Skip to content

Our Farm Portugal | Nossa Quinta Portugal

It’s time to start something new and trust the magic of new beginnings.

Menu
  • Home
  • About me
  • Portugal Property Search
  • YouTube – Portugal
  • Contact
Menu

Plan, share, review. Repeat. Planning means less praying

Posted on 31 October 202131 October 2021 by Marc

Two years to develop and implement a plan is a long time. Or is it? It really depends on the size of the project. And how detailed does the plan need to be?

When I made the decision to move to Portugal, I gave myself two years to plan and make the move.  It definitely wasn’t going to be before July 2022, but it could be later.

Moving to a house in the next town or county is challenging, but I’ve trodden that path many times before.  Relocating to a new country though is going to be incredibly complex.  And I’m not underestimating the challenge ahead. 

Three simple words, move to Portugal.  Really easy to say.  Chatting with people about my new adventure gets a variety of responses.  Once people have picked their jaw up, a rendition of ‘wow, that’s amazing’ or ‘good for you’ follow. 

Usually, a string of questions follow.  Most are inquisitive and want to share my excitement.  The conversations tend to follow a similar pattern.  Why?  Where?  What?  When?  Questions followed by answers.  More questions.

Photo by Tim Mossholder

Are you crazy?

I believe most people are honest when they express their support and good wishes.  Authentic offerings of support.  Tinges of jealousy.  Sympathy of my madness.  The occasional comment of “A Place In The Sun”.

As conversations develop, and I point out that I’m not heading to the Algarve and becoming a beach bum.  Some people are surprised when I share with them there is an awful lot more to Portugal than the Algarve. 

With my energy, enthusiasm and excitement, I make it all sound so easy to move to Portugal.  As easy as tying my shoelaces.  Ok, maybe a little more difficult.  But the positive approach brings confidence.

Over the last fortnight (yes, I know another blog missed last week) I’ve taken a little time to revisit my to-do lists.  I’m becoming more knowledgeable as to actions and their timelines, and also some of the pitfalls to avoid.  So revisiting my long list has been helpful.

Sharing my adventure and planning is equally helpful as it is exciting.  It reinforces the progress I am making and the due diligence (I love that phrase) I am undertaking.  I definitely don’t have all the answers.  Nor do I have everything on my list.  But I’m comfortable and confident in the progress I’m making.

Despite being pedantic (some would say anal) in my planning, which I believe is giving me lots of confidence, there will continue to be lots of things that I simply can’t plan for.  There are also the things that ‘nobody tells you.

A recent example is the challenge people are having changing their driving licence from the UK (albeit European) licence to a Portuguese licence.  There is a defined timeline of 90 days from when you arrive in Portugal to change your licence.  Not meeting the deadline will mean not being able to drive in Portugal.  There are also delays at the IMT, the DVLA equivalent. 

Hopefully, my planning, and learning of the challenges of others, will put me in good stead.  Some things are much more simple, like remembering to get in the non-EU queue at the airport. 

Doom and gloom

I’m going to admit, it was much easier pre-Brexit.

Photo by Tim Mossholder

While there are many supporters, there are a few adversaries.  The “why in the hell would you want to do that?” brigade.  A barrage of negativity and pointing out all of the problems and issues.  Doh, as if I haven’t thought this through…..

My message to them.  Get a life.  You’ve got a real problem. 

If they were genuinely watching out for me, I’d appreciate it.  But they’re not.  They’re just damn jealous. 

Back to my list of things to do.  Or at least continue reviewing it and adding things to it.

Obrigado por ler.

Felicidades.

Marc

Featured image by kind permission of Rafael Morais


Keep in touch

If you’re enjoying my blog, please do add a reply below or simply click on a logo to share it on social media.

Thank you, Marc

Spread the love

6 thoughts on “Plan, share, review. Repeat. Planning means less praying”

  1. Nick Collins says:
    31 October 2021 at 11:51

    That wasn’t too long nor painful, phew, I did it.
    ❤💛💚

    Reply
    1. Marc says:
      31 October 2021 at 12:00

      Much appreciated!

      Reply
  2. Wendell says:
    31 October 2021 at 13:21

    I like the way you write, especially being brutally honest!

    I feel I have a similar desire to visit and seriously consider moving to Portugal, but where and with whom.?? Doing it by myself is meaningless to me. I need someone special to share the experience and dreams.

    After having a beautiful bride for 32 years, I had it made. Then breast cancer and poof, gone. At least I have the saving Grace that as a Chrstian woman, she is in heaven.

    Anyway, I am looking for a place that is in the country, more rural but close to a descent town with good health care close. I would be the kind of man that wants to be in the cooler climates of the mountains in the summer; but within a reasonable commute to be in the warmer climates, by a beach, in the winter months.

    Any suggestions?
    Wendell

    Reply
    1. Mónica says:
      31 October 2021 at 14:25

      Hi Wendell!
      Just a note in case you go ahead with your dream! In Portugal summers tend to be hottest in the mountains rather than the coast. Inland temperatures are higher, even in the north, where day temperatures range between 30°C to 40°C,and coast rarely reaches 30°C.

      Reply
      1. Marc says:
        1 November 2021 at 09:07

        Ola Monica,
        Thanks for adding a reply to Wendell’s comment. It’s much appreciated.
        Thank you also for following my adventure as I move to Portugal.
        Obrigado,
        Felicidades,
        Marc

        Reply
    2. Marc says:
      1 November 2021 at 13:25

      Hi Wendell
      Thanks again for your kind feedback and comments.
      I am moving to Portugal on my own – despite Our in the website title. I understand your sentiment of wanting to share the experience and dreams with someone special.
      The loss of your wife of 32 years must be immeasurable. I can’t comprehend nor can I provide any guidance. As you say, she is now in heaven and no doubt looking down and urging you to be happy.
      Regarding where to move to in Portugal, I believe that the choice as to where people live is very personal. Throughout my desk research, I’ve looked at lots of areas including local facilities, temperatures, rainfall, the proximity of the airport and hospital amongst other things, including affordability. For me, central/west Portugal ticked the most boxes which is the area that I am looking for.
      However, once I visited for my first scouting trip, quite a lot of my planning and research fell into place. Some things didn’t and have made me realise that some of my preferences or ideals weren’t what I thought they were.
      My limited knowledge of the whole of Portugal means I’m not really in a position to make suggestions – other than jump on a plane and travel around.
      Thanks again for your continued support and for taking an interest in my Portuguese adventure
      Hopefully, you’ll soon be making a similar journey.
      Do let me know if there is anything I can help with or share.
      Best wishes
      Marc

      Reply

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

15 − six =

Follow us

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • YouTube
  • Email

Join our newsletter

Loading

Topics

D7 Visa Dyslexia Farm & Smallholding Introvert Lifestyle Minimalist Over Functioning Planning Portugal Portuguese Property Shifting

Search

Language

en English
nl Dutchen Englishfr Frenchde Germanit Italianpt Portuguesees Spanish
  • January 2023
  • December 2022
  • November 2022
  • October 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • July 2021
  • June 2021
  • May 2021
  • April 2021
  • March 2021
  • February 2021
  • January 2021
  • December 2020
  • November 2020
  • October 2020
  • September 2020

Information

Our Privacy Policy explains how we value your privacy and data.

Blog Expat: living abroad

© 2023 Our Farm Portugal | Nossa Quinta Portugal | Powered by Minimalist Blog WordPress Theme