The weather in Portrugal was not as brilliant as usu
al for the first few days but I didn't mind - I'm not a sun-worshiper. I was quite happy to spend my time painting (It was the first time I had remembered to take painting equipment with me).
While the others were muttering and cursing and shaking their fists at the sky I was happily reading or drawing. The villa where we always stay is on a cliff top over the small former fishing village of Carvoeiro. Today the Algarve (Portugal's southernmost province) is largely about golf; that's not something I can get interested in but lots of my friends go there to play. I find it to be more unspolit than Spain and a bit more friendly. Because of the Euro-Stirling exchange rate, prices seemed expensive for us but I don't usually worry too much about those things when on vacation; I just bite the bullet and pay the price. That's my philosophy at all times anyway because there is no point in spending ones life complaining and moaning; better to simply enjoy life.
This was a hedonistic holiday mostly centered on eating, drinking, talking, walking, lazing in the heated pool, reading and, for me, painting. I'm not very good but it's a hugely enjoyable pastime.
My first book was 'Pictures at an Exhibition' by DM Thomas. It was a very 'difficult' read and ultimately unsatisfying. It deals with the same subject as his earlier masterpiece, 'The White Hotel', that is - the holocaust, Freuidian pyschoanalysis and human sexuality. Much more enjoyable is a book I am still reading. 'Ordinary Thunderstorms' by William Boyd opens like an good but standard type of man-on-the run thriller buts seems to be developing deeper more meaningfuul themes.
Ferragudo with Portimao across the estuary in the distance. Picture from http://www.algarvetraveldirect.co.uk/ |
The area has been settled for more than two thousand years, having been variously occupied or settled by the Phoenicians, Romans and the Moors.
8 comments:
Sounds like you had a better time than your friends. Beautiful picture of that place, by the way. I know what you mean by a difficult read. The book you described sounds like the author was trying to put too many things and complex ideas in his literary zoo of a book. I'd like to see your paintings.
All in all, if I had the money, I'd like to visit a place like Carvoeiro. Sounds inviting.
Take care, Bazza
I struggled through The White Hotel years back and didn't really like it.
Hope you came back with some paintings you were happy with. I used to dabble in painting and drawing, though was never very good at either. What I liked about it was that it really made me look at things properly.
Beautiful pictures. I am just happy you had a wonderful time.
Have an awesome day.
Kelly: Well, I think we all had a good time but I just had more of a good time! If I can figure out how to load my own photos again I might be brave enough to show some of my paintings.
Joanne: I really enjoyed how the the ending of The White Hotel explained the psychological prescience that the woman experienced. I agree how painting makes you look at the world differently. I filled a small book with stuff which I just might show soon! Thanks for dropping by!
Mr Stupid: I recommend your zany site for a laugh! Thanks for the kind thought.
Hi bazza,
It seems like you had a therapeutic time in Portugal. For you had, despite the misgivings of the weather, positive distractions.
I think that is great and welcome back.
With respect, Gary.
Gary: Thanks, it's good to be home. The holiday was certainly therapeutic in terms of 'chilling out' and relaxing.
I heard william boyd on radio 4....he sounded very interesting.
Glad holiday went well despite initial lack of sun.
Thanks Rob. Boyd's most famous book is An Ice-Cream War set in East Africa during World War 1.
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