Grateful thanks to @Michael e Catharine Whitby and @Hugh Forestier-Walker for their heads-up and dedication to this cheesy chapter in our Portuguese lives, at what promised to be a “stinker of a day” (Michael)! It was a great moment for Viseu, hosting the "world’s largest cheese competition", which culminated in a Portuguese cheese taking the crown - an Amanteigado from Guarda - a cheese that reportedly "stands alone", which might be just as well for the faint of heart and nose! Insiders say the local and blessed cheese-makers "Brie-sed" it, whilst fellow competitors bowed out, saying: "we Camembert the pressure". In a subsequent plot-twist, a bit of a "stink" (Catherine) ensued, as it seems "the British cheeses (247 of them) were held up in customs and therefore missed the competition", a source told Good Morning Portugal! Fearing an international incident, Welsh cheese producers present urged fellow dairy delight makers to avoid jumping to conclusions and "proceed Caerphilly", until the facts were established. Time will tell if this is a case of 'hard cheese' for the Brits, as we of course congratulate the winners, who must be milking it right now, and celebrating their Kraft. More about the event On instagram

Thanks to @Phil Ruff for this tip-off. What do you think?

Because there is crime in Portugal (it's not a paradise...), I'll place some ocasional news about the subject here. Seven people were convicted to prison (7Y9M to 16 years) for a total of 36 robberies. They robbed houses, with old folks inside, and businesses, perpetrated in the districts of Coimbra and Aveiro in early 2022.https://www.jn.pt/3644566357/sete-dos-15-arguidos-do-caso-teia-dourada-condenados-a-prisao/

Offensive images? I heard on the grapevine that a group, including some foreigners, want these cheeky illustrations removed from the waterways of Aveiro. What do you think?

Ola! 😊 I recently had tea with some friends. Our conversation organically evolved to understanding the finer stokes of Portuguese culture. Questions like: KINDNESS 1. How do you reciprocate with Portuguese friends for the kindness shown? 2. Do you reciprocate? Some were told you don't. My daughter was told you come in to help when it is needed. FRIENDSHIP 1. Are there cultural codes and expectations that guide friendships with Portuguese friends? POOR SERVICE 1. Are there methods, other than the red book, to express dissatisfaction with poor service? BEING A GUEST 1. What is a culturally appropriate gift to take? 2. Is taking wine offensive to the host? One friend was told it is! 3. Is there a norm on the type and size of gift that would mean not outshing the host? DIFFERENCES 1. Are there differences in cultural expressions (eg. around the above questions) in Portugal? I quickly realized I need much, much more diving in to the beautiful Portuguese culture I live in and much, much more participation with Portuguese friends. The best way to integrate is spend more time with our Portuguese friends. I would love to hear your experiences! @Carl Munson would it be at all possible to hear from our Portuguese friends on your GMP show? Muita obrigada pela ajuda! 😊