When the media refer to the term 'NEW' normal what does it actually mean? I assume they are referring to the impact COVID has had on the world as a whole and how we must learn to adapt physically and mentally to our new lifestyle restrictions as individuals. It is probably the general term adopted... Continue Reading →
A NOT so Welcome Easter Bunny
Deep in thought with my latest gardening challenges, thrips and leaf miners, I walked towards the garage to check the various potions I had in stock. As I passed the cars I sensed movement in the front garden bed. I froze; we suspect a rat has recently taken up residence in our garden as a... Continue Reading →
Sunday: Hedge Cutters, Blowers and Suckers
All through Saturday the constant revving and whir of hedge cutters from gardeners working at a nearby property drove us mad. However, I am not unreasonable and accept hedges need to be cut and clippings need to be blown into submission and/or sucked. We have a monster Malaleuca hedge which we/aka Gnome manages himself, so... Continue Reading →
Six on Saturday: Seeds, Salads, Plot and Plans
This week's flown by. The seed order I placed two weeks ago finally arrived on Thursday. All 45 packets of them! The packing list just a glorified till roll receipt presented a challenge in patience as I tried to translate Portuguese to English and then cross-check against my friends' orders, calculate who ordered what and... Continue Reading →
Weekly Smile: Still Smiling
It can be tough finding a smile when you are 'shielding' locked away from the world. That said when you focus on the positives in life they can far outweigh the negatives as you learn to adapt, develop new skills and appreciate things that a year ago would have passed unnoticed. So I've several smiles... Continue Reading →
Six on Saturday: Kalanchoe, Aeoniums, Pots, Plot and Plans
Finally, Six on Saturday. Yesterday was one of those days where anything that could go wrong did. Google informed me that my inbox was full and so all the photos I'd taken for SoS did not arrive. On further investigation it transpired I had sent all my mobile phone pictures to a Google cloud in... Continue Reading →
Six on Saturday: Happy Dance and COVID Challenges
This has not been a good week and to top it off all the photographs I took earlier this morning are still stuck in my gmail send box. Late this afternoon, I finally found a work around by sending the photos via Yahoo and they sent within mintues! So much for getting up early to... Continue Reading →
COVID in Portugal: Dark Days
If last week was one of those weeks I would like to file in a box, firmly shut the lid, lock then hide the key on the top shelf of my bookcase, this week I have wanted to throw the key away. At the beginning of January I made the conscious decision (NYR): not to... Continue Reading →
Wildflowers: Bermuda Buttercup
As I enjoy taking photographs of nature I decided to create a MEME called #WildWednesday. Every Wednesday I will be sharing a photograph of wild flora or fauna in my local area. Who will join me? How it works: Simply post a photograph to your blog with some relevant blurb if possible. Include the words... Continue Reading →
Weekly Smile: Mobility!
Over the last few weeks, my mobility after a total knee replacement operation eight weeks ago has plateaued. Despite physical therapy twice a week and plenty of home exercise my knee bend has not improved beyond 90 degrees. Yes, I managed to dispense with one crutch but the lack of muscle around my knee means... Continue Reading →