Northerners are known for their efficiency. Well-organized societies where well-organized people live in well-organized houses and work in well-organized companies. Well, yeah, there are also things that need improvement, of course, but generally speaking, it’s a go-go-go mentality. People with Portugal-experience know it’s a bit different here Don’t get me wrong, everything is well-organized in […]
Little Portugal-experience Read More »
The day before yesterday, a caravan suddenly appeared on the road with a new white car pulled up in front. A very nice little caravan, a bit round with a blue underside. Unexpected camping guests are always welcome The owner walked over to ask if he could camp. Normally, the answer is: “Sure, just come
Unexpected camping guests Read More »
With a lot of bells and whistles, depression “Francis” was announced, which would mainly affect Madeira and the south of Portugal, but we already received an orange alert. For next year, so who cares? One day 2025, the next 2026 Indeed, a world of difference! I had arranged to take a New-Year-farewell-hike with a friend
2025/2026 a world of difference! Read More »
The police officer on my side of the street is still busy with his last client. The young, blond officer on the other side walks a few steps in my direction, but doesn’t look at me and doesn’t signal me to stop. So I calmly drive to the stop sign to turn right, and have
Cousin Bart was here a while ago. To lend a helping hand – and he certainly did! His youngest daughter, Dominique, also came over for a few days and was eager to help. That became a mural Since almost no one in our family is good at sitting still, she was also eager to help,
It’s busy in the supermarket. Two checkouts are already open. I’m just last in line when it’s announced that the next one is opening, and that we can go to checkout 3 in the correct order. The man who has just arrived, with a few items in his hands, nods at me, because I’m allowed
The portuguese way Read More »
If you’re going to a small town in Portugal, you might start with the highway, but eventually you’ll end up on those lovely, winding little roads. You might encounter the typical portuguese potholes there The smaller the settlement, the less settled it’ll be. Portugal struggles with spending on “the man on the street.” All European
Portuguese potholes cause flats Read More »
My nephew Bart is here for about two weeks. Specifically to help us renovate the main house, the first floor. We’re brimming with ideas, enthusiasm, zest for life, and willpower; there’s a allocation of tasks and a Plan. We all know from experience: you have a plan, and then you move on to Plan B
Our kitchen was showing some cracks. That’s just how it is in old buildings, I thought. The bathhouse is over a hundred years old, and the extensions certainly date from before 1953. Before that date, you could be renovating whatever you wanted Nobody batted an eye. Before 1953, it wasn’t mandatory in Portugal to have
Renovating until you’re blue in the face Read More »
