It used to be that in order to pronounce the "u" in "gue" or "que" they used " ü ". Agüentar. And freqüente. It certainly helped Portuguese learners know how to pronounce something if they'd never heard it. Alas, they did away with that in my lifetime, as well as dispense with the ^ in far too many words (gota/gôta), also making it hard to predict pronunciation if you've never heard the word. We used to write "êle" (3rd person singular) many moons ago. And aquêle, etc. They tried to standardize Portuguese spelling amongst all Portuguese speaking nations and in my mind they just created a mess. I've heard native Portuguese speaking youngsters pronounce words incorrectly according to how they are spelled, not according to how they are pronounced. Que bagunça.
I heard about him in the last 2 years. Wasn't he an Englishman in Portugal? I saw an interview with him online. He was in a Facebook group I do believe.
Not to be a party pooper, but where is “home”? You said it was a 5-hour trip but did not provide context for those of us not familiar with your situation or the geography of Portugal. Nicely written and informative, but where was the starting point?
Sorry, most of my readers have been following our journey for many months and as such I forget that not everyone knows we live in Vila Real de Santo Antonio.
We were in Aveiro yesterday for a couple of hours. We'll definitely return to explore more. And Agueda sounds like a great place to check out as well. Great pictures and description. Happy Holidays!
Nice description....love the blue street!👍
Feliz Natal Toby
It used to be that in order to pronounce the "u" in "gue" or "que" they used " ü ". Agüentar. And freqüente. It certainly helped Portuguese learners know how to pronounce something if they'd never heard it. Alas, they did away with that in my lifetime, as well as dispense with the ^ in far too many words (gota/gôta), also making it hard to predict pronunciation if you've never heard the word. We used to write "êle" (3rd person singular) many moons ago. And aquêle, etc. They tried to standardize Portuguese spelling amongst all Portuguese speaking nations and in my mind they just created a mess. I've heard native Portuguese speaking youngsters pronounce words incorrectly according to how they are spelled, not according to how they are pronounced. Que bagunça.
Happy Holidays
Feliz Natal Nancy and Denise.
Thanks
Thank you Nancy for your continued blogs. We really enjoy reading them. Merry Christmas to the both of you!
Feliz Natal Tom
Thanks for the travel suggestions! Happy holidays!
Merry Christmas to you and Denise!!!
You too Barb
Lovely read and interesting facts. It whets the appetite for a trip to Águeda and Aveiro. Thank you.
Thanks Islã and Feliz Natal
Cool! We stopped for a coffee in summer, but sadly no umbrellas 🙄
Só disappointing
Fascinado!!!!
Feliz Natal.... what a great adventure.
Great photos and narrative. The umbrella streets are lovely and the microscopic Santa is fascinating. Feliz natal and boas festas to you and Denise!
Our best to you and Mary
Beautiful photos! Feliz Natal!
Thanks Scott...Feliz Natal
I love the Willard Wigan story. We all have a superpower.
So true I am still smiling aftwr reading about him.
I heard about him in the last 2 years. Wasn't he an Englishman in Portugal? I saw an interview with him online. He was in a Facebook group I do believe.
No he is a Jamaican living in England
Not to be a party pooper, but where is “home”? You said it was a 5-hour trip but did not provide context for those of us not familiar with your situation or the geography of Portugal. Nicely written and informative, but where was the starting point?
Sorry, most of my readers have been following our journey for many months and as such I forget that not everyone knows we live in Vila Real de Santo Antonio.
We were in Aveiro yesterday for a couple of hours. We'll definitely return to explore more. And Agueda sounds like a great place to check out as well. Great pictures and description. Happy Holidays!
Small world. Feliz Natal