The picture above of the limestone precarious cliffs of Carvoeiro, is just 700 meters from our house.
The hiking map left shows a route, 5.5 mile (8.9 km) along the cliffs that ends in Ferragudo, a small town beside the Arcade River. Portimao is on the west side. The blue dot is where our house is located. My hikes begin directly south of our house to connect with the trail. The photo above is the first vision I see when I reach the trail. |
2020 was a stunning and painful year.
Living aboard Big Sky, with our house possession that September, we flew to South Africa, as last big trip before settling back on land. South Africa is remarkable country with many contrasts and with its share of beauty and sorrow. Visit our South Africa pages for more. While there, the pandemic took hold around the world, threatening our ability to return to Portugal. By the hair of our chinny chin chins, we got through the international borders to return to Big Sky in Lagos, Portugal and promptly entered the first of many lockdowns. Our plan to spend the summer in Canada with our family was crushed by the virus. September, we moved into our house, and euphoria filled our souls, with one big painful problem -- no family to share it with. We built a strong community of friends in the Algarve and continue to share many moments together. |
January 5, 2021 -- We ended 2020 with a huge scare! My healthy, athletic brother Doug in Toronto seemingly overnight was admitted to the Toronto General Hospital with a Staph infection. He underwent three major surgeries to extract the bacteria from his body, specifically his spine, neck, and under a lung. It was a tremendously frightening situation for a few weeks, until he arrived on the winning side of the infection. Today, he has been transferred to a rehabilitation hospital to regain the use of his hands and legs. We’re anticipating his full recovery, but it might take a year. Once again, for me, I'm reminded how precious life is and the joyful gift we have to live it. We are grateful for the expert surgeons, doctors, nurses, top-rate hospital equipment, and Merrilee, Doug's wife. Merrilee kept us informed in a calming manner. 💕
Double click pictures to enlarge
Con’s birthday gift to me was a month-long studio membership at the Carvoeiro Tennis Club just a few minutes walk from our house. I was enjoying a class or two a day. Zumba, various yoga, and belly dance classes and then, COVID lockdown shut that event off. January 15, all of Portugal went into a month-long lockdown. People are allowed to pick up groceries, medicine, and essentials, take a short walk (away from people), but for the rest, we are to stop socializing and tuck ourselves away.
The photos above were taken on my walk toward Ferragudo (map above). It's a stunning path running along the cliff edge. The white car is our new addition, a Skoda Kamiq. It has so many bells and whistles, like lane assist, self driving, electronics that connect through Bluetooth to my phone, navigation, and many things yet to discover.
The photos above were taken on my walk toward Ferragudo (map above). It's a stunning path running along the cliff edge. The white car is our new addition, a Skoda Kamiq. It has so many bells and whistles, like lane assist, self driving, electronics that connect through Bluetooth to my phone, navigation, and many things yet to discover.
Double click pictures to enlarge
January 30 — We were making plans to return to Canada and take our chances that we’d achieve our Portuguese Residency while there. Canadians are not allowed into the European Union without residency in one of the European countries. March 31st, our extended stay in Portugal is coming to an end unless the Portuguese government extends it again. The Canadian government announced last night that any Canadian returning to Canada will have to undergo three personally paid for Covid tests, and isolation in a government selected hotel for the minimum of $4,000 provided we test Covid free. It’s an incentive NOT to travel, which is incredibly annoying as it takes all our personal control away. Beyond that, it keeps us separated from our family for 15 months and counting.
We learned yesterday that daughter Bridget tested positive for Covid. She’s resting and doing okay.
We are two weeks into a four-week lockdown in Portugal. For us, our house and yard makes a pleasant place to isolate. The lack of friend-socializing is tough. Above, Con received his birthday gift early, new pots. Our citrus grove is ripening. We’ve enjoyed lemon loafs, lime Carlota, lemonade...
We learned yesterday that daughter Bridget tested positive for Covid. She’s resting and doing okay.
We are two weeks into a four-week lockdown in Portugal. For us, our house and yard makes a pleasant place to isolate. The lack of friend-socializing is tough. Above, Con received his birthday gift early, new pots. Our citrus grove is ripening. We’ve enjoyed lemon loafs, lime Carlota, lemonade...
February 20 — Following three Covid tests in two days, we arrived in Canada. We were invited to participate in an Alberta project to have two Covid tests and if negative get “outta jail” in 10 days, rather than the Canadian standard 14 days. I booked our next Covid test in 7 days. Graham our good friend drove us in his comfy Tesla winged door SUV from the Algarve to Lisbon. We checked into the Tryp and tried to get some sleep since we needed to be in the Covid antigen test hall by 1 am for our departure to Lisbon. Below, in the 1 am line up for our Covid test in Lisbon.
All Covid tests have returned negative, and in a highly unorganized boarding procedure involving various KLM staff checking various papers to see that we are in compliance, we boarded for Calgary. As a daytime flight, the skies over Greenland and Labrador were completely clear. The majestic vastness of the country was stunning and both of us had our noses to the plane window filling up on the beauty. The pilot walked by stopping to chat, “We’ve been talking in the cockpit,” he offered. “If we had engine trouble out here, there’s no place to land, and no rescue possible...” I looked a bit shocked, and he added leaning over for a better view out the window, “well, for hours. But, still, there’s no place to land.”
In Canada
February 24 — The world is still full of Covid fear and it’s pretty much the only thing spoken about in the news. Tomorrow, Con can register for the vaccination, because of his age, but there is no date announced for when it will be available. Tucked away in our daughter Nick’s basement suite, we have isolation in a pretty comfortable manner, however, it’s beyond annoying. Nick has provided everything we need, fresh foods, and lots of —too many— treats. We are on Day 5 with a promise to be released Day 9 or 10. We booked our fourth Covid test to be done in three days. When the negative results come through, we are freed. There are so many threats of jail and fines if we break the many rules. It’s on the news, given to us by direct email a couple times a day both from the federal government and provincial government, and there’s a mandatory tracking App on our phones. The government of Canada has us mark “Yes” that we will keep the App on our phone while in isolation and after when we are freed. After we have completed our quarantine, we will delete it. Temperatures in Calgary are cool, but the glorious sun shines brightly. I quickly established a daily routine. Up at 4 am, creating short videos from our fabulous adventures over the years, shoveling the snow off the three decks all the while soaking up Vitamin D, and wracking my brain for more and more difficult clues for Dex’s after-school treasure hunt. Below: A view from one of the decks.
March 4 -- Con and I are leaving Calgary for Red Deer where we will bunk with Lindsey, Les, Kate and Amy. Tomorrow, Lindsey has major knee surgery and we can be there to lend a hand.
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March 9 -- Con and I began our 14-hour drive to Vancouver from Red Deer to begin our Portuguese Visa D7 process. Leaving Red Deer we hit black ice just outside the Morley intersection delaying us by 30 minutes. A truck and car had slid off the highway into the medium. The big truck in front of us slid sideways down the highway and Con passed him using the shoulder. Just before Yoho National Park, we learned the highway was closed to Golden and detoured around adding nearly two hours to our trip, stopping at Chilliwack for the night. Early the next morning, we were in the car again, heading into the city for our 2 pm meeting, learning there was yet another long delay driving into Vancouver. The moment we handed in our papers, we began the 11-hour drive back to Calgary. The drive is spectacular.
March 21-24 -- Nick, Dex, and I stayed on Sunshine Mountain in the lodge at the top of the mountain for four days, skiing in the most perfect ski conditions. Fresh snow had fallen overnight, sun was bright, and climate mild. I downloaded a skiing App which registered 58.1 km as my fastest run. Both Nick and I were sure it wasn't our fastest, since the satellite didn't connect the second morning on the hill and we tore down one slope likely in the mid 60 kph range. Years ago, amazingly, we never wore helmets.
March 23rd, nine working days following our meeting in Vancouver with the Consulate, our Visa D7 was approved and our passports were making their way back to Calgary via Purolator.
March 23rd, nine working days following our meeting in Vancouver with the Consulate, our Visa D7 was approved and our passports were making their way back to Calgary via Purolator.
April 16 -- We managed to escape Covid-crazy, locked-down Canada for wide-open Texas. Unlike what some Canadian media try to imply, Texans are mindful of the virus and wear their masks, wash their hands, and keep a social distance. All stores, restaurants, and gyms are open and the economy is growing. Courtney, Mike and 11-year old Hailey are well and the house is filled with laughter day and night. After dinner, we clear the table for card games and fun family time.
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April 21 -- Following a fantastic week in Texas with Courtney, Mike, and Hailey, we tested again, and passed our 6th covid test for our KLM flight back to Portugal. In Texas, every night after supper, we gathered around the table either inside or out, weather depending, to play games. The goal: lots of laughs together. Our two months in North America has filled huge homesickness voids for all of us. Once covid passes, we anticipate lots of visits to our Portuguese house from our daughters and family.
May 6 -- Lockdown has ended!
In celebration of the end if the Covid lockdown in the Algarve, we hosted a Pot Luck BBQ with 10 friends. The weather was a glorious 26 matching the temperature in the pool. It was awesome! We expressed all our human social needs: laughing together, hugging, sharing stories and good food.
In celebration of the end if the Covid lockdown in the Algarve, we hosted a Pot Luck BBQ with 10 friends. The weather was a glorious 26 matching the temperature in the pool. It was awesome! We expressed all our human social needs: laughing together, hugging, sharing stories and good food.
May 13 -- Lots of rain in the Algarve leaving the area lush and green. Between rainfalls, I sanded and painted the chairs and table from the garden house in our yard. Next task is to have cushions made and then stain the house. See the before and after.
May 19 -- Larry would have been 69 today. He left us 20 years ago this July, but is never forgotten. He lives on in my daughters and grand daughters, and in my many happy memories. We met when I was 20, he was 23. We knew instantly that we were meant to be together. No one knows how long we'll have in this world. Hug the ones you love and tell them you love them.
Pictured above: Santarém from the castle; Larry with our young family; and Liz and Graham in Alvor where we had lunch. Below: picnic in Porto do Mos.
Double click pictures to enlarge
June 29 -- Casa Céu Grande has been undergoing a thorough painting now heading into our fifth week. There were many warn out area that needing patching, and the two painters have been taking on the task like old masters taking on a classic work of art.
Covid still holds a nasty place in Portugal keeping many UK tourists away as they need to quarantine upon return to England. Covid numbers rose in Lisbon, but all of Portugal has been painted "red zone". Covid blocks our family from joining us here which is heart breaking.
We continue to build wonderful friendships in Portugal. Pictured above, my coffee girl friends and spouses at a picnic in Porto da Luz; our awesome neighbours Oliviere and Pierre in Monchique where we had a delicious lunch at Paraíso da Montanha; our grape vine before we tamed it; and Con preparing to cheer on The Netherlands in UEFA2020 tournament. His orange wear has now been tucked away in shame. I'm giving our wicker chairs a fresh paint job. New cushions should be ready this week.
Covid still holds a nasty place in Portugal keeping many UK tourists away as they need to quarantine upon return to England. Covid numbers rose in Lisbon, but all of Portugal has been painted "red zone". Covid blocks our family from joining us here which is heart breaking.
We continue to build wonderful friendships in Portugal. Pictured above, my coffee girl friends and spouses at a picnic in Porto da Luz; our awesome neighbours Oliviere and Pierre in Monchique where we had a delicious lunch at Paraíso da Montanha; our grape vine before we tamed it; and Con preparing to cheer on The Netherlands in UEFA2020 tournament. His orange wear has now been tucked away in shame. I'm giving our wicker chairs a fresh paint job. New cushions should be ready this week.
July 27 -- Four more days and Con returns from Canada where he's been overseeing and doing many of the small and big maintenance jobs needed to our Calgary house. With just one Covid shot, I couldn't return easily, Con has two. I would have had to go into a hotel in isolation for a ridiculous price tag, for three days. Pictured above: Our house in Calgary where work to the roof began late because of the smoke from the fires in BC; fire in Monchique 40 minutes from our house in the Algarve; a few pictures inside our house as we find places for some of our furniture and art which arrived a few weeks ago; driving behind Gypsy's in Ferragudo on my way to the Lidl.
Above, a frog swimming in our pool; random photos of friends; and our family in the USA and Canada.
August 13 -- Friday the 13th, not such an unlucky date after all. We finalized the sale of Big Sky. She now belongs to a young family.
August 14, we celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary! Con made a reservation at SemiXO, a beautiful restaurant with attached vineyard and enjoyed a Chef's Special tasting menu. A jazz duo played throughout the evening. He played guitar, and she sang Amy Winehouse songs and other songs from decades ago.
August 15, temperatures finally reached their normal range with daytime highs 30 -36 this week.
Our garden is getting a lot of hands on care and water. Con and I tore ourselves away from our 32 degree velvet-like pool water to visit the town of Carvoeiro discovering a boardwalk along the cliffs and a tucked-in-the-cliff restaurant which we'll try for lunch.
Update: The restaurant had a gorgeous view and location, but the smell of cat urine nearly did us in.
August 14, we celebrated our 17th wedding anniversary! Con made a reservation at SemiXO, a beautiful restaurant with attached vineyard and enjoyed a Chef's Special tasting menu. A jazz duo played throughout the evening. He played guitar, and she sang Amy Winehouse songs and other songs from decades ago.
August 15, temperatures finally reached their normal range with daytime highs 30 -36 this week.
Our garden is getting a lot of hands on care and water. Con and I tore ourselves away from our 32 degree velvet-like pool water to visit the town of Carvoeiro discovering a boardwalk along the cliffs and a tucked-in-the-cliff restaurant which we'll try for lunch.
Update: The restaurant had a gorgeous view and location, but the smell of cat urine nearly did us in.
August 17 -- Temperatures have been in the 30s this week so you'd find us floating in our 32 degree pool water under our big hats. We decided to break out of our lazy pattern and headed to the quaint fishing village of Ferragudo for drinks to take in the local music.
August 22 -- Last week the "babies" as Con calls our garden of flowers, veggies, bushes, and trees all received extra water when high temperatures threatened their health. We invited neighbours, Pierre and Olivier, and Gregor and Larissa for an evening dinner outside. Chef Con prepared appetizers and a salad plate, I followed it with Key Lime pie. The joy of gathering with friends has never been more enjoyable than post covid. Below: the location of the cat smelly restaurant.
August 26 -- Yesterday, we visited the Saude Health offices to ask about our Utente numbers which enrolls us in the Portuguese system. They should have arrived a week or so ago. Today, we received a phone call "They are ready". I guess one has to be proactive.
August 27 -- Received my second Pfiser Covid shot today, the first was in Canada last April. Con had both shots in Canada and the Portuguese Saude has prepared an EU Covid Passport for him; mine to follow.
August 27 -- Received my second Pfiser Covid shot today, the first was in Canada last April. Con had both shots in Canada and the Portuguese Saude has prepared an EU Covid Passport for him; mine to follow.
September 8 -- Since joining the Padle Tennis Social at the Carvoeiro Club, we've been able to play each Monday and Friday. Pierre, across the street goes to yoga each Tuesday and invited me to try it out. I thoroughly enjoyed it as did my body.
Weather has been changing slowly as temperatures are a pleasant 25 degrees by day, a little below normal. An odd low mist rolled in from the ocean slicing open as it cut a path through our palm trees leaving a wet path over our neighbourhood. Once it rolled further north, a beautiful blue sky reappeared.
The garden is back in bloom, surprising us. Plants we assumed had completed their annual flowering burst out in colour again.
Con has cucumbers growing against the wire fence by his garden. We can watch the branch tentacles twisting slowly around the wires. Soon we will have so many tomatoes and peppers to manage.
Weather has been changing slowly as temperatures are a pleasant 25 degrees by day, a little below normal. An odd low mist rolled in from the ocean slicing open as it cut a path through our palm trees leaving a wet path over our neighbourhood. Once it rolled further north, a beautiful blue sky reappeared.
The garden is back in bloom, surprising us. Plants we assumed had completed their annual flowering burst out in colour again.
Con has cucumbers growing against the wire fence by his garden. We can watch the branch tentacles twisting slowly around the wires. Soon we will have so many tomatoes and peppers to manage.
September 18 -- Arrived in Calgary yesterday for a week. Lindsey collected me at the airport and 1.2 hours later, I was playing with Kate 7, and Amy 4. Today, Lindsey is 41. This is the first time in a decade that we're together celebrating her birthday. Usually, this time of year we're enjoying the last part of the sailing season before going into a marina for the winter. Up early, I put a birthday treasure hunt together for Lindsey. The kids enjoyed that! Lindsey and Les golfed today, and I had Kate and Amy all to myself. I'd say that's a birthday gift for me.
Above, Amy and Lindsey. While I'm in Canada, Con flew to The Netherlands to visit our Dutch family. The photo below was taken by four-year-old Amy.
Above, Amy and Lindsey. While I'm in Canada, Con flew to The Netherlands to visit our Dutch family. The photo below was taken by four-year-old Amy.
September 26 -- Following a glorious week with our Red Deer family, we all hugged goodbye believing it will be six months until we see each other again -- in person. Lindsey and I had a date Friday, mucking around shopping, sipping iced coffee, followed by a fabulous dinner. The girls are so affectionate, and a joy to be around.
Lindsey drove us from Red Deer to Airdrie, just over an hour and Nick drove from Calgary to Airdrie, about 40 minutes, along with Brit visiting from Saskatchewan. The four of us had a chance to catch up over coffee, outside in the cool morning air, since no one was allowed inside with Covid. Dex, 13 is nearly as tall as me. Brit and Dex exerimented with various foods dipped in chocolate. My vote was the chocolate dipped oreos. Later Nick and Brit bravely painted Nick's brass door frame a putty colour, and the garage doors a brown to match the front door.
Meanwhile in Lagos, Big Sky's new owner and his brother arrived to take possession. Con had Big Sky cleaned and polished, looking like it just came out of the factory. They spent the day going over many of the features and engine room. Tomorrow they launch her and Con will be on hand to help them get the kinks out.
Meanwhile in Lagos, Big Sky's new owner and his brother arrived to take possession. Con had Big Sky cleaned and polished, looking like it just came out of the factory. They spent the day going over many of the features and engine room. Tomorrow they launch her and Con will be on hand to help them get the kinks out.
September 29 -- Big Sky has been renamed "Praia", "Beach" in Portuguese.
October 2 -- I woke at 2:30 am anxious for my second try to cross the USA border to visit Courtney, Mike and Hailey in Conroe, Texas. Nick insisted she'd drive me, leaving before sunrise, at 4:00 am. I previously attempted to fly to Texas four days before and was promptly rejected at the USA border. Biden passed a proclamation that anyone leaving Canada for the USA must not have been in Europe less than 14 days. That well hidden surprise that cost me my flight, PCR test, and the trip to and from the airport, about $1,000 +. The plan was that I'd be in Conroe to coordinate Lindsey surprise visit. As events unfolded, Lindsey arrived a day ahead of me totally taking Courtney and Hailey by surprise. When the doorbell rang, Hailey said, "Mom, somebody is blocking the video screen and is taking video inside our house." Lindsey was pointing her camera inside through the glass door. Courtney later confessed that she nearly didn't open the door. It had been two years since they'd been together. We celebrated Courtney's 38th birthday with more laughter than we'd experienced in decades.
October 14 -- The construction team has been at it for four days, dismantling our ensuite bathroom to make it ready for its makeover. Unfortunately, the bathtub arrived in many pieces, and the floor tile came in the wrong colour. Following three days of chasing it all down, we now have the tile and a new tub should arrive by the end of the month. Below: broken tub, new design.
November 15 -- A lot has happened in a month. Our weeks are filled with Padle Tennis at the Carvoeiro Club where we bought a membership. The renovations at Céu Grande are completed for the time being. Two bathrooms renovated, and the small house (on our house) was taken down to make sunshine on the roof for hot-water solar panels. The photo below of the Foxtail Agave was taken at sunset. It takes 10 years to flower, a once in a lifetime event. Sadly, the Agave will die leaving seeds for a new colony of Agaves. Yesterday, Con and I played in the 25-degree pool as temperatures in our backyard reached mid 20s. We had lunch at a burger shack on the Praia da Marihna beach pictured below. The beach has been named the Most Beautiful beach in Europe again this year. Click on the photo with the cliffs for a full view of the beach to see for yourself why it was named, Most Beautiful. I'm enjoying freshly squeezed orange juice below at Campimar in Porto de Mos.
November 19 -- Our Dutch family arrived a few days ago and the weather has been cooperating. We've splashed in our pool, heated to 26 degrees, and visited Praia da Marinha, where Geert body surfed (with the waves winning). At one point he washed up to shore with sand and foam from head to toe, minus his prescription sun glasses.
December -- We celebrated Christmas with our neighbours on the 17th with take-out gourmet meals from a local restaurant. Two of the eight neighbours haven't had Covid vaccinations and were refused at the restaurant. It turned out to be quite luckily a much more fun night as we all got to know each other better.
On the 23rd, Con and I hosted a Christmas brunch for our long-time (well for two years) friends from the Lagos area with a Christmas gift exchange and a fun quiz competition prepared by Con. The winner received a bag of lemons from our yard and a jar of lemon marmalade made by Chef Con. Below a traditional Christmas puzzle and the views we get from our living room, since I forgot to take pictures at our Christmas party.
