Post Script!

Hello All!!!  For those of you that aren’t on Face Book I wanted to let you know that Marc and I are safely at home in Ottawa….freezing our asses off, but home!   Yesterday we enjoyed a few snow flurries and today we managed to get outside for a delightful 40 minute walk in our 6 degree temperature that feels like 0!!!   I am not actually complaining, simply being a smart-ass.  I am grateful for what we have, that we are safe and sound and that we love where we live (apartment), and that all our loved ones continue to be healthy and safe.

I have been missing my blog, especially the photo aspect, and this morning I thought it would be fun to do one last entry and add a bunch of colourful photos, simply to send them out into the universe.  No captions, no particular order, simply photos that I enjoyed taking and am happy to share.

Happy Easter to all of you.

We rounded a bend in the path and there, on the embankment, a tall single wild peony in all it’s gorgeous glory.

This is a very very tiny cluster of flowers on an equally tiny succulent. What vibrant orange it is.

Marc

A patio of an old house lovingly painted.

These two babies were cavorting all along this rocky terrain.

Such a beautiful flower and I love how they grown in such abundance here in March.

Turns out they have hand made gelato so…….after lunch, which included dessert for Harald and Andrê……Harald went back and bought an ice cream!!!!! he couldn’t resist the fig and almond.

A couple of houses in the middle of nowhere, one with this compact yet functional outdoor kitchen for those hot summer days. Lovingly decorated.

This detail takes my breath away!!

Harald and André having just crossed one of our eventual five river crossings.

Bonnie.

Photo bombed by André.

Goats, ostriches, chicken and right beside all this, a large dog and a cat. The woman came out of the house and smiled at us and encouraged us to go ahead with our photo taking.

Look at the curiosity and innocence on these faces. Mama has a tiny protective look about her.

What do you mean Pat is gone to the Post Office???????

I climbed to the top of the second old windmill and enjoyed the view from the windows

And of course, every day is a perfect laundry day in Portugal.

And here we have a couple of cute malingerers!!

Patricia, Beth, and myself. I love this particular walk and it’s perfect for the non hikers in the group.

The entryway was shaded with benches nearby for those who wanted to simply sit.

WE couldn’t figure out if this had been a well or an oven. Obviously, whatever it was, it was long ago.

The bells we heard were from this large donkey or mule, not certain.

I would have a garden full of this mix if I lived here.

As we came down the slope of the mountain, this was our view over the Atlantic at Faro.

Piles of cork drying in the sun. The hills around this town were chock a block full of these large piles.

We literally had the place to ourselves.

Marvelous bouquets of herbs for cooking. This was tiny rosemary flowers wrapped in bay leaves.

I love the detail in the eyes and the bill.

Thee lovely beach at Armação de Pêra.

Simple beauty in colours, shadows, light and sky.

Just look at that marvelous view off in the distance. We never tire of it. The sound of birds, the smell of the earth and the occasional sweetness of a nearby bush or tree.

How could I resist?

Many many cats in the old town and “cat houses” built in several places to accomodate them. People were putting food out and all of the cats looked healthy and happy. Of course, affection is something they can never get enough of.

Marc checking out a fellow artist from the Algarve Artists Community, of which he is a member.

We passed by this at the end of our trail and the colour seemed so vibrant after the earth tones of the day.

Me an my purchase!!

Just after parking the car we had the feeling we were being looked at!!!

Sunday in Fuzeta the boats are always piled up in the harbour and along the shoreline. It’s still respected as a day of rest, and goodness knows the fishermen above all deserve it.

Speaking of running, this group had obviously challenged one another and ran into the water en mass. Lots of screams!!!

Our obligatory selfie sitting beside the Gilão. Actually, amusingly enough The river Gilão changes its name to Rio Séqua at the ancient bridge named Ponte Romana in the centre of Tavira. Which is where we are sitting!

The Three Graces in the grotto at the Pousada.

Lots of chatter throughout the trip and many laughs.

Patricia, Laurie and Marc in front of the bougainvillea arch at the corner of Pat’s and Gary’s terrace.

Gary looking quite content.

I love the intricacies of this thistle flower.