No lunch for you my dear.

Here in Portugal as is well known, things are not good in terms of economy and crisis.  This recent event to me is the complete reality of the situation.  Obviously these things dont happen on a daily basis but this is an example of things happening.

A few weeks ago here in the Algarve, a little girl was left to go without her school meal.  The issues surrounding this is conflicting and I am not sure exactly what the situation on the day was, but this is what I understand to have happened.  The girls mother was behind in paying for her daughter's school meals, anywhere between 75cents or 30 euros, the mother had been asked to pay the backdated fees, which were payable direct to the school.  The mother works during the school office time and could not get there in time on this particular day.

So the school made the decision not to feed the child, a primary school age child, even a dinner lady offered to pay for the meal but was told not to.  So this child went hungry!!  In a modernised country, who lets a child go hungry for 30 euros!  The school's reason was that they have debts in terms of their food costs, and this is understandable, but they surely should have alerted someone to this particular child's situation, rather than just not to feed the child?  I think for an educational facility where the child's welfare should come first, this is completely unacceptable and the school has failed in its role.  If a child was potentially being neglected or hurt in some way would they not have a duty or conscience to do something, make someone aware, is this not a similar thing?  I know everyone is under financial pressure, but this is too much.

I love Portugal, but am sad to see how things have changed, time to move on!  

The times are a-changing!

The times are achanging, unfortunately not so much in my life as the weather. Every year is a little different at this time, and autumn is normally very slow and subtle. But this last week it changed in a big way, signifying summer is over! Although the lack of people about and restaurants closing early clearly signify the end of season :(

 The weather this week has turned overnight with cloud, rain and cooler temps. But I dont believe it is the end of the warm weather, as once the sun appears it soon warms up. I am reluctant to get the winter clothes out and am resisting as long as possible to put the duvets back on the beds!

Last year, the summer stayed for a long time and we were on the beach well into October but this year appears to be different. Many people say we dont really have an autumn as this change is so subtle, that overnight winter arrives to stay!

 As an english person I should have a natural aversion to rain and cloud but it never really bothered me. And to live in a place with such little rain and grey days is still something that is almost strange to me. This last year we have had such little rain, only about 6 days have we had any sight of rain and that was always short-lived. I start to crave something different from sunshine and blue sky! We were desperate for rain, I was craving to see the rain fall and then last week it did, it really came down. It was so refreshing and renewing somehow, and instead of making me down it lifted me.

Something I really miss from home is the proper changing of the seasons. When I was living there, it was something I didnt look forward to, the dark and cold nights. But now I miss it, especially the changing of the trees. Here, because we dont have the same type of trees and mostly because the temperature changes so slowly and subtley we dont not get the beautiful colours in the trees and I really miss it, more than ever. But its not just the trees, I am missing home, I have not been 'home' in over 3 years as much as I want to go, I have not been able to.

Silent sunday

Silent Sunday

The Gallery: Beauty

This week's theme on The Gallery is Beauty.  

There are so many things that can be interpreted as beautiful and it is a very personal thing.  To me there are many things beautiful, the most being:

My children!

Beautiful landscapes and views

Things Mother Nature has given us

There are so many beautiful things in this world, and beauty is truly in the Eye of the beholder!  

Come and what else is Beautiful on The Gallery

The Gallery: Sky

This week's theme on The Gallery is Sky.

Normally the skies are pretty clear here and this soft blue, not the deep blue that you get elsewhere but this quite perfect blue.  Obviously if the sun is shining on a calm sea it is like an amazing blinding light on a mirror that hurts your eyes. 

 But occasionally when we have some clouds, I guess with the heat they create these candy floss like shapes of whispiness!  

Come over and see some more skies at The Gallery

Summer successes

Our summer has been a bit drab or boring if you will.  We have not had a lot of activity mostly for financial reasons, of course there are things to do for free, but not everyday and even if they dont have an entrance fee, there is a cost to get there or expenses needed on the day!  So it has been a pretty quiet summer for us. We have the pool here in our complex, which luckily has not been too busy and the beach a few minutes drive away.  Also with everything going on we havent really had the mind to enjoy summer if you know what I mean.

But we have had some nice times, unfortunately not with so many photos this year as my camera is broken :-( which is a big shame as it looks to be our last here in Portugal.

We have had family visit and spent some time with them, we have had our local facarte which offers a few days of entertainment, visits with friends, days on the beach etc.

But we have had two significant successes this summer with both my children.  Sophie who is 6 and a half years old, despite having lived with a pool accessible every day has always been a bit scared of the water and not confident at all.  When we first arrived and she was 2 and a half, no matter how hot it got, she would not get in the pool for more than 10 minutes!  She has gotten a little better over time, having taken to a ring and quite happily splashing about, occasionally putting her face into the water, but wouldnt put her head back, no jumping, lifting nothing, she hated it and would cry.  But in the last month or so, a BIG change has occurred  as if overnight, she got confident.  Suddenly she wanted to jump and start to learn to swim so holding her, we helped but that only lasts so long.  So we bought her some armbands (she would never wear them before, I think because of feeling of lack of all round support) and off she went.  Now she goes underwater, jumps into the pool and all, its amazing and if over night and she loves the water.

Our second big success is my younger daughter, who has turned 3 at the beginning of the month. With both my children I have purposely left potty training to the nearer side of three, giving them as much time before training them.  So when Grace was about 2 and 8 months or so, (about the same time as Sophie) I decided to start trying.  I had tried a few months before but she clearly was not ready.  So we started and tried for a few days, she was excited to wear knickers, and mess about with the toilet but nothing happened.  On and off we tried but were clearly getting nowhere.  She would sit on the toilet do nothing and then within minutes pee on the floor or hold it for hours, until I put a nappy back on and then fill it within 30 minutes, very frustrating!  We put here in pull up pants and at nursery she would follow her friends who were also training, eventually after a few weeks she started going in nursery but still nothing at home.  Then last week, it suddenly clicked.  We put her in knickers for some time every day, in the hope of success but also due to the heat but suddenly she said she needed to make pee pee, so we put her on the toilet like I had done a hundred times before but this time it worked, I was so happy!  And as I cheered her on, she laughed, a good sign.  Not wanting to get too cocky and hail success, I cautiously waited, but she did it again and again.  Now we have had about 5 days and all seems to have fallen into place, as if overnight.  I knew she would get it but had no idea how long it would take and worried with her starting pre-school where she would need to be potty trained within a month!

So despite a quiet and little bored summer for the kids (if not the parents, too stressed to relax) we have had two big successes!

Silent Sunday

Silent Sunday

Spring time in the Algarve

One thing that I love and that really interests me here in the Algarve where I live are the plants and flowers.  Still after several years of living here, I am amazed by the beauty of the surroundings.  Every day I drive past palm trees, orange groves, fig, carob and olive trees to name a few.  things that growing up would be things in movies, books and seen on our yearly family foreign holidays.  I never imagined it would be part of my daily life, but I never tire of seeing them.

This time of year brings the wild flowers, fields full of red, yellow, blue and pinks.  Everywhere I look I see colour, so beautiful.  They grow everywhere and anywhere.

Unfortunately the photos are not great and do not show the true depths of colour, but I hope you still enjoy.

The Gallery: Landscapes

This week's theme on the Gallery is Landscapes

Living in the East Algarve, I am very lucky to be surrounded by some beautiful landscapes along the coast.  We are situated on the Ria Formosa natural park, giving us some amazing landscapes and stunning beaches that are only accessible by boat or on foot at low tide with beautiful white sands and mostly calm waters.

And on a clear day I can see all the way to the Spanish border (to the left of the photo), some 15 miles away from up in the hills.  

Not bad I think!  Come and see the others in the Gallery this week

Carnival day, let's party!

Today here in Portugal is Carnival Day!  All over the country, there are several parades and events.  Down here in the Algarve our big one is in Loule, but they also have them in Torres Vedres and Lisbon amongst others.  Every year thousands of people attend these parades which usually run all over the weekend, but today, Tuesday is the proper day to celebrate.  Loule this year is expecting 60,000 visitors over the period!

The tradition of Carnival is practiced in mainly catholic countries to mark the beginning of lent or six weeks before Easter.  People would have a big party and feast themselves on rich foods before they gave it up for lent.  The Brazilian carnival in Rio de Janeiro, is the biggest in the world.  Each carnival is slightly different but generally involve bright, exotic costumes, masks, dancing and music.  They also have themed floats and cars.

This year with the crisis, many areas have reduced the funding for the event but will still put on a great show. It also means most things are closed and many people take the day off, despite what the Government says.

 

Where I live - a photo blog

Some photos from the beautiful East Algarve around Tavira.  

Silent Sunday

Woo hoo! Im an Expert!

Hey look Im an expert!  Expert of what I hear you ask, well I am an expert of local knowledge of the Algarve and things to do (amongst other things!).  

Take a look: 

Top 10 Family Things to Do in The Algarve

Dolphins at Zoomarine. Credit: Christine Agate-Amorim

Both beautiful and interesting, the Algarve in southern Portugal is both well known and widely unexplored.

Many of her treasures have yet to be found by the masses – while most might think of this area as being full of beaches and hotels, there is so much more to discover, from flamingos to castles.

These are my top 10 things to do with the whole family ona holiday to the Algarve:

Continue reading

Orange time

Everywhere I look at the moment, all I see are Orange trees full of fruit and if you get close enough the scent of ripe oranges.  It must be picking time very soon, because there so many of them.  I always knew there were a lot of orange groves around where I live, but I cannot go fifty metres without seeing an orange tree!  And then in March / early April it all starts again with the lovely scented orange blossom.  

This is such a beautiful time here in the Algarve, with the Almond trees about to bloom, giving this white haze, almost like snow and all the other flowers starting to bloom.

Fantastic Algarve Autumn

The Shell Seekers!

This summer started late both in terms of visitors and hot weather but boy has it made up for it!  We are now in mid-october and the weather is fantastic here in the Algarve.  Normally by now, the jeans and socks are on, the floor is getting cold and the duvet is back on the bed.  Not yet and although the nights are cooling, the days are still wonderfully warm.  Normally my beach season finishes at mid-september but just last week I was on the beach AND swimming.  It's lovely and definately one of the reasons I love the Algarve.

This weather is perfect for little ones, who just cannot cope with the high summer sun.  Its a great time for us as a family to get out and about and do some outdoor activities, more walking, more biking, more picnics without baking ourselves.

Half-term is approaching, so if you are looking to take a break, consider the Algarve.  Only two and a half hours flight, perfect length with children.  There is loads to do apart from the beach and pool of course!  These are my top picks:

Zoomarine (www.zoomarine.pt) a fantastic family day out with lots of marine animals and shows and also other animals and playparks etc.  This is my favourite.

Lagos Zoo ( http://www.zoolagos.com/ZOOLAGOSsiteINGLES.html) I was here just a couple of weeks ago.  Really pleasant zoo with smaller animals and petting area but a good variety.  Not too big, so little ones wont get tired or bored.

Krazyworld (www.krazyworld.com) a theme park / zoo for younger ones.  Again not to big or tiring but great for the family.

Boat trips and horse riding - (www.portugal-sport-and-adventure.com) with this great late season weather, take advantage of the array of boat trips, most go from Vilamoura, Albufeira or Lagos marinas.  Dolphin and whale watching are great at this time of year as well.

If this has got you thinking and dreaming of some late season sun, have a look at our range of accommodation, all set up for young families and checked by a Mum so you can relax while on holiday.  Click here for more information on our offers.

The Gallery: Black & White

This weeks theme at The Gallery on Sticky Fingers is Black & White.  

These pictures where taken on a wander around our part of the Algarve a few weeks ago.  This was taken from one of the old forts in a very small typical Algarvian village with small, whitewashed houses with blue shutters, and the views are great!     

A typical image in the sultry climate of the Algarve, never quite imagined I would live in a place with palm trees.

I love these pictures, but love them even more now I put them in Black & White, it gives a whole different look, and reminds me I should take more in Black & White.

Why not come and see what else is on The Gallery this week. 

Summer has arrived!!

Despite what the newspapers say, as far as Im concerned the Algarve has been quieter than usual.  Although I dont live in the big resorts of Albufeira or Lagos, it is normally still reasonably busy for our small resort areas, but this year it seems the visitors are not coming.  In the East Algarve, the main visitors are the Portuguese and Spanish and for the Portuguese I know who holiday in the Algarve, many are not taking holidays this year with the crisis. 

But guaranteed August will be mad, even if numbers are down, the huge numbers which still remain will flood the area. So with that in mind, I have been preparing myself for the influx Im sure will come from next weekend, but apparently it started early. 

Yesterday, I went to the supermarket, expecting it to be a bit busier, but it was full.  And this is a large supermarket.  Summer has arrived and from now it will only get busier until the beginning of September when it seems like overnight everyone disappears, its the strangest thing!  So now, it will be wall to wall people everywhere, traffic queues at beach leaving time.  But it is such a contrast, around here, it is quiet in winter, steady the rest of the year, nothing is too busy, no traffic (ever) unless there are roadworks.  But summer becomes something completely different, an unrecognisable place, which makes me want to crawl into a cupboard but on the other hand, it is good to see so much life and activity in an usually laidback, peaceful place. 

My Summer Mission

Maybe this should be called my 'late summer mission' as we are almost half way through summer already! 

I wanted to 'do something' this summer that I would enjoy and that I could share with others and maybe even provide some assistance.  At the moment, there are two things I am loving - going to the beach with my girls and the area I live in. 

With my husband's new job, we were considering to leave the area where we live and move to another and it suddenly made me realise what a beautiful place I live in and I wanted to capture that, for myself and also as a record of my children's childhood home.  When you live somewhere I think often you can under appreciate it, you see it everyday but you dont really 'see it'.  There are many beautiful places around where I live in the East Algarve, that I have never seen and I dont want to miss.  And what better time to do some sightseeing than in Summer.  So with my loved camera,  I am on a mission to capture some of the Algarve region.  I love photography but dont do it enough and need the practice ;-) 

My second mission is to visit as many beaches in the area, I want to try them and find a good beach for me and my children.  Until now, I have generally used the same beach but maybe there is a better one.  What I am looking for is, easy access with decent parking, good facilities on or near the beach and shallow, calm waters.  Watch this space....