I thought long and hard over whether I ought to include this walk, but I loved it. Full of warmth and companionship, it was in celebration of a very special lady. Roberta Smith was always Bobbie to me, and she was there right from the very beginning of my Algarve walking days. A very determined lady, she had overcome a near fatal aneurism to get back to walking in the hills she loved. Always she was spurred on by the promise of the one gin and tonic she allowed herself each week. Simple pleasures for a lady who needed to be frugal.
Always kind to others, in the end life wasn’t kind to her. Months short of her 65th birthday, and of drawing the pension she had so looked forward to, cancer abruptly claimed Bobbie. We, her walking friends, were in shock. It has taken close to a year for us to make this walk, in celebration of our time with her. On a day of blue skies and softly drifting clouds, many of us said our goodbyes.
I’ve never struggled to know what Bobbie saw in these hills. From the first time I ventured up here, I was under their spell. The patterns that trail from valley to summit and down again, as the clouds gently jostle for position. The trees, in silhouette on the horizon, gnarled and torn, up close. The isolation of distant dwellings, and the ruins, sorrowful remnants of life. The blues and violet shades that come with evening. I love them all.
It is the time of year for medronho, the berries ripening with gold and scarlet temptation. Recently I was offered them with a dessert, but more often they are distilled to a fiery beverage. To keep out those winter chills. The wind can be cold up here.
Finally, at the summit, a ceremony was performed. One of our group had carried her ashes. Another filled a glass with the G & T she loved. Another had photos of when we were last all together. We had no idea, then…
We continued through desperately arid land, streams dry as dust, but life clinging on determinedly, as it must. Afterwards we convened at a restaurant in the hills that we often use. Those who had been unable to walk joined us there, to celebrate Bobbie’s life, and to raise a toast.
Life is short. Some are luckier than others. But all of us must find a path. I hope that Bobbie and her many friends will not mind me sharing hers.
There are many walks and lives to share here this week. Please find a little time to visit each other. See you next time, on Jo’s Monday walk.
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Patience is rewarded, oh, so beautifully, for Jude :
While Alice finds beauty of a very different kind :
Feast your eyes on this lot! Sandy plays gourmet in Lisbon :
Food and Restaurants -# Portugal
Someone else who doesn’t have an aversion to food- you can always eat well with Jackie :
Some beautiful finds in the woods, with Janet :
While Natalie shows us Autumn in all its splendour :
Agawa Canyon: From Rail to Trail
A follow-up to Denzil’s recent Foresters’ Memorial post :
The 2-Memorial Sonian Forest Walk
And to Ann Christine’s walk through stunning Old Tbilisi :
Thursday Thoughts – A Last Walk – Until next time, Aleksandr!
Have you been walking with that lovely man Ernst lately? And Gisella, too :
A mountain hike in the Appenzeller Alps (Switzerland)
Or that other lovely man, who sometimes likes life a…
And talking of gentlemen, have you seen this post from Debbie?
A very short walk with a Superstar
It’s a little cool for me in Irene’s part of the world. Or do I mean, ‘a lot’?
And Karen can hardly see her hand in front of her face!
A soggy walk in the Blue Mountains
I don’t know much about this part of the world, but I wouldn’t mind keeping Athena company :
And I had hoped to join Cathy on her journey, but it wasn’t to be :
(Camino day 44) Lestedo to Melide
I did, however, make it to the Azores, and I will return. If these photos don’t entice you…
Hiking the Azores: The Mystery behind the Mistérios Negros
That’s all for another week. I’m feeling quite emotional. It must be the time of year. Thank you so much, all of you who’ve followed the Living the dream journey with me. Stay well, be kind to each other, and enjoy your week!
restlessjo 
Ahh darling I have tears, Bobbie sounds like peach of a lady, how very sad that she left the party so early. I love your tribute and the way the group celebrated her as well. Hugs babe xx
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Even when we realised how ill she was we struggled to believe it when she died, Gilly. She’ll never be forgotten but such a shame she didn’t have more time. Thanks, hon! xx
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That’s so sad Jo, but heartwarming that she had such good friends to share this beautiful scenery with. She sounds like a lovely lady and I’m glad you walked with her for one last time.
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Life can be so unkind, Suzanne. You are right to live it to the full. Hugs, darlin! 🙂 🙂
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So sorry for your loss Jo and to hear of Bobbie’s passing. Life does not seem fair to nab someone who worked so hard to recover. May the memories of your inspiring friend bring you comfort.
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She was a kind and gentle lady, Sue. She deserved better but she made so many friends in her time here. 🙂 🙂
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This is a very sweet post – RIP Bobby. She sounds like an amazing woman.
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She didn’t have any enemies, and in this world that’s an achievement in itself! 🙂 🙂 Many thanks for your kind comment, Pam.
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❤️❤️❤️❤️
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This is beautiful Jo . . . . and will be a lovely added memory to look back on. Sending you all hugs xxx
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We seldom walk together without thinking of her, Becky. 🤗 A lovely sunny one today. Going to scout out a restaurant 😊💕
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So sad to lose a friend.. What a lovely walk in her memory.. I love eating medronho fruit.. Made a chutney with it but was very gritty.. 😉
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Hmm, an acquired taste, I should think, Lisa. 🤔 Thanks hon xx
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So poignant, Jo. It’s heartening to see what your group did to honor here – drink and all, I like that! It’s a beautiful place – those skies! The trees with their bare branches are particularly handsome. The photo of that one huge specimen, with the distant hills and cloud shadows, is breathtaking. Here’s to friendship!
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Yes, here’s to friendship, and to Bobbie! Life could have been much kinder to her, but she didn’t lack for friends, Lynn. 🙂 🙂
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What a sad but beautiful story Jo. So sorry for your loss. Your wonderful photos show that it’s gorgeous country and I can see why you love it, and why Bobbie did too. May she rest in peace.
Alison
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She should have had so much more time, Alison, but there is no rhyme nor reason. We have what we’re allowed to have, and we have to make the most of that. Thanks, hon 🙂 🙂
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A lovely tribute and celebration of your friend’s life, Jo. Were her ashes spread on the countryside, or returned to a different resting place?
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Some were scattered on her plaque, here in the Algarve, Draco, but her sisters and family took the remainder back to England with them. 🙂
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A marvellous way to remember your friend, and to celebrate her life.
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It felt like a celebration, Karen, though we’d far rather have had her with us. 🙂 🙂
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I’m sorry for the loss of your friend. The hills she loved are beautiful indeed, and it was a lovely tribute to head there again with her friends and yours and leave a little memory of her.
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Her home was in a quiet spot, surrounded by nature, Lexie. She loved every day of being there. 🙂 🙂
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Beautiful and at the same time a very sad post. Losing a friend is never easy, particularly when she was so young. It is lovely that her friends are keeping her memory alive.
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She was such a fighter, Gilda. Many days she didn’t want to climb those hills but she wouldn’t give up. 🙂 🙂
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