Day 1

We woke around 8am Tuesday the 4th, still feeling pretty shattered form the journey, but excited to explore and see what has changed around the villa, but first stop was the supermarket – Continente – for some milk and other essentials. I’d brought with me a huge box of PG tips, as the cha noir just doesn’t cut it. Off we trotted back down the windy road to the N125 and up the hill to the Centro Commercial, pulled up outside the front door and noticed it wasn’t open yet, only a few minutes to 9am, so we waited. A nice familiarity again, as I headed in and straight to where the red over-sized basket/trolleys are kept. One pull up handle and an other to carry it if you wanted to, together with a set of wheels on one side. A bit like the old granny shopping trolleys but without the tartan canvas!

Provisions bought we headed back to the villa, as I was keen to get all my computer gear set up and to test out the 3G dongle for strength. Laptop out, dongle in, punch in the code and hey-presto! Easy as that. So, while I unpacked from their protective bubble-wrap and cling film, my two desktop machines, monitors and masses of cables, Kelly went to explore the grounds. Returning with a bag bulging with an assortment of oranges, some of which turned out to be grapefruit, strangely enough, being smaller than the actual oranges. She handed me a piece of orange which tasted divine, freshly picked and juicy as hell, and almost immediately she went into the kitchen in search of something to juice the rest with. Minutes later I heard the whir of a machine and gleeful Kelly appeared once more with a glass full to the brim – with bits!

The sky was clearing by midday and we both took a stroll around the grounds. I was amazed at how lush and fertile the land looks, much changed since October, where simply bare soil and an arid feel has been replaced with swathes of a large clover-like plant with yellow flowers. The fruit trees barely holding onto bulging round oranges, birds everywhere and a moist, spongy feeling to the ground underfoot.

The rest of the day consisted of mainly sunbathing (topless – ;) and relaxing on the veranda overlooking to pool. Evening came and we ate a mixed seafood medley; squid, muscles and clams with rice spiced with chilli.  One things was missing though from our meal, which we ended up going back to the store for – WINE! What an omission.
Day 2
After a slow start in the morning, we decided to head to Lagos, about 6 miles west. A large coastal town and harbour with cobbled streets and a somewhat touristy feel. The day wasn’t as bright but didn’t look like rain, yet not warm enough to leave jackets at home. Into the car we headed down towards the N125 again, past several orange groves, where the fruit lay on the floor around the trees, wondering why they hadn’t been harvested.

Arriving in Lagos, we followed signs for ‘centro’ and parked along the harbour front, €2 for a 3 hour ticket and wandered into town. The streets were pretty empty with a mixture of tourists and locals. I’d been here before, so knew the main causeway through town, but we took a different route. It’s a maze of roads and pedestrian walkways, the later made up of tiny cream and black blocks into shapes and patterns. It must have taken an age to pave. We stumbled across and entered a health food shop, as Kelly was after some coconut oil. Most of the others where either run of the mill household stores or tacky tourist ones.

Feeling slightly lost, we finally stumbled upon the main pathway leading through the town, restaurants and bars either side. Recognizing again where we were, I felt compelled to find a small restaurant/bar previously visited in October called Moon Rising where they had free wi-fi and also where I had had a chat to the patron over a pint of Sagres. I remember talking to him about football as it was playing on the screens inside, so I wanted to see if he was still working there having mind to ask if they needed any players for their Monday night 5 aside team. Pausing next to a familiar tourist sign and looking right up a small street I expected to see a sign but didn’t. I doubted it was the correct street as I couldn’t see it, so we carried on, only to run out of anything commercial along our path. We headed back and took the street where we paused earlier, gut instinct paid off. No longer Moon Rising, the sign above the door was re-branded The Art Bar, no wonder. Without hesitation we opened the twin black wooden doors and up the steps. Yep, this was the place, as I spied the guy busy behind the bar. He acknowledged us and I quizzed the change of name, mentioning I’d only been gone 10 weeks and the place had not only changed name but the interior was also repainted.

I ordered a small Sagres, and Kelly a green tea and we all chatted for a while, and eventually I mentioned football and we swapped phone numbers, on the premise of a space if someone drops out anytime. Noon came, and his chef arrived, so we ordered some food. Light fluffy battered catfish with rice for me and Kelly ordered the pan fried squid in garlic and onion sauce. Yum, clean plates all round!

We got back to the car after walking along the harbour front, fish clearly visible at the waters edge, nibbling away at algae. Not five minutes into the journey back, a warning light appeared on the car dash, the same one that lights up when the handbrake is on. DOH! – I signed in dismay, yet carried on as certain nothing was terribly wrong, since it only recently passed its MOT.

We got back to the villa after a quick visit to MaxMat on the inroad to Portimão to pick up a wheelbarrow, spade and rake for work to come on the land around the villa. I checked the brake fluid, all fine, and then decided to take the near side wheel off as Lee had mentioned the handbrake this side was not working as well as it should. Busy with tools and the job at hand I started as something rushed past me, seemingly as startled as I was. It was a beige dog, small, but larger than a terrier, a mongrel of sorts with a nervous expression as I called out to it. It stopped and hesitantly weighed me up. (Laraine the villa owner had mentioned last time we were here that her son had seen a van literally dump the dog and drive off after we spotted the dog the day we left, so I knew of this stray and have been given the task of trying to befriend it.) He stood for a while and so i rushed inside and hastily grabbed some dog food we got from MaxMat just in case we saw it. He was still hanging around on my return so I offered him the dish, urging him at the same time in a low, soft, encouraging tone. He didn’t want to know, sniffing the ground and peering at me at the same time. I left the food some distance away from the car and continued with my job at hand. He settled into a ball and just watched me uninterested in venturing any closer. I was quite a moment. I felt honored he would stop and feel comfortable enough to rest, but at the same time excited in the prospect of just giving him a friendly stroke on the back. Kelly came out after a while, cautiously up the path from the villa front door, his ears pricked up and he moved away further, obviously incredibly nervous of humans. Ten minutes later and after a brief nose around the car and close area, he walked calmly out of the gate and made his way up the road.
Day 3
Waking up early and keen to take a further look at the intermittent problem with the car, I gave Kelly the job of putting together the wheelbarrow, only to discover the box didn’t contain any nuts and bolts. We were planing on going into Portimão to explore so we picked up the missing bits on the way through, receipt in hand. Portimão is much larger and busier than Lagos, more of a ‘working’ town and after putting the car in an underground car park, noticed it was also pretty neglected in places. Bricked up doorways, pealing plaster and a generally less pretty feel about it.

We guessed our way, following on foot sign posts to ‘centro’ again, and found a large open square, with a strange scaffold looking structure, which on second glance resembled a Christmas tree covered in clear lights. Very unimpressive during the day, and we could only guess that it looked much better at night. Carrying on, we eventually found the centre of town and the high street, brand name shops and rather expensive looking stores boasting discounts and liquidation signs. Not stopping we soon came to the end of the main street and spotted a sign for a small teashop called The Copper Kettle. Spotting ‘Full English Breakfast’ on the board outside we entered and were greeted in English by a blonde lady by the name of Sandy. She was incredibly helpful, keen to give us maps of Portimão and other towns along the coast, nattering about pros and cons of living and setting up in Portugal.

Back at the villa we set about putting the wheelbarrow together now armed with nuts and bolts, only to now find a missing wheel brace and the lack of a further 4 required bolts.. grrrr.. so off I trotted back to MaxMat again wheelbarrow on the back seat, receipt in hand in disgust. After a five minute wait I left with 4 more bots and the missing piece taken from another box, headed back to the villa stopping at the petrol station on the way to pump up the wheel for the barrow only to find it wouldn’t inflate. Unbolting the two sides of the wheel I pulled out the inner tube to see it had two splits in it!!!! Back I went and with a face of thunder, not even an apology was offered as I insisted the replacement wheel was pumped up before I left for the fourth time!

Anyway… Wheelbarrow finally built, we headed to Lagos that evening and treated ourselves to a lovely meal sat outside under the heaters, swordfish for me, salmon for Kelly.
Day 4
Alvor Beach! – Can’t believe we didn’t find this on first visiting Portugal in October, being only 15 minutes away. It’s couple of miles of sandy beach ending on the east side with impressive rocks and strange brick structures placed into them. As we arrived in the ton centre we parked up as soon as we saw a parking space, and using a ‘free maps’ map, navigated our way across some wasteland towards the sea. WOW – sand as far as the eye could see, anglers dotted along the shore, fishing lines stretching into the waves.

After sitting for a while, basking in the sunshine and listening to the ebb and flow of the sea crashing onto the beach we headed left towards a rocky outcrop that jutted out, seeming to close one end of the beach off. A stray (possibly) dog with a collar and telephone number tag, playfully greeted us, happy to be our companion as we leisurely strolled. All the way to the end it came with, fetching anything you cared to throw for it.

A very handily placed bar/restaurant just off the beach here made a great place to get some refreshments and we ordered cha verde. An almost army of sparrows flew down, several taking sand baths and others looking as if they wanted feeding. They reminded me of a dog at supper time, sitting only a few feet away, twitching head ready to peck up a morsel. I tempted them with a mock cupped hand but they weren’t having that.

Totally recommend visiting this place!!!
Day 5 & 6 – The first weekend
I bought some new brake pads for the back of the car, and spent the morning on Saturday fitting those, with a few complications. I’ll not bore you with the details, but will only add that I had to fit the old ones back on (only to one side – TUT TUT – much to the manuals and any mechanics disgust!) for now. Still the warning light persists!!

Apart from that we both took the weekend off if you like, no pressure, simply hanging out at the villa enough food and wine for a couple of days and enjoyed a reprise from adventuring and the pressures of general life. nice down-time!
Day 7
Monday – and we were expecting a visit from Ben, who comes weekly to take care of the swimming pool and other odd jobs about the place. It was scorchio!!! So we both stripped off and lay stretched out on the loungers in the heat, coconut oiled up and basked until we heard the grinding of wheels on gravel right by the pool. Ben had arrived an hour early! LOL

Nice chap, we chatted for a while and I let him get on with repairs, as the swimming pool had been turned off for the last week as some sand had invaded the pool from the filtering system. Another head popped over the balcony as we chatted from below, it was the cleaner.

We popped out to do the ceremonial trip to Zona Commercial for some more wine, and I treated myself to a huge beef steak. Arriving back Ben had returned from getting some spare parts and busied himself with fixing the filter. eventually finishing at around 3pm, he left. We felt almost invaded in our little paradise oasis for most of the day. Strange to have company at the villa as both the cleaner (Svetlana) and Ben went about their work.

The evening sun dipped uncovered by any clouds and we gazed upon its splendour, able to look straight into it, red, then pink, wobbling constantly in our vision.

The journey started in the very early hours of Sunday the 2nd, 4am wake up time, in cold and dark Norwich. I jumped out of bed and without even making a cup of tea, dressed and proceeded to pack the car of what was left of my belongings. Wrapped up in several layers and a heavy coat I crammed the car the best I could and just managed to get everything in. Hoorah!

Thankfully, the recent snow and ice had thawed away to leave a fairly dry road surface, and we raced on out of Norwich along the A11 towards London in the dark. Hardly a soul on the roads, the journey down the the M25 was quick and without hitch. Signs of congestion at junction 24 and 25 appeared and I gambled on heading clockwise and over the Dartford bridge. Throwing a couple of nuggets into the hod, the barrier raised and we continued around to Junction 10 only to stop once at a almost deserted service station for a large tea and a stretch of legs.

The sun eventually peaked through the clouds to our left as we headed south along the A3 towards Portsmouth. An auspicious start to our long journey as we made good time and felt anticipation of arriving at the port.

We arrived in Portsmouth harbor at around 9am, to find rows of cars and mobile homes already queued up in ceremonial accord. Passing through passport control, we placed a tag on the rear view mirror and were given our cabin keys, and made our way to the end of line. Excited and relieved to have made it down so easily, we jumped out and headed to a rather ramshackle set of buildings for another set of refreshments and a break from the confines of the car. No sooner sat down, only to hear an announcement to return to our vehicles as embarkation was imminent. Here we go!!

well almost. We filed row at a time through to another large waiting area and ceremoniously queued up again just behind the ferry and watched a car after car, caravan, mobile home and vans were loaded up. Our turn came after around an hours wait and we were guided towards the front of the boat and shuffled the car between two huge pillars and wedged between other vehicles, with a foot or so either side.

Grabbing our day bags we headed out of the ‘garage’ and up three flights of stairs to find our cabin 6246. A poky little cabin with a thin single bed against the wall and en-suite. Dismayed at the thought of having to sleep top-to-tail we almost missed noticing a drop down bunk which lowered from the ceiling. Phew!

Up to deck 7 and a comfortable set of seats right at the front of the boat made us welcome and we slumped, exhausted and excited.

24 hours later and after a pretty uncomfortable nights sleep, we arrived in Santander.

The ferry passed so close to a sand bank on the way into the harbour, it was hardly believable that it wouldn’t become grounded, deftly steering the front of the ship into position we all eagerly grabbed bags and stood waiting to gain entry into the garage and return to our vehicles. Only minutes passed and then it was our turn to disembark, no ramp, just straight off and into another queue, but this time for Spanish passport control. A quick glance at our documents and ourselves and we were free to go!

Drive on the right, drive on the right… we headed out of Santander and into the hills. It was warm, sunny and slightly overcast as we pushed onwards, through tunnels and winding mountain roads. Through Torrelavega, and onto Palencia, Valladolid and Salamanca unabated along clean and clear roads. The hills of northern Spain were replaced with land which reminded us of home, flat and agricultural. We made excellent time, stopping only twice for petrol, the second time, as dusk closed in, near Cáceres.

So, it happened that we entered Portugal at Badajoz without even a welcome! The only give-away being a difference in the road signs. Elated and somewhat disappointed not to receive a huge applause we proceeded onwards through a toll gate heading to Lisbon E90 in the dark. The roads were fantastic, no pot holes and very little traffic at 7.30 in the evening, I was fixed to the road ahead. One more pit stop for petrol just before we turned south down the A2, another smooth sleek road, being overtaken by cars travelling well over 100 mph. My steady 120 kph (75 mph) seemed a snails pace.

At last, signs for Faro, Lagos and names I remember from my trip over in October, how exciting! We turned right onto the A22 after paying just over €27 in tolls, we counted down the junction numbers to 4 where I turned off and relied on memory for the very last part of the journey. No problem, it was as if it were yesterday; even though in the pitch black, we turned up the road from the N125 heading to Monte Judeu, passed the recycling lay-by under the A22 and viaduct through the one car width bridge and winding our way into the foothills. I got so excited at being on the final 100 yards I floored the car and was promptly reprimanded by Kelly, ironic at doing 10 hours previously without even a murmur!

Jumping out of the car at just past 10pm on the 4th January, Kelly opened the gates to let me through to park up on the gravel drive in front of the villa. Muito Bem!

How relieved was I! – The car was a dream, and my co-pilot did fantastic (thanks TomTom ;-) )

We unpacked the car in a daze, headed towards the kettle and pretty much to bed straight afterwards. We made it, totally shattered from 2 days travelling and my Mum really wouldn’t be happy I did the whole drive without swapping with Kelly, but I was determined and yes, ever-so slightly stubborn. 650 miles – easy!

Hola!

Welcome to the latest update. I hope you are all keeping as warm as possible during this cold snap we’re all enduring. In this YIN time of year, it is a great time to balance ourselves with less food from the fridge and to create warming YANG foods like stews and soups, that warm us from within. Another great YANG food source being the determined and incredibly tasty salmon. A fish that has to overcome all sorts of obstacles in order to reproduce, a journey requiring huge amounts of YANG directive energy to carry out.

It’s quite appropriate as we enter the middle part of winter that the 1 water star takes centre stage today. This Star, represents mid-winter and the static, unmoving time of year where we get ourselves ready – the seed preparing for its next cycle of growth. It tends to produce a more introverted attitude, one of pensive philosophising and an adaptive, mediating nature.

So for those 1 Water Stars – you are in control – centre stage, and a time of opportunity and also fluctuation. It is best to stay pretty stationary during this time and allow situations and circumstances to unfold. See below for more details and a breakdown for all the stars this month.

In 9 Star Ki, December 7th until January 4th sees the turning of the Ki cycle to a 1 WATER month!

9 5 7
8 1 3
4 6 2
Lo Shu Grid December 2010

Forecast for the 9 Stars in December

9 Fire Star – Steady on! – make time to take a step back and look at your progress so far. Your FIRE energy, is getting all the wood it needs in the 4 Wood house, to burn brightly at this time. But it can leave you feeling very drained, so pace yourself and don’t forget to finish projects before another shiny option shows itself.

8 Earth Star – From having a slow couple of months you now feel like progress is being made in some areas. Don’t let any spontaneity make you feel like you are losing your steadfast grip on things, so with the flow for a while and see where the current takes you. A great time for starting any new projects that have been on the back-burner over the summer.

7 Metal Star – You’re busy year will suddenly feel a lot s l o w e r this month. Take this time to make sure YOU are being fully cared and catered for. If things have dropped off on the work front, maybe it’s time to get all the processes and accounts in order and to allow you to find a firm foundation again from which to flourish in the new year.

6 Metal Star – Keep warm! You find yourself this month in the 1 Water house and you may find any illness you catch takes a lot longer to recover from so pay attention to your body and catch it early. Build your inner energy and resources at this time, relaxing yoga and T’ai Chi would help keep you flexible at this time. A great career boosting month? Let me know!

5 Earth Star – Eureka! Do you feel switched on at the moment? Clarity of thought and illumination are brought to you in the 9 Fire House this month. Like moths to a light at night you will glow with a certain attraction so don’t be nervous if you gain more attention than normal this month. Who knows what it may bring!

4 Wood Star – An apt month for you as you enter the CAVE! – the 8 Mountain House often represents a time of retraction and reclusion. Earth always represents transition and change so remain open and allow communication to flow correctly and without misinterpretation. Your normally active and outgoing nature may dwindle somewhat so keep up any exercise routines and don’t stagnate too much… next month you’re on TOP!

3 Wood Star – I like this house, the 7 Metal (Lake) house of reflection and relaxation. It’s a month for letting things go, finding out from what has come before the appropriate way to proceed. Enjoy the more frivolous nature of the 7 metal, but watch the purse strings as you may be tempted to loosen them a little too much. ;-)

2 Soil Star – An intense past few months will hopefully bear fruit this month as you find yourself in the 6 metal house. Consolidation of the past months projects will allow you to have a much more relaxed new year so finalise any loose ends. Pay attention to your attitude this month, as often DAD’s house brings with it a certainty and authority, so care with your words.

1 Water Star – Centre stage and possibly a time of change this month.

If you don’t know what your 9 Star Ki number is please visit: http://www.freeflow-fengshui.com/resources/ki/ki_calculator.php

Directionology

The main direction to try and avoid this month is towards the South. This is where the 5 yellow star resides during December so avoid any long duration trips or moving house towards this sector.

Flying Stars

Looking at the property and flying stars for December as above. It would be best to avoid (like in directionology) any building work on your property in the south as this is where the 5 yellow resides. Great sectors this month are the CENTRE, EAST and NORTH for prosperity and career luck, NORTH EAST for studious Chi. The mischievous 7 metal star now sits in the SOUTH WEST, so please make sure your security in this area just for this month, particularly if you have a front or back door facing this direction, is up to the job!

That’s all for now, wishing you all a fantastic festive season and I look forward to sending you my next update in the New Year 2011 from PORTUGAL!!

Namaste!

As Autumn gains momentum with leaves starting to fall and the night’s drawing in, energy is inevitably becoming more contracted and METAL! Natures harvest is well underway, crops have been brought in and we look forward to reaping the rewards or our efforts during Spring and Summer. This is the time of year where the Monkey and Rooster take the stage with our attention pulled towards the West.

In 9 Star Ki, September 8th sees the turning of the Ki cycle to a 4 WIND (Wood) month!

3
8
1

2
4
6

7
9
5

The high-energy of this spring/dawn star, will make for a more spontaneous month full of activity. Some last ditch efforts to sort outstanding projects and ideas before winter fully takes hold. The 4 Wind (wood) star relates to the Gall Bladder organ and the time of day this meridian is active is between 11pm and 1am. So avoid late nights and dining into the evening. I see this star, being yin wood, as having passionate, upwards energy that can often be misdirected, I recommend pacing yourself during September, remember to complete tasks before opening another wide door or you may feel unbalanced with too much juggling going on.

Forecast for the 9 Stars in September
9 Fire Star – sits in its polar opposite house of 1 Water – You may feel introverted and out of touch as this house reflects a planning, self-development stage. Concentrate on your own energy this month and take care to keep warm and not to let your inner spirit dampen down too much.
8 Earth Star – In the spotlight this month, a clarity of thought may bring a surprise around the corner, but make sure you have “cleaned the windows so no dirt will be exposed!” – Typically seen as the FAME house, the south provides support (fire) and illumination – and after the changes in August you might just find yourself socialising more. : – )
7 Metal Star – Keep up the exercise program and watch out for communication levels. Keep your head up and continue with your hard work, it will be as rewarding as you’d hoped.
6 Metal Star – It’s a time for a bit of relaxation this month, take a weekend out and reflect on the past few months. It’s a good month for wining and dining your friends and family as you will feel much more up for a party than usual.
5 Earth Star – Your strong nature may become slightly more pedantic this month, keep your opinions in check and when wanted or you could be seen as overly bossy. A certain authority and control will appear attractive to others who may follow your every move.
4 Wood Star – As you enter the central position, it’s always a good space to remain grounded and allow opportunities to come to you – avoid too much movement and wait for any major decision making until next month.
3 Wood Star – Your natural energetic nature takes another leap forward and you feel able to conquer the world. Pace yourself though and concentrate on completing one task before getting involved in another. Juggling too much can lead to very achy arms!
2 Soil Star – Finally things seem to become more of a reality now, as your plans take shape. The frustrations of the past month or so will be replaced with optimism and an altogether more dynamic approach as opportunities head your way.
1 Water Star – Your deep pensive nature begins to warm up a little and a sense of renewed movement may find you laying out the stepping-stones for your newly hatched plans.
If you don’t know what your 9 Star Ki number is please visit: http://www.freeflow-fengshui.com/resources/ki/ki_calculator.php

9 Star Ki Workshop
18th September 2010 -Norwich
Only 5 spaces remaining!
Click for more information

That’s all for now, and I hope you all have a fantastic Month and look forward to sending you my next update.

I’ve just set up a threaded blog for those interested in hand reading | palmistry | chirology.
For those learning I hope to provide online analysis of posted (monthly) hands contributed to by myself and others who are learning the subject, which after 6 years of practicing still find extremely interesting and extremely accurate as a form of understanding ourselves and getting to know better our behaviour and complex psychological patterns.
If you are interested in contributing and wish to register or simply take a look the website is:
www.readinghands.org.uk

NEW WORKSHOP – 9 Star Ki (Feng Shui Astrology)
18th September 2010 @ Friends Meeting House, Norwich (TBC)
10:00am to 4:00pm (lunch for 1hr at 1pm)

Fee: £50 (Earlybird offer of 20% discount if booked before 22nd August)

Limited places available – please book now to reserve your place.

This workshop is an introduction into this accurate and fascinating system of Oriental Astrology called 9 Star Ki.
Based on the five Taoist elements and I Ching Trigrams, learn to build your own character profile, which can be used to plan ahead or understand further where you are at this moment in time. Work out how you interact with family members and friends on an elemental level and discover aspects of health observations using this system.

A great set of handouts will also be provided.

Full Details – http://www.freeflow-fengshui.com/feng_shui_workshops.php

This field, taken over by poppies, just down the road from my old house in south Lincolnshire was a wash of red from the road, and I just had to stop.