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.

Saturday 31 January 2015

Winter & end of January.

Took the train to Lisbon,  to be with my children and grandchildren in Estoril for 4 days last week.
ESTORIL.
Its a tonic to be all together.  I came home feeling very refreshed .      Each one has their own lives and agendas and work, but there are more times ahead that I will be seeing them.   I have strict instructions to get to Lisbon once every month.


During these long winter days.  There is not much that i can do in the garden.   We did have a few sunny days..and I took advantage of cutting the Oleander trees that were so high, and i started to prune more rose bushes.   Pedro could just reach the top of the oleanders, they were so tall.

I have caught up on e mails to friends far and wide.



                                          ..................................................

This Fuchia is surving the cold and rain. Its such a lovely color.

                                           This morning, before the rain.   Oleander trees trimmed ..poor garden looking forlorn.
                                                      Come on mummy..where is our grain.
Am off out for a late lunch today with D.I.L parents.. my neighbors for 6 months of the year.  Am browsing through some of my home magazines..  Enjoying the book I am reading, and getting my agenda sketch book ready for february.. Hot cocoa this morning.

I would like to send you all a special thanks for all your kind comments on my last post. I appreciated all of them.



Rain clouds are overhead and its started to rain again.  The wind is howling through the trees.

Wishing you all a very happy Saturday.

Val


25 comments:

  1. Looks like you are having a good winter, still it is nice to see February come along.

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    1. Thank you Sunnybrook. Winter is not so bad, compared to other places.

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  2. Good to have you back again Val! We also have started to do some work in the garden but the rain don't let us finish our task.We have to be patiente.Your Fuchia is so beautiful!
    Happy weekend !
    Olympia

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    1. Thank you Olympia.
      Just like you, the rain hinders progress in the garden.
      very pleased with my Fuchia.

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  3. Beautiful Fuchsia Val. Lets hope we get rid of these horrible colds soon! x

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    1. Thanks Suzy.
      I started with a bad cough last night. I hope it goes away soon.hope you are feeling better.

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  4. Dear Val ,like you are in the start of spring !! Here my flower died .....It was very cold and now it is raining all these days ! I am glad that you were out for a few days .Have a nice weekend !

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    1. Hello Olympia.. thank you for your comment.
      yes.. we are looking forward to spring.
      I did so much enjoy being away for a few days.
      xx

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  5. Have missed you dear Val, it's so lovely to have you back. You sound as though you had a great time with your grandchildren in Estoril but now you're home and getting back into the swing of things. There's no place like home. Take care xx

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    1. Thanks Patricia.
      I have missed all my dear close blogging friends. It was really lovely to be treated by the children.
      Getting back to normal again.
      hope to catch up with everyone. xxxx

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  6. so glad you had a good time with your kids! your place is such a pretty place to come home to, though!

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    1. Thank you dear Tex.
      Its always good to come home.. home is home.
      It was great too, to be with my children..

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  7. Once a month sounds perfect! I'm glad you are feeling refreshed.

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    1. Yes, I am looking forward to going again in a couple of weeks.
      Its great to be with family. Thanks Jen

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  8. Hello Val,
    The horses and dogs all look content and happy having you back home. How great that you can get to see your children and family in Lisbon and it must be quite a change,
    Hope you have a great week

    Helen xx

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    1. Thank you Helen .. always great to read your kind comments.
      It was great to be with all my children. I felt whole again.
      xx

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  9. Dear Val, spending time with family is the most special time of all, I think. I'm glad you enjoyed your time with them, and a monthly visit is an excellent idea. Your fuchsia is a beautiful plant, such a gorgeous colour. Reading, sketching and hot cocoa - how lovely and civilized! Happy Sunday to you xox

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    1. Thanks Patricia.
      We dont always get to be together.
      The fuchsia is doing well.. needs some feed now.

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  10. I found my way here from another blogger's list...I think you are the first Portugal-based blog I have run into. It looks like you live in a lovely area. I have been to Portugal a few times and would like to explore it further.

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  11. Val, your getting together with the family is better than tonic because as much as I love the snow, I don't like beng "in"! Although more is on the way tomorrow (8-12 inches), your Fuchia reminds me of melting...:)JP

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    1. Too true JP. I felt like I was together like the old days..
      I see that you are having really heavy snow falls.
      take care.

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  12. Dear Val, Welcome back. We have missed you. Hope your cough does not turn into something more sinister.

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  13. So glad you enjoyed your time away it sounds like it did you good. Your photos are lovely and that fuschia is such a lovely colour I am surprised that it flowers over winter.

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  14. Estoril looks so pretty, Val. How nice that you spent time with your kids for four days. It's still cold and cloudy here, but during the day, the sunshine peeks through. So glad you had a nice vacation, Val.

    love, ~Sheri

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