Silvercoast friends

After months of oohing and aahing about it, I finally made an effort to meet some other Expats in the area. I had heard about a Ladies coffee morning in Obidos, that's run by a couple of English ladies. I was really curious about it and dying for a chat...anyone who is struggling with their Portuguese would know what I mean!
So to day I ventured out in something that looked more like a day back in Surrey, rather than a day in sunny Portugal....
But as I reached the hotel in Obidos I was greeted by a lobby full of English speaking ladies sipping coffee and chatting away... Just as I imagined it, but to be honest, I had imagined a few more scones and shortbread, but nothing like that. Just a big group of smiley tanned ladies drinking coffee. Everybody was so friendly and helpful, everybody with their own story. Many of the ladies have lived in Portugal for a lot longer than what I have. All this experience in one room...can you imagine what a resource.
I could not believe that all these women are living in this area, I think we were about 25 people, and there is apparently even more members.
This coffee morning is just one part of a full packed agenda, organised by Silvercoast Friends. They also organise tennis, swimming, walks and I believe there is even a drama group.
I thoroughly enjoyed myself, although I found it daunting to go there on my own... I think it might become a regular feature in my diary.

Thank you Wendy & Joyce, for welcoming me as a member.

www.expathive.com

Have we found our Paradise?

I have lived in Sweden and UK and now my life has taken me to Portugal. My family and I arrived here on a very hot September day last year. It felt like we were on holiday the first couple of weeks, we were off to the beach every day, weather was fantastic and we were trying out all the little fish restaurants in Peniche.
That's our chosen area, the outskirts of Peniche, with all it's fantastic surf beaches, Consolacao, Supertubos and Baleal, to name a few.

We have been living in a little town/village called San Bernadino for the last six months. We have really grown to like this lovely little village by the sea, with all it's happy farmers and cabbage fields. A ten minutes walk takes us to the most beautiful little bay, which is San Bernadino Beach.

We have recently purchased a house in Casais Brancos, seven kilometers away. It lies between Obidos and Peniche, a pretty little village. A little piece of true Portugal, we fell in love with the village the first time we saw it. It has the most stunning country views, and if that was not enough stunning sea views as well! It's only seven kilometers to the beach, but it still feels like you are really out in the country. I'm really looking forward to settle in and getting to know the locals.

www.expathive.com