New Blog

After all this time, I decided to start a new blog. This will have a bigger focus on my daily routine, habits, problems and hopefully solutions. I will try to give an honest view of my life in the UK as a "Legal Alien". You can find me here  livingalbion.blogspot.com

Hopefully, you will enjoy it!

Christmas in Oxford!

The Christmas fair is here. This is Broad Street. There are twenty something small sheds where we can buy mulled wine, hot dogs, cheese from local producers, toys, churros & chocolate, etc...

It's a really nice place to go in the end of the day if you are into the Christmas mood. 

Flood

Photo taken by myself. Along the river Thames, there are several locks. Forty five, to be more precise. In Oxford, there is one. It's a very popular destination, particularly during the summer. Unfortunately, during the Winter, as you can see, the risk of flood is quite high.

Photo taken by myself. The boat houses are very popular in this region. I wonder how they can cope with the cold and humidity...

New city, New country, New job... a New Life

During the last 4 years, my life changed in a very dramatic way. I'm no longer living in Porto, Portugal. I'm living in the United Kingdom, in the beautiful city of Oxford. I have to confess that initially, my first instinct was to change the Blog's name. However, my photos, my comments, will always be the product of someone raised in Porto. Someone who is deeply proud of the his hometown, of his country, of his ancestors and history. I will never be able to think, to see or to feel the way an englishman do. I'm portuguese. I feel things in different way. Not better, just different.

Photo taken by me. This photo was taken in the Cornmarket Street. Two horses pulling a wagon and advertising a local brewery.

Music from the Andes...

Photo by myself.

Yesterday I went to the downtown. I heard a strange music and saw a small crowd ahead. It was a group of musicians from Peru. One, was wearing some feathers "western style". I think they tried to give some kind of "ethnic glamour". Despite of the nonsense, they played quite well!

Back to work!

Photos by myself.

"Vila Campina" - A great hotel (only 8 rooms). You must book in advance if you want to stay there. Super friendly and professional staff! We loved it, and we will return.

A traditional boat. This photo was taken in the "Parque Natural da Ria Formosa" (a national park), witch has one of the best family beaches of the world (according the Condé Nast Travel magazine).

My holidays are over (at least until the end of September). We went to the south of Portugal (Algarve). It is a very popular summer destination in Europe, with great beaches, warm waters and lots of seafood and fresh fish. This region has a lot of moorish influences (starting by the name "Al garve"). I'm feeling a little bit depressed to be back again and start working...Do you also feel the same? Where did you went on your holidays?

Salamanca

Photos by myself.

This is Salamanca's main square (Plaza Mayor). If you know Venice and it's main square (St. Mark), you will find a lot of resemblances. If you want to have a nice (and expensive) breakfast, a lunch or just watch the crowds, this is the place to be. There are lots of small coffee shops, and you will watch the people choosing different spots according the hour (the sun and the heat will literally melt you down), always looking for the shadow.

Here, you can see my son, watching the river Douro (the spanish call it "Duero"), on the bathroom window. Even he (he's just 3), was amazed by the beauty and the serenity of the hotel.

A long weekend

Photo by myself.

We went for a few days to Salamanca, Spain. We've found a wonderful hotel, named "Hacienda Zorita". It's located near the city of Salamanca, and it's known both for it's wine production and for being the place where Colombo slept before going to Madrid ask for the navy fleet to the Queen Isabela. I took this photo inside a little church, and as you can see, there are a lot of wine barrels inside!!! It's an old tradition of the Dominicans monks. The hotel also has a great restaurant with 2 stars of the Michelin Guide (yummy!!!). If you can can, you should try this!

The big green wall

Photo by myself.

This photo was taken near the sport center (Palácio de Cristal - "Crystal Palace). The gardeners made a natural fence, using granite blocks and plants. It worked just fine. You can see behind the plants part of the sport center building (it looks like an UFO!).

Another foggy friday

Photo by myself.

It's friday! This is August and the weather sucks! How is this possible? At least today is friday (only 1 more week at the clinic!). I hope you have a terrific weekend, with an excellent weather and good company (I know I will, at least the company part). Enjoy!

Another sunset...

Photo by myself.

This is a strange (although beautiful sunset). During the summer months it's normal to watch sunsets like this one, with a purple and orange mist.

I will work until the 14th of August, then I'll take 2 weeks of holiday. I don't know yet, where are we going to, but I would like to make a road trip to the french atlantic coast. Let's wait and see... And you? Are you on holiday? Where are you going to?

The fishermen's club

Photo by myself.

This photo was taken near a jetty. During the XIX century, this jetty was used by the sailors to unload the boats. Nowadays is used mostly by fishermen (and tourists). During the summer months it is normal to see some kids jumping from there to the sea. Since the summer is away on holiday, the kids choose (wisely) to stay at home. So I can only offer a photo of the fishermen club.

Today at midnight GMT +0, we will watch a partial eclipse of the moon. I think it can be see in all regions of the world. Enjoy!

The last Macho Man!

Photo by myself.

I went for a walk, a few days ago. I saw this "specimen" sleeping with his speedos on. This is probably the lost link of the evolution of man. He doesn't need a pillow ( the shoes will do fine) or a towel (the granite is soft enough for him).

Fast food - Porto's style

Photo by myself.

When I want to eat something delicious without thinking about calories or fat, I ask for a "Francesinha" and a cold beer ( http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francesinha ) This is a kind of hot sandwich, with two slices of fresh bread, a slice of ham, a steak (veal), two or three different types of cold meats, lots of cheese, a extremely spicy hot sauce (to melt the cheese) and an egg on top. If you want I can leave a recipe of it!

Guess who's coming?

Photo by myself.

Ok. It's July. The sky is blue and it's hot outside. I go to the balcony and guess who's coming? FOG! The fog and the north wind are always present during the summer months. Maybe that's the reason why are so many english living in the city (lol). Happy weekend!

An old woman.

Photo by myself.

The beach is always a popular destination among the elders. I saw this old lady doing hers "hygienic morning walk". It's quite normal to see the elders, during the morning, walking or running by the beach. I think it's never to late to get fit...

Old town

Photo by myself.

You can see here an ancient square. We call it the "Lion's Square" for obvious reasons. A few years ago it was a very busy commercial area. Nowadays, it's used essentially by students (there's a medical college and the university central services near by).

Two cities, one bridge.

Photo by myself.

The story of Porto is full of episodes related to the sea, the river, and the bridges. When this bridge was build, lots of people from everyplace in the world, came to see the bridge collapse during the inauguration day! As you can see, that didn't happen! In the XIX century, during the Napoleonic invasions, the french army was halted in the city, by the destruction of the "ponte das barcas" (a bridge made of several boats linked together). To feed the portuguese and the english army, the people of Porto ate the animal's (cows) guts, giving the meat to the soldiers. That's why today, we are known as the "Tripeiros" (or gut eater), and we are proud of it!

Porto by night

Photo by myself.

I took this photo yesterday. With a night like this, I'm sure we are going to have a glorious weekend!

The old customs house

Photo by myself.

The big building on the left side of the river, is the old customs house. Nowadays is very popular convention centre. On the right side of the river lies the city of Vila Nova de Gaia. The two cities are separated by the river Douro. This area is very popular among the tourists since they can go to the wine cellars for FREE port wine proofs! Do you know Port wine? Do you like it? Have a great weekend!