Renovation Project - Central Portugal and a big decision is made

Renovation Project - Central Portugal and a big decision is made

Pedrógão Grande is our final stop in Portugal; we have another 3 nights booked here. The reason we chose this particular area is because of the accommodation we found. But the entire area of central Portugal is stunning.

We leave Coimbra and as we only have approx 60 kilometres to drive, we decide not to bother with the toll roads. This ends up being one of the scariest yet most beautiful drives we have done for a long time.

The road is quite narrow and winds up the side of the mountain, we had no idea just how high this mountain was. The views are unbelievable as long as you don’t look at the sheer drop by the side of the car. As we are driving we see a bus in front and think, they must be mad and hope no cars come in the opposite direction then we see a bus in the opposite direction. My heart was in my mouth surely there is no way they can pass on this mountain road, but they do.

We stop at a small village called Castenheira de Pera and cannot believe what we find, it is Huelgoat in the sun, the village has a beautiful town square and we sit at a cafe and just relax for a few minutes with a drink.

We had never thought we would find anywhere as beautiful as our French village, but we have, the mountains give a great backdrop and the area is covered in forests, this town has a large lake, of which a part has been converted into a large pool with sun loungers and cafes. for more photos click on link http://www.praiadasrocas.com/

photo cooutesy of
http://www.praiadasrocas.com/

We find that there are many lakes in this area and each has an area for safe swimming, you do not need to be near the coast to enjoy the beach. But you do have to be careful with your parking!

We drive to our accommodation and the owners are so friendly and welcoming. We spend evenings with them and their BBQ; I even go to collect the pine cones from the local pine forest one evening no charcoal is used, the pine cones burn on the BBQ.

They take us to local markets; we really could not have found a better place to stay. The accommodation is a small one bed house, with everything you could want, there are also B&B roooms available in the main house. The garden has a large vegetable plot with far reaching views over the mountains.

Here is the link https://www.airbnb.com/rooms/13367515

We love the area so much that we extend our stay for another 3 nights.

This is the time we make our big decision, we love Huelgoat, but we want a hotter climate. Central Portugal has it all, the climate we are looking for, mountains, rivers, lakes, forests, beautiful villages and not far from Coimbra, our new favourite city.

We research the flights and the airports are a reasonable distance. We talk to our families and spend many evenings chatting with the owners of our accommodation and looking at properties, there are so many old properties that require renovating.

We love France, but you are only able to renovate and sell so many properties before you become a business, it is time for a new challenge and we have just found it.

Drum roll please.........

We are going to move to Portugal