Shepherd Dom Julio—that’s what I called him—was a very devoted father to his flock of sheep and goats. He stood in the field behind the bathhouse almost every afternoon, leaning on his stick, whistling a tune. He was one of those farmers who can whistle beautifully He did that at a time when you weren’t […]
Portuguese farmers can also do very remarkable things, you know Read More »
<< In barely a year, Portugal has more than quintupled its natural gas imports from Russia. Statistics from the Directorate General of Energy and Geology (DGEG) show that Russian gas only entered the package of gas purchases from abroad in November 2019.A still low value (2%) compared to imports from Nigeria, the US, Qatar, Algeria
When I turned 50, I thought it was time for a tea cozy. Fifty is a great age to introduce something like this into your household – the symbol of domestic swagger. Apparently others thought so too, because I got it for my birthday – with a lot of comment as well. He’s gone to
What’s missing? A portuguese apron! Read More »
“After this I’ll continue in the chicken meadow, will you do the office garden then?” I call after Broes, who, grunting, disappears, with a bottle of beer in his hand, because it’s around nine in the evening, clearly after working hours and one can exaggerate everything. The gardens of Termas da Azenha need attention and
The (hanging) gardens of Termas da Azenha Read More »
I hadn’t lived here that long, got on the phone, and if I had to say my name, I never got anything but a Portuguese sorrywhààà? – “Desculpe? Como? Poderia soletrar?” Can you spell that? Whilst Ellen really isn’t such a complicated name. Until the name change. I started calling myself Helena – never a
Name change, another name in another country Read More »
Hard choice. When we zigzag through Portugal, from north to south, we come across a lot of Beautiful Places We once started our discovery in the north. Makes sense if you come from a northern country. We crossed the border at Ponte de Lima, and felt right at home. Spain is really-really-true a different country,
Challenge: find the Most Beautiful Place in Portugal Read More »
“Olá madame!” says an older man behind his mask. You can tell he’s smiling, even if you don’t see it. “Ah, olá!” I recognize him, “Como está? Tudo bem?” Yes, everything bem; it’s just that he received another letter about his portuguese pension from the Netherlands We know each other for years. He came years
Portuguese pension from the Netherlands Read More »
Regular service Rotterdam – Azenha – Rotterdam, with an irregular timetable, has been restored. The Red Van is driving again, in fact: it has already driven! Always a party when the Red Van arrives Certainly not only because of all the stuff that’s in there, certainly also because of the people on board. When we
The Red Van is driving again Read More »
I had just hung up the announcement, and was having lunch downstairs, when a van stopped, drove on … stopped … backwards … no, further … or just have a look … backwards … People had already spontaneously stopped by to ask if the caravan was for sale Then it just arrived. It was not
A caravan as Hobby Read More »
It all went a little differently than planned. You think you’ve worked it all out so nicely, the airline throws a spanner in the works. Last minute message: “Hello dear customer, we are going a day earlier, or a few days later. You may choose.” Oh, well, thank you very much. And then the car
Car rental companies can be a P in the A Read More »
