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 25 March 2014

New members

A quote from Charles Dickens.
 "It was one of those March days, when the sun shines hot and the wind blows cold; When it is summer in the light and winter in the shade"
                    These last few days, have been just like Dickens wrote.  Hot then cold. Sunny then windy.
The weather has changed again today.   Its become very cold, It rained all afternoon yesterday.    I have lit my wood burner this morning and slowly the cottage is warming up.  When you go outside the sun is out, but one just gets blown away.
                           A few flowers that have started to show their heads.   I have two of these plants, but don't know their name.. they are like a tiny bottle brush tree, but with purple brush like flowers.
                                  Lovely orange daisies growing around one of my olive trees.
                   I had a chance a couple of days ago, to sit in the sun and close my eyes and soak it all up.  When i went inside to make myself a coffee  , Jeffrey -Cassidy , had decided that he liked it there too.  The sun then went behind the clouds and I retreated inside. He decided to stay.
                                         Tis is a little ground creeper. I thought it was dead. I was mistaken..here is a little head that has popped out. Such sweet colors and shape.
                                 My outside patio, that most of you know. At the moment everything is covered up for the winter. I cant wait for the real warm days to come along . So I can get everything into place once again.  
But for the moment.-  I have a new member that has joined our family.   Here he is. His name is Vouga- named after a river in the north of Portugal.. He was born at my cottage.  Then went to live and be watchdog to mr M.-Who loved him so.
   As Filipe can now only come up to the farm every other weekend.  I have taken Vouga into my fold.
He is a wonderful loving dog.  He has known me since a baby,    but if anyone goes near him, while you are there or not there  .. Oh no.. not near Vouga. He's my baby watchdog now.
          Filipe brought Vouga down to me on Sunday.  I put a sun bed on the floor for him to sleep on.. he has ripped that. (nerves I should think)! Not being used to my place.  I have put the big kennel there for him.
   He has to be tied up at all times.  As he will go straight to the sheep .  It might sound cruel.. but its not.   He is perfectly happy.  I walk him three times a day and he loves to play.  For the time being , he is on my patio  at Olive cottage, next to Rose cottage, where I stay in the winter, when I dont have guests.
 I have a closed in area at Olive cottage where my doggies play around.   Pedro is coming later on today, and we will be fixing an inner area where Vouga will have his new home. It will be his space. he can play till his hearts content.
Dear friends. I dont like to get "soppy" as one would say.. but I cried so much when Vouga came to me. He reminds me of Mr. M.  (enough said)

                                     Vouga.  He is very obedient.
                      Vouga is a cross labrador with a Raffeiro Alentejano.. The Raffeiros, are big dogs that protect the sheep.    - Somehow Vouga, got it the other way around and went after them,hence having to be tied up.      He only has one eye he would frighten anyone );-  When he was up at the big farm..now Filipe's.. No one would go near the farm,  they would stay at the gate and pulled the bell  cord, to attract attention.
 I am ever so happy to have him and Filipe is delighted.   He will soon be running with his cousins around the place.  Lots of patience and I will get there.
                              Another member..    My new car. A lovely Honda Civic.. only had one owner. A surprise gift from my son M.   The old family VW..was on its last legs.  He said he didnt want me to drive it.  So this arrived as a surprise on Wednesday last week.    " I'm in heaven", I'm in heaven" my heart beats so that I can hardly speak"-



Thank you to all my dear blogging friends who left comments on my last post.  You are all so very kind and I am lucky to know such lovely people.  Happy blogging to you all.


Wishing you a very happy week.
                                                                   Val

22 comments:

  1. congratulations on the very nice gift! i drive a honda civic - and have for many years. :)

    i love vouga, too. so glad you could take him in. bless you - i know mr. m. would be happy you did.

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  2. Oh!!! So many lovely facts at last !!! Your flowers are blooming ,you have a best friend Vouga and I LOVED your new car !!! How your heart could not beat ????? Your boy is a wonderful ,lovely child !!! Kiss him from me !!

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    1. Thank you Olympia.. Only a few little flowers blooming.
      Vouga is as strong as a lion. But he is a good boy.

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  3. Dear Val - I am so touched on your behalf by the generosity of your son. We too had a Honda Civic at one stage - they are very good, reliable cars - enjoy.
    It is lovely that Vouga has come to take care of you, and such a nice link with Mr. M.

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    1. Thank you Rosemary, Manel is very generous to me.
      I am pleased with my car, and dont want it to even get dirty. with our dirt roads ists impossible
      I have to slowly socialize vouga with my little babies.. not sure how that will go. he is a loner.. but he has his own space.

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  4. Wow what wonderful gifts and your weather looks good as well, snow again here.

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    1. Thank you Sunnybrook. our weather was nice..but the cold is setting in again and log fire is burning.

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  5. Ohhh, nice gift, Val. I know you're enjoying it. Hope you are doing good these days. It is warm here one day and cold the next, also. Going to be 28 in the morning.

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    1. Thank you Sylvia.. I have wonderful children..
      Its getting a little colder here once again.

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  6. Dear Val, such a sweet post. What wonderful family you have, and the surprise gift of the honda civic is fantastic. You will be much safer in the new car, and with Vouga the special watch-dog. It is a bittersweet thing to have him, a constant reminder of Mr M, but I know it will work out very well for you. Love the Dickens quote - I really enjoy the density of his books. Little ground creeper is so pretty, and something I don't think I have ever seen. I hope it stays around a long time for you. Happy times Val. xxx

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    1. Thank you Patricia, for your kind comments on my post .. My eldest son spoils me.. well they all do in their own way.
      Vouga will slowly get used to being here. I too love Dickens.. the quote is a good one.. I cant remember what book it was from.

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  7. What a kind and loving dog owner you are. Vouga is so lucky to have a new home with you! Yeah for Honda Civics! Our family has been dedicated Honda owners for 30 years. Love them! Your description of weather there is identical to what I am experiencing here. Love the Dickens quote. Happy days to you, Val.

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    1. Thank you dear Sanda.. that is so kind of you to write this.
      Vouga is part of the family and my heart would have been broken if we had to part with him.
      How wonderful that you have Hondas too. I am so happy with mine. We are expecting rain this week.. x

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  8. Good morning Val!!What a beautiful car!!I'm sure you will enjoy it!Vouga is so cute!Good to you that you'll take care of him!!Have a nive week!!
    Dimi...

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    1. Hello Dimi, I am so excited about my car. I am enjoying it. But at the moment want it to stay clean. our dusty roads make it full of dust.

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  9. So much news! I adore your car (great color!) and your soulful new dog.

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    1. Than you Jen. I am loving my car too. and dear Vouga is slowly getting used to his new home.

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  10. Dear Val, Spring weather can be very fickle, but soon you will have more stable weather and can spend more time relaxing in the sun.
    I think your new family member will become a loyal companion and I love your bright red car. What a thoughtful son:)

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  11. I very much enjoy your beautiful photos.

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  12. Dear Val. I'm just catching up as I've been out of the link for a couple of weeks. Lovely car and how lovely that your son bought it for you. Your new friend Vouga is gorgeous and he'll be such company for you and your other dogs. Hope to catch up again soon dear friend.
    Patricia x

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  13. I'm so glad you have this new car, Val! I wish you good luck with it and many years of happy driving. Your lovely dog looks so dear. I'm so glad you have him now. And like you said, he will have a good life and lots of walk and nice place to play.

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