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.

Sunday 29 September 2013

Rain has arrived

A very bigto all my dear blogger friends who wrote such kind kind comments on my post about my dear Lady, who is now at peace in doggie heaven. I buried her in my garden.  Soon to plant lots and lots of bulbs there for her.  Her being close to me, I am also rested with that thought.
Thank you so so much. All who left those wonderfully uplifting comments.. they helped me get through this last week.

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The rain arrived day before yesterday, for a short while in the morning.  Then the heavens opened up and it rained and poured down.   You can imagine the delight.  I stood outside for a while watching it fall.  My flowers saying thank you lord.  Looking in my diary, it last rained on the 24th of May. So its about 4 full months of no rain. 
Buying my bread in the village bakery.. everyone was elated, and laughing.  and saying"its raining , at last"..
I suppose some of you out there have had lots of rain.  Our summer stint was a little too long without some  rain.
The animals, the fields, gardens, dams, wells, drains, and everything gets a new fresh wash.  Its not cold.  Its Autumn rain. We do get respite and mr sun shows his face now and again, for a brief moment.



                                  Saturdy morning clouds forming over head
                                      The garden getting a good soaking. Nice not to have to water
                                      All the plants are looking perky again.
                          The heavy rain washed off the dying dead heads on my roses.. but here are a few still enjoying their Autumn blooming.


                               Its still brown with no growth.. but soon the green will start showing though  and the fields will look prettier.

                     The fig tree that seeded itself in my one rose garden, is now growing so high. Not sure if I should transplant it.!

Sending best wishes for a happy blessed sunday.


val

35 comments:

  1. Oh Val,
    I am so sorry I missed your last post. My dear friend, I weep for you as I know only too well how it feels. They are such a beautiful part of our lives. Your consolation is you gave her the best life she could ever have wished for, surrounded by love. Time is a great healer my friend, it just takes time.
    My thoughts and love are with you.
    Di
    Xoxoxoxo

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Di..
      I am on the mend now. So wonderful to have this rain.
      She did have a very good life.

      Delete
  2. I'm so happy for you and your garden!

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  3. Good morning Val....the shots around your are so very beautiful. Perhaps one day you will share more of your beautiful spot. I can only imagine living in Spain. I have never been there...but perhaps someday.

    xo

    Jo

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    Replies
    1. Hello Jo.
      Thanks for your comments.. it is a lovely spot here.. I am not in Spain however.. I am in Portugal. Who knows one day you might visit.

      Delete
  4. So nice to hear that you got rain, you could probably hear the ground soaking it in. Maybe you won't get too much rain at once and it will be a green fall.

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    Replies
    1. Thanks Sunnybrook
      Its wonderful, just to hear it pitter patter on the roof.. We have rain forecast till Friday. we really need it.

      Delete
  5. I've just read about your little dog and am sending you a big Hug!!
    Your garden and plants will be so grateful for the water as will the land around you. xx

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Suzy.
      Oh..its wonderful having this rain. we really needed it.

      Delete
  6. i totally understand the joy for rainfall! the ground just soaks it up, the plants burst forth again. hooray!!!

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    Replies
    1. Oh Tex.. this rain is so so welcome.. its pitter patter and seeing everything starting to become slowly green.. indeed hooray.. Thanks Tex

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  7. Hi Val,
    It must have been fantastic seeing the first rain for months! We just take it so much for granted here. I have been thinking about you this week.
    Sarah x

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    Replies
    1. Hello Sarah.
      Its just sheer bliss to hear the rain fall and to watch it. we are so in need of it.
      Thank you for your kind comment Sarah..so much appreciated. Trying to get back and update my comments.. xx

      Delete
  8. Oh Val, I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved dog. Pets become a part of the family as soon as we get them. Nel has two dogs, and one of them is getting older. Your roses are making my heart sing today. Doesn't the rain make our flowers bloom so nicely? I heard it's going to rain tonight and tomorrow, so we'll see.

    Take care, my friend, and I am thinking of you today.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Sheri.
      Yes pets are so much part of us.
      Its a week now.. she is resting and i am at peace..as she is buried in my front garden.. flowers to bloom there for spring.

      Delete
  9. I know you are still hurting about your pooch. I am glad that you are getting the much needed rain. So what season are you going into now over there? sandie

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Sandie. I am at rest and peaceful now. Lady is resting
      she is buried in my front garden so is close tome.
      We are in Autumn here. so glad the rain has arrived.

      Delete
  10. The rain is bringing the joy back :) Im sure the dryness of the landscape will go away soon and bring with it lots of greenery .

    Love
    Pallavi

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Pallavi
      So looking forward to the changing of our landscape. its been dry too long.
      xxx val

      Delete
  11. So glad the rain has come Val, it must be such a relief. The weather never seems to get it right. It's either too hot, too cold or too wet and never a balanced weather system. It's the same here in the UK where the seasons seem to have gone out of the window so to speak. Anyway your gardens will be relishing in the soaking they have just had. It's nice to see you back and think of you often.
    Patricia x

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    Replies
    1. Hello dear Patricia,
      Its such a relief..its wonderful to have the rain. We will have it at least until the end of the week. we really really need it.
      I agree. the weathermen seem to always get it wrong..
      The garden is loving it.
      Thank you for your kind thoughts and comments Patricia... missed everyone.. but i was so down.

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  12. Dear Val, Wonderful news that the rain has come; I know how it feels after a long dry spell. Love the smell of it on the leaves, the fresher air after the dust is washed away. I hope it lifts your spirits a little bit. Those pale pink roses are absolutely beautiful - I think I am having a pale pink phase these days :)
    xxx

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Patricia..
      yes, you know what it feels like to go such a long time without rain. It was just a little too long..we were in a drought situation.. The smell of the rain and the pitter patter on the roof.. its like a lulaby. Nice to have phases of colour and add it into our daily life.. xxxxx

      Delete
  13. I'm just catching up, Val, so have only just learned about the loss of your dear little Lady - I'm so sorry.
    We have had rain after a long, dry summer....rain and high winds. I will soon go out to work and on my way, look at what damage the wind has done to the trees. We will have warm weather again soon, and the rain is welcome, so I'm not complaining!

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Pondside-
      I know that you are busy.. and have such a lot on your plate.. I send my prayers to you for your mum.
      Hope you have not had too much damage. its wonderful to have the rain.

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  14. There's nothing like a nice rain to cheer you after a long dry spell. It would be so difficult for me to live in a place where there was no rain for four months. I love the rain! Enjoy it and the beauty it will bring to your garden. Although the roses appear to be doing well without rain. Lucky you, getting a volunteer fig tree. I have tried and tried to have one (have bought and planted at least 4) but they don't seem to like me.

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Sanda.
      Oh..its so so great to have this rain. Its been a long time since i felt so good seeing it rain. I am enjoying it. My roses are loving it and all the other plants.. My olive trees needed it too. Fig trees are delicate. I didnt plant that one.. it just appeared. I have about 3 at the bottom of the land.
      Try again.. keep it sheltered in the beginning.

      Delete
  15. I love to see the rain when it has not been around for weeks on end. When we had our first rainfall H and I stood in the conservatory watching it fall on the roof and really enjoying the spectacle of seeing it again. I enjoy that special smell from the baked earth when the rain first falls.

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  16. Thank you Rosemary,
    It is such a welcome to have the rain. The smell of the rain falling on the warm earth is a smell like you say..so welcoming.
    Its still raining.

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  17. My dearest Val ,I hope that now you are a little better ! It is nice that the first rain came after so many months .The trees and flowers need it .I see that you have many blooming roses .The first rain started here yesterday and it was strong .
    I wish to you a happy month !

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    Replies
    1. Thank you Olympia,
      You will also be happy about the rain. your olive trees will love that.
      Yes some roses are blooming..but not all of them.
      Happy 1st October.. x x x

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  18. Dear Val, just read your earlier post and wanted to send you the biggest warmest hug on parting with lovely Lady....Oh my they leave the biggest gaping hole....They give love unconditionally and the pain is deep, my friend...Please give your self time to heal...~ ever so pleased rain has reached you and your wonderful garden...Thinking of you! Love maria x

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  19. Dear Val, it looks like you have taken up posting again! So lovely! I am sorry to hear that your cute little dog has been taken away by the angels! ----- Glad you had rain, your garden looks lovely! I guess you have been carrying water squirts over and over... we have had a dry and warm summer too and were really glad about it. Actually good weather started beginning of July and ended August 31. Of course we are hoping for a mild and sunny October! We will see! Glad you are well - you are such a fine person! Big hugs, Christa

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  20. So glad the rain has arrived at last, Val, refreshing and renewing your garden. I hope your grief for Lady has eased a little.

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