Skies; Scenery; Saudades

Had the most unexpectedly rich day yesterday. Went along with colleagues to Fronteira, for him to see what I can only describe as a bonesetter - in terrible pain and unable to walk, one jerk from the man, and he walked, painfree, more than any of us for the rest of the afternoon.

Never sure which is worse - only one good photo, or too many to choose... And I know the philosophy of Blip is just one photo a day, and I'm fast running out of extras, but had to show you a bit more than the sunset as we drove home - this was taken as we were bombing along the empty roads, from the car - oh, the skies here! Every curve, another stunning version of the setting sun...

And the rolling Alentejano countryside, here dotted with olive groves... An extra of the view from the old chapel at Fronteira, with M's and my shadows, the air heavy with the scent of ripe figs. In the distance, Cabeço de Vide, where we went next. And the river, where M and I probably shocked our colleagues by jumping into the river in our clothes - it was so hot, and it looked - and was - wonderfully refreshing.

Just had time to change our wet underwear, and off, with Dutch colleagues, to the castle at Arraiolos, for their last free concert - a sister and brother, Mara and Duarte, who were simply stunning, and obviously much loved as local girl and boy made good - lots of laughter, hugs, and joining in - and packed out - as we drove up the hill, went past half the town walking up to see them. Some of the songs gave me goosebumps - the beauty, the raw emotion, the saudades - that I so identify with...