WELCOME TO Val's Alentejo -I write about my region of Alentejo. My art ,painting, my cottages, Family life, my animals -Travels And my love for Roses- and rural country life.

Tuesday 22 January 2013

Cold spell and snow

This last week, and still ongoing. we are experiencing heavy storms and rain. 
 As some of you know, I live in the southern region of Alentejo where the climate is warmer. That is not to say..that in the upper Alentejo districts..there have been years when snow has fallen. I remeber a couple of years ago, that I had some icy frost on the ground.
 We came to live in this region, as Mr.M was born about an hour from here. Alentejo has  much milder weather. compared to the northern regions.
 We are also the hottest region in the country.

I was watching the news this morning, and many photos were sent in of the heavy snow fall's in the North of Portugal, during last week and over the weekend and today.  Guarda.. Mangualde, Bragança, Serra de Estrela.. The Serra, pretty much has snow most years during January, as it is very high up.  It is also a ski resort.
                                                  Serra de Estrela



                                          A lady holding a pretty red umbrella ..taken in Aveiro..
                                               Fallen trees ..the same storm that passed by my place this last week. In the middle of a square in Porto.
                  84 metre cargo carrier "Merle" that ran aground on the 19th jan. The ship is intact. It apparently it had some engine problems.. landing on the sands of Sao Jacinto.. Aveiro.
The sea's of the west coast of Portugal are sometimes very inhospitable and very dangerous.. many yachts and have floundered coming too close to shore.   When the fishermen dont go out..you know the weather is going to get tough.


The wind still continues to blow here, the trees bending like ballerinas with outstreched arms and swaying too and fro.

We had a little respite yesterday.  Today its been intermittent  with heavy downpours ,then a respite, while Mr.sun tries to shine through the low clouds.. Then the wind starts again and the heavy rains come.

This year is exceptionally bad.  This cold front has hit many countries in Europe.

So many of you have been putting your snow posts up.. We dont get snow where I am..but today I am sharing these lovely photos of the snow in the North.

Happy Tuesday to you all.  Stay warm dear friends in the colder climates.. and friends in the sun.. I will be thinking of you.

val

33 comments:

  1. We are supposed to get a bad snow storm on Friday. Your pictures are beautiful,but I know the snow can be deadly too. I would like to Thank you for all the wonderful comments you have made on my blog.

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    Replies
    1. Hello Willow.
      our weather is bad too.. mainly windy and rain.. non stop at the moment.

      Delete
  2. It's still on the ground here, Val, and the countryside is covered in white, but, unfortunately, today we all had to go back to work, snow or not.

    I enjoyed the snowy weather, but I relly don't like it when snow turns into brown slash!

    I can see daffodils peeping through the snow... Spring is not too far... there is hope!

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    1. Not so great to have to wake up and go to work in the snowy weather.
      The slush is horrible.
      How great you can see the daffodills. soon it will be spring.
      Thank you Anna.. nice to read your comments.x

      Delete
  3. I confess that I've never thought of Portugal having snow at all do either north or south! Hope your bad weather soon passes.

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    1. This year in the north, they have had a very heavy snowfall this month.
      It only snows true snow in the north.
      here we get no snow.
      Thank you for passing by Rowan.

      Delete
  4. Your photos are wonderful Val, especially the lighthouse it is stunning. I hadn't realised that you can have snow in the north of Portugal. You have had your fair share of storms though and trust this will soon improve. As Anna said the daffodils are a good sign that Spring is on its way. Thank you so much for your lovely comment on my last post and yes I can see a light at the end of the Uni tunnel now. Have a good week.
    Patricia x

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  5. Thank you Patricia.
    I have commented on some posts about the snow.. we only get in in the north.
    but this year seems there is more snow and heavier storms.
    Great to read that Anna has seen some daffodils peeping through.
    So pleased you can see the light.. a great accomplishment.
    how great it would be if you could meet up with myself and hopefully Anna.
    xx

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  6. it is pretty to look at but not to struggle through. :)

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    1. I agree Tex..
      Snow is not for me.
      The rain and wind is bad enough. very depressing. I love the warm sunny days.

      Delete
  7. Dear Val - I thought that our snow was finished but I can see that it has started to fall again. I like it when it looks pretty through the window. As long as we are well stocked up with plenty to eat, we do not need to venture out, and the house is warm.
    I didn't realise that Portugal gets snow either - it seems to be a toss up at the moment snow or rain and wind - roll on the spring.

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    Replies
    1. Dear Rosemary,
      I watch Sky and BBC news every morning, along with the Portuguese news, while having my tea or coffee. I have been watching the heavy snow storms there in England and in parts of Europe.
      As i wrote in my post... The north of the country here has been hit badly by heavy snow falls. Photos are from the internet.
      Its all rolled into one..as you say.

      Delete
  8. Dear Val, Just think of all the fun the children are having playing in the snow. The snow stays much too long in our area.
    Great photos Val. They tell the story. Your Lighthouse photograph is a winner. Maybe you should frame it. Stay warm.

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    1. Dear Gina,
      The children up in the north were off school for some days.. i can just imagine them all.
      The photos are from the internet of the storms last week.
      The lighthouse is Amazing.. i want to find out which Lighthouse it is.
      Thanks Gina

      Delete
  9. I'm your friend in the sun and I just love reading your blog and learning more about the country you live in. You took wonderful photos...love the lady with the umbrella and of course that gorgeous lighthouse! It looks like something from a movie! Take care and enjoy your day!

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  10. Hi Val, I'm sending you a bit of sunshine from California, we have plenty of it here this winter. And I wish you to stay warm and safe. I love the pictures you posted, especially the last one of the lighthouse.

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  11. Val, the winter really has come for a visit! It is beautiful...cold, but beautiful!!!...:)JP

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  12. Hi Val

    Sending you some warm summer wishes from Australia. It is hard to imagine it is so cold.

    Stay safe and warm Shell

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Shell.
      Its very cold ... but in the north as I showed in the photos from the net.. its freezing.

      Delete
  13. Val,
    It's very cold here in the morning but has been warming up in the afternoon with the sun shining. I love the rain and the sun, but when I see pictures of the snow, my heart is happy, as I don't see much of it unless I go up in the mountains. So, thank you for the beautiful snow pictures. Stay warm, dear Val. The picture of the lighthouse looks like it should be in a magazine.
    ~Sheri at Red Rose Alley

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Sheri.
      Its the same here.. The photos are of the snow in the North of Portugal as i wrote.. here we dont get snow.
      Its cold ..natural winter weather.. we have had some heavy storms.

      Delete
  14. I'm sure you will have your sun back before too long! Your poor horses. I wouldn't like it either! Looks like you have been enjoying some cozy meals though! Interesting photos!

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    1. Thank you Jacqueline,
      nice to hear from you..
      The horses are used to it. They are luso arabs.. very hardy horses.

      Delete
  15. Aha, so Portugal does get snow sometimes! I am always learning something new. Great photos, some very dramatic, especially the lighthouse. But always Portugal is beautiful. xxx

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    1. Hi Patricia.
      I have mentioned in comments ... that Portugal gets snow.. only in the north.
      Where I am, its normal winter weather.. just heavy rains and storms at the moment. springtime soon.

      Delete
  16. Dear Val,your pictures are so beautiful!Here the weather is much more better than in other countries!But i love snowing,very much!Wishing you a warm and lovely week!
    Dimi..

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Dimi.
      Its cold in the North.. snow and heavy winds.
      here its wet cold and windy.
      but spring is on its way.

      Delete
  17. Lots of snow here too. Love the photos. It's like a mini ice age here - the snow hasn't shifted for days. Time for another hot drink to keep warm!
    Take care,
    June

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    1. Thank you June.
      We dont have snow where I am.
      It sure is like an ice age in the north of the country.. but England has had it bad.

      Delete
  18. I hope your rains didn't last too long, Val. We are going to get rain tonight.... icy rain mixed with snow! And right now it is snowing very hard, so we'll see how much snow accumulates before the rain falls and melts some of it. Stay dry!

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