Mosaic freaks

When they announced their arrival, I immediately start to think about: maybe they want to do a mosaic …. Somewhere in the back of my mind, a little plan started, a thing I wanted to do anyway.

So nice when mosaic freaks like me come by!

Helmy has been coming here for so long that we have to figure out how long ago it was for the first time. It was with daughter Judith, when she was still at an age to go on holiday with your mother. “Judith was 15 or so,” says Helmy, “so that was in 2006.”

“Wow, that’s almost 20 years ago, woman!” I exclaim, always amazed at how time flies. Judith now lives in our former hometown of Rotterdam, has adopted a dog and is a fanatic CrossFit enthusiast. A few years ago, Helmy came with another holiday companion, GertJan. Both beaming with love. So sweet.

That first time I was still working on the mosaic next to the entrance of the reception, and I wanted to add a few more flying parrots. Helmy and GertJan got to work in unison, with a magnificent result. GertJan makes stamps, he had shown, and that is very impressive fiddling. Something like origami – I think, if you can do that, you have an eye for detail. Then you can also mosaic.

The basics of mosaics are really not difficult

You just have to know how to cut a tile, or hammer it, or possibly cut it. You just have to understand the distance between the pieces, and then you just have to do it. Mosaics are making kilometers, in theory you can’t learn it.

The grinding in the back of my mind resulted in a beautiful picture for the chimney on the new roof top terrace.

Helmy participated in the large mosaic on the Baking Tray. She recently started a course in which a lot of different creative assignments were given. “We had to make a labyrinth from fresh flowers,” she says, “and now I find that a bit difficult, because you know, fresh flowers are an environmental burden of course, but okay, you can’t always be responsible because then you go crazy …”

I nod very affirmatively; being responsible is very good, but you can exaggerate everything.

“So I went to the flower shop, I explained it, and asked if he also had, let’s say, waste flowers … and of course he had, because you don’t always sell everything, there are leftovers, so I could take those. It was quite difficult to design a labyrinth, but it was a beautiful sight, all those labyrinths together!”

“A bit mandala-like,” I say, “something like Buddhist monks do – making very beautiful patterns with colored sand, and when it’s done, sweeping it up again. Very detached. Don’t know if I could do that.” Helmy laughs. “Me neither. And then you have to walk it, right? You don’t do that as if it’s a marathon, so it was a very special assignment. Comparable to the mandala-thingy.”

“Well, this one can stay,” I laugh, “your bird of prey and GertJan’s forest turned out beautifully. I just don’t know if you’ll see it glued to the chimney, because the weather isn’t cooperating very well at the moment.”

We’ll have to wait until the rain has passed, then we’ll glue the full moon, the flying witch on her broomstick, the forest and the birds of prey. We’ll let you know.

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We moved here in 2000 from Rotterdam, Holland to the Termas-da-Azenha, Portugal.

A big step, especially with two small children.

We are busy to rebuild one of portugals cultural heirlooms: Termas-da-Azenha, an old spa which has been turned into several holiday houses, rooms and a campsite.

You’ll find mosaics and paintings everywhere.

Since 2018 we call ourselves the first B&B&B in the world – Bed & Breakfast & Bathrobes. You can buy a home-made unique bathrobe/housecoat with us.

Each week a little blog about what is happening around us. An easy read. A few minutes in another world. A little about what it going on in Portugal. If you plan your holiday to Portugal, it might be a nice preparation

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