It is amazing. So many projects and raised beds, covers, sheds, nooks and crannies. Gnome... Continue Reading →
How time flies! My baby granddaughter has just celebrated her tenth birthday which is a landmark birthday in France. Fortunately, her English is VERY good which means we can talk on the phone. Not so her younger brother. He is now seven and speaks very little English. My ongoing health issues over the last three years and then COVID has meant we have not been able to travel as we once did so we’ve not had the same social and language interaction …
The last two weeks in France have literally ‘flown’ by! Looking back it seems like only yesterday we were eagerly driving to Lisbon Airport to catch a plane to Lyon. Our daughter, husband and Baby Piglet had just moved to their new home in the French countryside and we’d volunteered our services to help them settle in.
Mr. Piglet’s DIY (Do-It-Yourself) skills were well utilized and a long list of jobs had already been drafted on our arrival. I was head cook and bottle washer plus baby entertainer and nappy changer.
Their new home is approximately 250 years old – a rustic farm-house with a wealth of character features which gives the place a real ‘homely’ feel. The garden, approximately 1.4 hectares, is great but will be a full-time job in itself to maintain! There are several nut and apple trees along with vines and fruit bushes which already offered…
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This week I decided to participate in Natalie's Weekend Coffee share. A first. So What’s been going on in my life? It's been a strange week. A couple of weeks ago I injured my right hand. Namely my mouse finger, or as it was once referred to, the index finger. After several days the pain... Continue Reading →
For my Six on Saturday this week I have focused on our fruit trees which usually normally offer more challenges than fruit. Most people here have an abundance of produce from the popular almond trees, plums, apples, oranges, lemons, advocados, figs, olives etc,, but not us. Nope, we struggle and although I am reliabily informed:... Continue Reading →
A gentle stroll along the clifftop road towards Amoreira beach in the Western Algarve gave me yet more photo opportunities to record several species of wildflowers. This week I have chosen to showcase the wild carrot. Apparently, it is also used as an essential oil for its anti-inflammatory and anti-fungal properties. Natural medicine geeks check... Continue Reading →
My choices for Six on Saturday this week, focus once again on vegetables. I believe the hours spent nurturing all these plants help to keep me sane in the light of the daily challenges we face with COVID. Nature is a great healer and brings peace in these times of stress. Growing Leeks and Garlic... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 