After some texting back and forth, he figured it out: Harald is coming on Saturday. He found it difficult to commit because if you leave at random like he did, and you’ll see what happens, well … then … then you’ll see what happens. I had warned that it might be more convenient not to […]
Storms, monasteries, and all those things that bump in the night Read More »
“I don’t know if it will work, because they have only scheduled us here for one day,” says one of the three solar panel installers, “We are going to do our best.”“Maybe it’s because it’s going to rain tomorrow. At least that’s the prediction,” I answer, “but maybe I should call ahead and say that
Solar panels in the rain Read More »
“Okay, last check. Just open the tap completely, then I’ll close it in fifteen minutes” I say to Broes, “when that cloth stays dry, it’s done.” That tap has to be opened because the drain is leaking. Not a big deal, maybe a drop every five minutes, but enough to bother you. Prior to the
A flooding with odds and sods in the pipe Read More »
P: Bonjour Ellen, I wanted to ask you something: do you mind if I park my beautiful Dacia somewhere on your estate for 3 weeks from Saturday morning? I go to take a portuguese course at the university in Coimbra but parking space is scarce there, so I prefer to park the car safely in
Crash course portuguese at the University of Coimbra Read More »
“Then come around 11” I app, “’cause you do need a fair amount of time, and if the sun goes down at about 5, it’s no longer nice.”“Oooo soooo nice sitting in the sun making mosaics! What a life we have!” Paula would come and make a mosaic. In the sun, ’cause it’s a sunny
Making sunny mosaics Read More »
Today is the day of the elections for the “Assembleia da República” – the Portuguese parliament. As a foreigner you are not allowed to participate As a foreigner/resident you can vote in municipal elections, which is much more comprehensive than just the municipal council. That layer of government is much thicker here, because it is
Foreigners are not allowed to choose in Portugal 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 »
Returnees. All hosts love that. People who already know your place, who feel at home here, and who appreciate that you do it the way you do it. Apparently, because otherwise they wouldn’t come back. Isn’t it? It’s not that weird that my family comes back every year. But there are more returning guests That
All about returning guests Read More »
Images say more then words. In this case more then true. You can’t catch mosaic in words. Another one ready. Made with a few friends who regularly come back. Unfortunately, we forgot completely to make pictures. Talking about images … clever! But we’ll provide you with an impression, don’t worry! It all began with a
A beauty of a mosaic jungle Read More »
