A Creative Spirit
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Hey, I haven t disappeared. I ve decided to take a couple of months break over the summer from Facebook, the news, and probably blogging so I can concentrate on other projects and regain some much-needed karma. Facebook Doom-scrolling has become addictive and invasive, and I swear if I get one more advert trying to persuade... Continue Reading
Good afternoon (now evening), fellow gardeners! It s now our turn here in the Western Algarve to enjoy the excessive temperatures suffered elsewhere. Like most older folk (yes, I am finally owning the fact that I am in my winter years), I don t fare well in temperature extremes, whether hot or cold. Ho hum so ... Continue Reading
Yep, if we were having coffee, I d tell you that on Thursday or was it Friday I was awoken to the dulcet tones of Mr Piglet muttering obscenities at my computer. I checked my watch 6.45 am. Seriously? My bladder and heartburn had kept me awake most of the night and I was beyond tired.... Continue Reading
The weather has been kind this week. No ongoing sweltering temperatures in the thirties, creeping to nearly forty C (unlike the UK) to contend with and we even had some rain, albeit a brief shower . so we have been busy pottering in the garden and completing a couple of projects. More on that next week..... Continue Reading
Today s WordPress daily writing prompt caught my attention. I envy those fluent in any language beyond their mother tongue. I probably have about thirty words of French because our daughter and two of our grandkids live in France, and as for Portuguese, it is very much a work in progress. It’s not that I haven t... Continue Reading
Another year has passed, and while my mobility is still an issue and restricts many activities on Saturday, I met an old acquaintance whom I d not seen for a couple of years. An acquaintance who loved to dance and hike and was waiting to retire to Portugal. She was in a wheelchair. Her foot was... Continue Reading
When we first created our garden over twenty years ago on a bare, sandy plot, I had the romantic notion of planting a cute palm tree. Our neighbour had one (about 8ft) as did many other gardens in the area, so armed with no more than the dream of our very own palm tree swaying... Continue Reading
If we were having coffee, I d tell you that despite having another busy week, eating out, and socialising with friends, entertaining, dancing, working in the garden and in the charity shop, etc. I ve tried to pace myself (LoL) as I ve not been feeling that great. But we smile and keep going, yes? One foot in... Continue Reading
Once again, hot wind is gusting from the South and with temperatures in the thirties drying out the plants to shrivelled prunes and us. Thankfully, cooler weather is on the way next week, and there is even the threat of a few spits and spots of rain. We will see. Oregano or Marjoram? When I... Continue Reading
It s been another busy week in the garden. Why go to the gym or participate in YT walking workouts when you have plants to tend and seeds to sow? Only yesterday, I completed over 5000 steps walking back and forth and round and round on a mission to complete my list of gardening tasks. SNAKES!!!... Continue Reading
And I am still trying to catch up! On Sunday, 24th May, we travelled to Granada with friends for a vacation. I am not usually a fan of cities, but I kept an open mind, and I m glad I did. Granada was fantastic! No high-rise and we were pleasantly surprised by the diverse architecture, the... Continue Reading
On this day, 31st May 2019, I was moaning about plastic packaging. Why are fruit and veg packaged in plastic? Shrinkwrapped cucumbers. Seriously? Grapes, kiwis, apples, tomatoes, leeks, mushrooms, etc. Meat packaged in plastic. Now we even have microplastics in food Interesting info by National Geographic Seven years later (is it really that long?), and... Continue Reading
After last year s drought, which meant we had to drastically reduce our overall water consumption and turn off the irrigation systems, I decided not to grow any fruit and veg this year. To save water, we harvested tap-run-offs while waiting for the water to heat when taking a shower, collected the shower water, saved all... Continue Reading
Was it really SIX Years ago that we all (well, most of us) lived in fear for our lives? Looking back, it seems surreal. How did you cope with lockdown? ETA: Everyone in the Health sector should have received a medal or some recognition of their service and sacrifice during this time.
Good morning on this HOT and sunny May Saturday. Is it hot enough for you? Nope, I am not going to moan about the searing heat of the Southerly winds that have dried out my plants. Who needs to go to the Gym when you are humping 5-6 litre bottles of water around the garden... Continue Reading
If we were having coffee, I d tell you that last Sunday, despite the threat of showers, I d reserved a spot at the local car boot/flea market (what s the difference?), an event I d relentlessly campaigned to our local residents association to reinstate after they d cancelled it several years ago . I can t remember the finer points as... Continue Reading
The weather is all over the place at the moment. One day I am wearing shorts and sleeveless tops, and the next a jumper and long trousers. If the day starts bright and sunny, it could well be raining and blowing a gale by mid-afternoon. Don t get me wrong, we ve had some beautiful weather, and... Continue Reading
If we were having coffee, I d tell you the last couple of weeks have been hectic! Hence why I ve not been online much. Just nine days after returning from a family holiday in England, we were jaunting off on our travels once again to stay with family in France. It was a last-minute decision because... Continue Reading
When we were in Cornwall, Mr P was hellbent on having a traditional Cornish pasty, and he was not disappointed by the selection of shops dedicated to selling them. For something that looks like a simple handheld pie, the Cornish pasty, I was surprised to discover, had a surprisingly rich history. I wanted to take... Continue Reading
If we were having coffee, I d tell you we ve just returned from a fabulous, albeit freezing-cold holiday in England. Bristol and then, Cornwall, for a family get-together and then back to stay with one of our sons while we catch up with friends and more family. If I thought it was cold in Portugal, I... Continue Reading
