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Wednesday 8 November 2023

THE BEAUTY OF AUTUMN.

This is Thursday, the 2nd of November, and we are in the middle of a fierce thunderstorm and now it's hail stoning. It didn't last long, but it has rained continuously for a month now, but when I looked through the kitchen window I could see that the leaves of the trees were a beautiful shade of red and I couldn't resist the temptation of going outside, as by this time the rain had eased off a little, so I donned my waterproof coat and took a few photos around the  driveway even though I knew it could start raining heavily at any minute. I then went into the garden to see what I could findAs it happened the heavy rain held off until I returned home but just in time before there was another downpour. I couldn't have been outside more than fifteen to twenty minutes but in that time managed to take quite a few photos.

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View from my Kitchen window of  the Liquidamber Tree.

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A closer look, of course on a sunny day the leaves are more vibrant.

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Another colourful tree.

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The Sweet Gum tree looks like it has Christmas tree decorations.

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More Autumn leaves covering the ground.

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Empty Chestnut case.

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Moss covered stones were everywhere.

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Steps with moss, are slippy and should not be climbed.

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The colourful Ivy leaves looked very attractive.


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Another tree of great beauty.

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Oak Acorns. The acorns I posted on a previous post are Holly Acorns.

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Folios lichen growing on the balustrade stone.


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Puffball Mushroom growing between the paved stones


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Same tree that I see from the kitchen window.

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Bottom of the tree.....

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.....and the top. All the trees are extremely tall as the branches haven't been pruned for several years.


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Driveway Trees.

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Whenever I saw red or orange leaves I took a photograph. These two where only a few cm tall.



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One of the three flowers remaining on the Camellia tree.


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Begonia plant.

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                                                  The Tradescantia plant.            

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An Acer tree.

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A nibbled Field Mushroom.

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Buds of an Azalea shrub


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This stone container only had a little soil inside it and I didn't plant anything, but just look at it now! Nature filled it with plants, two kinds of fern and I'm not sure what the other leaves are.

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Coal-tit trying to reach the unopened chestnut.


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Very bad action shot.

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From a distance I wasn't quite sure what I was looking at, or where it was, so I just pointed my camera in the general direction, and only later discovered it was a Mistle Thrush. I'm including the next shot, for although the head isn't visible.it's underside is clearly seen. 

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I have included these shots taken through my bedroom window, but they were taken yesterday the 6th of November before the sky clouded over again.

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This is probably the Mistle Thrush.


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Driveway Trees.


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Driveway Trees.


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Back in my bedroom


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Just in time, and look who was waiting for me


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European Robin Red breast. I pulled the plate with the stone nearer the door so the bird food wouldn't get wet.


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Whilst outside I tried to go into the orchard, but the ground was too wet, so instead of showing tangerines on the trees, here are a few tangerines on a Portuguese hand painted plate. 

Tuesday 31 October 2023

THE RIDING SCHOOL 2023

In late August on a Monday morning my daughter Eva, and my grandson, and I went for a drive to discover where a new riding school is situated higher up the mountain. We eventually found it, tucked away in a narrow lane with a huge entrance gate. Here are a few photos taken by myself but mainly by Pedro. We were told that equestrian events are held at the weekends, so Eva and I agreed to return to watch the competitions, and see the horses being put through their paces which we still haven't done yet, but will now I have more free time. We walked around and took quite a few photos. and on the whole we were suitably impressed with the installation, and as I love horses it was a treat to see them looking so well cared for. It is still pouring down with rain here, so no chance of recent photos, but I still have a few in the archives.


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Approaching the Riding School.

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The young girl had a few treats in her hand which she shared with the horses.

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They then followed her back to the stables.

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Beautiful all white horse.

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There were more beauties in their stalls

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I watched a tender moment when the stallion walked towards the pregnant mare and they caressed each other for quite some time. 

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Ready for a wash and brush up.

We did take some more photos but they didn't turn out very well, so one weekend when we return I will share some more. Although my blog is primarily a nature blog, on occasion I do share something about Portugal and it's traditions, and other things that may be of interest. I hope you have enjoyed my visit to the Riding School That's all for now, take care everyone.


Tuesday 24 October 2023

October 2023

October weather has been foul, plummeting from the 30 degree temperatures we had been enjoying to a mere 8 degrees, accompanied by violent storms, electricity cuts as power lines are down. This has been a source of harassment for me and for the cable men who are having to cope with the torrential rain and high winds. The heavy rainfall flooded houses and other roadside establishments  and even some hospitals were affected by flooding and patients had to be transferred to other hospitals. Living as I do on a mountainside this did not affect me, but trees were uprooted on the property and the rain has prevented me from taking photos and going out on the balcony. My swing has been covered and zipped up securely probably until next Spring. Days are dark, and my old bones do not work well in this climate. However music has entered my life again to my eternal gratitude because since my husband's demise two years and six months ago, I have not been able to listen to music, but last week whilst Eva and I, were cleaning out drawers and cupboards, Eva found a small transistor radio which had belonged to my late husband and it was in working order so Eva put it on my bedside table, One evening I decided to listen to the news, but instead my room was filled with beautiful orchestral music and thankfully, that horrid psychological barrier that had shut down my desire to listen to "our" music fell apart, and since then I have started to enjoy our favourite pieces of music again and it feels both soothing intoxicating and healing.
In September I did take a few photos on my balcony and in the garden. I have now finished the physiotherapy for my wrist and arm, and can do most things I couldn't do before. Even open the front door.:=)

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There have been several visits from Greenfinches on my balcony.


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Greenfinch


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Two images of a Flycatcher.

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Blue-tit


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Female Great-tit


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Male Great -tit


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Plant in bud in the Garden

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Coal-tit

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Blue daisy flowers on my balcony.


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Three  images of the pretty Blue-tit.

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The Holly Acorn.

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This mushroom looks harmless but I leave them alone, as I don't know how to distinguish the safe ones to eat, and the poisonous ones.


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To finish, another Greenfinch

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