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This year marks three years in our bonita casa
in Carvoeiro, Portugal. |
January 1, 2023 -- Con and I brought in the new year sound asleep, only waking with the amazing fireworks the town set off at the Carvoeiro beach, a kilometer from our house. Weather is gorgeous. I'm cleaning the patios and outside furniture while Con plants a garden of veggies and fills flower pots. Couldn't imagine those days when I'd park my car at the Calgary train station, trudge through a half meter of snow to the train. We're living a fabulous life, in a welcoming country.
January 8 -- Dinner with 10 neighbours last night at Chrissy's was delicious.
Winter in Portugal -- A gorgeous time of year when the succulent plants show off their blooms. Double click any picture to enlarge.
February 4 -- Last month was filled with heart aches as we said our final good bye to Albertine, Con's youngest and closest sibling. Following surgery last July, Albertine battled one complication after another, and on January 17th, she slipped away. Con was by her side, as was Geert and Anna, another brother and sister. Con and I shared the Christmas season with her in The Netherlands and had just returned to Portugal when Geert called Con to return, "the end is near". I collected pictures from family and friends to create a beautiful 30-minute video and then joined Con for an emotional funeral.
SUCCESS, I hope... I am now a Portuguese Temporary Driver's Licence holder! I won't bore you with how many avenues we traveled down or how much money we spent, with each being rejected before we finally achieved the right formula to get this far. In a perfect world, Con will have his temporary licence Monday.
With Padel Tennis happily dominating our lives, we decided to take a mini break to drive to Lisbon for a few days and take in a concert, a pre-birthday get away for Con. Friends couldn't use their tickets, so we have become the lucky recipients.
Last night, partner Wicky and I teamed up for a padel tournament. We had a good time, but didn't place well.
With Padel Tennis happily dominating our lives, we decided to take a mini break to drive to Lisbon for a few days and take in a concert, a pre-birthday get away for Con. Friends couldn't use their tickets, so we have become the lucky recipients.
Last night, partner Wicky and I teamed up for a padel tournament. We had a good time, but didn't place well.
SEVILLE
February 22 -- Yesterday, we left Carvoeiro for Seville, Spain, a pleasant 2.5-hour drive. After checking into the Raddison Hotel, in the heart of the city, we set off on foot, putting 21,000 steps on my Galaxy watch. Entering the Seville Cathedral, temperatures dropped at least 10 degrees celcius. What a difference where the sun doesn't shine. The cathedral boasts the second largest area of square footage for a cathedral. Famous too, for housing Christopher Columbus' bones. Once outside, the sun warmed us under the famous Giraldo Bell Tower of the Seville Cathedral. Originally a Muslim minaret, it was later topped by the Catholics creating a 104-meter high tower. Click on any picture to enlarge.
February 22 -- Yesterday, we left Carvoeiro for Seville, Spain, a pleasant 2.5-hour drive. After checking into the Raddison Hotel, in the heart of the city, we set off on foot, putting 21,000 steps on my Galaxy watch. Entering the Seville Cathedral, temperatures dropped at least 10 degrees celcius. What a difference where the sun doesn't shine. The cathedral boasts the second largest area of square footage for a cathedral. Famous too, for housing Christopher Columbus' bones. Once outside, the sun warmed us under the famous Giraldo Bell Tower of the Seville Cathedral. Originally a Muslim minaret, it was later topped by the Catholics creating a 104-meter high tower. Click on any picture to enlarge.
February 23 -- Our day started with an Uber driver taking us to the Plaza de España, a place we've visited in the past with Doug and Merrilee, and a joy to revisit. Built in 1928 for the Ibero-American Expo of 1929, it's now a superb landmark mixing Baroque, Revival, Renaissance, Moorish, and Spanish architecture. Today, these extraordinary buildings are used as government offices and museums. We had purchased tickets to the Royal Alcazar Palace earlier that morning for noon entry and hustled back into the centre of Seville by foot. The fortress, originally Christian was conquered in 712 by the Caliphate and constructed the beautiful embellished palace still standing today. It took 500 years of construction to create this ornate gem of Seville. We walked through the enormous buildings and gardens for most of the afternoon. That evening, we selected a tapas restaurant online and made our way there only to learn that of the hundreds of tapas restaurants in Seville, we had selected the same one we ate at with Doug and Merrilee years ago.
Out the door by mid morning, we walked to La Casa de Pilatos palace. It has one of the largest azulejo collections in the world (tiles) and a garden that was started in 1483. Look at the age of the bougainvilla plants. The palace is lived in today, and access to the second floor (living quarters) can be made for an extra cost. From there, we walked to the Setas de Sevilla, also known as the mushroom of Seville. It's a wooden structure designed by a German who won the idea competition for what to build in the old quarter. It claims to be the largest wooden structure in the world, completed in 2011.
February 25 -- Today, my Saturday padel tennis partner Antonio (centre) and I achieved second place in a challenging tournament. We had some of the best games and longest rallies.
Five of us set off on a Sunday morning hike ending our trek at Carvoeiro beach (behind us) for iced coffee. Left to right: Jane, Jayne, me, Poppy, the dog, Yasmin, and Rita.
March 12 -- Three girl friends and I set off through Silves' orange groves on our weekly Sunday hike. Of course, we had to sample many oranges. Left to right: me, Yasmin, Rita, and Jane.
PORTUGUESE ISLAND OF MADEIRA
March 14 -- Flying into Funchal, Madeira was a thrilling experience. The small plane banked hard as it turned to enter the elevated runway located beside a canyon-like wall of rock. For a moment, it felt like I was back aboard Big Sky on a severe heel. This airport has been named the third most dangerous airport in Europe, in fact crews need special training to land there. The Atlantic winds are unpredictable. The runway is 1,800 meters long and 70 meters above the ocean supported by 180 concrete pillars. As a past time, people head out to the airport to watch the challenging landings.
Exhausted from lack of sleep, having woken at 2 am for our flight from Faro to Lisbon, and waiting for our delayed flight Lisbon to Funchal, all we were able to do was a short walk to the Magnolia Botanical Jardin, not too far from our hotel. Today, we set off well rested in a Bolt, (rather than an Uber, since Ubers are banned here following a war with the taxi drivers) we arrived at the largest Botanical Garden, followed by a cable car lift back into Funchal, a 560 meters above sea level trip. The garden showcases 2000+ plants teasing Con with lots of exotic ideas for Casa Ceu Grande (our house). Double click any picture to enlarge.
March 14 -- Flying into Funchal, Madeira was a thrilling experience. The small plane banked hard as it turned to enter the elevated runway located beside a canyon-like wall of rock. For a moment, it felt like I was back aboard Big Sky on a severe heel. This airport has been named the third most dangerous airport in Europe, in fact crews need special training to land there. The Atlantic winds are unpredictable. The runway is 1,800 meters long and 70 meters above the ocean supported by 180 concrete pillars. As a past time, people head out to the airport to watch the challenging landings.
Exhausted from lack of sleep, having woken at 2 am for our flight from Faro to Lisbon, and waiting for our delayed flight Lisbon to Funchal, all we were able to do was a short walk to the Magnolia Botanical Jardin, not too far from our hotel. Today, we set off well rested in a Bolt, (rather than an Uber, since Ubers are banned here following a war with the taxi drivers) we arrived at the largest Botanical Garden, followed by a cable car lift back into Funchal, a 560 meters above sea level trip. The garden showcases 2000+ plants teasing Con with lots of exotic ideas for Casa Ceu Grande (our house). Double click any picture to enlarge.
March 13 -- With a plan to drive to the Levada das 25 Fontes (waterfalls) parking early to beat the tourists, we hustled out the door and arrived by 9:30. The first part of the hike was a steep 1,000 meter downhill walk which did Con's knees in. He took a shuttle back up and I carried on for a 4.5-kilometer hike and was rewarded with the spectacular falls.
Madeira is made up of volcanic rock and a tangle of flora about 57 km long and 22 km wide. The volcano is not active. We drove from our hotel located on the south side, cutting through the mountain rocks, tunneling out the other side to breathtaking peaks, passing cliffs and valleys to our hiking spot. Once I'd completed my hike (20,000 steps and 81 floors registered on my galaxy watch), we carried on to the north side and then down the eastern side. The sand around the island is volcanic black. The island has been called Swiss Cheese from the number of holes (tunnels) engineered for cars and hikers to pass through, in fact, there are more than 150 tunnels!
Madeira is made up of volcanic rock and a tangle of flora about 57 km long and 22 km wide. The volcano is not active. We drove from our hotel located on the south side, cutting through the mountain rocks, tunneling out the other side to breathtaking peaks, passing cliffs and valleys to our hiking spot. Once I'd completed my hike (20,000 steps and 81 floors registered on my galaxy watch), we carried on to the north side and then down the eastern side. The sand around the island is volcanic black. The island has been called Swiss Cheese from the number of holes (tunnels) engineered for cars and hikers to pass through, in fact, there are more than 150 tunnels!
March 16 -- Our Bolt driver collected us at the hotel and in his electric car we climbed the steep, narrow Funchal roads to the top of the mountain to Monte Palace, a beautiful 18th century property transformed into a tropical garden.
March 31 -- Girl friends gathered in Silves for an afternoon to celebrate Rita's birthday. The food, drinks, and laughter kept coming.
April 1 -- Padel partner Jane and I won second place in the F4 tournament. It was an exhausting six hard games one right after the other.
April 21 -- Long-time friends Ellen and Dave arrived from Calgary for a month. We enjoyed a few days together before flying to The Netherlands for the internment of Albertine's ashes. Today, Con and I visited the Kuekenhof Tulip park where 7 million flowering tulips, daffodils, hyacinths, and more are in bloom. Unfortunately, we needed to pre-purchase tickets not knowing that the day and time we'd purchased it would be pouring rain. "Wet is wet," is what we'd say to grandchild Hailey, when she was 3, visiting us in Turkey nearly 11 years ago when it rained. We still went out to play.
May 7 -- Lost in Wild Boar Territory
An "adventure" may be an understatement. Five girl friends and I set off on a gentle down-hill hike to a picnic area in Monchique where the husbands would join us with the food and wine. One husband (who knew the route) pointed down the dirt road saying "Go straight, you can't miss it." We set off down the hill, heading toward the picnic site. One of the ladies who had done the hike told us that we'd cross the river seven times. We decided to turn left toward the river. Almost immediately we were lost. We met up with a creek but no more path, just thick prickly bramble bush. We decided we must have lost the path, and it would be best to follow the creek toward our picnic area, believing it would end up at the site. What we didn't know at the time was that we were following the wrong tributary. We sloshed through the creek up to our shins for two kilometers. At one point, a sandy bank opened and we climbed up realizing we were in Wild Boar territory. Frightening? Yes! I picked up a big stick hoping that a bop or two on the nose might deter. The path led back to the frog-filled creek. Unable to get a fix on our GPS, or reach any internet, now 4.5 hours into our walk and late for our rendezvous with the men, we took a vote. Do we retrace our steps or carry on. The vote was undecided so we carried on a bit further. The area got denser and denser and the wild boar were ever present in our minds, seeing the markings of their existence in the area. Using a compass, we believed we were actually moving too far south and should be more west. We took another vote stating the majority wins and we stick together. The vote was to return. We traipsed 2K through the creek and bramble to our creek entry point and then straight uphill on the never-ending gravel road hoping to pick up internet. Finally, my Galaxy watch vibrated, indicating we were back online! I contacted Con. He and Ray now had a fix on where we were. Relieved, I believed we see them driving down the gravel road. Jane and I picked up our pace to try and get help for the four behind us. Near exhaustion, Jane panted, "Where are they? They should be here by now."
I called again. "We're at the top of the hill" Con said light heartedly, "eating the delicious hummus and drinking cold beer." Sheesh. They soon realized the need to collect us and set off down the gravel road. By this time, Rita had caught up to Jane and me, and when the boys arrived, we ushered them further down the gravel to collect the others. 28,900 steps on my Galaxy Watch that day.
An "adventure" may be an understatement. Five girl friends and I set off on a gentle down-hill hike to a picnic area in Monchique where the husbands would join us with the food and wine. One husband (who knew the route) pointed down the dirt road saying "Go straight, you can't miss it." We set off down the hill, heading toward the picnic site. One of the ladies who had done the hike told us that we'd cross the river seven times. We decided to turn left toward the river. Almost immediately we were lost. We met up with a creek but no more path, just thick prickly bramble bush. We decided we must have lost the path, and it would be best to follow the creek toward our picnic area, believing it would end up at the site. What we didn't know at the time was that we were following the wrong tributary. We sloshed through the creek up to our shins for two kilometers. At one point, a sandy bank opened and we climbed up realizing we were in Wild Boar territory. Frightening? Yes! I picked up a big stick hoping that a bop or two on the nose might deter. The path led back to the frog-filled creek. Unable to get a fix on our GPS, or reach any internet, now 4.5 hours into our walk and late for our rendezvous with the men, we took a vote. Do we retrace our steps or carry on. The vote was undecided so we carried on a bit further. The area got denser and denser and the wild boar were ever present in our minds, seeing the markings of their existence in the area. Using a compass, we believed we were actually moving too far south and should be more west. We took another vote stating the majority wins and we stick together. The vote was to return. We traipsed 2K through the creek and bramble to our creek entry point and then straight uphill on the never-ending gravel road hoping to pick up internet. Finally, my Galaxy watch vibrated, indicating we were back online! I contacted Con. He and Ray now had a fix on where we were. Relieved, I believed we see them driving down the gravel road. Jane and I picked up our pace to try and get help for the four behind us. Near exhaustion, Jane panted, "Where are they? They should be here by now."
I called again. "We're at the top of the hill" Con said light heartedly, "eating the delicious hummus and drinking cold beer." Sheesh. They soon realized the need to collect us and set off down the gravel road. By this time, Rita had caught up to Jane and me, and when the boys arrived, we ushered them further down the gravel to collect the others. 28,900 steps on my Galaxy Watch that day.
May 8 -- Celebrating Stephanie's BDay Wednesday, as the heat of the day began to subside a bit, twelve women got together to have a two-hour padel joist followed by the tasting menu at the Carvoeiro Tennis Club.
May 11 -- Dentist Our favourite dentist Dr. Monica is in Lagos, 40 minutes from Carvoeiro. Our check ups resulted in Con having to have a tooth pulled and in a few months, he'll have a shiny new implant. We planned a lunch date after with friends Judy and Chris.
The next day, the Veteran Padel Tournament began. Partner Jane and I had no idea the games would be so challenging. We played two ladies from Lisbon, two from Portimao, and two from Albufeira. We managed to win one set, but didn't progress to the finals.
The next day, the Veteran Padel Tournament began. Partner Jane and I had no idea the games would be so challenging. We played two ladies from Lisbon, two from Portimao, and two from Albufeira. We managed to win one set, but didn't progress to the finals.
May 17 - 27 -- Lorings Visit!
For 10 glorious days, our house, especially our pool exploded with activities, laughter, hugs and so much love. The Loring family arrived! Lindsey, Les, Kate 8, and Amy 6 arrived at the Faro Airport, all of them with enormous smiles which never left their faces the entire time. We booked into the Slip and Slide in Estombar for the day experiencing the fun of the slides of all types. Crowds weren't too busy so line ups were non existent. In a rental, five of us drove, and me on my ebike to Carvoeiro Beach for sea shells, sand holes to bury the kids, followed by a round of ice cream cones. We had sushi twice, and poffiterals (Opa made, every morning but two). Con figures he made 680 of 'em. Every day was a pool day and on our last full day together, my friend Jane arrived with nephew Oliver 9, for a final full-out play in the water. Jane took more photos that we did in our 10 days together. The photos below are from her camera.
For 10 glorious days, our house, especially our pool exploded with activities, laughter, hugs and so much love. The Loring family arrived! Lindsey, Les, Kate 8, and Amy 6 arrived at the Faro Airport, all of them with enormous smiles which never left their faces the entire time. We booked into the Slip and Slide in Estombar for the day experiencing the fun of the slides of all types. Crowds weren't too busy so line ups were non existent. In a rental, five of us drove, and me on my ebike to Carvoeiro Beach for sea shells, sand holes to bury the kids, followed by a round of ice cream cones. We had sushi twice, and poffiterals (Opa made, every morning but two). Con figures he made 680 of 'em. Every day was a pool day and on our last full day together, my friend Jane arrived with nephew Oliver 9, for a final full-out play in the water. Jane took more photos that we did in our 10 days together. The photos below are from her camera.
June 1 -- Tough Padel Tournament Last Night
Wednesday, Hump Day padel from 7:30 - 9:30 was tough! We played five games, the first one was against the couple that later won. Our score: 10-2. Ouch. We had the "2". It's always a good opportunity to play with good players so we can identify our weaknesses. At this level of play, "age" is the challenge that Con's struggling with the most. He's fantastic at 77, against players in their 30s and 40s.
Wednesday, Hump Day padel from 7:30 - 9:30 was tough! We played five games, the first one was against the couple that later won. Our score: 10-2. Ouch. We had the "2". It's always a good opportunity to play with good players so we can identify our weaknesses. At this level of play, "age" is the challenge that Con's struggling with the most. He's fantastic at 77, against players in their 30s and 40s.
June 16 -- Last Sunday, Jane, Rita, Jasmin, Jasmin's dog Poppy, and I set off to Rota Vincentina for a beautiful hike along the western Atlantic coast. It's a network of 750 KM of walking trails through southwest Portugal. We started in Carrapateira in Aljezur and walked for a few hours, stopping early afternoon for sangrias and pizza.
June 17 -- Carvoeiro Black & White Beach Party
Celebrating Jane's 60th birthday, five couples, good friends of Jane and Ray's, flew in from the UK for a week-long visit. We were invited to their Saturday night BBQ followed by a night at the beach in Carvoeiro for the Black and White party. An anticipated 30,000 people were expected. The night is a simple affairs, music, food and drinks, more music and dancing. We had the best seats in the place, a corner spot at the Sky Bar, three stories above the crowds.
Celebrating Jane's 60th birthday, five couples, good friends of Jane and Ray's, flew in from the UK for a week-long visit. We were invited to their Saturday night BBQ followed by a night at the beach in Carvoeiro for the Black and White party. An anticipated 30,000 people were expected. The night is a simple affairs, music, food and drinks, more music and dancing. We had the best seats in the place, a corner spot at the Sky Bar, three stories above the crowds.
The month of August laid out below in photos. Con and I enjoyed 3.5 weeks in Canada, arriving from Portugal into Saskatoon where Brit collected us for the 3-hour drive to Carrot River. Our lugguge didn't make the connection in Paris, so we stopped in Prince Albert for simple toiletries. The $85 price tag for these items was absurdly high. Well, WestJet promissed a reimbursement... it never materialized. We went to the lake where Con, Kris, Nolan and a friend fished while Brit and I paddled in kayaks. Once in Calgary, we listed our house and condo on the real estate market. Both were sold in bidding wars, the house went in three days. We caught up with all our daughters, son-in-laws, and most especially with our five grandkids.
October 1st, Birgit, Michael, Pierre, Rita, and Diogo set off from Estombar in an outrigger for Restaurant Club Nautico where we met up with Olivier, Con, and Great Dane Rattatoui for refreshment before paddling back at sunset.
My latest stained glass art: The Thinker
October 11th, weather is deliciously warm. Con drove into Lagos for an investment seminar, meeting Graham, Liz, and me for lunch in Portimao. I rode in on my bike, stopping to take a photo of the ocean and people frolicking in the water.
October 13 -- Pizza night at Pierre and Olivier's house across the street with Birgit and Michael.
November 23rd we flew Lisbon to Amsterdam to Calgary to Saskatoon, rented a car and drove three hours to Carrot River to spend a few days with daughter Brit, and hubby Kris and grandson Nolan. We drove two hours the next day to Nolan's hockey game in Prince Albert. Weather was bitterly cold and bleak with overcast skies and blowing snow. Nolan's AA Hockey was about exciting as an NHL game, with lots of action but no fighting. Kris helped me select a base made of Weeping Wood for the Stained Glass Thinkers I made for our daughters.
November 28th we arrived by air Saskatoon to Calgary, rented a car and drove 1.5 hours to Red Deer just in time for Amy's 7th birthday. We asked her to name the restaurant so we could take everybody out. She said, "Sushi!" She doesn't love it but her family does. That weekend, kids were invited to join Amy to celebrate at an indoor climbing park where Lindsey and Les picked up pizza, fruit, veggies, drinks, and a delicious cake. We ended the celebration by pulling out all the Christmas decorations.
December 4th we returned to Calgary to visit Nick, Bryant, and Dex, and Courtney and Hailey. We bunked into Nick's new location in Belair. Con spent a day at his company, Eagle Pump and Compressors for a shareholder's meeting. Since visiting Carvoeiro, Nick and Dex, 14, have taken up padel. Nick and I shopped until the mall closed one night managing to purchase a few cute padel skirts--one each. This week, the four of us played three times for a total of five hours at their nearby indoor courts.
Tomorrow, the family is celebrating my 68th birthday (early) at Nick's house. We will finally get to see Courtney and Hailey who have been busy all week.
Tomorrow, the family is celebrating my 68th birthday (early) at Nick's house. We will finally get to see Courtney and Hailey who have been busy all week.
Christmas day -- Con and I enjoyed dinner in front of our swimming pool. Weather was as delicious as our meal. We chatted with all the kids and grandkids (although missing a chat with Hailey). Kate and Amy received smart watches and Lindsey shared a link with us so we can chat with them through their watches.