Carmel Brennan

It’s an absolutely stunning day today; the sun is bright and warm like it’s going up to 19 -with the sun it just feels lovely. Perfect as a  matter fact; I’m really enjoying my time here.  I am watching YouTube videos on how to do watercolour. Yes, I am going to get to it but…

I’m sitting here at the edge of the beach about 8 km north of Vila Nova de Milfontes. I went into the town to acquire a knee brace at the pharmacy; my knee is giving me grief. Hopefully it works. I forgot to pack mine back in Sunderland, one of the several things I could…

Happy Valentine’s Day to everyone. It’s Tuesday and it’s bright and sunny today.it’s going up to 18! Right now it’s about 16° but the sun outside makes me feel warm already. It’s lovely to take a quieter day. I’m not sure what I’m doing today other than make a cup of tea  first. That’s a…

My plan today was to head south, which is where I am now. I am in Sagres, which is a town right at the most southern part of Portugal, even Europe. Actually it is the most western side of the Algarve as well. This is a surfers’ haven; everything is about surfing because the winds…

I was asked, why I chose this area, the Costa Vincentina. I had read about the Rota Vincentina, the mass of trails that goes around this area, inland on the fisherman‘s trail and along the coast. There is almost 800 km of intertwining trails that appeal to me. In my head, I’m still able to…

I woke at eight in the morning. I actually could’ve slept more but I have a timetable today. It’s amazing how comfortable I am sleeping here. I needed to get my tea, get dressed and get down to the bus station. I brought along my backpack and my poles just in case. I waited about…

I’ve now been here 10 days. I’m sitting inside Restaurante Rita looking out over the ocean for the last hour. There’s been four surfers out there in the water. (Look for the little dark marks in the water) I thought they were large birds at first bobbing on the water. It’s only 15° (63F) and…

I’m at the end of another long day. It’s only about 8 o’clock at night. I’ve got the fireplace set to keep me warm and that’s working, sparking away. I’m trying to think of what I did today. I know eating is one of the essential habits! I figured out how to get pictures into…

It’s much colder here today. I came down to town at noon to get a bus ticket for Lisbon but I can’t get it until Friday. Apparently that’s too far in advance to book! Breaking all my self-imposed restrictions I am adjusting for comfort!! I am going to rent a car and need to get…

I can hear the waves much stronger this morning, even though there’s a block of trees between me and the water. I noticed it louder in the early evening last night and then checking on Toronto news I noticed that there was an earthquake in Buffalo area, just a mild one, and there was apparently…