A dogs life , around the quinta.!!

                 My new gate arrived last week.   Its to keep my dogs in and the horses out. My driveway is long up to the cottages. You can see the bottom entrance gate.   On either side of the driveway, there is electric fencing.  The horses are safe and cannot get into my inner garden.   The gates are now just waiting for a Bondex coating.

                    This is "Bonita" (pretty") in English..  She has been with me for 7 years now.  I found her one day, lying in the middle of a road about an hour away from me.    My sister was on a visit from UK .At first, driving closer and slowing down.. we thought she was dead.   I picked her up . My sister wrapped her in my car blanket.. and I arrived just in time  12.50am before my vet Dr. Anna closed her clinic.   Bonita had been severely badly treated.  Her tail cut off.  Dr Anna, said she had been eating stones to survive.  She had shrapnel in her left eye.  She really was in an awful state.  She spent 5 days in the clinic.  2 years in her bed next to my bed, before she would venture too far.
We call her the wonder dog.  She is amazing, very loving and is now pretty much in charge sometimes.
She is a pedigree "Podengo"- a hunting dog.  We suspect that the hunter  treated her very very cruelly.
Some time ago. She had a sting on her left ear.. it went septic. Now it just hangs.  Dr. Anna says no problem.. she is happy healthy and well loved.

                  Jeffrey-cassidy... pondering- should I jump in or not.  He was born here at the farm and is very intelligent and Bonita's great protector.

                                       Hardy - Jeffrey's baby- No mummy..dont like my photo taken.  Also born on the farm.

                    Isaa.   Now with her family.  My eldest son's dog.  Their busy life, doesn't allow for dogs. So I have had her with me.   She is Hardy's mummy.     Loves her photo taken.. and is telling me.. mummy,I need to have a clipping and wash.  

                                 I introduced you to Vouga earlier at the beginning of the year.  Manuel's guard dog.  He is now very well intergrated and loves his new home.. and we all love him.   He is the main reason also for the gates.  He was used to being on a long chain.. so if I let him out of the garden area.. he might just go for the sheep.. don't want that..  He is like a big brown bear.

                                        A visit this morning from Filipe.   We were checking the horses.
            He has little Buddy on the left of the photo and Django on the right.. Buddy was born here at the quinta.. and Django was a tangled mess, left in a dark alley to die.  They go everywhere with Filipe.. and love to sail too.

Wishing you all a wonderful Sunday.. the last Sunday of September.

Do you have any animals.!!!     I love animals.    They are our best friends.

Val

new pastures/fences/ names

It's been a busy week ,here at Quintinha das Rosas.    Pedro has been working on new electric fencing for the arrival of the  rest of our equine clan!             If you follow my blog, you will remember that We have  5 horses now- Pascoa, and her naughty daughter Surprise.  They have been with me for a few years now full time.

 Sheilah ,who had little Rosie 2 years ago here at my quinta.. They both  went up to the big farm.    They came to me a few days ago.  Filipe doesn't have enough time to attend to them. 

    Along with them came a new little arrival that was born within the last year.. I still haven't gotten her birthdate.---    Now!!!   What should I call this beauty.!!!!  She is feisty , has long legs and is a stunner. Very intelligent and alert.    I thought i might call her "Athena" .. I like that name.  Athena , daughter of  Zeus.   Also known for her Intellect and intelligence.

Sheilah is her mother.   Sweet Sheilah.  After all , she was pregnant.                                      

Pascoa and Surprise- not so happy at the moment- they shoo away their new family members when time for drinking.   They will soon sort themselves out. Horses are highly intelligent.

                                                New fencing all around the right pastures..  This will allow the left pasture to the west, time for new growth.



Here is where the 5 are now.  lots to eat.  

                                          Sweet  little Rosie.. now 2 years old.   She has her mothers markings.. she seems to have a good temprement.   I will be walking around with them soon.  Once they are all more settled.

                                     Shiliah  - letting  little Athena drink.. Athena seems to love the water..she was splashing it all about and showing mummy how clever she is.

                                               Sorting out drinking time

                        Rosie moved around to the other side of the trough.. While Shilah watched.
It was very sad to see Shilah.. she is now getting old and looks thin.. her teeth can't chew as well.  She is a loving horse an easy rider.  Now its time for her to relax and live out her days in peace.

Soon Rosie will start to be broken in.   Always one of the grandchildren or other want to ride.

Hope you enjoyed seeing our horses again.     Its wonderful to have them all together.

                                                                    Val          

Museums,history,churches

Entrance doors.

The Convent and Church of Nossa Senhora do Carmo.

Walking into the Archaelogical  ruins .This amazing sight just takes ones breath away.  The first stone was laid in July 1389 - Its written.  The day of our Lady of Carmo.

  For me to write about this most incredible well preserved Archaeological museum would take pages and pages.     Many of you, who have visited Lisbon will probably have visited the Carmo ruins.

        The Archaeologists have made such a wonderful display of  Christian Sculpture of he high middle ages-- plus pieces from earlier and later periods.   All the pieces are not just from the Lisbon area or the convent.. but have been brought from other parts of Portugal.    Pieces from the iron age, bronze age- Gothic sculptures.   Just to name a few.

                                          Kings, princes , Bishops and Archbishops, Knights, Queens. are buried here.

  Many Islamic pieces from the time of their 700 year occupation of Iberia.

Coins have been found from Sancho ll and Afonso lll. 1223 to 1248.
My friend from England Eva and me, spent over 4 hours walking around this most captivating ruin.
some of the images are from my book.  Others are mine.  
If you are interested in Archaeology.. you will enjoy reading up about the Convento do Carmo.

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Igreja de Sao Domingos / Church of st. Domingos- The entrance. 

Sao Domingos church is classified as a National monument.   Prior to the modern Portuguese Republic in 1910- Many royal weddings were held here.
It was formaly the home of the Inquisiton , Jesuit missionary GABRIEL MALAGRIDA.. He was executed at the church in 1761.  After being accused of treason.
The church was damaged by the earthquake of 1531, and almost destroyed by the devestating earthquake of 1755. The rebuilding wasn't completed until 1807.
In 1959 the church was devestated once more when a fire broke out in the building.   It killed 2 firemen and took more than 6 hours to extinguish.. it completely gutted the church.
Destroying valuable paintings and statues.. in 1994 the church re opened.

We were both most fascinated with this magnificent building.
On entering, A very strange feeling came over me.  It was just so overwhelming to see the work that had been done after such a devestating fire.    Its hard to describe it.  
Its been left as it was.. but cleaned up.. and brought back to life.
This has been done on purpose ..... The history of the church being so intriguing .
Sao Domingos church is " Baroque" architecture at its best.

My friend Eva from Cambridge.. works at the University of Cambridge.. We met on a watercolor workshop 4 years ago, in Greece (Corfu Island)..and have communicated ever since.  

Igreja  de Sao Domingos.. (Inside) people were arriving for 4pm mass.  Saturdays.

another view of the inside.. but I couldn't get any closer, my zoom  is not good enough.. looks like a new camera for next year.     ( typical terracota colored ceilings)  A church with such history.  If only walls could talk.!!

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We sat here by the side of the river Tejo.  A lovely new esplanade has been built.   One can sit and watch the yachts and ferries go by.   So much has been done for the better in downtown Lisbon.  

We visited Rossio and took photos of the beautiful traditional paving that we have in the Lisbon streets.
4 wonderful days spent visiting places that I had passed by so many times, and never been in.
It was a wonderful 4 days.  Our B & B  to be recommended..  Zuzarte Apartments and B & B..

We then returned to the Alentejo. Visiting the Temple of Diana , and local museums. Evora is a UNESCO town and a most beautiful one too.   I live 25 min away.

This summer, has been a very busy summer for me.   I have been absent from blogging , and have missed you all.
I look forward to visiting you and catching up with all your lovely blogs.
Autumn is now with us.  September nearly at an end.   I am sure you have all had wonderful holidays ..
I am happy I chose to holiday here in Portugal this year.  Doing things that I wouldn't do normally. It was great to do it with a friend.

Wishing you all a great week.

Val

Time for friends

Dear friends.  Summer is still with us here.  Hot days , but cooler evenings.  

I am taking a break for a couple of weeks.   Friend from England coming, tomorrow.  I am spending 4 days in Lisbon.   Just doesnt seem to be enough time in the day to get through things that have to be done. and keeping up with friends and family.     A couple of photos here of the Odivelas dam about 45 min from me.  I was there with friends last week.   

Hoping that you all enjoy the rest of this summer.   Looking forward to catching up with you all soon.

                                 Val

Travels through Blogland.

TRAVELING      THROUGH    BLOG LAND - AUGUST 2014

..................

1st  September 2014

Dear Blogging friends . My dear friend Judy of 

"Gold Country Cottage" - invited me to join in a journey through blogland.      I gladly accepted. 

 Its a way to get to know more about each other.    Judy and I became blogging friends a couple of years ago.  

I always enjoy going over to her blog, and Judy is always so generous with her comments on mine. 

She writes about her beautiful Victorian Cottage-  that her and her husband bought, and have restored  through the years. Keeping its original Victorian appeal .   It's simply beautiful.    She also writes about her family and her travels and visits to different towns and locations.  Her blogs are full of beautiful photography. And so well written and presented. 

Judy lives in California.

   

Here is a photo of " Gold Country Cottage 's front porch door.      Always decorated with different arrangements during the turning of the seasons.  

 I invite you all to Gold Country Cottage.- Knock  and  Judy with her big smile and kindness of heart.. will open the door.  You can then enter and she will show you her  beautiful home that she lovingly shares with us all.  You can follow her on her travels, and her stunning decorations within. 

Please take time to visit.  She will make you most welcome.  I have enjoyed my visits to " Gold Country Cottage."   I know you will too.

"Gold Country Cottage "- Front door porch

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I  will be be answering- 4 questions, that have been presented , I hope that you will learn a little more about me, and my life , and living here in Portugal.

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1) ---                                 WHAT    AM     I      WORKING      ON.

 At the moment, I am dedicating and spending more time to my art.    I started painting porcelain reproductions over  20 years ago.  A most fascinating hobby, and totally different than painting with oils. It did however ease my way into using oil as my preferred method.
   After moving full time to the country, I did not continue with  the porcelain painting.   Who knows, I might do that again at some later date.  I have painted some beautiful re productions.. and they hang on my wall.

One day, I bought a canvas, and painted in oils.   I painted my first painting. Ever so chuffed with myself.
    Never ever having had lessons.  I bought myself a starters  pack.. and took sheer delight in the process of painting with oils.     The enjoyment  of seeing what I had painted, and the smiles and well wishes from my family, encouraged me to paint more.
 I now have been painting for about 25 years.    I have canvases unfinished and others to start.
 Somehow, life gets in the way- and there is not always time to persue our desires.    So .. for the next few months I will be at my easel as much as I can .. hoping to produce a few new paintings for my cottages.  I enjoy art, the history of art.. and above all painting , and the thrill of hanging them on the wall.

                                   Hanging on my studio wall. One of my handpainted plates. I have a kiln. but not been used for so long now.   Porcelain painting on china is a very different process from just painting on with ordinary folk art paint.  It takes a lot of time and effort , using special oils from Brazil.... Its a delicate precise art.   Sometimes taking two or three firings  needed in the kiln.... This is a sweet little bouquet of flowers.  Some day maybe I might have a bash again.!

                  This painting of  abstract tulips  I painted over 10 years ago.  is hanging in my bedroom wall.        Now its time after many years, to hang a new one.  Work in progress.!
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2. -                                     HOW DOES MY WORK DIFFER FROM OTHERS OF ITS GENRE.



I   like to think, that my blog has something different to offer my blogging friends.  That they get pleasure in reading my posts and take away from it something they like too.!
    Following other blogging friends.   I think that all blogs differ in some way.!  Thats the beauty of blogging. It would be dull, if we all wrote about the same things.
  Eventually we find more or less a  genre close to our own.    And the process begins.   I never thought i would blog.  
I just started to look at blogs and what people wrote about.   Thought of a name for my blog and with trepidation went into blogging not really knowing what it was all about.  And here i am with "Vals Alentejo."    Blogging can be a pain sometimes.. but with perseverance we get there.. with help from good friends.. we persist .

     Writing about what we like  and sharing, and knowing that we can  all take something away from each and every one of our posts is a sociable way of getting to know each other.

    I enjoy sharing my life and happenings with you all .   Maybe more so now, in the Autumn of my life.    Living once again in the country.  I write about life here  and around my 5 hectare Olive grove. Passionate about  family . My travels, my animals, horses, my 4 wonderful dogs,  my roses and sometimes something different.
    Blogging has added  a new vision and perspective to my world.
   Through reading other peoples blogs.. I have  learnt so much.    I hope that I can continue to post for a long time to come, and make them as interesting as possible.  

White wedding roses in my garden. The little boy statue behind the bush, my mother bought for me over 25 years ago.  

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 3-                                 WHY     DO      I     CREATE      WHAT     I     DO

I  have always enjoyed creativity and creating something new. As a child, I used to love to get my friends together and make plays.. I always made up their characters, we used to dress up and make some sort of play..  It was fun.

 
When I am out in my garden, or around the local villages ,or taking a trip to Lisbon .. My camera goes with me .
The photos and what I have seen or the happenings of that day .  Usually gets me into a creative mood.
  Then choosing the photos I like, I start to create my post.   It is a creative process.  Getting the photos you like, setting them aside. checking out this and that.   Then putting it all together.  Click and its posted.

  If one is active and enjoy what we are doing, no matter what. If you do it with love and passion.. that is creation in itself.
My thought process has always been at its best, when I get into a motivating  mood .  I can be active for a few days .. Then I take a rest again, then I will be on the move again.   Even going shopping or visits to our local historic sights.  Its all inspiring.

There is always something that comes to mind., something nice to create and think about, and share.










  4.                                                  
                 HOW DOES YOUR WRITING PROCESS WORK._


 This question is pretty similar to my creative side.  Writing to me, is creative.     I have no particular method.   I like to write about what  I see around me.   Some of my experiences.
I have always written in my diary.   I write my post, check it over.. sit on it for a while, then post.. I write my posts to keep . One day, hopefully my grandchildren would enjoy reading them.

  Traveling through Blogland!.. We are asked to name three friends.   The three friends that I chose were on holiday or traveling ..
      I  then thought , I  have such lovely blogging friends that are all worthy to be named   .  I  ask you all to take a peep at my sidebar and take a little time to  read some of the  amazing blogs I follow.
  I  and hope that you enjoy reading their blogs as much as I do.           I consider myself lucky to have such super followers and to be able to follow them.   Thank you one and all.  So far, its been a good ride.. great experience, lots of getting to know each other.

Thank you once again to Judy for choosing me.

I now have a couple of newcomers to my blog, that came over from "Gold Country Cottage".     September, will be the month to catch up on you all and read about all your happenings.





   I am me ---------      I write from the heart.

Happy blogging.
 VAL