Having lunch or dinner in my favorite village restaurant.. is always so relaxing. I have mentioned to you all before, that my dear friend Dita ownes it. There is always something going on and village news to have a little gossip about. I am off there again for lunch today. After lunch, when the restaurant is closed, we sit on the sofas with the cool breeze coming from the fan and the open windows and drink a refreshing iced tea, catching up on family news.
From my quinta.. this is the way, i enter the village. In the background, you can see our tennis courts. I used to play, 20 years ago now. But some of the children play.. raquets and balls are kept by a lady in the village, and you can play, whenever you want.
I live on the outskirts of the village, where there are a few farms and quintas. I love this gate, Its never opened.. Only once a month, when the old lady who ownes the place comes out to see her flowers. The roses in the vases on top of the wall are imitation .. she is about 86 or so.. I see her bending down to tend her beloved entrance.. so sweet.
It's been so so hot here in the Alentejo. I am sure many of you will have seen it on the weather channel. We have been up into the 40's.. here my neighbors sheep, just been shorn..are huddled in the shade of the barn.
the central village park again.
I took the photos from the top wall, but you can see the fountains .. the palm trees all looking so healthy. I dont go here much, its more for the younger crowd and their children.
central village main road.. one bank, two greengrocers, one restaurant and a taverna, and bakery. The owner of the taverna is 94. I suppose its true.. a couple of glasses of wine a day, keeps the doctor away !!! The house on the corner with the steps has just come up for sale.. the old folks go to the city to live with their son's and daughters.
my entrance and the road below to the village..taken from my car.
Sweet memories here.. Like the Australian aborigines.. once someone has passed they dont say their name ever again. Here is a photo of my dearest Bonita.. her back to the photo.. She went on a walk about. this monday. She always comes back.. she never wonders far. This time, she never came back. Its been very hard for me, to even think about her. I just cannot believe she is gone. My vet said, that sometimes, dogs do that when they want to die. I have prayed to our dear Lord, that he watches over her and that she has not suffered in anyway. She was my sweet loving rescue dog.. the house is empty.. her brothers know she is gone. I mention her name, and they look out the window.
The laws of nature, can be so cruel. I really thought that she would come back. She was going on for 9...as some of you will have read my post about her..she was cruelly treated by the hunters. She was blind in one eye and partially in the other. She is missed, and I loved her very much and she went without nothing. God bless her.
A happy Friday to you all.
Val