27th May CASTELO BRANCO

Wood is incredibly expensive here – Mark has been pricing up roof beams, floor joists and planking (which has saved us a boring job); so we’ve decided to rethink our veranda. Originally we were planning on decking with wooden rails; now we’re thinking of a tiled veranda (same tiles as the house) with a block built wall surround, which we can render and paint the same colour as the house, then I can put potted plants on it (pelargoniums).

We’ve finished the cherries (apart from the cooked ones for my breakfast tomorrow), so I think we might have to have another trip to Fundao this week.