What better way to cure a hangover than a hiking trip to Vale de Cambra! It is the 1st...
Today is New Year’s Eve and our 2 year milestone, gosh time flies when you’re having fun. 2 years...
Upon a friend’s recommendation we took a day trip to the captivating and unique Christmas village of Cabeça, Seia...
I had originally planned to visit Águeda on Christmas Eve but the weather forecast for the Christmas week is...
I had originally planned to embark on this trail on Christmas Day but the weather forecast is not looking...
It’s starting to look a lot like Christmas! On our recent day trips we have driven past so many...
We are very blessed to live so close to the Serra da Estrela Natural Park with it’s magical mountains....
We enjoyed our recent trip to Sever do Vouga so much that I decided to plan a return trip...
If you have read any of my SUP boarding posts you will know that this year we trialled a...
I LOVE my ladies so much, I thought I would start a gallery of their antics. I will update...
The weather here in Central Portugal has been very mild for November so I planned an awesome day trip...
Today is a great day, we received our first egg! I’m a newbie chicken momma and I’ve never kept...
I was super excited to venture on the amazing PR1 CRS 7.85 km circular trail which is located in...
We live very close to the wonderful Serra da Estrela natural park and it only takes 1 hour to...
I decided to plan an epic day trip for my hubby’s birthday. His employer gives everyone their birthday off...
The Paredes Waterfalls are located near to the small village of Paredes, in the municipality of Mortágua. If you...
I love exploring gorges, canyons and waterfalls so I planned a super Saturday visiting the wonderful Lousã. We love...
We decided to visit the Artisan food and craft market in Penela which is a 1hr 15min drive each...
Hooray, we have 4 new additions to the Casa Valhal homestead: Helen’s Happy Hens! Although technically they are called...
Apologies if you thought this was going to be a post about exchanging of spouses for sex. The title...
We are so very lucky to only live so close to Serra da Estrela and we can reach the...
We are always searching out new places to paddle board and I found this perfect Lagoon (Lagoa da Vela)...
Teanna’s last day in Portugal was a sad occasion but we went out BIG on our last day. It...
In early August we took a lovely drive to the beautiful Pateira de Fermentelos to paddle board on the...
I love exploring the hidden treasures of caves. I find it so magical and mystical wandering around these rock...
Hubby is crazy about surfing and a proper surfing lesson has been on his bucket list for ages. Last...
I am over the moon to share this awesome day trip with you. After extensive research I found our...
Portugal only has one official National Park (Peneda-Gerês) but it has several Natural Parks which are equally as impressive...
The weather was pretty hot during Teanna’s 8 week summer visit so we didn’t embark on much hiking. To...
We took a beautiful day trip to The Palácio de Mateus (Matthew’s Palace) also known as Casa de Mateus...
We recently visited the wonderful Quinta das Lágrimas Gardens (House of Tears). The gardens are located on the left...
Day 5 and our final day of our epic road trip takes us to Buddha Eden, Óbidos and Peniche. ...
Day 4 of our road trip takes us to the fabulous Cascais and Ericeira with a pit stop at...
Day 3 of our epic road trip continues in Lisbon with the spectacular Belém district located on the banks...
I was delighted to eventually be able to visit the capital city of Portugal. After some research I decided...
I am beyond excited to share our 5 day road trip with you all. Our long awaited trip to...
Happy 19th Birthday to my gorgeous daughter Teanna. Here you are on your birthdays 0-19 blowing out the candles...
Kayaking in Portugal has been on my bucket list for some time now. We kayaked last year in the...
We briefly visited this river beach when we viewed the nearby Cascata da Fraga de Água d’Alta (waterfall) and...
I decided to research a couple of river beaches within an hours drive from our home to visit and...
My absolute favourite pastime in summer is to visit one of the many river beaches in Portugal. I love...
We had such fun last August wine tasting in the Douro Valley we decided to return for a wine...
The 516 bridge in Arouca has been a firm favourite on my bucket list ever since it opened. We...
Who doesn’t love a beautiful waterfall? I absolutely adore waterfalls and I don’t know of any person who looks...
I spent a lot of time planning my daughter’s 8 weeks visit and I wanted to find a variety...
I love river beaches but occasionally I do love to visit a coastal beach and fill my nostrils with...
Why I dislike Museums Firstly, I must explain my feelings about Museums. I know some of you will be...
Stand Up Paddle Boarding (or SUP) is a hugely popular sport in Portugal along with kayaking and surfing. All...
I love hiking and we are spoiled for choice with so many different hiking trails in Portugal. Back in...
I absolutely love exploring natural wonders and nature reserves in Portugal so I was very excited to visit Serras...
I have a fascination with monasteries and was very excited to visit the Batalha Monastery. Both the Mosteiro da...
We recently decided to source an Accountant to assist us with our first joint tax return. If you understand...
Look who has just arrived in Portugal! I am beyond excited that my daughter Teanna got to visit this...
I know, it’s been ages since Renovating the ruin Part 1 but I’ve been a busy lady. The plan...
It’s been over 2 months since I reached my target weight so I thought I would do an update....
The Passadiços do Paiva Trailhead is located on the left bank of the Paiva River, in the municipality of Arouca, district of Aveiro. I...
We have a lot of roofs on our house and in our garden. You may already know that Portugal...
On the 1st May we ventured out on our first proper day trip of 2021. I was so excited...
I thought that I would start another post for 2021 as my weight loss journey did not really happen...
A lot of people have asked me what type of foods I ate to lose weight. I have a...
I decided it was about time that hubby the Casa Valhal chef cooked a traditional Portuguese recipe for our...
When life gives you lemons, make lemon marmalade, crack open the tequila and learn to juggle. I love lemons...
6 years ago today my amazing mum passed away at the age of 66. I lost my hero and...
Today is not only Shrove Tuesday but also Carnival Day in Portugal so we are celebrating with Gluten Free...
I decided to start a new gardening post (From seed to feed) for 2021. If you have read my...
As well as too many oranges we also have too many lemons, well my neighbour does anyway. I’m tried...
The weather has been really wet and windy recently which has resulted in so many oranges falling off our...
Curious clouds, serene sunrises, sensational sunsets, radiant rainbows, fabulous fog, mystical mountain mist and spectacular storms. I love Portuguese...
In Portugal the equivalent of a MOT is called an IPO (Inspecção Périodica Obrigatória). It’s an annual inspection for...
Today is New Year’s eve and our 12 month milestone. It is really weird to think that we have...
My family Christmas was cancelled just hours before my children were to board the plane from Bristol to Porto....
Celebrating a Covid Christmas This is going to be our first Christmas in Portugal. Easyjet cancelled so many of...
Immaculate Conception Day (8th December) Today Portugal celebrates its National public holiday: Immaculate Conception day otherwise known as the...
Restoration of Independence Day (1st December) Today Portugal celebrates its National public holiday: Restoration of Independence Day. Portugal commemorates...
I have always wanted to try making my own body and hair products at home but have never really...
Today (1st November) is All Saints’ Day and a National Public Holiday here in Portugal. All Saints’ Day is...
Halloween is not widely celebrated in Portugal and will never have as strong a tradition as the U.S.A or...
Park Life On a recent trip to Coimbra we discovered two wonderful city parks. Parque Manuel Braga is a...
Where there’s a Will there’s a relative (ha ha) We made U.K wills a few years ago before we...
Mission and History of the Botanical Garden The Botanical Garden of the University of Coimbra, founded in 1772 by...
Termas de Luso (Luso Thermal Spa) Termas do Luso (Luso Thermal Spa) is located in the parish of Luso,...
Now that we have settled into Portugal life I thought it was about time I joined a class or...
A Snipet of History Buçaco National Forest is an ancient, arboretum in Luso, a protected area located in Serra do...
Hubby decided to take me on a mystery tour which included a trip to Europaradise Zoological Park then onto...
We have a few big DIY jobs that need to be completed on the outside of our home and...
Rabbit vaccines Although there are many vets in Portugal it was quite difficult to source a vet that provides...
When we purchased our house we did some research and knew that we wanted a casa in a tranquil,...
We have a gigantic fig tree in our garden and we have no clue how to look after figs...
This leisure zone area is located in the village of Barril de Alva, next to the bridge and on...
On Sunday afternoon I had a great idea of going on one of the official hiking routes along the...
The river beach season is coming to an end so we decided to explore one more local treasure. The...
Portuguese lessons run at our local school and are free for all residents. I enquired about lessons Feb 2020...
I have heard so many wonderful things about the Douro Valley and I was not disappointed, it really is...
We planned a trip to Peneda-Gerês National Park which is a 3 hr drive from our casa. To break...
Agroal river beach is located on the Rio Nabão, in Formigais, Ourem. We call it ‘Egg Roll’ river beach...
Todays trip got off to a really bad start when we were stopped by police just heading out of...
Tomar along with many of the other day trips we took was definitely on my bucket list. When I...
Poço da Broca waterfall and river beach is located on the Alvôco riverside, in the village of Barriosa, in...
Peneda-Gerês National Park is located in the North West of Portugal near to the Spanish boarder and is known...
Loriga river beach is located in the Loriga Glacier Valley, Seia, Serra de Estrela. It is the only river...