A Creative Spirit in Portugal
The prompt for this week's photo challenge is bridge. Unfortunately, after an extensive search through my photos for an inspiring bridge in Portugal, I drew a blank. Will a bridge in Venice suffice? On our first evening in Venice we sat at one of these tables sipping wine while watching the Gondoliers at work. It... Continue Reading →
My passion for gardening has now extended to include collecting succulents and cacti so every time I visit a garden centre my first port of call is the succulent and cacti bays. So far choice has been limited as most garden centres and shops sell nigh on the same plants. If anyone knows any specialist... Continue Reading →
I was searching through my photographs when I came upon this mystical sunset. The cross was evanescent, fading just as quickly as it had appeared. I still wonder if there was some spiritual significance.
The theme for this week's WordPress photo challenge is Heritage. Thinking of the words 'heritage' and 'Portugal' in the same sentence the first thing that comes to mind is Fado. We were fortunate to see the highly acclaimed Fado singer Mariza in concert in 2010. It is one of those treasured memories that will always... Continue Reading →
WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: this week's challenge is 'Reflecting I was taking a walk though the Portuguese countryside when this reflection caught my attention. Can you see what is missing from the picture that is reflected in the rather large puddle? '
I've been meaning to set myself this challenge for some time so after reading the theme for this week's photo challenge is 'Quest'. and according to Merriam Simple Definition of quest : a journey made in search of something : a long and difficult effort to find or do something I think a 'quest' to pick... Continue Reading →
This week's WordPress Photo Challenge is all about reflections. One of the least memorable trips on our Douro river cruise was a visit to Palácio de Mateus, near Vila Real. Please don't ask why but I was expecting to visit a vineyard for the Mateus Rose wine. Yep, the devil is always in the detail... Continue Reading →
I love the way the droplets of water linger on the petals and leaves like tiny bubbles. These are small details we often fail to notice yet when captured in a photograph remind us of the simplicity of nature. Other details include the unusual combinations of colours. And bees gathering pollen. While I find Gazanais... Continue Reading →
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 →
The theme for this week's WordPress photo challenge is curve. Initially I was drawn to architectural curves and the many photos I'd taken of archways and bridges. But how boring... so seeking inspiration I looked in the mirror and thought of 'bodily 'curve's' and the sculptures of Karl Heinz Stock displayed in the extensive grounds... Continue Reading →
This week's WordPress Photo Challenge is Eye Spy. I see you, do you really see me behind the bars of captivity... ?
The theme for this week's WordPress Photo Challenge is Transition. When you stop to consider how we have evolved and the stress of living in a high-pressured, money-grabbing, politically correct and power crazy world where tolerance and excuses breed intolerance, have we really progressed? Dog eat dog and all that...
This week's Weekly Photo Challenge is 'Wall' This is the noticeboard on my study wall. For the last year I have been staring at this piggin' mess with the good intention of removing all the redundant pieces of paper, cards and 'whatnots' I keep, 'just in case'. I now have SO much rubbish I can no longer see... Continue Reading →
The theme for this week's WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is 'Signs'. That's lucky, because I have the perfect picture! I spotted this sign outside the toilets in a restaurant in Ferragudo, Algarve. It made me chuckle so of course I just had to take a photograph! Are women always 'right' or do men just let... Continue Reading →
The statue of Infante D. Henrique (Henry the Navigator), sits pride of place in the Praça do Infante Dom Henrique within a few metres of the "Slave Market". Born March 4th, 1394 Henry was an important figure in the Portuguese Age of Discovery and sponsored exploration voyages in search of new trade routes down the coast of Africa.... Continue Reading →
This photograph was taken from the walls of the 10th Century Moorish castle of Aljezur in the Western Algarve. The castle, set high on the hill, has panoramic views across the rolling countyside, the historic town of Aljezur and to Monchique mountain beyond. This post is inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo challenge. This week's... Continue Reading →
The situation regarding the invasive Red Palm weevil will never be resolved in Portugal (in my humble opinion) due in part to the apathy and laziness of the few. No action was taken when it first arrived in our area two years ago by some property owners as infested trees on their land were left... Continue Reading →
Azulejos are hand-painted tiles used to decorate properties in Portugal both internally and externally since the middle ages. They were introduced to by the Moors and originally decorated with geometric patterns in a single colour. This post was inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge this week's theme is Geometry.
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! Every time I visit a big city claustrophobia washes over me,... Continue Reading →
But not as we know it! Perhaps looking at this photograph you would be forgiven for thinking the shot was taken in the heart of the country, and not in a small town in the Western Algarve. When I captured this moment it was if I'd stepped back in time to another era and a... Continue Reading →
The theme for this week's WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is"Free Spirit" Sitting on the shoreline Looking out to sea. Body boarding or fishing The challenge sets me free A free spirit in the water At the mercy of the sea. The sunset lifts my spirit But boarding sets me free.
The theme for this week's WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is "Wrong". I often reflect on the heated and ongoing debate about the traditional spectacle of bullfighting which is popular in several countries including Spain and Portugal. While some people refer to bullfighting as an "Art" others refer to it as "Sport". Either way should people... Continue Reading →
Or should this be "10 useful facts I did not know about the Carob tree"? Lacking inspiration for this week's Wordpress Weekly Photo Challenge - theme: "Growth" , I stumbled across this picture of an old Carob tree (Árvore de alfarrobeiras). I'd taken the picture on our first geo-cache expedition and according to the accompanying blurb about... Continue Reading →
The theme for this week's WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is "Inside" In 2011, stranded in the UK due to the volcanic ash cloud we took the opportunity to visit many old towns and villages in the Cotswolds. Rather than taking their quaint charm for granted we viewed the architecture with fresh eyes and appreciated its... Continue Reading →
Last week, on a grandparents day out, we took our little granddaughter to a huge lake with a beach and supervised swimming area. Once we'd found a suitable shady area to set up camp, laid out her blanket so she had a place to crawl, she sat motionless - almost mesmerised as she surveyed all... Continue Reading →
This post is inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. This week's theme is "Fleeting Moment" Trying to take a photograph of this flower stand in a busy street in Lisbon, you can see what happened next! And in this case now you see them now you don't!
Inspiration for today's post is courtesy of the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. This week's theme is Today. I had scheduled another post, but could not resist posting the photograph of this handsome bug! While watering my vegetable garden today I was suddenly attacked by this enormous bug. Yes, it was GINORMOUS! Deep in thought and... Continue Reading →
Living so far from my family I really treasure the time we are together. Last month it was our granddaughter's (Little Piglet) first Birthday, and all the Piglet clan gathered in France to celebrate the occasion. Not only were our children altogether, but it was the first time our grandson, who is seven months and... Continue Reading →
Can anyone name this flower? Yes, Fernanda has now identified the flower as "Lírio-das-areias" Weekly Photo Challenge: Two Subjects How can something so beautiful and delicate grow in such barren land? What life-lesson could we learn from this simple flower? Is less more? Please share your thoughts...
The electric tram network (Rede de eléctricos de Lisboa) is an easy way to see historic Lisbon. Tram No. 28 is the most famous as the journey takes you through the steep winding streets of the old town. We were advised by a seasoned tourist to catch a tram at the bottom of the hill... Continue Reading →
Can you spot the carefully arranged pebble amongst the many thousands of pebbles at Praia da Canal, in the Western Algarve? Did we stumble across a Geocaching clue? I wonder... Arranged. Sometimes you chance across things which were arranged on purpose, or on a whim – find something in your environment which was arranged by... Continue Reading →
I am not sure if this is an unusual Rhubarb Forcer or an unusual use for a plant pot destined for the garbage after Mr Piglet burnt a hole in the bottom with red-hot ashes! Researching on the Gardeners' World website I've just realised I should have plugged any holes to exclude light. Now there's... Continue Reading →
The theme for this week's WordPress Photo Challenge is Contrast After my previous post about the white mold attacking my cabbages and the long-term consequences I wanted to post something a little more upbeat to cheer me up. They say inspiration usually comes from the most unexpected sources and when you least expect it. This... Continue Reading →
This week's theme for the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is dis·tort·ed dis·tort·ed: twisted; deformed; misshapen. I grew this "distorted" tomato from seed, and although its appearance was misshapen and unappetizing when I bit into the fruit it was sweet and delicious. How often do we initially judge people by their appearance and not by their... Continue Reading →
The theme for this week's WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is "Indulge" Every time we go to France I love to indulge myself by looking in the windows of Pâtisseries. Their wonderful array of dainty pastries and sweets gives me "foodie" palpitations in anticipation. However, I rarely succumb to temptation as I am desperately trying to... Continue Reading →
This post is inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. The theme is Hope I considered naming the tin which contains all my packets of seeds, "My Tin of DOOM". Why? Because many most of the seeds fail to germinate. I'm not sure if this is due to the quality of seed or if I'm... Continue Reading →
This post is inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. The theme is Peaceful. My little grandson sleeps peacefully with not a care in the world. His only needs are love, food, warmth, clean nappies, "winding" and sleep - how simple life is when you are a baby! As I watch over him, his basic... Continue Reading →
This weeks theme for the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is "Winter" The theme "Winter" conjured up so many different images in my mind's eye that I pondered on my choice of photograph for several days. Should I post a picture depicting typical winter weather such as frost or snow, or should I remove all preconceived... Continue Reading →
Inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge this week's theme is "Self Portrait" Well folks the day has finally arrived when I reveal my true identity! I was only three weeks old in the photograph below, and if I do say so myself I looked really cute. However, I am sorry to spoil the illusion... Continue Reading →
This post is inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. This week's theme is Waiting Fishermen spend hours fishing from the rocks or shoreline "waiting" to catch a fish. They cast their line into the sea and then wait patiently for the tell-tale signs which signify a fish has taken the bait. As I watch... Continue Reading →
