frayed at the edge

On the rocks

So why was I  clambering up and down all those scary steps?  One of the days towards the end of the holiday was a bit cloudy and a bit cooler, so we decided to go for a walk along the coast, to explore the next two bays.  On the way we saw these beautiful flowers

 

as we walked down to the bay, we saw this enormous hotel - I don't think I would want to stay here!

 

having braved several flights of stairs, we were rewarded with the sight of waves crashing in on the cliffs

 

after the stairs, my resolve was further tested when I had to cross this small bridge.  I know it's not that much of a drop, but as there were no rails, I immediately felt that I would fall off! 

 

I had to lean out to get this photo of the cave - Malcolm was hanging on to me!

 

having struggled back up all those stairs, we then headed for the next bay, stopping to look at this unusual plant

 

when we got to the next bay, it was rather windy, and we were concerned for this pair ....

 

....... if they were to be blown over the edge, they had a long way to fall

 

the cliffs are fascinating, as they are full of shells

 

Malcolm shows the scale of the cliffs

 

we had to dodge the occasional wave as we walked along the sand

 

I may have added the feather and grass to the little bit if rope .......

 

I was concentrating on getting this photo in focus, when Malcolm shouted a warning - an extra large wave was racing across the sand and was about to soak my feet!

 

we popped in to the beach cafe for lunch - and I didn't expect to be given this teabag for my cuppa!

 

as we continued our walk, we looked back down on the bay

 

of course being on holiday means eating all sorts of food - here is a quick selection

the most wonderful tapas

 

chicken piri piri

 

chicken jalfrezi

 

mixed fish kebab

 

there are still so many photos left, I'll show you a few more tomorrow, then it will be back to normal posting from Monday!

Happy birthday to me!!

I know you are much too polite to ask, so I will tell you that I am 29 today (what do you mean, you don't believe me!!??)  Malcolm's cards were still on the mantlepiece .......

 

........so had to be taken down to make way for mine

 

I had lots of super presents, including three books - the top two from Malcolm, the bottom one from Stuart and Alison.  As I am about to redecorate/reorganise the studio, I will be studying the Studio book for ideas

 

I have been known to enjoy a glass (or two) of wine - the cocktail napkins are from Malcolm, the wine bottle stopper from Stuart and Alison

 

Malcolm took me out for lunch.  I had a coronation chicken baguette

 

and Malcolm had egg mayo

 

we then shared a treacle scone.  It was all delicious

 

I was too busy enjoying my birthday dinner to take photos - Scottish mussels in a cider, bacon and leek broth, and gnocchi with gorgonzolla and pancetta (courtesy of Waitrose!!).

So, back to the holiday.  As always, I bought some magazines.  But these ones aren't just Portuguese.  The top ones are Spanish, the middle ones are Brazilian, the bottom left one is also Brazilian and the right hand one is Portuguese

 

this one is also Brazilian, with some super recycling projects

 

I also bought two sewing machines ........ or should I say, two miniature model sewing machines!  They are similar to the machine I learned to sew on at school when I was thirteen, and the machine which was given to me by a friend of my Mum's when I was seventeen

 

I always buy a present for Malcolm when we are on holiday ...... but this time it was really a present for both of us - some poppy-embellished dishes for the kitchen table (sorry, there are nasty shadows in the photos .... it was such a dull day I had to put the light on!)

 

little bowls for salt and pepper

 

a big bowl for a candle and pot pourri

 

and a split dish - just because we liked it!

 

all I have to do now is make a runner to match!  To finish, a couple of photos to show what I go through to get brilliant photos for you  ...... I don't like heights, I don't like stairs (I have spent most of my life living in one-level houses/flats/apartments).  Come back tomorrow to see what was at the bottom of this assault course!!

Home again!

It's wonderful to go on holiday, but it's great to be back home!  Thank you for all your comments on the "out of office" posts  - I'm sorry I wasn't able to reply to them, or answer questions, but we had a bit of a dodgy wifi connection in the hotel.  I was able to keep up with my favourite blogs (using my Kindle), but I was only able to leave a couple of comments.  I'll catch up over the next few days.  Just a quick post tonight, as I am somewhat tired after a long day travelling (our flight was delayed), and I'll be back with a quick post tomorrow, as it's my birthday ....... so you will have to wait until Thursday for a full report!

So. to whet your appetite for Carvoeiro, a random selection of photos ....

 

to finish ....... look what Malcolm made me drink - wine with a CAT on the label!!