about us
We are Richard and Jackie. We met while teaching English as a foreign language at the British Council in Vietnam. From there we continued working for the British Council in Tunisia, Thailand and then Jordan, where Richard managed the Teaching Centre and Jackie wrote books for Macmillan Education.
Our lives changed when we went on holiday to central Portugal in May 2009. We had both wanted to live in the countryside and grow our own food and we were both interested in sustainable living. We found a decrepit farmhouse in need of much tlc and decided to just go for it there and then. We moved to Portugal in September 2009 and by July 2010 we had moved into our new home.
We also have an interest in websites. In addition to this blog, we have a record of all our travels at globalwanderings and we have a site for learners and teachers of English as a foreign language called podcastsinenglish.com.
This blog is the continuing record of all the trials and tribulations of our new life in Portugal. We hope you enjoy it!
Hello Jackie and Richard,
I just found your blog and signed up right away.
In one of our own blog posts I have collected all the nice blogs of emigrants in Portugal. I have added your blog to that too. https://www.asrolhas.com/en/blogs-portugal-2/
I hope that’s ok.
Cumps, Lydia
Thanks for the addition. Some great blogs there. Some old some new but it’s always interesting to see how people are getting along. Good luck!
Hi! Richard, we met on a plane to Eritrea in 2001 I believe it was. I have never forgotten your incredible kindness. Was thinking about you recently, and am sorry we lost touch. But I was so happy to see you here, and see you looking well and happy, and still out and about in the world! All the best! Marlene, St. John’s, Newfoundland, Canada
Hi Marlene, I remember you well. 20 years ago, Wow! Sorry about the lateness of the reply, I’ve just spotted the post. It would be great to find out a bit more of what you are up to now.
Richard