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.

Friday 17 January 2014

cold spell

              Our skies are heavy and full of rain clouds.  Its been raining on and off, but yesterday and today, the heaven's have opened.    The photo above, I took on Thursday morning. I couldn't see the bottom of the land.   Mother nature was telling me, get inside and get cosy again.
  This morning i took these photos through my lounge window.. If you look carefully near the cut olive branches on the left of the photo you will see an Iberian blue winged magpie.. There were many of them flying around here this morning.  I have often put them on posts.  Its raining so hard, i wasnt able to see further. You can see how the wind has blown my fence netting down.
                             Taken at 10am this morning, another rain cloud. This one is here to stay for a few days , so the weather man tells us.  
We cant have it all.   I am not complaining. As sometimes its a nice feeling to put on the side lamps and sit by the fire ..and ponder on the day, and maybe think about some new projects.
    At this time of the year, mid winter, there is not much going on here in our rural area. We do need the water, to fill the dam's and our wells.  

 I am now waiting for some sunnier day's to try and slip out and get these bulbs and seedlings in the ground.  I bought them at the hardware store on sale.
                            Got three Hyacinths in jam jars.  With some sun, hoping I will have a nice smell soon around the cottage.

I know that many of you are experiencing bad weather. I wish you all a pleasant weekend and stay safe.

And so the wheel turns dear friends.  Before we know it Spring will be upon us.

val



32 comments:

  1. i am glad you're getting good rains to ready your area for the heat of summer!

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    1. Thanks Tex,
      yes, we really need the rain. Its pretty normal for January.. and winter in Europe.

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  2. I am trying to wait patiently on spring, I've never enjoyed winter, it's so dead and cold all around. I love when the flowers start to peek out of the ground, when the sun actually shines all day and I can run around all day bare foot. Oh well, I am thankful for each day that the good Lord gives me to enjoy with family. Hope you have a good day,Val.

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    1. Hi Sylvia,
      yes, we have to be patient for Spring. Winter is sometimes a little too harsh.
      Its cold. I too love to see the flowers peeping through.
      thank you for leaving your comment Sylvia

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  3. Dear Val - snap - I have just bought several packets of seeds at half price too. It definitely puts you in the mood for spring. I managed to get several different coloured morning glories which I love along with some runner beans. It will be wonderful to see all of the colour back in the gardens again. Four or five more weeks and I can plant them in pots ready to transfer them to the garden.
    Your hyacinths will soon shoot out of their bulbs and flower.

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    1. Well indeed its -snap- Rosemary. Our weather is harsh for us at the moment. Although no rain today. Oh how wonderful it will be to see the sun and the new plants thriving.
      I hope i am not too late with the hyacinths. Thank you for coming over to visit.

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  4. It seems strange seeing your pictures with such grey skies. I hope all this rain will help when you need water in the summer! It is almost like heavy April showers here. Sarah x

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    1. Indeed Sarah, when the skies are grey, its all still and eerie.
      We never complain about the rain. We do need it. We will still get some April showers, but it rains more in January.
      Thank you for your visit to my blog... x

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  5. Yes, I can see the pretty blue magpie, Val. He is very sweet, and you know I love a bird! The rain looks good to me too, and how we would love to have it here. Our garden is struggling this summer in the heat. Yes, Spring will come to you soon, and we are planning our trip to Italy and Paris in May. Happy times, and enjoy a cosy weekend. xxx P.

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    1. I couldnt go outside to get closer to the magpie... They are a stunning bird.
      The rain is welcome.
      I will ask mother nature to send some your way Patricia.
      Thank you for your comments.. what excitement to look forward too.

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  6. Your weather sounds a lot like ours right now. Soon spring will arrive, and this weekend I'll start the garden clean-up. There is lots to do!

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    1. Hello Pondside.
      Yes, I think we are having about the same kind of weather.
      hope you can get something done this weekend.
      I am like you so much to do. Thanks for coming over to my blog.. love to see all my dear friends and their comments.

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  7. I am glad you are getting a little cooler weather - sandie

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    1. Its a little too cold Sandie.
      But we cant always have it boiling hot.
      The rain is needed and welcomed.
      Thanks for leaving your comment

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  8. Dear Val, I too enjoy selecting bulbs for Spring flowering. The colourful packages give me a lift and anticipation of the sweet blooms to come. All of the rain will stand you in good stead for next summer.
    Wish I could send you some of the heat we have experienced during the past week. Four days averaging 42C and not much relief at night! However the past two days have been beautiful. Cool and cloudy. I've been busy sweeping up fallen leaves and tidying shrubs. You will remember what it is like in summer. There have been serious fires in Perth recently.
    Keep warm and well
    Betty

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    1. Hi Betty,
      yes, the bulbs and seeds do give one a lift.. I think we will get a few sunny days this week. so i can get the them planted.
      We get our fair share of heat here Betty. also up in the high 40's during summer months. I do remember how hot it can get. I remember we broke an egg on the pavement once in Perth..and it sizzled and cooked..believe it.
      looking forward to seeing your lovely garden again in the spring.
      Terrible fires most terrible. I do feel sorry for the folks who lost their homes.
      x

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  9. We haven't had Winter yet so I don't want Spring to arrive ! You are so lucky to live in such a beautiful environment ! x

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    1. I can see that you are having lovely weather there Silver Bunny. I feel like taking a visit there. Maybe you will just slip into spring.
      thank you for your comments..

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  10. It's nice to come by your blog today and see another part of the world! Thanks for your comment on my blog, it's nice to hear from someone who understands. We too have had a lot of rain and our temperatures fluctuate a lot. We always hope for one snow a year, but none so far.

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    1. Thank you for leaving your comments Podso.
      Yes indeed I understand .. My parents belonged to that catagory.
      Today its not too bad here. More rain on the way..

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  11. Hi Val. Your pictures are lovely and I am very excited about the flowers you will have. I love what you wrote about your rainy day plans- "put on the side lamps and sit by the fire". It sounds wonderful. I am wishing you a beautiful week!

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    1. I think I have what one could call "Garden fever" in my youth, I didnt have much time for it.
      I love to have my side lamps on and sit by the fire.
      thanks for coming over to see me Lisa. xx

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  12. Val--your lovely words and images convey the stillness of winter and looking forward to the burst of spring. Have you grown freesia before? They are one of my favorite flowers, but I've never had them in my garden.

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    1. Dear Jen,
      Thank you so much for your kind comments. I do look forward to Spring. I have to admit. This is the first winter in many many years , that I have not been so down. A mild one really. I too have never grown freesia before.. I do hope they work out.

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  13. Oh Val, I want some of your rain. Me and husband were just talking today and realized it hasn't rained at all this season. I sure hope it rains some before spring and summer comes around. I love seeing your olive trees, and really miss mine.

    Stay warm in your rainy weather, and have a very nice Sunday.

    Love,
    ~Sheri

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    1. Hello dear Sheri,
      The rain has subsided, but its still cold. More rain forecast.. but we should have some sun soon.
      Why dont you try to grow an olive tree in a pot again.! thank you for your comments. x

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  14. I hope you receive this comment Val. I have tried a couple of times over the past few days, but they have not come up on your blog.
    I like choosing new bulbs for Spring too. Spring seems a long way off here! We've had some very hot days last week - four days in a row over 40C. You will remember how hot it can get. There have been serious bush-fires near Perth and other outbreaks in the Southern states.

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  15. Thank you Betty. Recieved your comment. Dont know why your other didnt come over.. I have recieved two.
    x

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    1. Thanks Val. I've been having intermittent problems with internet connection and thought maybe that was the problem. Glad it came through okay. I forgot you had comment moderation. The earlier one could have been my connection problem.

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  16. Seeing your flower packets makes me anxious for spring planting season. Trust you are having a good week, Val.

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  17. Gosh I'm really late behind with my blog reading, but I know what Betty is saying. Quite often blogger won't let me leave a comment, not only yours Val but others too. I had this problem about a month ago. Anyway all seems okay now. I just can't wait for Spring now - bored with this cold wet weather now. But of course there are other countries that would be grateful for it at the moment. Hope you get a chance to plant your seeds soon.
    Patricia x

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  18. Just catching up now I can sit comfortably at the computer again. :-) I do hope the worst of your bad weather has gone. here January has been truly dreadful with a great deal of rain and not much sun. Roll on spring....

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