Most of the week we spent running errands and prepping for our move to the apartment in Matosinhos. We met with our attorney. He made us feel really good about our apartment choice. He thinks we got a good deal and a great location. He also assured us he would handle our landlady and we should not worry about her.

We packed up and cleaned up the apartment as much as possible in advance. 

We ordered a bed to be built for the master bedroom and found another bed, mattress, and headboard for the guest room.  We then spent quite a bit of time in the bedding department of El Cotes Inglés department store. A very sweet girl there patiently worked with us to understand sizes and what to buy. Most locals use a flat sheet for both top and bottom. After dealing with the constant re-tucking for nearly two months, we really wanted to find a fitted bottom sheet. They also don’t do comforters like we are accustomed to. They use a duvet and duvet cover. Just choosing between the dozens of filling choices in a wide range of prices was daunting. Somehow, we muddled through it all.

Friday the weather turned gorgeous and we got out to play tourist and take photos. We finally rode the gondola from the Jardim do Morro down to the Vila Nova de Gaia waterfront. We took the funicular up the opposite waterfront and walked all over Porto. We checked out a tile manufacturer with a small shop. We hope to buy some reproductions of traditional Portuguese tiles to use as an accent on our new fireplace. We spent an hour sitting outside at a cozy wine bar watching the people, the cars, the crazy parking, and life in general. It was a great, relaxing day.

Saturday the glorious weather continued and we walked the 3.5 miles along the Douro river on the Vila Nova de Gaia side to the little fishing village of Afurada near the mouth of the river. It was a pleasant walk and charming step back in time. 

Sunday we savored every minute of the beautiful weather. We walked a lot and I took way too many photos. The highlight of the day was just sitting for a couple hours in the park Jardim do Morro people-watching and enjoying the sunset while sipping wine. I can see why it is a tradition with locals and tourists alike. There was such a diversity of people all having a good time. I took several time lapse videos I hope to play with when I get time someday. We now feel rested and recharged for the big “move” week ahead.