Walking the Essex way

It has been a while since I've posted, I have been on my walks as usual and the family are good that Is my girls and my little darling. Of course Hubby is going strong still full of ideas! But he is not prepared to listen or accept that he is not always right, anything that he does not agree with he refuses to discuss any further! it infuriates me no end, we have been married 48 years and I'd like to say those years were very happy! And they were, as long I let him take the decisions and agreed with everything... Like the time in 1983 when some friends of us decided to sell up and move back to their homeland, that got hubby thinking that he wanted to do the same, I was not keen on the idea and we had many arguments I loved my life the way it was LOL

I was very happy living here in the UK  and did not want to go back, of course he did not like that at all. So after many arguments he wears me down and in the end I agree.
We sell up and off I go with my two girls, I arrive in Madeira my homeland witch I had left at the age of eighteen. My Mother and my sister were very happy to have us back in their lives and so was I, but it was very hard to start with, had to enroll the girls in the local school and sort out the house and had to do it all by myself, the first year it was very hard the girls hated and I missed my life in Essex.

 Oh and hubby was still in Essex working trying to save a little more so that he could buy a little business but with sending us money for us to live on, it was not working and the one year or so turned into four years. By then the girls and I got used to it, and life in Madeira was good I had my Mum and my Sister also made some friends so the last thing in my mind was to go back to Essex.

Then a letter arrives Hubby has decided that he wants us to go back! Of course the girls don't want to, they loved living In Madeira they had made friends and to be honest I was not keen on the idea too, but once again I go along with his decision even though I was not happy, after saying goodbye to my family once again I arrive in the UK. Am happy to say living here in Essex is great.

         

Walking in Madiera

Have been back from the homeland a few days now with a bad foot.
Am itching to go walking but thought I better be sensible and rest my foot. So after resting for a full week it still not quite right but the countryside is beckoning me,and I will be walking still limping. Yes with a limp, I must see how it goes. Spring is unfolding and I must be there to witness Gods creation at its best.
My homeland is beautiful but my little corner of Essex is just as beautiful! And I really love the countryside i missed my walks, walking through the woods the bird song, at times its like walking though an enchanted wood! LOL am I being to fanciful or dramatic? Perhaps! But that is how I feel.
Oh well since I have not been out with my camera i'll share some pics from my Madeira.
Photos taken up in the mountains at Levada walks.

Walking the Essex way

My friend Paula and I have been walking in our surrounding countryside for over 20 years.
We have gone through five pairs of walking boots.
We are early birds and the best time for witnessing the countryside awakening and to see the seasons unfurl right before our eyes.
It has been an amazing journey, we have crawled through the undergrowth walked through brambles , nettles I have come home many a time scratched and stinging from the nettles , but always looking forward for the next walk or should I say the next adventure like my friend likes to call it.
We have taken so many pictures! So I thought that I'd share some, and take you down through the seasons and share my wonderful adventures.
Happy 2019 .

 

Walking the Essex way

December for me is a month of nostalgia! It takes me back to my childhood, my little house in Essex way is smelling just like the house of my early years, in my Madeira the house that I and my siblings grew up a house full of love and music and laughter my dear Dad made it all so magical.

The scent of cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg and black treacle permeates the air! Memories of a busy kitchen with Mama baking all the goodies for Christmas the broas ((ie)) cookies that everyone in the Island is also busy getting their cooking done. I remember Mama getting us children to roll little balls and placing them on trays ready to be baked.

Then came the cakes, Mama measuring the ingredients into a big basin, no electric mixer like I use, she had to do all of this baking by hand, once again the smell of baking and one can smell it for miles because every house in the neighbourhood was doing the same, baking for Christmas.
Now it is my turn and it gives me lots of pleasure to keep the tradition going, I know that my girls look forward to eating them and I always make sure that their cousins have their share too, they loved Vovo's cookies. But now its Tia Ana's cookies.

And that's just like my house feels at the moment like a past memory that I relieve every December, now that I have started my baking, first I start with Broas de mel ((Black treacle cookies))  then The butter cookies and a few others. My kitchen smells heavenly the smell of spices so heady, and that's how I remember Christmas I hope that my girls will think on, with the same fond memories.

Wishing you all a very happy December and I hope that you all have been very good because Father Christmas is taking requests at the moment, so place your order wisely.

Walking the Essexway

Yesterday was a very sad day! Our good friend Jose was buried. It was a sad moment but at the same time it was lovely to record the good times and to see old friends, Nick and Gerald whom I Love and have known since they were little boys did a great job their dad am sure would've been very proud.
My lovely sister Elsa bless her, lived and looked after Jo and she was so bereft at his going, we all have gathered her into our arms and will take great care of her.
I am very thankful that Jo's family have taken my sister to their hearts and hope they will continue to do so, she has a kind heart and she needs to be cherished! Of course, I am here for her but comes winter, like the birds I do migrate to warmer climates! she does have children and they do visit but unfortunately not as often as they should busy lives, of course, they have jobs and not leaving nearby does not help. Now that Elsa is driving again she can go visit her granddaughter Daniela and great-granddaughter Kiri I think that's what is going to keep her sane, although I do worry about her driving.
 Was hoping to go for a walk this morning but it is not going to happen God must be very sad we have tears. we have very grey skies looks like the rain is here to stay.

Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength; Loving someone deeply gives you courage.

A few pics of our surrounding countryside of previous walks.

Walking the Essex way

I have been feeling a little blue for the past few days, but I have woken up feeling very positive.
Thank you, Paula, for the pep talk, you are right I have my girls and my little darling. My hubby and I are truly blessed.
Going walking through our beautiful countryside gives me that inner peace, I feel almost close to God.
The trees are undressing a leaf each second is flung at will and the spider web, that stays there dangling the rabbits running for cover the chirping up above, its truly a magical time of the year.