few last beach pics

We finally got a warm day today. And when I peeked out from the shade, it was very nice. The kids were having a blast with their friends at the splash pad again. Pool would be nice. Maybe a visit to mother in laws for a pool dip. They live in a different town where there is no strike. yeah.

Here are a few snaps of one of the best beaches we went to in Portugal, Praia Beliche. The one we discovered on our last days there and the winds were not too overwhelming.

Here's a pic for a scrapbook page for sure.


Our 1st time there, it was late in the day. We hadn't intended to stay, just check it out. Of course, the kids had the most fun there. And got wet playing with the waves.


I think the waves won on this little game.


This is St. Vincente. It is the most westerly point in Europe. Sailors used to think it was the end of the world. I have a feeling I've written about this before, but it could have been on facebook. Sorry if it's a repeat here.


This is the cliff on the other side of St. Vincente. If you click on the picture, you can see there are 2 fishermen on top of the rocks! That's some long pole and line!!!


No plans to go out tonight, hope to make something. My little room is feeling neglected.

Thanks for looking,
Amanda

Land sailing

On a trip to Sagres, the most westerly point in Europe, We passed this intriguing adventure. Since my DH LOVES to sail, I convinced him to try it. (didn't take much).


Introductions were made, rules were read and they were off to get suited up.


Henry did a few laps around to get used to it and had a bit of a race with the owner. Now that guy was fast!


July and August are the windy months, it was so crazy windy. they are a year round operation. Mostly bookings in the fall and Christmas/New Year's and easter bookings also. The grasses continue to grow, so in Late October/November, when it is a little wet, they groom the course to make it smooth. They continuously check for rocks and holes throughout the season.


I couldn't believe when my son wanted to go on it too!!!! A little Henry JR. in the making. He was so pumped and LOVED it. I can see these 2 going out sailing at regattas in a few years while mama takes her little doll to crops! HAHA


It was a great adventure and a different story to tell.

I actually stayed up past 8:30 last night and hope to get to my room to make a card soon. it's been far too long. Going to get the new Stampin' Up catty this weekend, so I'll truly be inspired.

thanks for looking,
Amanda

last days in Portugal

Don't worry, I still have 2 more stories to tell you after this post, so my Portugal adventures are not done.

On the last few days, we took it easy and visited some places from last year. We went to Lagos to look around. If you are ever in the Algarve and are missing home, as in English speaking people, go to Lagos. it is such a tourist town. lots of brits and germans. But I enjoyed walking around there last year, and it was too windy to go on the beach that day, so off we went.
It is so neat to compare this trip to last year's trip and how the kids have grown in that time. Last year when we went on this carousel, henry had to get on with Neve, as she was too little. this year, she was waving proudly like the queen passing by on her little horse.


Here is a sand of Neve and me on the beach in Beliche. Big high cliffs to climb down, but on the bottom, the winds were tolerable. we even went back. (it's where I got stupid tourist burn #2.)


This is how everyone dries their laundry in Portugal. Or inside. Haven't seen clothes dryers anywhere. It amazes me how they even got these clotheslines up in the first place, strung from across all the windows.


And after our 4-5 hour adventure to get from the Algarve back to Lisboa, and a short rest at home, we ventured out at 9:30pm to attend a summer fair. There were many artisians, music, food, food food and lively moods. It was wonderful. (another difference from last year, I would never have agreed to going out so late at night with the wee one.)At this market, I got some pottery and cork coin purses. Yeah! Finally found the booth. Was such a nice night to be out and about.


Thanks for tuning in to my adventures,
Amanda

few odds n sods

We are finally home from our amazing vacation! this year was soo much better than last year.
#1-the kids are a year older! that made so much difference. We didn't have to figure out naps or feel the effects of not having one for the wee one. She was that more independant
#2 it was a month later, so it was warmer! So much warmer. We got to go into the water a few times
#3 we visited family first, then had a week on our own at our holiday house
#4 on our week alone, we visited with family who were also on vacation about an hour away. So we got to visit them and they visited us., We actually got to host them. And our rental house was perfect for it.
#5 We knew what we wanted to go back to see and where we wanted to go
#6 i didn't just turn 40 and have to deal with that little bit of yucky like last year. lol
#7 i felt better physically, as I had been working out for 8 weeks before hand. i lost most of that hard work eating cheese and bread 3 times a day before every meal!!! But the gym felt good today.
#8 I had something to do with my hands. Even though we were super busy and falling into bed everyday, I did get to make some crochet flowers with my new anchora threads and I made a bag that was in my head at the relative's place. creative of holiday.
#9 we had already met the relatives. Last year we were meeting them for the 1st time, this year, it was like family! :} we had such a great time with all of them.
#10 I was happy happy happy. even when I got sunburned. twice. in different places.

Here are a few random pics:

So here is a pic of the gang getting ready to chow down on some moose meat. it came all the way from Newfoundland. My uncle got it in the fall of last year and my cousin's daughter brought it to toronto in the spring. Henry cooked it up in Portugal for a fine meal. Everyone loved it


i noticed a lot of these pants around. New trend to hit North America next year? I don't quite get them. Guess it that over 40 thing. :}


Last year, I was on a large quest to find some cork products. Finally, our gracious host/cousins found me a coin purse in Lisbon. This year, mere stpes from our hotel in coimbra, was a store, that we passed a million times everyday, selling cork products! i almost melted. i actually shivered. Decided I wouldn't splurge and got this little case that matches my purse. I had wanted one this size to fir the purse and my credit cards so I could change it from bag to bag. how excited I was.


That's it for now. Must pick up pieces from getting home.

Checkin' in!

I'm blowing away here in the Algarve, sitting under a shady tree with free wi-fi blowin' in the wind. Here is some craft related pictures for you.




My computer battery died earlier, so i couldn't post. it is now the end of the day. We finally found a beach with not so much wind. it was very big cliffs to climb down. Amazing! Of course, we didn't think we'd spend any time there, so the kids had the most fun and got their street clothes soaked. Fun though and mama always comes prepared with extra clothes. Will post pics tomorrow.

oh, and pics of my son and DH land sailing. Yes, really! I mean, why not. there is no shortage of winds here. may as well play with it.

off to eat the leftovers from the last few days.only 1 day left here and 1 day in carcavelos.

later....
AP

Monchique, but really Gois and Folgosa

We are stopped in Monchique for the day. Loving this little town in the mountain. Very much a tourist trap though. But Hey, is that not what we are?

But let me talk about our visit to Samoura and Gois. Which was cut a day short.

We went to isabel and Antonio's house in the mountain. they grow their own food. We ate pork, beans we just picked, oranges, cherries, plums, potatoes etc. The kids had a great time visiting the "fields"which is on the hill.

here is a pic of the open fire to cook. They do have a stove, but why use that when it tastes so good over a fire inthe kitchen floor?


Here is a pile of harvested cork that will probably be making it's way to Canada


I love this pic, you have pears in the foreground, beans on the ground, to the right in the back are grapevines and to the left is corn.Amazing eh in such a small space.


Here is this year's family shot on the rooftop in Folgosa. Henry's mom's house in the mountain mountains! the oranges we picked from the tree there are so yummy.


And lastly, a peek at pickin' the beans.


Must run, kids are antsy to go get some lunch. maybe will get back to talk some more this trip to the free internet zone, outside, in the breeze. YES!

Thanks for looking,
Amanda

if you want to see a few more pics, check out my facebook page:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=273285&id=780715580

ALgarve

O M GAWD!!!
I think we're going to blow away int he Algarve. I didn't plug in my computer, so this will be kinda short.
We spent an extra day in Coimbra by the request of the cousins. i love that place and the little part that we were in. We did a tour of the university grounds and some top of the hills sight seeing.
Then we went to Gois, in the mountains. The kids picked oranges and beans, ate just picked plums, cherries, potatoes and we had fresh bachalau and porco for lunch. Oh yes, the bread and cheese, every meal is started with bread and cheese. i don't think i can eat any more bread and cheese!!! AND THEY EAT SOOOOO LATE AT NIGHT. Sorry, wasn't meant to be caps, but now that I look back!!!!!
We are now in our own space so we have lots of veggies to consume. Back to Albufeira to visit more family that is vacationing there this week.

SOOOO NIce to be here. but really,
I am blowing away here.
I will update with pictures and more details next time.
hugs to my family

Amanda

Coimbra

Ola,
What can I say,yesterday was a lazy getting up day, went to IKEA. Yes, it's true. for lunch. Then hit the beach on the way home.
Grabbed our bags and drove 2 hours north to Coimbra.
Here is the view from our hotel room at night.



We wandered around the narrow cobbled streets and went into a hole in the wall restaurant. YUMO. The kids were hungry, the food was good and we had a great many laughs at the table. Was a wonderful family time.
Then we walked around some more. it was late and the stores were closed.

Rafael wanted to go to this spot and run around a bit. Neve's hair has been in ringlets ever since we've been here due to the humidity. Mine, another story. FRIZZ. Now i know why I felt like such a gawky teenager. We lived on the ocean and the mist always made my hair a misery!


This morning we actually got up at a decent time as we were to meet a cousin for breakfast.
We then went to Little Portugal, the land of little houses for the kids.




By 11:30, we were all done with the heat and humidity and the burning sun, so we packed up and went to the mall!
Man, the food court was some good! They had a spot that had traditional Portuguese food. White rice, beans, bbq chicken and salad for only 5 euros. Went to check out the bowling alley, but we didn't have socks, so we're going again tomorrow. I know, weird to go bowling on holiday, but it's hot and we are not near the beach. Tomorrow, we're going to Gois where they have a river beach, so we'll save that playing until then.

Meeting family for dinner and hit the hay.

I bought some Anchor crochet thread. they have thicker ones with such wonderful colours. I only bought 3, but realized the quality is superior and I should buy a few more popular colours for my flowers. So that is my quest. Last year, we went around the corner here to a fabric place and bought traditional aprons as gifts. I wasn't into fabrics then, but sure am now. So We'll check it out.

Thanks for looking,
Amanda

Beaching in Carcavelos

Day 2 started with some rain. But by the time we got ready to go an a fabric shopping adventure, the sun had some outand we went beaching afterwards. It was a short beach day. Parental unit didn't bring their clothes, so someone had to stay on bag duty. next time, like today, we are only bringing towels to the beach!


This beach is right on the main road. how cool is that? Down over a cliff of course. They have nice foot and showers to get all the sand off. And this huge fortress to protect us from......


On our adventure in looking for the fabric store, (yes, I found some and have already made a bag. Show ya later) we went to the wrong area. We are using a GPS system with the voice of Jane. I'm a little tired of Jane already. every few meters, seems like she's saying, "in 200 meters, go left on the round about, 2nd exit." Lots of round abouts here. After awhile, sounds like she is nagging you! :} Last year, we had John Cleese's voice. A little humour in there. Helped.


And more fish last night. We really have to start making some of these fish dishes instead of just boiled cod. YUM.

So here's a pic of my kids with sand up their bums!


Today, we are going to Coimbra to stay at the same hotel as last year, Astoria and to visit Little Portugal for the kids.

I've added pictures to the 1st Portugal post of Sintra if you haven't seen them.

Thanks for looking,
Amanda

We´re here!

We have arrived in Lisboa, Portugal with no problems. We are staying with my husband´s cousins who are wonderful hosts in Carcavelos.

Yesterday, we had many naps and a visit to Sintra, the Switzerland of Portugal. very romantic. Lovely place, even in the soggy rain. And the drive back was a loop of mountains, beaches and a nice sunset as we drove past it, surfers in the waves, kids playing in the sand. Can I tell you how excited I am to be here?

Sintra


We were also lucky to have 3 family members from Toronto visiting here are the same time and waiting for us when we arrived. Fish, fish, fish for the meals in many forms and amazing pastries in Sintra.

The sun is peeking out, but I hope holds off until our shopping trip. What else is there to do when it rains? :=) Our host´s wife also sews and told us of a fabric place. my adventure for this trip.


palacio da Pena

anyhow, must get a move on the day. It´s already 1pm. late sleepers adjusting to the time change. DH figured out how to get some internet on our computers, so I´ll get some pictures later. I think we may be going to a fado place tonight. Fado is traditional Portugese music, beautiful singing.

thanks for looking and stay tuned for PT installment 2. (hi Madalena)
Amanda