Disappearing World

[CM]

Ellie

The books are on sale behind the bar at a pub in village (might be Sully's)
they are worth a read as they chronicle the life of a couple who leave the rat race and try to make a go of it inland somewhere (the location is unknown to the reader). They are both called "Wild Herbs & Hapiness" but the first one has a blue cover and the sequel has a cream one.

Good luck in finding them!

[a guest]

Thanks for jarring my memory, the drive from Odemira to Monchique via
route N123/N266 is very nice, rural Portugal at it's best..

[a guest]

Ellie

The books are on sale behind the bar at a pub in village (might be Sully's)
they are worth a read as they chronicle the life of a couple who leave the rat race and try to make a go of it inland somewhere (the location is unknown to the reader). They are both called "Wild Herbs & Hapiness" but the first one has a blue cover and the sequel has a cream one.

Good luck in finding them!

Glad you enjoyed Ruth Bank's 2 books. The author lives in the
hills above Alte, the exact location of the hamlet that she lives in
is best kept a secret per her request.

[Ellie]

Thanks for reminder of Ruth Banks books--was told of them once before and I stiil havent searched them out, but will do so now--are they available from our libraries d'you know?or are they only found in Algarve ?

[Ellie]

Forgot to say--hear hear to Cowboys words--its a pity we cant have some Portuguese input on this topic.
If my friend Eugenia is able to get onto her PC--her schoolboy son uses it most of time---Im sure she would give her opinion as she gave it open and honestly to me.
When I write to her next week --I have photos to send to her--maybe I can persuade her to post a few words.
Boa tarde,Ellie

[a guest]

Thanks for reminder of Ruth Banks books--was told of them once before and I stiil havent searched them out, but will do so now--are they available from our libraries d'you know?or are they only found in Algarve ?

If you cannot find them in your area you might try purchasing them
direct from the author. Her email is picked up from the "Algarve
Resident" newpaper in Lagoa. Her email address is:

ruthbanks@algarveresident.com

[Ellie]

Thanks guest for the web address for Ruths books.i sent e-mail for info-but its been returned.Perhaps there maybe another way d'you think of getting hold of them?

[Gerry Cullen]

I can understand most of us not wanting to lose our way of life and our culture,its like an old jumper that feels comfortable but the snag is our children,not only do they not want the hardship that tends to go hand in hand with our"culture "but if the truth be known,we don,t want it for them either.Your friends with the restraunt probably worked 12 and 14 hour days for their living and were happy to do it ,delighted to be rushed off their feet,falling into bed exhausted at midnight then up again the next morning to start all over again, and all this just to exist. maybe im wrong but i,ll ,bet that they did all this so their kids don,t have to or at least if they do they,ll make a few bob out of it.The little cafe nestled down the backstreet with its local clients and its 20% mark up may look cute but behind the scenes it can be soul destroying heart breaking hard slog and the people to whom this is most obvious are the children who have watched their parents put the graft in. So when these youngsters come home to take over the family cafe ;they buy the next door shop, the bit of a stable at the back,gut the whole lot and bingo.... ZANADOS NITECLUB... 200% mark up, 4 hours work a day and staff to do the hard graft and no matter how we look at it when it comes to our own kids we wouldn,t have it any other way,a porche 911 beats a donkey and cart hands down.
By the way ellie i know what you mean about krazyland its in the middle of nowhere but if you follow the signs(both of them)and stay to the most main looking dirt track you,ll find the entrance then just follow the track to the car park,go early as the demo with the aligators is in english first and it looks to be great crack.
gerry

[Ellie]

Hi Gerry,
Thanks for your posting--and of course youre right in many things you say.
Actually, my friend Maria,who runs a pastelaria in Lagoa, wishes that she did have to "slog" a bit more --each time we visited--many times in our month there--the place was almost deserted. Maria and her family (when we lived there) owned a very good supermarket in Lagoa--but like many others--were put out of business by the large Intermarche--the sadness is there to see in her eyes,as she and her elderly mother(her father is old and ill and her brother had to find other outside work)struggle now to make ends meet.
My other friend is the wife of a restaurant owner in CVO--she is the one who spoke from the heart--telling me,quite passionately,how worried she is about the loss of their traditions. I simply listened,sympathised,and said I felt the same.
But life has a strange way of coming "full circle".In saying this,i dont visualise a sudden "coming back" of horse& carts- -if only--or at least making room for those who wish to live this "natural" way--but Ive read in recent times of how our Shire horses are being brought back onto the land to replace tractors--not simply because theyre probably cheaper and more environmentally friendly --but because one day--oil will run out!
Perhaps we should all contemplate --perhaps--owning a horse& cart one day?mmmm.
Ive "gone off track " slightly here I think!
Speaking of which-thanks Gerry--for route to Krazyland---Ill remember that for next visit--and to get there early for the"gator" act!
Next visit may possibly be Christmas for a week--will it be open then d'you know? Ellie.

[a guest]

Thanks guest for the web address for Ruths books.i sent e-mail for info-but its been returned.Perhaps there maybe another way d'you think of getting hold of them?

You might try her mailing address:
Lesley Greenwood
Apt 156Y Assumadas
Alte
8100-014 Loule
Algarve Portugal

P.S. Ruth Banks is her pen name

[Ellie]

Thanks guest-Ive taken note and will try mailing her.ellie

[jamdodger]

Hi Ellie. I agree with what you say but after living here for mor than 6 yearsfollowing my divorce, I fear that many Portugese especially the young, embrace these changes that are underway. I did see you in Colombo's several times,(very nice),and wanted to have a chat was a little intimidated by the large fellow with you,(husband?)' is here any possibility that you will return to CVO in the near future,on your own.

[maddi]

Ellie

It looks like you have an admirer - how flattering and lovely - lucky thing!

Maddi

[Ellie]

Jamdodger? Does this mean you avoid traffic?Love the biscuits?
Sorry--just fooling!
Imsure youre right in saying that most young Portuguese embrace the many changes--as we all did in our youth---we didnt want the "old-fashioned" ways of our parents--but the people I spoke to "were" young-from early twenties to early thirties mainly--admittedly I was surprised but also pleased-that they were worried about losing their heritage/culture.I cant do much about it to help them--except --maybe--as Tiny Tim said--write about it.
You saw me in Colombos?Yes,it is a favourite of mine.Not posh-not a great big menu-but I feel "comfortable" there--staff are nice/friendly--and they will "adapt" a meal if you want it slightly different and its a great place to "people watch"! I like to guess where people -who walk past--are from(before hearing their voices).
You should have come and spoken to me.I would have enjoyed that.Yes,H, is a big guy but never resents my making friends or my work on here.He is used to me doing my own thing.
Our last night (at Colombos) &I was writing at my table--when a lady came down the stairs and spoke to me.She was a scouser --and whata bundle of fun! before I left-I went to her table to sit and talk to her & family.We had our photo taken together---guess her name? No? It was "Ellie"----
The waitress (German girl Annetta) said to H--"Wheres your wife?"
he said "shes gone again--up there natterring to complete strangers!"
As I say--hes used to me!
In telling you this--Im giving you an insight to one of my stories---I have to write about this "other Ellie" and her funny ,friendly family.
The only time Ive travelled to Algarve alone was when I had garden work--Its not just for finances--but Id go crazy with nothing to do.
Of course --If Im lucky with book--who knows?
Boa tarde, Ellie

[ellie]

Are you resident in CVO------is it still quiet there?The square was a ghost town late at night on my last few days!