24° in Nadadouro 13° in Portreath
Today we've encountered Portuguese bureaucracy and a complete language barrier. We're trying to register ourselves as residents. We went to the village government office and got our Atestao de Residencias. All's good. Then off to the city hall to repeat the process! Don't know why but we had too. So the lady at reception knows no English (why should she i suppose) and sends us to the tourist info office next door. Obviously, no joy (though we did get J a bus timetable for school!) So we decide to change our address on our fiscal numbers first (like our NI nos). Queue for 10 minutes only to be told to go back to city hall. At this point pad in hand i demand the kind council officer should write down in Portuguese what we require. Back to receptionist who smiles and points us over the way. Just where we started! Phew! I've got to learn this language better. Dave's brilliant and just nods and says yes to everything. I think the residents think we're stupid and/or simple.
Jacob has successfully completed his first week at school. 3 days work from 8.30 till 6 seems like a long school day, especially as all the lessons are in Portuguese, but he's gone each day with a smile on his face. However he has 2 half days so it all works out, especially as he finishes at 12.30 on Friday. We're so proud of him as you can imagine. He's had 3 Portuguese language lessons too, and comes up with 'bom dia' and 'nao' at random moments. As a treat we've done quite a bit of beach pursuits, as the weather is still scorchio and the sea warmish.
I'm very excited as yesterday our mate Cei serviced the gas boiler and we now have warm showers and a gas hob to cook on! Oh joy of joys, you won't believe what a difference this makes to my life! So as i type, my Dave is plumbing in the washing machine and Jacob is assembling flat pack chairs from IKEA. So not only do i smell great but soon my clothes will too!! No only joking, it's not that bad, especially if you saw the amount of clothes i crammed into our van to bring, but every new little luxury helps.
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