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 5 March 2015

Reasons why !

Vila Nova da Baronia

Vila Nova is within a triangle of three villages.  Vila Nova - Alvito - Viana do Alentejo.  Vila Nova was a village in 1280.  The lands around belonging to the Senhor's - Barons of the lands given to them  by the King.
It was officially  named a village in 1801 , with 704 inhabitants.  
 Our main municipal buildings being in Alvito.   
Today there are 1,245 habitants in the village.


The reason and choice behind coming to live here . Its simply a  beautiful  area.  With its vast spans of big estates .  Producing - cork and excellent  olive production,sheep & cattle
 Small little farms  have popped up in the last 40 years , producing their own produce,self sustaining.
We are still very lucky to be able to buy our local produce in the little market, fresh eggs and chicken and meat.
  Alentejo is the biggest province and the richest in Portugal.

Manuel was born in Alentejo.  This is one of the reasons we chose to live  here.    It also reminded us very much of the area that we lived in , in Southern Africa.  He is buried in Viana. Alentejo was the love of his life and we are grateful to be part of it now.

We have a good climate - milder winters than most of Europe.  Spring is delightful ,with a subtle hint of warmer breezes -  Hot summer days with warm balmy evenings ,sitting outside listening to the crickets calling their mates . We are outside most of the time for a duration of about 6 to 7 months,enjoying the garden and time with family and friends. 
   - Autumn brings changes to the countryside.  And the cycle begins again.

















 Monday drive around the outskirts of the village with my friend Dita,arriving back to her place for a lovely cup of herbal tea and homemade biscuits.
  We often take a drive through the little country lanes. It brings joy and peace and we  enjoy seeing the little houses and the big farmes dotted around . Dita was born in the Village and we chat about this and that and stop to say hello to the cows and sheep.   Medicinal therapy.

 .. So dear friends.. some of the reasons" Why i live here."-

Today our temp. is 17 to 18 and will be climbing.. cold in the morning and evenings sill. but we can feel spring is here.

Wishing you all the rest of a wonderful Thursday.

Thanks for all your kind comments on my last post.

Happy days Val.

22 comments:

  1. I can understand and see why you would want to live there in that beautiful area. I love seeing your photo's.
    Have a great day,Val!

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  2. How exciting was the stroll around those beautiful landscapes Val! I would't have mind to join you with a cup of herbal tea and homebaked biscuits!
    Wishing you a sunny weekend!
    Olympia

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    1. Thank you Olympia.
      There are many beautiful places in the world.. when we find the place that our heart feels peaceful and happy.. thats home.
      would have loved you to join us for a cup of herbal tea..

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  3. you definitely live in beautiful country!

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    1. Thank you Tex.
      I am happy here. That is the main thing. x

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  4. Val, without a doubt you live in a beautiful spot. Isn't it nice to feel contented with where you are?..Hope you are doing well, my friend..Happy Thursday..Judy

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    1. Hi Judy.. this is true.. if we are contented.. it could be anywhere.
      thanks for coming over.. x

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  5. It is a beautiful area that you live in - no wonder you are happy there.

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  6. I hope your olive trees have a better crop this year, it must be so nice to have such trees and wonderful oil.

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    1. Not looking good with the olive trees. Its still early.. but we have had no rain.
      Thanks for popping over.

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  7. What a beautiful place to live. I can see why you chose it.

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    1. Thank you Betty..
      Its a small village and in a beautiful place.

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  8. I always enjoy your photos of the village with its twin white church spires, Val. You do live in a wonderful place, with beauty and good local food sources. And the temperatures sound just about perfect! A lovely post, Val. xx

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    1. Thank you for you kind comment Patricia.
      Our little village is old ..with its cobbled streets .. its like living in the past. Its home for me. Tranquil and peaceful.
      temperatures just perfect.

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  9. I too sense the improving weather Val - the sun is high and bright in the sky and the weatherman has told us that the mild warm front that is over us will be here for a while - hope he is correct.
    It is a lovely area where you live Val and helps make for a contented life.
    If we had glorious weather all year round I don't think that we would appreciate the lovely warm weather so much when it does arrive - that is just my theory.
    Thank you for your kind comments on my last two posts.

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  10. Dear Val, Thank you for sharing your beautiful world with us. I'm packing my bags.

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  11. Oh Val, I've always said you live in such a lovely area, and you really do. I can see why you moved here. I didn't realize Manuel was from Alentejo. What strong roots he had that carried him through his life. The climate sounds wonderful during all the seasons. I bet you don't want it to get much populated than it is, it's such a charming smaller place to live. It's what my town used to be back in the day until people started moving here. I love your pictures today, Val, especially that yellow field of flowers. Thanks for sharing them.

    Have a blessed weekend.

    love, ~Sheri

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  12. It sounds and looks amazing. I would love to visit there one day.

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  13. I always enjoy seeing the wonderful Portguese landscape that surrounds you. It must be lovely having that warmth already. Sarah x

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  14. Your climate and landscape are idyllic, Val and I can so easily understand why you love to live there. It would suit my dear mother-in-law (a real sun worshipper) down to the ground.

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