Time Continues to Tick By

Both Marc and I have been unwell this past couple of weeks. Marc came down with one whopper of a virus about 10 days ago and is still working his way thought it. Me, I thought at first it was allergies but now I think I might have some version of what he has as I’ve been completely out of it for about three days. Between sneezing, nose blowing, and now having to deal with the frogs that have settled in next door……yes, you read that correctly, it’s been a few sleepless nights.

On a pleasant note, we’ve had daily visits from this gorgeous fellow, and two of his friends during the last few days.

He’s called a blue rock thrush and he is quite glorious to behold plus has a lovely song. I watched them for quite some time on Thursday as they flew about, chasing each other and chattering wildly as they swirled about above me and the pool. They don’t seem to be deterred by our presence, which is wonderful.

Yesterday I headed off with Debbie and Fred (Marc was simply not up to it) for the annual  Feira dos Doces d’Avó (Grandma’s Sweets Fair) in Alcoutim, a small town north east of here that sits directly on the Guadiana River (the natural border with Spain), and the small Spanish town of Sanlúcar de Guadiana, on the other side, so close it looks as if you could touch it.

The drive through the Portuguese countryside could not have been more idyllic as the mountains, at this time, are completely covered in gum cistus, lavender, and luscious yellow broom, all in full flower.

The three of us were in awe of Mother Natures offerings and stopped frequently to check things out, take a small stroll along the road, or mountain pathway, just to absorb it and breath it all in. Fred has commented often, while we are hiking or driving, that photos simply cannot do it justice and he is so correct, and for that reason, we simply gaze at it and try to commit it to memory.

We stopped for a walk about in the small town of Cachapo, which was pleasant after the hour or so mountain drive. It was very quiet, most places closed, but still felt lived in and vibrant.

We stopped in Martim Longo for lunch, what I love to think of as “our habit”, as I’ve done this some many times over the years while heading to this particular event. I sat for a moment and thought of the various people I’ve say here with and shared in a meal. Some of them no longer with us.

The fair was extremely disappointing, and I dislike writing that as I love all the various fairs and markets I get to visit here in Portugal but, having been to this particular one many times over the years, and always delighting in every aspect of it, I can only say that this was truly disappointing.

There was a scarecrow competition, and not a single person in sight…..nada

Then when we headed down to the area where the vendors set up their wares there was probably 50% less attendance (in the form of vendors) than in previous years. I don’t understand it as it’s well advertised, and usually packed. I think of the ten or so tables that were there, only about four of them actually had desserts, the rest things like honey, herbs, and breads. I’m quite sad for the village as the liveliness and energy usually is very uplifting and I’m certain it must bring a boost to the local economy.

Despite the disappointment, the three of us enjoyed ourselves, a wander about in town, and then a leisurely drive back along the Guadiana, avoiding the busier, and faster route to home. We spotted a couple of interesting new hikes that we will tuck away for our next years visit.

Today, being Saturday, Marc and I headed off to the Olhão Mercado, we didn’t have much on our list but it’s not all about the shopping!! We expected it to be busy given it’s Easter weekend but we weren’t at all prepared for the lack of parking and the throngs of people. We keep say, “we can’t imagine it in the summer months” and today was a bit like we imagine it must be. We bumped into our friend, Andrée-Anne, and enjoyed a long lovely sit down, a good catch up and eventually a coffee (it was so busy it took over 40 minutes to get served!!!) I wasn’t much in the mood for photo taking but I did get this one “snap” on my way from parking the car. It’s a new statue they’ve installed near the boardwalk.

We’re both hoping to be feeling better by tomorrow but if not, a leisurely day sitting in the sun in this glorious 24+ weather won’t hurt us at all.

Happy Easter….. Joyeuses Pâques…..Feliz Páscoa