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