Our Portugal
Welcome to 'Our Portugal' | Bem-vindo ao 'Nosso Portugal'
This part of our website is dedicated to giving you the information that you need if you are considering moving to, or have already moved to, Portugal. We have some essential facts, hints, and tips plus a collection of personal experiences on Our Portugal Blog, where you can contribute your own stories or tips.
- Summer Heat in Central Portugal
- Holidaying in Central Portugal
- Vintage Driving in Central Portugal
- Restaurants in Miranda do Corvo
- Winter Weather Conditions in Central Portugal
- Crime in Central Portugal
- Dog Walking in Central Portugal
- Running in Central Portugal
- A Typical House Inspection Report
- Vineyards, Wine Making and Having Fun in Central Portugal
- 10 Biggest Property Mistakes in Central Portugal
- Planning for a New Swimming Pool Checklist
- Questions from a Client About Building in Portugal
- Meeting People in Central Portugal
- Wondering About Having a Swimming Pool?
- Christmas in Central Portugal
- Building Land in Portugal - The Ins and Outs
- Weather in Central Portugal
- Keeping Chickens in Central Portugal
- Importing Cars from the UK and Germany to Portugal
- Driving Through France in Your Caravan
- Caravan Holidays in Central Portugal
- Finding Work in Central Portugal Part 2
- Finding work in Central Portugal
- How to Succesfully Let Your Property
- Books in Portuguese For the UK
- Water Liscence Laws in Portugal
- Replacing Windows with Pine of Softwood
- Water Issues at Cheap Property in Central Portugal
- Camping Sites in the Coimbra Area
- How Much Does it Cost to Build a House in Central Portugal?
- ADSL Broadband Internet Access in Central Portugal
- Accommodation in the Area
- Getting to Portugal by Boat, Ship, Ferry and Hovercraft.
- Notary Costs in Central Portugal
- Getting to Coimbra/Penela from Lisbon and Porto
- Getting to Coimbra and Penela, Central Portugal from the UK
- Carnaval in Central Portugal - Penela
- Emergencies in Central Portugal
- Forecasts and Records
- Dog Kennels in Central Portugal
- From the Airports: Driving in Portugal
- Central Portugal Produce Markets
- Driving In Central Portugal
- Protecting Your Pets in Portugal (1/2)
- Nature in Central Portugal: Ash Trees
- Walking in Central Portugal: Sao Simao
- Self Sufficiency and Portuguese Wildlife
- Canoeing the Modego
- More on Learning Portuguese
- Leishmaniasis Disease
- Tips for Learning Portuguese
- Walking in Central Portugal
- Portuguese Property Renovation 4
- Portuguese Property Renovation 3
- Portuguese Property Renovation 2
- Portuguese Property Renovation 1
- Portuguese Help Sheet
- Sea Fishing in Portugal
- Education in Portugal
- Travelling by Train
- Visiting Coimbra
- Learning Portuguese
- Bringing Your Dog or Cat to Portugal
Summer Heat in Central Portugal
It was a long hot day reaching 38 degrees and the evening was transforming into a long hot night.
Following a cooling swim we enjoyed a late dinner on the terrace overlooking Penela. The heat brought the scent of herbs from the fields down in the valley wafting up to us as we sat enjoying the food, view and peaceful evening. Slowly an amazing full moon came up over Penela village bright and huge it provided a wonderful spectacle for us all to enjoy.
Its moments like this that reaffirm why you came to this little Portuguese paradise.
As you can see from the photograph the village of Penela is very small you can walk from the castle to the swimming baths (two opposite ends of the village) in ten minutes. Built on a hill the views around Penela are 360 degrees. No wonder it’s such a popular place for people to find their piece of rural tranquility. For those looking to find a home in Portugal the area around Penela is becoming more and more popular with many people (mainly British and Dutch) choosing to live full time here.
It’s a very easy place to settle into. The natives are friendly, the weather warm and the sky’s blue “most of the time” The village has three banks, a weekly fresh produce market, schools, medical and sporting facilities and excellent dental and vetinary practices. Supermarkets and other shops including a post office provide all the essentials for day to day living.
Fresh bread is baked daily in wood fired ovens and delivered to your door each morning. Lunch with wine and coffee will cost you 6 Euros.
What are you waiting for !?
Latest Blog Posts:
Central Portugal Property Renovation…. Damp Walls
Damp Proofing Ground Floor and Cellar Walls As this is a very hot topic and requires specialist knowledge and experience to do correctly we have asked Castelo Construction, based in Penela, central Portugal to explain in detail how to make damp areas of your home habitable. Without breaking the bank. By www.Casteloconstruction.com Damp is a [...]
Walking Groups in Central Portugal
Saturday morning, blue skies and 28 degrees we were starting a beautiful walk along the countryside tracks or serventai in the Ansiao area of Central Portugal. Along the way stopping to chat with fellow walkers and to take advantage of the cooling shade. The circular walk was quite gentle due to the heat and the [...]
Pet Hazards in Portugal
Most of us who bring our pets or have pets in Portugal will know about Rabies, ticks, fleas, snakes or various diseases and medical problems that can affect our pets. One that is often overlooked is a hazard present for four to five months over the summer. It’s a grass which looks like an innocent [...]
PPP – Profitable Property in Portugal!!
PPP - Profitable Property in Portugal!! Although we all buy a property in Portugal for different reasons we all have the same goal of making a profit when the time comes to sell. The current world financial crisis has probably deterred a few people from investing in property both at home and abroad, however the property [...]
Utility Costs in Central Portugal
Council supplied drinking water all over Portugal is safe to drink and there are many fonts (free water supplies dotted all over the country. Rarely you will see a sign advising that the water is not fit to drink but on the whole if the local people are drinking the water it will be fine. [...]
Carnival in Coimbra and Central Portugal
Carnival comes to Coimbra Property Shop While talking to clients  we started to hear the unmistakable Latin sounds of carnival music coming towards the office. We when out side to see the Penela Carnival Parade in full swing. The costumes as usual are made by the young children taking part in the parade with their [...]
Pool Problems(!) in Central Portugal
Pool Problems – a couple of glass mosaic tiles are starting to become loose on the bottom and on the wall of my swimming pool. The problem is inevitably bigger than it looks. Water gets behind the tile adhesive or waterproof membrane and literally pushes off the tiles. This is normally seen as a slightly raised [...]
Penela Medieval Festival
The Castle of Penela’s Medieval Festival Comes Around Again. The dates are similar every year so put it in your diary. Friday Saturday and Sunday around the 21st of May. We decided to go to the second night and what a night ! Firstly the weather was amazing, a warm, balmy evening which retained its [...]
Beautifying Your Home in Central Portugal
Sun shade, car port, garage, children’s play area or outdoor dining patio…. Why not cover it with fast growing fruit. If you want to have your car, dining area or children’s play areas shaded in the summer an easy way to do this is to have a metal frame made and cover it with Grape [...]
Renting a Property in Central Portugal
Renting a Property in Central Portugal Most people who want a temporary place to live here in beautiful central Portugal need to rent. Maybe to experience life in a certain area before buying, to be on hand during the building or refurbishment process or just to live the good life for a while and absorb [...]