October 31, 2023
Happy Halloween! I’m a horney red devil! The party’s started early because it’s a beautiful day. I’ve cracked open...
Celebrations
October 27, 2023
- Buçaco Forest Celebrations Family Grande Hotel de Luso (Resort & Spa) Health & Wellbeing Hiking trail Hotels Luso Mata Nacional do Buçaco Mountain Region Mountain Spa Natural Park Nature Portugal Religious Tourist Attraction Thermal Spa Tourist attraction
Hubby celebrated his 50th birthday in Portugal! I had elaborate plans for a mini vacation to Madeira and the...
August 30, 2023
Happy 21st Birthday to my very own Princess Teanna. Have a wonderful garden party with your friends today in...
August 25, 2023
- Celebrations Daughter's Summer Visit 2023 Family Festivals Leisure & recreation Moinhos de Gavinhos Museu do Pão Penacova Photo gallery Poço Azul Poço da Broca Poço Negro Porto Portugal Praia Fluvial do Vimieiro River Beach Serra da Estrela Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boarding Tourist attraction Waterfall Wells
Teanna graduated from University and the world is her oyster so I kidnapped her for 3 full weeks of...
August 22, 2023
Not only is 2023 my daughter’s graduation year but it is also her 21st birthday this year and our...
July 18, 2023
- AgitÁgueda Águeda Carnival Celebrations Festivals Fora d'Horas (Carnival & Colour Day) Leisure & recreation Portugal Sky art Tourist attraction Umbrella Sky Project Urban art
I have always wanted to attend this fabulous event in Águeda. We always visit the AgitÁgueda each year to...
July 13, 2023
- Celebrations Convent Festa dos Tabuleiros Festival of the Trays Festivals Leisure & recreation Portugal Religious Tourist Attraction Tomar Tourist attraction
I LOVE Festivals and when I found the Festival of the Trays in Tomar I knew instantly that I...
June 20, 2023
- Aveiro Baloiço Baloiço de Salreu (Os Viscondes) Celebrations City Park Leisure & recreation Nature Parque Infante Dom Pedro - Parque da Cidade de Aveiro Portugal Portuguese cake Portuguese Gardens Swings of Portugal
We have visited Aveiro a few times now since relocating to Portugal. It is a beautiful city with so...
May 15, 2023
- Castelo do Adriano Castle Celebrations Leisure & recreation Nature Observatório de Aves Arachnida Passadiços Portugal Praia fluvial de Vila da Ponte Religious Tourist Attraction River Beach Santuário da Senhora da Lapa Sernancelhe Tourist attraction Viseu
I always celebrate both the Portuguese and UK Mother’s Day and with the weather being so beautiful I decided...
May 2, 2023
- Castle Celebrations DIY Guarda Historic Portuguese Village Leisure & recreation Linhares da Beira Miradouro (Viewpoint) Mountain Region Natural Park Nature Portugal Religious Tourist Attraction Roman ruins Self guided walking tour Serra da Estrela Tourist attraction
We planned an awesome day trip as a reward for completing the mammoth job of painting all the garden...
April 12, 2023
- Baloiço Baloiço de Pendilhe Castro Daire Celebrations Health & Wellbeing Hiking trail Insects/Wildlife Leisure & recreation Megalithic Monuments Nature Orca de Pendilhe Portugal PR7 CDR Swings of Portugal Viseu
To celebrate our 8 year wedding anniversary I planned an awesome day trip to Castro Daire. We embarked on...
April 10, 2023
- Arte Urbana nas Portas do Açor Celebrations Easter Folar Gastronomy Portugal Portuguese cake Religious Celebration Urban art
Easter is a time to celebrate spring and everything that represents the rebirth of life and most importantly: HOPE....
February 22, 2023
We had a blast celebrating Shrove Tuesday and Carnival, what a wonderful double celebration. A day of confession and...
February 16, 2023
If I’m honest, I am not a massive fan of Valentine’s Day. I don’t think we should be pressured...
December 31, 2022
Wow, what a year we have experienced! Time has flown by at lightning speed and I can’t believe that...
December 28, 2022
I love Christmastime in Portugal as it’s such a calm and relaxing celebration. It’s a refreshing change and so...
December 20, 2022
- Baloiço Celebrations Christmas Christmas Village Festivals Gastronomy Historic Portuguese Village Mountain Region Nativity Scene Nature Portugal Presépio Religious Celebration Serra da Estrela Swings of Portugal Tourist attraction
Cabeça is one of my favourite local historical mountain schist villages in Serra da Estrela. At Christmas time the...
December 19, 2022
- Castelo Mágico Castle Celebrations Christmas Christmas theme park Leisure & recreation Montemor-O-Velho Portugal Tourist attraction
We had so much fun at the amazing Perlim Christmas theme park that I booked tickets for a similar...
December 8, 2022
- Castelo de Santa Maria da Feira Castle Celebrations Christmas Christmas theme park Leisure & recreation Perlim Portugal Tourist attraction
Perlim is one of the largest and most unique Christmas theme parks in the country. The project was born...
November 10, 2022
- Castle Celebrations Chestnut Festival Chestnuts Entertainment Festa da Castanha Festa da Castanha Aldeia de Montanha de Folgosinho Festivals Gastronomy Geopark Historic Portuguese Village Leisure & recreation Mountain Region Natural Park Nature Portugal Portuguese cake Serra da Estrela Tourist attraction
Autumn is a very special and magical season in Portugal. I LOVE this time of year as it’s chestnut...
November 9, 2022
- Celebrations Feira dos Santos Festivals Gastronomy Leisure & recreation Markets Portugal Portuguese cake Tourist attraction Wine tasting experience
Feira dos Santos is a cultural centenary event located in Mangulade which welcomes thousands of visitors each year. It...
October 10, 2022
- Alva Beer Fest 2022 Beer Festival Celebrations Côja Festivals Leisure & recreation Portugal Tourist attraction
We attended our first ever Beer Fest in Portugal and it was awesome! The best part was that it...
October 6, 2022
- Águeda Alice in Wonderland Alice Magical Garden Baloiço Botanical Garden Botanical Garden in Porto Castle Celebrations City Park Coimbra Daughter's Summer Visit 2022 Family Festivals Figueira da Foz Jardim Botânico do Porto Leisure & recreation Monsanto Nature Nazaré Pets Photo gallery Poço Azul Poço Negro Porto Portugal River Beach Schist Village Sortelha Stand Up Paddle (SUP) Boarding Swings of Portugal Tourist attraction Umbrella Sky Project Waterfall
If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you will know the nightmare we had this year renewing my...
October 4, 2022
- Canas de Senhorim Celebrations Festivals Gastronomy Historic Portuguese Village Medieval Fair Portugal Tourist attraction
We enjoyed the Côja Medieval Fair so much that we decided to attend another one. I am addicted to...
September 26, 2022
- Celebrations Côja Festivals Gastronomy Historic Portuguese Village Medieval Fair Portugal Tourist attraction
We have had so much fun attending all the local festivals and fairs. Most of the wonderful fiestas run...
July 13, 2022
- AgitÁgueda Águeda Baloiço Celebrations City Park City tour Leisure & recreation Portugal Self guided walking tour Sky art Swings of Portugal Tourist attraction Umbrella Sky Project Urban art
We should have been collecting my daughter from Porto airport on the 5th July for her 2 week stay...
June 21, 2022
- Baloiço Castle Celebrations Coastal beach Family Figueira da Foz Gastronomy Leisure & recreation Montemor-O-Velho Mountain Region Nature Portugal Portuguese cake Swings of Portugal Tourist attraction
I planned an awesome fun and chilled day trip to the coast to celebrate U.K Fathers Day, Our 1st...
May 31, 2022
I have a very sweet tooth and I LOVE Portuguese cakes. Unfortunately the feeling is not mutual as my...
April 11, 2022
- Baloiço Castle Celebrations Historic Portuguese Village Leisure & recreation Megalithic Monuments Miradouro (Viewpoint) Mountain Region Museu do Pão Nature Portugal Religious Tourist Attraction Roman ruins Schist Village Self guided walking tour Sortelha Swings of Portugal Tourist attraction
I planned a romantic getaway (day trip) to Sortelha to celebrate our 7th Wedding Anniversary. Sortelha has been a...
March 6, 2022
- Bridges Castle Celebrations City Park City tour Covilhã Historic Portuguese Village Lakes and Lagoons Leisure & recreation Megalithic Monuments Miradouro (Viewpoint) Mountain Region Museum Nature Portugal Religious Tourist Attraction Roman ruins Self guided walking tour Swings of Portugal Tourist attraction Urban art
I love it when my birthday falls on a weekend and hubby is off work so we can celebrate...
March 1, 2022
For me personally a special time of reflection, prayer and to give thanks to the traditions I celebrate. Confession...
February 20, 2022
I’m not the biggest fan of Valentine’s Day. I prefer to celebrate birthdays as a birthday is your own...
December 31, 2021
Today is New Year’s Eve and our 2 year milestone, gosh time flies when you’re having fun. 2 years...
December 29, 2021
- Baloiço Celebrations Christmas Christmas Village Gastronomy Historic Portuguese Village Mountain Region Nativity Scene Nature Art Portugal Presépio Religious Celebration Religious Tourist Attraction Schist Village Swings of Portugal Tourist attraction
Upon a friend’s recommendation we took a day trip to the captivating and unique Christmas village of Cabeça, Seia...
December 21, 2021
- Águeda Celebrations Christmas City Park City tour Portugal Tourist attraction Umbrella Sky Project Urban art Worlds Biggest Santa
I had originally planned to visit Águeda on Christmas Eve but the weather forecast for the Christmas week is...
November 17, 2021
Today is a great day, we received our first egg! I’m a newbie chicken momma and I’ve never kept...
October 27, 2021
- Bridges Celebrations Forest Health & Wellbeing Hiking trail Insects/Wildlife Leisure & recreation Mountain Region Museu do Pão Natural Park Nature Portugal River Beach Tourist attraction Waterfall
We live very close to the wonderful Serra da Estrela natural park and it only takes 1 hour to...
October 26, 2021
- Bridges Celebrations Forest Health & Wellbeing Hiking trail Leisure & recreation Mountain Region Nature Portugal Roman ruins Tourist attraction Waterfall
I decided to plan an epic day trip for my hubby’s birthday. His employer gives everyone their birthday off...
October 4, 2021
Hooray, we have 4 new additions to the Casa Valhal homestead: Helen’s Happy Hens! Although technically they are called...
August 30, 2021
Happy 19th Birthday to my gorgeous daughter Teanna. Here you are on your birthdays 0-19 blowing out the candles...
June 14, 2021
Look who has just arrived in Portugal! I am beyond excited that my daughter Teanna got to visit this...
April 6, 2021
I thought that I would start another post for 2021 as my weight loss journey did not really happen...
April 3, 2021
I decided it was about time that hubby the Casa Valhal chef cooked a traditional Portuguese recipe for our...
February 20, 2021
6 years ago today my amazing mum passed away at the age of 66. I lost my hero and...
February 16, 2021
Today is not only Shrove Tuesday but also Carnival Day in Portugal so we are celebrating with Gluten Free...
December 31, 2020
Today is New Year’s eve and our 12 month milestone. It is really weird to think that we have...
December 27, 2020
My family Christmas was cancelled just hours before my children were to board the plane from Bristol to Porto....
December 13, 2020
Celebrating a Covid Christmas This is going to be our first Christmas in Portugal. Easyjet cancelled so many of...
December 8, 2020
Immaculate Conception Day (8th December) Today Portugal celebrates its National public holiday: Immaculate Conception day otherwise known as the...
December 1, 2020
Restoration of Independence Day (1st December) Today Portugal celebrates its National public holiday: Restoration of Independence Day. Portugal commemorates...
October 31, 2020
Halloween is not widely celebrated in Portugal and will never have as strong a tradition as the U.S.A or...
October 25, 2020
Termas de Luso (Luso Thermal Spa) Termas do Luso (Luso Thermal Spa) is located in the parish of Luso,...
September 11, 2020
- Celebrations Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Hiking trail Insects/Wildlife Leisure & recreation Natural Park Nature Photo gallery Portugal River Beach River Cruise Tourist attraction Wine tasting experience
I have heard so many wonderful things about the Douro Valley and I was not disappointed, it really is...
September 11, 2020
- Castle Celebrations City tour Convent Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Leisure & recreation Nature Photo gallery Portugal Self guided walking tour Tourist attraction
We planned a trip to Peneda-Gerês National Park which is a 3 hr drive from our casa. To break...
September 11, 2020
- Celebrations Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Insects/Wildlife Leisure & recreation Nature Photo gallery Portugal River Beach Tourist attraction
Agroal river beach is located on the Rio Nabão, in Formigais, Ourem. We call it ‘Egg Roll’ river beach...
September 11, 2020
- Aveiro Celebrations City Park City tour Coastal beach Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Leisure & recreation Nature Parque Infante Dom Pedro - Parque da Cidade de Aveiro Photo gallery Portugal River Cruise Self guided walking tour Shopping Tourist attraction
Todays trip got off to a really bad start when we were stopped by police just heading out of...
September 10, 2020
- Castelo de Tomar Castle Celebrations Convent Convento de Cristo Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Leisure & recreation Photo gallery Portugal Religious Tourist Attraction Tomar
Tomar along with many of the other day trips we took was definitely on my bucket list. When I...
September 10, 2020
- Celebrations Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Daughter's Summer Visit 2023 Hiking trail Insects/Wildlife Leisure & recreation Mountain Region Natural Park Nature Photo gallery Poço da Broca Portugal River Beach Seia Serra da Estrela Tourist attraction
Poço da Broca waterfall and river beach is located on the Alvôco riverside, in the village of Barriosa, in...
September 10, 2020
- Animals Celebrations Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Forest Hiking trail Insects/Wildlife Leisure & recreation Mountain Region National Park Nature Photo gallery Portugal River Beach Tourist attraction
Peneda-Gerês National Park is located in the North West of Portugal near to the Spanish boarder and is known...
September 10, 2020
- Celebrations Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Insects/Wildlife Leisure & recreation Mountain Region Nature Photo gallery Portugal Praia Fluvial de Loriga River Beach Seia Tourist attraction
Loriga river beach is located in the Loriga Glacier Valley, Seia, Serra de Estrela. It is the only river...
September 10, 2020
- Celebrations City tour Coastal beach Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Leisure & recreation Nature Photo gallery Portugal River Cruise Self guided walking tour Shopping Tourist attraction Wine tasting experience
I absolutely love Porto. It’s such a beautiful city with a wide variety of attractions. Porto is a coastal...
September 10, 2020
- Celebrations Coastal beach Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Leisure & recreation Markets Nature Nazaré Photo gallery Portugal Self guided walking tour Shopping Tourist attraction
Nazaré beach, with a mild climate and natural beauty, has one of the oldest traditions in Portugal linked to...
September 9, 2020
- Celebrations City tour Coimbra Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Leisure & recreation Photo gallery Portugal Self guided walking tour Shopping Tourist attraction
Although I have visited Coimbra on many occasions I have not ventured on a walking tour to explore all...
September 9, 2020
- Animals Celebrations Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Forest Hiking trail Insects/Wildlife Leisure & recreation Mountain Region Natural Park Nature Photo gallery Portugal Serra da Estrela Tourist attraction
Serra Da Estrela Natural Park Serra da Estrela is one of the greenest regions in Portugal. It has an...
September 9, 2020
- Celebrations City tour Coastal beach Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Forest Leisure & recreation Markets Nature Photo gallery Portugal Shopping Tourist attraction
Figueira da Foz is a city located in Coimbra and is famous for it’s stretch of beautiful golden beaches...
September 7, 2020
- Castle Celebrations City tour Coastal beach Convent Daughter's Summer Visit 2020 Forest Gastronomy Hiking trail Leisure & recreation National Park Nature Photo gallery Portugal River Beach Self guided walking tour Shopping Tourist attraction
My daughter was only 17 when we relocated to Portugal on 31/12/19. She stayed in the U.K and moved...
July 1, 2020
Today is 1st July and we have been living in Portugal for 6 months. It has gone by so...
June 21, 2020
There are some fantastic fathers out there and there are some shit ones too. Let’s celebrate and say congratulations...
June 10, 2020
Today Wednesday 10th June is Portugal Day and a national holiday. It is known as the Dia de Portugal...
May 21, 2020
Today is Dia da Espiga or Quinta-feira da Espiga, a Portuguese celebration that takes place on Ascension Thursday. It...
April 6, 2020
Tradition Happy Good Friday everyone! I hope you are enjoying your extended weekend. Easter is very respected and hugely...
April 2, 2020
Happy anniversary to my wonderful husband (5 years married today) it only seems like yesterday when we were exchanging...