The general blog area for the site. Articles which do not fall into a specific category will appear here.
- Written by: Rick Nason
After a short break in service due to our internet connection being relocated to the new house things are back up and running - albeit very slowly.
With no fibre internet connection in this area we are reduced to a copper cable, and apparently we are a long way from the nearest hub. Therefore we have a paltry 10Mb download speed and an embarrassing 1Mb upload - it's like we stepped back over 15 years.
But it works and we may be able to upgrade in the future.
- Written by: Rick Nason
The changeover for our MEO TV and internet service is scheduled for Thursday 30th April, therefore there is a good chance that there will be a disruption to our web-site.
The server will be staying at the apartment with no internet access until it can be moved. Because the fibre service is not available at the new house we will be relying on their satellite offering, unknown territory.
Normal service will be resumed as soon as possible.
- Written by: Rick Nason
It was a good day on Friday last.
We found and ordered the new floor tiles for the back room, they should arrive by the end of the coming week. We arranged the transfer of the MEO service to the new house, we did some shopping for more materials and went to the house to tidy up some more in the hope that the kitchen may be installed by the end of the month as promised.
- Written by: Rick Nason
As a reminder, this moment in time will go down in history as one of the worst periods for the entire world's population.
The pandemic spread of COVID-19 Coronavirus has basically shut down everything. We are taking the best precautions that seem appropriate to avoid contracting and passing on this contagion but life must go on.
- Written by: Rick Nason
The big day is finally here. In about 5 hours (17h00 on Friday 29th November 2019) we could be the proud custodians of our first house here in Portugal. It has been a long process with many obstacles and some disappointments along the way but all that is consigned to history and experience. Assuming that we actually manage to complete this purchase of course.
- Written by: Rick Nason
After such a long time and so much disappointment we finally have a house purchase in motion. Not the isolated farmhouse with acres of land that was in our sights but a house on outskirts of the village with a decent sized garden and easy access.
- Written by: Rick Nason
The house buying process has taken a turn for the better. Things are looking very hopeful as the sellers have all agreed and accepted our offer to buy. The price is good, although there is lots of work to do before we can actually move in. We are maxed out on our budget so there will be lean times ahead for the next year or two.
- Written by: Rick Nason
After many aborted attempts to find a house or farm to buy and live in, or at least buy and renovate, we are currently at the offer stage for a property in Vale de Prazeres (the valley of pleasure!) near Fundão.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Frustration is not a strong enough word for it. Over the past few months we have been looking for a property to buy so we can move away from a top floor apartment and out of the city.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Chapter 2 begins just one week after the previous failure.
Arriving promptly at 9:30 the obligatory cup of tea and chat began and it was after 10am before any work began.
- Written by: Rick Nason
It is now approaching two years since I did any real work, except of course for the effort of fixing up our house in Macclesfield just before we left.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Once again, a big delay for an updated post here, but there has been little to report.
We still await confirmation that we can actually purchase the house that we have been trying to secure for the past 10 weeks. We are still hoping.
- Written by: Rick Nason
Says it all really. Having found a house with most of the requirements for our forever home and then making a formal offer which seems fair, especially considering the amount of work needed to make the house habitable, we were advised by the estate agents that the offer was accepted; great news.
- Written by: Rick Nason
We had a couple of weeks when Spring was blooming in the countryside around. Nice warm weather and sunny days.
Following my sister's visit the weather changed, much colder, more cloud and a whole new snowfall covering on the mountain.
- Written by: Rick Nason
No, not some exotic avian creature with feathers, but the storks have arrived and are nesting. My sister travelled from Halifax, UK to pay us a visit during the past week.