Jo’s Monday walk : Back to Serenity (Monte Velho)

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.

The start of our trail
No neighbours?
Just a ruin…
Trees and shadows
Scorched, but surviving

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.

walking logo

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 :

Waiting for a sunny day

While Alice finds beauty of a very different kind :

The Elephant on the Desert

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 :

Hot Chocolate

Some beautiful finds in the woods, with Janet :

Monday walk…in memoriam

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…

Little bit dangerous

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’?

Frosty Morning Walk

A Winter Fantasyland

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 :

Hiking the Columbia Gorge

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!

119 comments

  4. What a wonderful way to remember a dear friend, Jo! I’m glad you could share this time and walk with friends as well. Although I’m heading to the park after I finish this comment for my Monday walk, the walk I’m sharing isn’t a long one, but it’s quite delicious and I know you’ll appreciate it. Many hugs and much love to you on this memorial Monday!!!

    https://sustainabilitea.wordpress.com/2019/11/25/monday-walk-but-not-too-far/

    janet

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  5. Pingback: Monday walk…but not too far | This, that and the other thing

  6. A wonderful way of remembering your friend with a walk in the hills that she so loved. A lovely heartfelt post with lovely photos, I love the first shot with its vibrant colours 🙂

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  9. Lovely Jo I am sure it was the colours subtle but engaging she saw. No G&T for me but I shall have a glass of wine for your friend.
    Well she’s walking through the clouds
    With a circus mind
    That’s running wild

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  13. Jo, I think Bobbie would be honoured by this post. Your warmth and love for her shines out, her personality vibrant. Life is so short, cruelly so at times. She sounds like a remarkable lady. That this is her favourite walk says a lot, the landscape is startling stark and stunning. I’m taken with it and reminds me a bit of the moors. Hugs xx

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  15. Oddly I once had a very good friend called Roberta Smith, also Bobbie. We met as 8 year olds when I moved to Scunthorpe and I hitchhiked to Zurich in 1972 to take over au pair duties for her whilst she had a holiday. Sadly over the years we lost touch. I thought she had moved to Spain. So whilst your Bobbie is probably not my Bobbie, you have reminded me of a special lady. A lovely tribute, Jo.

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    1. Isn’t life strange? 🙂 🙂 You’re about early, Jude. I seem to remember today’s date being mentioned in connection with your son. Is he back with you? Sending hugs, hon!

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  16. Lovely post Jo and a fitting memory to your dear friend. None of know how long we have do we so we have to cherish those special moments and wonderful friends all the more.

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