Henk comes by in the kitchen, when I’m preparing everything for the nasi goreng for tonight. “Come and have a look, if you can spare the time”, he says, and walks ahead of me to his workplace for today. Volunteer Henk has been here several times, parks his camper next to the reception, and starts […]
Volunteers: the yard wanderer Read More »
The day started this morning being very cold, improved itself quickly with a promising spring-like breeze, and gave the sun a hard push so that it quickly got warmer. The weather is much too nice to work Look, then you quickly realize where the advantages lie of entrepreneurship. You run risks, yes, but you can
When I read “painting”, I immediately get into a state of stress Clearly one of my flaws. After years of being a homeowner and therefore responsible for all maintenance, I immediately think of peeling windows when I read: “painting”. Painting wooden windows. Which you have to paint almost every year. Because it’s nice if this
About painting, about stress, and about a painting course Read More »
Here you see the result of a few months work. It looks like a small wall, but all in all it takes a little while. Now, of course, we are not talking about 24/7. This project started in the early days of the summer. In fact, this year is already “The year of the Butterfly”
Nice plan: 2019 will be the “Year of the Butterfly” Read More »
Question of a child in 2054: “Mommy, what is this white stuff?” “That’s called paper. Don’t touch it! It’s very rare.” “Where does paper come from?” Portuguese paper. We have that here. Plenty. But then in a raw form Ever realized? All paper come from these beings. These beauties only supply fibers for paper. .
The Portuguese paper Read More »
Monday morning, I had to go to Figueira da Foz ánd to Soure. Two different directions. I chose Figueira, because that’s where the new gasket for the boiler Casa Oliveira has to come from, amongst other things. That boiler project has been waiting a month already. I don’t know how things go with you, but
Life is rumbling on in Portugal Read More »
“Gosh, she’s just rebellious”, Nico jokes at Astrid, when I – again, against all warnings – gently push a tree trunk in the bonfire, which gives a nice fire drizzle. “Exactly!” I agree, “I just like to have a homeless day tomorrow! I’ve had it with lifting roof tiles and crawling over dusty attics!” We
Restoration after restoration after Leslie Read More »
Meanwhile, everyone is back to everyday life, with a vague memory of the holiday. Life gobbles you up, and drags you on. This also happens here, but there is space here literally and figuratively to look back, to be equally nostalgic. It’s still dripping guests Two French brothers with a very small dog; a big
Porthola! There’s our Portuguese teacher from 20 years ago Read More »
I’ve been accustomed to stressed faces for years. When people arrive here. For the good observer the price of the year-round competing, running and hurrying can be seen on the parental faces. The children are not yet that far, and usually they also have something to swipe in their hands, so they’re sweet. I always
Stresslevels, before and after Read More »
There is a big stain on the floor of the adega under the mower. I pretend not to see it. I grab what I need and go. Then I leave it back in the workshop There is a big stain under the mower on the floor of the workshop. I pretend not to see it.
Broken mower? Doesn’t matter Read More »
