When I set out on this sabbatical, my biggest apprehension was that I would not make any friends. This is not because I am particularly unsocial or painfully shy. I can talk to people and natter away, but I do not know how to take it to the next level after. How do you ask…
Surfing in Ericeira – Beginners
As mentioned in my previous post, surfing was the predominant reason we arrived in Ericeira. It very quickly transpired however, that surfing in Ericeira was not going to be like surfing in Biarritz. In fact, for the best part of my first week, I was not sure I was going to be able to surf…
Ericeira – A low season love affair
Ah, Ericeira. Cobbled streets winding through blue and white houses, where surfers rub shoulders with fishermen and the atmosphere is generally mellow. I arrived in Ericeira at the beginning of November when the town is particularly sleepy and easy going. As with Biarritz, the town had been picked because of its surfing potential; Ericeira is…
Arriving in Portugal
France was an amazing first port of call on our sabbatical adventure. I would not have changed it for all the world, but as the weather started to change, and the days got shorter, we both felt the time to fly south for the winter was upon us. While we had loved our time in…
Buying your first Surfboard
5 lessons I learned when I bought my first board Buying a surfboard must be one of the most exciting things you can do. Even the simple act of browsing surfboards, touching the smooth surfaces and admiring the different designs can leave you excited and lustful. I bought my surfboard as a treat to myself,…
Basque Coastal Explorations
A non-surfing adventure along the coast of France’s Pays Basque – Le Sentier du Littoral It is easy (especially if you are surfing) to come to Biarritz and not explore the region at all. Biarritz offers a wide enough variety of things to do, and if you mosey up to Anglet or into Bayonne for…
A note about Biarritz
I have been based in Portugal since the beginning of November, so it is very easy to forget the month of October that we spent in Biarritz, acclimatising to our new life. It is however, a huge disservice to Biarritz to simply say that it was a stepping stone in our adventure. Biarritz has always…
Getting Started (part 2)
So, previously I wrote about getting started and made it sound like a sabbatical was granted and *poof* I was in Portugal. As with all things, the reality within the cut-to sequence was infinitely more varied and yes, stressful. The apartment packing was exactly like every apartment packing has ever been since the beginning of…
Getting Started
“We have talked to HR, but they say it is not the time to be offering sabbaticals, they cannot guarantee you your job in one year’s time” The words came from my brutally honest and extremely supportive manager. The month is July, the year 2018 and I am sitting with my Head of Section and…
Melusina Surfs 