#PetPeeve: Do You Have Feet Like Pig’s Trotters?


One of my personal pet peeves are my square stumpy feet. They resemble pig's trotters and make me feel like one of Cinderella's ugly sisters. It's official: I hate shopping for boots. Why? Most standard shoe retailers, such as Guimaraes, only seem to focus on women with Cinderella feet, so if you  are blessed with... Continue Reading →

A Carpet of Poppies to Commemorate WWI Centenary


There is a campaign to create a "carpet of poppies" in different countries across the world to mark 100 years since the end of the World War I. Can we create a campaign across the net, a link of poppies across the blogosphere? Centenary Commemorations for The First World War started on 28 July 2014... Continue Reading →

Piglet’s Porkers Diet Support Group


Are you on, or contemplating going on a diet and need moral support? Do you have a sense of humour and the ability to laugh at yourself?  If so,  I have started a fun FaceBook support group called Piglet's Porkers for like-minded people. This is not a formal group selling a particular diet. Which each... Continue Reading →

Stunning Azulejos at São Bento Railway Station, Porto


One of the highlights of our trip to Porto was not the port, but the magnificent vestibule and azulejos tiled images at São Bento railway station - Estação Ferroviária de São Bento. Further research revealed that approximately twenty thousand tiles were used to decorate the station's vestibule which I think you will agree is spectacular!... Continue Reading →

Ugly Duckling to Swan


As the autumn evenings draw in, my thoughts turn to log fires and battening down the hatches in readiness for the long winter nights ahead. Summer clothes are now packed away and replaced by winter woolies, thermal PJs and of course my faithful 'onesie'  which was a present from a friend. Not the most flattering... Continue Reading →

Street Art in Lagos, Portugal


When I was young it was called graffiti now it's moved upmarket and is called Street Art or Murals. At least it has given some artists an outlet to display their work. A few years ago I was walking down a side street in Lagos on the Western Algarve and happened upon this larger than... Continue Reading →

Pet Peeve: Able-Bodied People Parking in Disabled Bays


There is a new addition to the disabled and mother and baby parking bays. Or maybe it's always been there and I've never noticed. There  is now designated parking close to the entrance of the store for people with walking disabilities. (At least that is what I think the sign means). Fourteen months after injuring... Continue Reading →

Did You Hear Me Scream – SNAKE!!!!?


I am usually not too squeamish when it comes to insects, but snakes... ewww... Natrix_natrix_(Marek_Szczepanek).jpg Last week, I was walking in the garden at the side of the house when a snake, about 1.5m long, slithered onto the path in front of me. I froze in terror as it reared up and then zig-zagged towards... Continue Reading →

‘Assisted’  Travel from Faro to Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport


Last September I injured my knee, so after months of pain I finally consulted with an orthopedic specialist who organised an MRI scan and X-ray.  The diagnosis: I had a ruptured meniscus, tendonitis, arthritis and a crack in my knee bone. Ouch! I consoled myself with the fact there are people far worse than myself... Continue Reading →

How to Propagate Hibiscus in 10 Easy Steps


Hibiscus are my favourite plants (shrubs) because they are SO easy to grow and reward me with an abundance of beautiful flowers throughout the year. I began experimenting as to the best method of propagating hibiscus from cuttings a couple of years ago when the cost of buying plants in Portugal rose significantly. I’m talking... Continue Reading →

Furrrrrry Friends


Do cats and dogs need us as much as we need them? When I was a child I had two cats both of which were killed on the road.  When I lost my first cat I was heartbroken so my parents, in an attempt to soften the loss, bought me a kitten which I named... Continue Reading →

Inconsiderate Drivers or Road Rats?


Today I was driving down a very 'wibbly wobbly', twisty narrow road to my mosaic class. Given my knowledge of the road I drive steady. Real steady. I call it the road of Hell or the pathway to Heaven. I always anticipate the unexpected  as it is not unusual  to drive round a  bend to... Continue Reading →

Do you care about the environment?


National Geographic will be streaming Leonardo DiCaprio's environmental documentary 'Before the Flood ' entirely free from October 30th till November 6th. Before the Flood will also be available on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Amazon, iTunes and Google Play, in over 170 countries and 45 languages. https://youtu.be/8dxAgt9XXPU National Geographic says it’s distributing the movie for free as part of... Continue Reading →

FitBit and Senior Moments


I accept I'm not the sharpest tool in the drawer when it comes to mastering technology and digital gizmos, but even I had to groan at this particular 'senior blond' moment. Wanting to lose weight I invested in a FitBit Charge HR. So far so good. Much to everyone's surprised snickers I managed to 'set... Continue Reading →

Narrow: Locks, Dams And The Douro River, Portugal


The theme for this week's photo challenge is narrow. When I was reviewing my photographs for this challenge I was reminded of a weeks cruise with Croisi Europe along the Douro river in Portugal. The river cruise was a seven-day leisurely return trip from Porto, in northern Portugal, to Vega de Terron on the Spanish... Continue Reading →

Opposites: Remain or Leave?


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 →

7 Restaurants With Good Food And Great Views In The Western Algarve


Are you stuck for somewhere to eat and looking for inspiration such as a nice restaurant with good food as well as great views? Here are my suggestions (listed in no particular order) for the wild West of Portugal. . LAGOS Lazy Jacks Lagos Marina Tel: (+351) 911568143 Wheelchair access: Yes Parking: Yes Accessible by... Continue Reading →

Is this a sign?


This week's theme for the Weekly Photo Challengeis Wall. Armed with my camera - or should I say new iPad - I've been on a mission all week to find a sign that I could relate to. Now, as a self-confessed foodie this sign grabbed my attention. Not because it was bright and garish and... Continue Reading →

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