A Creative Spirit
My "Monthly Diary" and the saga of my attempts to grow my own fruit and veg continues... My success rate to date leads me to believe that even if I had a large enough plot I certainly would not be self-sufficient by any stretch of the imagination! Zucchini (Courgettes) My zucchini are still desperately clinging to... Continue Reading →
Margaret at Cachando Chile challenged her followers to write a post about "Stuff that just bugs me…" This challenge was not too difficult as I've definitely become more "grumpy" as I've grown older! Not that all older people are "grumpy", I hasten to add!...Hmmm I think I am digging a deeper hole here so I... Continue Reading →
We went to a BBQ last week and the hostess served this delicious Portuguese Octopus Salad. She was fascinated by the fact I was keen to photograph her cooking and share with the world. Enjoy! 1kg of Octopus 1 Onion (finely chopped) 1 Bunch of flat leaved parsley (finely chopped) 3 tbsp extra virgin olive... Continue Reading →
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... Continue Reading →
A note for your diaries! The annual Silves Medieval Fair (Algarve) is held in the narrow cobbled streets which lead up to the ancient castle. The streets and squares are transformed into a medieval market place as stall holders and even several of the visitors dress in medieval and arabic costumes. There is a tent... Continue Reading →
Here we are in June and I feel rather despondent. Even my inbuilt tenacity is beginning to wane. Why?, my pigging vegetables just won't grow! My motto has always been "If at first you don't succeed try and try again". Yes, I'm trying I've read several interesting posts on growing vegetables recently by fellow bloggers... Continue Reading →
There are many blackbirds in our garden and over time I believe they have learned (on our patch of earth at least) we do not pose a threat to them. We coexist and live in peace. I love to quietly observe the blackbirds building their nests, flying back and forth with suitable building materials until... Continue Reading →
The "foodie" highlight of my trip to Devon in England last week, to visit my Mother, was to disappear for an hours peace and quiet and seriously indulge myself with a "Devon Clotted Cream Tea". I had not intended to succumb to temptation due to my expanding waistline, diet, sense of guilt etc, but as... Continue Reading →
We recently went to France and during our absence our electricity tripped off and we were left without power for over a week. When friends informed us we may have a problem with our electricity we were not too concerned as we were "insured". OK, items such as food in our freezer were covered on... Continue Reading →
This weeks WordPress "Weekly Photo Challenge" is Tiny I was removing the weeds around my Jade plant when I came nose to eyeball with this tiny yellow spider. No I did not scream; I'm not that much of a wimp, but I did go and grab my camera. Look at it's eyes - awww it's... Continue Reading →
The diary of my challenge to grow my own fruit and vegetables in Portugal continues. Seasons, soil conditions and climate are totally different from the UK, so gardening here is one big experiment. I am not a knowledgeable gardener, nor do I have a "green thumb", but my enthusiasm makes up for what I lack in these... Continue Reading →
OK, OK this is not my normal type of post and please don’t panic; Piglet is not branching out into pornography, but just sharing one of my French “adventures”. One of our shopping forays for our daughter Piglet in France was to buy a whole list of obscure items including gel to kill ants, bra... Continue Reading →
YAY! Hi Folks, You may recall a couple of weeks ago "Piglet in Portugal" was shortlisted for the "Expatica Portugal's best blog 2010/2011". Thanks to your support I won! Expatica is quite a prestigious Expat website so I am really pleased. Thanks Expatica for nominating me and thanks to all my followers for voting. The... Continue Reading →
After traveling for two days to reach the maternity hospital in Valence (France), where our daughter had given birth to her first baby the day before, we were absolutely physically and mentally exhausted. We arrived Friday evening just in time to spend a precious hour with our daughter, son-in-law and first granddaughter before visiting time... Continue Reading →
Hi folks I’m finally back. My goodness what an adventure! I will share my thoughts and escapades in France over the next couple of posts so I don’t bore you with my enthusiasm all in one go. My “Gone Fishing” post was hurriedly added on Thursday 28th April as a result of a phone call... Continue Reading →
Hi Folks...just a very quick message to say I've "Gone Fishing" Going to see our new grandaughter! Please don't forget me - back soon!
Are you taking part in the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge? This week's theme is ONE. So my take on "ONE" is..."ONE" Happy Pig! Why is this Pig happy? It just loves to be scratched! I adore pigs what about you? PS Please feel free to share your best PIG jokes...! Related article: This little piggy went... Continue Reading →
Hi folks I need a favour... :) “Piglet in Portugal” was nominated as one of the top blogs by Expatica Portugal for the “best blog 2010/2011 award” Nominees were chosen based on the most popular articles so far. I’m now one of three finalists! The article submitted for Piglet in Portugal was “My banking experiences... Continue Reading →
According to English folklore there are many superstitions surrounding hot cross buns. My favorite superstition is accompanied by the rhyme... “Half for you and half for me, Between us two shall goodwill be” Apparently, if you share a hot cross bun while saying the above words it is meant to ensure friendship throughout the coming... Continue Reading →
Are you taking part in the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge? This week's theme is "Lines" I was busy on my computer when I heard a loud “booming” noise coming from outside. The whole house started to vibrate and thinking it maybe an earthquake I rushed outside to investigate. I then noticed a man with a... Continue Reading →
Piglet in Portugal 