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We are Wayne & Annette and this is our blog about moving to and living in Portugal. If you’ve received it, then you either subscribed or someone was kind enough to forward it to you.
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House sitting is like stepping into a temporary haven where the ordinary transforms into a delightful adventure, making responsibilities feel like playful tasks in a whimsical home away from home.
So, we arrived back from our lovely stay in the Algarve. We wanted to say a huge thanks to Suzi & Karen for making our stay such a breeze. It is such a relaxing home. We actually stayed an extra night as they returned from their holiday the day before the Rugby World Cup. And seeing Suzi is South African and a huge rugby fan it was too good an opportunity to pass up. So they invited some neighbours over to a Rugby festa, with a buffet and drinks! It was a great match, and South Africa came out winners in the end, so celebrations all round!
We were booked to do sits almost straight away, so only had a brief overnight with our bestie. Enough to catch up and find out all about how she had broken her wrist while riding an e-bike in Spain. She was ok and although she still needed surgery, everything was in order. She was also making good use of the sling we had bought for Annette’s shoulder and wrist injury earlier in the year, which helped so we were glad we had kept hold of it.
The next day we were straight onto the next sit, which was in-between Nazaré and São Martinho on the Silver Coast. It was in a modern condominium overlooking Salgado Beach. The views were amazing. The two dogs and two cats were very easy going and it was a pleasure to look after them. The cats pretty much took care of themselves and loved their cuddles in the evenings, but most of the time we spent was out and about with the dogs. They loved being walked and there are some stunning coastal walks. We even managed a walk right along Salgado Beach! The weather had turned a bit wet, which was certainly needed after the dry summer, but it did mean we were kept indoors for a couple of the days, just chilling and watching some movies.
Salgados Beach in Portugal is a picturesque stretch of coastline known for its golden sands and pristine beauty. Backed by dunes and a nature reserve, the beach offers a serene escape with its clear Atlantic waters and a peaceful ambiance. It’s a haven for nature lovers and those seeking a tranquil seaside retreat in the Silver Coast region.
We did also get out for a few short periods. Once for a quick meeting with the builders for an update (look out for that coming up!). And the other to pop over to Alcobaça to visit a couple we are sitting for over Christmas. They has recently bought another puppy, so we wanted to get acquainted and it was lovely. You will need to tune in to see the pups in December. (spoiler alert…they are not small!).
Once we had left that house-sit, we then had the short trip to our next. This was for the friends we had met up with a few weeks back where we met the stars of the show (Cooper & Sonny) at Atelier da Doce. We also had visited Kirsty and Davie at their home and taken the dogs out for a quick walk, just to get the lay of the land and get a feel for how the sit would go.
Again, this sit is just off the Silver Coast not far from Caldas da Rainha. This again is not far from the house build, and we managed to pop over to check on progress on a particularly rainy afternoon. We took the dogs long for the ride and actually took them for a quick forest walk, even though it was raining. We also passed our future neighbours Peter & Isabel and had a quick catch up while the dogs got lavished with praise for being so well behaved!
Cooper and Sonny are the heart of this sit and our time was just about fully taken up with these guys. Not in a bad way however, you still get to sit quietly in the evenings and catch up with the latest movies and series while the boys chilled with their favourite toys.🧸 They really like to play and love their walks too, so we uncovered the pool on the nicer days and took them for lots of walks, including a coastal walk at Foz do Arelho and in the forests and hills surrounding our house being built.
They really are a dream pair to take care of. And considering they have their own instagram account we can categorically say it’s the first time we have looked after celebrities!
Sadly we had to leave. We really liked the area too. Salir de Matos, located near Caldas da Rainha in Portugal, is characterized by its charming blend of rural tranquility and historical charm. This quaint area is surrounded by lush green landscapes and small villages, providing a peaceful escape. The town itself boasts traditional Portuguese architecture, creating a quaint atmosphere. Salir de Matos offers a glimpse into the country’s authentic and slower-paced way of life, making it an ideal retreat for those seeking a quiet and cultural experience.
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Also, before we left we had a great catch up with Kirsty & David on their return. The plan now was to return to our friends. It was Peter’s birthday, and we had been organising a cake for him which needed picking up the next morning (on his actual birthday!). We also needed to get a good grip on where the house build was and check on any progress.
The results of that will be subject to our next post (not so long a wait as for this one, we promise!)…
Our Portuguese Life 