http://goisproperty.co.uk/ We hope this will give you a better idea of the Góis region, as it is one of the most beautiful areas in Central Portugal. Business Business News en Copyright 2008 info@goisproperty.com (Richard land) richard@goisproperty.com Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:31:44 GMT Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:31:44 GMT RSS DreamFeeder v 2.2.0 Yesterday we had the very great pleasure of joining Professor Simões’ family and friends for an ‘almoço do convívio’ (communal lunch) in his home village of Ponte do Sótão. We gathered outside the ‘Casa do Povo’ (People’s House) for a delicious feast of sardines and grilled squid provided by the ‘King of Sardines’ from Porto. Yesterday we had the very great pleasure of joining Professor Simões’ family and friends for an ‘almoço do convívio’ (communal lunch) in his home village of Ponte do Sótão. We gathered outside the ‘Casa do Povo’ (People’s House) for a delicious feast of sardines and grilled squid provided by the ‘King of Sardines’ from Porto. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Tue, 19 Aug 2008 16:31:04 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1219163505002:5580431902716498:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml Góis is in recovery today from the weekend’s huge excitement of the annual motorbike festival. I feel about the festival a bit like I do about Christmas – I await its coming for several weeks beforehand with anticipation and a certain amount of apprehension, enjoy the fun of the event itself, then feel great relief when it is all over and I know it will be another whole year before it happens again! For two and a half days the town is invaded by motorbikes and bikers of all shapes, sizes and ages, who come to meet up, admire each other’s machines, and party. The stage is set (literally) for three nights of entertainment, and attendant stalls of merchandise and tattooing services line the riverside, along with doughnut and hot-dog vendors and plentiful ‘Sagres’ bars. Góis is in recovery today from the weekend’s huge excitement of the annual motorbike festival. I feel about the festival a bit like I do about Christmas – I await its coming for several weeks beforehand with anticipation and a certain amount of apprehension, enjoy the fun of the event itself, then feel great relief when it is all over and I know it will be another whole year before it happens again! For two and a half days the town is invaded by motorbikes and bikers of all shapes, sizes and ages, who come to meet up, admire each other’s machines, and party. The stage is set (literally) for three nights of entertainment, and attendant stalls of merchandise and tattooing services line the riverside, along with doughnut and hot-dog vendors and plentiful ‘Sagres’ bars. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Mon, 18 Aug 2008 19:26:00 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1219087617414:5760632132161503:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml Richard’s Blog: We have been extremely busy over the last few days recording stories from the freguesia of Alvares, photographing the villages and people of the region. Yesterday I was a little closer to home, attending the folkloric dancing display at FACIG, which is a local festival held annually in the town of Góis. I hope the following photos give some flavour of the event. Richard’s Blog: We have been extremely busy over the last few days recording stories from the freguesia of Alvares, photographing the villages and people of the region. Yesterday I was a little closer to home, attending the folkloric dancing display at FACIG, which is a local festival held annually in the town of Góis. I hope the following photos give some flavour of the event. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Tue, 12 Aug 2008 21:20:11 GMT Richard manual:1218576043280:906483091951069:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml August 1st STOP PRESS !! We are delighted to announce that both Anna and Patricia were successful in the InCI Real Estate exam, and this means that we are now well on our way to becoming the first legal and licensed property company in the Góis region. August 1st STOP PRESS !! We are delighted to announce that both Anna and Patricia were successful in the InCI Real Estate exam, and this means that we are now well on our way to becoming the first legal and licensed property company in the Góis region. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Fri, 01 Aug 2008 16:09:23 GMT Anna and Patricia manual:1217606993546:649537969250097:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml How quickly the time passes in the summer holidays – I realise to my shame that a LONG time has passed since my last blog entry, and struggle to remember exactly what we have been doing. Of course the answer is that we have been enjoying ourselves, taking life a bit easy and soaking in the sun, which is surely what the summer is all about! How quickly the time passes in the summer holidays – I realise to my shame that a LONG time has passed since my last blog entry, and struggle to remember exactly what we have been doing. Of course the answer is that we have been enjoying ourselves, taking life a bit easy and soaking in the sun, which is surely what the summer is all about! http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Tue, 29 Jul 2008 21:02:33 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1217365384109:3824197572028545:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml Last night we enjoyed a real treat down at the Largo do Pombal in Góis – for the finale of the annual GóisArte festival, an outdoor performance was staged of the comic opera “As Damas Trocadas” (“The Changed Ladies”). The Largo, which has been recently renovated (and should rightly now be called the ‘Largo Francisco Inácio Dias Nogueira’– but Largo do Pombal is easier to remember!) was transformed by full theatrical lighting into a stage set, atmospherically decorated by dozens of flickering oil lamps placed around the square. Knowing nothing about the opera or the performers we were unsure what to expect, but from the opening bars of piano music we knew it was going to be something good, and for the best part of two hours we were transported by an excellent performance from a most professional company. Last night we enjoyed a real treat down at the Largo do Pombal in Góis – for the finale of the annual GóisArte festival, an outdoor performance was staged of the comic opera “As Damas Trocadas” (“The Changed Ladies”). The Largo, which has been recently renovated (and should rightly now be called the ‘Largo Francisco Inácio Dias Nogueira’– but Largo do Pombal is easier to remember!) was transformed by full theatrical lighting into a stage set, atmospherically decorated by dozens of flickering oil lamps placed around the square. Knowing nothing about the opera or the performers we were unsure what to expect, but from the opening bars of piano music we knew it was going to be something good, and for the best part of two hours we were transported by an excellent performance from a most professional company. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Mon, 14 Jul 2008 13:17:19 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1216041470094:5615520125742941:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml The village of Campêlo sits on a ridge above Vila Nova do Ceira. The narrow road runs through the village lined by new and old houses. The older houses were built from large pink and yellow sandstone blocks, hauled by oxen from Olho de Marinho. The hill above the village is called Serra da Santa Quitéria, and in the past, this was common land. The village of Campêlo sits on a ridge above Vila Nova do Ceira. The narrow road runs through the village lined by new and old houses. The older houses were built from large pink and yellow sandstone blocks, hauled by oxen from Olho de Marinho. The hill above the village is called Serra da Santa Quitéria, and in the past, this was common land. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Vila-Nova-do-Ceira-Villages/Campelo.html Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:39:57 GMT Richard land manual:1215812437362:9438986626570798:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml Chapinheira is the most northerly village in the region of Góis and straddles two of the neighbouring concelhos (Arganil and Vila Nova de Poiares). The buildings in the village are more spread out than in many of the other villages of the region. Chapinheira is the most northerly village in the region of Góis and straddles two of the neighbouring concelhos (Arganil and Vila Nova de Poiares). The buildings in the village are more spread out than in many of the other villages of the region. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Vila-Nova-do-Ceira-Villages/Chapinheira.html Fri, 11 Jul 2008 21:35:17 GMT Richard Land manual:1215812185570:1095:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml July 10th This is the season for visitors, both personal and holiday-makers. The delights of the area attract people back from the cities at this time of the year – many returning to their family homes in the villages for their holidays. Festas are taking place throughout July and August in many villages, in honour of the patron saints, and the villages are festooned with colourful decorations as they prepare for dancing and partying. The local festa is often the highlight of the year, and can bring back together scattered families for a celebration of traditional life. July 10th This is the season for visitors, both personal and holiday-makers. The delights of the area attract people back from the cities at this time of the year – many returning to their family homes in the villages for their holidays. Festas are taking place throughout July and August in many villages, in honour of the patron saints, and the villages are festooned with colourful decorations as they prepare for dancing and partying. The local festa is often the highlight of the year, and can bring back together scattered families for a celebration of traditional life. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Fri, 11 Jul 2008 12:34:32 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1215779694803:41000659230648470:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml Richard’s blog: One of the things we are trying to do is publicise events in the region of Góis, and where it is possible, I attend the event with my trusty Nikon camera. Today Patricia is busy revising for the Real Estate exam, which is only one week away, so I was packed off with the kids to go and photograph the Folkloric Dancing event in the square at Vila Nova do Ceira. Groups of dancers come from around Portugal, and this year, a group from Spain also performed at the event. It is a fantastic place for the occasion, with the audience seated under the shade of large lime trees, their blossom scenting the air. The stage however, is in full sun, and the dancers perform wearing traditional costume, each dance telling a story of a custom or mode of work. Rather than writing about it, here are the pictures! Richard’s blog: One of the things we are trying to do is publicise events in the region of Góis, and where it is possible, I attend the event with my trusty Nikon camera. Today Patricia is busy revising for the Real Estate exam, which is only one week away, so I was packed off with the kids to go and photograph the Folkloric Dancing event in the square at Vila Nova do Ceira. Groups of dancers come from around Portugal, and this year, a group from Spain also performed at the event. It is a fantastic place for the occasion, with the audience seated under the shade of large lime trees, their blossom scenting the air. The stage however, is in full sun, and the dancers perform wearing traditional costume, each dance telling a story of a custom or mode of work. Rather than writing about it, here are the pictures! http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Sun, 29 Jun 2008 22:16:11 GMT Richard land manual:1214777804013:6293334389664403:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml Yesterday was the feast of São João, the Christian celebration of the birth of John the Baptist that was long ago superimposed on to the old pagan fertility festival of midsummer. In some parts of Europe (and Brazil) this is one of the most important festivals of the year, and in Portugal it is widely celebrated. Yesterday was the feast of São João, the Christian celebration of the birth of John the Baptist that was long ago superimposed on to the old pagan fertility festival of midsummer. In some parts of Europe (and Brazil) this is one of the most important festivals of the year, and in Portugal it is widely celebrated. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Tue, 24 Jun 2008 20:42:31 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1214340214707:22824352320987730:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml Summer is here and we are heading for the river! Now that the temperature is climbing and the heat is on, everyone’s thoughts turn to that cool clear water tumbling down from the mountains, so invitingly… Summer is here and we are heading for the river! Now that the temperature is climbing and the heat is on, everyone’s thoughts turn to that cool clear water tumbling down from the mountains, so invitingly… http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Mon, 23 Jun 2008 09:24:01 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1214213078270:9678616942864456:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml Two groups of buildings are situated in a bend on the river Ceira. The first group of buildings as you look across from Candosa is called Chã, and a short distance above the river is Favaqueira. Favaqueira is a collection of xisto buildings that follow a narrow track. The buildings (known as ‘currais’) belonged to families from Colmeal, and were used to house sheep and goats away from the fertile land that lies below Favaqueira. Below, is a wooden bridge that crosses the Ceira. Above the hamlet, in the ‘Barroca’ is a spring called ‘Fonte dos Moiros’ (spring of the Moors), where the water comes out of a stone pipe. Two groups of buildings are situated in a bend on the river Ceira. The first group of buildings as you look across from Candosa is called Chã, and a short distance above the river is Favaqueira. Favaqueira is a collection of xisto buildings that follow a narrow track. The buildings (known as ‘currais’) belonged to families from Colmeal, and were used to house sheep and goats away from the fertile land that lies below Favaqueira. Below, is a wooden bridge that crosses the Ceira. Above the hamlet, in the ‘Barroca’ is a spring called ‘Fonte dos Moiros’ (spring of the Moors), where the water comes out of a stone pipe. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Gois_Villages/Cha-e-Favaqueira.html Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:39:48 GMT Richard Land manual:1213972849677:715742416014658:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml Vale Travasso is a little hamlet approximately 1km from the centre of Góis, that is now included in Regateira (if you are to believe the road signs!) Historically, the settlement was a farming community, working the rich fertile fields of the valley. Vale Travasso is a little hamlet approximately 1km from the centre of Góis, that is now included in Regateira (if you are to believe the road signs!) Historically, the settlement was a farming community, working the rich fertile fields of the valley. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Gois_Villages/Vale-Travasso.html Fri, 20 Jun 2008 14:38:40 GMT Richard Land manual:1213972763896:1781637576229752:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml There is a stretch of Roman road that runs up from Góis for about 3km called ‘Vale Dama’ Despite being used in recent years by trucks collecting the felled eucalyptus trees, it is still wonderfully preserved. Yesterday I walked along it (downhill!) and was amazed at the precision of the construction, and how well it had withstood the passage of time. I have never seen a Roman road like this before, that has not been tarmaced over or interfered with – just left in its original state. There is a stretch of Roman road that runs up from Góis for about 3km called ‘Vale Dama’ Despite being used in recent years by trucks collecting the felled eucalyptus trees, it is still wonderfully preserved. Yesterday I walked along it (downhill!) and was amazed at the precision of the construction, and how well it had withstood the passage of time. I have never seen a Roman road like this before, that has not been tarmaced over or interfered with – just left in its original state. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:09:53 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1213791030934:42307215955087810:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml Um dia destes, fui passar algum tempo numa floresta encantadora de castanheiros, não muito longe de Góis, para deixar vaguear um pouco o meu espírito. Estas bonitas árvores crescem por toda a região e as castanhas eram, no passado, uma parte vital da economia e uma fonte alimentar importante das aldeias montanhosas. Agora, os castanheiros são vastamente ultrapassados em número pelos eucaliptos e os pinheiros que foram plantados, mas ainda resistem, e as suas folhas de verde brilhante sobressaem nas encostas, luzindo no sol. Um dia destes, fui passar algum tempo numa floresta encantadora de castanheiros, não muito longe de Góis, para deixar vaguear um pouco o meu espírito. Estas bonitas árvores crescem por toda a região e as castanhas eram, no passado, uma parte vital da economia e uma fonte alimentar importante das aldeias montanhosas. Agora, os castanheiros são vastamente ultrapassados em número pelos eucaliptos e os pinheiros que foram plantados, mas ainda resistem, e as suas folhas de verde brilhante sobressaem nas encostas, luzindo no sol. http://goisproperty.co.uk/portugues/regiao%20de%20Gois/Life-in-Gois-o-Blog-2008.html Tue, 17 Jun 2008 13:47:52 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1213710518792:3240314945174406:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml The spirit moved me the other day to go and spend some time in a sweet chestnut grove, not far from Góis. These beautiful trees grow all over the region, and chestnuts in the past played a vital part in the economy and food stores of the mountain villages. Now sweet chestnuts are vastly outnumbered by the eucalyptus and pine trees that have been planted, but they still hold their own, and their glossy green leaves can be picked out on the hillsides, shimmering in the sunshine. The spirit moved me the other day to go and spend some time in a sweet chestnut grove, not far from Góis. These beautiful trees grow all over the region, and chestnuts in the past played a vital part in the economy and food stores of the mountain villages. Now sweet chestnuts are vastly outnumbered by the eucalyptus and pine trees that have been planted, but they still hold their own, and their glossy green leaves can be picked out on the hillsides, shimmering in the sunshine. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Sat, 14 Jun 2008 22:31:40 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1213482744125:9192668946132272:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml Tuesday is market day in Góis, and today as usual we were down there soon after 9am. It is not quite a usual day today however, as it is yet another ‘feriado’ (bank holiday) – the fourth in six weeks! But although some shops and businesses are closed, the market traders carry on as they always do – only Christmas and New Year seems to affect their regular schedule Tuesday is market day in Góis, and today as usual we were down there soon after 9am. It is not quite a usual day today however, as it is yet another ‘feriado’ (bank holiday) – the fourth in six weeks! But although some shops and businesses are closed, the market traders carry on as they always do – only Christmas and New Year seems to affect their regular schedule http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Tue, 10 Jun 2008 16:57:14 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1213117087699:2962980052619072:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml Yesterday it was my turn to go into the mountains with Anna and take photographs of the villages, while she sought out snippets of history and local stories. The places we were visiting are at the edge of the Góis region, and in more ways than one felt to me like habitation at the edge of everyday living. Let me expand: for a start, we were climbing so high on the roads and tracks that it felt like being on the roof of the world. Small wonder that places are named after the eagles – you could imagine that you were up there with them soaring over the valleys and villages below. Yesterday it was my turn to go into the mountains with Anna and take photographs of the villages, while she sought out snippets of history and local stories. The places we were visiting are at the edge of the Góis region, and in more ways than one felt to me like habitation at the edge of everyday living. Let me expand: for a start, we were climbing so high on the roads and tracks that it felt like being on the roof of the world. Small wonder that places are named after the eagles – you could imagine that you were up there with them soaring over the valleys and villages below. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois.html Sat, 07 Jun 2008 14:30:24 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1212849091266:48270014404630920:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml In many parts of the world June 1st is celebrated as International Children’s Day. Portugal is one of the European countries that participates in marking this date, and here it is known as ‘O Dia Mundial da Crianca’. Since June 1st was a Sunday this year, the celebrations took place today in Góis. Every child in the Góis region, from pre-school age upwards, gathered at Góis school this morning to take part in a parade through the town. Each child and each teacher wore a t-shirt decorated on the theme of the Rights of the Child, their own handiwork in most cases, displaying some wonderful creativity. In many parts of the world June 1st is celebrated as International Children’s Day. Portugal is one of the European countries that participates in marking this date, and here it is known as ‘O Dia Mundial da Crianca’. Since June 1st was a Sunday this year, the celebrations took place today in Góis. Every child in the Góis region, from pre-school age upwards, gathered at Góis school this morning to take part in a parade through the town. Each child and each teacher wore a t-shirt decorated on the theme of the Rights of the Child, their own handiwork in most cases, displaying some wonderful creativity. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois-May-08.html Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:26:29 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1212481631680:6990384045354906:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml Today I went with a friend to see the petroglyphs at Pedra Letreira and Mestras. For those unfamiliar with the term, petroglyphs are ancient signs and symbols engraved into a rock face. There are reputedly many examples in this region, but they are not always easy to find, even when you have found them once, you may not be able to find them a second time! Fortunately we had no difficulty in getting to the petroglyphs at Pedra Letreira. The rain eased off as we arrived, and all around we could see the clouds steaming off the hills as the valley opened up before us. Pedra Letreira is a stone plateau that juts out in a rocky outcrop on the hillside. Today I went with a friend to see the petroglyphs at Pedra Letreira and Mestras. For those unfamiliar with the term, petroglyphs are ancient signs and symbols engraved into a rock face. There are reputedly many examples in this region, but they are not always easy to find, even when you have found them once, you may not be able to find them a second time! Fortunately we had no difficulty in getting to the petroglyphs at Pedra Letreira. The rain eased off as we arrived, and all around we could see the clouds steaming off the hills as the valley opened up before us. Pedra Letreira is a stone plateau that juts out in a rocky outcrop on the hillside. http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois_Portugal/Life-in-Gois-May-08.html Fri, 30 May 2008 21:17:27 GMT Patricia Mayborne manual:1212182336250:7725974918906191:http://goisproperty.co.uk/Gois-rss.xml