I stopped at a petrol station yesterday, 'cos sometimes the Destrier needs feeding. Just as I leave the pump, a guy comes running over, so I pull up and switch off the engine to better hear what he's trying to tell me. We have a good ol' chat about the nature of Portuguese drivers, …
Taking the bikes out of town is a reward to ourselves after a week of paperwork. This week, we're meeting our new friend who has just arrived in Portugal from Norway. He's German but introduces himself as from Canada. He lives about 70 km from us, in a village close to the …
There is a word in Portuguese that has no translation in English. It is saudade. It conveys nostalgia, longing, love, melancholy, happiness, desire, sadness and emptiness all in one. The epitome of this word is encapsulated in the traditional fado music of Portugal. *********** The heat of the day quickly subsides once the sun sets …
Castelo Branco in Castelo Branco is our new home, at least for the time being. We've taken up a year's rental in the town of Castelo Branco, and will use it as a base for discovering the rest of the region, also named Castelo Branco. We've been here a week, and have been running …
Continue reading Castelo Branco in Castelo Branco, Castelo Branco
It isn't easy to leave Spain. I'm sitting on the terrace a warm sunny spring morning, with chiffchaffs and redstarts landing temporarily beside me, getting a little less shy by my presence there. The respective biospheres of my plants are providing them with a food source they are keen to peck their way through. …
The Destrier is excited. She's being packed up with familiar items, like a sleep system. We're off to meet some friends from Hamburg who have been travelling around Portugal for the last month. Now they want to catch up before travelling back home again. The last time we saw them was in Scotland a …
By the time they make it up the first flight of steps, they are out of breath. They pause under the shade of the Mistle Arch to recover. Eyes surveys the town below. "Are we still being followed?" Asks Ears. Their voices are low and hushed, keeping guard of their secrecy. "You can probably tell …
Diary of Alvar Díaz de Celis The thirteenth day of December, 1283 anno Domini. The quarrel between Alfonso X, el Sabio, and his son Sancho continues. The infantes de la Cerda have right to the throne through las Siete Partidas, and Sancho has the right as a second-born after the death of his elder brother. …
