The Times They are a Changin’

Obviously I cannot take credit for the title of my blog today but it describes well how things are progressing these days.

Marc and I are still missing Joanne……..not just her cleaning the kitchen each night after dinner but her overall presence. It’s amazing how quickly habits (and expectations) develop and when there is a change to that routine, it’s a form of grieving. We miss you Joanne!

Our friend James arrived yesterday on the 17h35 train in Faro and we were there on the platform waiting to greet him and our friends Michel and Louise arrive today on the 17h35 train in Faro and we were there on the platform to greet the!! Are you noticing a bit of a pattern here??

This morning James and I headed off for a “short” walk around the village prior to meeting Marc in the square for lunch at 12h30. It was a balmy 21 degrees, which obviously tickled James pink given he was in Quebec less than 24 hours ago in chilling cold temperatures.

I didn’t dare wear James out on his first morning here therefore at the end of our walk, he headed home, to join me later in the square, and I continued on a small exploration of a part of town I had not been in for a while. As many times as I had wandered around here I had never noticed these three lovely tiles sitting above a door of a small house that I have walked past countless times.

And then, this lovely patch of wildflowers, one of the things I love about exploring here. Colour, colour and more colour.

We had pre-ordered lunch for James and Marc, turkey stroganoff, which I had to avoid due to cream. Elsa had ‘reserved” a table for us in the sun and as it turned out our friends Gus, Susie, Marion, and David showed up which made for a lively and entertaining lunch.

Marc and I headed to Faro to collect Michel and Louise from the train and as it was “rush hour”, a complete oxymoron here…….parking was a bit of an issue. I dropped Marc off then parked and as I walked back to the “gare” I noticed these wonderful pieces of wall art…..I love the creativity.

And finally, the arrival of Michel and Louise, which is epic given the number of cancellations and changes thanks to our current reality. Finally they are here. I know we’ll have a wonderful time during their stay. They are with us for a few days then move into their own place in Olhão.

And, as Bob so eloquently said those many years ago:

Come gather ’round people, wherever you roam
And admit that the waters around you have grown
And accept it that soon you’ll be drenched to the bone
And if your breath to you is worth savin’
Then you better start swimmin’ or you’ll sink like a stone
For the times they are a-changin’

Come writers and critics who prophesize with your pen
And keep your eyes wide, the chance won’t come again
And don’t speak too soon, for the wheel’s still in spin
And there’s no tellin’ who that it’s namin’
For the loser now will be later to win
‘Cause the times they are a-changin’

Come senators, congressmen, please heed the call
Don’t stand in your doorway, don’t block up the hall
For he that gets hurt, will be he who has stalled
‘Cause the battle outside ragin’
Will soon shake your windows and rattle your walls
For the times they are a-changin’

Come mothers and fathers throughout the land
And don’t criticise what you can’t understand
Your sons and your daughters are beyond your command
Your old road is rapidly agin’
Please get out of the new one if you can’t lend your hand
For the times they are a-changin’

The line it is drawn, the curse it is cast
The slowest now, will later be fast
As the present now will later be past
The order is rapidly fadin’
And the first one now will later be last
‘Cause the times they are a-changin’

Mantenha-se seguro, pequenino.