[1] Just back from my sixth visit to Portugal where the friendliness and willingness to help of the Portuguese people never fail to impress me. Also to make me ashamed that I haven’t made more of an effort to learn the language. Hot sun for four days in the Algarve, which is why we went, but showery the rest of the time. Still the rain means that all the golf courses and their fine, if not in some cases showy, surroundings look lovely and green. We stayed in a beautiful house where the pool was surrounded with these gorgeous umbrella pines. Returning to my own cold garden I was pleased that some daffodils, and emerging tulips, are still in evidence but it is cold and I miss the warmth of the sun on my skin.