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. 💕
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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 anicipate 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.
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 is still holds a nasty place in Portugal keeping many UK tourists away as they need to quarentine 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 here. 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 is still holds a nasty place in Portugal keeping many UK tourists away as they need to quarentine 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 here. 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 -- Just 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 house there. I couldn't return easily, since I have just one Covid vaccination to Con's 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 yo the Lidl.
