I've had an "epiphany" of sorts, today. Some of the best Brits I've known, had enough (said "CHEGA" to themselves), wanted to slow down a bit, then moved to Portugal and other places. Also on the other hand, some of the best Portuguese I've known, had enough (also said "CHEGA" to themselves), wanted to slow down a bit, or at least merely endure hardship for just a little bit longer under slightly better structural numbers in circulation, then moved to Britain (despite its "glass ceilings" and "more rigid class tiered society"), and other places. I'm wondering... where does that leave us? Nil balance? Accounts well settled? 🤔 (and yes, I have learned... I am "transactional" as hell now, more than I ever was, call it survival) Hmmm... 🤔 Hmmmm... 🫪

Has the community come across fogosagora.pt? It is a remarkable site, best viewed on a larger screen, which collates data from numerous sources to give information on forest (and civil) fires. Free to use, there is some pay content as well. I came across it on X, where the developer is called @BritishTuga, and he describes it as: 'Palantir Meets Fire and Weather Monitoring' Disclaimer: I have nothing to do with it and barely know how to use a mouse. So.

Today marks the 250th anniversary of the US Declaration of Independence, prompting American expats in Portugal to gather for vibrant celebrations. In Porto, a major event features local flavors and a scenic venue, while Lisbon hosts a picnic organised by Democrats Abroad, providing a festive atmosphere for the expat community. Others are more muted. On this occasion, let me share with you a little US-Portuguese relationship history... Wine before independence (1766–1776) Before there was a United States, there was Madeira. Portuguese fortified wine was the drink of colonial America - partly thanks to a quirk of British trade law that let Madeira ship directly to the colonies. By the 1760s it was a symbol of colonial identity and mild rebellion: when British customs seized John Hancock's sloop Liberty in 1768, the cargo in dispute was Madeira wine, and the incident helped light the revolutionary fuse. Jefferson, Washington and Franklin were all devotees, and tradition holds that the signing of the Declaration of Independence was toasted with Madeira. So Portugal was, quite literally, in the glass at America's birth. To me, one of the most fascinating aspects of the US-Portugal relationship is the time of Frank Carlucci, who was the American ambassador here - "the American who helped save Portuguese democracy." Hear my tribute to him here The modern era: tech, tourism and the new Americans (1986–2026) The last two decades flipped the old dynamic. Where Portuguese once emigrated to America for opportunity, Americans now arrive in Portugal for lifestyle - a wave that accelerated after 2016 and surged through the pandemic years, drawn by the D7 and digital-nomad visas, healthcare, safety and, let's be honest, the pastéis de nata! Americans became one of the fastest-growing foreign resident groups, US tourism boomed, and the economic relationship diversified. Web Summit made Lisbon a fixture on the American tech calendar, US investment flowed into Portuguese startups and real estate, and transatlantic flight routes multiplied from Lisbon, Porto and Faro.

In Lisbon earlier today, whilst being whisked from Expo to Sete Rios in a traditional green and black taxi (after an ill-fated Uber kerfuffle), I caught sight of what looked like a Galp 'Dogwash'. I couldn't believe my eyes, so took a look online and asked Claude what on earth this might be. Turns out it's real and is a self-service dog washing station offered at selected Galp fuel stations across Portugal! Here's the four-legged fact-file: - What it is: A coin/card-operated wash bay for dogs, similar to a car wash bay - you don't need to bring anything. - What's included: Full bath with a choice of regular or anti-flea shampoo, conditioner, and adjustable-intensity drying. - How it works: Disinfect the tub → wash with shampoo/conditioner → rinse with hot or cold water → dry with the blower. - Price: Starting from €1 for 2 minutes. - Locations: It started at Galp's Oeiras Parque service area and expanded due to popularity to other Galp stations, including on Avenida Almirante Gago Coutinho in Lisbon and Circunvalação (Parque da Cidade) in Porto. I know you can wash your 'smalls' at a lot of supermarkets, but this was a new one on me! It actually started as a pilot, where Galp launched the first Dogwash on World Dog Day - August 26th (who knew?) - at their Oeiras Parque service area. And it clearly struck a nerve, because in the first few months alone, over 1,500 dogs came through that one location. Off the back of that, Galp expanded - first to Lisbon and thereafter to Porto. It's since made its way to Madeira too. At last count, the concept - which only kicked off back in 2020 (how did I not know?!) had reached 21 stations across mainland Portugal, another 5 in Spain, and the 2 in Madeira. Galp also actually gave the campaign its own mascots. Three dogs: Pó d'Arroz, Broa de Mel, and Lurdes were named as the official Dogwash "ambassadors," fronting the brand's pet-lover campaigns.

From Paul Rees on Facebook: The government released this week the map of the Renewable Energy Acceleration Zones (ZAER). This document is a passport to the ill-designated green energy industry, occupying 7% of the national territory. This project is particularly injurious to the district of Castelo Branco where an area of approximately 100 thousand hectares is planned to be occupied. Three councils of the Pinhal zone (Sertã, Proença-Nova and Oleiros) are the most affected since the plan provides for the occupation of their territories by more than 35%. The impact of all this is terrifying, visually we are going to have a painted landscape of black and environmentally it is a catastrophe since the destruction of around 100 thousand hectares of vegetation (only in the Casetlo Branco district) implies the death of a huge number of birds and animals wilds contributing in this way to accelerate climate change. According to experts, the destruction of such a natural area will cause an increase in temperature, the rapid runoff of rainwater causing increased floods and not allowing underground aquifers to supply, decrease in oxygen percentage and consequently air quality, sterilisation of water soles for long years and a huge accumulation of scrap caused by the end of the life of the equipment used. Coming to fruition, this is one of the darkest plans Portugal has ever had, and before this the questions arise: is it necessary? Portugal really needs this? The answer is: No. According to it was released in September last year by Goldenergy citing data from Eurostat, Portugal already produces by the renewable system more than 86% of the energy it consumes, however, energy consumption in Portugal and the developed world is increasing alarmingly because of Data centers, Artificial Intelligence, etc. and our country is being targeted by the great multinationals of the energy sector to be sacrificed for the gross profits this industry will generate.