Ah, the ever-unpredictable dance of life, especially when it involves British weather and Portuguese living! We’ve been meaning to catch you up on the whirlwind that’s been our lives lately, so grab a cuppa (or something stronger) and settle in.
From Falmouth’s Charm to Four Seasons in a Day!
Remember our last post about our lovely weekend in Falmouth? The sun was shining, albeit with a bit of a nip in the air – proper refreshing, it was. Well, we returned home to Portugal to a truly spectacular welcome: every season rolled into a single day! One minute it was glorious sunshine, the next we were dodging hailstones. Honestly, it’s like the weather gods are playing a practical joke on us. Keeps things interesting, I suppose!
A Full House and Friendly Faces
Despite the meteorological shenanigans, our social calendar has been absolutely buzzing. We had a wonderful visit from Wayne’s sister, niece, and grand-nephew. The house was full of laughter and happy chaos, and Wayne’s sister even extended her stay for a few extra days, which was a real treat.
Beyond family, we’ve been painting the town (our little village, at least!) red with friends, old and new. We’ve met some lovely new neighbours, shared stories, and even indulged in a bit of wildflower hunting. Who knew that could be such an exhilarating pursuit? (Spoiler: it totally is when you’re us.)
Feasts, Friends, and Fine Tunes
Our social escapades continued with a fantastic housewarming party for some new English friends right here in our village. There’s nothing quite like a good old-fashioned barbecue to bring people together, and we’ve certainly had our share, enjoying delicious local food and wines. And what’s a good time without some rhythm? We’ve been out and about, tapping our toes to some great live music. Good food, good company, good tunes – that’s our kind of trifecta!
Poolside Dips and Garden Delights
Believe it or not, amidst all this activity, we managed to have our first dip in the pool this year! A brave (and slightly chilly) plunge, but utterly refreshing. Our garden is also thriving, with new additions thanks to Wayne’s sister, who kindly brought us two trees during her visit. We’re slowly but surely transforming our little slice of paradise, one plant at a time.
The Ongoing Sagas: Builders, Blinds, and Boundaries
Of course, life wouldn’t be complete without a few ongoing “projects” that keep us on our toes. Our builders popped over to tackle some snagging issues, but – you guessed it – the unpredictable weather put a temporary halt to that. And the sagas continue with our boundary wall and the ever-elusive living room blinds. Also we are still waiting to get the sewage system closed up! It’s a marathon, not a sprint, as they say!
We also finally had a door fitted to our crawl space. Great for storage, but we found a few damp issues under there at the same time. So, we called our builders and they were quickly on the case coming up with solutions to overcome the issue.
Drone Adventures and Douro Delights
Wayne’s even taken to the skies (or at least, his drone has!). He’s been flying it to inspect our mountain for potential caves – talk about an Indiana Jones in the making! It’s also proved incredibly handy for checking the gutters and solar panels. Who knew a drone could be such a practical tool? The solar system we had fitted came into its own too, especially after that unexpected European blackout we experienced.
Adding to our family visits, Wayne’s cousin and her husband graced us with their presence for a night after their 55th-anniversary cruise along the Douro River. It was absolutely wonderful to catch up with family we don’t see often enough and hear all about their adventures.
The Juggle is Real (But So is the Relaxation)
So yes, you could say we’ve been rather busy. We’re constantly juggling garden work, socialising with friends and family, and all the everyday essentials like shopping, housework, and just… stuff. It’s a delicate balance, but we’re getting pretty good at it!
And fear not, amidst all the hustle and bustle, we do manage to carve out some time to simply relax. There’s nothing quite like slowing down, visiting our local cafes for a leisurely coffee, or kicking back on the patio with a glass of wine, a G&T, or a lovely cold beer. It’s all about finding those little moments of calm in the beautiful chaos of life.
What have you been up to lately to find your moments of calm amidst the busy?
Our Portuguese Life 