A year ago today, I left Norfolk, drove to the Eurotunnel, and made great progress to the south of France. After a couple of hours of sleep in the car, my journey took me through Spain and on to Portugal. I still vividly remember the feeling of “I’ve arrived” when I passed the Portugal sign…
Category: Portuguese
Football, festivals and friends
The Portuguese love their football (as do I). They are passionate and fanatical. And their celebrations are loud! There are predominantly three (big) teams in Portugal, and a fourth not too far behind. Benfica Lisbon, Sporting Lisbon, FC Porto, and Braga. In the village I live, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon are the most supported. Probably…
Família and familiar
It’s been an indifferent two weeks since my last blog. The blog where I advised I’d be back to writing weekly. Well, I failed at the first hurdle. However, the main reason for skipping a week was that I returned to the UK to visit my daughters. And they took precedence. While I took my…
Portugal weather update. It’s raining.
Chuva forte! Rumour has it December has started off as the wettest on record in Portugal. I’ve no idea as this is my first December in Portugal, but the chuva [rain] has been persistent and forte [heavy]. We’ve had our fair share of thunder and lightning as well. As well as being blessed with some…
People, exploring and practising my Portuguese. What could go wrong?
It’s been a busy week with lots of variety. I’ve been enjoying the hospitality, working on the quinta, a little on the house and preparing for some of the weeks ahead. I will endeavour not to make this a chronological diary, but who knows how it will pan out. Meeting friends, enjoying the hospitality My…
Portuguese residency received! Moving home… The first harvest started.
It has been a great week. I’ve moved house and undertaken my first harvest, and to top it all, I’ve had my Portuguese residency approved! Although as with every step forward, there are always a few surprises. Sometimes good ones. Sometimes not so good. But challenges are there to overcome. Portuguese residency appointment The week…