“Whaaat?” I sit staring wide-eyed at the headline of the newsletter. “Whaaat? How… ? What possesses that man?” Erdogan had a gift for all members of NATO That was probably meant very nicely by that man, but in my eyes it was a somewhat peculiar gift – to put it mildly. “Koos! You really have […]
A little gift for all NATO members Read More »
I’m just driving along a bit, and actually a bit too fast, when suddenly an oncoming car flashes its headlights. Oh! I snap out of my nice-driving rhythm, because this means something. What was it again? Oh right! Watch out, GNR in ambush I don’t drive that much, and the GNR is lying in ambush
I was one of those people this week. One of those complaining foreigners, one of those ranting Karen customers. I was sitting in the car, grumbling and fuming, on my way to the post office in Soure. To fight off yet another setback. To the CTT to pick up the online order In the hope
Ordering online, dropshipping, and the CTT Read More »
“Well, I have a bit of a strange question for you,” says K. when we run into each other in the morning. “I have a spot on my leg, it itches, maybe an insect bite, a tick or something, but I can’t see it. Would you mind taking a quick look?” It could indeed be
The phone rings. I always answer, because it could be cyclists doing the Eurovelo, for example, who want to camp. And that is always a YES. I hold the phone to my ear and hear: “Bom dia, are you … she has some trouble with my name … Hell …?” That is how marketing call
The cashier makes a somewhat measured, surly impression. Not normal for how you are treated behind the checkout at the supermarket in our beautiful Portugal. Supermarket staff are often friendly and cheerful But this one isn’t in the mood. My items are barely pushed through, I get a brief nod when I hold my app
Peeing at the supermarket Read More »
May is mosaic month. In front of appartment 1/2 is a stairs, and the below part of the stairs is done. We’re continuing with the upper wall. No more comments from my side, but hopefully all the more from yours! If you have experience and you’d like to leave something beautiful behind too, you can
Donkeys in mosaic – part two Read More »
There was Jannie on the mail. Asking if we have a spot to camp. Yes, of course, it isn’t busy – it’s never busy here – and the grass is freshly mowed. It is basic, simple, but everything you need is there, and it’s clean. Come on over for a nice camping experience They have
Louise booked via Campspace. “No, sweetie,” I say to Mira, who is looking at me with a hopeful look in her eyes – because we do go for a quick walk around the neighboring field quite often late in the afternoon – we aren’t going anywhere, because I have to wait for her to arrive.
Eurovelo 2 is starting to be a huge success Read More »
“Good Lord, are they putting a different size bolt on those things now too?” I grumble as I try to place the disc on the head, “why do good things always have to be improved? It’s rarely better, actually …” The brush cutters have to work in May! The temperatures are nice, it rains every
Brush cutters go to Mário Read More »
I stumbled upon a short video of a Brazilian (unmistakable accent) complaining about Portuguese women, while just yesterday I had a conversation with a Brazilian who confided in me that she felt so safe here. Brazilian women feel safe in Portugal I became curious, of course. I mean, that Brazilian from the aforementioned video—whatever, he
Brazilian women in Portugal Read More »
When Astrid comes, often about twice a year, it is clear what is going to happen. We are going to make a mosaic. For me, this is a great incentive, because mosaic is a labor of patience, and there isn’t always time for it. This time we made a mosaic of donkeys We once had
Tribute to donkeys in mosaic Read More »
I had gathered old blankets, duvets, cardboard boxes, sheets, and even an old tent from everywhere to protect the mosaic floor, because nephew Bart had responded positively to my suggestion that the Dome could be stripped of its rim. “Great! Demolition! A nice bit of backbreaking wrecking!” The “Dome” project had ended abruptly after a
Backbreaking demolition Read More »
They exist, and everyone knows them. Usually the smallest inhabitants, but also the most dominant. Our little birds love them. Bats too, by the way. Mosquitoes are the most controversial bird food there is There. There it is, the “M” word, which no host dares to talk about. I never talked about it for all
Controversial bird food Read More »
Until day 10 of this month, as a non-European, you can enter the continent and stay, live, or work here with a visa. It doesn’t matter which country or border; Europe is one, isn’t it? We Europeans don’t need this. Entering Portugal is easy with the D7 visa You can apply to be eligible for
D7 Visa and the EES Read More »
Joining the queue properly, waiting your turn – no problem because there are three counters open, staffed and all. Hurray. I just rolled off the Flixbus and ran to the train station. Became a Flixbus fan in a short time It was a discovery of nephew Bart who came by in November to help out.
Flix, Rede Expressos, Blabla Car, and people on the train Read More »
We have three electricity connections here, and twenty-five solar panels. Installed years ago, it seemed a nice offer from the EDP – you pay off the installation in five years, and in the meantime, you can immediately start using the solar power. Electricity is expensive here, so it seemed worth it The EDP is the
Current expensive electricity Read More »
Excuse me, dear readers, we’ll have to generalize here… whether or not the Portuguese read My experiences here in the rural areas suggest they don’t. When we were still an “Alojamento rural,” before the COVID pandemic hit, I rarely saw a book on the bedside table when I went to do the room. Quite a
Do Portuguese people read? Read More »
We have a new one. Since the second round of elections on February 8th, it’s been clear: António José Seguro is the new president of the country It wasn’t clear enough in the first round, because a presidential election must end in a majority of at least one vote more than 50%, which he didn’t
Viva the president! Read More »
