Potpourri

We’ve been blessed with a few days of showers, which are so desperately needed, yet warm temperatures.   It allows us to get out and walk in the mornings, enjoy a little exploration, then home shortly after 13h00 to prepare lunch and for the most part, hang out about home doing odds and sods of things.  Neither of us is ever really bored or without some sort of project or activity to wile the time away.

I was exploring a small side road and stumbled on this old ruin. Despite the obvious decay, I still manage to see the beauty that was and I always look at the potential that remains.

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.

A tiny alley and an enormous bougainvillea to make the eyes and the heart happy.

I never tire of the palms, they remind me I’m not in Canada! The large salt pile in the distance will be sent off to thee salt processing facility soon and then the process of harvesting it will start all over again. It too intrigues me and has become a bit of a marker in time of our trips here.

I keep forgetting to mention that I have finally seen wild boars!!!!  The other evening while driving we rounded a bend in the road, this would be around dusk, and there in the middle of road, three adolescent boars!!  Of course I did not have my camera but let me tell you, I was like a kid in a candy shop.  I’m still hoping to see them when I have camera in hand as I would love to capture them for the blog.

Today was quite warm but very foggy and misty as we headed up the mountain for our brisk outing.  We had decided to go a favourite route but to continue along in a north easterly direction from the point where we normally head south.  How delighted I was to discover that a path I had taken last year, and given up on after a couple of hours, actually linked to this new route we took today.  We now have another wonderful loop that takes just under two hours, is not as demanding as some but very satisfying when we don’t want to get in the car and drive for a long distance.

You can always find a bamboo stick to carry along in the event there might be a stray dog or a wild boar!!!!!

You can see the morning mist climbing up the mountain side. It was pretty well gone by the time we reached our half way point.

Always something blooming and providing a welcome splash of colour.

Once we had looped around the back of our mountain I was fairly certain we could actually get all the way home without having to back track.  Turns out I was right and both Marc and myself were happy not to have to turn around and trudge down the long hill we had just climbed.  Several great views as we headed up.

São Brás de Alportel off in the distance. I love seeing the entirety of a town from on high.

This wonderful patch of light suddenly illuminated this property and made it stand out from the others.

WE both like this house tucked high on the mountain road. We imagined how tranquil and quiet it would be to live there, especially at night,

Once we peaked and started our downward journey we came across this field where a horse and few other animals were intently watching us.

We aren’t certain if that is a porco preta (black pig) or in fact a boar.  From a distance it was a little difficult to tell but….the way it scurried away from us, I’m leaning towards the boar theory!!!

By mid afternoon the clouds had all dissipated and the gorgeous blue skies were all around us.  The next few days are calling for warm sunny skies……..not at all certain what we will get up to but I think I see another hike in my future!!!