Well, here we are again, another Christmas Eve and another year coming to a close. Marc and I wish the very best to all of our family and friends and hope that whatever your choice of celebration, it’s a wonderful few days for each of you.
This morning we headed in Olhão and enjoyed a gorgeous walk along the promenade. The sun was shining, the tide, very low, which meant the smell of the sea was a bit more pronounced than usual. We both love that.

We stopped in at a new bakery that our friends Harald and Bela told us about. While Marc was in line to purchase bread, I explored the display of festive fare that was disappearing as quickly as they could put it out.
I headed back to the main counter to help Marc with the purchase of bread and right in front of me, at eye level…or should I say….mouth level…..was this amazing bread stuffed with a generous portion of salami!!! It got my knees weak. This I would happily gobble down. We will be heading back to this place after Christmas is behind us.
Our friend James is arriving today from Canada. His flight landed in Lisboa at 9h50 and much to all our dismay……the trains are on strike today and tomorrow. There was no plan B but there is now. He will take a bus but that will arrive much later than we had planned. In any case, it is what it is and I will be at the bus station when he arrives.
Tonight is a special event for us…..Christmas Eve with our friends Ana and Simão, their family and a few other friends. We feel very honoured to have been included and can’t wait to experience new traditions. An on that note, I have to go and make myself pretty……that doesn’t happen in five minutes any longer so the more time I have, the better. LOL

Merry Christmas from Canada 🎄
Sent from my iPad
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Same to both of you. Have a wonderful few days whatever it is you’ve chosen to do. Merry Christmas.
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Merry Christmas to you & Marc ! It seems like you will a few fun days with friends. Beautiful sunny day here in Cape Breton but a little cooler than Portugal! Started off the food feast last night with mussels & lobster, move onto scallops tonight & turkey on Xmas Day. That bakery looked amazing – you would want to a bit of all!
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Merry Christmas to you and your family as well Joan. Stay safe and looking forward to seeing you here in the not to distant future……..maybe if you behave, I’ll take you to that pastry shop!
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Merry Christmas Randy and Marc.
We enjoyed looking at the many mouth watering desserts. The colourful breads look similar to the Greek bread my neighbour makes.
Loved Marc’s hat. Lol
We are organized on this end. Everyone had a chore this morning so we are now heading out for a 2 hour dog walk. Cold but sunny.
We are looking forward to our usual Christmas Eve dinner out tonight.
Sending you both big Christmas hugs. XOXO
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Hello and Merry Christmas. Glad you are caught up on the blog. Yes, that dessert table was a sight for the eyes of anybody that loves desserts! I kept Marc distracted..lol.
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Merry Christmas! We are waiting for Santa here. Ellis and Django have put up their socks and a lunch is put out for Santa. It’s so exciting! I imagine they’ll find it hard to fall asleep. Have a lovely day…hugs to all.
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Can only imagine their faces this morning. Enjoy.
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Merry Christmas, Randy and Marc! Have a wonderful day and evening…sounds terrific! Just heading to bed, excited to experience the joyous chaos in the morning at Braden and Sarah’s…Hurricane Jane will be in her glory and Foster will be delighted with her tossed wrapping paper!
The bakery photos look scrumptious….dangerous!
Hugs, P
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Hope you have a joyous time and weather is clear for the driving there and back. Merry Christmas mon amie.
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A Joyeux Noël to you two in your little corner of paradise. It is such a pleasure to read your blog.
All the very best for the Holiday season.
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Joyeux Noël to you and your family as well. We enjoyed a traditional Portuguese Christmas Eve with friends and what a marvelous time. The food was sublime and we now know the secrets to preparing moist and tender octopus!!! All the very best to you both for the New Year.
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