Historical Algarve Day trip to Silves, Monchique, CApe Saint Vincent, and Lagos.

Cape Saint Vincent, the most westerly point in all of Europe. 

Did you see us in the states? We were waving.

Lagos, another small town on the Western Algarve.  Middle left picture is the African slave market, the oldest in Europe. Nothing to be proud of. The ship in the upper left is a replica of a Caravel, similar to the ones Columbus used.   Upper right is a beautiful church with an interesting museum in it. The treasures in it ranged from old priest vestments, coins, bones in an

 old stone coffin and a helmet from the 5th century B.C. The statue on the bottom right is Henry the Navigator.  

Oranges here are fresh off the trees and they are very juicy and sweet. One of my favorite drinks here is the fresh squeezed OJ. Middle photos is a couple who paint tiles as replicas from old tiles.  He shared his portfolio with us and their work was lovely.  Bottom right is a type of chair they build in Silves and sell for 50 E. Really cool chair that folds. 

This is the castle in Silves and the archeological dig going on to restore the palace that was part of the castle. The big guy was the first king of Portugal. 

Artifacts found in the castle. 

Cathedral of Silves. 

Monchique is the highest point in Portugal. The wind was really wild up there but the views on the way up and down were stunning. 

Some souvenirs from Loule. 

More of Albufeira and a tour of Loule'

Upper right photo is the Marina area of Albufeira. It was virtually a ghost town when we went. Lots of boats in the marina and no one around.  

Lower left photo is old town and lower right is one of the beaches in Albufeira.

Our trusty maps.

Our Loule' excursion  

Throughout the market, these university students entertained with a flair. 

Vendors at the market included fish, veggies and fruits and local crafts. 

Middle photo is a church in Loule near the gypsy market. 

This is a flowering almond tree. Trees with white blossoms have sweet almonds. Pink blssoms like this have bitter almonds. January and February in Portugal are Spring. 

Albufeira, Portugal on the Algarve

Beautiful flowers 

Sunset over Albufeira from our patio

Selfie with Old Town Albufeira in the background

Villa Petra - our digs for 28 days

Oura Beach in Albufeira - 

Click on the picture to make them bigger 

We took the tourist train around town 

Old town 

Old Town 

Our mail from home. Thanks Joseph for your wonderful artwork. 

Saying goodbye to my father

Joseph M. DeNoble

7/25/1918 - 1/21/2015

Everyone who knew my father had a different relationship with him. 

As an adult, mine was a complicated relationship which was never easy, simple or unconditional. 

He could be painfully controlling, argumentative, always always right, demanding, unappreciative, and he knew just what to say to reduce me to tears or howling anger. 

Yet, other times he would be tender, humourous, empathetic, generous, appreciative and forgiving and those were precious times.

I know that since Mom died, he was never again really happy or at peace. 

He was lost without her, not in a helpless way, but in an emotional way.  He lost his sense of purpose.

 I knew he loved me and I loved him. 

The last time I talked with him on face time from  Spain, a few days before he died, 

he said he loved me. 

He asked that I tell Tom that he has been a wonderful son in law. 

As a child, I thought of my father as dependable, responsible, and fervent in his faith in God.  

He was an usher at St. Therese, active in the Holy Name Men's Club and a life long member of the Knights of Columbus. He went to mass regularly and prayed daily.

 I believe that if there is a heaven, he is there with his God, mom and his beloved family. 

My father gave me many gifts.

The best-  my sisters and brothers.

Loyalty to family and the importance of taking care of each other.

A strong work ethic.

A liberal political view and a belief in social justice.  

A strong sense of patriotistm

The value of an education along with an exceptional K-12 and College education.

A blueprint on how to enjoy retirement. His was a LONG one, over 30 years. 

The love of travel.

Longevity

(and a full head of hair at 96)

Good bye Dad.  

Hug Mom for me. 

I love you.

Kit made this for Gramps 96 birthday. 

Happy 96. 

96th brithday. 

August 2014.

Looking good. 

Christmas 2014 

Two weeks later in the hospital reading the Patient's Rights Booklet :)

Sevilla, Spain

More artwork from home. Hurrah Joseph.

Scenes from the train from Malaga to Sevilla. Millions of acres of orange trees and olive trees and spectacular canyons through the mountains.

Beautiful buildings from the Expo 1929 in Sevilla.

The palace and the fortification from the 15th centurey to control the river. 

Upper right, Another Calatrava bridge creation for the 1992 Expo.  The brick stack is a pottery kiln. Other arial scenes from the department store 6th floor. 

A wonderful Mexican restaurant in Seveilla department store. 

The Catherdral, the third largest in Europe. 

This is the tomb of Christopher Columbus held by four kings of Spain.

More pics of the Cathedral.

Three M's -Maureen, Mijis, and Malaga, Spain

Maureen Haggard came from Brussels for MLK weekend. We had a fabulous time and she got some sun for one of the days! These goofy chairs are in the lobby of the MS Aramagua where we stayed for 19 days on the Costa del Sol. 

Mail from home. Such a warm hug.

Mijas a small mountain town near the Costa del Sol. 

Characters in Mijas. (Mee kass)

The bull ring in Mijas

Tapas and beer for a great lunch in Mijas.

Malaga - the Cathedral. 

The roman ampitheater in Malaga.

It was a rainy day in Malaga but still had a great day. 

Lunch in Malaga. 

The Picasso Museum in Malaga. He was born there and lived  there until he was 10 years  old.

Some of my paintings done in Spain. 

A sunny day in Malaga, and a rainy one in Malaga.