It was Aletta’s Vleitinktinkie post which inspired this one as I promised her I would find out a little bit more about cisticolas. They are a bird MrB and I loved watching in southern Portugal, partly because of the name of the one seen in Portugal (Zitting Cisticola) and partly because they were not always easy to observe. We loved a challenge!
My research began with a search of my own photographic records. I wanted to remind myself what the Zitting Cisticola looked like, and immediately this fabulous shot came up.
It is one of my favourite photographs of a cisticola, and was taken in January 2022 on one of our favourite Algarvian hikes. It was the next photograph however that made me gulp. It was of a page in one of MrB’s Portuguese notebooks. I had taken a few photographs of some of the pages shortly before I moved just in case I lost the journals in storage or worse in a fire. He kept a journal when we were in Portugal. A valuable resource for us both when recollecting trips and wildlife sightings, and now a bittersweet memory of him and our Portuguese adventures.
I’ve added a second page above so you have the complete tale of our 5km walk and in a moment I will share my photographs from the day so you have a pictorial record as well as MrB’s words. First though I must answer the question that Aletta and I were discussing as his journal doesn’t answer it!
Cisticolas are found are widespread in Afro-Eurasia’s tropical and sub-tropical regions, but not the Americas. Africa is home to all but two of the species, and is considered the ancestral home of the group.
You may recall from my only post last year that we stayed in Alcaria Ruiva for a few days and completely fell in love with the village. The surrounding countryside offered huge opportunities for birding, and we had planned to return for a longer visit. We didn’t explore as much as we had hoped because within a few hours of our arrival the Saharan sands swept in which restricted what we could do. However we did manage a couple of short strolls and the gallery below are just a few of the photographs I took on the stroll that MrB describes above.
By the way if you are wondering where my photographs of the Egyptian mongooses are, there aren’t any!
After we spotted the tail of the first one as it ran across the path I stood for ages with the camera to my eye just in case it returned. Eventually we decided it had gone, and so I brought the camera down. At which point of course a second one followed! So up came the camera again in case they were more. We could hear them in the undergrowth but impossible to see them. We waited, and waited some more. Surely they would return or one of them would show enough of themselves as they moved in and out of the undergrowth to the left of us. Then all became silent, and eventually I brought the camera back down. After a few minutes we walked on and at the top of a short slope a few yards beyond we stopped again. The view were wonderful, and constantly changing sky so big.
As we stood there soaking in the world around us we heard some noises. It was the mongoose again. We looked back but no sign of them and the noises were lessening so I kept the camera down. Then suddenly the two of them ran back the other way across the path. I still didn’t get a photograph. Not even a blurred shot!
I do though have the memory of the incident, although in my two year old memory there were only two mongoose not three. So thank goodness I also have MrB’s journal notes. I also have photographs of various paw prints (which may or may not be of the mongoose), which bring back memories of our shared laughter at my frustration at how well the mongoose had avoided me and my camera.
It wasn’t a long walk as we had yet to sit down with the maps to figure a circular walk and were concerned if we kept following the road we might end up in Mértola. Not a problem going there, it’s a fascinating town, but it would mean a very long hike back! So we walked back to the village, with the plan of venturing out again in the early evening. And we are so glad we did as the sun came out properly later on.
It is the morning adventures though that are stronger in my memory. The short stroll taxed us both mentally, me with my photography (wasn’t just the mongoose, I had also been struggling with focusing on the raptors, later realised there were Saharan sands in air in the morning and it affects the camera) and MrB with his bird identification! Just look at his face when he was intensely pondering what we had been watching above us. I miss him so much.
Writing this post has not been easy, and looking through the journal and curating the photographs even harder. However I am so pleased I have somehow managed to do it, and I am hopeful that I will be able to return to the journal and albums another day to create another post later this year. Combining MrB’s words with my photographs would be a rather lovely way to ease myself back into posting on this travel blog.
Becky, this is such a beautiful post. Thanks for sharing a peek inside Mr. B’s notebooks.
thank you so much 🙂
Becky, last year, 21 years after my husband’s death, I finally had the courage to read through his journals. I know it can be a hard task, at least in my case. So glad that your B’s journals contributed positively to your memories of your wonderful Algarvian hike. Beautiful scenery. Fond memories. I’m so sorry for your loss.
oh Judy I am so glad you have been able to, and totally understand why it has taken you so long. I have not yet re-opened Robert’s journals after writing this post, but hope to again after I move. Sending you love and understanding, grief is always with us no matter how long ago our loved ones died
Where are you moving to?
Bradford-on-Avon; I’ve got a post coming out tomorrow which will share some of its delights
Looking forward to it.
This is lovely, Becky B. You loss is palpable, yet your courage shines through as well. I’m glad you are able to plow through the sadness to unearth such lovely times together, and be able to plant the seeds of words and photos to reap new meaning and experiences to share with the world. Thank you for sharing the link to this blog. I’m going to send it to my husband to start reading through it, along with Jo’s to decide if he wants to make the journey. 🙂 Lots of love to you xxxxx
thank you so much – enjoy your Portuguese explorings online, and maybe one day in person
Thanks, Becky. I would love that! 🙂
Hi Becky, I’ve seen lots of references to you on Jo’s blog but never logged on until today. I am so sorry to learn of your sadness. I do know how you feel as I too, lost my husband some years ago and am just now learning to cope with the loss. It was a nightmare at first, trying to sell the house, the Probate, silly little problems that he would have attended to, and finding somewhere to live took 4 years, but eventually I came through on the other side. I am a different person today, not as carefree, not as funny, not as irresponsible, but I am surviving, I am me and I know he would be happy with how I am today. Nick died on New Year’s Day, but I had to give permission for the doctor’s to pull the plug on his life-saving equipment – something that still haunts me on that day every year. You will find strength increases every day, believe me. Best wishes
oh Mari, that is so tough and can understand being haunted and also being a different person. I definitely feel different.
Thank you for sharing, and whilst I am sorry we are both a member of this horrible club it helps knowing that others are ahead of me on the journey. Sending hugs xx
Mari, I wrote a book about my husband’s death and the 8 years afterwards. I found it to be a cathartic experience writing about it all and by the date of publication, for the first time I no longer felt married and started venturing out again.
writing helps so much doesn’t it
Writing is my therapist and best friend.
No Mongooses, but what incredible scenery!!!!
It is a beautiful part of Portugal 🙂
An understatement.
What a beautiful thing to do, Becky 🥰 difficult for sure, but beautiful, and I’ve really enjoyed reading, and seeing, MrB’s words married with your photos. These are beautiful memories, wonderful photographs, and (along with everyone else) I’m so pleased you’ve decided to share these with us.
Thanks Clare, I am so glad you have enjoyed it, and the support of you and everyone else will hopefully help me create another one with his words soon
💜🤍💜
It must have taken some courage to write this post but what wonderful memories you’ve shared with us. Hopefully this will ease the way into more writing and remembrances for you.
Thank you for your understanding and kind words xx