We’re baaaaccckkk….or we should be up and running at full speed soon

Well, it’s been a while, much longer than anticipated. We’re assured that’s normal, drives us mad, of course. Anyway, internet, phone, tv still in various stages of intermittently working, depending on just what it is you’d like to accomplish at that moment. Inexplicable to me, yes, to Mark, not so much and driving him around the bend as he tries new gadgets and settings and…you get the picture. Soon we WILL be fully wired or wireless or have routers directly installed into our heads, whatever works best. Btw, our internet speed is routinely 200 mbps, much higher frequently. It is Going To Be Amazing.

So we are now learning to be residents instead of tourists and it is definitely a harder setting to negotiate. Nothing is easy because we know nothing. The Portuguese are generally very helpful but my grocery store experiences are a bit frightening, older Portuguese ladies are very serious about getting there first and have no compunction about whapping yourself and basket out of the way. Only place I’ve seen aggression and I come out feeling like I’ve been in a rollerderby ring. Regretting selling Sebastian’s old aggressive skating pads, lol. Fun stuff. We have our health insurance now – full private $145.00 a month each.

Our new neighbourhood is quiet but people walk and bike a lot so doesn’t feel too empty. Mark and I met an English neighbour the other day and the next afternoon she and I chatted, a couple of hours flying by, while Mark was out shopping for electronica and a bike. She and her husband are here via Canada and the Middle East – she’s never lived in Europe before! We are learning about our house. The washer/dryer is really good, surprise, surprise. The oven is an adventure. Two knobs that push and twist…bonkers until you understand.

Here are a few different views of our new place!

The microwave is still a mystery we’ve yet to tackle beyond pushing the 30 second button. It has different wattage settings and food settings and…haven’t had the energy yet. It is all quite overwhelming. Not in a bad way, just A LOT. We are trying to stay calm and go with the flow which works really well sometimes but other times it is a big bloody stretch. So be aware, you soon to be world travellers, patience, meditation and tranquilizers are a good idea.

Remember the lady I mentioned us meeting at our previous hotel? Well, her name is Deborah and she had invited us to join her and friends for dinner one Friday. The first one was too last minute but last night we jumped at the chance and joined them at a bakery where I wish I’d had the presence of mind to take pictures of the pastries. Anyway, we had River so even though it was a bit blustery and chilly, the group insisted on coming outside and we met everyone, had a beer or coffee and decided where to go next. Mark and I were followers, of course, eager to try anything. So en masse, maybe 8, we walked to the marina in little groups and couples, talking away and getting to know each other. There we found a place for dinner, again outside but at least sheltered. Alex and Deborah seem to be the ringleaders and the menu was explained in detail by Alex, translating the Portuguese, and so we tried dishes we’d never have ordered on our own. And what a little crowd, an interesting group of people, well travelled and well lived from what we could tell. It was an awful lot of fun and can’t wait to do it again. Next week’s dinner is supposed to be in Lisbon at a castle where circus performers and clowns were trained, clowns still are! Between the train ride and restaurant, not certain we can do that with River so we’re waiting to hear about weather and see how River is progressing at the new house. She’s been a trooper but she’s still nervy when I am out of sight. She seduced everyone last night and was impeccably behaved even when she ditched her harness to visit another canine visitor who trotted past. If we miss next week’s though, they try and do this every Friday and choose different restaurants, preferably ones no one has tried before. It’s harder now with Covid and summer winding down – restaurants are not necessarily open. It feels really lucky to be included with their group.

I think that’s all for now. I hope this posts but will keep trying if there’s trouble. Hope you and your families are all safe and well.