Sunny Slothful Sunday!!

Sunday is one of my favourite days around here. I love that we always seem to let it unfold as it should given most things are closed and those that are opened are usually busy and full by 12h30 as it’s all about family and friend time. Large groups of exuberant folks enjoying their time away from whatever keeps the occupied throughout the week and sharing with those that are closest.

The sun was beaming down on us therefore a laundry was in order. People here, us included, don’t use clothes dryers. We love our clothesline and the end result fresh scent of everything, especially sheets and towels. With everything out we sat back to enjoy our fresh cheese that we picked up yesterday along with sweet juicy local strawberries, crispy toasted bread and lots of hot black coffee to wash it all down. It was a three cup morning for this man!!

I did, late morning, decided to take a walk around the back 40 to see what, if anything new, was blooming and I had a couple of surprises.

Yup, almost stepped on him!!! Malpolon monspessulanus, commonly known as the Montpellier snake, is a species of mildly venomous rear-fanged snake! It is very common in Spain, Portugal and Northwest Africa. It is up to 2.00 metres (7 ft) long and may weigh up to 1.5 kilograms (3 lb). This one looked to me to be about three feet long…..it’s hard to tell when you’re running away!!!! LOL IN truth, he was more frightened of me and he scurried off and managed to squeeze himself into a hole at the base of an old olive tree.

I’ve mentioned before that we have various wildlife hanging around…..well this little fellow seems to be getting used to our presence as he doesn’t run and hide like he used to when we first arrived.

We had finally been able to make plans to meet with our old friends, Ana and Simão in Olhão. Ana works which makes get togethers a bit challenging. In any case, we finally met up with them and enjoyed a fabulous catch-up visit on the boardwalk at Olhão harbour. It’s funny how it felt as if it was only yesterday that we last sat here sharing in a drink and time together.

From there a quick stop to say hello to Pat and Gary, who moved today. They have a lovely new place for their last few weeks here.

Another grand day is now just about behind us. Dinner is out of the way,( baked fish cakes(me) with salads (3 of them thank you Marc)), dishes are done (thank you Joanne), and we still have a stretch of evening to read, catch up on emails, do a little research for our road trip tomorrow (you’ll have to wait and see), and simply be.

As we sat enjoying our visit on the harbour in Olhão today the smell of the sea, the sound of the lapping water, and the ever present sound of seagulls, we suddenly heard a heightened squawking………..