The end of the year is, for me, a time to reflect and a time to look forward. And time to action plans. The first of January is a false trigger. The reality is that it is no different to any other day, but it does give a pivotal point to make changes. The coming…
Reflection on my progress towards starting something new in Portugal.
January 2020. A news report ‘coming out of China’ advised of a new virus. Suggestions were that the virus was like the one that caused SARS. China rarely shares anything other than shipping containers. So, take note. Little did we know the impact it was going to have. Two years later, we still don’t know. …
Measured approach, the “New Year wall” and challenging shopping methods
I find December a strange month. There is so much hype and expectation. The first three weeks are frantic. Rushing around to secure the elusive present. The last-minute Santa lists. Although at fifteen and seventeen, the list isn’t too long (it just changes all the time). In my retail days, I finished work after setting…
Learning Portuguese. My excitement, approach, challenge and determination.
Olá, bem-vindo ao meu blog sobre a aprendizagem de português. Hello, welcome to my blog about learning Portuguese. How do I start learning Portuguese? As someone who has struggled with languages (including English my mother tongue), I know that learning Portuguese is going to be difficult. But not impossible. My initial approach was basic. Really…
Understanding the realities of a simpler life abroad
Moving to Portugal with my eyes open and without rose-tinted glasses is essential. I’ve committed lots of time to plan and feel logistically prepared. In reality, that is the easy part. Planning the practical actions is my default position. But I need to ensure I focus equally on the stuff I can’t plan for. Feelings…
The “buy or rent dilemma” to secure a property for my D7 visa application
Following the UK’s withdrawal from the EU, moving to Portugal from the UK is more challenging. There is a process and there is a criterion. The list of criteria isn’t long, so it should be trouble-free. Easy. Simple. Famous last words. Reading and hearing other people’s stories regarding applying for the D7, some people experience…