Our decision to return to our beloved Portugal for only three months this year was a challenging decision however after careful consideration, all pros and cons weighed several times, and much deliberation, Marc and I realized that it was time to revert from our usual six moth sojourns to three months and then enjoy some other extensive vacation in the late summer early fall. That said, November and December sure felt long to us!!
Joanne, Marc, and myself spent a few hours in the Toronto airport waiting for our direct flight to Faro. We were eventually joined by Pat and Gary, who had been visiting family in Ontario and finally at 21h40, off we went.
Arriving back here and stepping outside the Faro airport to the visual of swaying palm trees, warm temperatures, and green as far as the eye could see, simply warmed the cockles of my heart instantly! Truly felt like coming home.
After picking up our respective rental cars we said our goodbyes (till later) and we drove to our new house, which is in the mountains more or less half way between Estoi and Sao Bras de Alportel. (Check it out on a map)
It was well organized in terms of self check-in: open gates, take electric reading, turn on electricity, check cupboards, throw luggage in our rooms and then, head to the grocery store for a few things to get us through the next couple of days till we do the “big one”. Of course I enjoyed a small meander around the property just to breath it all in.
I am going to love exploring this part of the Algarve in more detail. So many small winding roads, mountain paths etc.. Can’t wait to get my body on local time and then on the trails.
We were sitting in our living room taking it all in when our neighbour, Jose, a man of 91, straight as a whip and fit as a fiddle, waved me out and presented us with….
As you can see, a huge bag full of just picked clementines and oranges. We had a grand gab, he without knowing any English and me using my instinctive Portuguese. What a grand and lovely welcome.
And so begins our next adventure here in this land we have visited so many times, and where we have created so many amazing memories, and now a new chapter begins.
Marc and Randys Travel Adventures 
I am just home from lunch with friends, and was going to send an email to be sure you’d arrived safely. And here was your post. How grand it all is looking, it won’t be long before we join you.
I am particularly happy to know of a new clementine source, lol.
Yesterday, because it was so dismal here, I needed a pick-me-up, so I pulled up Marietta’s online, and shared it with Kate, photos of what’s to come. Yum!
Will continue to follow your blog until it’s our turn.
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Hey, what makes you think my neighbour will give YOU clementines!! LOL. They are amazingly sweet and yes, we shared with Pat and Gary. See you soon.
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Happy to see you are doing the blog this year! Your property looks lovely with all the flowers ! We had 6-7 inches of snow last night, so I spent some time cleaning of the back deck and car. Even though, it was -4C, it was quite nice out and very pretty!
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Stay warm and dry Joannie. Hopefully many blogs to come.
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Happiness wears well on you my friend! Thank you for the privilege of sharing your journey. Look forward to seeing posts of Marcās new creations.
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Merci mon amie. Marc is getting geared up for an exhibition at the end of this month. Stay tuned. Hugs from the sunny Algarve
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Enjoy every moment…soak it all in. Keep the blogs and pictures coming. š Such a kind neighbour. š
Take care…Susie Q
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Hey Susie Q……yes, our neighbour and his wife are both in their 90’s and they are so welcoming. We get waves all the time and it’s wonderful, despite the fact we don’t speak the same language, that they are just there, a stones throw away.
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Lucky you. So happy you are doing your blog again – I too adore Portugal. Enjoy yourselves and I look forward to following along.
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Thanks Debbie….we’re being kind to our old bodies and taking a couple of days to catch our breath before our first hike.
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Oh I’m so happy for you guys! And here comes my own little trip to Portugal via your blog and all the pictures and descriptions. LOL
How lovely that your neighbor welcomed you with such a delicious treat. Off to a good start already, it can only get better from here. Hurry and catch up on your sleep and get yourself moving and get those blogs coming in!
Love and hugs to you all.
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Thanks! We had a fairly easy journey, albeit a long one. Slowly getting used to the new place but it will only be a day or so and it will feel as if we’ve lived here forever. We both realize how much we were missing it now that we are back. Won’t be long before the walking and hiking starts.
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Have a grand time Looking forward to the reports!
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Thanks Anne Marie, lovely to know you are continuing to follow along.
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So glad to see you arrived safely and have close friends to share the experience with š„°
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WE are our “schedule” of arrivals and departures….our “community” will be in full mode by end of February, just in time to celebrate a certain birthday!!
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I’m sitting here with a smile on my face reading your blog. One would think I had just arrived Portugal. I love being able to smell the various scents via my mind. How wonderful that you received a welcome with oranges and clementines. Such a nice neighbour! I’m sure you are all tired from the long journey but in a day or so I expect you’ll be back on track and the hiking will begin. I’ll look forward to your blog. Be happy and enjoy every second.
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I’m delighted you are taking such pleasure in the blog. I forgot my connecting cord for my camera so……how I managed to download those photos last night remains a mystery to me. Now to make it happen again! LOL. It’s gorgeous here today and we are settling in nicely. Another day or so and perhaps our first hike, or beach walk…..we’ll have to toss a coin.
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It looks lovely, hope you have a wonderful time at this new location!
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Thanks Brenda. Our new location is a tiny bit more isolated, which was something we wanted to experience. If the quietness of last night is any indication of the normal pattern, we’re going to love it!
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So happy to hear you guys arrived safe and sound. And of course Randy is telling stories about your neighbour already. I wouldn’t expect anything else. š Enjoy your next 3 months.
Bridge
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I attract them like flies!! LOL Thanks Bridget, we are in seventh heaven.
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Let the adventure begin! Enjoy! š¤š¤
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And so they have!!!!
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Enjoy those 3 months to the max! Here is a recipe that might be useful to use up the clementine or oranges. https://www.nigella.com/recipes/clementine-cake
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Merci mon amie. We’ll let you know if enough of them last to use in a recipe……they are so juicy and were still warm from the sun when we received them.
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Bon Dias,
Great to see you getting settled in the Algarve again. I will enjoy following you around again this winter. Enjoy your new home there.
Andrea
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Thanks Andrea. We are beyond happy to finally be here and it’s fun experiencing a new home as well. Stay well.
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I’ll try again having trouble sending this. How lovely to see you all again in sunny Portugal. We’re only a couple of hours away from you now but there are no swaying palms here in cold Kent. Looking forward to seeing your photos and hearing about your adventures. Enjoy your sojourn. Hugs from Margaret (and John)
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Hello Margaret (and John). It gives us immense pleasure to know you are following along. We were so happy to leave Canadian winter behind, especially the cold temperatures. We’re slowly settling in and soon our explorations will begin. Stay well.
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It is great to read your update. Such an interesting and entertaining read! we look forward to meeting everyone there.
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You’re going to love it again this time. Relaxation hits as soon as you walk out of the airport!
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Sounds like an exciting chapter to begin. Enjoy it! And great blogging btw. Portugal forever has my heart too. Cheers
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