A little context...

 I often get asked why we moved our little operation to Portugal.

France had been far better than Italy's feudal administration however the regulatory environment was still cumbersome and outsourcing work difficult. When we arrived in our little town in was completely rural but by the time we left SUV's and BMWs over ran the roads. It had become more common to hear english and dutch in the summer market than French and so we had to put the adios to it.

 Over two months and 10,000km were spent in exploration searching for a combination of practicality, lifestyle and the ability to get work done - an elusive target.

Tamega River

We began along the German border at the heart of the EU - Strasburg - and went south. 

Strasbourg

We explored many locations and cities including Dijon, Strasbourg, Mulhouse, Grenoble and Valence. We also looked at Switzerland and Germany - Offenburg, and Freiburg. 

Mulhouse

Italy and France had been lovely for lifestyle but proved unreasonable for growing a business. Part of the the exploration was to see if being in or right next to Germany could facilitate getting some work done.

Valence

Then we moved inland to see what a small isolated city of Roman origins would offer.

Valence Sunday Market

Valence had the lifestyle. Situated on the cusp of southern France, on a the main Roman north/south passage, rich in history and lifestyle. Despite it being off the beaten track it was still too expensive - surprisingly so. The Sunday market was a celebration of latin lifestyle and community.

Having exhausted our proposed explorations without positive result we opened the reserve kit and headed to Portugal.

We drove across France and Spain. When we reached Portugal we crossed the bridge of wishes. (Each ribbon is someone's wish). 

Like going back in time, people here were more authentic, kinder and had more time and patience. Experiencing the difference contrasted the agenda much of the modern world insists upon. Like in DH Lawrence's Rocking Horse Winner, everyone has money, or rather the perceived lack of it, on their minds. The scheme for getting it, keeping, being recognised for it, distracting people from the appreciation of their lives - winding up with sand in their hands at the end when it is too late - "...now and at the hour of our death". Amen

We started in the North of Portugal with the intention of working our way no more than half way down. The southern part having been infiltrated by the above. The far north was too sparse for work so on to Porto.

Porto

As lovely as it is, Porto is still a big city. Nice to visit - wouldn't want to live there, however living near there is another thing. ;)

Lamego. Having been around since 1143, where the first King of Portugal was coronated as well as near the Douro Valley where the grapes for Port wine are grown - we went to see it.

Lamego

By this time we were liking Portugal considerably better then anything we had seen before. It came as no surprise that the largest demographic group of immigrants are currently the French.

Lamego

Nearby was Regua, a small city where Port wine is consolidated from the hills, stored and shipped down river to Porto. Here we found the first property we could afford and which could serve the manufacture, living and business requirements.

For Sale

View from proposed property in Regua

We became a bit excited with this large wine storage building which had been converted into an over sized bodega. We began the acquisition engagement process and in the mean time continued to explore. Guimarães, further north, was on the exploration agenda - we wanted to be diligent.

Douro Valley

We took the small roads in the hope of discovery and were not disappointed. The river valley, small towns, and small mountains under and open sky all spoke of promise.

We booked a room for the night halfway to our destination in a small city called Amarante which has origins in the state age and so is one of the most ancient settlements in northern Portugal. It was officially founded in history books in 360 BC by a Roman Centurian. It sits on the banks of the Tamega river.

The view from the little B&B "stopover" on our way to Guimarães. We wound up staying a week.

Amarante Bridge

It was charming and with a twist - there was a long history of wood production - plywoods and other processed wood boards and was originally the main provider of these materials to Ikea as it grew to become the world's largest furniture manufacturer. It just so happens that our main products are made of plywood. 🤔

Amarante Main Street

Amarante also has a proactive business development program which was instrumental to our decision.

Views of the Corpus Christi celebration.

Our favourite restaurant which serves the proceeds of their own farm. 

Work hard and play hard in a beautiful, rustic environment. We found the resonance we were looking for.

We applied for and were accepted to the business incubation project - IET for workspace, developmental assistance and business networking.

Work assistant and inspector.

The moon on an evening stroll.

Ponte de São Gonçalo where the French invaders were repelled in 1809.

Long story short we found a lovely house which had the work and living space we were looking for. (perhaps another post on this later...) All the pieces fit into place and we felt lucky to find such a place - after two months and 10,000km... ;)

("When I work fourteen hours a day, seven days a week, I tend to get lucky." - Armand Hammer)

Amarante has been UNESCO's City of Music since 2017.

Music is what we do...

Until next time....