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 10 July 2015

The village & sweet memories

Having lunch or dinner in my favorite village restaurant.. is always so relaxing.  I have mentioned to you all before, that my dear friend Dita ownes it.  There is always something going on and village news  to have a little gossip about.  I am off there again for lunch today.   After lunch, when the restaurant is closed, we sit on the sofas with the cool breeze coming from the fan and the open windows and drink a  refreshing iced tea, catching up on family news.

      From my quinta.. this is the way, i enter the village.  In the background, you can see our tennis courts.   I used to play, 20 years ago now. But some of the children play.. raquets and balls are kept by a lady in the village, and you can play, whenever you want.
                             I live on the outskirts of the village, where there are a few farms and quintas.  I love this gate, Its never opened.. Only once a month, when the old lady who ownes the place comes out to see her flowers.   The roses in the vases on top of the wall are imitation .. she is about 86 or so.. I see her bending down to tend her beloved entrance.. so sweet.
       It's been so so hot here in the Alentejo.  I am sure many of you will have seen it on the weather channel.  We have been up into the 40's.. here my neighbors sheep, just been shorn..are huddled in the shade of the barn.
                                                        the central village park again.
                                             I took the photos from the top wall, but you can see the fountains .. the palm trees all looking so healthy.   I dont go here much, its more for the younger crowd and their children.
                                  central village main road.. one bank, two greengrocers, one restaurant and a taverna, and bakery.  The owner of the taverna is 94. I suppose its true.. a couple of glasses of wine a day, keeps the doctor away !!!    The house on the corner with the steps has just come up for sale.. the old folks go to the city to live with their son's and daughters.
                                                           my entrance and the road below to the village..taken from my car.
Sweet memories here..   Like the Australian aborigines.. once someone has passed they dont say their name ever again.    Here is a photo of my dearest Bonita.. her back to the photo.. She went on a walk about. this monday.  She always comes back.. she never wonders far.   This time, she never came back.   Its been very hard for me, to even think about her.  I just cannot believe she is gone.  My vet said, that sometimes, dogs do that when they want to die.     I have prayed to our dear Lord, that he watches over her and that she has not suffered in anyway.  She was my sweet loving rescue dog.. the house is empty.. her brothers know she is gone.  I mention her name, and they look out the window. 
The laws of nature, can be so cruel.   I really thought that she would come back.  She was going on for 9...as some of you will have read my post about her..she was cruelly treated by the hunters. She was blind in one eye and partially in the other.    She is missed, and I loved her very much and she went without nothing.   God bless her. 





A happy Friday to you all.

Val

14 comments:

  1. Your country side is so pretty,Val. I know you must enjoy going into town and having lunch with your friend.Have a good weekend.

    Hugs,Sylvia

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    1. Thank you Sylvia,
      At the moment its all brown here.. but its summertime.

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  2. i am so sorry about bonita! that is the worst - the not knowing...

    i am glad you have a dear friend to visit and have lunch with. :)

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    1. Thank you Dear Teresa.
      I so agree, the worst is not knowing.. i have to imagine that she died peacefully and is now in heaven. Otherwise i will get ill.
      It 's good to have lunch out at my friend place..a distraction.

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  3. Dear Val, I'm so sorry to read these words about dear Bonita, so heart breaking for you. She had such a wonderful time with you after such a traumatic start. Thinking of you especially at this difficult time. Sarah x

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    1. Dear Sarah..
      Such kind heartwarming words that you wrote to me.
      I know that you too love your animals and that they are part of the family. like Tex said.. its the not knowing. I took the best of care of her.. and she wanted for nothing.. she was happy. today was a hard day for me. But we have to move on. Thank you Sarah.

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  4. Hello Val, So sorry for your loss of Bonita. You gave here a good home and your vet's comments make sense.
    I loved the images of your village and the restaurant where you frequent with your good friend.
    Helenx

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    1. Thank you Helen,
      I gave her the best. My animals are my babies and I treat them with love and kindness.
      Our village is a typical little Alentejano village.. not so rich.. but the people are nice and its not too big.

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  5. Dear Val, I am so sad to read about Bonita, just going off like that. It is strange that sometimes pets do this, despite your loving care (or even because she wants to save you from the end?) Lovely to see the pictures of your village; it is very attractive and yes, it does look hot also. In the 40s is too much already! I hope you have some cooling breezes very soon. My daughter-in-law just spent a week in Portugal, and loved it :)
    All the best, Val. xxx

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    1. Thank you Patricia.
      Yes, I think that is what she did.. she just wondered off. she was blind in one eye and the other was going.. she was 8.. and had had an awful start in her life. She will be in heaven now. Our village is nothing to rave about. It does have a little charm. I live 2k out of the village. Tonight we are having some cooler breezes.. but its still high up in the 30's now. How nice your D.I.L spent a week in Portugal.. you should have given her my number.. Thanks for your kind comment patricia.. xxx

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  6. Val, I'm so sorry to hear about your beloved Bonita. I've heard that about dogs, that when they are ready to go, they sometimes wander off into nature. Bonita definitely knew how much you loved her.

    Thinking of you, dear Val, and sending a big hug of comfort.

    love, ~Sheri

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  7. Dear Val
    It was nice to see pictures of the area where you live - now when I think of you I can imagine where you are. So sorry to hear about Bonita I know how sad you must be.

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  8. A lovely post, but a sad one, a tribute to a lost loved one.

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  9. Val, I left a comment on your beloved dog, Bonita, but not sure it went through or not. Come by and see my post when you get a chance - I think you will like it.

    love, ~Sheri

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