Royal Wedding.

Celebrating a very happy day for an adorable couple, wishing them a long and happy marriage.

Boat trip

"Teal."

Daughter's version using a DoodleBuddy app!

Completely fascinated by how the crew tied up the boat.

Something very nice about messing about on a boat..

Broad Leys house on the banks of Windermere, designed by Charles Voysey..was used in the Film: The French Lieutenant's Woman, with the wonderful Jeremy Irons.

Easter 2011

Decorated hard-boiled eggs.

Carvoeiro.

There was a man stood high on the cliff casting his line down to catch his supper...how he didn't fall off I'll never know!

I saw a ship a-sailing...

Elephant sculptures appeared overnight in the square as part of the Easter celebrations.

A fantastic tapas bar with wonderful food.

Getting a little sand between one's toes.

Portuguese Custard Tarts.

Eaten warm, flaky puff pastry and a vanilla custard filling with a slightly caramalized glaze...to die for.

Alcantarilha.

Beautiful old church in the village.

Fascinated by the mud nests build by the swallows under the eaves on the houses.

Church bell...very audible in the middle of the night!!

Pizza restaurant..great takeaway.

Tuna pizza! Yes it was delicious!

Old doorway.

Portuguese garden.

Cow Parsley type plant.

Avocado and Yukka.

Poppy..petals like tissue paper.

We were fascinated by the long shell on this tiny snail.

Torrential rain keeps the plants happy if not us!

BBQ

Beautiful shadows cast on the wall

Drought tolerant, furry-leaved succulent type plant.

Portuguese architecture.

Pomegranate tree with fruits forming.

Ants organising themselves to carry away the crisps!

Lemon tree.

How wonderful to be able to pick a lemon straight from the tree..so fresh and zingy.

Vegetable beds

Spent all afternoon with my 10 year old daughter planting the veg beds. They're made from old railway sleepers. We planted 2 types of peas, broad beans, runner beans, potatoes, carrots, cauliflower, broccoli, brussel sprouts and some herbs: rosemary, parsley, sage, coriander, mint and thyme. Doused liberally in slug pellets because I'm sure I heard them whispering about this new fantastic restaurant that was opening tonight.....grrrr!! After they decimated what we'd grown from seed last year, I will not be taking prisoners! ;-)

Big Tree.

You are my shade from scorching glare;
protector against the rainstorm's drench.
In a landscape blotted from view, you alone
are my point of reference, my marker for
all seasons. Keeping watch over me.

Alive with the sound of new life;
magpie sentry spring-boarding aloft.
Sweet song call of a cheeky blackbird with
beak as golden as an Admiral's braid, pierces
the morning, he's calling for his love.

And now it is spring and your sap begins
to rise, youthful as ever with your heart
Of strong, sound, firm timber. Each branch yet
pliable and responsive to every breath
of wind that whips and plays with your
foliage exploding like fireworks from
sticky buds of promise.

I dream of sitting high on a bough
and hiding amongst your leaves.
How good it feels to walk beneath your branches
and to know you are always there waiting for me
to share in your wonderful story.
My dear friend,
sweet Sycamore.