STORKS IN LOULE
It's been the week that was. For a start, here's a change from cats and dogs. As we returned from Leroy Merlin on Saturday I circled the block in the car so that Jones could hop out to take a picture of the storks on their nest. Also present but out of sight is baby stork. If one were to take the old road to Lisbon, one would find such a nest atop every electricity pylon along the route.
After shopping we dropped around on the tractor with a packet of chocolate biscuits for Joaquim and Maria. Poor Joaquim is suffering from both arthritis and sciatica, maladies of which I've had a taste. But he joined us for a little neighbourly conversation over a glass of honey-flavoured medronho. (It's delicious.) We were pleased to see that, their frisky highly-excitable bitch, Iris (pronounced "e-rees"), is settling down. She actually came to us to be petted. Her looks are striking, with one blue eye and one brown (heterochromia iridis).
VENUS HIGH IN THE DAWN SKY
Sunday, en route to the Hamburgo for supper with the gang, we stopped to free our latest ratty captive at the road side. Ratty scampered off into the long grass on the verges where he'll have to take his chances with the snakes. At the restaurant our party made up one of only two interior tables although there were other diners outside - thin pickings! Manuel is hoping for an influx of holiday makers next month. He needs them and we need him to stay open.
Monday I dropped the car off with Vitor for its annual service and road-worthiness inspection. At the same time he'll put in the new battery it needs before dropping the car back this evening. Truly, it's VIP service. The previous battery lasted five years so we can't complain. We cut our early dog walk short as the temperature was close to C*30 by the time we set out. Summer's here. At least the pool is inviting.
ASIAN HORNET
Speaking of which, while fishing out the inevitable drowning insects, I came across a large creature that I've not seen before. It was, I regret to say, an Asian hornet, an invasive species that has been working its way westward across Europe. The insect is a real threat to the existence of bees, on which it feeds. The Iberian authorities have been going to great lengths to destroy the invaders' nests. I shall certainly do the same if I come across one. Meanwhile, I may need to put up my wasp traps once again.
Still Monday, there was a frenzy of excitement as (three-legged) Pally put up a small rabbit. The little creature shot across the path and down the hill in a furry blur with six well-fed, clamorous dogs on its heels. They loved the chase - not that the rabbit was in any danger - and returned sparkly eyed and panting with pride. Of more interest was simply the fact of the rabbit. It was the first we've seen in yonks. The species was almost wiped out by viral hemorrhagic disease some years ago.
After breakfast the house turns quiet as pets seek out cool places to sleep away the heat of the day. Jones disappears into the garden where (she insisted I make clear) there is always work to do; I occupy myself in the study, grateful for our heavily-insulated home and for the quiet air conditioners that we put in a few years ago.
Tuesday morning a helicopter circled low over the village before heading off across the valley in the direction of Alte. I was slow with the camera and managed only a distant shot. (My midnight jacuzzi was disturbed by another that clattered overhead). Helicopters are frequent visitors during the fire season, which is well underway.
Also Tuesday we made a coffee stop at our favourite (nearly empty) snack bar after dropping off the dogs' ID books (with vaccination records) with the vet in preparation for a visit tomorrow. Then I spent an hour standing on the threshold of the council "shop", clutching a file and waiting to speak to the solitary clerk on duty (there are usually three) about a water connection for Casa Nada. (All visitors are required to "safe-distance" in the sun while waiting their turn.) The clerk gave me a form that I need to fill in and present to another council office before returning to his office to fill in more forms! Bureaucrats rule!
On several evenings we have taken Jones's salad supper on to the front patio, with the ever hopeful dogs scattered about us. Apart from the occasional yapping of village mutts, there is just the background murmur of crepuscular creatures to accompany us. The evenings are pleasantly warm, the mosquitoes are few and a glass of cold spritzered Borba white wine tastes extra good.
Much of Wednesday morning I spent strimming the park with Slavic before taking Barbara to a favourite snack bar on the outskirts of Tor for a sandwich while Natasha set about the house. Friends call it The Old Geezer bar because there are always half a dozen rustic locals on the patio engaged in loud conversation between relieving sips of their beers. Even though they are within comfortable whispering distance, they seem to feel the need to out-bellow one another. Wednesday was no exception. The sandwich was delicious.
On the way home we took a diversion to look at developments at the Quinta da Ombria, the huge new luxury estate that is taking shape on the far side of Tor. The golf course was looking immaculate - those greens and fairways that we could see from the road. No doubt the skeletal structures rising behind it will look equally impressive in due course. The place is being advertised as a rich man's retreat. Jonesy hates it. She preferred it the way nature had it. I shrug.
Wednesday evening the vet & assistant arrived to give the dogs their annual shots. If I make it sound simple, I do myself a disfavour. First and foremost we had to get Mello inside the house where we could secure her. It's not an occasion that the dogs look forward to; nor, for that matter, do we. Much blandishment and distraction activity are called for.
This year was particularly complicated because new legislation requires that all dogs being vaccinated against rabies (required every third year by law) must now be chipped. We weren't sure whether any of ours were so - in fact, only Bobby was; thus two lots of injections were required all round.
RUSS & MINI POISED TO POUNCE ON ANY BISCUITS BARRI MIGHT LEAVE
For months I have been receiving spam emails from various Republican politicians in the US, warning me of the dangers of the liberal left and appealing to me to donate to their rightful causes. Now the Democrats have joined the fray. Nary a day passes when Nancy Pelosi and Joe Biden don't urge me to help them unseat the unsavoury occupant of the White House (a cause towards which I might feel more sympathetic). Between their appeals, lustful invitations and daily reminders of generous additions to my Bitcoin account, my spam folder overflows.
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