We’ve been “on the trot” quite a bit the last few days and with today being cloudy, accompanied by a nippy little breeze, it made perfect sense to simply enjoy a lazy day at, and near, home. Seemed to be to everybody’s liking and that’s just what we’ve done.
Around 11h00 we decided to take a short jaunt into Estoi, which is roughly 5 km from us, take a stroll through the village, meet up with James, enjoy a bica in the square and then come back home for a late lunch.

Having “lived” in Estoi for the last five winters, it truly feels as if we are “home” as we walk around. I never grow tired of the pousada and it’s lovely colours.

Hey Mister! Got any treats in any of those pockets? No! How about a bit of love?





My favourite lantana was starting to bloom today. I love that one plant can have many blooms of different colours. They always remind me of little candies for some reason.


Then of course there are always the beautiful almond flowers to grab my attention and leave me transfixed by Mother Natures talents.

And finally, my happiness was complete when James announced that Konrad had left a jar of his home made marmalade for me!!! This past few winters here he kept me stocked up the entire 6 months I was here. How wonderful the thoughtfully sent a jar to me. Can’t wait for breakfast tomorrow morning…….I’ll dream about it tonight I’m certain.

Home now for the rest of the day. Crosby, Stills, Nash, and Young are serenading us in homage to David’s recent death. The pellet stove is keeping us toasty, hot beverages are ” de rigueur” and life potters by.
Mantenham-se quentes, secos e seguros.
I take it Jackson is James’ dog, and that he travelled with him from home. How did man and dog find the experience?
He’d be great company, as I believe James is spending longer in Portugal than last year. Say hi for me.
I’m living vicariously thru your blog. The marmalade made me think of the batch Susan and I made last year. Yum indeed. Only 5 1/2 weeks!
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Yes, Jackson is his pooch and all seemed to go quite well, after all the red tape in Canada. James is loving his longer stay here and is actually also planning a side trip for 10 days to Istanbul. It’s very cool here right now, the coolest I’ve known it in all the years I have been coming here. Thank goodness for the sunshine in the day time.
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Estoi will always have a place in my heart! I am taking a page out of your book and relaxing today…mainly because I can’t get out of my driveway. LOL! Lots of snow but it is bright. I have a date with Strike, my ☕️, and a blanket; all is good in my world!🤗
Enjoy your day! Sounds like fun!
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Yes, Estoi will always hold a special place in our hearts as well. We do feel as if we are returning home when we arrive there each time. Hopefully there will be a few more visits yet this trip
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Next time you go, please look for little pieces of my heart!🥰❤️
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Love the pictures of the Lantana and almond blossoms! So very pretty! The marmalade looks delicious and if it is made from oranges, I can only imagine how tasty it is as Portugal has such great oranges. Your weather does seem cooler while here in Nova Scotia, we have several days of double digits in January – not the usual weather. Last night @10pm, it was 10C and raining. We still have a few months to go, but so far not bad. Hope it gets warmer for you .
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Yes Joannie, it is made from Konrad’s oranges and his almonds!! Very delicious. As for warmer weather, yes, yes, yes!!!
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Cold is a relative term. We woke to balmy -14°c this morning. Within minutes of the teash being collected from the bottom of the driveway, the plow operator came to visit and left an unhealthy dose of “merde blanche” at the bottom of our driveway.
We are very eager to enjoy fresh fruit and cool Portuguese weather.
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Not to worry….I am doing my naked Newfie weather dance and if all goes well, sunshine will be waiting for you!
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Sounds wonderful and that marmalade sure looks yummy. Xoxo
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Yes mon amie, very wonderful and the marmalade….let’s just say that I hide it when I’m not eating it!!
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