Almost every morning I climb the stairs to my roof terrace. I look out over the roof tops and salt marshes to the far horizon and catch my breath. Not from exertion, but the sunlight, glinting on the water, pierces my eyes and my heart. It dazzles me each and every time. There’s something about the quality of the light here. It illuminates my world, casting a spell, and I’m drawn to seek out the heavens, reflected in the water.
Somewhere that I can lose myself for a little while, hiding from a reality I’m powerless to change. Where sky meets sea is my escape. A lightening of heart, even when the spirit is low. The light changes with the hour, brilliant at midday and softer as the afternoon fades.
Some of these places are denied to me right now, but I know that they’re there, quietly waiting.
Green is the backdrop to our world, right now, here in the Algarve. Winter rains have refreshed and revitalised the land and filled the reservoirs. It’s a joyful sight because our summer heat can be fierce, and by September everywhere looks parched.
A boost for tourism?
Colours of the Portuguese flag
Some washing for Andrew
A ‘nora’, or well
Indecision rules?
Green algae on the salinas
My watering can
And my all green, curly plant
It’s Monday wash day again, but I’m living Life in Colour with Jude. Have a good week!
Guarding, or groundless? I think probably both. This handsome chap lives in a back street behind the salt processing factory. I’m sure he’d like to leap clear of that fence and gallop away. I thought Paula might like him, even though I’m a little late..
You may remember last fortnight I had a mild flirtation with the trees here in the Algarve. I enjoyed it so much that I thought I might get a little closer to the ground this week. Across northern Europe, Spring is beginning to bloom. Here it is already well established. Shall we dance?
Mimosa shimmy in the breeze
Marguerite sway, in more stately fashion
But blossom…
can reach the dizzy heights of the floral dance
Life may have its limits for us humans right now, but nature doesn’t seem to have noticed. Colourful blooms burst forth with exuberance, and we can only try and replicate the joy of their dance. Remember Terry Wogan’s terrible Floral Dance? He was never without a smile.
Bees buzz and twirl in partnership with the wild flowers that carpet the land. Yellow seems to predominate in amongst the luxuriant green, with here and there a spike of deep lilac or a smudge of blue. The dance can lead us up to the hills or out towards the sea, dipping to stroke and admire, filling our senses. The white broom shivers seductively in the hint of breeze, its days already numbered.
Gates control the flow of salt water
Shadows dancing as we tread the narrow path
Gently brushed by soft white broom
The sea so near, tantalising, but out of reach
Filled with the serenity the sea can always bring me, I turn my steps inland. Here the cistus are flirting with the hills, dancing in wild abandon.
Tiny blue stars sparkle in the shade
While one cistus finds a strange partner
And another basks in warm sunshine
But all are outshone by the flouncing skirts of this beauty
Much water has flowed down these hills this winter, and the gurgle of a stream we sometimes cross has become a clamouring torrent.
The stepping stones have vanished
Beneath the frolicking water
Time to turn our steps for home, but the dance is not yet done. Almost on my doorstep, the blooms still court my attention.
Flamenco red lanterna
Aeonium pulsating with colour
Delicious jasmine scents the air
Ameixa (plum) or pessego (peach)?
And my very own bougainvillea
The softness of an Algarve Spring is all around me. A world full of softness and abundance. I hope that Ann-Christine approves.
Walks proliferate this week. I noted in my Reader this morning that there are a couple of others and I’ll include them next time. Please try and visit each other. I’ll be back in two weeks. Join me next time on Jo’s Monday walk.
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A volcanic lagoon seems like a great destination to me. Thanks, Graham!
‘Monday is washing day, Tuesday’s soup, Wednesday’s roast beef, Thursday is shepherd’s pie, Friday’s fish, Saturday is pay day, Sunday is church, Is everybody happy?’ …. Your turn! ‘ You bet your life we are!’ 🙂 🙂
A mingling of Algarve washing, with a splash of happy yellow. Are you joining Andrew at Monday Washing Lines? You’ll have to peg neatly!
Many people asked last week. Because the soil is naturally a rich red and washes down from the hills in heavy rain. All is beautiful up there right now. Have a good weekend, and don’t forget to visit Debbie at Six Word Saturday
A very special person had a significant birthday this week. I know my daughter celebrated in style and, in our more modest fashion, we paid homage to Valentine’s day. Cake is for sharing, isn’t it? And who better to share with than lovely Su.
restlessjo 
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