Week 43 of our new life

Monday, another lovely sunny day, this weather must last for our visitors.  Nail day for me this morning, just in time as my nails are looking a bit worse for wear.  Then it was off to Carvoeiro to change the bedspread, managed to get the King Size, and then into Albufeira to get some pool towels, got 5 really large ones and got the ones with Map of Portugal and various other Portuguese colours on them, should keep the guests happy. Got home and managed to make one dark and white chocolate cheesecake for the freezer. Time then to get ready to go out, we were going out to eat at Ze Dias with Keith and Pauline, Linda and Tom, Alf and Lou, David and Ann, David and Pat, Gerald and Tony.  Keith and Pauline are headed back to the UK tomorrow so this was their last night.  Had a lovely meal, again with plenty of drinks and laughs.  Headed back to Linda and Toms for a last drink, we finally rolled home at 3.30am.  I discovered Baileys on this venture and must admit to quite enjoying it LOL.

Some of the gang

and again.....

Eyesight has gone!!

Tuesday, must admit to both of us feeling very tired and fuzzy headed this morning.  I was a good girl and did make it to the Zumba.  We should have been going out to Old Town Vilamoura at Lunchtime with Linda and Tom, but somehow Tom didn't manage to get out of bed, I wonder why that was!!!  We will hold that one now until our visitors have gone home. We decided to do some more tidying of the garden, we have a large section of garden running the length of the house outside the gates, when the road was being dug up a lot of branches, tarmac etc was abandoned there, today we decided we would tidy it all up, one of those jobs you know you need to get done but wish you hadn't started.  We got all the old branches/trees pulled out and piled up outside our bottom gate, think we can use some of them for kindling in the winter, and hopefuly Joao will take them away at the weekend, we also got the tarmac slabs picked up and we took them down the road to where the road workers have piled up a load of rubble and tarmac and dumped them there. Looking a lot tidier now and hopefully I will be able to plant some stuff in the gaps to make it look prettier.  Had a chat with our neighbours opposite Birgit and Klauss, lovely German couple who have had their villa for sixteen years but only live here in the winter, they go back to Germany in April, they have a lovely garden and all plants that don't need water, so I will need to do some research.  Finally made another dark and White Chocolate Cheesecake and 8 Fondant Sponges for the freezer, plenty of desserts for the family as well.  Feeling quite jaded now so think it will be an early night tonight.

A lot to clear

Nearly cleared

Still clearing

Man at Work

Just adding to the pile

Wednesday, Douglas golfing today, so a very busy day for me, washing and cleaning, ironing and then made Rabbit Stew for the freezer also Lamb Shanks and Meringues, everything clean and ready now for visitors, even the cot is ready in the Double Room and Twin Room organised also. A very productive day for me, and Douglas won on the golf as well. The window people came today with our fly screen for the terrace door and they also resealed the kitchen window, so another job done.  Now I can sit back and relax and enjoy time with everybody.  Only thing I haven't got done is cleaning the windows, sure I can do that perhaps when Lynne and Zoe are chilling or I can just leave them until everyone has gone home, will anyone notice??
Douglas found a video from Monday night of Tom singing along to Sugar Baby Love, The Rubettes, so funny, there will be a few laughs at the next 5 o clock club this time at Toms expense, Douglas gets so much stick due to Independant Scotland etc etc, at the club he is Scotty Dog 3, but it is all good fun.

Twin Room Ready

Teddies are waiting

Will somebody play with me

Big wardrobe for little clothes

Little Peoples .......

Bathroom

Double Room ready

Waiting for a small person

Thursday, Portuguese lesson today, phrases and conversation, quite good once we grasped it, lessons are also changing with 2 weeks being hour and a half lessons and one week an hour and one week no lesson, not too worried as it is still the same time spent.  Then it was off to the shops to get a couple of last minute bits and bobs and then to the airport to pick up Lynne and Zoe, great to see them looking so well, but a bit disappointing as the weather has dropped a few degrees and it is quite chilly, also on the way home the rain started. Lynne and Zoe got settled in, Douglas went off to his 5 o clock club and then the heavens really did open and it poured for the rest of the night.  Zoe helped me juice the oranges for breakfast and I made Macaroni Cheese for Tea and Lynne and Zoe were in bed for 10, the weather forecast for the whole of their stay is not looking too good, I am praying it changes.

Zoe on the Juice

Friday, everyone got a good comfy nights sleep, its a bit cloudy but fingers crossed it stays dry, bit of a chilly wind.  Lynne and Zoe investigated the garden, I had a chat with Joao about a few other bits that I want done to the garden which is all very positive.  We waited for a company to come and see us about our pool cover, finally Douglas phoned them, they were due at ours at 10.30, by this time it was nearly 12, they were not going to get to us until late afternoon, we were waiting to go out so Douglas told them to forget it, they are now going to come on Monday, they don't think to ring and tell you that they changed their time!!!  It is Portugal after all!!! Because of the weather we took Lynne and Zoe for lunch at Venepau in Almancil and then to the Forum, Algarve shopping centre, Zoe spent some of her money on Lego etc so they was quite happy, not Douglas favourite pastime wandering around the shops.  Back home and a couple of drinks on the terrace, then we went out to Chicken Luis for Chicken and Chips, some of our friends were there having a meal and they were going back to Felipos bar afterwards, so we decided to join them, got home about 11.30, Lynne had a couple of Dissaronos before going out and then in the bar she had Almondeira, so a late night for all of us.

Cheese & Ham Toastie

I have eaten mine

is that a Meringue in my mouth

I quite like this shopping centre

Zoe and Lynne

Which is my favourite

Built my lego already

Saturday, I thought I was the only one in the house, nobody got up until 10.00am, by the time we had breakfast, we decided to go to Loule Market, so Zoe could see all the fish for sale, we had a wander round the market and I bought Chicken, Oranges and Strawberries and then we had a wander through Loule, it had started to rain when we left the house but by the time we got to Loule it had dried up.  Lynne and Zoe bought another couple of bits and bobs, by this time the sun had come out again and was quite warm.  We took a chance and went to Faro Beach, it was lovely and Zoe had a great time collecting shells and playing in the sand, we all walked up the beach.  Again the clouds came over and became quite black so we headed back and went for a snack at the beach side, Lynne had a Vodka cocktail and a cheeseburger, Zoe had a cheese and ham sandwich, Douglas had a Gallou and I had Tea, we weren't hungry LOL.  Headed home at which stage we could see it was raining quite heavily where we live, but by the time we got home again the sun was out, so on to the terrace as the bar was open LOL.  For tea tonight it was home-made chicken nuggets and chips, with home-made meringues and strawberries with ice cream for dessert.  Went down a treat.  Zoe helped me juice the oranges for breakfast, this has become her job while she is here, both of them in bed before 10 tonight, must be the air or something, as they are both tired.

What is this on the beach

Come on Mum bury me

Walking in Grandads footsteps

I can bury myself

Thats what I call a Vodka cocktail

Sunday, well after one hour less sleep woke up to find it was fairly warm and dry, so that is a bonus, decided to go to Olhao Market, never having been there before we thought it would be like the usual markets that we sometimes go to.  This one was a gypsy market, which seemed to sell some very strange things, from nuts and bolts to brassware, clothing and even broken taps!!! I suppose somebody will always need a spare part or two and you would be guaranteed to get it here I think!! Not to worry we spent a couple of hours walking around, Douglas got me a Soup Tureen and two trolls!!! Zoe bought Lynne a lovely silver and amethyst ring for her mothers day pressie.  I got lovely cards from Richard and April and Lynne and Zoe and a keyring with a picture of all the grandchildren on it from Lynne, so was fair chuffed, as Katie and Danny are visiting over the next week I will get more pressies then LOL.  Nice messages on Facebook and WhatsApp so I know they all think about me. Back home and on the way the heavens opened and it rained, only in for half an hour as we had booked to go for Sunday Lunch at The Boliqueime Inn as it was Mothers day for 3.00pm.  We had tried to find the inn before to go for a meal but never found it, this time it was quite easy and we arrived on time.  This is a lovely place very quaint and run by an Irish family who are lovely people, but it was very strange being surrounded by Brits as we tend to go more for Portuguese Restaurants.  The food was excellent although very large portions and once we had finished a starter and main course there was definitely no room for pudding, Douglas and I felt full to the gunnels, but it was a lovely lunch and well worth it. Headed back home and had to put the log fire on and the heating.  Such a shame the weather has been wet and cold this week, but we have managed to get out and about with Lynne and Zoe so not too bad, it is not forecast much better for next week either and thats when Katie and the Kids will be here, oh dear I fear they will not be able to use the swimming pool just yet either. This has been a good week and we have made the most of the weather, plus update on Miss Madison.

Waffles at the market yum yum

Is this for Armani !!

I am very cosy thank you

 

Week 42 of our new life

Monday, Up early today as Douglas was golfing, it was hot at 7.30 and the day just got hotter.  Had a day doing house work, washing, ironing catching up on emails and phone calls.  Had an hour in the sun which is enough for me when it is hot, I like to take it a little bit at a time.  Was quite a long day as Douglas went straight from golf to the 5 o clock club but I managed to keep busy.  Pauline passed me some more cuttings for the garden, I haven't even planted the cactus yet so I need to get my finger out LOL.  A busy day tomorrow so will be an early night me thinks.
Tuesday, Zumba this morning and then a flying dash home to get showered and ready to go to Pauline and Keiths for Lunch.  Pauline and Keith are on the last week of their stay as they head back to the UK after spending the winter here, they rent a villa in Santa Barbara every year from October to March and party for 6 months.  We had been invited for lunch along with Linda and Tom and Richard and Jeanette were still staying with Keith and Pauline so there was 8 of us for lunch.  The weather was gorgeous so we were able to have lunch outside with plenty of Sangria and cold beers.  We had Prawns in Garlic and Chilli, Thai Green Chicken Curry and Strawberries and Cream, a really lovely lunch.  The men all donned their St Patricks hats and we had a good laugh, finally finished about 7.30pm.

The 4 Musketeers

and again

and their ladies

Linda, Pauline & Jeanette

Wednesday, off out shopping today, still looking for bedspreads and sun loungers, trying hard to get organised for our visitors arriving.  No luck with either.  Off out tonight to Mr Freddies in Vale do Lobo, Richard and Jeanette go back to the UK tomorrow so this was a special last meal for them.  What a Restaurant and What a meal, eight of us again, so plenty of wine for everyone.  The food was out of this world, expensive compared to usual but well worth it for that special occasion.  I had Scallops in Lime and Coriander, Duck with Vegetables and Rosti Potatoes and Bolo Chocolate with Ice Ceam, this is a melt in your mouth chocolate cake to die for, everybody enjoyed their meal and we finally got home about midnight. I do wonder why I am not losing weight, too much eating out and drinking LOL, mind you I am not putting any on either so must balance out somewhere.
Thursday, Portuguese lesson this morning, phrases today, quite good when you are in the classroom, not so good when you are trying to remember later on.  Went shopping again, this time managed to get Sun Loungers, Cushions and Bedspreads, although got home and the double bedspread is too small so will need to take it back to change it, damn nuisance as had to go to Carvoeiro for them which is quite far, will please Douglas that we have to go back to change it.  Managed to get the last 4 Red Cushions for the loungers so well chuffed, stopped at Vilamoura on the way home to restock the drinks shelf so spent quite a few euros today, so Douglas has his grumpy face on.  Never mind he is off to the 5 o clock club so should raise a smile
there.  No plans for this weekend as need to finish sorting the house for our visitors and preparing food etc so that we can enjoy our time with them all.  Looking forward to seeing everybody.
Friday, bit cooler today but the sun is still shining.  No plans for this weekend hoping to get some things finished around the house.  Food shopping today, trying to think of as many different things as possible for when the family are here, so bought a lot of shopping and have planned some nice meals for when we are in, all home-made so I am going to do a lot of prep so that I don't spend all of my time in the kitchen and of course we will eat out as well.  Planned some nice desserts also so ready to go on the food front.  Was hoping to get the outside BBQ area scrubbed today, but didn't go to plan as other things came up.  Managed to get a couple of cactus that Pauline had given me planted and then spent quite a bit of time chasing a parcel that Richard had sent on to me.  It had been delivered here but is now on its way back to Scotland oh it is so frustrating.  Did receive a couple of other parcels that I was waiting on, clothes ordered online, again frustrating as most of them now have to be sent back, pain in the neck sometimes ordering online as you cant really tell what the things are like until you get them, then it is all the hassle of sending them back, and shopping here is just not good, for clothes anyway.  Just have to have a trip back to the UK for a shopping fix.
Saturday, out to the market this morning to buy rack of lamb, rabbit and ribs and also bought some monkfish, asked the man to fillet them for me as I cannot do that, he skinned them cut off the heads etc and presented me with 4 lovely fillets, he also gave me two bags containing the heads etc, I asked him what I am supposed to do with them, evidently they are used to flavour rice amongst other things, they are now in the freezer until I can find someone who can tell me what to actually do with them, the thought of it makes me feel sick LOL.  Then it was off to Mick and Paulines to water their garden, as they are in the UK until Tuesday this was one of my promised jobs.  Then home to do some work around the house.  We spent 4 hours power washing the BBQ area and the Pool side, wow did we get some dirt off but both areas have come up lovely so well worth the effort.  By the time we had finished it was just after 7.00pm so time for a wee drinkie, well earned.

Very clean poolside

even cleaner

shining

Monkfish

Sunday, busy day again today, I spent a morning in the kitchen making home made Beefburgers, Fennel Soup with Roasted Ribs to go in the freezer, hopefully the grandchildren will enjoy the burgers, also made Crispy Duck with Plum Sauce for dinner.  This afternoon we finally got our outdoor table and chairs put together and have set them out on the BBQ terrace, we now have seating outside for 12 people ideal for summer entertaining.  Also found cushions that I had washed and packed away when we moved here last year, so the table and chairs on the terrace now have cushions, well chuffed.  Finally sorted out the Double bedroom, have had to put some stuff in the pool room just to make room, storage space is a little short, when we have visitors we have to find homes for everything which is quite difficult LOL.  Never mind once we get the storage sorted then the bedrooms will be permanently ready.

The table set up and ready

for entertaining

Update Miss Madison

I am very happy

Week 41 of our new life

Monday, up and about early today as going to Exeter to do some shopping and dad wants some more cupboards cleaned out. Got to Exeter around lunchtime, Douglas got some new trousers and shorts, I actually didn't buy anything.  Have got enough in my suitcase as Dad has given me some bits and pieces, a Marble Pestle & Mortar, a Bean slicer!, 2 Flower Pots and Six Ice Cube Moulds,  and also got a present for the house, a lovely slate cheeseboard and slate cracker board,  from my sister so just as well really, hopefully have enough room to fit some Teabags in, only like Tetley Decaf and cannot buy them at home. Any body that visits has to bring a big bag with them LOL. Back to Dads, onwards with the cupboard clear outs, oh my dad never throws anything out so there was lots to clear out, more bags to take to recycling tomorrow, and more washing for me to get done.  Pity we had not done this when we arrived as I will be struggling to get the washing dry before we leave tomorrow, not to worry will have a go and then maybe have to put it on the drying frame before we leave.

Bits & Bobs from Dad

Present from my Sister

Tuesday, didn't sleep much last night worrying that I needed to get dads washing done before we leave today. That's what happens when you clean out his wardrobes etc. Knew I would get it washed but would struggle to get it dry, never mind washed and hung out on the line early to get at least 4 hours of drying time.  Then it was tidy up time and off to the cemetery to put flowers on gran and granddads grave.  By the time we got back it was time for lunch and a wee sit down before leaving for the airport.   Got the washing in and hung up on the clothes horses, dad will get Lena to sort it out for him over the next couple of days. Everything sorted, goodbyes said and off to the airport. It has been a good few days, with a good laughs and it is good to see dad in such fine fettle.  Long may it last.  Slight embarrassment at Bristol airport, put my luggage through the scanner, man had to then ask me to openly case as he wanted to check an item in it, pulled out a box and asked me what it was, a bean slicer I said my dad gave it to me.    Thought Douglas was going to have a heart attack, when did you sneak that in!! After it was given the once over it was allowed through, this did lead to questions as to what else I had in my case that he didn't know about it? Nothing to worry about said I Lol, I am always good for a laugh.

Wednesday, back to normal today, Douglas playing golf, it was too nice for me to be doing housework, plus we had been away so the house didn't need anything doing to it. Planted up some bulbs in my new pots and the Rose bushes then went for a walk.  Walked down to the local cafe and had some lunch and then walked back so one and half hours walking and an hour for lunch, my day had soon disappeared.  Douglas got back from Golf with another two plants for me to pot up, Pauline had given him two cactus, I will plant them another day.

Bulbs are planted

1st Leg of walk home

2nd leg

3rd leg

4th leg

5th leg start of our road

6th leg

7th leg

8th leg

9th leg

Get to the top and I am home

Thursday, Portuguese lesson today, recap on numbers from last week, oh no hadn't done any practice this week, was good with the sentences but the numbers are just not there at the moment.  We stopped to have a coffee with Pauline and then off to Faro, I wanted to do some clothes shopping and get some new sheets and towels.  Manged to get the sheets and towels but clothes, nothing in the shops here for me.  Got back home and Douglas had the 5 o clock club, Internet was on so I managed to do some shopping on line, Internet didn't last too long it is just so hit and miss at the moment and we are still waiting for the engineer to come out and change the equipment, still waiting...............
Friday, the weather has just been so good this week and it is set to be the same next week, only hope it is like this when the family are over at the end of the month.  We finally got the irrigation system put into the garden, thank goodness as it has been so dry I was getting worried about the garden, the lads done a good job digging out the tracks for the hoses, and Joao put in the new computer pump, at the moment it is set to water every other day but as the weather gets hotter and drier he will set it for every day, Douglas will then moan about the use of water LOL. Everything was all tidied up at the end so you would not think that loads of tracks were dug into the garden. Went down to Santa Barbara to check if a parcel has arrived, no parcel, this is Douglas Christmas present that I am waiting on, ordered on the 10th December, arrived at Richards in February and then he posted it off last week, still waiting.  The Internet engineer arrived today, at last, he has changed over the router and now we are back up and running, hallelujah, two weeks without Internet was not very good, albeit it worked occasionally and very very slow, at least I was able to use dads while we were there. Then it was off to do food shopping, and then home to catch some sun.  Off out tonight to a Tapas bar in Sao Bras with Linda and Tom, Keith and Pauline and Jeanette and Richard.  Another good night, although the food was not up to much which was disappointing, but had a great time and there was a duo on singing for a couple of hours and they were very good.  Finished off at Cafe Pinto at which stage most of the company was slightly worse for wear.  Back to ours for a nightcap!!!!

Irrigation for the roses

Track for the Fruit Trees

More Track

From one end...

To the other end..

and in the middle

and around the side

and to the front a lot of irrigation

The Happy Crowd

Pauline getting in the swing

Richard loves his mum

What shall we drink

Can Pauline focus

Patricia having a break

Saturday, Up bright and early today, sorry to say Douglas wasn't very bright, or early!! went to the market as wanted to get Meat and Fish, managed to get Meat freshly cut Lamb Shanks Cut in front of me and Steak Mince, minced in front of me and Chicken Breasts, only one Monkfish left though so wasn't enough for what I wanted, will have to try and get some through the week.  Outside of the Market place was a meeting of the Algarve Hells Angels with all their Harley Davidson's, wow what a collection of bikes from brand new to older models, unexpected bonus for today, a lovely sight to see.  Back home for Douglas to have some more recuperation, off out tonight to a Flamenco show in Faro with Tom and Linda.  Went for something to eat first at Flor De Ameixe, a lovely little restaurant that served a very good steak much better than last night.  The show started at 9.30pm and I have to admit I really enjoyed it, although not sure what Tom and Linda and Douglas really made of it!! only difficulty was trying to understand the story, as it is all sung in Portuguese we could relate to sorrow and happiness just by facial expressions, needless to say the dancing was excellent and it must take some stamina to be able to dance like that.  The male dancer was so lean you could see his ribs, and the way the female managed to kick away her long skirts while dancing was fascinating, a good experience to watch.  Home by midnight, an early night for us.

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Sunday, another early start, meeting Mick and Pauline and going to Caldos Monchique for a craft fair and lunch and then went onwards to Monchique which has some delightful little shops,and lots of bronze statues scattered throughout the village, bought some pot pouri and a strawberry (very large) dipped in chocolate, quite yummy. Bought my sister a Present as I had promised her I would get a knitted granny next time the show was on, lots of lovely hand made items at these fairs which always make good presents.  Next one is in July.  Then it was back to Mick and Paulines for a couple of drinks and Pizza, home early and as it is still very warm on the terrace to round off our day.  Has been a good week, busy with lots of socialising but fun, hopefully a bit quieter next week to recharge the batteries, not so sure though.

One of many in Monchique

Full moon to end our night