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.

Thursday 18 April 2013

Along the way to a special day

       My eldest son's daughter our dear Audrey Marie turned 12 yesterday. Her daddy took this photo before she left for school.  Didi and her brother Tom, attend the same school as her daddy and Aunt Nina , and her 2 uncles attended.  She was so happy, she always is. She had her big beautiful cake to take for the class and the teacher.    When she arrived home.  I was there. She was so happy to see me.  She did not know that i was going. I left home at 10.30am. a good time, as i miss the lunch time traffic
                              I was given these flowers on tuesday from my dear friend Manuela.. I have put 3 buds away on Audrey's birthday page.   With the heat , they have now withered.
              I had my camera ready to take some photo along the way driving to Lisbon.  It was the most beautiful spring day.  The smell of the pine trees and the wild flowers , filled the air with such a wonderful spring scent.   I am not sure about you my friends, but , I come alive with spring. Its one of my favorite seasons.
           Years ago. Mr. M and my boys would take a dip in this big lake.  It's at the side of the road. When we would leave our home in Cascais.. on a hot summer afternoon.. it was the first stop. Yesterday it looked so lovely. Full from all the rain, and the different hues of green on the trees
                                       The water looks blue
                                   This nest is a famous nest. Its on many post cards.  I have shown it before. Its on the way to the town of Alcacer do sal... The storks have just returned.  If you look closely, you will see a tiny babies head sticking out.  Waiting for mummy to bring some food.  There are little stork babies all around the area. So sweet to see them.
                                        Didi. (Audrey) in the photo on the Cabin wall.  I have to beg my son to send updated photos.
                            Arches in the village of Torrao.. when the roses start to bloom they look lovely all covered with them.

  Very naughty.. but i took a quick snap of me driving over the 25th of April bridge.

                       These bushes are dotted all around during the spring and summer months.  They are called "Esteves".. they are a lovely bush, but a dangerous bush. If someone throws a cigarette out and it hits one of these bushes.. they start the biggest bush fire..

 Arriving home.  The fields around full of wild flowers , just about all colours of the rainbow. This field was just like a lilac carpet.   The above photo I took aproaching Vila Nova.

Didi had a wonderful evening.  With her family and uncles and aunts.  Her daddy spoilt her with super presents, that she has been waiting so long for.

Now 12.  I cannot believe how quickly the time goes by.

This month dear friends.  I have been blogging for 2 years.

I would like to thank you all for your lovely comments and taking the time to visit me.
I have made some lovely blogging friends.. and my life is richer for knowing you all.

Wishing you the rest of a wonderful spring week.
Time for a cup of tea.

val




34 comments:

  1. happy 12th to your granddaughter!

    (please be careful about putting too much detail about her school, etc. on the internet! i worry about that...)

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    1. Yippee.
      I have finally got my reply button on again.
      thanks for your kind comments Tex.

      Delete
  2. Such a lovely post Val. Wishing Audrey a happy 12th birthday. Lovely photos once again. Congratulations on your second blogging birthday. This is such a lovely community to belong to and one which has brought some special friends, one of whom I count as you. Enjoy your weekend. Speak soon.
    Patricia x

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    1. Thank you Patricia..
      I have got my reply button working again.. I dont know how i took it off.
      Hope you are getting on with your last phase of study.. good luck

      Delete
  3. Dearest Val, a very heartwarming post - it did bring a tear into my eyes! Audrey is a lovely girl (no wonder with you as grandma!). She will not forget your visit! The landscape looks so summery - here it is just starting to bloom, the landscape is still brown - today when I walked to work I saw the first two trees blooming! I did not see them at first but I smelt their sweet fragrance! I do not remember how I found you - I am glad I did and I think you have become a great blogger! (In contrast to me deteriorating...). I would love to visit Portugal - you have brought it near to me! Thanks for that! xxxx Christa

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    1. Dear Christa.
      It doesnt matter how much we blog. Its a communicative way of making good friends.. we know who they are!
      I haave had some blogging hitches.. but i am trying to get them together.
      who knows..one day you might visit portugal.
      xxxx

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  4. Congratulations on your 2nd blogging birthday and also to your grand daughter. Spring time in Portugal looks wonderful. Thank you for taking us on your journey. I loved the first photo of the lake and the roses and wild flowers.
    Sarah x

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    1. Thank you Sarah,
      two years. I dont know how I got through it.. I have had a lot of hitches and hicups along the way.
      pleased you liked my post.

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  5. Belated birthday greetings to Audrey Marie - lovely age to be, and congratulations on two years of blogging.
    Great spring photos of your happy time travelling to see the family in Lisbon.
    I have that plant in my garden - the white with the burgundy spots, and I also have a pink one - however, here we call it Cistus Purpureus. I love its tissue paper like flowers.
    So pleased that the sun is now shinning for you Val and that your blog is updating.

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    1. I did enjoy driving to Lisbon. Audrey loved us all being there.
      Two years of blogging.. with lots of hic ups.. and also lots of help from good friends.
      our weather is beautiful.. I did not know you had that flower ... its very dangerous here..starts fires easily. but very lovely too.

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  6. Hello Val....such a lovely post. It's like a mini-tour of your life. I can see you also have beautiful wildflower like we have in Texas.
    PS...I have also been naughty by taking photos while driving!

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    1. Pleased you enjoyed my mini tour Meggie.
      I was nervous to say the least..but when you drive alone and see such great things.. its hard not to get the camera out.

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  7. Belated birthday greetings to Audrey, it sounds as though she had a lovely day! Such a lovely post, it makes me think that spring may really be on the way.

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    1. Thank you elaine.
      Spring is definitley here.
      pleased you enjoyed my post.

      Delete
  8. Belated birthday greeting to your granddaughter, Val. She shares her birthday with our eldest grandson who turned 14 this year. Doesn't time fly!

    I really enjoyed coming with you on your trip to Lisbon. The landscape is so green and the flowers are beautiful.

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    1. Thank you Perpetua.
      pleased you enjoyed my travel to lisbon. Its a lovely drive.
      How great that your grandson has the same date.. Audrey's brother Tom turns 14 next month.

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  9. Hi Val! How are you? I am not getting your posts, as you can imagine and I actually thought that you had given up on blogging, as your lovely comments to my posts have stopped, too!
    I hope you get this comment, as there was no reply to my last one.

    YOU ARE MISSED!

    HUGS

    ANNA

    xxx

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    Replies
    1. Dear Anna.
      I do not know why you are not getting my posts.
      I am with blogger... and to join is with google friend connect.
      i have always gotten your posts.
      I dont want to miss your comments.
      hope you can work it out.
      I seem to be back to normal.
      xxx val

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  10. lovely granddaughter, lovely land.

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  11. Such a delightful and beautiful post. Such a lovely granddaughter and I know her day was special. Wow, I have never seen a stork, and you see them all the time. Flower and scenery photos are great. Spring is well under way for you. Happy weekend.

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    1. Thank you for your kind comments Sanda.
      We have the storks all over the place...and now the babies are seen high up in the nests. They always return to the same nest.

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  12. Happy birthday to your lovely granddaughter Audrey. What an attractive beauty she is growing into! I enjoyed your pictures and happy memories of the lake, and the excitement of the stork nest. I don't think I have every seen a stork; we only associate them with babies!! The Esteve flower is so pretty, yet intriguingly dangerous. Have a great weekend Val. xxx

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    1. Thank you Patricia.
      I have finally got my reply button on again.
      pleased you enjoyed my photos .. Yes..lots of fun was had in the big lake..

      Delete
  13. Dear Val,happy birthday to your sweet granddaughter Audrey Marie!!What a beautiful name!!Great images and photos from your trip to Lisbon!Have a lovely weekend!
    Dimi..

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    1. Thank you Dimi.
      Audrey is a special girl..
      pleased that you enjoyed my post..

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  14. Happy to be following and thanks for sharing these precious moments!
    'Reading is dreaming with open eyes'...I love that!
    Looking to read more about your corner of the world Val!

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  15. Hi Val: Happy Birthday to your granddaughter. Time sure goes by, doesn't it. A beautiful spring drive it looks like you had. Those white flower bushes grow around here also. I never did know their name, but they remind me of big crepe paper flowers..Happy Weekend..Judy

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    1. Thank you Judy.. Didi enjoyed her evening.
      Its beautiful spring days here.
      Yes, indeed the flowers remind you of crepe..
      xx

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  16. ~ Hello, Val....this is a special post...Full of loveliness...I hope Audrey did have a day to make her heart smile...Happy second year of blogging, Val....I wish you many more! ~ The roses, I could almost smell....and I thank you for sharing them with us all...My sister flies out to Portugal in the early hours...I have shown her your lovely post....hehe! ~ with kindest thoughts...Maria x

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    1. Thank you Maria.. your comments are so lovely.
      Audrey had a wonderful day.
      Yes, 2 years blogging now.
      You should have given your sister my number..
      hope she enjoys her holiday.
      xx

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  17. Happy Birthday to your granddaughter
    and for for blog ! Finally , I corected your blog to my sidebar and I can see you again my dear friend !
    Thak you for sharing these lovely moments !

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    1. Thank you Dear Olympia.
      Audrey had a great evening with the family.
      I am back on track..
      xxx

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