I press the button on the landline so hard that I risk it snapping shut and getting stuck. “Opção 1, d**n it!” This is the umpteenth attempt to get in touch with someone from the IMT The site is full of text and answers to questions, but a normal question like: “How can you make
IMT – renowing the driver’s licence Read More »
Paula P. had invited me over several times before, and I was quite eager to see her family home. Grandpa and Grandma have passed away, and by now almost all of their children have too, so the house now belongs to all the cousins. They all want to sell the house Paula lives nearby, in
Selling a house in Portugal Read More »
They wanted to get away for a bit. Just something different for a little while, not too far, not too pretentious – just simple, straightforward, because you don’t buy a camper for nothing, after all. Just something different for a bit, not only about the roof – roof – roof – roof – roof “We
Roof – roof – roof – roof – roof Read More »
Four o’clock. It sounds like a drunken beetle is behind the controls. It goes from heavenly songs to the thumping of techno, from hard to softer. I hope it is fun for those who are there. We can’t sleep because of it … Not all village parties are the same They’re back. During the Covid
I enter the workshop in the dark. You have to go inside to turn on the light, but that doesn’t matter, because I’ve lived here for ages, and I can find my way blindfolded. Hey, weird, there’s already a light on! And on the ground? Huh? Glowing lights on the ground is a bit peculiar
Glowing lights in the dark Read More »
Koos P. was here for five weeks and left again yesterday. “My wife lets me go away for two months,” he says with a smile, “as long as I bring back Portuguese soap.” For me, he brought back Groningen* rapeseed soap Fields full of little yellow flowers, which are pleasing to the eye and good
A special Portuguese soap Read More »
“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 »
