Jo’s Monday walk : The last lap

At long last!  Finally reunited with my download cable, I am able to share a few photos from my 6 whirlwind weeks in the Algarve.  We landed back in the UK, at damp and drizzly Leeds airport, on Friday.  Despite the gloom I was delighted to see a last glow of Autumnal orange clinging to the trees.  One last hurrah!  Which is how I feel, as we are now working towards a completion date on our house less than 2 weeks away.  Laying, listening to the creaks of our old house at 5 in the morning, the check list of ‘to do’s’ tumbles around in my head.  Easier to get up, and start doing.

This isn’t a walk- more an update and a collection of swift reminiscences.  That tortoiseshell never did befriend me, though I fed her faithfully.  But at least I avoided spending the week confined with her in my neighbour’s lovely back garden.  The weather became less reliable, as it tends to in late October.  Which was a shame for my son, who wanted nothing more than to idle on a beach.  After a nightmare journey, where they almost failed to reach us and had us pacing up and down all evening, we finally all got to bed at 3 in the morning.  Nothing stops a 6 year old from being exuberant, especially when there’s a birthday in the offing.  Improving his minigolf handicap, an icecream almost as big as him, and a Bola de Gomos (‘cake’ comprised entirely of marshmallows wrapped around jellies and gummy teddy bears) all produced that heart warming smile.  The small science centre in Tavira kept him captivated as he helped to create a volcanic lava ‘eruption’, using vinegar, baking soda, washing up liquid and red food colouring.  The rain dripped off all our noses at Zoomarine, but what do dolphins care as they leap and glide, to enthusiastic applause?  And the giant seahorses in the aquarium didn’t seem to mind our awed gaping.  So many giddy patterns were run round the beach, whilst my husband demonstrated his castle building expertise.  Small person’s best bit?  Sharing the winner’s podium with my son at Karting Almancil.  To pilot a car on your own you have to be 7, but dual controls gave both of them a hugely enjoyable ride.  ‘Next year, Mum?’

The marina at Vilamoura
Happy golfers
‘Get in that hole!’
The reward
And Michael’s reward for watching
Castle mania!

As for my birthday, I cannot imagine a more beautiful setting for a wine tasting than Quinta da Tôr, in the gently rolling Algarve hills.  By then my son and family had reluctantly gone home, to be replaced by my lovely daughter and her husband.  Both were highly appreciative, of both the setting and the produce.  A great deal of wining and dining took place in the few days they were there; a little gentle strolling to a castle not made of sand, plus a ferry trip to pretty Sanlucar de Guadiana, across the river.  Serendipity had it that we were able to be joined by my good friends Becky and Robert, for a fabulous farewell luncheon at Vai e Volta in Olhão.  Seldom has so much fish been consumed at one sitting.  Huge thanks to José and Maria for being such generous hosts.

A little advertising never hurts
Happy and satisfied
Pretty Sanlucar de Guadiana
Our fabulous dessert at D’Gusta, Tavira

The fairy tale ended, as these things must, and Michael and me went back to scrubbing floors, painting and changing beds.  Our last evening was largely spent circling each other in the kitchen, trying to keep out from under the feet of the Man from MEO and his assistant.  Our Internet connection had been abysmal, but we thought we were stuck with it as we had been told there was a blockage in the duct.   Hoorah and 3 cheers for Marco, who laboured diligently to find a solution, while we wondered if we were ever going to have supper that evening.  Finally he went home to his wife and child, a successful connection made, and we wolfed down our food and went for a quick celebratory drink at our neighbours.  Great ending to another chapter.

walking logo

Meanwhile the walks have continued to arrive.  I cannot commit to a regular Jo’s Monday walk until I’m back in the Algarve at the end of this month, but I will continue to share and to visit you whenever I can.  Many thanks to all of you for your patience.

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Fabulous images from Tobias.  I first saw these sitting in a café in drizzly old Leeds.  A nice welcome home :

Les ocres de Roussillon

Goult – Morning Walk

Street art rules with Cactus Catz.  Do enjoy visiting her :

Monday Mural : Joe Pagac’s Borderland Brewery mural, Tucson, Arizona

Sharing a little fun and a stroll with Judy :

A Walk Around Town

The majesty of the Austrian Alps, in the company of Drake :

Naked peaks

In case I didn’t make it back in time to enjoy it, some lovely Autumnal colour from Eunice :

An autumn walk in Central Park

While Irene finds a squirrel in an arboretum :

What’s that Racket?

Some folk are wanderers for life and this certainly applies to my lovely friend, Cathy.  You can spend hours enjoying her travels, in her native America and abroad :

The Giant Logs Trail at Petrified Forest National Park

The Crystal Forest Trail at Petrified Forest National Park

Sincere apologies to anyone I’ve missed out.  It hasn’t been easy keeping track.  I have 10 days to pack our personal possessions, leave the house in good order, and say lots of goodbyes, and then we are gone.  Oh yes, and replace the washing machine.  It gave a mighty groan and subsided mid-spin the day we left the UK.  Definitely, the last lap!

165 comments

  1. Pingback: Not alike, but fascinating | Le Drake Noir

  2. It’s always bittersweet to end one chapter and begin another! But I am so excited for you, Jo. I’m hoping for many great walks, adventures, and years of sunshine ahead!

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  3. Pingback: the blue mesa trail at petrified forest national park – ~ wander.essence ~
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  5. Jo you take it all in good stride. Such fabulous memories made with dear family. I’ve enjoyed following along on Instagram to see glimpses of the action. Always wishing you well and especially during this time of transition. Big hugs.

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  6. I love the photos, especially seeing you with family. Happy times on a new adventure! I am sure there are so many different emotions always swirling right now, but it’s exciting to see someone following a dream! Always good to get your updates while you transition homes, Jo!

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    1. Hello, sweetheart 🙂 🙂 How are things? Yesterday was such a hard day as it was the deadline for the carrier and everything had to be organised by then. But I still managed to go to t’ai chi in the afternoon, and say a few more sad farewells.

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  9. I’ve enjoyed seeing your photos on FB. It sounds like you had s very memorable birthday. You must be so excited about the impending move, amidst all the busyness of your days. Moving overseas is never easy, but one always comes out the other end in one piece. Good luck. 😘

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    1. If anyone knows how it feels you do, Ad. Right now I’m torn between loving this creaky old house of ours and wanting to be gone. I shall be an emotional and physical wreck in a week’s time but hopefully it will be worth it. Thanks darlin 😃🍷💕

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  10. Sweeeet! The birthday boy is just too cute. But I’m confused – you are packing up? Sounds like you’re traveling, but I have lost track totally. Maybe packing up the Algarve place until next year?

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    1. Sorry to confuse, Lynn. Packing up in the UK. We spent 6 weeks in the Algarve and have returned to England for the last time to complete the sale. Next time I post Tavira will be home 😃😃 xx

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    1. Yes, I think so, Gunta. 🙂 🙂 This stage is very tiring and I’m hampered by a stiff neck. (getting old isn’t all it’s cracked up to be 🙂 ) But a week tomorrow we hand over the keys and what’s done is done! And meanwhile I have some lovely friends to meet and celebrate with.

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  12. Happy belated birthday, Jo. This post is so heartwarming. I can feel your home shift from the UK to the Algarve. Family visits always help to make a new house feel like home. The smile on that little boy’s face…such innocent joy.

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    1. He’s a sweetheart, Julie. I missed his little face appearing around the door at 8 each morning when he went home. I’m overwhelmed with cardboard boxes at the minute but there are some lovely social things happening too. 🙂 🙂 Many thanks for your company.

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  13. What a busy time you’ve had Jo, and still got a couple more weeks of it. Hope the tidying and final sorting out goes ok and the completion goes without a hitch. Don’t overdo it though.

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    1. We have a nice mix of social stuff in with the packing and sorting, Jonno. 🙂 🙂 It’s sad too, of course, but we’ll see many of our friends at some point in the future. This week is hard till we ship our stuff, but we’re getting there. Lots of cleaning next week and then I’m looking forward to escaping the big sell that Christmas has become in this country. It’s much more low key in the Algarve and we have some lovely things to look forward to. Thanks, hon!

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    1. I was a little disappointed there was no actual ‘cake’ content, Lisa, but the recipient was highly delighted. 🙂 🙂 The sweets lasted all week with a big bag to take home.

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