Housesitting, Housesitting in Portugal, Life of adventure

By the Seaside – Portuguese Style

Suzanne

Having the opportunity to visit the ocean while staying in a dry and dusty countryside was our idea of a blissful outing.  Not saying that the landscape was unappealing, we just needed the sea air to blow away the dust from the crevices and fill our lungs with fresh air.  Everyone needs a break from their daily routines, even full-time housesitters.

The particular area we chose on a bright sunny northern Autumn day was Villa Nova de Milfontes by the Atlantic sea.

This town was charming and the coastline magnificent, to be honest, the coast was more appealing for a stroll on a warmish day than one through the towns.  After a quick look around we headed towards the sea.  Purposely we left the car outside the village as the walk looked reasonably flat which was ideal for the Squire to participate without any problems.

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Down a few steps lead us onto a newish wooden platform a good view looking over at the Mira river as we walked towards the mouth.

The beaches are sheltered and spaced apart on both sides of the Mira River.  With a beautiful view of the sea. Luckily with this layout, everyone could claim their square of sand, be undisturbed with a choice of the Mira River or a bob in the Atlantic for a swim.

You know life is good when that’s the most significant decision for the day.

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Then we viewed this massive statue in the middle of a carpark

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Though our walk only consisted of a leisurely few kilometres, you can go on a full coastal Fishermen’s Route of the Rota Vicentina.  We got a clear picture from looking further down the coastline that the walking around there would be breathtaking in more ways than one.  Particularly those with vertigo issues.   A fun challenge to extend your comfort zone out further.

At the end of our walk, we headed into town for a cold drink before heading back to home base.  Nothing quite like a trip to the seaside to wipe those cobwebs away.

Published by Suzanne

Travel and Life Musings from New Zealand and Beyond. . . . . . .

62 thoughts on “By the Seaside – Portuguese Style”

  2. Gorgeous photos, Suzanne. My husband and I visited Porto this past August and LOVED it! I’m so glad that I found your blog. It’s filled with everything that I love — travel, creativity, art, gratitude….and more travel! I’ll definitely keep following!

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    1. Oh thanks Donna, that is lovely to hear. We loved Porto too, so very much an old school city with a wonderful charm about it.

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    1. Thanks Lorelle, at least we don’t have a house and motorhome to sell like our last trip home, so it should be way less stressful 🙂 x

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  7. Yes, nothing like a beach fix to blow the cob webs out of your hair. The golden sands, and blue skies, and deep blue waters looked like just the thing. Not sure about that statue though….. I noticed the blue wren picture, do they have blue wrens there? We’ve been trying to photograph one here in WA, but so far we haven’t been able to snap a good shot.

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    1. It was a warm day so not many birds flying about midday. Funny that statue is not popular a bit confrontational 😀 Birds are very difficult to photograph!

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  8. Beautiful photos Suz, looks like a wonderful quiet beach too. You’re right about needing to blow those cobwebs away. Us housesitters need to keep fit and on the ball don’t we?

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    1. It is a wonderful part of Portugal, what is great it is less touristy than other resort places around the coast. If North Yorkshire had sun all the time, people would be scrambling to live up in that bit of paradise, we would be one couple 🙂

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  10. What an awesome idea. I love the idea of being a house sitter for someone. You get to see different countries and get paid at the same time. I’m putting this idea on a list of how to spend my retirement. You’re pics are breathtaking as always! Thanks for sharing!

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    1. NO we don’t get paid Lisa. It obviously has it’s benefits and in a mutual way for both parties. Though don’t forget it is a huge responsibility taking care of someone’s home and beloved pets. We spend more time around the home when housesitting than we do on outings and leave the exploring for in between housesits, then our lives are more balanced and we aren’t continuously travelling.

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        1. Thanks, Lisa, just thought I would let you know. There are people who do get paid through other websites. We love it due to the fact both parties are on an even par and both with mutual benefits 🙂

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  11. What a beautiful place and how ideal to be there just out of season! That statue …. that could easily haunt me – I find it strangely fascinating. Reading the comments you are in the grip of an unseasonable canicule. We had a mini heatwave last week but it has passed and though still sunny we are down to a manageable 20-25C – I hope the same will apply to you soon

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    1. It was so good to have the sea breeze on our faces. Unusual statue, quite confronting and yet fascinating! We are heading over to London then NZ so yes the temperatures will be lower. We have had hot temperatures since the beginning of June so we are ready for a change of temperature.

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    1. Oh there was a few people around, I am good at waiting for strangers to move! I must admit I am drawn to arty things and have found so much here in Portugal, it has been lots of fun. I will have to do a bit of wandering around our old stomping ground in NZ and take a few photos 🙂

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    1. It is a country worth visiting, it is becoming more popular which is a good thing for the country though quite annoying as travellers 🙂

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        1. Any place is always far more pleasurable without hundreds of people trying to view a small area. Though of course having lots of people is all part and parcel of going to popular historical sites.

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  14. What a refreshing and beautiful walk. Portugal seems to offer a lot of different areas and vistas, and the weather sounds perfect. Our current home owners are there as well and I love all the photos they send as much as yours! 🙂

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    1. Thanks Liesbet. Interesting that your homeowners are over here, I have heard a few American voices usually being herded around in groups 🙂 A few cruise ships are still stopping in Lisbon.

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        1. Oh that sounds like fun Liesbet. Yes, we are definitely solo travellers and not sure if we would ever do a package tour 🙂 Just finished 8 days in Lisbon not housesitting. Today we leave. Have a good day 🙂

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  18. That beach looks delightful. Portugal and it’s islands are all so beautiful. I do so love that statue in the carpark. – is it commemorating the sea exploration the Portuguese have done in the past or is it indicating that it is the western point of Europe?

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    1. Good question Linda I will have to look it up, which I should’ve done before posting it. Just looked it up “God of the Sea”.

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    1. Don’t they just though at the moment the air conditioner is reducing the redness and puffy feet and face 🙂

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    1. Rain is much needed over here, yesterday it recorded 32 degs a record temperature for October. Hopefully the country doesn’t receive all the rain in one go.

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        1. I wish you could too Cathy, for the countryside over here. For us, well we head to London on Monday to catch a flight to NZ on Tuesday, in both places we will have ample rain opportunities 🙂

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