In the quiet anticipation of new friendships and shared moments, the sudden passing of Irish Peter casts a shadow over our new year celebrations and local community. Scheduled to become our nearest expat neighbour, Peter’s absence will be deeply felt, leaving behind unfulfilled dreams of poolside beers and shared experiences and with Annette and Isbel in gardening and culinary pursuits.
Peter’s eyes held the timeless perspective of someone who cherished the world through the lens of analog cameras. His passion for tinkering with and repairing these classic devices revealed not only his technical prowess but also a unique ability to capture moments with a nostalgic charm. His vision painted a canvas of memories, and the shutter clicks echoed the rhythm of a life well-lived.
As we envisioned lazy afternoons by the pool, swapping stories and savouring the camaraderie that often arises between neighbours, Peter’s absence now creates a void. The laughter and shared expertise in planting and vegetable growing that we had looked forward to are tinged with the bittersweet realisation that Peter won’t be there to share in these moments.
Beyond his technical skills, Peter’s warmth and camaraderie were evident in his eagerness to connect over shared interests. The prospect of exchanging photographic secrets and learning from each other’s expertise added an extra layer of anticipation to our upcoming neighbourly gatherings.
In remembering Irish Peter, we hold onto the memories we could have created together. His passion for life, analog photography, and the simple joys of friendship will inspire us to forge connections, honoring his spirit through the bonds we build within our community.
As we embark on the journey of completing our home, Peter’s absence serves as a poignant reminder to cherish the present and those we hold dear. Though he won’t be physically present by our poolside, his legacy lives on in the collective memories of a community touched by his warmth, kindness, and the shared dreams that now linger in the air.
With the house progress in mind we can only report it is progressing at pace. We thought there might be a chance of being in the house in January, but that has now been put back.
The underlay and pipe work for the underfloor heating had been delivered and we were hopeful that that phase would commence, but the internal insulation and drywall need to be finished first. They have also commenced the external wood cladding, so things are still moving along.
It is always rewarding to be able to show our project and share ideas with our visitors, and it was fun when Kirsty and David along with Cooper and Sonny the golden retrievers from a previous house sit turn up for a tour of the house. We look forward to seeing many more family and friends coming to visit in the future.
I keep thinking back to the major renovations we had back in the UK, with everything ripped out new ceilings, new floors, removal of old kitchen, structural steels added all new plumbing and electrics, all drywall and plastering and painted. From start to finish in six weeks. So for anyone thinking of similar works in Portugal, be warned. That will never happen in the same timeframe, but then we are here to live a simpler and slower way of life! 😂
Our Portuguese Life 