Postcard from Portugal

Ola! Bom Dia!

Here I am, fresh from the Algarve.

Fresh from the orange groves, the fisherman's huts, the Timoleon Vietas*, the sardines, the tiles, the colours, the mosquitoes, the Jacarandas, the laranja and almond cakes.....

Isn't it marvelous that after 12 years of marriage Signor Lane is still capable of "Sweeping me off my feet!"

Actually, in the interest of factual journalism I ought to correct that, isn't it marvelous that after 12 years of marriage Signor Lane stops me at the front door of the villa, takes his "besom" and literally sweeps my feet! Yes, sweeps all remnants of sand and beach from my toes!

And I think I shall never be able to leave England again when I return to its familiar terrain.

I am always desperate to be reacquainted with our national beverage, a nice cup of Cha! I like it "Builders". I would take it intravenously if I could!

Whilst having a splendid coffee and catch up with some gorgeous friends near Tavira I am reminded what an extraordinarily small bloggy world this is as my lovely Rabbit told me that one of the girls in her knitting club reads my blog!

Just imagine how wonderful and amazing that felt! (Hello Sarah!)

So to all of you that check in and comment or follow or lurk I say a hearty "Ola" and "Obrigada". I am so lucky to have found this space to write and think and share. I do appreciate you all taking the time to visit the Lane.

And all the while I bustle around in the kitchen humming, sorting out laundry and dishes and shopping, the veilchenblau rose, that adorns the kitchen window, has kindly burst into a profusion of purple flower as if to simultaneously welcome us home and transport me back to balcony smothered in bougainvillea.

Lovely to be back

xXx

*Come Home Timoleon Vieta

Meet the mongrel. Timoleon Vieta. A deeply loyal, undemanding and loving companion ...with the most beautiful eyes. He's living an idyllic existence in the Italian countryside with Cockroft, a composer in exile. Until, that is, the mysterious and malevolent 'Bosnian' comes to stay. How will the stranger affect the bond between dog and master? Timoloen Vieta Come Home is a deeply moving and strange take on the Lassie legend.

32 mosie bites and counting, any bright ideas about how to stop the scratching?

Flying away

Off to Portugal for week or so

See you when we get back, hoping to nurse my hips back from the brink of no return!

TTFN

xXx

The Getaway

Getaway ~ an act or instance of getting away, a place suitable for a vacation, a place away from home where you can relax.........

Two and a half hours on a plane from London and we arrive here at our crash pad in Portugal.

And boy do we need this? Overwhelmed lately by our work schedules, too much to do ~ not enough hours in the day syndrome.

So here we are, a lovely bright faced pink rose greets us. Hmm, I must prettify...........

I am so sun drenched and dredged in Portugese colour I am simply bursting to share it all with you dear reader.

Not too much commentary from me just lots of pictures to give you a flavour, hope that's OK?

Love the scrubby wildflower strewn hillsides and the sand dunes peppered with sea pinks or thrift not sure which.

Had such a lovely beach combing session, loving the thrift in every sense, I collected pink things

And in true Tony Hart style here is my picture...... I think it is a pink sea garden!

But the hot colours here are just zinging in the heat of the day too............

The Fisherman's cafe on the beach is a favourite spot, the green and red combo along with those gingham table-cloths just make me smile. I find myself happily snapping away and humming to myself, some of the old leather skinned fishermen look up at me suspiciously...... I giggle and am rewarded with the hint of a smile.

This is still a working beach, I love that.

The early evening light changes the atmosphere, the activity ceases, the air cools and I imagine I could be anywhere in the world.

Nothing is locked up, no need.

More gorgeous colours.

Walking home.......

Love these

This is a tiny chapel perched on top of the cliff above the fisherman's beach.

One Morning we wake and the weather looks a little unpromising so we take ourselves off for an exploration of the Fort at Silves.

We climb ever upwards,

lovely cobbled streets, tumbled stones laid as pavement.

We thought he made pretty effective doorman

I annoyed several people by loitering too long by these wonderful gates, sorry!

I love orange trees.....

..........and poppies

On leaving the Fort at the highest point of the town I spotted this wonderful outdoor room.

What an incredible spot to entertain in! Hmm, must show Mr. Lane this and see if he could build something similar in the garden!

When looking for somewhere to snooze in the sun, always remember that someone may be lurking with a camera!

A lazy morning back at base, catching up on some essential reading

Then off to Tavira.

Tavira, wonderful grand old town, crumbling plaster, amazing tiles simply bursting with charm.

Let the love affair commence.

I adore old Portugese architecture, the tiles, the balconies, double height doors, windows framed by colourful painted borders.........

Intoxicated by it all I think I went a bit mad!

Hmmm, mad with delight!

Climbing up narrow streets towards the castle wonderful courtyards opened up

Once at the top these slightly unpromising gates

But no, stepping inside the most wonderful and surprising garden within the old castle walls, Mr. Lane shouted " hurry up! You are going to love this!"

And he was, of course absoloutely right!

I did!

Love this rose, red fading out to pink on the older blooms

Who's that scruffy little herbert?

Mr.Lane's favourite beach for your delectation and delight

And so giddy with all this and still finding grains of sand welded to me,

we are home.

Lovely to be back Down the Lane.

Much to catch up on, much to read.

My heartfelt thanks to you for popping back to see me and thanks so much for the gorgeous comments you left for Magpie, she was very, very touched indeed.

Normal Laneness shall now be resumed!

Whatever that is?

Love Sarah

xXx