October, Turning into Autumn

Started the month off with a visit to the Beach at Mira with the dogs,who were doing their “Are we there yet?” bit…it was a lovely day break and we should do it more often.

I did a couple of water colour workshops with one of the students from Sylvi’s drawing class and Sylvi did two days of patchwork and applique with the mum of a friend who was visiting from England. She made her first patchwork applique cushion cover and hatched an idea for a shabby chic advent calendar.

The big event of the month was, of course, the arrival here for a break of Rich, Jo and little Lexa. Sylvi had been planning and having fun for weeks turning the whole place into a Nursery School! (Sylvi here…well it was only the barn really as she had to have somewhere to play and paint and spend time out of the wet and cooler weather…my excuse anyway!

Oh and she needed a reading and comfy place in her room in the attic so a fantasy reading tent seemed a good idea too.)

Lots and lots of thanks to Matt and Jo who loaned us lots of toys and gates and fire guards and books and the cot. Such a great help thanks so much.
So we have had a busy time, walking to the lake, studying frogs in the pond, getting to know the dogs  (Scraps is very nervous and Bugsy a bit barky and bouncy but every day is better than the last) and just being out and about as a family.
So here is a selection of pictures from some of our adventures over the past week.

Getting to know the dogs has been a big part of the week and Lexa loves them…when they don’t bark!  She also spent time helping Grandpa find the ball at Scraps’ ball playtime!

We went to Coimbra to enjoy the walk around and it was a bonus to have lunch there and buy Lexa some new shoes a new hat and bracelet!!!!! She also made a friend in the shop!

     

   At home we hunted for frogs in the pond 

At Santa Comba Dao..there were helicopters and a painted cow all in one go….

Puppy on daddy’s head helped to keep his pate warm!

Rich here….We have had a fantastic time staying at the Quinta, seems incredible that it’s been six years since we were here last. Granny and Grandpa have made Lexa’s time here so special, from the reading tent in her bedroom to the expeditions into the field to visit the frogs and the trip to visit the helicopter in Santa Comba Dao. Seems like the week has just flown by but we’re sure that we’ll be back soon to visit, especially since Scraps and Bugsy are fast becoming Lexa’s best friends!