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. …
Tag: Move to Portugal
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…
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…
Balancing my tactical planning with feelings and emotions
There is no stopping time. Days become weeks. Weeks become months. Every new month is one closer to my adventure beginning in Portugal. I’m following a road that has been travelled many times by other people. It’s not a straight road, but there are many milestones set along the way. I was born in Bath,…
Plan, share, review. Repeat. Planning means less praying
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…
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…