#AtoZChallenge P is for Portugal

A to Z Challenge 2020

Things to be Grateful for

is for Portugal




This week I should have taken a ferry to Spain and then driven to Portugal for a six week stay. Sadly like so many people my circumstances have changed.  Although I first visited Lisbon in 1969 it was in 2013 that I fell in love with Portugal and bought a holiday home there.

I miss the history of places like Evora

The many ports and marinas on its long coast.

The architecture of its churches and the white houses with their ornate chimneys.

And then there's the stunning rocky beaches

And the chance to sit outside in the sunshine to eat and drink.

The Rio Formosa looks so inviting

At Sagres we are reminded of the Portuguese explorers

And so often there are impressive sunsets.

Yes I am grateful that Portugal will still be there for me.

#AtoZChallenge O is for Out and About

A to Z Challenge 2020

Things to be Grateful for

is for Out and About

Not really possible now but I can plan, remember and look online for ideas for when it is all over.

I could visit RHS Wisley

I could walk around the Castle Gardens in Guildford

I could climb the Spinnaker tower in Portsmouth

I could visit Legoland in Windsor.

Or I could take my grandchildren to Pepper Pig World

So many things to look forward to.

#AtoZ Challenge N is for Neighbourhood

A to Z Challenge 2020

Things to be Grateful for

Is for Neighbourhood

I have lived in several different neighbourhoods. As a baby I was in rural Scotland, on a farm where the nearest neighbours were relations, so you knew there was someone to depend upon.

In contrast my next neighbourhood was a street in south London. There we had milk and bread delivered, one by a horse drawn vehicle. Each night the gas streetlights were hand lit (this was the 1950s). I was not quite three when there was a street party for the Coronation. A rag and bone man and a knife sharpener arrived regularly but nobody had a car to park outside our terraced houses. School and shops were a short walk away and there were red trolley buses to go further afield.

At the age of 10, I moved down to Dorset to live by the sea. Our bungalow was on a promontory out to sea, directly opposite a pub. There was an overgrown garden park at the end of the road with good views of the harbour.  One of our older neighbours had been in China during the Boxer Rebellion and showed me photographs of people he met there.

My next neighbourhood was a remote spot in the Yorkshire Dales. In winter we were sometimes cut off by snow and all my friends lived miles away so long phone calls were necessary.

After time living abroad then at University, I lived in four shared flats in turn with other young people including air stewardesses and members of a pop group. We rarely had any contact with our neighbours.

 Once married I moved to a Surrey village where our social life centred on the pub by the river, the useful local shop and the laundrette. We had friends of all ages in a great community.  

I have written about my current neighbours during our time of isolation here

#AtoZChallenge M is for Maps

A to Z Challenge 2020

Things to be Grateful for

is for Maps




I love maps. I like to relate where I am to other places. I like to see the shape of an island, the curve of a coastline and the height of a mountain.  I also love historical maps which show how places have changed. Here are some maps I have saved.

First two maps from https://maps.nls.uk/ of places where my ancestors lived

The Gareloch on the west coast of Scotland

The North East coast of Scotland

Now another part of England where I had ancestors

1897 The Vicinity of London from The Century Atlas

http://www.londonancestor.com/maps/maps.htm

Next two tourist maps.The map of Saint Lucia in the Caribbean was one I used with my pupils when we were studying the island for Geography.

The map of Singapore reminds me how much it has changed in the 50 plus years I have known it.

What would your favourite map show?

#AtoZChallenge L is for Lamb

A to Z Challenge 2020

Things to be Grateful for

is for Lamb

Little Lamb who made thee

Dost thou know who made thee

Gave thee life & bid thee feed.

By the stream & o'er the mead;

Gave thee clothing of delight,

Softest clothing wooly bright;

Gave thee such a tender voice,

Making all the vales rejoice!

         Little Lamb who made thee

         Dost thou know who made thee?

 Little Lamb I'll tell thee,

 Little Lamb I'll tell thee!

He is called by thy name,

For he calls himself a Lamb:

He is meek & he is mild,

He became a little child:

I a child & thou a lamb,

We are called by his name.

         Little Lamb God bless thee.

         Little Lamb God bless thee.

William Blake

#AtoZChallenge K is for Kebaya

A to Z Challenge 2020

Things to be Grateful for

is for Kebaya

When I lived in Singapore in my teens my mother and I loved to shop for Batik Sarongs and separate embroidered Kebayas. A kebaya is a long, jacket style blouse made of thin fabric. It comes from traditional wear in Malaysia and Indonesia and was originally worn by European women living in the East in the 15th century. They are very beautiful garments. Here are some examples.

#AtoZChallenge J is the Jewel in our crown

A to Z Challenge 2020

Things to be Grateful for

is for

Jaunts and Jamborees
Jumping for Joy
Journeys abroad
Or maybe not..

Jelly and Jam
Just what we need
Jovial songs
By jove we won't

Pick up the javelin
Jangle that pan
Clap for our heroes
The jewels in our crown