Starting over

Did you notice the John Lennon title link to my last post?  I’m thinking it’s probably easier to write here than to try to keep up with each of you individually, lovely as you all are.  Yes, I wanted to come back with a brand new blog, full of the pure exuberance of life and the beauty of the Algarve, but it’s not practical at the moment, for a variety of reasons.  So, simply an update.

You know those Indian Summers we sometimes talk about in the UK?  We’ve definitely been experiencing one here in the Algarve.  Temperatures have just started to dip a little, which is good news for my walking friends.  The first Striders walk of the season, on 2nd October, was kept to a miserly 10km in the Algarvian hills, but nobody was sorry when the walk was over.  A long table was set up beneath an awning but, by the time we’d finished eating, the sun was avidly gobbling up the shade.  It was time to down the wine and move on.  But not before coffee and cake, of course.

The Strollers walk on the following Friday fared a little better.  We were near the salt marshes, with a hint of a breeze now and again.  A different mix of people, some of whom we hadn’t seen in a long while, and another wonderful accompaniment of hugs, smiles and traded stories.  Does it feel different now that we’re to become a permanent part of the community?  Not yet, but I have noticed subtle differences.  At one time I couldn’t bear to be out of the sun, and would feel myself twitching if I was in the shade a fraction longer than was absolutely necessary.  Now that sunshine has more or less become a constant, I can seek shade with equanimity.  Maybe Winter will change that, but for now we find ourselves adopting the Portuguese custom of pulling down the blinds in our house to keep out excessive heat.

Our third walk included a train ride with a ticket collector who was greatly amused by 27 Brits, smiling and brandishing passports at him at 8.30 in the morning.  Our discounted fare was 80 cents for the 10km, two stops, ride.  We then walked back, a loop of town, pine forest, beach and countryside totalling 14km, all on the flat.  More reunions and friendships renewed, and lots more hugs and smiles.  We are all so appreciative of what we have here.  Not just the wonderful climate, but the lasting warmth of companionship.  Few of us have been unscathed by anxiety or illness, but a sympathetic shoulder is never hard to find.

Since coming here, I’ve cast a fresh look around our home.  Aside from outstanding DIY (phew, Mick’s department!) there are a few issues about storage and how we use the space we have.  Cupboards and wardrobes have been given a stern looking at.  We’ve joined the local library and a small army of English language books will be making their way to a new and worthwhile home.  An antique television set, weighing a ton but producing not a single programme, in any language, has made it’s way to the refuse collection, located down an exceedingly pretty back lane.

The negatives?  Knee deep in photo albums prior to departure, I forgot a couple of things I normally regard as essential to my Algarve life.  The cable to download photos from my camera and my memory stick, so I’ve had to improvise for photos.  And my diary!  Unheard of, this last, so I’ve taken to recording events online on the notepad.  Not entirely satisfactory.  🙂  Still to do?  Partly due to a wretched cough I’ve not yet joined an exercise class, nor a language class, but I will!

You’d laugh!  As I finish writing this, rain is bouncing off the table on the patio.  But I’m smiling indulgently and enjoying the sound.  Good thing we finished that painting!  And tomorrow is set to be dry for another walk.  Have a great weekend, and I’ll catch up with you when I can.  Our Internet is feeble, but we’ll fix that too.

147 comments

  4. Jo it’s lovely, and how wonderful to have such a great group of friends. There’s no need to rush with anything now, you can relax and keep telling us about your life out there. Your last trip back to your Hartlepool house will seem very strange won’t it?
    Have a nice weekend, i’s really stormy here so I won’t be going far. Hugs babe xx

    Like

    Reply

  5. Your new adventure sounds wonderful! It must be a big shift to find yourself without strong Internet and needing to compromise with storage and some of the comforts you’ve relied upon for years, but the trade-off is warmth, in both companionship and climate, and a new way of seeing the world around you. I think the language classes should be very helpful and I hope those go smoothly! I wonder at myself if I had to learn a new language. Not sure I could do it. LOL! All the best, Jo. So nice to hear from you and to know how you’re already making yourself at home! 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. There are moments of panic and ‘what have we done?’ Debbie, but we’ve wanted this for so long, and for very good reason. This morning the sky has soft pink patches, our newly painted wall is gleaming whitely, and there’s a lovely sense of ‘what next?’ 🙂 🙂 Thanks, darlin! Happy weekend!

      Like

      Reply

  6. They do say that a change is as good as a rest, but you and Mick don’t sound as though you’re lazing around at all. Good luck in your new abode. I’m sure everything will fall into place ere long. Happy weekend to you both. 😘

    Like

    Reply

  7. Following your journey. It feels like I’m there.

    My spouse and live in a 4 story pyramid house at the feet of the Rocky Mountains in Canada. There are a lot of people from Britain here. If you ever consider swapping residences, I will be happy to swap with you for a mutual vacay time and discovery! Our climate is not warm. Folks do a lot of snow shoeing in the winter. But all seem to love it here in nature. We have 2 acres of land and we back on a natural reserve trail.

    Like

    Reply

    1. It sounds beautiful and thanks so much for the offer. We have family in Calgary but have never made the trip. I’m not fond of snow and cold (I gather you’ve had some already 🙂 ) but your place sounds lovely.

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. Welcome to my modest blog!

        What a small world! You have family in Calgary! Calgary isn’t far from where I live! I can’t blame you for not fancying the cold! Yes it’s snowing right now as I’m writing this response! 😞
        Luckily, I was away when we had the big snow fall a week ago! :))))

        Also, I would like to mention, you are the first person to comment here 🙂 and I thrilled! I intentionally don’t tell anyone about my blog! A decision I made when I started writing again lately! This blog is for me. If lovely wanderes happen to stop by, I will happily welcome them! If they find me accidentally while walking and venturing the blogging terrains, or of they happened to take an accidental wrong turn in their blogging journey and become lost, I will provide a place to rest, a map and a lantern! Other than that! There are no signs on the road leading others to my modest secluded blog!

        Have a wonderful day in sunny Algarve! And thank you for stopping by! Hope you’ll visit again 🙂

        Like

  13. The light in these photos is brilliant. And after today’s troubles I really wish I was there. Is that last image the view from your roof terrace? I see that you can see the sea, I also see that there are high rise buildings being developed along the coast and hope they don’t interfere with your views in the future. And there is no rush to decorate or join a club. Take your time to settle in and adjust.

    Like

    Reply

    1. Yes that’s the view I’m looking at right now. There is quite a lot of green space and the salt marshes to the front of us but development is creeping in around the back. The apartment blocks you can see were here before us and aren’t intrusive. When I opened the patio doors this morning there was a lovely smell of rosemary from the neighbours garden after the overnight rain. 😃😃 xx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

      1. I got a lovely smell of the Lemon Verbena yesterday after the rain. Today I kept mostly inside, apart from bringing the bins back in – I am surprised they didn’t end up in the sea!

        Liked by 1 person

  14. I’ve been eagerly anticipating this post, to know how you are getting on. It sounds as if you’re able to take over from where you left off, so maybe it doesn’t even feel like a new beginning. So glad it’s working out so far, despite the technology glitches.

    Like

    Reply

    1. It feels great Margaret. Sitting on the roof terrace after a morning walk and pure indulgence at dinner time. 😃 Yes there are a few wrinkles both here and in the UK but right now I’m not stressing. That way lies an early departure from this lovely life. Thanks for the good wishes xx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  15. You sound very content! I love the tiny glimpse into your new beginning, and I’m impressed at your walking group size and ambition so far! That last photo is very cool with the sunlit band running right through the middle.

    Liked by 1 person

    Reply

  16. So lovely to hear an update & to know that you are getting all settled in to your new home. I can appreciate the lack of storage & looking at creative ways to accommodate your things. Our son & daughter in law recently moved to restored 100 year old home & are finding the same challenges. Walk in closets were rather unheard of in those times! Look so forward to reading more of your adventures!

    Like

    Reply

    1. Hiya darlin 😃😃. Actually it’s a modern home and storage is adequate for two. It’s just when you’re expecting company and the overflow into the spare bedroom needs to flow elsewhere. It’s been lovely so far. Sitting on the roof terrace watching the washing dry xx

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  19. It’s good to hear from you Jo (even if Bloglovin is 24 hours late informing me!) – I’ve been thinking about you. I hope you manage to sort out some proper internet and you get back to blogging properly soon, I’m sure I’m not the only one who misses you. It’s good to know that you’re settling in though, and the photos are great whichever way you took and downloaded them. The weather here on Wednesday was glorious and so warm I was back into my cycling shorts and sleeveless top, I had a lovely local walk with the dogs which I’ll post on Monday next week – I’m going to try to keep my own Monday walk going until you (hopefully) start up again and I can link up with you. All the best to you Jo and I’ll look forward to another post from you as and when you can do one 🙂 🙂

    Like

    Reply

    1. Thanks so much Eunice. We will sort the Internet but truthfully there isn’t a lot of time in my life for blogging right now. Real life has taken over. I will share any walks I receive though, even if it’s only a monthly round up. We’ll see how it goes 😃😃

      Liked by 1 person

      Reply

  20. Sounds like you are settling in perfectly, and soon you’ll be a proper local delighted when it rains! Enjoy the walk today, and looking forward to our catch up in November xxx

    Like

    Reply

    1. Morning, darlin 🙂 🙂 We drove through Olhao en route to Faro yesterday and were interested to see various billboards ‘disguising’ some of the raggy bits. Change is afoot?

      Like

      Reply

Leave a comment

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.