“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 »
I still pay for a lot of things with money Just like many people here. In Portugal, quite a lot is still paid with cash. I’m happy about that. And I get a little sad when I see people paying 3.95 in the supermarket with plastic. Why? Because I don’t think they realize that before
Fan of cash payments, as in: pay with money Read More »
Honestly – no idea. A lot of hassle with eggs, an Easter bunny, ditto branches, lots of chocolate, and for the faithful among us betrayal, crucifixion, sad mother Mary and more of that misery. Anyway: Happy Easter! But if you want to know what I really stand for, and what we stand for, click the
What’s happening with Easter? Read More »
I suddenly shoot up in my seat, but luckily I’m buckled up. A scream of horror runs through the plane, and I think in fiery capital letters, “I KNEW! I knew it! And yet just continue booking a plane ticket! You idiot!” You feel the plane going down in free fall. I brace myself for
Flying with Vueling – a special experience Read More »
