Blog Feed: Piglet in Portugal

This traditional Portuguese recipe is courtesy of Fernanda I’m always keen to try Portuguese recipes so when Fernanda kindly shared this recipe I thought I would experiment. I tried to discover what the word “Farófias” actually mea

December Garden Bloggers Bloom Day in Portugal

Published on 2012-12-15 13:32:52

On the 15th of each month I participate in a gardening blog hop called Garden Bloggers Bloom Day where garden bloggers all over the world share what is currently blooming in their garden. So what’s blooming in Piglet’s plot? The … C

The Bolo Rei – The Portuguese Taste of Christmas

Published on 2012-12-12 06:18:35

When Steph Blog in France suggested a Christmas Blog Hop I thought what a great idea and maybe someone can share their tried and tested recipe for Bolo Rei as it originates in France! Bolo Rei is not simply a … Continue reading →

Piglet put the kettle on…

Published on 2012-12-08 10:41:39

Piglet put the kettle on Piglet put the kettle on, Piglet put the kettle on we all want some tea… Except we won’t have some tea because the pigging thing won’t work. A couple of months ago we had a … Continue reading →

Portugal: Growing Fruit and Vegetables – November

Published on 2012-12-04 15:16:32

My passion for gardening has taken a back seat during November due to my trip to France, illness and of course the National Novel Writing 30 day challenge. However, much to my surprise everything, bar the cucumbers growing in pots, … Continue r

A Great Sense of Achievement

Published on 2012-11-30 05:12:49

Sometimes we set ourselves personal goals swept away on the crest of a wave by a moments reckless enthusiasm or, as in my case on this occasion, after a glass or three of cheap heady red wine. We believe anything … Continue reading →

Why you should ALWAYS wear gloves when gardening in Portugal!

Published on 2012-11-29 12:55:25

I usually always wear gloves when I’m gardening because of all the little beasties lurking in the soil or on the leaves of my plants. Guess what? On this occasion I got sloppy and I put my naked hands into … Continue reading →

NaNoWriMo – Day 16

Published on 2012-11-16 16:44:42

It’s day sixteen of the NaNoWriMo and we are now over half way through the challenge and although weary at times I’m still determined to succeed. However, little did I know when I committed to NaNoWriMo that I would travel … Continu

A Visit to the Dentist – I’m SUCH a Coward!

Published on 2012-11-12 14:56:17

A few weeks ago I broke one of my back molars on some crusty Portuguese bread. For the uninitiated the crusts are rock hard so lethal if you have crowns, false teeth or indeed any other form of dentistry! Despite … Continue reading →

Geometric

Published on 2012-11-05 14:44:16

Azulejos are hand-painted tiles used to decorate properties in Portugal both internally and externally since the middle ages. They were introduced to by the Moors and originally decorated with geometric patterns in a single colour. This post was insp

Creative Writing Course in the Algarve

Published on 2012-10-31 09:22:21

The NaNoWriMo participants are now under “starters orders” as they eagerly await, or not, the first of November to arrive when the challenges begins. I am not feeling quite as apprehensive as I was thanks to the inspirational two-day resi

Portugal: Growing Fruit and Vegetables – October

Published on 2012-10-29 16:35:09

Here we are hurtling towards the end of October and enjoying the sun when autumn arrived quite suddenly. One minute we are swimming in the sea and enjoying temperatures of 25C. While the cloudless blue sky suggested not a hint … Continue reading →

Is Social Media and the Latest Technology “Gizmo” Driving YOU Crazy?

Published on 2012-10-25 15:06:26

When I bought my Blackberry, I thought about the 30-year business I ran with 1800 employees, all without a cell phone that plays music, takes videos, pictures and communicates with Facebook and Twitter. I signed up under duress for Twitter … Continue reading →

City Living in Lisbon

Published on 2012-10-23 15:13:13

This week’s theme for Jakes photo challenge is City Living in a city I’m sure has many advantages, but I’ve always pondered on the problem as to where city-dwellers hang their wet washing to dry in these tiny trendy city … Continue reading →

White insects in soil…what are they?

Published on 2012-10-21 07:20:32

There is never a dull moment on Piglet’s Plot. I’ve discovered yet another bug has taken up residence in my gourmet garden so I need some help from my gardening buddies please! While emptying the soil from a pot I’d … Continue reading →

NaNoWriMo – am I crazy?

Published on 2012-10-19 17:07:18

I’ve often asked the question “What is the difference between a blogger and a writer?” Any ideas please, because I’m about to find out! I’m not sure why I decided to sign up and commit myself to the NaNoWriMo(National Novel … Continue reading →

Bacalhau à Brás

Published on 2012-10-11 14:56:13

The first time I tasted Bacalhau à Brás I spat it out in surprised horror, downed a glass of water and swore at the assault on my taste buds. My tongue reacted in much the same way as that of … Continue reading →

Portugal: Growing Fruit and Vegetables – September

Published on 2012-10-08 07:20:48

August passed with a blink of an eye and before I realised, it was September. Unfortunately, I failed in my personal challenge to record my “August” gardening “ups and downs” along with photographic evidence. Fortunately I made some notes, which … Continue reading →

My Algarve Insider Tips

Published on 2012-10-04 11:31:07

Our first holiday to the

Telling Porkies

Published on 2012-09-26 08:18:50

When my son and fiancée moved to their new home in the UK they inherited a neglected, but nevertheless healthy rhubarb plant which had masses of thick juicy stalks. I was green with envy as the plant was growing in … Continue reading →

BBQ’d Piglet on Market Day

Published on 2012-09-18 16:22:51

Beginning to feel faint from the intense heat I paused in the shade of a large tree to people-watch. I smiled as tourists, oblivious to the scorching sun and their already lobster-red arms and faces, rummaged enthusiastically through the clothes … Continue reading →

Everyday Life in the Algarve

Published on 2012-09-16 10:05:01

But not as we know it! Perhaps looking at this photograph you would be forgiven for thinking the shot was taken in the heart of the country, and not in a small town in the Western Algarve. When I captured … Continue reading →

A Simple Way to Propagate Hibiscus

Published on 2012-09-06 14:30:24

Hibiscus are my favourite plants (shrubs) because they are SO easy to grow and reward me with an abundance of beautiful flowers throughout the year. Unable to grow them in England I was naturally delighted to discover not only did … Continue reading →

Weekly Photo Challenge: Free Spirit

Published on 2012-08-31 16:55:44

The theme for this week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is“Free Spirit” Sitting on the shoreline Looking out to sea. Body boarding or fishing The challenge sets me free A free spirit in the water At the mercy of the sea. … Continue reading →

Silves Medieval Fair 2012 – Feira Medieval Silves

Published on 2012-08-30 15:20:08

The Medieval Fair held in the historic town of Silves is our favourite event of the year. In fact, we enjoy it so much it’s always the first social event flagged, in advance, on our Calender. If you live in … Continue reading →

Old Dudes Rule!

Published on 2012-08-26 14:36:51

As we get older society discards us because we are past our “Sell by” or should that be “Best before” date?. But us oldens still have a trick or two up our sleeves, so youngins beware! The Stud Rooster A … Continue reading →

What are these?

Published on 2012-08-24 06:59:58

Are they the eyes of a GM critter? Have aliens arrived from outer space? hmmmm I’m not convinced. OK, humour me and let your imagination indulge itself – what do you think? Please check out Piglet’s new gardening blog – … Continue reading →

Black and White…or Colour?

Published on 2012-08-21 15:29:21

The theme for Jake’s Photo Challenge this week is: Black and White. I am not a great lover of black and white photographs. Yes, I know they can be “Arty”, but to me they look rather bland and soulless. (Please … Continue reading →

Portugal: Growing Fruit and Vegetables in Containers – July

Published on 2012-08-18 16:47:12

My container gardening diary continues… The temperatures in July, after scorching winds, soared into the 30Cs and certainly tested my tenacity and ability to grow fruit and vegetables in containers. Unlike cacti, succulents, hibiscus and the other variety of plants … Continue reading →

Is Bullfighting “Wrong”?

Published on 2012-08-12 06:10:13

The theme for this week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is “Wrong”. I often reflect on the heated and ongoing debate about the traditional spectacle of bullfighting which is popular in several countries including Spain and Portugal. While some people refer … Continue reading →

10 Useful Facts About The Carob Tree (Árvore de Alfarrobeiras)

Published on 2012-08-09 16:32:04

Or should this be “10 useful facts I did not know about the Carob tree”? Lacking inspiration for this week’s

Simple Yummy Nougatine

Published on 2012-08-05 16:18:10

During one of our visits to France I discovered an addictive sweet biscuit called nougatine. It’s a wafer thin almond concoction eaten with coffee/tea or used as a decorative wafer when serving ice cream. Or if you are like me, … Continue reading →

Portugal: Growing Fruit and Vegetables in July

Published on 2012-07-31 09:12:52

You certainly reap what you sow! I’ve devoted hours to tending my vegetable garden this month and I’m now reaping the benefits with an abundant crop of tomatoes, lettuce, radish, carrots, peppers, red cabbage and French green beans. The crops … Continue reading →

Praia da Ingrina, Western Algarve – Portugal

Published on 2012-07-26 15:25:29

Praia da Ingrina is a Blue Flag beach located in an idyllic and unspoilt country setting “far from the ‘maddening’ crowds”. As I sat on the beach enjoying the tranquility and natural beauty I could even hear a cockerel crowing … Continue reading →

Weekly Photo Challenge: Inside (an old English pub)

Published on 2012-07-24 16:53:08

The theme for this week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is “Inside” In 2011, stranded in the UK due to the volcanic ash cloud we took the opportunity to visit many old towns and villages in the Cotswolds. Rather than taking … Continue reading →

How to Choose the Safest Sunscreen: Organic Gardening

Published on 2012-07-23 12:24:58

The UV levels in Portugal can be really high and because I have very fair skin (Piglet pink) I regularly apply sunscreen, even in winter. You can imagine I was quite perturbed when I read this article so thought I … Continue reading →

Help needed please…

Published on 2012-07-19 16:20:37

I love painting street scenes, however because I’m absolutely hopeless at drawing and especially “perspective” I needed to find a creative way to overcome my lack of talent. With this in mind I decided to cheat and with the aid … Continue reading →

Weekly Photo Challenge: Dreaming

Published on 2012-07-18 15:01:57

Last week, on a grandparents day out, we took our little granddaughter to a huge lake with a beach and supervised swimming area. Once we’d found a suitable shady area to set up camp, laid out her blanket so she … Continue reading →

Oranges With Fresh Mint

Published on 2012-07-10 05:29:17

Orange trees grow almost like weeds here in the Algarve, except when I try to grow one of course! However, driving through the Algarve countryside it grieves me to see the amount of oranges that are just left to rot … Continue reading →

Portugal: Growing Fruit and Vegetables in Pots – June

Published on 2012-07-03 15:31:31

My monthly garden diary continues with my ongoing attempts to grow fruit and vegetables in pots and various containers. After various gardening disasters in May I learned some valuable lessons such as a basic understanding of soil nutrients, watering (under … Continue reading →

Weekly Photo Challenge: Fleeting Moment

Published on 2012-06-30 16:36:59

This post is inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is “Fleeting Moment” Trying to take a photograph of this flower stand in a busy street in Lisbon, you can see what happened next! And in this … Continue reading →

Mediterranean Chicken – Piglet Style!

Published on 2012-06-29 14:58:11

I discovered this one-pot recipe when we went to a friend’s house for dinner one evening. I loved it – not only is it delicious, but also simple to prepare and cook. Over time I discovered other favorites and it … Continue reading →

Piglet meets up with fellow blogger Sami from Australia!

Published on 2012-06-27 07:48:17

On Monday I met with one of my blogging buddies Sami of

Portugal: Growing Fruit and Vegetables in June

Published on 2012-06-24 16:50:24

Shame on me. I completely forgot to write my monthly vegetable diary for May and I only took one photograph of the raised vegetable area. In my defence, I was away for several weeks so my garden was left very … Continue reading →

The Forgotten Ones…

Published on 2012-06-21 17:52:50

Several weeks ago you may recall I published a joke email about the treatment of The Elderly in Nursing Homes v Criminals in Prison. Guess as to who receives the best treatment! The post

Recycling water in the home

Published on 2012-06-15 16:37:25

Recycling in the home is one of my passions, so before disposing of anything from egg boxes and string to plastic bottles and containers I now ask myself “How can I reuse this item – either in its current form … Continue reading →

Garden Diary: Container gardening – Cochonilhas and Mealybugs

Published on 2012-06-10 09:26:29

On Monday, I met up with Joan a fellow “container” garden

Garden Diary: Container gardening – Cochonilhas or Mealybugs?

Published on 2012-06-10 09:26:29

On Monday, I met up with Joan a fellow “container” garden

Weekly Photo Challenge: Today

Published on 2012-06-06 16:32:22

Inspiration for today’s post is courtesy of the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. This week’s theme is Today. I had scheduled another post, but could not resist posting the photograph of this handsome bug! While watering my vegetable garden today I … Continue reading →

How did I kill my tomato plants?

Published on 2012-05-31 01:52:39

There’s certainly never a dull moment when you attempt to grow your own fruit and vegetables, especially on Piglet’s plot! One minute they are all fine and the next… Before we returned to France I went to our local plant … Continue reading →

Piglet’s 2nd Blogiversary

Published on 2012-05-21 03:33:01

Two years ago today my daughter Piglet in France introduced me to the WordPress blog platform, and Piglet in Portugal was born. She patiently (she is not renowned for her patience when demonstrating techie stuff on the PC to Mother) … Continue reading →

Together

Published on 2012-05-13 07:28:05

Living so far from my family I really treasure the time we are together. Last month it was our granddaughter’s (Little Piglet) first Birthday, and all the Piglet clan gathered in France to celebrate the occasion. Not only were our … Continue reading →

Brigadeiros or Chocolate Cannonballs?

Published on 2012-05-10 17:09:12

According to Wikipedia Brigadeiros are a popular Brazilian sweet created in the 1940s. They were named after Eduardo Gomes a Brazilian Brigadier and revolutionary who later ran unsuccessfully for the presidency.

April: Growing Fruit and Vegetables in Pots

Published on 2012-05-05 11:57:36

April 23rd 2012 – My monthly diary for April continues with my ongoing experiment to grow fruit and vegetables in pots and various containers. This year I planted some orange and red peppers seedlings which I bought from São Teotónio … Continue reading →

hApPy BiRtHdAy

Published on 2012-04-28 10:23:05

Today is our little granddaughter’s first birthday. We cannot believe it’s a year ago since she was born. She is a little ray of sunshine! Related Posts: Proud Grandparents An Emotional Rollercoaster

Portugal: Growing Fruit and Vegetables in April

Published on 2012-04-25 15:32:18

My diary continues… Despite earlier problems with white cabbage mold Piglet’s plot continues to yield a modest crop of lettuce, carrots, leeks, cabbage, spinach and radish. The brocoli and cauliflower have now finished, and it was rather a challenge to … Continue reading →

Global Warming and Zucchini

Published on 2012-04-22 16:18:39

Piglet is going green! No, that’s not green with envy of EC’s wonderful zucchini and squash. But I do feel I can at least make a small contribution to help reduce global warming by cutting down on my personal carbon emissions. … Continue reading →

Weekly Photo Challenge: Two Subjects

Published on 2012-04-20 07:34:31

Can anyone name this flower? Yes, Fernanda has now identified the flower as “Lírio-das-areias” Weekly Photo Challenge: Two Subjects How can something so beautiful and delicate grow in such barren land? What life-lesson could we learn from this simple flower? … Continue reading →

The Elderly in Nursing Homes v Criminals in Prison

Published on 2012-04-15 17:12:24

A friend sent me a “joke” Grumpies of the World Unite, but far from making me laugh it made me extremely angry because the words hit home and made me pause to reflect. The more I read about care or … Continue reading →

Weekly Photo Challenge: Journey – Trams in Lisbon

Published on 2012-04-13 12:03:44

The electric tram network (Rede de eléctricos de Lisboa) is an easy way to see historic Lisbon. Tram No. 28 is the most famous as the journey takes you through the steep winding streets of the old town. We were … Continue reading →

Piglet is Spitting Feathers!

Published on 2012-04-11 18:10:13

A year or so ago we went to a brilliant Italian restaurant in a seaside town near Portimão, in the Algarve. The staff were efficient and friendly, the pasta was perfect, the sauce delicious and the desserts outstanding! Even the … Continue reading →

A Visit to São Teotónio Market

Published on 2012-04-09 17:51:38

I enjoy going to the country markets and one of my favourites is the market at São Teotónio near Odemeira, in the Alentajo. I refer to the term “country” because I’m not so keen on the markets held in the … Continue reading →

Hot Cross Buns – To Share with Friends

Published on 2012-04-06 03:14:56

Reblogged from Piglet in Portugal: According to English folklore there are many superstitions surrounding hot cross buns. My favorite superstition is accompanied by the rhyme… “Half for you and half for me, Between us two shall goodwill be” Apparently, if … Continue reading →

Portugal: Growing Fruit and Vegetables in March

Published on 2012-04-02 17:21:49

The monthly diary of growing my own fruit and veg continues… - What grows well (God grant me the serenity to accept dispite my best efforts SOME vegetables will not grow well in my garden) - What to plant and … Continue reading →

Weekly Photo Challenge: Arranged

Published on 2012-03-31 16:46:08

Can you spot the carefully arranged pebble amongst the many thousands of pebbles at Praia da Canal, in the Western Algarve? Did we stumble across a Geocaching clue? I wonder… Arranged. Sometimes you chance across things which were arranged on … Continue reading →

The Ugly Bug Spring Jive

Published on 2012-03-27 10:22:29

The Ugly Bug Spring Jive by PiP With the Herald of Spring the bugs start to arrive in my Garden of Eden for the “Ugly Bug Jive”. The weird and the ugly they give me the jitters who may I … Continue reading →

Tarte de Pascoa (Easter Tart)

Published on 2012-03-25 15:46:25

This traditional Easter recipe is courtesy of a friend in Northern Portugal. Tarte de Páscoa (Easter Tart) Ingredients Filo pastry (18 circles). I used 2 x 230g packets of *PÂte Feuilletée which I think is ready-made filo pastry. 1 medium … Continue reading →

2012 BiB Awards – I’m on the shortlist – YAY!

Published on 2012-03-23 18:39:28

Today I had a great surprise but I need your help! Michelle @Michelloui asked me on Twitter if I’d seen the #BiBs? “The what?” I thought feeling slightly confused… Apparently I’ve been shortlisted in the “Go! Award” section in The … Continue reading →

Jogo da Malha – Jogos Tradicionais

Published on 2012-03-22 12:47:00

A few weeks ago we returned to Praia do Vale dos Homens to show friends the pair of white storks we’d discovered nesting on an outcrop of rocks. As we drove through the back streets of the sleepy village of … Continue reading →

Unusual…

Published on 2012-03-20 16:12:32

I am not sure if this is an unusual Rhubarb Forcer or an unusual use for a plant pot destined for the garbage after Mr Piglet burnt a hole in the bottom with red-hot ashes! Researching on the Gardeners’ World … Continue reading →

Pilates on the Beach

Published on 2012-03-15 07:15:37

I love Zumba classes, so how on earth did I end up ‘doing’ Pilates I ask myself. All those impossible body-contorting exercises don’t feel in harmony with my body shape – my legs and arms just aren’t long enough! Neither … Continue reading →

Weekly Photo Challenge: Contrast…

Published on 2012-03-13 17:54:04

The theme for this week’s WordPress Photo Challenge is Contrast After my previous post about the white mold attacking my cabbages and the long-term consequences I wanted to post something a little more upbeat to cheer me up. They say … Continue reading →

The Demise of Piglet’s Veggie Plot

Published on 2012-03-11 19:04:26

I want to scream, stamp my foot in anger, have a mardy and then curl up into the fetal position and have a good cry. I’m normally a positive person and if I don’t succeed I keep trying until I … Continue reading →

Chocolate Chouriço

Published on 2012-03-08 14:16:31

Or perhaps better known as Chocolate Salami! Chocolate Salami is very popular in the Algarve and is a great biscuity-cake to serve with tea or coffee. It’s extremely rich so it’s wise to cut the slices as thin as possible. … Continue reading →

Weekly Photo Challenge ~ Distorted

Published on 2012-03-06 16:28:48

This week’s theme for the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is dis·tort·ed dis·tort·ed: twisted; deformed; misshapen. I grew this “distorted” tomato from seed, and although its appearance was misshapen and unappetizing when I bit into the fruit it was sweet and … Continue reading →

Fair of Traditional Sausages ~ Feira dos Enchidos Tradicionais de Serra de Monchique

Published on 2012-03-04 15:49:01

We’ve been meaning to go to the Monchique sausage festival (Feira dos Enchidos Tradicionais de Serra de Monchique) for years and today was the day we finally made it! Earlier in the week I went to the Tourist Information office … Continue reading →

Landscape

Published on 2012-03-01 18:07:15

These pictures taken in March 2010 are unfortunately a little hazy due to heavy sea mist and high humidity. As you drive through the countryside of the Algarve and Alentajo regions you cannot fail to notice the Portuguese landscape features … Continue reading →

Portugal: Growing Fruit and Vegetables in February

Published on 2012-02-28 15:51:35

My monthly diary continues. Over the next year I’m keeping a monthly diary of the fruit and vegetables I grow in my urban garden here in the Algarve. Gardening is one of my passions, and although my efforts are not … Continue reading →

Weekly Photo Challenge: Indulge

Published on 2012-02-24 14:17:00

The theme for this week’s WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge is “Indulge” Every time we go to France I love to indulge myself by looking in the windows of Pâtisseries. Their wonderful array of dainty pastries and sweets gives me “foodie” … Continue reading →

Could You Survive Without The Internet?

Published on 2012-02-11 15:02:07

Life without the net…you MUST be joking! The following extract is taken from Could You Survive Abroad Without the Internet? my January column over at Expat Focus Could You Survive Abroad Without the Internet? As more people either work or … Continue reading →

Hope…

Published on 2012-02-07 16:40:12

This post is inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. The theme is Hope I considered naming the tin which contains all my packets of seeds, “My Tin of DOOM”. Why? Because many most of the seeds fail to germinate. … Continue reading →

Praia do Vale dos Homens (Valley of the Men)

Published on 2012-02-03 18:04:28

Praia do Vale dos Homens beach�is located in the Costa Vicentina Natural Park just outside the village of Rogil in the Western Algarve. It is well off the beaten tourist track which makes it an ideal choice for anyone looking … Continue reading →

Sexy Toilet Paper – They MUST be Joking!

Published on 2012-01-30 17:43:42

Every now and again something unexpected makes you stop dead in your tracks.�“…errrr…WHAT?” you think as you press your rewind button because you can’t quite believe your eyes. You rub them, shake your head and then take a third look … Continue reading →

Peaceful – Why do Children’s Toys Make so Much Noise?

Published on 2012-01-23 17:56:32

This post is inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge. The theme is Peaceful. My little grandson sleeps peacefully with not a care in the world. His only needs are love, food, warmth, clean nappies, “winding” and sleep – how … Continue reading →

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Blog Feed: Piglet in Portugal

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