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 21 August 2014

Around the Quinta

Sunset two nights ago.  Our sunsets here in the Alentejo are so spectacular. Often leaving beautiful hues of deep purple and pink light on the horizon after its disappeared .  Its a great time of the day.  The  heat subsides to a lower temp.  Sitting outside one's mind going over the day's happenings.  Its a peaceful time.

                                                               sun caught hiding behind the olive trees.
                                                     At  the bottom of my land, I have a man made lake.. its a natural spring . There is water there all year around.   The trees there are always green.  I have one enormous palm tree that is now being stunted in growth by the fence around the little lake.    I have to have a fence.   Its a deterrent for the sheep. Otherwise they would just fall in.  The big fur tree grows inches each year.  Its looking so beautiful.   I will have to think how I can make the fence wider in the area of the palm tree.
                                              August fields in Alentejo.   This field is pretty much been eaten ..
                                                      Rosie  enjoying early morning
                                                                      Pascoa- she likes to stay close to some of the overgrown olive branches..for the shade.  Not much left here.      They move around - still lots to eat for them both.
                          If you follow me, You will remember a few posts back.  That all my roses suffered with the intense July heat.  We had days that the temp went up to 40ºC.. My poor roses really took it badly.   I had to prune them back down.   I bought wood chippings to give better ground cover.  And for the past month they have been having feed once a week.      I am pretty proud of how they are coming back to life again.   Still not as lovely as last years show.


                                                                   Red roses - a photo from 2013
                                                Hello everyone.  I am really settled in here now with my new mummy and family.   I get lots of good food and big big hugs.
                                 I even like to take a dip.. its hot you see... but only up to my waist. I thought mummy wasn't looking );-
                                                  A few days painting.  Always some new idea that I like to do.  I am however getting down to finishing some other unfinished projects during these next days.
                                                 Blue  abstract flowers I am painting  for a girlfriends bedroom.
 A beautiful sunny morning here , with clear blue skies.     I am off now to the station, to pick up my grandaughter Di.

Thanking you all for the lovely comments on my last post.. Spending time with Max in Cascais.

Summer days, still are busy here.   This means less time to blog.    I am thinking of you all .
Wishing you a wonderful day..

Val.

28 comments:

  1. They are very nice colors in the sunset. Some people can't see the purple but if you paint or study paintings, it is a lot easier. The roses look good considering your weather.

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    1. Yes agree Sunnybrook. When one paints, we do see things in a different light. Thanks for your kind comment.

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  2. Always lovely photos, and so evocative of the seasons at your lovely home, Val. The sunset is certainly spectacular, and suits the fields and olive groves. Your new doggie friend seems to have settled in wonderfully well, thanks to your skills with animals, I am sure. Your blue flower painting is beautiful, and I'm sure your friend will adore it in her bedroom! with love from Patricia. xx

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    1. Thank you Patricia. Our sunsets here are spectacular..
      last night, there were so many stars in the sky. I wish i could have taken a photo of them. Vouga has settled down very well.I am pleased you like the painting. I am always doing something or other.. x

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  3. Your roses are pretty and doing good. Love your painting, you're good! Enjoy time with your granddaughter.

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    1. Thank you Sylvia.
      Keep my self busy, painting and the garden.. with the animals.
      Its super having my grandaughter here.. she is so grown up now.

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  4. Hello Val, I am busy trying to catch up on all my blog reading, the things I have missed during the summer. What a post, it is packed with beauty and interest! Your roses are simply spectacular, I love those wonderful colours - are they scented? The horses, I always love to see - and, of course, your swimming dog. Isn't it good to be able to settle to some art work again, even though your days are so busy. I have really enjoyed this catch-up session.x

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    1. Dear Elaine, I have not been posting too much during these summer days.
      I am so pleased that you like this post. It was a quick one, just to keep in touch with you all. Vouga, loves to take a dip in the pool..he stands on the top step and cools himself. I paint inbetween , here and there. x

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  5. the eaten down brown pastures look very familiar to me. cannot wait to get some rain and greening up, again. love your big dog and how well he's settled in! yay!

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    1. I thought of you too Tex. I know that your fields are like mine during this period. I do hope we get some rain in september.. my garden is really in need of it. The animals too.
      Vouga has really settled in well. He is loving as well as an excellent guard dog.

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  6. Clear blue skies of summer days; lovely sunsets at evening! Life looks peaceful there with your animals and beautiful flowers. You are a quite talented artist! Love the blue flower panel for your girlfriend's bedroom. Enjoy the last days of summer, Val.

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    1. Its a beautiful day here Sanda. Great nights .. and the peace is what I like , living in the country.
      Thank you for your kind comment.. I do my best with my art.. self taught. I do love to paint.

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  7. Hi Val--It looks and sounds like you are having a great summer. So much beauty and love! xo

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    1. Indeed Jen.. just loving this summer. seeing my grandchildren, taking care of Max..going to the beach. Painting ..
      I try to fill my days with love and sunshine.. Thank you for your comment. Always nice to see you.

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  8. This is my favourite sort of post, with a little of everything! I'm glad your roses are coming back. The dry weather here played havoc with the garden and with my back (all that watering!). Your new buddy looks very happy with the pool - what a great life he has!

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    1. Such a kind comment Pondside. I just put together, what I have been doing these last week.
      I know what you mean with the watering. I have a bad back..and its just too much .. I am thinking of putting in automatic sprinklers. Vouga loves his dip in the pool.. x

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  9. Sounds like you are enjoying your summer days Val. The roses are beautiful. I love the photo of gorgeous red roses in a vase with beautiful background of blue sky and sunshine.
    So nice to spend time with your grandchildren. I have been doing the same, 'though the weather over recent months has not been as warm as yours. However, today was beautiful. Spring is in the air!
    Love the blue flowers you have painted.
    Enjoy your family, the countryside and warm summer days:)
    Betty ox

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    1. Thank you Betty.. I am late in replying.. I just cant seem to get around to everyone.
      I had a lovely couple of days with my grandaughter. Very hot here..pleased you like my blue flowers. xx

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  10. Thanks for visiting my blog and for your comment. I have been to Portugal once, for a marathon training camp in March. It was cold! Not what I expected. Bill wants to return to Portugal one day, so it's likely that we will. I love your roses and am in awe that you can grow them in your climate. Mine are easier here in the NE of England (else I probably wouldn't bother, I'm no gardener). I envy you your painting!

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    1. Hello Shelly. Thank you for leaving your comment.
      You might have been to the Algarve for the Almond blossom race!!! Roses grow very well here. I love gardening.. and my roses.

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  11. Hi Val. The horses seem so contented browsing around the olive trees. It sure makes a pretty picture and your roses are just beautiful. You are such a good garden tender. Have I met that gorgeous dog yet? Looks like he is enjoying some of the wonders of summer..Happy Sunday..Judy

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    1. Thank you Judy.
      I am behind with my comments..
      Vouga has been with Manuel until he passed away.. Now he is with me. I love my garden Judy.. its also therepy.xxxx

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  12. I love these glimpses of your life in the beautiful Alentejo, Val. Your roses may not be as perfect as last year, but they still look gorgeous to me.

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    1. Thank you Perpetua..
      I am sure your next post will be from your home back in Wales.
      Its beautiful here at the moment.
      val x

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  13. Hi Val, I came over from Judy's post. I see that you love roses, so do I. I have about 100 rose bushes and as you can tell they are my very favorite flower.
    It was great reading your post and I am your newest follower. Stop by some time for a visit.
    Regards,
    Mary

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    1. Hello and welcome Mary.
      How great that you like roses. They are my favorite flower.
      I will be over to visit. Thanks for leaving your comment and following me.. val

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  14. Hello Val,
    Summer days are looking nice there on the Alentejo. Your white roses are so beautiful......aahh, the red roses, my favorite. What a pretty painting of the blue flowers. Your friend is lucky to get this from you. Whenever I see your pool I want to take a dip because it's been hot here in California. I miss my pool at our old house so much, and seeing yours makes me miss it even more. The sunsets are lovely, Val. I see that Mary stopped by. She is such a sweet blog friend to me.

    Enjoy the remainder of the summer days, my friend.

    love,
    ~Sheri

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  15. Hello dear Sheri,
    When I post my red rose photo, I always think of you. I do love my roses. They really got badly scorched at the beginning of summer. Pleased you like my painting.. its for a dear friend. Take a trip and come and visit.. swim with me here XXXXX
    I am going to Mary now.. thank you Sheri.. love val xxx

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