Portugal holidays: Progress Update and Furniture Shopping

Welcome!

Hi, if you are new to our blog, welcome! We are recording our journey moving to Portugal and having a new house built from scratch. Or if you are a return visitor, thank you for coming back for more!

Recap

So, from our last post you will gather that we are actually living in our house now. It is still not finished, but it is comfortable enough to live in. We are on the next phase of our journey, trying to make it our home.

We now have our boxed belongings, so are now starting to build up the essential things. These are the items we had to get rid of when we sold up and left the UK. We have managed to source some really nice things so far. We have also re-invigorated our love affair with IKEA and Leroy Merlin!

What’s gone on since the last post?

Quite a lot actually. On the house build front, the heat pump and VMC were hooked up and plumbed in and the electrics connected. The washing machine and tumble drier were also connected up as well as the dish washer in the kitchen. Plus, while the dishwasher was being put in, the contractor sorted out our bottom drawer on the island. It wouldn’t close properly after they fitted the down draft extraction fan, but shuts perfectly now.

The build guys have also started to erect the decking to the pool. We think the decking needs to be completed before the pool guys can come back to finish the pool. At the front of the house, our tech-wall come front gate was completed. It was given a roof and a coat of paint. All the utility covers were added! We are now using this as our car park as we get, at least some, partial cover during the day.

IKEA and more IKEA

As well as our new friends at Siopa e Baptista, our love affair with the Scandinavian furniture continues. We ordered our wardrobes. They were delivered thanks to the very helpful guys at the IKEA design store in Leiria Shopping Centre. At least the guest bedroom closet now has somewhere to put clothes! We can’t yet fit our main closet wardrobes. The door from the bedroom still needs to be finished by the builders. In the living-room we softened the appearance a little by adding a rug which also added a little color too. We also built some more storage for towels etc for the shower rooms. Additionally, we built some bedside tables for both bedrooms. In the kitchen we added a coffee station with some extra storage. That allows it to free up a bit more worktop space. These small touches have started to make it really feel like a home now. We have only unpacked a few things so far.

What’s left to do on the house?

So, as you all know, this build has experienced a few delays. We were hoping to have mostly finished by now, but hopefully you can tell, we are content with progress. We are pleased knowing that our builders are enjoying a well-earned holiday! The house has still got a fair bit to go before it’s finished though.

Unfortunately there is a part missing from the heat pump and so it wasn’t working before the holiday. This is a shame, we would have liked to be using it in cooling mode during this really hot weather. We also didn’t get round to ordering blinds or curtains in time to have them fitted too. The VMC seems to be working. But the supply and exhaust vents are very close together. We expected some separation to avoid cross contamination on breezy days. We don’t know what the Portuguese code is, so we will need to monitor it.

The deck out to the pool is not completed yet. Unfortunately, the pool is not ready for the summer break either, and it’s been really hot! The carport is also waiting to be started. Not sure if the pool and drainage need to be finished first. We will have to wait and see.

Our biggest concern is that we still have an open sewage drain and sewage pipes are not covered. At the same time, our rainwater harvesting tank is full. We still have no way to use it. We are not sure how to start it to use the stored water. Without drain covers, all sorts of debris is finding its way in.

There are still gaps around doors and windows where they haven’t been sealed yet. We are battling with ants on a daily basis. We hope the sealing will eventually help with airtightness and deter ants! We’ve even had a lizard come through one gap! The living room windows still have the protection tape on them. But, that can be removed when we have the external shutters fitted.

These are all jobs that we are looking to get resolved. But it’s now holiday season. The important thing is that everyone gets a great summer break. It’s time to chill out and spend time with family and friends.

That reminds us that our first guests arrive in a few weeks. We still have lots to do before they get here. And shortly we will start to see our family coming to visit. We are so excited to see them. It has been too many years now, and we want them to enjoy our home as much as we do!

Other than the house…

So it has been quite busy at the house getting things cleaned and putting furniture together. But we have still managed to get out and see a few of our friends. We had a lovely lunch in Sao Martinho do Porto with Isabel, our near neighbor. Not before she, along with her next door neighbor, Tom (the “old Dutch cyclist”! 😂😂) spoiled us with another amazing afternoon tea and cake.

Annette even managed to go out pear picking. She wanted to join our friend in the next village. She aimed to help a local charity that distributes excess food to those in need. We also enjoyed our friends company with food both at their house and at ours!

Also, a hearty welcome to our Canadian buddies who arrived this week to move into their newly renovated home. It is amazing to see what was achieved in just four months! We are quite envious at the speed of their renovations. Now they are joining our world busy getting essentials and furnishing etc.

Now where are the gin glasses…