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.

Wednesday 2 October 2013

sunny october morning

9am, camera in hand. walked around the garden,i  feel a feeling I cannot describe. new life is awakening its   springing out all over. It gives me a sense of hope and of something good to come.
A peaceful feeling.

 Here the warm days are mixed with rainy days, we have had heavy rain since Friday, but its so welcomed after such a long hot summer.  
 Here in the Alentejo.   This morning its 28º slightly overcast as you can see. but mr sun is shining through the clouds,   there is  a light breeze, I brush my hair from my face as the light warm breeze blows gently through the olive trees and the bushes.    .

                                Slowly i can see the difference in the fields.. look closely and you will see they are getting greener. Ahhh the wonders of rain and mother nature.
                                   My inner garden..patches of green are sprouting another month and we will be cutting it.
 This year, was the first year I have planted fuchia plant.  I am so very happy with them, they seem to like this climate.  its still giving blooms.    I noticed though, that there are some snails around.so must attack that problem. I will definitely adding more fushia to my inner garden for spring time.

                           Bonita my half blind rescue dog.. out on her morning mission.  she makes the same rounds every morning. She is a pedigree  "Pondengo Portuguese"  a hunting dog.  I found her half dead on one of the roads leading out of the village.. she had been badly treated and lost an eye to shrapnel from the hunters gun.  her tail cut off.  She has been one of my babies now for more than 6 years..
                            This yellow daisy bush, does not like the hot summer days. It just dries up.  I have sometimes had to leave the hosepipe next to it with water running for over an hour during the summer to keep it alive.  I lost on this season.  This one is now blooming like mad .

Some of you might remember me mentioning in a post some time ago, that i hadn't seen a butterfly during the whole of summer.  Taking my photos .. i spied this yellow butterfly hopping from Gerda flower to Gerda flower.. just as the honey bee does.  It was fascinating to watch it.  I got as close in as I could.   Anyone know what type it is! Its wings are practically see through..its a pale green/yellow

                        This photo of my red velvet rose

 is for Sheri at  "Red Rose Alley".. she always comments on how she loves this rose.   This rose , is a deep velvet burgandy.  I do not know the name of it. It grows to around 6 or 7ft high. its very hardy. I was so pleased to find this one hiding under the pergola. for you Sheri.
                          Taken from inside. looking out olive cottage window..sipping my coffee.. can you see him.! A quick movement and i saw him.  Ran to get my camera and was overjoyed he didnt fly away.
                                                                   here he is..still there, the bottom shot he was preening himself.


                                                     

                                more shots of the sparrow, he looks big and fat.


DELICIOUS AUTUMN!
MY VERY SOUL IS WEDDED TO IT,AND
IF I WERE A BIRD I WOULD FLY ABOUT THE EARTH
SEEKING THE SUCCESSIVE AUTUMS.  ----GEORGE ELIOT.


HAPPY 2nd October 

           val.           

39 comments:

  1. Hi Val. It's so nice to catch up with you and I am so glad you got rain. I can see the lovely green. I am so happy you rescued poor sweet Bonita years ago. I love that she has had a good home with you. Your flowers are beautiful as always. I wish you a lovely week!

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    1. Thank you Lisa,
      Yes, its slowly slowly turning green. Bonita is a sweet dog and is no trouble
      I planted more bulbs and seeds today.

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  2. Dear Val - loving your new look blog and the great header - it is amazing how quickly the grass begins to grow following on from the rain.
    I was really surprised when I looked out this morning to see at least 20 morning glories in full flower in the garden - I have never seen them still flowering in October before.

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    1. How wonderful to see the morning glory..20 .Indeed that is splendid.. I see from your weather pattern also..that its not so cold. It could be due to that.
      I am loving this weather at the moment. Seems the grass is growing before my very eyes. Thank you Rosemary..

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  3. Hi Val! That is so sweet of you to think of my mom. The red rose is gorgeous and really gives a pop of color to the beautiful greenery in your photo.

    Reading about Bonita's past broke my heart, but I think there is really something to be said for people like you who rescue homeless pets in need of a good home. They need the most love of all! I plan to adopt a dog from a shelter when I have a larger place.

    Have a lovely week,

    Jess

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    1. Hi Jess, thank you.. your mum loves that colour I know.. and she always comments on it. It made me think of her today.
      thank you for you kind comments on Bonita..she is happy here and very much loved. I hope that when you get a larger place you too can give a nice doggie a loving place to rest.

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  4. Hi Val! That is so sweet of you to think of my mom. The red rose is gorgeous and really gives a pop of color to the beautiful greenery in your photo.

    Reading about Bonita's past broke my heart, but I think there is really something to be said for people like you who rescue homeless pets in need of a good home. They need the most love of all! I plan to adopt a dog from a shelter when I have a larger place.

    Have a lovely week,

    Jess

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  5. I love your flowers Val, and Bonita looks so sweet. If it was 28 degrees where I live I'd be freezing.! We get those temps in January.

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    1. Hello Sylvia.. Bonita is a sweet dog..very loving.
      28º is rather warm Sylvia. I have had the fan on all day. Its been a little humid. The rain will probably fall tonight.. its 72º .. We are still in summer clothes here.. Where do you live Sylvia..! Thanks for your comment.

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  6. Oh Val, I have a tear in my eye. I'm so happy that you mentioned my name and this red rose is for me. It's beautiful, and I always love to see what's going on at the Alentejo. The daisies are so pretty. I can only imagine seeing a field full of them. Poor Bonita.....that must have been a shock to you when you found her on the grounds. The fuchia plant is lovely. I never realized how delicate the petals were.

    Everything looks amazing, and it's a treat for me to see all of this land that is your home. My husband would absolutely love living here.

    Happy October, Val.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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    1. Hello Sheri
      I always remember you comment on my lovely deep red velvet rose.. everytime i cut it.. I think of you.. Bonita is now 10.. but doing well.
      I will be getting more fuchia. thanks for your kind comments Sheri

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  7. Hi Val, that rain certainly did the trick didn't it, your grass is definitely getting greener. I've put in my first fuchsia this year too and it's been through all kinds of weather but it still keeps flowering but not sure for how long.
    Patricia x

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    1. Hello Patricia,
      thanks for your comments.. I look so forward to meeting you all when i post. I too am amazed at the fuchia..its hardier than i thought. xx

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  8. HI Val, I love your new blog colours and butterfly picture. It must be wonderful to see the new growth already appearing!. It must smell so different for Bonita too.
    Sarah x

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    1. Thank you Sarah,
      I thought a change would be good for this season. Bonita is amazing.
      she loves her daily routine and walk

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  9. so very glad you've had some autumn rains and cooler temps, too. we have recently and it has made things green up and rejoice.

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    1. Hi Tex. rain most of the week. Mr Sun is back again. we have had two warm days .. nice contrast. indeed rejoice with the coming of the rain. Thank you

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  10. Replies
    1. Its growing before my eyes more and more each day. and so the cycle goes around. thanks Sunnybrook

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  11. The butterfly indeed looks very beautiful. The daisy bunch have bloomed happily :) lovely pictures dear val .

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    1. Thank you Pallavi.. the flowers are loving these temperatures.

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  12. I do so enjoy a walk around your garden with you. Fuchsias are such a beautiful plant. There are many lovely varieties. Glad you are still enjoying mild weather. We are experiencing a very stormy Spring here!
    Happy days,
    Betty

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    1. Hello Betty. I am pleased you enjoy walking around my simple garden
      I did not know there were varies varieties of fuchia..
      hope your weather is not too bad.. spring , you will be working in your garden now.

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  13. Val, such a pretty and eloquent post. I'm so glad you finally got rain. I don't know what kind of butterfly he is, doesn't sound like any I've seen around here. We have small plain white ones that I don't know the name of either. Your fushia and rose are beautiful, and I'm so glad you rescued that beautiful dog. He has a good life now..Happy Wednesday..Judy

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    1. Thank you Judy for your kind comment. I have no idea what kind of butterfly it is.. but i was so pleased to see him fluttering around.
      Bonita has been very happy here with us. She is no trouble at all.

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  14. So beautifully descriptive Val. You're a gem for having rescued Bonita - bless you!
    Di
    xxxxxx

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    1. Thank you so much Di.
      pleased you enjoyed my post. Bonita is a loving sweet dog and fitted in as though she had always been here.

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  15. Loving the new look of your blog. Red is good. It appears your plants are making a comeback after the rains. Enjoy your week!

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    1. Thank you Sanda.. I thought the red uplifting for Autumn.
      everything is starting to flourish here..

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  16. Dear Val,i love the new look of your blog!!
    Amazing header!!It's raining here too!!Your garden is a paradise!!
    Oh!I love the fuchia plant!!!Have a happy new month!!
    Dimi...

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    1. Pleased you like my new look Dimi.
      The header is the butterfly photo in my post
      Thanks for your kind comments..

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  17. Okay so you have the same seasons we do at the same time? Your yard is gorgeous and I love the red rose. Love the flowers. Are you doing okay? sandie

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    1. Yes, we have the same seasons. Thank you for comments on my garden.
      nice weather at the moment. All well Sandie.

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  18. I am so happy that Bonita found a wonderful home after all she'd endured. God bless you for rescuing her ! xxx

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  19. Val, verdadeiro encanto percorrer cada caminho pelo seu jardim, seu campo. A fuchia é linda demais e a rosa também está. Um grande abraço e um feliz fim de semana!

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  20. Hello Val...I love the new look of your blog. Our hottest temps are also behind us.

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  21. Wonderful photos Val..you live in such a beautiful spot of the world. I can feel your enthusiasm..it is contagious! Thank you! xx

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