The Sun Has Returned….and we are happy

Pat and myself had a “date” this morning to go and visit old friends near Fuzeta.  Marc took advantage of the proximity to the salt flats to come along then walk with Henry and Chloe across the flats and into Fuzeta where we would catch up with them later in the day.

As we drove from Fuzeta to the house we had the great pleasure of coming upon a hoopoe, or as they call it here a poupa having a great time with a large cricket in the middle of the road.   It’s a bit blurry as it’s through the windshield but we watched him for quite some time.  The cricket was squirming and the poupa was not letting go!

Along the route and at the farm we had the opportunity to see quite a few local flora.  Pat, being a lover…..one might even say fanatic….for poppies, was quite delighted.

These roses are enormous……..wide open palm sized.

Several of the fields were alive with red dancing poppies.

These gorgeous purple poppies delighted Pat and it seems as if she just might be bringing some seeds home with her.

And the banana tree flower white bird of paradise (Strelitzia nicolai)

We enjoyed a wonderful visit with our friends then scurried back to Fuzeta to find the others and chose a place for lunch.

We ended up at Edmundo’s and were so hungry that by the time food landed on the table we had pretty well devoured it before somebody mentioned photos!!!  Suffice to say, it was delicious.    As we were close to Santa Luzia we decided to drive there, park and enjoy a lovely leisurely stroll along the boardwalk and part of the town.  It’s great fun to watch people as they discover the tile work and other delights these small towns have to offer.

This lovely whale was not on this wall the last time we visited.

Thousands of fiddler crabs were actively scurrying about the entire shoreline.

Fiddler crab waving at us!!!

Low tide makes the shoreline so much more interesting than high tide….in my opinion!

Patricia wants a red boat for her red kitchen at home!!!!!

Have a look at the lovely chandelier on the upper level

A mint green chimney. I’d love one of those.

Tile work, white walls and blue sky. What a combination.

The detail around the door and windows was quite lovely and such a rich shade of yellow.

Lovingly attended.

Look at the richness of this bloom. I think it’s a Martha Washington.

High on a wall this tiny window with it’s lovely art.

Another creative chimney AND another shade of green.

Santa Luzia tiles adorn many walls and they are not all the same.

Another version of Santa Luzia

And then of course, the ever reliable Saint Anthony.

An action shot!!!

Another huge field of poppies, this one brought tears to Pat’s eyes.

And Mister Henry………smiling as always and enjoying his Portugal visit..

Another great day in the Algarve.   For some, the time is winding down, which of course becomes a marker for us as we have only a few short weeks left once they all head home.  We are not going to whine or complain as we’ve had one heck of an amazing winter AND, we’ve already purchased our tickets for our return.  Life, as we know it, is GRAND!