No Particular Place To Go

Driving along the now familiar roads we turn off the N17 towards the old Portuguese town of Coja where we start the 5km climb along the winding tarmac road that then turns to a rubble dirt track once we get past the village of Vinho. 

Preceding over the Sera de Acor the house stands on a ridge, in 3 hectares of land (mostly laid to pasture) and like lots of the house sits we have done it comes with its own ‘perks’ a swimming pool, games room and bar, so when Geoff and Anne invite us back to look after their home we couldn’t resist. 

Apart from their lovely dog Honey passing away and the arrival of their new dog Giota, everything else is the same so it doesn’t take us long to settle into the old routine.

Twice a day we walk Prince and Giota across the grounds and into the neighbouring forest which is littered with eucalyptus, the plant the locals fear most during the dry hot summers. They may smell lovely after heavy rain but they also have an aadverse effect on soil quality and the diversity of wildlife in some areas but the biggest problem with eucalyptus trees is the forest fires, oil produced by the trees, combined with the litter created by the falling bark makes eucalyptus forests a serious fire hazard. 

Another perk of this house sit is that it comes with its orange grove, however, there’s not a lot for us to do in terms of actually looking after the oranges, just water every few days, so all that’s left for us to do is enjoy the fruit, fresh orange juice has never tasted so good. 

One of our favourite things about house sitting is you get a real insight into what actual life is like in the area which we feel goes a lot deeper than any travel guide or hotel room can provide, so over the fortnight we visit markets, sit in the local square with a coffee, and venture into one or half a dozen Chinese shops (they sell everything and anything cheap, toot really).

Time passes quickly here and we are once again packing up to move on but who knows where that will be on this long-term adventure.

Coja is an attractive village with all local amenities , Tuxe bakery is worth a visit

My favourite cake from Tuxe the local bar/ bakers

Over the last two weeks I have encountered at least 4 snakes, one of them didn’t like being disturbed whilst soaking up the sun. I didn’t get any photos (too busy running) however there is evidence of their presence everywhere.

Pretty village of Avo

Late evening and it’s time to water and pick the strawberries.

We get to meet up with Simon and Sue, unfortunately I didn’t get any photos of us!!

We spend the evening chatting to Lee and Gabriela at Sombrinhas restaurant between Arganil and Tabua.

Larger towns of Oliveira de Hospital, Arganil & Tabua are some 15 – 20 Km distance and we go here to get groceries at the new Pingo Duce supermarket and have a wander around the town. 

Picked from the garden Fruit salad for breakfast

The house commands outstanding views to the South West and the foothills of the Sera de Acor. 

Room with a view. Most mornings it’s misty but it soon clears. I have managed to swim a few times when the sun is shining, it’s still chilly some days.

Off for the morning walk and Humphrey the cat decided to join us today 

Menu of the day 3 courses with drinks €9.50 – main dish Allo Frances a Bras

Baba cameo, the name “baba de camelo” translates to “camel’s drool” in English, and some believe it got its name because of its creamy texture and caramel colour, which resembles the drool of a camel. But please keep reading! There’s absolutely no drool in this recipe, just eggs, condensed milk and almonds, it’s delicious.

I visit Elsa the local hairdresser, and with a few hand signals, and Gabriela’s help I have a new haircut. 

We spend the afternoon in Coja watching the local folk dancing

With the arrival of the parts from UK John finally fixes the fridge.

I try Kundalina yoga at the Wild space, not sure how long it’s going to take to feel my arms and legs again!!