Real - Rustic - Relaxed

sao marcos da serra, park

Showing category "way of life" (Show all posts)

Coffee, Just The Way You Like It !

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Friday, January 25, 2013, In : way of life 
                                         
                                                                                              um meia de leite
 
The Portuguese are proud of their coffee. And not without reason! Some of the richest coffee growing countries in the world are ex-colonies of Portugal. Although the sound of the coffee grinder and the espresso machine can be annoying at times, it also promises a great quality coffee is nearby. The Portuguese generally do not drink their coff...

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Those Were The Days.....

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Sunday, January 8, 2012, In : way of life 
                          

When you ask one of the older inhabitants that has lived in São Marcos da Serra his/her entire life, to tell you about the past, you will probably hear a deep sigh first.  "Aaahhhh, when I was young, things were very diffent here...." The village was prosperous, the hills were clean from weeds, there were no ruins and the montes (houses) were full of life and people.  

In the fifties of the last century São Marcos da Serra was indeed a busy place. There were around ...

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Ugly But Highly Appreciated

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Saturday, August 27, 2011, In : way of life 


This chick was not caught by a dog or cat and it is not sick either, nor is it a kind of turkey.  No, this young hen is a true breed with an impressive French name:  Cou-Nu, meaning "naked neck", which is exactly what they have. 

These kind of chicken can be found at many farms in the serra.  Originally this breed comes from France and has a reputation of being hardy.  They are great for breeding because they are excellent mums, but they are also appreciated for their high quality and tasty me...
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Yesterdays Motorcycles Still Running Strong

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Saturday, August 27, 2011, In : way of life 


Who needs a new one, when these old beauties still perform so well?  

Yesterdays motorcycles still run well here in the countryside of the rural Algarve.  Plenty of people are the proud owner of an antique bike, sometimes pasted together from several other motorbikes.  They are easily maintained, can be repaired by themselves and are a perfect means of transportation.  If you pay attention you can spot some special ones.

 
 

 

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sweet potato vines

Posted by Marianne Hoesen on Saturday, July 16, 2011, In : way of life 


Most people think of sweet potatoes used in cooking and baking, but this healthy food, loaded with vitamin C and beneficial carotene, also makes an eye-catching plant!  The fast-growing vine makes a gorgeous green house plant, and is easy to care for.  This is done frequently by the women of the serra.  It is easy, cheap and ornamental.  This is how it works:

First choose a sweet potato with several buds, or "eyes." These are spots that are starting to sprout. You will often see these on potat...

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