Now, Henk is at home here. The first time he came here was in 2012, as a member of the volunteer team that renovated one of the holiday homes. Great fun to do the necessary work with volunteers I had reserved three quarters of 2013 for intensive renovation, but it had already been completed months […]
The return of the yard wanderer Read More »
I can still see her coming down the bathhouse path, with an unknown skinny black&white dog on a frayed rope, and her with a smiling face. “Oh no!” was my spontaneous reaction, “Nonono, I don’t want a stray dog anymore!” “But I do!” Irma replied cheerfully and unfazed, “it’s a sweetheart, and I call him
Mosaicing in the sun with well-known stars Read More »
I actually thought I was going to have a Christmas break – sounds pretty chic, don’t you think? – but the inspiration is flying around my head, so here we go, just keep moving. Then I’ll have an Easter break or something. Because what’s happening? Maria in the tower is to blame Instead of the
Christmas without Maria in the tower Read More »
In nature everything works together. Chickens, cats, cockroaches and snails So I’ve developed a few nice tricks together with the chickens. That is to say, with Big Mama and the Aunties, because the three others are still too young and too inexperienced to understand that I always come with good things. Evidently. The three elders
Wildlife in and around Termas-da-Azenha Read More »
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 »
