As I type today, I’m looking back on a very enjoyable four day weekend in Portugal. When I started work this morning, I paged back through my calendar out of curiosity, and confirmed it’s the first time we’ve had such a long break since Christmas. Now I’m pretty sure that when we moved to Portugal…
Since long before living abroad, I’ve been rather opposed to the “new year, new start” crap – or at least I thought so. However, I composed this post in my head whilst on an uncharacteristic 5km walk, having cut down on booze and cigarettes. I suppose I’d better accept that I am, quite literally, a…
It’s now around six years since my wife and I started thinking about moving abroad, and over three years since we touched down in Portugal on a one-way ticket. I frequently say it’s the best thing we ever did. But, like so many things in life, not everything has turned out exactly how we thought…
“We’re so close, I can taste it. A life so sweet, can’t afford to waste it.” Michael Jackson “We’re Almost There.” We were rather down in the dumps for much of last week. A combination of the change in seasons, sad / bad news of family and friends, and the sucker punch that was Portugal’s…
I love it in Portugal, and often say that moving abroad is the best thing we ever did. However, I’ve always been determined to ensure that my blog tells it like it is. On that basis, right now I’m pissed off, disillusioned and demotivated. The reason? Portugal’s 2013 state budget. Portuguese news doesn’t always make…
Many times, I have lamented the fact that people widely assume those of us living abroad do nothing all day but float in the pool drinking mojitos. Even friends who visit us get a false impression, perhaps not realising that we work 12-hour days and see no daylight for at least a week to get…
A glance at the date of my last post tells me it’s been over a fortnight since I last blogged. The last couple of weeks have been hectic and not a tremendous amount of fun. They began with nine days in London, where the balance between work and play was tipped firmly in the direction…
When blogging about our new life in Portugal, I am always keen to be completely honest and to share the lows as well and the highs. Regular readers will know that I often highlight the fact that life in the sun is far from being one long holiday. It’s important to mention this to deliver…
As a regular reader of the blog pointed out, my last post was “uncharacteristically negative,” so I’m pleased to report that last week was a better one! We heard from our Portuguese bank that our paperwork was finally back from London and were invited in to apply for our car finance. We have yet to…
Having friends come to visit us here in Portugal is fantastic, especially at this time of year when every day is blazing hot and we are starting to forget what clouds are like, let alone rain. What isn’t so fantastic is when they have to go home. When people share our new home with us…