Casa Valhal - Photo gallery

August 25, 2023

MY DAUGHTER’S SUMMER VISIT 2023

Teanna graduated from University and the world is her oyster so I kidnapped her for 3 full weeks of...

October 6, 2022

MY DAUGHTER’S SUMMER VISIT 2022

If you follow me on Facebook or Instagram you will know the nightmare we had this year renewing my...

September 24, 2021

A DAY TRIP TO LAGOA DA VELA

We are always searching out new places to paddle board and I found this perfect Lagoon (Lagoa da Vela)...

September 23, 2021

A VISIT TO THE WORLD FAMOUS MAJESTIC CAFÉ IN PORTO

Teanna’s last day in Portugal was a sad occasion but we went out BIG on our last day. It...

September 23, 2021

A DAY TRIP TO PATEIRA DE FERMENTELOS

In early August we took a lovely drive to the beautiful Pateira de Fermentelos to paddle board on the...

September 22, 2021

GRUTAS DE MIRA DE AIRE

I love exploring the hidden treasures of caves. I find it so magical and mystical wandering around these rock...

September 21, 2021

SURFING IN NAZARÉ

Hubby is crazy about surfing and a proper surfing lesson has been on his bucket list for ages. Last...

September 20, 2021

A DAY TRIP TO PRAIA FLUVIAL DO CASTELO (ILHA DOS AMORES)

I am over the moon to share this awesome day trip with you. After extensive research I found our...

September 17, 2021

2 DAY TRIP: PARQUE NATURAL DO DOURO INTERNACIONAL

Portugal only has one official National Park (Peneda-Gerês) but it has several Natural Parks which are equally as impressive...

September 14, 2021

PASSADIÇO DAS QUELLHAS (SERRA DA LOUSÃ)

The weather was pretty hot during Teanna’s 8 week summer visit so we didn’t embark on much hiking. To...

September 13, 2021

A DAY TRIP TO CASA DE MATEUS

We took a beautiful day trip to The Palácio de Mateus (Matthew’s Palace) also known as Casa de Mateus...

September 10, 2021

A DAY TRIP TO JARDINS DA QUINTA DAS LÁGRIMAS, COIMBRA

We recently visited the wonderful Quinta das Lágrimas Gardens (House of Tears). The gardens are located on the left...

September 9, 2021

5 DAY ROAD TRIP (DAY 5 BUDDHA EDEN, ÓBIDOS & PENICHE)

Day 5 and our final day of our epic road trip takes us to Buddha Eden, Óbidos and Peniche. ...

September 8, 2021

5 DAY ROAD TRIP (DAY 4 CASCAIS & ERICEIRA)

Day 4 of our road trip takes us to the fabulous Cascais and Ericeira with a pit stop at...

September 7, 2021

5 DAY ROAD TRIP (DAY 3 LISBON)

Day 3 of our epic road trip continues in Lisbon with the spectacular Belém district located on the banks...

September 3, 2021

5 DAY ROAD TRIP (DAY 2 LISBON)

I was delighted to eventually be able to visit the capital city of Portugal. After some research I decided...

September 1, 2021

5 DAY ROAD TRIP (DAY 1 SINTRA)

I am beyond excited to share our 5 day road trip with you all. Our long awaited trip to...

August 30, 2021

HAPPY 19th BIRTHDAY TEANNA

Happy 19th Birthday to my gorgeous daughter Teanna. Here you are on your birthdays 0-19 blowing out the candles...

August 27, 2021

KAYAKING IN CENTRAL PORTUGAL WITH ROCK AND RIVER

Kayaking in Portugal has been on my bucket list for some time now. We kayaked last year in the...

August 26, 2021

AN AFTERNOON TRIP TO PRAIA FLUVIAL DA BARAGEM DE SANTA LUZIA

We briefly visited this river beach when we viewed the nearby Cascata da Fraga de Água d’Alta (waterfall) and...

August 26, 2021

AN AFTERNOON TRIP TO PRAIA FLUVIAL DO RECONQUINHO (PENACOVA)

I decided to research a couple of river beaches within an hours drive from our home to visit and...

August 26, 2021

LOCAL RIVER BEACH PHOTO GALLERY

My absolute favourite pastime in summer is to visit one of the many river beaches in Portugal. I love...

August 25, 2021

WINE TASTING EXPERIENCE IN LAMEGO (DOURO VALLEY)

We had such fun last August wine tasting in the Douro Valley we decided to return for a wine...

August 25, 2021

PONTE 516 AROUCA

The 516 bridge in Arouca has been a firm favourite on my bucket list ever since it opened. We...

August 23, 2021

CASCATA DA FRAGA DE ÁGUA D’ALTA

Who doesn’t love a beautiful waterfall? I absolutely adore waterfalls and I don’t know of any person who looks...

August 20, 2021

RUINAS DE CONIMBRIGA & BURACAS DO CASMILO

I spent a lot of time planning my daughter’s 8 weeks visit and I wanted to find a variety...

August 19, 2021

PRAIA DE MIRA

I love river beaches but occasionally I do love to visit a coastal beach and fill my nostrils with...

August 19, 2021

MUSEU DO PÃO (BREAD MUSEUM) SEIA

Why I dislike Museums Firstly, I must explain my feelings about Museums. I know some of you will be...

August 18, 2021

STAND UP PADDLE BOARDING IN PORTUGAL

Stand Up Paddle Boarding (or SUP) is a hugely popular sport in Portugal along with kayaking and surfing. All...

August 17, 2021

SCHIST VILLAGES HIKING TRAIL (LOUSÃ PR2 LSA)

I love hiking and we are spoiled for choice with so many different hiking trails in Portugal. Back in...

August 16, 2021

SERRAS DE AIRE E CANDEEIROS NATURAL PARK

I absolutely love exploring natural wonders and nature reserves in Portugal so I was very excited to visit Serras...

August 13, 2021

A DAY TRIP TO MOSTEIRO DA BATALHA & FÁTIMA

I have a fascination with monasteries and was very excited to visit the Batalha Monastery. Both the Mosteiro da...

June 14, 2021

MY DAUGHTERS ARRIVAL JUNE 2021

Look who has just arrived in Portugal! I am beyond excited that my daughter Teanna got to visit this...

February 20, 2021

By Helen
Celebrations Death Photo gallery Tribute

A TRIBUTE TO MY AMAZING MUM

6 years ago today my amazing mum passed away at the age of 66. I lost my hero and...

January 30, 2021

SKY ART

Curious clouds, serene sunrises, sensational sunsets, radiant rainbows, fabulous fog, mystical mountain mist and spectacular storms. I love Portuguese...

September 11, 2020

DOURO VALLEY

I have heard so many wonderful things about the Douro Valley and I was not disappointed, it really is...

September 11, 2020

GUIMARÃES AND BRAGA

We planned a trip to Peneda-Gerês National Park which is a 3 hr drive from our casa. To break...

September 11, 2020

PRAIA FLUVIAL DO AGROAL

Agroal river beach is located on the Rio Nabão, in Formigais, Ourem. We call it ‘Egg Roll’ river beach...

September 11, 2020

AVEIRO AND COSTA NOVA 2020

Todays trip got off to a really bad start when we were stopped by police just heading out of...

September 10, 2020

A DAY TRIP TO CONVENTO DE CRISTO E CASTELO DE TOMAR

Tomar along with many of the other day trips we took was definitely on my bucket list. When I...

September 10, 2020

POÇO DA BROCA 2020

Poço da Broca waterfall and river beach is located on the Alvôco riverside, in the village of Barriosa, in...

September 10, 2020

PENEDA-GERÊS NATIONAL PARK

Peneda-Gerês National Park is located in the North West of Portugal near to the Spanish boarder and is known...

September 10, 2020

PRAIA FLUVIAL DE LORIGA

Loriga river beach is located in the Loriga Glacier Valley, Seia, Serra de Estrela. It is the only river...

September 10, 2020

NAZARÉ

Nazaré beach, with a mild climate and natural beauty, has one of the oldest traditions in Portugal linked to...

September 10, 2020

PORTO

I absolutely love Porto. It’s such a beautiful city with a wide variety of attractions. Porto is a coastal...

September 9, 2020

COIMBRA

Although I have visited Coimbra on many occasions I have not ventured on a walking tour to explore all...

September 9, 2020

SERRA DA ESTRELA

Serra Da Estrela Natural Park Serra da Estrela is one of the greenest regions in Portugal. It has an...

September 9, 2020

FIGUEIRA DA FOZ

Figueira da Foz is a city located in Coimbra and is famous for it’s stretch of beautiful golden beaches...

September 7, 2020

A VISIT FROM MY DAUGHTER TO CELEBRATE HER 18TH BIRTHDAY

My daughter was only 17 when we relocated to Portugal on 31/12/19. She stayed in the U.K and moved...

Hi, I'm Helen

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