Tag Archives: WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge

A Romantic Evening in Venice

Posted on July 7, 2017 | 7 comments

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?

Gondolier - Venice

Gondolier – Venice

On our first evening in Venice we sat at one of these tables sipping wine while watching the Gondoliers at work. It never ceased to amaze me how they managed to squeeze under the low bridges, and still maneuver the gondola. I wanted a ride but we just ran out of time.

Bridge in Venice

Bridge in Venice

If you’ve never been to Venice do add it to your bucket list. I hope to return one day  to claim a romantic ride in a gondola.

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Posted in Weekly Photo Challenge

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Order or Out of Order?

Posted on June 8, 2017 | 15 comments

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 centres along the Algarve or Alentejo please let me know.

You can imagine my surprise when I spotted these!

Mix and Match Cacti

Mix and Match Cacti

Apparently they are grafted cacti. I am not sure … to me they look grotesque. I never bought one.

What do you think?

Stretching the imagination into the realms of weird horror I wonder if in years to come they will be be grafting a woman’s head onto a man’s body. Or even a dog’s head onto a cat or a dog’s head onto a man!

This post was prompted by the photo challenge prompt Order not by excess vinho.

15 Comments

Posted in Cacti and Succulents, Weekly Photo Challenge

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Furrrrrry Friends

Posted on June 3, 2017 | 24 comments

Do cats and dogs need us as much as we need them?

Furry Friend

Furry Friend

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 Lucky. Unfortunately, he  was not so lucky as he found his way down to the main road where he also met his maker.

I still remember the bond I had with them so when I snapped this photograph of my baby grandson with their family cat  it rekindled childhood memories.

We never got another cat and my bond with ‘furry friends’ was broken.

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: Friend

24 Comments

Posted in Daily Life

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A mystical sunset in Portugal – was it a sign?

Posted on May 25, 2017 | 15 comments

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.

A mystical sunset in Portugal - was it a sign?

An evanescent sunset in Portugal – was it a sign?

I still wonder if there was some spiritual significance.

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Posted in Weekly Photo Challenge

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Reflecting

Posted on May 12, 2017 | 3 comments

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: this week’s challenge is ‘Reflecting

Wordpress Weekly Photo Challenge: Reflecting

WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge: 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?

‘

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Posted in Weekly Photo Challenge

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Strawberry Quest

Posted on September 30, 2016 | 10 comments
August Strawberries in Portugal

August Strawberries in Portugal

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 strawberries for nine months out of twelve for the next year is ‘long and difficult. So this will be my quest.

Growing Strawberries containers
stawberry-quest

10 Comments

Posted in Growing fruit and vegetables in Pots, Weekly Photo Challenge

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Narrow: Locks, Dams And The Douro River, Portugal

Posted on August 4, 2016 | 3 comments

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 border. We navigated several locks which was a first for me. I thought they were AMAZING!

Narrow entrance to a lock

Narrow entrance to a lock

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Approaching the lock

Approaching the lock

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A long way up

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It's a long way up!

It’s a long way up!

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Finally at the next level

Finally at the next level

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Crestuma-Lever Dam, Douro River, Portugal

Crestuma-Lever Dam, Douro River, Portugal

Useful websites:

Eco Tours Portugal

Croisi Europe River Cruises

One final picture to tempt you to visit the Douro!

View of Douro River in Portugal

View of Douro River in Portugal

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Posted in Activities in Portugal

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Gazanias – Unusual Daisies With Exquisite Detail

Posted on July 19, 2016 | 6 comments

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.

Gazania

Gazania

Other details include the unusual combinations of colours.

Gazania (pink and cream striped petals)

Gazania (pink and cream striped petals) Photo taken in Spring

And bees gathering pollen.

Gazania with yellow and orange flowers

Gazania with yellow and orange flowers (photo taken in Spring)

While I find Gazanais relatively easy to grow, I disagree with the experts comment that they are drought resistant. If I don’t water my plants regularly they resemble a bed of birds nests.

Are Gazanias drought resistant?

 

Gazanias are not drought resistant. (July 2016)

Gazanias are not drought resistant. (July 2016)

Useful websites for care of Gazanias
About Home
Gardening Knowhow

This post was inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is ‘Details’

6 Comments

Posted in Flowers, Weekly Photo Challenge

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Image

Weekly Photo Challenge: Curve

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 of Quintos Dos Vales wine estate near Lagoa in the Algarve.

Sculpture of Swinging Grace by Karl Heinz Stock

Sculpture of Swinging Grace by Karl Heinz Stock

Sculpture by Karl Heinz Stock

Sculpture by Karl Heinz Stock

Sculptures by Karl Heinz Stock

Sculptures by Karl Heinz Stock

How can bony be beautiful when you have curves like these?

4 Comments

Posted on June 24, 2016 in Things that make me smile, Weekly Photo Challenge

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Why am I here… ?

Posted on December 10, 2015 | 6 comments

This week’s WordPress Photo Challenge is Eye Spy.

Sad Eyes

Sad Eyes

I see you,
do you really see me
behind the bars
of captivity… ?

6 Comments

Posted in Daily Life, Weekly Photo Challenge

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