If we were having coffee, I’d tell you it’s been a week of taking stock of my physical and mental health. Are they linked? Yes, I believe so. I’ve decided this year not to set strict goals or resolutions that will probably set me up to fail, but rather learn to live in the moment and celebrate achievements, however small. Remember, Piglet. You are only competing against yourself.
YaY!
I did have two major breakthroughs this week: I walked over 10,000 steps in one day. A first since way before my knee op. AND… I have almost perfected the art of getting down on the floor via a technique my physio has been working on. I haven’t had a physio session in about four weeks, so the physio will be surprised by my progress! AND, I am gaining confidence with the manual transmission car.
A friend suggested I try Tai Chi. Have you tried it?
Clifftop Walk to the esturary at Praia da Amoreira
I love this walk, and for once, there were no tourists, no surfing vans, and no hippie dudes with their feral dogs to destroy my Karma. Just the sounds of the waves crashing against the cliffs, birds singing and beautiful scenery. Bliss.
The fishermen perched on the cliff edge did make us smile. I am not sure if they are brave or stupid to risk their lives in their quest to catch fresh fish.
A Nice Surprise in the Garden
Between juggling health issues, visitors, trips away, funerals, storms, rain, etc., I’ve ignored my garden over the last few months and left it mainly to its own devices, so I was delighted to discover that both my Cymbidium orchids are in flower!
That’s it for this week, folks. How was your week? Any news, blues, surprises or success?
Do check out other #weekendcoffeeshares on Natalie’s blog
Piglet in Portugal 
Wow, your walk looks like perfection! How beautiful. The fisherman, I could NEVER. I’m afraid of heights tho. Your cymbidium orchids are lovely, I have to admit mine have never bloomed. Our winter might be too rough? I like the idea of not being so rough on ourselves, seriously let’s do our best and enjoy life, too!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Tracy, yes, the walk is beautiful and we are lucky to have it on our doorstep. As for the Orchids they can go down to near freezing. Check out https://www.aos.org/orchid-care/orchid-care-and-culture-sheets/cymbidium-culture-sheet/cymbidium-culture
LikeLike
Congrats on your two major breakthroughs! I like the positive energy notes idea. The beautiful cliff walk and orchids in bloom would make me happy. Thank you for your weekend coffee share.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Hi Natalie the huge increase in steps means I can take short weekend breaks away and explore different parts of Portugal
LikeLike
Good for you! Every bit of progress matters, but those are big steps (literally lol). Love the estuary view, I can feel the breeze and sunshine, the fishing? I’ll pass!
LikeLiked by 1 person
thanks, Bittster. I was feeling very chuffed with myself 🙂 Yep, the fishermen should be certified!
LikeLike
Congratulations on the 10,000 steps! Well done you! Progress is a wonderful way to start a new year. Beautiful photos, Carole! I especially loved the one with the steps going down to the water. The composition in that shot was perfection! This past week was one of excitement around here. Our daughter and her husband will be visiting us here in south Texas for nine days in February. They’ve never been here before and we’ve never spent that much time together with her since she left home as a young adult, 25 years ago.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you, Terry! I ached the follwoing day but the achievement felt amazing. Another thanks re the complement re composition of the Amoeriera estuary shot. I really must enearth my camera so the shots are better quality. As you can see from the fisherman shots they are disappoiting.
that’s great news re your daughter and husband’s vaction with you. I bet you already have lots of places lined up to take them. What sort of temperatures do you expect in February?
LikeLiked by 1 person
Excellent distance photos can be taken with smart phone, Carole. There are things you can do and things you should avoid when doing distance shots. Our S. Texas Feb forecast is in the low to mid 20’s C . That can change in a heartbeat though, and be much warmer or cooler, so we play it by ear. Our daughter and her hubby will be warm regardless because they’re coming from temps of -30°C (yes – that’s minus 30) and colder. She wanted to book a fishing trip while they’re here, so I told her to prepare for cooler weather. She laughed and said, “Mom!! We’re ICE-fishing here!!” I’m obviously very acclimatized to south Texas winters, 😂
LikeLiked by 1 person
-30C that’s positively Artic! We do acclimatize to our envirnmoment … when we return to the UK I freeze!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I freeze here in South Texas if it hits the +15 to +20 C range. I’m definitely acclimatized. 😎
LikeLiked by 1 person