Getting the best exchange rate is a challenge. Predicting the future currency exchange market is almost impossible. The exchange rate goes up. And it goes down. When changing pounds to euros, I tend to change relatively small amounts at a time, although as the rate increases, then so does the amount I exchange. While I…
Tag: Lifestyle
Buying a left-hand drive car in the UK
It’s all in preparation. And timing is important. If you miss a deadline, then it can be costly. With that in mind, and my adventure to Portugal starting properly in about nine months, I’ve bought a left-hand drive car. A Nissan X-Trail. Yes. Some people will say it’s a premature purchase and ask why I…
My amazing, yet unorthodox approach, to property searching in Portugal
The main purpose of my scouting visit to Portugal was to get a much better understanding of the property market and, what I could get for my money. I feel my approach is different to many other house hunters. As mentioned in my previous blog about the location, the scouting trip tried to focus on…
Scouting trip to focus on what I don’t want
Scouting trip completed. Enlightening. More determined than ever to make my move to Portugal happen. As I’ve read or watched other people’s scouting trips, many are looking for their perfect property. Often the list is long. Making compromise a challenge. My approach was different. I entered Portugal with a very short list of criteria on…
Counting down the hours to Portugal
It’s taken a year in the planning, but the Portugal scouting trip commences now. Right here. Right now. A year ago, I would already have a trip to Portugal stamped in my passport. And almost exactly a year ago, I would be planning a climb up Mount Pico in the Azores. Neither happened. Now, on…
Portugal is on the horizon
The foreign travel advice has been updated. Again. Fortunately, Portgual has not changed so it is still on the amber list. No change is fine, although it would’ve been great if it had moved to the green list. No problem though as my planning was on the assumption that Portugal would be on the amber…