Rain drops are falling...

We had our first rain in 11 weeks yesterday. All in all it was good enough to wet the ground and get rid of a little bit of dust, but nothing more. This morning we woke up with the sun shining and the weather back to normal. Can we hope for another 11 weeks till the next rain drops?

Festas de Santa Maria

The festas of Santa Maria started yesterday afternoon and last until Monday night. They take place at the church just around the corner and involve mass, band processions, a tombola and live music in the evening by local Portuguese bands.

Sanding

Spent the day yesterday sanding down the doors that we will be keeping. Take a look at a before and after picture of the front door.

Sunflowers

Sunflowers in the garden, planted mid-June and they have just
started to bloom. It's amazing how beautiful colors in the garden give you that summer feeling, helped of course by the +35 degrees and all day long sunshine!

New pictures have been added under slideshow and vegetable garden! Take a look at our cucumber, zucchini, tomatos and melons! Soon we won't need to go to the store anymore to make summer salad! Olives and grapes are also coming along well, now it's time to look up what to do with them...suggestions are always welcome!

Peaches have been made into jam and taste wonderful on a 'bico' (local bread) for an early morning breakfast.

Market Day

Buying sardines at the local market in V.N. de Poiares.

Montemor-o-Velho

This is the castle of Montemor-o-Velho. If you're on your way to the coast(Figuera da Foz) from V.N. de Poiares, then this is a beautiful place to stop for a walk and a look around. The views are amazing and the atmosphere is simply peacefull.

Blue Sky

Taken on a walk around the neighbourhood

Follow the signs...

This is what the house looks like at the moment. The workmen are on holiday for 2 weeks so not much will change between now and August 16th, but we do hope that the windows for the top floor are delivered and placed by then.