Every second Sunday of the month is the gypsy market here in Estoi. How propitious for us that today happened to be that Sunday!!!! We anticipate this particular market as we can simply walk down, not have to worry about parking…..it can be a madhouse sometimes….and if we find it overwhelming, or are tired, we can simply walk back home and let the others stay and enjoy the experience. It was brimming with shoppers today, or perhaps they were like us and simply taking in the ambiance and sponging up the energy.
What an array of choices when it comes to local cheeses.
It’s that time of the year when all the fresh nuts are being harvested and readily available.
My very happy husband. Actually, I think we haven’t stopped smiling since landing in Lisboa!
Local vendors having a gab fest.
I was totally enjoying the energy of the place.
We purchased a large bag of fresh roasted almonds and another of dried black figs……both great for snacks and in oatmeal.
This fellow kept selling and replenishing his supply.
I’m not sure how long we wandered as it was aimless and undemanding, we simply wandered up and down the various rows breathing it all in until we felt ready to return home.
After lunch I headed out for a rambling walk around town. No particular destination, simply to wander and see what “newness” caught my eye. One thing was quickly evident, Estoi is thriving!! Considerable improvements and renovations going on all throughout, and around, the town. Of course, all the flowers still in bloom is such a treat to the eyes.
Bougainvillea is one of my favourites.
Freshly painted.
This little place has been completely renovated since our last visit. I noted quite a bit of this colour around town.
My all time favourite, white bougainvillea.
I don’t think I’d ever noticed this chimney before. It’s quite rustic and interesting…..I need to find a way to get closer to it to see the detail.
Frangipani blossoms. The tree must have been about 35 feet tall and was covered in flowers.
I love this tile work. It’s recessed in a free standing sign post containing a lengthy poem called O encantamento de Estoi The Enchantment of Estoi. I am going to try to translate it.
Many olive trees are still bending in fruit.he
And finally, this enormous rosemary hedge is about five feet tall, at least six feet long and the scent, heavenly. Always makes me hungry!
A quintessential, perfectly sublime Sunday. One of many we will experience over the coming winter months.
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Marc and Randys Travel Adventures 
Great pics. Makes me want to go there. Wait…I AM going there! 🙂
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Yes you are, and aren’t you the lucky one.
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Here we go with all the wonderful flowers again! Love it and the market, I can see myself buying cheese and some sausage that was hanging close by the cheese and onions of course!
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You would go mad, simply mad at the markets. It’s such a challenge not to purchase all the various meats, cheeses, olives, breads etc. etc.. You can purchase 10 liters of freshly pressed olive oil for 4 euros!!!!!
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Nice photos, especially from your walk through Estoi. I always enjoy the colours used to adorn Portuguese architecture.
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So much new renovation and construction this time around and people are using different colours than previously. Also noticed many new tiles recessed in the outer walls of homes……….I love it.
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I’m looking forward to checking it out.
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Nothing like the local markets for treats and people watching. Isn’t it fun to return each year and check out the changes made around town? The flowers always make me smile.
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Thanks Debbie. Yes, I love the flowers and this year, with coming a couple of weeks earlier than usual, we are seeing many that are usually done when we arrive and just starting when we leave. I passed a full wall of passion flowers this afternoon, all heavy in bloom. I had forgotten my camera but it’s captured in my mind, that’s good enough for me.
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A perfect day! I love the market in Estoi….particularly the lovely and plentiful assortment of my favourite purchase! LOL!
The flowera are beautiful as ever…looking forward to each and every photo and commentary, Buddy! xoxo
P.S. I am going to buy some Portuguese olives tomorrow! I have such a hankering for them from your photo!
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Te market was sublime today….especially with the sunshine and blue skies!!!! Marc was very drawn to a couple of Pashminas but showed restraint. You’ll have to remind me to tell you of our wonderful evening with Ana, Simao and folks.
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J’aime tellement les photos des fleurs et des fruits.
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Were your ears burning earlier? We were talking about you during our walk…….we are both very happy you are part of our life!!!
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Ummm, hang on a minute …. you had a wonderful evening with Ana, Simao and folks and you’re not telling all of us about it???????????????????????
Gosh the Frangipani flowers are gorgeous. So smooth with their lovely curves.
It looks so beautiful there. So colourful and bright.
xoxoxoxox
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LOL. We had a delightful visit. Ana, Simao, Miguel, Joanna and Miguel’s parents showed up with a large container of fresh conquilha, which are a tiny smooth shelled type of clam, you can collect them only at certain times. Joanna cooked them up with garlic/olive oil/coriander and WOW, talk about a taste sensation. Fresh and sweet!! That along with the cold meats, cheeses, olives, breads, and of course vinho and we ended up stuffed. Very nice to catch up and enjoy a few chuckles. And yes, the frangipani is quite beautiful. Beverley used to have them at her house in Barbados (I think).
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Loved seeing your pictures at the gypsy market! Love the cheese selection & so many shoes/boots on display. The frangipani blossoms are so perfect & beautiful – the tree would be surely gorgeous. Sounds like you had a lovely time with Ana & family and the food sounded so great. You all must have been so excited to see each other!
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It’s been wonderful so far Joannie. It truly feels as if we’ve simply “come home”. Today was a walk all up through the mountain road and looped around to come back into the village. Just wonderful although I was overdressed with my hoodie on!!!!!
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Absolutely love the flora….stunning!
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For us it’s such a treat to see new things bursting into bloom every day while we are here! It never ceases to amaze us how green and colourful winter in Portugal can be.
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