Alvito Main church & morning bla bla

I took these photos yesterday. 

 Its the time of the year , when we have to go to that awful office called  "Tax office" I think you are all familiar with it. I was in and out as fast as i could. 

 After paying my annual dues.  I walked accross the road , and took some photos of the main little church "Igreja Matriz" in Alvito.

  The church of is called  "Nossa snra. da Assunçao" has been a National monument since 1939.   XV1- Manuelino style. (our Lady of Assumption)   Note how high the cyprus trees are.


Alvito has been inhabited since Neolithic and during Romn Domination, later occupied by Visigoths and the Moors.    Alvito was conquered by the Portuguese in 1234.

I have so many times walked around this lovely church. I think its beautiful.   Yesterday meeting a friendly policeman of duty.. he was walking his little dog.. asked if i had seen the sun dial.  I replied that I hadnt.   We walked to one of the sides of the church and there high up was this sun dial.   A few pigeons were perched up there. I noticed that these pigeons  had a red like neck and chest area.    There is always something new to find out.

               The church is in the middle of the village.   you can see some of the little cottages at the back.

                                 This cross was on the top of a roof of one of the little cottages.

                                The garden next to the church.. so well kept.

                                               Two king palms.

                                           more little cottages. they are in rows. A very close knit community

The band stand.   Not much happens here, as it used to. So many of the youth have immigrated. And the municipality doesnt have funds enough to support the events like we used to have.  At the back.. The building with the blue borders.. Is the village school.  My youngest son attended there until High school.  Growing up here in these villages is like a fairy tale for these children.

                                        This hoto is from the internet..  its the church lit up at night.

A bust of Dr. Gois.  A very prominant person in his day.  He did a lot for the Alvito community and is very much revered.  His bust is in the little garden.

Alvito has a twin city in  LAZIO Italy.





Bla blaa.

 The dogs started going crazy.. when they get in a frenzy, I know something is wrong.. I continued to write my post.. but the bla bla got closer and closer.. and the Maaa maaa closer.  I decided to investigate.

                                        3 Little babies here are we. cought in the corner of your garden you see. bla bla bla we say.. please can you come and set us free.      Here come mothers only two. Maa maa  dont worry they say.     Chasing off the three naughty lambs.

Two mummies .. one has twins. Off they go back to the bottom field.  

Here they are all small and sweet.  running to meet mummy.

                 I wish i could have kept them for the day.  Their fur is so smooth.... but they needed mummy.      I have a few fences to fix..and the electric fence was not on..some of the wires have fallen due to last weeks heavy rain.  

               A lovely family scene.    And a blissful reunion.      Sheep know the sound of their babies and the babies know the sound of their own mother.   they are not that stupid.

Off to have my coffee on the patio.. the sun is shining brightly..another lovely Autumn day.  One more left.

Wishing you all a happy blessed day.

val

Autumn days

A photo of the sky this morning. We have had heavy rain during last week. Its decided to give us a respite. We are always happy when it rains. Our dams and wells get full again.  As i was looking up at the sky.. it reminded me of little puppy paws walking up above.! 

                                     My dove family are not very far away.  Here is one

                                                Here are two

                                Was up to se Mr. M. who is not very well.  This is ginger's favorite place.. i think she is such a beautiful  puddy cat.  Mr. M has 4 cats and 2 doggies.

                                Mr. M's sheep - they are cheaters.  They come through my open gate to eat the nice new fresh grass growing.   Then the dogs send them back again.  See how they run

                                      Enjoying all the new green growth. they also like to eat the olive leaves.

                                     Jeffrey the great hunter.. he is always smelling something.

                             I am so happy.  I have never grown chrysanthemums before..and these are loving their place.. will be planting more.  So nice to see the yellow next to the green

                          Just keeping you all updated from "Quintinha das Rosas"..  You can see how within one month the green is fast growing through.    The horses have been moved up to the enclosure up at Mr. M's.  They are more than happy ..with their daily ration of oats.. along with  Rosie and Surprise.
I miss them.     But.. the wheel turns.. October is at an end.

wishing you all a good day.

val

Misty Sunday

October is the month for awareness of  Breast Cancer.    My little collage is for a couple of friends that have survived it and live active lives today.  Also to friends out there who are fighting it and also who have survived.   I took them also for other dear friends that are maybe not well with this awful sickness.
Health is the greatest gift that god gave us.   We must cherish it and nurture it. For without it we are nothing.

We are all aware of this terrible disease.  It can strike at any time.  When one least expects it.
Cancer can attack the body in so many forms and in so many different organs and places.

              Yesterday, I found out that a very dear close friend and neighbour of mine  is in hospital with colon cancer. Colon Cancer month is March .
    I myself feel that we should be aware of all these different horrible cancers every day.   I was very sad to hear my dear friends voice on the phone.  She is in good spirits. Now its waiting, for results she will be operated on this next  Thursday.
 Like breast cancer.. Colon cancer has good ratings of survival.  I pray that this will be the case for my dear friend.

                          Peace and love to you all my dear friends.    Keep stress at bay.! Take care

Live for today.  For tomorrow..we do not know what will happen.  Capture the beauty that is all around.

                     For my dear friend Tony.. She is a neighbor and Dutch..   lovely appropriate blue tulips.


A very very big thank you to the 15 friends who left me messages on my last post.
I myself have been very busy.    Annual exams and all that.

Today, I am just watching the sun coming through the mist.   How blessed I am, to know that I have such loving caring blogging friends.

Happy weekend.
see you soon
val

Taking a break

Dear friends.  I have so many things to catch up on.
I will take a break for a week or so..

Hope you miss me. ):-

kind regards val..

A feel good morning

"

Good morning ,from  Jeffrey-Cassidy, Isaa his wife and Hardy their son( he is the shy one) doesn't want to show his face to the camera.  

Sitting with me out on the patio, while I enjoy the little of what is left of the morning sun.  It has now left and Autumn seems really to be here. 

                             The clouds changing ..we could get rain.

                             I made little arrangements with my different colored roses, in jam jars.  I like the idea.  I will probably use them during christmas time for some arrangement or other.

                           I hand sculpted this  pink rose with white 'kaolin' porcelain.. many moons ago.  it has a little chip in it.  I made  4 to give to my friends.  I mixed the glaze to my liking.

  As the weather changes here.  I will use the patio at olive cottage less and less.  So today is a real feel good day for me.  I have enjoyed my coffee sitting out here.  Taken my photos.
Teaching myself, how to use my new Tablet.   This android system takes a while to get used to.  Its an ASUS.  It will do me for the time being, until I get used to using it.  I hope to be able to skype or even blog with it. Not sure yet. Another few days.

                                                           "Smile" dear friends.
 " Nothing is more important than connecting with your bliss, Nothing is as rich, nothing as real"

 Deepak Chopra.

                                       My white soleno creeper growing wild.. its so lovely. It flowers all year around. I was told this is a soleno creeper.. If anyone knows its real name.. (please)!

                                              The little individual flowers are so delicate.

                                    It started off a tiny creeper on the outer wall of my patio. Now I just let it grow and grow. (note my slippers).  I think i will have to try and take some cuttings, to plant in other areas.

                                 My pepper tree branches on the pepper trees are lilting.. they need to be trimmed .. I love these trees, as they are green all the year around too.

                                            The branches are touching the ground.

                                    Creepers loving the Autumn weather (I was told the name of this creeper, forgot! (please)!

                              This one too.  My dear friend Manuela gave it to me.  I dont know its name. (please)!

    "NOTHING IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN CONNECTING WITH YOUR BLISS. NOTHING IS AS RICH. NOTHING MORE REAL. "     Deepak Chopra.

Wishing you all a happy peaceful weekend.

val