TO MY FRIENDS

To all my friends in blogland I want you to know that I have a deep regard for all my followers, and making a decision to leave my blog was extremely hard, as over the years I have come to think of you as my friends, and it made me very emotioal reading your kind,  caring, and also helpful comments. Yes, I cried, after all it's been forteen years since I started my blog and since then have felt part of a lovely, group of people and you have shared so much of yourselves and I have valued being part of your lives,

For those of you who don't know why I am leaving it's because of failing eyesight caused by Macular Degeneration which has not been too much of a problem until recently when my sight became blurred and although I use a magnifying glass it's difficult to focus with such impaired vision I know there is no cure, but believe that injections in the eyes can help improve vision. My next appointment to see the ophthalmologist is in June, when I should find out what can be done and if I improve will be back to see you all and make a post now and again, until then I´ll say Até à próxima, dear friends In case you are wondering how I made this post my answer is with great difficulty-

Warm hugs

Your friend Sonjia.

BIRDS AT THE FEEDING STATION:

 Hello everyone, I'm back after three months of devastating rainfall and winds reaching 202 kilometers per hour causing a trail of distruction. Trees fell down on the farm and branches are strewn everywhere. On Wednesday 28th of January, Storm Kristin wreaked havoc in Portugal, causing widespread damage as Porto came to a halt, when all power lines came down and these power cuts persist in much of  the country.The tempetuous event left me without power for several days, but the people who are suffering the most live in the center of Portugal,they  felt the full force of Storm Kristin.They have had their rooves ripped off, and their homes flooded with mudded water caused by landslides, cars washed away as streets became rivers, all this whilst persistant rainfall and severe winds hinder attemps to clean up, and drench those affected. If it's not heavy rainfall we are subjected to, it's hailstones and thunder and lightening and dark days which seem like.nightfall. At this moment I can hear hailstones hitting the glass of the balcony doors and I'm worried that a power cut could happen at any time. Every morning I feed the birds, and there is a flurry of activity. Even in the rain, they come, eager to quench their hunger, as it can't be easy to hunt for food in extremely bad weather.

I saw something unusual not long ago, a Great.tit was feeding another Great.tit. Surely it's too early in the year for this kind of behavior, especially in the deplorable weather conditions we have been having

Most of my bird visitors are Great-tits and Coal-tits with the occasional visit from the Creasted- tit and the Blue -tit but the Blue- tit seems afraid of the other birds and is very shy, so I haven't been successful in taking a photo. It's been difficult to take any photos in such weather conditions  and I have deleated many cloudy images. Normally I don't feel any ill effects from a lack of daylight, but even I have felt "under the weather" with a lethargy possibly from a lack of fresh air, but it's not just that, my eyesight has deteriorated and I'm having a hard time reading and focusing on any image. My blurred vision is the main reason I haven't been blogging for a while and I think that perhaps it's time for me to stop blogging. For many reasons this post was difficult to write. I won't say goodbye, I hate goodbyes  but I will say that I will miss you all, and hope that one day if something can be done to aid my failing eyesight, hopefully I will return.

KIKA WAS HER NAME

Just one photo today taken on the farm. The dog belonged to my forman and his wife and I made a copy to keep for myself because it gives me a sense of peace just looking at it. It's still pouring down here, with little chance of me getting outdoors.

Kika at rest

CHRISTMAS GIFTS

Before I share some photos I want to thank those of you who left lovely get well comments which I really appreciated. I feel much better and my leg is healing. I had a new dressing yesterday and the nurse feels confident that I will only need a couple more, dressings.  Although we are now in the new year, I would like to take you back to Christmas when all the family came for lunch and afterwards exchanged presents. My daughter Eva gave me a large package and explained that it had to be assembled before I could use it, which she did the next day.

It's screwed onto my balcony railing and I couldn't be happier with this gift for it is a much better arrangement. The plates which I had been using before on the balcony floor were trip hazzards, and I can even see the birds from my bed which I couldn't do before, and here are a few birds I captured. some in sun and some in shade

These are the birds waiting their turn at the feeders. perched in nearby trees. The birds are quite posessive of the feed station and until they have had their fill  won't let newcomers join them,, 

Our Christmas Tree

It wouldn't be a Christmas tree without birds.

Now for something a little different. Below are four Portuguese tiles that are hanging in the library in a group of four. They each have wooden frames, and I have included one with the frame. My late husband was very fond of these tiles and they were a Christmas gift from Eva to her father many years ago, so I thought you might like to see them, and I have included a little about Portuguese tiles.

Portuguese tiles, known as azulejos are widely considered beautiful, for their intricate designs,vibrant colour, (especially, blue and white)  and story telling narrative that cover buildings, churches and public spaces making them a defining

and artistic cultural treasure. They transform simple surfaces into rich artistic expressions of Portuguese history, faith, and daily life appealing to many for their unique beauty and craftmanship. My laundry room for example is covered from  floor to ceiling with blue and white tiles, and they make the space a more pleasant work place.                                                                                                

 

I will be visiting as soon as possible. I did try before, but could only make a few comments before I was unable to continue. I am looking forward to seeing what you have all been doing. All the best dear friends,see you soon.