FLOWERS AND DOGS.

 Hello everyone, today is milder weather and I'm sitting at the computer wondering what on earth I can share with my loyal followers.Due to the extreme heat I haven't been taking many photos, but this morning I had a look around the garden and these are some of the photos I took and last week it rained for three consecutive days so I took some photos afterwards. I also noticed to my surprise that my Hoya Carnosa is flowering for the second time.

There are not many flowers in bloom at this time of the month, but as I want to link up to Saturday's Critters, I am sharing a painting done in pastels by a very good friend and mentor, who passed away at the grand age of 94 who will always have a special place in my heart.

It measures 87 cmX52cm.

Same painting but just a little nearer, as there were too many reflections in a frontal image. I had to take the photo from the side. It hangs on one of my bedroom walls were I can see it every day and be reminded of my lovely and loving dogs, and the kindest man I ever knew.  

I will be linking up to Saturday's Critters later this week.

It 's 7 am and  I have just opened the blinds and balcony doors to get some cool air in my 33 degrees bedroom, Mornings are the only part of the day when it's cooler. It was 40 degrees outside yesterday, and the stiffling heat was made infinately worse by the air pollution caused by falling ash from a fire in Burgaes..After I fed the birds, my blinds and doors were closed all day, and it has been like this for several weeks. The only ray of sunshine I see is when my daughter Eva arrives, she is like a breath of fresh air, and she brightens my day. Did you see the solar eclipse seven days ago ? We did, and it was just outside my bedroom window. We each had a pair of glasses, with which to watch this rare celestrial event and it was exciting to see this total solar eclipse, which will only happen again in mainland Portugal in 2144, so it really was a once in a lifetime experience. I have put together a few photos mostly of white flowers to share without captions I hope you won't mind. Regretfully I won't be posting or visiting as much as usual until we get cooler weather conditions.

ORNAMENTS:

As many of you can appreciate the heat, although a little cooler now, has taken it's toll on me and I still have not fully recovered from the grueling high temperatures. I have lost the incentive to go for a walk as energy is low, and I feel tired all the time. My son Marco Paulo suffered from sever dehydration and had to go to the doctors because he had headaches and couldn't stop shivering. Although he thought he had been drinking enough water, it hadn't been enough. He is better now, but like myself still feels drained of energy.I'm also afraid of falling which seems highly likely in my weakend state, so I had the idea of photographing some of the nature related objects in the interier of my home, and sharing them in a post. Here goes !

I believe these are partridge which I brought back from the algarve when we left, and you can see a number of egg shaped polished stones in the foreground.

Another partridge ...

and another.

pheasants in an amorous pose My attempt to make it look like the male is kissing the female. :))

I think that this is another partridge.

This is one of the plates from a dinner sevice that was on display in the kitchen

It looks like a male and female pheasant.

We used to see partridge on the farm, but not any more, this was about 30 yrs ago and also we saw many more birds. It's sad that they disappeared  without a trace.

I will be linking up to "Saturdays Critters" where you can see all manner of creatures both large and small.If you would like to join in the fun, just click on the icon on the right and it will take you there.

FISH IN THE POND

Today the 24th of July is the first cool day we have had, and it feels great to get some catching up done. What a relief to breath in refreshing cool air and actually feel like doing something, although I haven't taken any photos, so here are a few old ones that I don't remember sharing. 

JAYS IN THE SHADE

A few more images of Jays in the shade.

It is cooler now, and in the morning I'm able to sit outside, however there is another heatwave forecast for next week.  I hope it won't be as hot as it's been.

I will be linking to "Wild Bird Wednesday" and "Saterday's Critters". You can check out  both by clicking on the icons on the right. They will not disappoint.