Our Two Portugal “Home Exchanges” - 3 July

We are so lucky! Both Linda’s and Elsa’s homes are just so perfect - we couldn’t have hoped for such incredible home exchanges.

Linda’s apartment is in Lisbon (she lives in Los Angeles). Actually, it is just over the river from the city centre but it is still very much central city life... its has a real buzz and everyone lives a social life out on the streets, spilling out from the dozens of little bars/cafes/shops surrounding the apartment. We arrived on 1st July (after a hair-raising drive) and were met by the neighbours Jorge and Celeste. They speak very little English but are so welcoming and affectionate, it didn’t matter that none of us understood a word. Celeste continually smothers the kids with kisses and Jorge is so helpful ... this has since been our experience with everyone we have met here. Isobel described the bottom floor apartment as looking like a hotel and that’s a pretty good description as Linda has recently completely renovated the apartment and it is sparklingly new - we’re the first to use the dishwasher & TV! We’ll return to Lisbon on the 10th July.

Elsa’s home in The Algarve, Southern Portugal, is the complete opposite. It is in a tiny winding village called Mexilhoeira Grande (pronounced “Mesh-l-yeah-ra Grand-ee”) where the streets are impossibly narrow (just to add to the crazy driving). The home is a deceiving ... from the street, it looks tiny... just a door on street-level. But after you enter, some old dark wooden stairs take you up to the house which is very traditional with low doors and high white-washed raked ceilings. Antiques and timber floors remain but fresh new bathrooms and kitchen benches make it very comfortable. And so much room – its deceiving. We are very comfortable.