Rachel Barker England: There is a world out there

Sunday

There is a world out there

A day off!

Ate gorgeous breakfast of coffee, homemade white toast, drizzled with my favourite olive oil - a habit picked up in Spain.
Got to finish a brilliant book, Rosina Lippi's Homestead and contemplated a week of being snowed in.
Thought about doing some ironing, but then reconsidered.
Booked a short holiday in Norfolk in 3 weeks time - even planned where we will eat on the first night (local sirloin from Holkham estate in nearby pub) yes, my belief in the magical restorative powers of beef.
Sat and mused (briefly)
Wondered (briefly) about how Spring Fair is going for new mug collection and Soda and Scuba

What are we doing here?

In May 2019 we moved to Portugal, in search of a new life, new challenges, a desire to move outside our comfort zone - and live a life as actively outdoors during the whole year as possible. I felt I had one last big garden project in me - not being fatalistic, but realistic about how much strength and energy was needed. And not only for the garden but also for adapting to a new country and learning a new language, and becoming established in all the areas needed - health care, residency-citizenship, car, and getting through all the other bureaucratic hurdles. Well actually, that didn't exactly work out as we had planned and now we are off for another adventure in a new area of Portugal and maybe this time we will find our home.

First days of the New Year. Resolutions?? Last years didn't exactly come to fruition. They were things like "hoover more".
This year, well, I could list good qualities that I need to acquire, but then would it be the same as the housework?
What comes to mind currently is I should strive to accept the weather regardless. I struggle with these monochrome winter days, the colour locked up in sub-zero temperatures. Black trees and iron hard earth, frozen grey light. I am not made for winter. Heaven for me is waking up early in the morning and knowing I can wear shorts and a t shirt all day. So I must remember that the days will get longer and lighter and I can revel in the heat again.

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Sunday

There is a world out there

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Breakfast to die for

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Made these on a wheel turning backwards

I wasn't properly dressed without my daily frangipane

Helleborus foetidus

Garden visitor

Pheasant's foot prints frozen into ice

Kinnesley carving

Bacchus ??

Hong Kong fish market

Walnut bread

Fleeting moments

Frangipane - delicious scent

wait till you see inside

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Birthday treat

Walking on the lake

Drifts on Bury Ditches

Colmar sculpture

Harbour

En route home

Rachel's "Bespoke Pheasant Keeper-outer". Patent pending

If you can't stand the heat...

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