A: Albufeira! It’s where Marc and I headed yesterday to spend a wonderful few hours with Debbie and Harry, our Trenton, Ontario friends who are here for a month long visit. We had a grand time with all our tongue wagging, and even though we don’t live that far from each other in Canada we laughed as we realize we see each other more here in Portugal than we do in Canada.
B: Barranco do Velho. I decided to bite the bullet (as they say) and hoped that the path was dry enough to enjoy the magnificence of the trail. It was, for which I was grateful, and having Debbie and Fred along to enjoy it with me, an added bonus.
This hike has a little bit of everything thrown in. Cork forests, pine forest, eucalyptus forest, rocky paths, grassy paths, asphalt, a couple of ancient natural springs, a field of sheep, with lovely sounding bells, a small enclave, you couldn’t really call it a village, and today…… “scents”….so many that at times it was intoxicating, especially the mimosa or acacia trees.
And the previously mentioned mimosa.
Acacia dealbata, commonly known as Mimosa or Silver Wattle is a medium sized tree that can grow up to 30 meters (98 feet) tall. It produces globular clusters of bright yellow flowers (looks like cluster of popcorn)! that bloom in late winter to early spring and they are truly a stunning visual cascading down into valleys and along the highway.
And lastly, I learned a new word last year (thank you Gina) Apricity. This unique term, derived from the Latin word “apricus” meaning “exposed to the sun,” refers to the warmth of the sun during winter. And so, to our friends and family reading this, we hope the sun’s warm apricity on your faces provids a comforting respite from the chilly winter winds as it did on ours today.
And finally C: I had a list from Marc that required I stop at the Continente to do a shop otherwise there would be no dinner tonight!!!!
O meu coração está cheio de felicidade.
.
Well the sun’s apricity is not warming our faces in Paris! Rain all day! I can imagine myself on that hike, sounds wonderful! I hope the sun and warmth stays with you, though I wouldn’t mind some here! Cheers to you and Marc!
I’m very disappointed for you as I know how much you were looking forward to lovely weather while wandering in Paris. I’ll close my eyes and try really hard to send some of it your way…
The sun is shining here and we are smiling as we are about to head to the airport!
Safe travels men amis….see you soon
It was a beautiful hike and a great morning ❤️
I too thoroughly enjoyed it but for some reason, my thighs hurt tonight!!
Cannot wait until your other friend from Trenton are on Portugal soil 🙂
And we too cannot wait……we’re so looking forward to seeing you both here and showing you a good time. We’re gonna make it so good you will have to come back!!
Okay you are on!
One of my favourite trails as well. Grand to have such great hiking companions to tag along. I bet Debbie and Fred are over the moon. You’re a fabulous guide to a number of the trails.
By the way, Gary and I are in the living room enjoying cinq a sept( a bit early) basking in the apricots of the winter sun. Delightful. You know we have to visit Albuferia next year…just to see.
You know full well I think of you on every one of these hikes, and most especially this one. We were hiking one recently and Marc said, “Oh, I remember this place, didn’t Pat go for a pee over there”?
Love travelling with you both! Thanks for the sunshine and smiles. We are basking in a snowfall of 60 cm and another storm coming this weekend. You brighten my day.😊😊😊
I saw your snowfall and all I could think was hope happy I was not to be there. Delighted you follow along and so happy we brighten your day. Big Hugs and stay safe
Those Portugal blue skies make me smile, so beautiful and the perfect backdrop for the mimosa trees, bursting with their yellow brilliance…love, love it! Gives me hope for our Spring to arrive as I watch the snow melting away, slowly albeit, with a high of 5° C today…one day at a time!
What a great year for hiking, I am glad you are enjoying it so much and taking us along to bask in the sunshine with you! And yes, WOW! Now that is what I would call magnificent magenta!
The endless colour here is one of our favourite things. Every day we keep an eye out for what Mother Nature has been up to over night, she never disappoints.