I SAY IT WITH ROSES...

I'll be spending some time in this last weekend of 2013, 

reflecting on the year that is about to end and the coming 2014.

I have no idea how and where the year has gone so quick,

 but as I type this,

 it is indeed the last Friday of 2013, 

which makes this the last weekend greeting, in the current year. 

So let me finish by wishing you all the very best for the weekend. 

This is nothing but a personal place of mine on the vast cyberspace,

 but... 

it wouldn't be the same without you popping by every now and then. 

So thank you!

BEST WISHES FROM 'THE HOUSE OF WONDERS'

One day, last summer, the outdoors display you see below, caught my eyes and I thought 'I will step into the indoors when I have time'.

That day happened last week when the weather was very fine and I was looking for a lunchtime snack. Luckily, the 'House of Wonders' - so the coffee-house/snack restaurant is named - was open.

The owner is from Dutch origin and lived  20 years in Africa and South America. So, it was not surprising that on the first floor there was an array of handicrafts from several countries across the world, mainly from where she had lived before settling in Portugal.
 All were for sale.

A lovely roof terrace with comfortable cushions was situated on the top of the building. As the weather was good, I had my snack there. Unfortunately, the seats from where there would be the best views were not vacant...

... below, you see the photos of the views I had from my seat. The roof terrace was an excellent relaxing place! It was decorated with recycled boat furniture...

Intriguing, the cross at the top of the church showed one arm broken... Effect of an act of vandalism?  

~~ Have a wonderful weekend ~~

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND!

I suppose the woman pictured above was an immigrant, probably from Romania. I guess so, considering her clothing style and colours. 

Though she might feel homesick, it seemed she was enjoying the 'St. Martin's summer' weather, with warm and sunny days that are forecast to last until Thursday, Nov. 21.

~~ Enjoy your weekend ~~

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND!

Photo taken in Portugal.

The week started with cloudy sky and a fine rain now and then. Today, there is a good deal of sunshine...

~~Have a wonderful weekend ~~

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND

The above photo shows a traditional handmade utensil called 'cocho', still common in the cork region of Alentejo (south of Lisbon). 

It's carved from cork bark and mainly used by shepherds to drink fresh water from fountains. 

Usually, it's 15 cm long (approximately 5.9 inches).

~~ Have a wonderful weekend ~~

IT'S WORTH 16 MINUTES OF YOUR FREE TIME...

If you are interested in biodiversity and conservation this is for you....

This is an international short documentary (narrated in English) related to the adaptation of wildlife to large cities. Lisbon has been chosen as a good example of it. My opinion may not be very objective but I find this documentary interesting, with a good detail and it's well produced. It highlights Lisbon parks and their biodiversity as well as the activity developed by Lisbon's Wildlife Recovery Center. Enjoy! 

~~ Have a nice weekend ~~

HAVE A WONDERFUL WEEKEND...

I took the above photo at the Oporto's city park.

The clouds and the rain never stay for long in Portugal.

After three days of showers during last week, Lisbon has been warm and sunny. 

This afternoon, I stayed comfortable on the golf course wearing a sleeveless polo shirt. 

I look forward to a very fine weather over the weekend. 

Blue sky will dominate and no rain is forecast.

~~ Have a wonderful weekend ~~

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND...

It's hot in Lisbon. The weatherman says the temperature will climb up to 34ºC (93.2F), today...

~~ Have a great weekend ~~

ENJOY THE WEEKEND...

Either you are going to ride a bike,

 going for a foot walk

 or 

stay at home, 

reading a book, listening to your favourite music

or... 

simply doing nothing special, 

enjoy the weekend....

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND...

I WISH IT WITH FLOWERS...

~~ Have a colourful weekend ~~

WEEKEND IN AZORES

Tomorrow, very early in the morning, I'll be flying to San Miguel (Azores), the largest and most populated island in the archipelago. I have already been there before but this time, the weekend will be mainly spent doing some sightseeing, as golfing will make myself busy on a half-day, only.

'See' you on Monday. In the meantime, have a great weekend!

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND...

A few weeks ago, I took a stroll downtown and I saw all shop windows dressed with a variety of Spring wears and accessories but the low temperature, the wind and the rain have been our permanent fellows over weeks after weeks. Until when? I often ask myself. Weather has never been a common topic of conversation among Portuguese people but nowadays it has become one of the main subjects, along with the economic crisis, obviously. 

The forecast for the weekend is not the best, yet the sun may shine on saturday but... for a short while. Rain will return sunday and will remain...

 "March winds and April showers bring forth May flowers", will they?

~~ Have a good weekend ~~

CIAO FOR A WHILE....

I'm going to be absent from this Thursday until Monday, the reason why I'm wishing you, earlier than the usual, a wonderful weekend. 

Enjoy the first days of Spring, either the sun is visiting or not your place...

HAVE A BEAUTIFUL WEEKEND....

May your weekend be filled with unexpected beauty...

HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY

Photo taken at a restaurant near Lisbon

TO ALL  MY WOMAN FRIENDS

I WISH

A HAPPY INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S DAY!

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND...

Photo taken at a botanic garden, in Lisbon

~~ Thanks for stopping by ~~

HAVE A GOOD WEEKEND ...

Yesterday, as I saw  this pigeon I thought he might have found something to make his day interesting...

Who knows you will find something interesting during the weekend???

I hope, you do....

HAVE A GREAT WEEKEND....

Sophie has been lucky with her stay in Lisbon. The fine weather has been co-operative with our outings either to visit the city or driving to some places she had already in mind to see in person, such as a convent that was built in 1560 up on a hill. Not until yesterday had I been there. Once I had tried to reach it but got lost on the ridgeroad in the forest. When I have time I'll post about that hermitage, where it's hard not to be moved by its simplicity and seclusion.

She is amazed with the variety of interesting places that this tiny country has to offer to visitors. She never misses the chance of clicking on her camera whenever we come across something that appeals to her. Today, she told me she has already taken nearly 1,000 shots!!!

Tomorrow, we are going to drive northside and visit Fatima and two other monasteries that Sophie had already listed up prior to flying over here. We'll spend the overnight at Obidos, a village that was conquered from the Moors by the first king of Portugal. I guess, the weekend will give her subjects for some other 1,000 shots or maybe more... I'll tell you later...

Meanwhile, enjoy your weekend!

HAVE A NICE WEEKEND....

This "House of Spikes" is an architectural curiosity, faced with diamond-shaped stones (a total of 1125).

It is a 16th century palace that belonged to a Portuguese viceroy of India.

It is thought to have been modelled on the palaces of Venice, although the two upper floors have exuberant arched windows characteristic of the Portuguese Manueline style.

Its interior is occupied by the Saramago Foundation, a space dedicated to the Portuguese Nobel literature laureate José Saramago. It hosts special literary events and contains the author's library. It was on the ocasion of one those events that I took the photo of the Spanish lady Pilar Del Rio, Saramago's widow who is the President of the Foundation.

~~ Have a wonderful weekend ~~