“That contractor doesn’t know what to do anymore either,” says amiga J., who is telling me a wonderful story about her Ukrainian-Russian neighbour Maria over coffee. Maria is struggling with her Portuguese contractor, who according to him “has done everything possible”. Foreign approach to Portuguese architecture Maria wanted a roof window. Absolutely. Now. Can’t live […]
Foreign decisions on Portuguese architecture Read More »
The president of Vinha da Rainha stands at the top of the stairs: “Bom dia, dona Helena” and gives me a hearty handshake. That’s what it’s called in portuguese, the president of the sub-municipality. The mayor. And translated, I’m dona Helena. He announces the arrival of four other presidents Next Friday – when you read
Four presidents visiting Read More »
“Oh dear!” I say anxiously after I hobbled from one bed to the other, “Where is my arm?” “Look at that, you found it there,” the nurse says to me with a smile. My left arm is almost lying across my head. Completely numb. Very friendly staff at the hospital in Figueira How did I
How does it work at the portugese hospital? Read More »
There are few things you can do without on your body. Of course you can cut your hair and your nails, that’s no problem. But for the rest it is important that everything stays in place and in good condition. Nice considerations when I was in the dentist’s chair this week. For the infamous root
Magic word: Couto toothpaste Read More »
Last Monday, our english friends took a giant step towards their future dream: their own house in the eastern Alentejo. They had been busy packing their things for weeks, because because they work from home (they are jewelers) everything had to be combined. Packing, working, and leaving everything clean and in good condition. Cleaning is
English cleaning with a dutch touch Read More »
It was quite a challenge to get this glued, dear readers! You may not be able to imagine what a challenge it was – especially if you have never mosaiced before. It was a technical transportation challenge, this mosaic That was mainly because we put it – like we often do – on a board.
Chimney mosaic – a technical challenge Read More »
In the municipality of Soure I know of three places where you can get rid of your waste. That was accompanied by a substantial european subsidy, and was thought up at the drawing board, but it does work. You can drop off all your waste there Great initiative. Before that, the alternatives were: leave it
The last time I was there, the ground floor was still full of old rusty fridges, and the stairs to the tower were closed because it was too dangerous. A stork had made a nest in the tree growing on the tower. The Monastery of Seiça has been empty for a long time It’s a
The Monastery of Seiça Read More »
It smelled very much like fire, and in the afternoon the sky became overcast. The sun disappeared, and every now and then it reappeared blood red. It was hot, I wanted to go to the beach with Mira. A few days above 35º, and half of Portugal is on fire It was wonderful on the
Portugal on fire, and a lizard on the beach Read More »
