Weekly blog about holiday rentals and B&B Termas-da-Azenha, in an old spa resort in the Coimbra district. Only 12 km from the coast as the crow flies.
It all started with the widows. I was trying to work seriously and concentrated at the computer when I heard a car coming, stopping next to the office. The driver gave it another good push on the gas, backed up again, and parked across the street. Typically the way of an older driver. I was […]
Passers-by, campers, and other cute surprises Read More »
Santa Claus? No, Sinterklaas – who’s that then? Back from 5 days in the Netherlands. That part of the Netherlands where we lived, is a huge city, connected by highways. It’s the most populous part of the country. Where we all grew up. Me, my ex, and my sons. The sons have little to no
The brother of Santa is dutch Read More »
Do you know what it is? The more space you have, the more clutter. Or well, stuff … junk. No, mostly stuff not junk. It doesn’t get in your way that quickly, so oh well, never mind. Plenty of space. Marie Kondo would turn white if she saw this village Over the years, a lot
Help Marie Kondo, it’s closing in! Read More »
And it never is boring! Don’t you agree? We moved here in 2000 from Rotterdam, Holland to the Termas-da-Azenha, Portugal. A big step, especially with two small children. We are busy to rebuild one of portugals cultural heirlooms: Termas-da-Azenha, an old spa which has been turned into several holiday houses, rooms and a campsite, with
Always the same view … Read More »
It’s that time of year again! Time for the olive harvest. Time to stand in line for hours or even days at the olive press, and then leave satisfied with your own olive oil We have-I-don’t-know-how many olive trees on the hill. And a few more down at the campsite. One of them has fully
The best olive oil comes from Portugal Read More »
Unsuspectingly I’m taking a breather, drinking and eating my lunch (last bite) when a man with a backpack and a cap comes down the stairs. Perhaps a hiker or a biker – if you walk or cycle, you are a little less flexible in your choice of a B&B We’re marked as closed, but for
Special stories in a special B&B Read More »
Imagine it happens to you. There you are with such a nice Fiat 500, and there you accidentally drive through a big hole in the road. Result: a flat tire. What on earth do you do with a flat tire on your rental car? Unfortunately, it was also beastly weather, with a storm on the
Rental car with a flat tire. What now? Read More »
“Ola, bom dia! Posso entrar?” a cheerful woman’s voice sounds outside the screen door of the reception. “Yes, yes, of course, come in,” I reply – it’s a reception after all, and we’re used to unexpected guests. The friendly lady introduces herself as a representative of the EDP* and wants to talk about solar panels
Sun allergy because of the solar panels of the EDP Read More »
I’m starting to doubt myself. I was completely wrong in my judgment. I always thought I had a good understanding of the human psyche, but now … In some situations, such as with the last campers, I was completely wrong I do what everyone else does: when you meet someone for the first time, you
The last campers of this year Read More »
Be honest: any idea what this is? No? Years ago I didn’t know either, but when I came to one of our regular building materials dealers, he told me – not at all commercially responsible – that instead of a new faucet, I could also do new castles. That’s what those things are called in
I sent some castles via the CTT to my brother in the Netherlands … Read More »
