Thursday 7th June - on our way
We had booked again with RyanAir and decided to take two 15kg cases as well as our 10kg cabin bags. All bags were at the maximum and our pockets were stuffed with other items. The large cases contained various clothes and objects that we planned to leave at the property; most of the objects would not be allowed by Ryan Air in the cabin.
At gate 56 by coincidence we met Trevor, who happened to have a property in Villa Facia. We must have driven past it a number of times on our way to and from staying at Sammy's. Trevor has had a lot of experience with property and refurbishment in Portugal and gave us lots of advice. He explained the process of getting a train from Porto to Pombal, something he does each time he visits when his wife, Michelle, picks him up at Pombal. If you have your own car in Portugal and can get it to Pombal it saves having to hire one and, best of all, you don't have to drive through Porto. This is what we would like to do next time - Sammy is looking out for a car for us and has said that we can park it near his market building when we are not in the country.
The flight out was delayed at Stansted and we all waited on the tarmac for some time, arriving in Porto about one hour late.
As we were to call in to IKEA (again) just outside the airport and would be a few hours we couldn't offer Trevor a lift. Trevor had planned ot take the train (Metro to Porto) back to Pombal however it turned out that today was a bank holiday and there were no trains. Michelle had to drive all the way to Porto airport to collect Trevor. We found out a lot later that they arrived home only an hour before we did.
We had hired a larger can than usual, a Renault Megane diesel, and filled it with crockery, duvets, pillows, cushions, glasses, etc. On the way to Mega Fundeira, we shopped for groceries at the Intermarche in Figieuro do Vinhos finally arriving at Casa da Ribeira at 6.30pm.
At gate 56 by coincidence we met Trevor, who happened to have a property in Villa Facia. We must have driven past it a number of times on our way to and from staying at Sammy's. Trevor has had a lot of experience with property and refurbishment in Portugal and gave us lots of advice. He explained the process of getting a train from Porto to Pombal, something he does each time he visits when his wife, Michelle, picks him up at Pombal. If you have your own car in Portugal and can get it to Pombal it saves having to hire one and, best of all, you don't have to drive through Porto. This is what we would like to do next time - Sammy is looking out for a car for us and has said that we can park it near his market building when we are not in the country.
The flight out was delayed at Stansted and we all waited on the tarmac for some time, arriving in Porto about one hour late.
As we were to call in to IKEA (again) just outside the airport and would be a few hours we couldn't offer Trevor a lift. Trevor had planned ot take the train (Metro to Porto) back to Pombal however it turned out that today was a bank holiday and there were no trains. Michelle had to drive all the way to Porto airport to collect Trevor. We found out a lot later that they arrived home only an hour before we did.
We had hired a larger can than usual, a Renault Megane diesel, and filled it with crockery, duvets, pillows, cushions, glasses, etc. On the way to Mega Fundeira, we shopped for groceries at the Intermarche in Figieuro do Vinhos finally arriving at Casa da Ribeira at 6.30pm.
 Lounge/Diner The IKEA delivery men had unpacked the furniture, assembled it and took the packaging away. Sammy instructed them as to the layout we wanted. We added the lamps and clock later. |
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Our delight of seeing the rooms furnished was severely dampened when we saw that the new boiler had not been connected to the gas. Two new gas bottles stood in the kitchen unopened and we noticed that the connection fitting, which was on the kitchen window ledge, between the boiler and the gas hose was not the right one. So no hot water!
Friday 8th June 2012 - the bank, BricaMarche, Taco Bar
A cold shower - not recommended. Took some photos to show the vegetation growing and views of the waterfall.
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Our first trip out was to Santander Totta in Avelar. It was in the bank that we coincidentally met up again with Trevor, and Michelle was with him. And just by chance, they were on their way to BricoMarche (a sort of B&Q) in Pombal. We needed a whole range of items, so we followed them. We then agreed to meet them later back in Avelar at the Taco Bar where their friends Tammy & Bob would be. After a few drinks we went back to Trevor and Michelle's property, met their two dogs and had a tour of their home, which is an old blacksmiths.
Saturday 9th June 2012 - bathroom door, gas bottles, BBQ and football
The bathroom door wasn't closing, it was catching on a raised tile. It was taken off its hinges about 10 times for filing and sanding but still caught the floor. A couple of masonery drills were ruined trying to fix a screw in the wall for the clock. Trevor called in to look at the gas bottle connection and we went to Pedrogao Grand to get a part (reducer) but all the builder's merchants were closed. He had invited us to a BBQ just 10 minutes from Avelar for 7pm also to watch the Portugal vs Germany Euro game. A large group of ex-pats were there, they meet quite often at the bar, great fun, lots to drink and eat for 10 euros (for both of us!). Portugal lost 1-0.
Sunday 10th June 2012 - Sammy's market, puppy, Julio, strawberries, cherries
 Kirsty, Trevor, Susan & Michelle Sammy's Sunday market is in a large, covered, newly built barn.There are books, paintings, honey, soaps, bric-a-brac, food, drinks and on this occassion puppies - Michelle couldn't resist and took a puppy home!  On our walk to the other side of the viaduct, we met these villagers picking cherries. As we left them, they rushed up to us and gave us a bag of their cherries.  We have three cherry trees on our land, but they are on a steep slope and difficult to reach. These were very welcome from strangers! |
 This house, across from us, is owned by the family of Julio Alves, a film director. We were invited for a drink on the last day of their visit and met Julio and Pedro, their Spanish wives Mercedes and Anna and their four children. Julio gave to us a very large jar of local honey and a CD of one of his films. We had a great time. |
Monday 11th June 2012 - Strimmer, chickens, gas, strawberries, Cafe da Picha
 The grass, etc on the lower terrace was so long that we decided to return to BricoMarche to buy a strimmer and other bits. |  The strimmer cost over 150 euros and packed up after about 10 minutes! |
Managed to get a gas fitting at BricoMarche, which connected the boiler to the gas bottle housed beneath the kitchen. Susan watched out of the kitchen window for my signal to say that the gas was on and to press the bolier ignition. Unfortunately, at that moment, Maria-Rosa decided to kill two of her chickens directly in line with Susan's vision. We couldn't get the pilot light working and then Maria-Rosa arrived with a dish of freshly picked strawberries (lucky it wasn't chicken, Susan's a vegetarian!) Time for a beer.
It was about 7.30pm when we got to Cafe da Picha. It is only 5 minutes from the house. We bought two beers and sat outside, mulling over whether or not to drive to the restaurant in Pedrogao Grande for a meal. By now, having no kitchen we were getting fed up with cheese sandwiches! Then we saw a number of people going in the cafe here and through to the restaurant area. This was just what we wanted, so we followed.
A couple of the people who work at the cafe speak very good English so we had no problem ordering food.
On another table were a group of four people, who eventually made their way over to us and joined us in conversation. A hilarious time followed. They were all Portuguese, two of whom had originated from the local area but they all had moved to Vancouver as young people and their children and grandchildren were all Canadian citizens.
A couple of the people who work at the cafe speak very good English so we had no problem ordering food.
On another table were a group of four people, who eventually made their way over to us and joined us in conversation. A hilarious time followed. They were all Portuguese, two of whom had originated from the local area but they all had moved to Vancouver as young people and their children and grandchildren were all Canadian citizens.
Tuesday 12th June 2012 - Bathroom door, Cafe da Picha, Bella-Rose, hot water
Still showering in cold water. Had arranged to meet Sammy and Anna at Cafe da Picha at 12.30pm and Michelle to meet us there at 2pm. Trevor had returned to the UK. But first the bathroom door. Having bought a saw at BricoMarche for the purpose to take off a strip instead of repeated filing. Hard work in the heat sawing through hard wood; almost done when Susan pointed out that I was sawing the wrong end. I don't know any Portuguese swearwords and I hope the Portuguese don't know any english ones, because there were plenty flying about. Funny how quickly the air can turn blue! But with great self-control, I turned the door around and cut a strip off the foot of the door. At last we have a bathroom door that we can close and see under (and over).
At the Cafe da Picha, apart from Susan, we had the salted cod, which was delicious. Susan, who is a vegetarian, made do with an omelette again. We took coffee outside and met Michelle, who had brought along her strimmer and her new puppy who she has named Bella Rose.
At the Cafe da Picha, apart from Susan, we had the salted cod, which was delicious. Susan, who is a vegetarian, made do with an omelette again. We took coffee outside and met Michelle, who had brought along her strimmer and her new puppy who she has named Bella Rose.
 Michelle with Bella Rose on our terrace. Sammy had given us some tips on what to do about the boiler. We put this into practice and, voila! We had hot water. |
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Wednesday 13th June 2012 - Strimmer, Carlos, sewage, pizza
Hot showers - great! But don't ever assume that just because you have water you will always have hot water! The pilot light went out just after Roy had lathered up for his first hot shower of the week, so not only did he have to rinse off in cold water, gas was escaping into the house. Lucky the weather was good as all the windows were opened.
We took the strimmer to a repair shop in Pedrogao Grande (BricoMarche is an hour's drive), but they wouldn't touch it as it was not a well-known make. Ah well, back in the car with the great long thing. We were going to call in to see Fernando and Carlos our estate agents but met Carlos just going back to his office. He asked how we were doing and we said that we hadn't heard from Paulo about the kitchen. Not meaning anything by it but Carlos immediately explained that there is a kichen maker in Cortes, just up the road from Mega Fundeira. What! He insisted on taking us there as the owner didn't speak English. Soon, the owner and one of his employees was in our house to measure up. We had already chosen the units and a work surface of marble. Carlos stayed on to have a look at the house (as it was on his books to sell originally). He was impressed with the changes but concerned about the leakage from the waste pipes to the septic tank. We called Paulo and, so we believe, did Carlos, as a workman was at our house by 1.45pm. Two others joined him and they began to cut a channel in the garage floor.
We took the strimmer to a repair shop in Pedrogao Grande (BricoMarche is an hour's drive), but they wouldn't touch it as it was not a well-known make. Ah well, back in the car with the great long thing. We were going to call in to see Fernando and Carlos our estate agents but met Carlos just going back to his office. He asked how we were doing and we said that we hadn't heard from Paulo about the kitchen. Not meaning anything by it but Carlos immediately explained that there is a kichen maker in Cortes, just up the road from Mega Fundeira. What! He insisted on taking us there as the owner didn't speak English. Soon, the owner and one of his employees was in our house to measure up. We had already chosen the units and a work surface of marble. Carlos stayed on to have a look at the house (as it was on his books to sell originally). He was impressed with the changes but concerned about the leakage from the waste pipes to the septic tank. We called Paulo and, so we believe, did Carlos, as a workman was at our house by 1.45pm. Two others joined him and they began to cut a channel in the garage floor.
 The waste pipe that was connected to a full or blocked septic tank. This is the wall we want to demolish, so it will be easier to do so now. |
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Tonight from 7pm was pizzas at Sammy's. He makes his own flour, bread, goat's cheese, etc. We called for Michelle on the way.
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Thursday 14th June 2012 - Septic tank, kitchen, Zezere, garden, more cherries
The men were back by 9am with a pneumatic drill to get through some hard rock. Susan slept through it all in a bedroom directly above (thats nothing, I once slept through a tornado in France! Susan) By 10am they had finished; just the concrete to fill the channel and it was done. That job will be next week.
Carlos had been trying to call us but there is no mobile signal in the village, so he drove to ours and took Roy to the kitchen makers to check the quote. I agreed the price and paid 50%. We will give the kitchen makers our door key before we head home tomorrow. Our kitchen will be just base units with a sink, cooker, hob, extractor and marble surface. We will add a fridge-freezer and microwave next time. And we will get a washing machine installed in the utility area.
The workers had left a really foul mess, which Susan had cleared before we had returned. She was very distressed by the ordeal.
Once Carlos had gone and we were satisfied with the effort to clean the courtyard, we had some lunch and went for a walk. 200 metres from our house is a walk that follows the Zezere river to Pedrogao Grande.
Carlos had been trying to call us but there is no mobile signal in the village, so he drove to ours and took Roy to the kitchen makers to check the quote. I agreed the price and paid 50%. We will give the kitchen makers our door key before we head home tomorrow. Our kitchen will be just base units with a sink, cooker, hob, extractor and marble surface. We will add a fridge-freezer and microwave next time. And we will get a washing machine installed in the utility area.
The workers had left a really foul mess, which Susan had cleared before we had returned. She was very distressed by the ordeal.
Once Carlos had gone and we were satisfied with the effort to clean the courtyard, we had some lunch and went for a walk. 200 metres from our house is a walk that follows the Zezere river to Pedrogao Grande.
We took advantage of the lovely weather to relax in the garden, sitting under the apple tree. On the land are 2 almond trees, 3 cherries, 1 apple, 1 fig, some quince, many vines and many olive trees. Delphinia came along and gave us a shoe box full of dark red, plump cherries - wonderful. |
 We ate quite a lot and packed the rest to take home. |
Friday 15th June 2012 - Pig's trotters, Border Control, puncture, home
We decided upon a meal at Restaurante Palmeira in Pedrogao Grande after we had called into our former estate agents Esfera Real Estate and said goodbye to Fernando. Carlos wasn't there. Unfortunately, the restaurant owner who speaks English, wasn't there but we managed to communicate somewhat and Roy opted for a meat dish, and inadvertantly got pig's trotters. Susan ordered a vegetarian lasagne that was abolutely huge, enough for four or five people.
The flight home was okay but we were held on the aircraft when it landed as there were people already queuing from Border Control to the concourse. It took us 2 hours to get through. But before we could get out of the car park we had to have the good services of the AA as the front offside tyre was flat!
We finally got home at 4am.
Looking back it was a very interesting week. We had made many new friends, found out a lot more about our village and Portugal, got some outstanding jobs done and ordered a kitchen.
I contacted Paulo and he will complete the septic tank connection and, hopefully, seal the shower tray - oh! haven't I mentioned the leak?
The flight home was okay but we were held on the aircraft when it landed as there were people already queuing from Border Control to the concourse. It took us 2 hours to get through. But before we could get out of the car park we had to have the good services of the AA as the front offside tyre was flat!
We finally got home at 4am.
Looking back it was a very interesting week. We had made many new friends, found out a lot more about our village and Portugal, got some outstanding jobs done and ordered a kitchen.
I contacted Paulo and he will complete the septic tank connection and, hopefully, seal the shower tray - oh! haven't I mentioned the leak?
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