God's Finger

Brazil's on holiday today - Independence Day. Our initial plans to set out for the hills good and early didn't appeal after a bad night, though I wasn't too chuffed at the idea of going later or tomorrow either. However, breakfast improved things, and I eventually winkled HH out of the house for a walk along the beach road, half -closed to traffic on high days and holidays. Sun, colour, kids, dogs, skateboarders, cyclists, walkers, street sellers, kiosks - how could one not enjoy?

The reward for being home was a Skype call from our oldest grandchild (13 this week) - we talked for over an hour. Ours is a very special relationship, as he spent his first 4 1/2 years with us, including many weekends in the hills. So good to catch up with him and to see his smiling face on the screen.

Low-key approach to the rest of the day - some diffident and rather ineffective dabbling in work and trying to get my head round a new program, the usual diversion of Blipfoto, then drove up to the hills in our own time. Stopped for a few photos on the way - the late afternoon light was lovely, and I don't often have the time. I love driving up in the early morning or evening, the light on the hills and their massive shapes and rock faces are superb. I never seem to be able to do justice to the crowning glory of the Organ Mountains, the Dedo de Deus, however, it's the best I can manage today, in spite of the easy pace and extra stops, so here it is.

The other high point of the day was the rapturous and very vocal welcome from the dogs. Glad they still remember us after a month away - good to see their smiling faces too!