A Creative Spirit in Portugal
I have been on blogging hiatus for the last few years because I became involved in a writing forum and ended up running the place. I've now stepped away and returned to blogging only to discover 97% of my old blogging buddies have disappeared. When I started my blog back in May 2010 most of... Continue Reading →
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 →
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 →
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.
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 →
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 →
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 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 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 →
The theme for this week's WordPress Photo Challenge is "Unusual". This is an unusual photograph of a piglet's ear. Yes, you read correctly, and what's more, I was about to eat it! Lunching with some friends I reluctantly ordered Leitão assado à Bairrada (suckling pig). "Okay, no pig deal," I thought as squirmed in my... Continue Reading →
The theme for this week's WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is The Golden Hour. In photography, the “golden hour” is the first and last hour of sunlight of the day. The last sunlight hour is my favourite time of day, and one I love to spend close to water. This particular evening I took myself to... Continue Reading →
When I saw the theme for this week's Weekly Photo Challenge was "UP", I immediately thought of this photograph! No, I was not persuaded to climb up a snaking ladder to the top of this enormous slide. As I pointed out, I may be cabbage looking but I'm not completely mad. So, who's daring enough... Continue Reading →
Every week WordPress posts a Weekly Photo Challenge and this week's theme is Lost in the Details . The instructions direct from the horse's mouth (aka WordPress) are "This challenge is about getting lost in the details". Hmmm ponderous! The theme of the challenge was rather lost on me to begin with, until I downloaded... 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 →
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 →
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 →
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 →
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 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 →
Post inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge This week's theme is "Wonder" Our very basic knowledge of Portuguese often means simple tasks turn into a challenge; today’s experience is a typical example. Although I continue to study Portuguese I am struggling – the more I try, the more stressed I become! After my recent... Continue Reading →
I loved this “window” at the ancient Fort of Arrifana but sadly it no longer exists. The old fort as it was a year ago...an old ruin, but a place to take in the views and reflect. We returned a year later to find... I am not sure this has been sympathetically restored. Look at... Continue Reading →
The theme for this week's WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge" is "Hidden" I know snails are a menace in the garden but I did not have the heart to stamp on him. Instead, I named him "Sid" and later deposited him safely on some adjoining shrubland. Snails (Caracóis) are VERY popular in Portugal and although you often... Continue Reading →
This weeks (now last week's) WordPress Photo challenge is "Fall" or Autumn. When I saw this week's theme I thought great! We are in England and the leaves are turning wonderful shades of gold and amber. The leaves are falling from the trees so I wanted to photograph them floating in the wind. Well, that was... Continue Reading →
