Despite this wisdom, I had always chosen to live alone. I made that decision many years ago, as my career consumed my time, energy, and everything in between.
Living alone on a mountain in a foreign country, without my career as an anchor, introduced a whole new dimension to my life choices. This change made having visitors even more important. I love having guests; I relish the preparation and the time we spend together.
I wonder what your preparations for ‘The visitors’ you receive involve, and how do you plan your time together?
I was back at Faro Airport to welcome (again) one of my oldest friends from Wales, Jonathan, who had flown in from Ibiza, where he now lives in a villa overlooking the Mediterranean. Jonathan has always been sensible with money. I wouldn’t say he’s mean, but he is extremely careful! Jonathan and I share a friendship that is like a boomerang; no matter what happens, it always comes back.
The next morning, Jonathan smoothly returned to his routine in Monchique. He insisted that I make fresh orange juice using oranges from the land. Afterward, he added his usual secret ingredient that he buys at the duty-free shop, referring to it as his ‘Special orange juice!’ Meanwhile, I was feeling anxious because I had a job interview. So, I left Jonathan to enjoy the view from the patio.
Upon arriving at Aljezur International School, I was welcomed by the Directors, Karen, who is originally from Scotland, and Sílvia, who is Portuguese. I was immediately impressed by both, as they were clearly ‘Strong women’. After presenting my CV and answering their questions, I was offered the job! I teach Business Advanced Level to the older students. The school is registered with Cambridge in the UK and the grades the students achieve are consistently impressive.
I don’t have children of my own, but I’ve found that, over the years, the students that I teach often feel like surrogates. While we are not supposed to show favouritism, I have to admit that I refer to my latest graduation students – Emilia from the USA, Talya from Israel, and Vincent from Germany – as ‘The Dream Team.’ So, it seems I may have broken that rule!
Upon returning to the farmhouse, I shared the good news with Jonathan, who said, “Let’s go out to lunch to celebrate.” While enjoying a delightful meal in Caldas de Monchique, our peaceful atmosphere was interrupted by a fellow diner who was eager to announce that she was a clairvoyant, psychic, and faith healer. I thought to myself, ‘She must keep busy!’
However, when she proclaimed, “People who experience bad things in their lives have done bad things in a previous life,” I couldn’t help but think, ‘What a load of old nonsense.’ Fuelled by a glass or two of wine, I turned my chair around and voiced those exact thoughts. In response, she said, “I feel your emotion deeply.” To which I thought, ‘I feel a pain deeply.’ At that moment, I decided to give her the name ‘Mystic Meg!’ An alias that has since become part of folklore in Monchique.
The next morning, Jonathan and I headed to the square in Monchique for breakfast with my friend Caroline (Crazy Dog Lady). No sooner had we sat down than ‘Mystic Meg’ appeared and invited herself to join our table. I have no idea how she knew we would be there – perhaps she foresaw it in her morning tea leaves! I asked ‘Meg’ “What brings you to Monchique?” and she replied, “I saw the mountain in a vision.” To which I thought, ‘But how did she know it was Fóia mountain?’ However, I had already lost the will to continue the conversation.
As ‘Meg’ explained that she was staying at a nearby hotel but was looking to buy a property, a stranger appeared whom she introduced as Daniel. When I asked him what he did, he replied, “I’m also a mystic.” I couldn’t help but think, ‘Could this day get any worse?’ It seemed it could because it transpired that Daniel was renting a property in the valley where I lived.
The following week, it was time for Jonathan to leave, as my beloved sister Carole and her partner Robert were due to arrive the next day. No sooner had Jonathan left in a taxi for Faro Airport than Daniel appeared at the farmhouse door. Perhaps he had foreseen the event.
As we sat on the sofa chatting, Daniel suddenly said, “I feel your inner anguish.” I thought to myself, ‘I sense you would like to feel something else.’ He then asked, “Would you let me hypnotize you?” At that moment, I would have done anything to end the visit, so I replied, “I’ll give it a try!”
However, the more Daniel attempted to hypnotize me, the more he failed. Maybe, I’m just not the ‘hypnotizable type’. Then I came up with a cunning ruse: I pretended to be hypnotized! After I had elaborated on a few impromptu imaginary visions, Daniel said, “It’s time to put your visions in a metal box and lock the key.” I happily agreed, and with that, the visit finally came to an end.
The following week, my sister, Carole, and her partner, Robert, were enjoying their holiday at the farmhouse. Coincidentally, our cousin Joan was visiting her brother in Quarteira, so we invited her to join us for lunch in Monchique. I have a special affinity with Joan because we both have had, in our prime, a significant interest, frequent, and wide fondness for men. Let’s just say she has been married once or twice. My mother, Alice, used to say, “Joan must really enjoy wedding cake!”
After picking up Joan, our group of eleven headed up the mountain to the restaurant Paraíso da Montanha (Mountain Paradise), known for its delicious food and stunning views. Among us was Daniel, who, in an interesting twist of fate, had previously worked for the same large company in the UK as my sister, Carole. They ended up sitting next to each other, and during their conversation, Carole mentioned, “I suffer from severe back pain.” Daniel responded, “I have crystals that can cure that.” To which Carole quipped, “I think Tramadol would be more effective!”
Meanwhile, Joan had developed an interest in a man named Brian, who was a member of the party. He had just purchased a convertible sports car. After the meal, Brian offered to drive Joan down the mountain in his new car. I met them in the square and then Joan and I headed towards the motorway in my Nissan Navara (truck from hell).
Just as I took the turning towards Quarteira, there was a loud bang from the engine, signalling the final end of life for the truck! The next day, after making my way back to Monchique, Carole and Robert were set to leave. My friend Carlos kindly offered to take them to Faro Airport. We said our goodbyes, and then Beagle Ben and I walked to Monchique.
As I sat in the square, enjoying a coffee and some peace, who should appear but ‘Mystic Meg’ – the last person I wanted to see. As she had invited herself to join me, and to make conversation, I told her about what had happened with the ‘truck from hell’ the previous day.
‘Meg’ said, “I had a vision that something bad was going to happen to you!” This was the final straw, so I replied, “What a coincidence, as I had a dream about you last night.” At that moment, ‘Meg’ reached out and placed her palms on my hands, then said in a hushed voice, “Share your dream with me.” I responded, saying, “I dreamt…” pausing before continuing, “I dreamt that you had left Monchique!” As it turned out, thankfully, that is what later happened. Perhaps, I’m a mystic too.
This column is dedicated to my Civil Partner, José Marcelino de Araújo. The final piece of the jigsaw of my life. As we say to each other everyday, “Juntos, para todos os dias” (Together for all days)
