More Exploring ...
I can't believe that I have been back in the UK now for nearly two weeks... and i'm still not finished with the blog updates for the visit...
Meanwhile here in the UK I have managed to spend a couple of mornings in the garage, sorting it out.
"Why?" you may ask... well getting ready for my eventual move to the Azores is a bit like doing some sort of Rubik's Cube. I need to sort the garage, empty the house of junk to the garage, and order a skip, empty the garage, clean it out, and then move things for shipping into the clean and empty space. That will leave me a much stripped down and de-cluttered house to deal with.... ready for a lick of paint, some new carpet and perhaps pop it on the market. Huh...not much to do then.
Looking back on my visit to the Azores...
Friday ... After a lovely meal with friends I bumped into Bruno and his wife walking the dog... this led to a quick transfer to the Mini-Mar for a drink and a group photo... sorry to Chris for the white flash eyes... it must be because he's from California and has super powers :)
I found (with some expert help) the other local mini-market. This was a lot bigger than the one in the middle of Pedro Miguel and located on the road to Horta. It had a row of freezers and had plenty of sea food (mostly octopus!), chicken and beef. I scoured for shrimp or prawns, but nope, couldn't find any. So it looks as though I'd have to go into Horta for them in future. But most every day needs can be catered for between the two mini-markets. And the prices are very good.
Having found this market, a short trip up the road led me to a furniture shop. Like Worten, they also had a fair selection of white goods. Nonetheless, the prices remained high. A few items did grab my attention and seemed stylish and reasonable. But sad to say that most of the items I need are considerably over-priced. The sales assistant was brilliant though and showed me around various items. As I say, some took my fancy, so I'm sure I will be back.
I'm liking this table, and I need one. At 248 Euros, this is good value. Put it on my tab. What? I don't have a tab. Damn. Does it come with the cool tray? No.
Saturday night saw me visiting Laura and Guy's place, an Italian couple who have, as a family, along with her sister and husband, grandma and grandad, built the most amazing home. Food and drinks, and until the project manager and his wife turned up, no one who spoke english! (apart from Laura).
Here, Ricardo, my architect and designer of Laura's House, gives the finger to someone.... Laura looks away, grandad is focused on his drink. Was I the only one who saw this? The kitchen is spacious and beautiful, with many imported Italian features.
It was, as you can imagine a lot of fun, as people spoke Italian and Portuguese... but no English. But despite this, it was great. The food was to die for, and the cocktails lovely. What a lovely group of people... an ex maths teacher from Lisbon gave me cigarettes at regular intervals, as I had forgotten mine. What a life saver she was, although I have forgotten her name; a lovely lady. [ EDIT: Laura has reminded me that her name was Mrs Conceicao Leal ]
A gorgeous house, friendly people, nibbles and wine. What's not to like.
I had a fun day exploring the shops at the back of the harbour front in Horta. I needed some spray paint from a local hardware shop (to mark electrical outputs), so I set off early, had couple of coffees in Horta and then did my shopping and exploring. It gave me time to admire some of the local architecture too.
Coffee - Essential part of the day. Here I am at about 8:30am waiting for the local hardware shop to open, grabbing a coffee and a cake. After 5 days on the island I feel and, I think, I look better. Certainly happier. Feels like home.
This is the city hall in Horta. What a marvellous building, standing tall on a raised area with steps and a drive up to the front door from either end.
Cutting things short, somewhat. My final full day saw me driving to the north of the island to meet up with Soren and his friend Mac ( a Brit ex-pat) for lunch. We had a no holds barred lunch at Aldina's. What a wonderful place this is.
Stupidly brilliant mussels, not farmed, but harvested naturally and locally, served in a pimento, white wine, garlic and butter sauce. This was a starter, served with two small loaves of bread. Soren and Mac, knowing the portions, sensibly had some bread and cheese. I did finish the main of trigger fish.... just.
After far too much to eat and a few drinks we headed up to Soren's - basically to check his house out in person. I have to say that the layout and sense of space and light was impressive. Although my house is slightly larger, I have a feeling that I will not quite match the Scandinavian look of minimalism and cool. It was lovely.
On my last full day, Soren and Mac look out to the dull weather rolling in; My deck is the same as this - I was impressed with the size. I can't wait to have these guys over to mine for a drink or two and return the favour. I note the balustrades here; I am gravitating towards this more traditional look rather than glass... although I like the wire style as seen at Lauras home: Italian style.
In conclusion, here's what I learned:
There are local shops where you don't expect them. You need to know.
Prices are stunningly low if shopping locally for food and drink.
Coffee makes the world go round.
And beer.
You can actually bump into people you know quite randomly.
White goods are expensive.
Large glass items are really expensive.
Cat food is cheap, as is wine.
People are incredibly friendly.
You don't need to be afraid to ask and explore.
Lunch out can cost less than a mars bar, a bag of crisps and a coke in the UK
A full on meal out for three can come in at around a tenner each.
If ordering mussels at Aldina's, just forget the main course....
Driving on the wrong side of the road is only reasonably scary.
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Next Up ... House Update after visit.
