One of the questions we are probably asked most (after the inevitable what’s the weather like!) is ‘what do you do?’. Well some days are not that different to back home really – with the shopping, blogging, long lunches, meeting up with friends, reading and the inevitable paperwork that seems to find you wherever you are in the world. Other days are far more active as we fit in birding, walks and something touristy.
Green tea is found in most cafes here, in fact green tea has been a staple drink in Portugal since the 18th century. The Portuguese were introduced to tea in the 16th century, it wasn’t until the late 17th century that it became a popular drink for the British following the marriage of King Charles II to Catherine of Braganza, a Portuguese princess.
After half hour or so of just chatting we returned to the apartment, well I did. Robert had to pop into the hotel to organise a second apartment for his sister who is joining us for a month in February. So exciting! Whilst Robert was negotiating rates I was sorting kitchen cupboards, we have bought so much additional kitchen equipment that a rethink in the kitchen was required.
By now it was lunchtime but we had decided on a late lunch, so it was back to the computers for both of us. Robert caught up with Winchester paperwork, and me with photographs and blogs. Amazing how much time you can lose in front of a screen.
Our evenings are spent either relaxing on the balcony, watching some rather bizarre TV or reading. We do cook some evenings and occasionally we go out for a meal but generally much prefer a day like today with a large and prolonged lunch and light snacks in the evening of Portuguese cheese and Spanish ham.