March 23, 2020
Welcome to Casa Valhal, a rustic 3 bed schist house, located in the village of Vinhó, a few minutes...
March 21, 2020
Welcome to our little village of Vinhó which is situated in the parish of Vila Cova de Alva, in...
May 21, 2020
Today is Dia da Espiga or Quinta-feira da Espiga, a Portuguese celebration that takes place on Ascension Thursday. It...
May 11, 2020
Almost on a daily basis I am discovering a new creature in our garden so I thought I would...
May 9, 2020
You may be aware by now that we had the most sweetest brush with nature recently. This is only...
May 4, 2020
The weather was absolutely gorgeous over the weekend so we decided to continue working on the garden. The plan...
May 4, 2020
Exposure to nature not only makes me feel better emotionally, it contributes to my physical wellbeing. Portugal’s nature is incredible and you...
May 1, 2020
HELEN’S WEIGHT LOSS JOURNAL – WILL BE UPDATED RANDOMLY I have been debating if to write this post for...
April 27, 2020
One man’s trash is another man’s treasure, this is so true. When we purchased Casa Valhal it came fully...
April 24, 2020
This post is not really Portugal related but something I feel I need to have a rant about. Not...
April 21, 2020
A tribute to my daughter and Bob the builder I always remember this motto ‘Reduce, Reuse, Recycle’ as it...
April 20, 2020
Welcome to my secret garden, only it’s not so secret anymore (ha ha). I have named our upper top...
April 20, 2020
After all that nasty rain we eventually just had a glorious sunny weekend in the garden which enabled us...
April 12, 2020
I thought I should start a specific Covid-19 post and update it regularly. Portugal declared a 15 day state...
April 6, 2020
Tradition Happy Good Friday everyone! I hope you are enjoying your extended weekend. Easter is very respected and hugely...
April 3, 2020
With so many oranges just falling into the road below our house and getting squished by cars, I thought...
April 2, 2020
Here is our anniversary meal. This classic Bacalhau à Gomes de Sá, or Portuguese salt cod-potato-onion casserole, is authentic...
April 2, 2020
Happy anniversary to my wonderful husband (5 years married today) it only seems like yesterday when we were exchanging...
March 25, 2020
OBVIOUSLY MOST OF THESE WILL HAVE TO WAIT UNTIL OUR CURRENT SITUATION AND STATE OF EMERGENCY (LOCK DOWN) HAS...
March 23, 2020
The Portuguese food is amazing. You will find that there are many famous dishes which vary from region to...
March 23, 2020
I love nature and gardening and just being outdoors makes me happy. I have no clue what I am...
March 23, 2020
So we thought we were buying a house that was pretty much up together and just needed a lick...
March 22, 2020
Chicken lady – Funniest experience to date has to be an elderly lady at Arganil market. They have a...
March 20, 2020
MARKETS There are loads of markets in Portugal. We have one in Côja and Arganil. They run on different...
March 20, 2020
There are tons of river beaches dotted all over Portugal and our nearest is in Côja. The Fluvial Beach...
March 20, 2020
I’m not really a beachy type of person as I hate sand getting everywhere and no shade but I...
March 20, 2020
Have a realistic budget as you will need extra money for associated fees and house maintenance. Properties are cheaper...
March 20, 2020
Weather – although day times can be glorious and sunny, evenings can be very cold in winter. I did...
March 20, 2020
Portuguese drivers – don’t get me started! They drive like maniacs (like Jenson Button on LSD). They tailgate, flash...
March 20, 2020
Obviously the weather – we have just had a glorious spell of really hot weather in February and March....
March 20, 2020
My wonderful grown up children – one preparing for university in Nottingham and one who has recently returned from...
March 17, 2020
I used to enjoy my weekly jog in Bristol so re-started jogging in Portugal. It’s very hilly around here...
March 16, 2020
I used to get my hair done every 10 weeks at home, half a head of highlights, wash, cut...
March 15, 2020
I wear contact lenses, am very shortsighted and have astigmatism. I used to have my lenses delivered to me...
March 14, 2020
We got a quote online from Medal as it was recommended by someone on a forum. They have special...
March 14, 2020
TAP is an affordable local airline and you can take animals. Easyjet & Ryanair are affordable airlines back to...
March 13, 2020
Personally I didn’t come to Portugal to sit in an English put and eat a roast dinner but I...
March 13, 2020
Portugal doesn’t have many charity shops and I have not seen any near us not like the U.K. There...
March 13, 2020
There are multiple car hire companies to choose from. We have used Centauro located close to Porto airport on...
March 12, 2020
PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL OUR PAPERWORK PROCEDURES WERE CARRIED OUT PRIOR TO BREXIT DATE EXCEPT FOR EXCHANGING OUR DRIVING...
March 12, 2020
WE PAID THE FOLLOWING: Holding Deposit: 10% paid when completed Promissory contract Stamp duty: 0.8% IMT: property price under...
March 11, 2020
I quite fancied the idea of a motorbike in Portugal but it was not realistic as I wouldn’t be...
March 10, 2020
This is a simple process and we decided to bank with a local bank who was recommended to us...
March 10, 2020
Municipal Council of Arganil Praça Simões Dias, post office box 10, 3304-954 Arganil 235200150; 961 989 589 [email protected] www.cm-arganil.pt...
March 10, 2020
With learning Portuguese I feel you need to do what works for you but actual classes where you meet...
March 10, 2020
1 January (Wednesday): New Year’s Day (Ano Novo) 25 February (Tuesday): Carnival Tuesday – NOT A PUBLIC HOLIDAY 19 March (Thursday):...
March 10, 2020
This was a very easy procedure. Firstly you need to obtain proof of address known as Atestado de residência....
March 10, 2020
You qualify for a flat 20% income tax rate on salaries for 10 years. You must spend more than...
March 9, 2020
Serviço de Finanças – Tax Office of Arganil Avenida das Forças Armadas, 3300-011 Arganil 235200280 [email protected] 9:00am-12:30pm | 2:00...
March 9, 2020
National Emergency Services Telephone Medical emergency (ambulância), Police (Polícia) & Fire rescue 112 Maritime Police in Lisbon 210 911 100...
March 8, 2020
There are many Portuguese radio channels. I found an old radio in our house and it is perfect for...
March 7, 2020
If you own a house in the country or near a forest you are more vulnerable to fires. Eucalyptus...
March 7, 2020
I have found the following Websites/Facebook pages/information very useful indeed: https://www.safecommunitiesportugal.com/ http://www.sns.gov.pt/ http://portugalresident.com/ Carl Munson – Good morning Portugal...
March 7, 2020
I really like the refuse system here. Compared to Bristol City Council it is amazing. Some areas have collections...
March 7, 2020
Our solicitor met us in Arganil to assist with putting electricity, water and house tax in our names. IMI...
March 6, 2020
Post is delivered to your mail box not through a letterbox like most of the UK. You need to...
March 5, 2020
We live in a rural remote area so a car is essential as buses are very infrequent. They run...
March 3, 2020
There is a great Coworking place next to Arganil market at the Centro Empresarial e Tecnológico de Arganil (CETA). You can hire...
March 2, 2020
I really thought that this was going to be a huge challenge but it was so easy. I have...