8 years today, since we drove across the border between Spain and Portugal in our campervan, and caught our first glimpse of our new home country. It was just after 7.30pm, and the sun was coming down but the smell of eucalyptus and pine was still heavy in the humid air. We left from Devon on the 15th September in our camper van, said goodbye to our lovely colleagues with whom we had worked and volunteered with for over 5 years, and got on the road. We took the Plymouth-Santander ferry to Spain and we stood on deck and watched the UK vanish from view. We came over as a family of 4 and 14 months later became a family of 5. Thanks Portugal for keeping us safe. What a wonderful place to raise a family. 💗 So much gratitude! 💗

Re: https://www.skool.com/gmp-vips-1236/portuguese-citizenship-test-12?p=c812aaa6 and with thanks to @Debby Bradford (See Pic) What else has happened for you?! Me: 'Torrada (pao de forma)' became 'Pao com doce' HOW ON EARTH?! (See video)

https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2025-09-19/study-on-the-effect-of-alcohol-on-learning-foreign-languages-wins-ig-nobel-prize/887070

Even after 8 years in Portugal (we celebrated last Friday), I still hesitated as I stepped up to the WC in the restaurant. Some years ago I ended up in the IKEA women's toilet, misunderstanding the 'S' (or 'M') on the door, and I will never forget the look on the ladies' faces, as a I emerged from a stall, having entered an empty 'casa de banho'. There's confusion, and there's old habits too. Like nearly getting into the WRONG side of the car to drive, only yesterday, even after all these years of driving in Portugal. Learning a new language and adjusting to the culture is a gradual process! We need to stretch ourselves AND be kind to ourselves, as we adjust and settle in. Here's something that might help with a bit of a giggle (AND here's a little help in the CLASSROOM, if you want to push yourself and make your Portuguese POP!)