The general blog area for the site. Articles which do not fall into a specific category will appear here.
- Written by: rick
It seems that, recently, every time we wish to travel outside of Portugal there is some form of problem.
This time it was the airline, notorious for low cost and low service.
- Written by: Rick Nason
This year Janet and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary with a special trip.
We had a few days away in Venice, one of the most romantic cities in the world.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Having rescued a whole group of cactuses from various parts of the garden when we bought the house, Janet kept them in pots with a plan to make a dedicated cactus garden.
That idea has now come to fruition.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Following the lack of success with the vegetables this year we will be re-working the soil in the horta.
Therefore we need a couple of tons of manure to add some nutrients.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Yet again, the weather shows how it can throw away all the historical models.
Just a couple of weeks ago we were baking in extreme temperatures and relentless sunshine.
- Written by: Rick Nason
It has been a while since the last update of the garden.
This year has been quite different to the previous one, so little rain and so much heat.
- Written by: Rick Nason
As beautiful and inviting as our area is, just like almost everywhere else we do have a crime problem.
And, as is so common, it is likely that drugs are the cause.
- Written by: Rick Nason
The recent forest fire in our area was not entirely unexpected but it was still a surprise when it happened.
As is often the case, the cause was human error.
- Written by: Rick Nason
A few days ago we were reminded of how nature and negligence are poor companions.
A small fire was accidentally started by someone working with a power tool in an area around 1.5km from our home.
- Written by: Rick Nason
When the temperature stays at the mid to high 30 degrees it is always good to go somewhere cool.
Our best spot locally is at the top of a mountain - The Serra da Estrela.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Not the same St. Valentine's Day as celebrated in other countries.
As part of the festivities in Lisbon, there is a whole day dedicated to Santo António.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Back in Macclesfield, our granddaughter is growing up rapidly.
We don't get to see her as often as we may like, but modern technology allows us to keep in touch remotely.
- Written by: Rick Nason
It is about four years since we had some proper classes to learn the language.
Although we have learned much more in the interim, mostly by asking and interacting with people, Janet decided that we should have an intense, immersive week of lessons with a different language school.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Now that the driveway entrance is finished and the gates installed, it is time to make the driveway useable.
This can only be done if the border between the driveway and the garden is properly defined.
- Written by: Rick Nason
As if the garden was not colourful enough, Janet had a great idea to paint the herb tubs in bright colours.
The dull grey concrete was a little boring, we originally thought of painting them white like the house.