Category Archives: Portugal
B is for Brambles and the battle to banish them
‘Get rid of brambles’ has been on our To Do List ever since I moved to rural central Portugal. That was almost five years ago. After a long, prickly process, … Continue reading
E is for Economy – Algarve Blog
“Money is the barometer of a society’s virtue” Ayn Rand I am no Economist – so please don’t expect this to be an in-depth serious economical or political debate! There … Continue reading
D is for Doors – Algarve Blog
“Be the opener of doors for such as come after thee” Ralph Waldo Emerson I thought I would do something a little different for this letter – so this is … Continue reading
R is for Residency – Algarve Blog
“If you want to go somewhere, it is best to find someone who has already been there” Robert Kiyosaki Well this could be an interesting post – and something that … Continue reading
T is for the Tavira Vase
Now this may not be what you’re expecting, but I’m well aware that I’ve filled pages with the delights of Tavira, in Portugal’s Eastern Algarve. So I thought I’d dedicate … Continue reading
C is for comfort in a foreign country
What does it take to feel comfortable if you live abroad? I was recently interviewed for a television documentary about my experience as an expat. The producers were exploring the concept … Continue reading
P is for Porto
You knew it was coming! The final post on my visit to Porto. Just one more time I’m going to take you there, and try to capture the impact it … Continue reading
O is for Olhão
From its situation on the Ria Formosa, it was always obvious that Olhão would make a fine fishing port. The town’s growth was enabled by a large spring or olho … Continue reading
I is for Ilhas
On the shoreline, simply stroll, with the tongues of water teasing and licking at your toes. Look back over your shoulder and you will see the ilha of Cabanas. I … Continue reading
M is for Market – Algarve Blog
“About eighty percent of the food on shelves of supermarkets today didn’t exist 100 years ago.” Larry McCleary One of the things that did exist over a 100 years ago … Continue reading
H is for Home, but what is it that makes one?
It’s not enough to lay my hat somewhere to make it a home, although it’s a start. And home isn’t always where the heart is so just what is it … Continue reading
H is for Happy Heart
I was immensely taken with the heart logo which popped up everywhere in Guimaraes in 2012. Designed by Joao Campos, it was inspired by the crenels of Guimaraes Castle and … Continue reading
G is for Guadiana
My next post seems to flow quite naturally from my recent trip across the Guadiana River. More than 800 kilometres long, if you look at it on a map it’s … Continue reading
F is for Fonte (fountain or spring)
The word “fonte” appears in many place names in Portugal. In fact, when we’re directing people to our home in Tavira, we tell them to turn off the E125 at … Continue reading
E is for Elvas, and Evora, of course
For the whole length of the River Guadiana and beyond, you can see the mighty fortresses that bear witness to Portugal’s struggles over the years with neighbouring Spain. From Castro … Continue reading
O is for Oranges – Algarve Blog
It’s orange season time again! There is nothing nicer than a freshly picked orange almost straight from the tree and for me, even juicing them seems a small crime compared … Continue reading
C is for Churches – Algarve Blog
“I like the silent church before the service begins, better than any preaching” Ralph Waldo Emerson There are churches (Igrejas) everywhere you go in Portugal, they are probably one of … Continue reading
B is for Birds – Algarve Blog
“Birds are a miracle because they prove to us there is a finer, simpler state of being which we may strive to attain” Doug Coupland It is very early – … Continue reading
Personal A-Z of Portugal. S is for Seasons
S is for Seasons One of the first things that people ask about, whenever we find ourselves talking to people about where we live, is, of course, the weather! Click … Continue reading
I is for Ilhas
As you fly into Faro, often the plane will follow the coastline and dip low over the Ria Formosa, a natural habitat of salt marshes. Still, it does not really … Continue reading
N is for Nativity – Algarve Blog
“For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given” Isaiah 9:6 One of the traditional sights of Christmas in Portugal is the Nativity scene- and even … Continue reading
