At the Anemas

A day of getting up early (so early for me that I felt sick for the first couple of hours) and traveling the whole day to the homes of three different colleagues, for quick visits, to deliver poinsettias (called Star of Christmas here) and suchlike, and check they're doing OK. And sending gifts to others and shopping for exciting things like longer, stronger screws in Évora on the way back. The last chance travel out of our Concelho for a while now.

And a reminder of so much I love about the Alentejo:
- wide open skies, and castles on hills
- ancient farmers driving tractors very slowly
- herds of pigs crossing the main road, while several herders (including one woman) chat unconcernedly
- endless rows of vineyards, some tangly, and others all tidy and pruned
- cork oak forests with white numbers on their trunks
- rainbows and sunlight breaking through the clouds
- glasses of hot, milky coffee and very clean toilets
- old men wearing caps and chatting
- storks gracing ungainly nests on the tops of trees, poles, towers
- birds of prey hovering
- startling greens from all the rain
- generous glasses of good wine (and I mean generous) for €2.50 
- beautiful Nativity scenes everywhere, even a huge one in the shopping centre

And no chance for a photo. But I knew I'd get one at the Anemas, totally love their home, the perfect illustration of wabi sabi - here a bit smokey because the electricity had failed which made the fan give up on their pellet burner.

Gratefuls:
- Mirtes having a batch of pão de queijo ready, Blue Peter style, to show me how to get them right; it's really quite an art
- Bia's delicious pizzas, just how we like them
- Jan stopping his work with the cows and cheese to sit and talk with us

And not forgetting Mike's driving and getting back safely. And lighting the fire - it really felt like winter today, 5C when we got home.