The blog, like the week, meanders along with occasional pauses for activity or reflection.
One morning we took ourselves to the Fonte da Benémola nature reserve - about 20 minutes east of us. It's a popular venue with both leisurely walkers and serious hikers. The Via Algarviana hiking route passes through the reserve, whose wild flowers - especially orchids - are a treat in season.
My smart watch recorded 5,000 steps in the reserve, giving me a welcome 13,000 total for the day. I aim for 10,000, a target I reach only once or twice a week.
A spring, which rises in the reserve, joins two other water sources to form the Algibre river that flows along the bottom of our valley or, rather, would do if it had any water. For most of the year it's just been an ugly scar across the countryside, a depressing course of sand, pebbles, and weeds.
Benemola's water once supported a thriving farming community. As the families drifted away, the buildings and terraces fell into disrepair but the authorities have lately done much to restore them and to improve the area.
Tuesday we paid our annual visit to the dermatologist. Barbara got away fairly lightly. (Last year she needed minor surgery.) I got my usual cryo peppering, the penalty for rashly mixing a fair skin with a sunny climate in my youth. Before leaving the surgery we made an appointment for a year hence. The consultant is in high demand, with a six-month waiting list.
Thursday Slavic and I completed our latest path. The section provides the final link in the circuit around the park. As generally happens, the newly-laid concrete was inspected by the dogs while we were mixing the next batch.
We have come to think of their prints as the Valapena walk of fame. They will certainly outlive their signatories. In the years to come people may wonder about the dogs who left their mark.
I also tractored a couple of loads up the top gate of the park in order to improve the steps that lead up to it. Some of the the steps were feeling the pressure of feet and the years. We are up and down them twice a day.
Mornings we take the 40 minute southern loop (Barbara does it in 30). She often goes ahead, stopping to pick up carobs from the many untended trees in the wilderness.
Afternoons we take the eastern circuit. Both involve a great deal of up-and-downing narrow stony paths. The dogs run free.
They know the routine and the area well enough. I'm gradually recovering my fitness. For two months I have been mercifully free of the sciatica that racked me after my back op in June.
In spite of the three inflated gym balls that I've inserted under the pool winter cover, the rain - we've had several welcome mms - collects around the edges. A solution is being considered!
On a dull television programming evening, I settle down in my recliner to watch another episode of THE CROWN. It's brilliantly done.
The series is a gift from my sister, who brought it with her from Germany on her last visit. Hence the German script on the DVD (pictured above - although viewers can choose their preferred listening language).
Another evening occupation has been patching the latest cushion covers ripped by the dogs (which object to our evening outings). The cover above is well over a metre in length and required a great deal of sympathetic attention. As it happens, three of the four patches visible in the photo - those with the straight thread - are Barbara's handiwork. The patch top right, with a different thread style is mine. So are half a dozen others that you will have to take on faith.
ENOUGH UNTO THE WEEK
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