Tavira

Musings at sunset

Ponte Romana, Tavira

How many times have you seen this image, or one very like it, on my site? I make no apologies. It holds for me many happy memories and I hope to return to Tavira later this month to make a few more. Today’s photo was prompted by Sylvain who asks for something classic and simple- a sunset- for this week’s challenge. He has some beauties, so do go and look.

It was a beautiful evening

This month is very busy for me. Today I’m heading to the Lake District. I thought I might capture a little window of sunshine but the forecast is wet! wet! wet! So, that waterfall I planned to see will be full! full! full!

Next week Lumiere comes to Durham. The last show in 2013 was fabulous. This year I’m excited to see where Stuart’s sea glass wave fits in.

And then Tavira! No matter what the weather throws at me, I’m determined to enjoy November. I hope you do too.

Six word Saturday

Hello, and how are you all?

The ‘tents’ return to Tavira

What a fortnight, but what to select to show you what I’ve been up to? In brief, of course. More by luck than planning, the Mediterranean Diet Fair took place whilst I was in Tavira, which accounts for those little white tents and the variety of goodies within. It marked the end of an extremely hot Summer, in which the evenings were soothed by riverside entertainment.

The floodlit castle walls took on a magic of their own

And the churches opened their doors to show everyone the beauty inside

Including the incomparable beauty of the Misericordia Church

With its wonderful azulejo panels

The days were spent mostly wandering beaches. I discovered a new obsession with buoys. And I continued my exploration along the west coast of Portugal, up into the beautiful Alentejo.

Zambueira do Mar in the Alentejo

There was just something about them

That kept catching my eye

Along with a shell or two

Then there was the excitement that was the Medieval Fair at Castro Marim, with both castelo and mighty fortress an arena for combat, and an array of stalls and distractions. Plus an evening of sand sculptures at FIESA.

Adding colour to Beethoven at FIESA

I even managed to combine Morning Glory for Gilly with a hint of metal bench for Jude! Yes, it was a fine holiday, and there are many tales to tell. Gilly is going to the Algarve soon herself, and Jude always extends a warm welcome, so pop in and say ‘hi’ to them both.

A bench at Cacela Velha

I have to decide where to take you walking on Monday, and then I have a wedding in Poland, so I’ll miss Six word Saturday again next week. I hope you’ve all had a great Summer, and if you’d like to share it with Cate I’m sure she’d be pleased. See you soon!

Six word Saturday

The view that draws me back…

Looking down the years of our Portuguese home, there’s an image that appears over and over. It’s the bridge, Ponte Romana, in Tavira, with its lovely backdrop. Many’s the evening I’ve idled, with a glass of port, watching the dip and swoop of the swifts. Trying hard to catch their flight on camera, in an unsuspecting moment.

It’s just one reason to keep me going back.

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This week Brie Anne at The Daily Post asks if you have a ‘muse‘. Something to which you are drawn again and again.

Meanwhile Cate has just six words at Show My Face. How about you?

In response to The Daily Post’s weekly photo challenge: “Muse.”

Santa Maria do Castelo

Such a gentle invitation

Tavira, in Portugal’s Algarve, has so many churches that I often walk by without a backward glance. Taking our customary first day stroll back in April, I spotted a sign outside the Church of Santa Maria do Castelo. An invitation to a temporary exhibition of Sacred Art. My curiosity piqued, nothing for it but to step inside.

Photos were not allowed within the exhibition space, so I contented myself with absorbing the atmosphere of the empty church.

Peaceful in her alcove

The Church of Santa Maria do Castelo is a 13th century building, rebuilt after the earthquake of 1755. Believed to be on the site of a former mosque, as the name suggests, it is perched up on the hill beside the castle. All that remains of the castle are a few walls and an evocative garden.

Within the church lies the tomb of the seven knights of Santiago who, according to legend, were killed defending the town from an ambush by the Moors. The wood carving is exquisite.

The wood carving is outstanding

One of more than 30 churches in and around Tavira, this link will give you a brief introduction, if you are at all interested. Until the end of August, 12 of the towns churches will be open during the week, so now is a good opportunity to take a look.

The azulejo panels are also incredibly beautiful

Some of the artwork is overly decorative and not to everyone’s taste but it is set in a serene and beautiful white space, and the ceilings are wonderful.

As I slipped out of the door I paused to capture an angelic wood carving, and incurred the wrath of the curator. I had forgotten to take the flash off my camera. Be warned!

I left feeling very guilty, but I hope that, if you’re in the neighbourhood, you’ll stop by.

Six word Saturday

What time do you call this?

Silly o’clock in the morning?

But this makes it all worthwhile

And this guy made me smile!

My feet have barely touched the ground since I got back from Tavira yesterday afternoon, and before you know it I’ll have gone again! Just time to gather up six words and a few photos, and to crave your indulgence as I try to catch up with you all. Thank you so much for the wonderful comments and visits you have made. Very ‘early doors’ on Thursday I’m heading to Poland with Dad, so sharing my happy memories will have to keep for a while.

Just time for a bird’s eye view, from the Castle walls

And there’s always time for flowers

From one of my very favourite places

I will be fitting in one very English walk on Monday, before I go, so please join me then, if you can. In the meantime, have a great weekend, and I’m sure you can find six words to share with Cate at Show My Face.

“Fado com História”

The venue

As I was meandering around the cobbled streets of Tavira, I spotted, several times, a leaflet in a shop window. Always interested in a new venture, I went to find out more. ” Fado com História” is situated in the heart of the old quarter, just beside the Misericordia Church and below the castle walls. What I found delighted me. If you’ve never experienced Fado, or think that it might not be for you, I can recommend you to this introduction.

Fado originated in Lisbon, and the show begins with a video featuring some of Portugal’s most famous Fado singers, so that you get a feel for the sound. Most prominent among these was Amalia Rodrigues(1920-1999). She said that “Fado has to be felt. Fado isn’t sung, but just happens. You feel it, you don’t understand it, nor can it be explained.” Such passion did she arouse that, when she died, Portugal held 3 days of national mourning.

A wonderful live performance

Nowadays Fado can be heard throughout Portugal, usually in an atmospheric bar or restaurant. “Fado com História” is a small venue, featuring a trio of live artists. They include Virgilio Lanca, who plays guitar and makes most of the explanations in a soft voice. He describes fado as “a song that gives you goosebumps”. Miguel Drago plays Portuguese guitar, which has 12 metallic strings in groups of 2. You could hear a pin drop as the two begin a guitarrada, demonstrating the ebb and flow of their art.

They are joined by a fadista, Teresa Viola, a lovely young woman with a beautiful voice. She closes her eyes, takes a deep breath, and leans into the performance. Accompanied by the guitarists she sings 4 or 5 fados, explaining the stories behind them. The backdrop is a wall-sized photograph of a 1942 performance at Cafe Luso, in Lisbon, featuring the great Amalia.

The passion of the performers for their project is clearly evident, and at the end of the show they are happy to talk about it. They are working in conjunction with the Fado Museum in Lisbon but have found a different way to present fado, and the live performances are key.

The museum is open from 10am to 5pm every day except Sundays, and a new show begins each hour. Details are at http://www.fadocomhistoria.wix.com/fado . I can only suggest that if you have the opportunity at any time you should go along. You will be warmly welcomed. This video is in Portuguese but is quite easy to follow.

Six word Saturday

Home again, with just my memories!

Flying into Faro

Can it be 3 weeks since I took this shot? I love flying in, across the offshore islands, and looking out for landmarks. Planning what we’re going to do with all that time! The friends we’ll meet, the walks we’ll take, nice meals and restaurants to enjoy… Then, all too quickly, it’s gone, and I’m home again. But at least I have the blog to share a few of my memories.

First day there, I always stroll around Tavira, looking for changes and familiarising myself with ‘old friends’. This year I found myself fixated on benches! They were everywhere I looked. Jude has a lot to answer for!

Throughout the riverside gardens

There’s lots of temptation to sit

Spot the ‘deliberate’ mistake

The perfect place to look at my favourite bridge

But I really rather like this bike shot

Lots of choice today!

Even this, rather ugly duckling!

Did I hear you cry ‘enough benches!’ You have to be joking. Loads still to come. But for the sake of variety, I did spot a few other things, en route.

Like this face, on a door

This table decoration

And I know you love cakes!

I always like to check out any new shops, too. Casa da Bli on Rua da Liberdade was full of goodies- toiletries, wine and lots of pretty things.

Aren’t these lovely?

And just across the street, this handsome fellow

We listened to some excellent Fado too, at newly opened Fado com Historia. A post will follow.

A wonderful performance, at Fado com Historia

Naturally, we got out and about walking in the beautiful countryside, and I hope to entertain you with some of that in my Monday walks. But I can’t resist a snippet or two, while I’m daydreaming.

Spot any benches?

With tables too!

And awfully nice eucalyptus trees

And how about this for a view?

And a place to just sit and stare!

Of course, what Jude really wanted to see this month was black and white benches, so I have no choice but to conform. But not before I share a sunset seat.

For lovers

Will this do, Jude?

For those of you not familiar with the Bench Challenge, please follow my link and all will be explained. Please conform a little more than me though. I don’t want to make Jude cross.

Meantime, have a lovely weekend. It’s a glorious Spring day here in the north east of England so it’s not so bad to be home. Please do find time to visit Cate at Show My Face and share your six words, won’t you?

Six word Saturday

Burning the candle at both ends?

But such a pretty one!

My Christmas season has started already, with a dinner party and a zumba one! Barely just got the energy to post Six word Saturday, so here are a few restful images from the Algarve.

Peace and quiet at the Carmo Church

Gently stranded on the shore

Admiring that last glint

As the sun goes down

Maybe a stroll in the Praca

The first hints of an Algarve Christmas

A beautiful house sign

And a wise old owl, for Gemma

I haven’t posted in the week because I’ve been having conversations with Margaret-Rose Stringer about the best way to load an image to WordPress. I’m still not sure that I have it right, but you can read M-R’s thoughts here.

Now, where shall I take you walking on Monday? That’s my next decision. Meantime, have a great weekend and don’t forget to pop in on Cate at Show My Face.

Six word Saturday

Could a week be more different?

Halloween, Algarve style

You might wonder what a random bunch of Algarve kids are doing in my Six word Saturday. Lovely Colline in Toronto was kind enough to link a Halloween walk to my Monday walks feature. When I said I’d seen some small ‘trick or treaters’ whilst out walking in the Algarve, Colline, who is a teacher, said that she’d love to see them. I thought that you might too.

The skyline that I love

Truthfully, it’s not been much of a week. I’ve sniffled and snuffled my way through it, looking out of the window hopefully for blue skies, of which there have been few. To be fair, we are clinging on to random bursts of Autumn colour, which I witnessed yesterday at t’ai chi, after a day of miserable rain. The sun burst forth at teatime, just in time to set, and this morning a soupy grey fog is pushing up against the windowsill. Soon I shall determinedly make my way out into it. I’m tired of being cooped up.

I’m missing my empty beaches

And the shells I found everywhere

Neatly folded, one with the other

With that pearly sheen I love so much

Especially on the gritty river bank

And twinkling near the water

So many shapes

And delicate loveliness

Serene in their beauty

But it’s not all doom and gloom. I finally managed to activate my new smartphone last night and am looking forward to playing with Instagram (don’t hold your breath!). Maybe my old friend will be waiting for me on that shoreline, refreshed from it’s swim. Time will tell!

Meanwhile I’ll look forward to next year’s ‘trick or treaters’

Happy weekend to you all! Don’t forget to visit Cate at Show My Face to share your Six word Saturday. I’ll be cosied up watching ‘Strictly’. See you on Monday, for my walk!

Six word Saturday

Overwhelmed with wishes! Thank you all!

I seem to've got myself in a hole at the moment!

I seem to’ve got myself in a bit of a hole!

You’ll be able to find out where on next Monday’s walk, but meanwhile I have some serious catching up to do! I just wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has left comments on the blog in the past week. I’ll be visiting you as soon as I possibly can.

I had a wonderful birthday, and the smile on my face wasn’t even seriously dented when my mobile phone made a bid for freedom from the bottom of my bag and swam off beneath the ferry! It did, of course, provide much amusement for the other passengers. I hope you’ll excuse me if I simply post a quick gallery of highlights.

Naturally I got a wet bum!

And ‘captured’ some more shells

I smiled a lot, in a windswept way

And drank coffee with this lovely man

There were boats, of course!

For a bit of culture, we went to Corte Real art gallery

And visited the palace gardens at Estoi

Birthday evening was spent in my favourite restaurant

With lovely appetisers

And a lizard or two for company

Rounded off nicely with a stroll by the river

Such delightful memories! Here’s wishing you all a wonderful weekend. I’m off to visit Cate at Show My Face and check out Six Word Saturday. See you soon!

restlessjo

Roaming, at home and abroad

Tavira

Musings at sunset

Six word Saturday

Hello, and how are you all?

Six word Saturday

The view that draws me back…

Santa Maria do Castelo

Six word Saturday

What time do you call this?

“Fado com História”

Six word Saturday

Home again, with just my memories!

Six word Saturday

Burning the candle at both ends?

Six word Saturday

Could a week be more different?

Six word Saturday

Overwhelmed with wishes! Thank you all!

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Hello, and how are you all?

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The view that draws me back…

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What time do you call this?

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Home again, with just my memories!

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Burning the candle at both ends?

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Could a week be more different?

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Overwhelmed with wishes! Thank you all!

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