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 6 February 2015

Not all rosey.

Hibernation ! At this point during these cold winter days , is just what I seem to be doing.  Its been so so cold.   My wood burner going night and day.
The hibernating animals must be so happy to wake up to sunnier warmer days. I can't wait.

Winter brings colder mornings and evenings here in the Alentejo.  Our temperature has fallen.
Letting the dogs out this morning,  this is what greeted me. The  fields covered with thick ice.
                            Now 1ºc ....real feel -3ºc  - wind chill -2ºc

                               Can't do much around the garden.  Its a waiting game , deciding on new plants and getting the pots looking good , once the spring is with us.
                                   The moon was still high in the sky. 7.30 am
                          The front side of the cottages , the sun was rising brightly. Such a lovely sight to see. Hoping that it will bring a relief to the frosty morning.

The only trouble with this kind of weather, is that we get two extremes.  a low of 1, 2, 3 c  morning and evening and during the night.     When the day's sun appears .  By 12.30 we have lovely days.  Not so warm, but brings a feeling that spring is just around the corner.

This kind of weather  also has a downside.   It seems that just about the whole village has some sort of flu or other.
 After a head cold, along came the dreaded bronchitis that I suffer with .   Antibiotics, cough syrups , hot drinks and staying cosy in bed, is all i could do , and I think the best thing too.    I had a bad couple of days .  Hibernating under the duvet, watching films , reading my books , but mainly sleeping.
Today I am feeling much better.  
Cabin fever is setting in.   I haven't been out since tuesday..when i took a quick visit to the dr.

My garden really is looking so forlorn .  The pool cover is covered in ice.
not really ideal gardening weather.

Hope that you are all keeping warm if you are in the colder parts of the world.
And to friends in the sun.. please blow some over the seas.

Thank you for all your kind comments on my last post.

Wishing you all a happy Friday.

Val



22 comments:

  1. Old wives tales say that you need a good cold frost to kill off all the bugs, but I don't believe that, and think it just that, a tale. I notice that they are always all back in the garden during the summer time.
    I saw on the weather report that the whole of France looked blue so I am not surprised that it is cold with you too Val. We have had a light frost but the sky is blue and the sun is out, so I am happy.
    Keep the home fires burning and be cosy Val♡

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Not so sure, if it isnt true Rosemary. Here the old village folk, say its good ..the fields become greener, the animals have their bath and the rivers get filled. Like you say.. they always comes back.. such is the cycle of nature.
      We really are having cold weather. Its such a sunny day.. but boy is it freezing. Its like the alps.
      Thanks for your visit Rosemary. Always nice to see you.
      happy weekend.
      val xx

      Delete
  2. Oh that does look bleak and cold Val, but strangely beautiful too, the ice on the fields. I am sorry you have bronchitis, and hope you can recover quickly. I try to send you the sun, and we will be happy to have a few cool days, thank you :) Stay warm. xx

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes Patricia, it is nice to see all the white fields. we dont get it that often.
      I am hopefully just about over the worst of the bronchitis..still have a cough.
      will be waiting for the sun.. love val.

      Delete
  3. Val, bone chilling cold and ice can appear and fell bleak, but remember, Spring is on it's way for all of us to enjoy! We are supposed to get snow all weekend...:)JP

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. It was so so white.. very rare do we see a sight like this.
      It will be good for all the little spring flowers.
      Your snow is real thick snow JP... stay warm. val

      Delete
  4. Looks like you are getting some weather like we have. It is -13C at the moment and the moon is bright in the west lighting the frosty field.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. hello Sunnybrook.
      yes..we are having a bout of very cold weather.
      Its strange to see the moon in the morning sky.
      happy weekend.. keep warm.
      val

      Delete
  5. It's cold here this morning also but the weatherman said it's going to be a warmer weekend. Stay warm,Val.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hope you get some warmer weather Sylvia.
      The sun is shining here..but its not warm enough to sit outside.
      Thanks for coming over.
      have a blessed weekend.
      val x

      Delete
  6. Dear Val, You are describing our weather here in Utah. Only we are used to it. The flu bug has not hit our little town, even though it is all around us. Now is the time to cook a pot of chicken soup (good recipes on the blog "Have some Decorum". It is guaranteed to make you feel better.
    Take care and when the sun comes out head on outside for a little Vitamin D. ox, Gina

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi Gina. We do get cold weather here during winter..but this year seems exceptionally cold .. There is snow on the high hills.
      First thing i do is make chicken soup. I believe the chicken has some magic potion in it. Today, I went out for a walk.. so am on the way to getting better.. thanks for your kind comment. will look for Decorum.. val

      Delete
  7. we've had a lot of that up/down weather, too. and lots of folks getting sick from it. i don't know how the plants and birds and animals manage when it is freezing one day and hitting 80F 2 days later.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. I too feel sorry for the plants and the birds. At least, when the sun is out during the day, the birds can feel a little warmer. The horses love it. Thanks Tex

      Delete
  8. I'm so sorry to read that you have been ill! I hope that the hours snuggling, sipping and resting are beginning to have the desired effect and that you're soon back in your garden, planning and dreaming of spring!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you Pondside. The snuggling up and resting has helped. That is really all one can do.
      I was out today, and am feeling much better.

      Delete
  9. It is that time of year when the winter weather stretches on and everyone is tired of it. We don't have the severe cold here in Florida and it sure makes me feel better. I'm glad you have the sunshine...it lifts your spirits! Enjoy your weekend sweet friend. Hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Indeed Diane. Seems the winter never ends. I suppose we complain again when the hot weather hits us.
      At least we have sunshine.. but its cold outside. The sun is not warm..another few weeks maybe. Thanks for leaving your comment nice to see you.

      Delete
  10. Hope you are feeling a little better now - you do sound down in the dumps. Not long to wait now before warmer weather will be on the horizon. The last picture with the sun shining through the leaves is beautiful. Have a good weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Hi elaine,
      When its cold and icy outside and a bad bronchitis.. i feel really down. I always get bronchitis since a girl.
      We are having sunnier days.. but still cold.
      went for a walk with the dogs today.. feeling a lot better.
      Thanks for popping over.

      Delete
  11. Wow, it seems to be snowing everywhere in Europe! We have had quite a bit, and also so many people who are sick too...

    I never think of it as snowing in Portugal. Is that rare? Or just in certain areas?

    ReplyDelete
  12. Hi Val, I'm glad to hear you are taking care of yourself and are feeling better. This time of year can be nasty if you get a bug. We had colds but they weren't too bad. At least it wasn't the flu. We have had rain the last few days (finally) but still not enough and looks sunny for rest of the week. Stay warm and cuddle up with the furry ones and spring will be coming..Happy Tuesday..Judy

    ReplyDelete

comments will be published after approval