Our whole back story would be excruciatingly long and boring so, suffice to say, we are a family of 4 and in July 2010 we moved our family from Lincolnshire, England to Lagos, Portugal.
So why the Algarve?
Well, for one thing, they actually GET a summer!! You know, that time of year when the sun is supposed to shine?? Remember??
Seriously, we’d considered moving for years but it was only after a 4 week trip to Australia for Christmas 2009 ( details about that here in our Hand Family Oz Blog ), to visit a few places and also Nik’s cousin’s family, who emigrated there in 2007(?) that we decided to make serious plans to look into it.
Nik’s sister had lived in the Algarve since 2002 and has a family there so we’d visited previously and thought we might like it. Recent events have led to her returning to the UK, with her young son, however I think that, after 9 months here, it is fairly safe to say we shall NOT be following her there too!
That’s as good a reason as any, right?
Right!
If you want to read from the start of my blog, you’ll need to venture right back to the beginning, February 2010. For ease, link HERE
And a few more links at various stages.
After the move – July 2010
12 months on – July 2011
2 years in Portugal – June 2012
3 year marker – July 2013
4 years on – July 2014
How it all ended – December 2014
And how life has changed …
And now, as this blog draws to a close, keep up to date with our new blog.
It’s not all sun, sea and surf, but it’s how our lives are going… if you’re at all interested!
CONTACTING US
It’d never occurred to me before really that my little blog might need a contact form, but, having received a number of “contact requests” through comments on blog entries lately, I figure maybe it’d be advantageous to add a contact form.
Hi, Ive been readin your blog with interest, particularly to how your chilldren have coped with the move. We are leaving the UK (Lincolnshire also) to move to Sao Martinho Do Porto onthe 12th october with my two boys (aged 3 1/2, and 3 months!), fiance and cat to start a new life. I am keen to get Isaac into pre school as soon as we land. Did your boys adjust quickley? To be honest he is my biggest concern. hes a bright, sociable boy who loves being with other children so I am sure he will be fine. I guess we just have to throw him in at the deep end and watch! Looking forward to joining you in Portugal! Jennie
We also moved this year just me and my husband a little inland Ourique about 40 minutes from Albufeira, it has taken a bit of getting used to and have been back to England 3 times this year for short trips but i would not go back. Best of luck
Lovely blog 😉 Congrats!
I’ve just awarded you the Liebster Award! And you SO deserve it!
Click here to find out more then enjoy!!!!
http://algarveblog.net/2012/02/01/special-awards/
Round of applause and load cheering 🙂 🙂
and lots of love xxx
erm that was LOUD cheering – too early in the morning for me!
but you can have loads of cheering too !!
I think your blog is great so I’ve given you the Versatile Blogger Award:
http://juliedawnfox.com/2012/03/15/yet-another-award/
Fabulous blog .. loving reading it .. you are an inspiration !
Thanks for building out this website. I recently visited Lagos for the first time this past March. I can see how living here would just be amazing! Very peaceful places.
One of the best things we did was take the boat tour to the gratos (It only cost about $15 USD) per person. Easily the best $15 I spent on the trip. Here’s a video I shot and put on youtube of our tour.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ob-Suyl-Hxk
Just stumbled upon your blog – well done , it is very inspiring. What business do you guys manage to tick over in the UK whilst managing to live in Portugal?
Hi,
This is Nadia, Website Director at Go Overseas. We recently updated our Top Blog badges, and as one of our top voted bloggers, here is the updated code for Top Blogs in Portugal:
Congratulations again, and let me know if you have any other questions.
Best,
Nadia
I do hope that you will accept the brand new Blog of the Year 2012 Award which I have bestowed upon your blog – you can read my award ceremony post here ‘Blog of the Year 2012 Award’ http://algarveblog.net/2012/10/24/blog-of-the-year-2012-award-its-award-time/ Thank you for entertaining and informing me this year – and Congratulations!