We have arrived and the bathrobes are airing out from six months in a Rubbermaid container!!!!
Our travels were uncomplicated, trouble free, and pleasurable. We arrived in Lisboa 25 minutes earlier than expected, moved through passport control and luggage rapidly then took our time to head to the train station where we enjoyed lunch and fresh air while waiting to head to Faro.
Our arrival in Faro was 25 minutes late!! Nevertheless, Mario was waiting with a big smile to hand us the rental car and then off to the Quinta where Konrad was waiting.
A marvelous greeting, a huge fire roaring in the stove…..don’t forget, it is the beginning of winter weather here!! We had to open all the doors to cool the place down for us!!! We then, as is our ritual, dove into (me) unpacking and sorting out the closets, and (Marc) unpacking our boxes we’ve stored here then setting up the kitchen. In less than 1.5 hours all was concluded……showers were taken……and a delightful picnic dinner underway……Merci Konrad!!!
To say we slept the sleep of the dead is an understatement!!!!! We woke to the sound of delirious chitter-chatter from the birds and cherished sunshine beaming into the room. Completely fulfilling.
Today was productive with groceries, getting our SIM card for the phone, laundry (everything that was stored away plus our travel clothes), and moving at a snail’s pace to accomplish all these tasks!! We will probably crash early again this evening but for now, we can settle in, reconnect with our friends, and launch into our Portuguese routine. Hello winter!
The sage on our patio……….I love the scent but moreso, the flowers when it finally bursts in the late winter early spring. 
This pomegranate tree is just beside our gate. It is bending in fruit begging to be picked. Usually, by the time we arrive, most of them are picked or have exploded, providing a feast for the birds. 
Marc and Randys Travel Adventures 
What Loveliness!! We have sun but 2C. The colours in the garden are muted. Still planning our daily walk though; not going to change our routine for 2C. Love hearing from you.xx
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Good to keep up the walks to ensure you are in shape for all the hiking!!!
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I’m so happy that you are happy 😍
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How could I NOT be happy being here!!! But, it makes me happy that you are happy cause I am happy!!!!
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I am very jealous! However, doctor and insurance company has cleared us to travel so we are frantically looking for a place in Florida! Would love to go to Portugal but the dog!! Enjoy!
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Never you mind…..Portugal will wait for you, as will we. In the meantime how wonderful you have been cleared to go to Florida…..enjoy mon amie.
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Well it sounds like you guys have wasted no time at all picking up where you left off. I could hear the happiness in your first posting. lol It’s very crisp and cold here but sunny. I’ll look forward to following along via your blog and in the meantime, stay happy. Love to you both. xo
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I love to feel settled and it makes more sense for both of us to dive in and get it done. I love it when the suitcases have been hidden away for six months!!!! Lots of colour and greenery here to help us forget the trauma of snow yesterday morning…..LOL
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Nice to see you settling into your Portuguese lifestyle once again. The temps look great along with the sun. We have lovely sun but cooler temps. I hope you get to pick some of the pomegranates.
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I’m thinking that a bowl of yogurt with fresh pomegranate seeds for breakfast would be just perfect.
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Great post….enjoy
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Glad you arrived safely. Must seem like yesterday when you last visited. See you in January.
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Thought of you this afternoon when I noted that our “gin and tonic” tree is laden with large luscious fruit. Soon you will be here also……the sun is so rejuvenating.
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Happy to hear that you’ve settled into you “home-away-from-home”. Enjoy!
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Thanks Bonnie……..I think in many ways we feel as if we never left!!
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Oh my. I was longing for that vast bank of sage the other day when I was making something for dinner. Oh how I miss just wandering outside for goodies like that. If there’s anything you need for the kitchen, feel free to raid the boxes I’ve got stored there. There are a ton of spices that should be used up!! You’ve filled me with longing!
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As you well know, it’s one of the pleasures of being here. When I see all the sage and rosemary everywhere it simply makes me want to cook!!!! You should have seen us unpacking the boxes last night……just like Christmas as I think you can appreciate. Just imagine what you’re going to experience when you next unpack yours!!!!!
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Looks amazing. I think what you have called sage is really rosemary. Are the flowers smallish and blue?
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They are sage…..I’ve been using them for years. It too gets a lovely purple/blue flower that we put in the house once available. Rosemary grows in abundance here also, and of course every time I smell that I crave lamb!!!!!
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Glad you arrived safely and without incidence….I suspected you would have unpacked and settled in lickety split! I am sure Konrad was delighted to see you both!
Looking forward to hearing about your adventures, your delectable meals in and out and your photos that move my heart!
Love you, P
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It feels as if we never left here. Just finished a wonderful dinner and are doing our best to stay up for a few more hours to try and get over the jet lag, which is not that bad this time.
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So glad to hear you both arrived safe and sound. It must be fun to divide your living space the way you do, but I’d miss the bratty boys. Maybe when they are a bit older, and Grandma falls waaay down on the “people I love to see lots” list. I will live there, vicariously until February.
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We certainly get to live an amazing life with spending six months here. We enjoy every moment of it as you well know. Maybe in a couple of years you could bring the bratty boys to Portugal and introduce them to another way of life. They might enjoy that. See you soon.
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Happy to read that you have arrived safely and have settled in so quickly! Have a wonderful winter ☀️☀️☀️☀️🤗🤗💕
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No flies on us!!! LOL. We both take such pleasure in having the suitcases out of sight…….it really feels as if we belong here once that is done. Hope you too have a wonderful winter.
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