4th March,
Gales and pouring rain woke us through the night and we were pleased that most of the packing had been done. After a quick whistle round the house in the morning, we set off stopping on the way to deliver the translated dog letter into what was hopefully the house postbox. The dog was barking like mad and pulling on his chain. So sad. Thank god I don't have to pass him again.
Rain stopped and the sun came out as we gently meandered along the E125 which is in exactly the same condition as 5 years ago. Terrible with potholes and lumpy, rubbly bits en route. We arrived in Vila Real de San Antonio and possible missed the turning. Soon we were driving down the backstreets with our hearts in our mouth that the road didn't get any narrower. Finally we arrived at the river. The great Guardiana which separates Spain from Portugal. We then turned north and passed the very busy Aire we stayed in 5 years ago and out onto the open road to Alcoutim. As we drove out of Vila Real, JC said. "I think my priority is now fuel". Ah, we had forgotten to get any and were down to 1/4 tank. The new IC27 is impressive. Black, smooth tarmac, with beautiful mountainous scenery, and an enormous dam which has created a massive lake. However, there are no buildings, or houses en route and no signs of any garages.
JC gets out the iPhone and types in Petrol. Six icons appear all on the South Coast, the nearest being Vila Real. We are now 20 miles from there. It seems we have blown it. Out comes the TomTom. there is a garage button on there and would you believe it is saying there is a petrol station 2 kilometres from our location. NO, can't be true! Checked again. Yep. So within minutes we had arrived at the sweetest place with a little hut on the side that said. Closed 13.00 - 15.00. It was 13.15!
Back onto the IC27 but clog is down and driving fast. We find the petrol stall (which is all it is) next to the Aire we passed an hour ago and fill up. whilst JC is doing that I am wondering about shopping. The place we are going to is a small village. Its Saturday and whilst there might be something open today we may miss it by the time we get there (if we ever do)
Polly (the house owner) has gone back to England for a couple of weeks and given me her partners no. I phone him. "Oh, Polly normally tells people. There are a few shops but limited opening hours and no fresh meat or fish." I am beginning to feel uneasy. " OK, is there any heating in the house."
"Yes, woodburner and electic oil rads in the bedrooms".
We know it is a big house and I wonder whether it will be warm enough. Having spent a month in a damp, cold house, I was hoping to get warm for a change. Christian told us where the nearest supermarket was to where we were and JC announced it was lunchtime. So lunch was taken in the Intermarche car park. Very nice too Fresh bread, cold meats and cheese.
Suitably stocked up, we drive back up the IC27 again and opt for the pretty route via Foz which is the way we went 5 years ago. Although I don't think we ever went in to Alcoutim. Found the road and parked up. We knew there would be no parking outside the house, so no problem other than some very steep steps up to the cobbled street which led to the house.
The house is absolutely amazing. Polly and Christian took 7 years to build it, originally to live in, but they now have 2 x daughters, chickens and goats and live on the Spanish side of the river where they have a small house with land. The house would not really work for them now as it is in the centre of town. Which is why they let it out. It is cleverly thought out design wise, And immactulately fitted out with heavy Portugese floor tiles, and visible wooden supports etc. Also the furniture and equipment for a rental property is excellent. We are over the moon.
the house comprises 3 x double bedrooms with 2 bathrooms. A big open kitchen diner with wood burner and a small lounge area. There is a patio on the ground floor with a view of the river straight ahead.
And a patio on the upper floor which has 180 views up and down the Guardiana.Beautiful.
The only problem is of course dog walking. We are in the middle of a village, so will have to take them somewhere and there are not many areas to go locally.
Tonight we don't care about that. JC fires up the wood burner and pours a couple of G and T's and I am the warmest I have been for a month.
Gales and pouring rain woke us through the night and we were pleased that most of the packing had been done. After a quick whistle round the house in the morning, we set off stopping on the way to deliver the translated dog letter into what was hopefully the house postbox. The dog was barking like mad and pulling on his chain. So sad. Thank god I don't have to pass him again.
Rain stopped and the sun came out as we gently meandered along the E125 which is in exactly the same condition as 5 years ago. Terrible with potholes and lumpy, rubbly bits en route. We arrived in Vila Real de San Antonio and possible missed the turning. Soon we were driving down the backstreets with our hearts in our mouth that the road didn't get any narrower. Finally we arrived at the river. The great Guardiana which separates Spain from Portugal. We then turned north and passed the very busy Aire we stayed in 5 years ago and out onto the open road to Alcoutim. As we drove out of Vila Real, JC said. "I think my priority is now fuel". Ah, we had forgotten to get any and were down to 1/4 tank. The new IC27 is impressive. Black, smooth tarmac, with beautiful mountainous scenery, and an enormous dam which has created a massive lake. However, there are no buildings, or houses en route and no signs of any garages.
JC gets out the iPhone and types in Petrol. Six icons appear all on the South Coast, the nearest being Vila Real. We are now 20 miles from there. It seems we have blown it. Out comes the TomTom. there is a garage button on there and would you believe it is saying there is a petrol station 2 kilometres from our location. NO, can't be true! Checked again. Yep. So within minutes we had arrived at the sweetest place with a little hut on the side that said. Closed 13.00 - 15.00. It was 13.15!
Back onto the IC27 but clog is down and driving fast. We find the petrol stall (which is all it is) next to the Aire we passed an hour ago and fill up. whilst JC is doing that I am wondering about shopping. The place we are going to is a small village. Its Saturday and whilst there might be something open today we may miss it by the time we get there (if we ever do)
Polly (the house owner) has gone back to England for a couple of weeks and given me her partners no. I phone him. "Oh, Polly normally tells people. There are a few shops but limited opening hours and no fresh meat or fish." I am beginning to feel uneasy. " OK, is there any heating in the house."
"Yes, woodburner and electic oil rads in the bedrooms".
We know it is a big house and I wonder whether it will be warm enough. Having spent a month in a damp, cold house, I was hoping to get warm for a change. Christian told us where the nearest supermarket was to where we were and JC announced it was lunchtime. So lunch was taken in the Intermarche car park. Very nice too Fresh bread, cold meats and cheese.
Suitably stocked up, we drive back up the IC27 again and opt for the pretty route via Foz which is the way we went 5 years ago. Although I don't think we ever went in to Alcoutim. Found the road and parked up. We knew there would be no parking outside the house, so no problem other than some very steep steps up to the cobbled street which led to the house.
The house is absolutely amazing. Polly and Christian took 7 years to build it, originally to live in, but they now have 2 x daughters, chickens and goats and live on the Spanish side of the river where they have a small house with land. The house would not really work for them now as it is in the centre of town. Which is why they let it out. It is cleverly thought out design wise, And immactulately fitted out with heavy Portugese floor tiles, and visible wooden supports etc. Also the furniture and equipment for a rental property is excellent. We are over the moon.
the house comprises 3 x double bedrooms with 2 bathrooms. A big open kitchen diner with wood burner and a small lounge area. There is a patio on the ground floor with a view of the river straight ahead.
And a patio on the upper floor which has 180 views up and down the Guardiana.Beautiful.
The only problem is of course dog walking. We are in the middle of a village, so will have to take them somewhere and there are not many areas to go locally.
Tonight we don't care about that. JC fires up the wood burner and pours a couple of G and T's and I am the warmest I have been for a month.
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