Taking it slow in Portugal

For the second long weekend in May, Jaimee and I went to the mountainous interior region of Portugal to stay in a friend’s newly renovated house as her first official guests. As luck would have it, Sandra, was also visiting that weekend to see her parents who live in the same village and add some finishing touches (a pool!) to the house.

We arrived late on Thursday night into Porto after a disastrous trip care of Ryan Air but on Friday morning, bought groceries, collected Sandra from the airport and headed to Foz dos Barreiros. After a few hours and a pit stop for lunch we arrived at our lovely new home in the late afternoon.

Jaimee and I were both very excited by the prospect of being in such picturesque surrounds that we immediately went out to pick wildflowers from the side of the road to decorate inside. Not that the house needed it – it’s very charming. I stayed in the main room, which had the loveliest view over the valley through huge French doors. It was a treat to wake up to in the morning. In the evening Jaimee got the fire going and we relaxed in front of that with wine and cheese until it was bedtime.

A view of our cottage (note the terrace top right!) taken on our walk

Me and Jaimee

Dusk on the terrace

Admiring Jaimee's handiwork

On our next day we waited for the local baker to drop off the fresh bread on his delivery round. Caught unawares in our pyjamas by a very good-looking young man, we over-stocked on the bread. Regaining our composure, we went to a nearby vineyard Qinta Sao Tiago, for long lunch a nice, but winding, hour’s drive away in Dominguiso. The vineyard also had a cherry orchard and they brought us a bowl of freshly picked cherries after dessert. That night was low key again, and we had a roast chicken watching the fire flickering and crackling (and setting off the smoke alarm!) again.

What a view to wake up to

Meeting the baker

Breakfast on the terrace

On our drive to the vineyard

Chas d'Egua

On day 2 in our sanctuary, Sandra and her mum took us for a walk across the mountain to the next town, Piodao, stopping there for lunch and walking back via Foz d’Eguas. It was a gorgeous day – walking in the sun, through the valley, full of wildflowers and butterflies. We were treated to a home cooked dinner that night at Sandra’s parents' place.

Sandra and I  setting off on our walk

Heritage listed Piadao

Piadao

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Our last day came all too soon - we both could have used a week there. We had a very relaxing morning though. Jaimee went off walking and I sat in the sunshine under the olive tree on the terrace, which overlooks the valley, with the constant gushing waterfall and birds as my soundtrack, (unfortunately) doing a bit of work.

After lunch and our last glass of wine in the sun, we vowed to come back, and braved the roads back to the airport stopping for a last pastel de nata along the way.

A very nice spot to sit