Back to winter

After four long hours in the air, our Airbus 321neo touched down at Arlanda in sunshine and light frost. Ahead of me, I now have three full months on the ground until WPSA and California, a sign that my days as a “Vielflieger” are firmly over, even as I indulge in another visit to Pontus.

Yesterday, walking through the narrow alleyways of Alfama, I was reminded of the fact that few things bring as much energy as winter sunshine. Among the discoveries were a church tower which offered expansive views of the River Tejo and a complimentary glass of wine as part of its 6 EUR entrance ticket, a “Manteigaria” (a “butter shop”) selling incredible pastel de nata (I just love how adding a “-ria” turns every noun into a shop, with “jamoneria” of course being the all-time foxy favourite), and a recognition of how fond I have become of Portugal over the years. Seeing a bit of the north and Nazaré made me itching to return, perhaps to Porto and the Duoro Valley, but most of all to Alentejo and its wild beaches. Clearly, I am not alone as Portugal bookings in Sweden have increased by 89 percent this year.

For now, it is back to winter and thesis grading. Picking up the kids at Landvetter in the evening of the 5th of January, the plan is to spend most of the coming month in Gothenburg, as I look for an apartment there to find a sustainable long-term regime that allows for alternate weeks and more time with the kids.