Feliz Ano Novo!

Happy New Year! January was notable as the first time Raymond and I were able to take vacation time since we started working. In Portugal, after six months at a new job one qualifies for two days of vacation for each month worked. Since this is the low season at the hotel, most of our colleagues took time off in December and January. I had a stay-cation for a week at the beginning of the month to stay home, hang out with the kitties and work in the yard – it was bliss… After a week back at work, Raymond and I had a week of vacation together and traveled to Lisbon for a week (more on this below). We ended the month with me back to work and Raymond taking his second week of vacation at home (and some well-deserved rest).

Indoor-Outdoor Cats

Raymond and I decided near the beginning of January that we and the now-grown kitties would all be happier if they had their own living space. So, during my stay-cation, we moved them to the mill room / basement where they can come and go as they please as indoor-outdoor cats. I enjoyed taking them for walks in the yard and showing them the trees for the first time (which they love to climb!). They also love nibbling on the lush grass, sunning themselves in the driveway, and racing each other at every opportunity.

This move has changed the dynamic of our household a lot – Raymond and I have a cleaner, calmer house and the cats have fresh air, space, and adventure. Not only this, but they are SOOOO affectionate and cuddly when we get home; as though they needed space away from us to really appreciate us.

A Lost Calf

One particular morning as I was outside with the cats I heard mooing sounds. While not uncommon, it seemed louder and more persistent than usual. I then saw a calf that had fallen down from the pasture above the other side of the stream. After a brief attempt to approach and redirect her upstream, I sought the assistance of our neighbor who said he would tell the owner. A few minutes later, two men arrived in the yard and proceeded to persuade the calf to cross the stream and march across our patio and concrete stairs. They thanked me and departed up the driveway towards the road.

While on the other side of the stream during the encounter, I discovered an absolutely enormous boulder. A little trimming of the invasive ginger revealed a majestic landscaping showpiece that had been there, obscured, the whole time. Working with what was already there, for instance the spindly araçal trees on either end of it and the towering Australian Blackwood tree behind it, I made a little growing box out of two stumps at the front and planted a Japanese cedar in it. Additionally, as the top of the boulder has a depression filled with rich leaf mulch detritus, I planted a small clone of our tree fern. It is now a stunning sight from the house and yard, and just think, it was always there…

Lisboa!

After passing through Lisbon many, many times to get somewhere else, we finally devoted six nights to this wonderful European capital city. We met up with Raymond’s mother at the airport and took the subway to a two bed / two bath apartment we had booked. Located in the neighborhood of Baixa, which was rebuilt in a grande, gridline fashion after the earthquake/fire of 1755, the apartment was spacious and comfortable for our needs. It rained a lot the first two days but we were still able to explore the sights and do some shopping.

We also visited the layered ruins of a Phoenician settlement, Roman fish sauce factory, Moorish pottery kiln, and 18th century foundations in the basement of a bank. Very cool. Later that day we passed the cathedral of Lisbon en route to the Castelo de São Jorge atop a hill above the city. Built by the Moors around 1100 it was later conquered by the first king of Portugal.

A highlight of the trip was a visit to the nearby city of Sintra. We took a 40-minute train ride and then walked to the Quinta da Regaleira, of the “Initiation Well” fame (as seen on Oak Island). The entire grounds, though, were gorgeous – filled with gardens, stone towers, fountains, coves, grottos, banquet patios, a chapel, and a small palace. It was easy to become enchanted with the naturalized landscapes of and dream about emulating some of it at home.

Castle in the mist, Sintra.