Fonte da Benémola Again!!

A day filled with expended energy, not all of it positive.   I won’t get into the particulars but, we are having a “not so pleasant” experience with SEF, the Portuguese Immigration system and a large chunk of time this morning was spent trying to sort some of that out.  At this stage in my life, anything to do with having to sort out government issues is a colossal waste of time, but sadly, necessary at times.   And that’s the last I have to say on the subject…..for now!!!

I did enjoy (immensely) my Portuguese lesson.  It thrills me to come home with a new word or two but more importantly, a new understanding of some of the cultural differences.  Then, to help make it a pleasant day, the patio at the NEhikeW Snack Bar com Tradição ( our friends Ana and Simão sold it two weeks ago) was open for the first time and a bunch of us, including  Simão, were there for lunch.  I’m happy it’s reopened as we were missing the ability to head down to the square for a spontaneous lunch or drink.

From there, Pat, Gary, Morgaine (Pat’s niece) headed off to the Fonte da Benémola for a lovely hike.  What an oasis of calm in a hectic day, both the wanderings themselves, but more importantly, the wandering with old friends.

I’m sad to report that ALL of my photos of orchids, of which there were plenty, had to be trashed as my macro function has stopped functioning!!!   They were all blurry although I did manage to save one that was on the cusp of clarity….you’ll see.

Not certain what this is. Beautiful lemon coloured flowers starting to pop on the branches.

This is called Dull Ophrys, and is anything but dull. So many of them clinging to their dainty stems dancing in the breeze. I am so sad that this one is blurry and all the others, trashed!

This gorgeous beast is called Naked Man Orchid…..look closely!

And the clothes start to come off!!

That only looks like a large halo surrounding the two of them. I think I have a dirty lens!!!!

Another, more detailed, Naked Man Orchid.

Teacher Gary giving a lesson on the ubiquitous cork trees. He was obviously paying attention when he did the cork factory tour a few years ago……AND remembered the details!

Narrow leafed cistus all through the countryside but especially up the side of the mountain all along the base of the cork forest.

This old wheel…..olive grinding perhaps?

Patricia, Morgaine and yours truly.

Patricia, Morgaine, and Gary.

Found this bike propped up against, and behind, an old building near the trail entrance. I liked how it looked in the sunshine.

This is a member of the sweet pea family called Lathyrus clymenum. Growing in abundance all along the sides of the road leading around the deep river ravine.

This is called Bladder Yetch….a not so pretty name for a gorgeous tiny flower.

Our selfie……aren’t we cute together. Friends since my 21st birthday, and that was 43 years ago!!!!

Thoroughly enjoyed the walk in the intense Portuguese sunshine.  The sound of the babbling brook (I think it might be a tiny river), the company and the fun in searching for new flora.  And, I think when one expends this kind of energy, there is only one thing waiting at the end to make it a perfect experience.