Today is our last day on the N2 and we’re travelling from Gois to Abrantes. It has been a most wonderful journey and today we go over the Tagus River. We started by visiting Serta which we liked a lot, particularly the countryside around the town and this is definitely a possibility for buying a piece of land. We walk round a fair bit of Serta and like the town. Not ‘fall in love’ like, but like nonetheless.
Serta though was not likely to be the highlight of this day. That was to be our very first visit to a piece of land. A potential home forever in a foreign country. We had found it online and it was in a small village called Penhascoso which is 5 minutes from Macao. This is a real Portuguese village, well off the beaten track and we have planned to be there early to have a good look round. It is an exciting time, and I can’t really believe that Kimberley and I are really here and really looking around a real piece of land. Oadby – where we were locked up or locked down – seems a long time ago as we drive through the little village.
We so want to fall in love with this place, but we don’t. The village is just not right. The property is not quite right. The area is not quite right. The estate agent however is lovely and through his daughter, who is interpreting for us, we find out all sorts of useful information about the industry, the process of buying, and dealing with a camara or local council planning office as it would be in the UK.
The visit did help us clarify a number of key areas, although not as we hoped. Firstly, the view is the most important thing ahead of everything, then comes the piece of land as regards the shape and aspect. We do not want to be in a village, we want to be just outside one. We want to be within 30 to 40 minutes of a town. We want to get a good vibe from the area. Also, only by visiting, can you appreciate a piece of land, feel its depth and potential and place your house in your mind’s eye and see if it works. You know the sort of thing. Can you see yourself on the veranda, on your rocking chair, shotgun across your lap (not really), looking out at the view?
After saying our goodbyes, we head down from Macao to Abrantes and over the Tagus which was the moment when the N2 for this trip came to an end. Well, it would have done except that we had missed a bit out in going to Macao, so we headed back up to the point that is designated as the centre of Portugal. It is at the top of a very steep hill and the views are truly exceptional. Tired and happy, we decide to stop in Vila De Rei which has a very nice parking area and an even nicer diner for supper. The N2 has been a special time for us, and we are so grateful that we could take the time to enjoy it. Well, the top half anyway.
Night night all.