After the whirlwind of Christmas and New Year’s celebrations with our travel family (Read about it here), we thought we knew exactly how the next chapter in Portugal would unfold. As it turns out, Portugal had other plans for us. Sometimes travel throws you curveballs, and that is what happens when your house develops mold. Black mold showed up in the house we were renting with three other families. It was in most of the bedrooms, the dining room, the laundry room, and the entryway. We had no choice but to leave the property early.
It was not possible to find another house to accommodate all of us, so we all made new arrangements, which ended up working out ok. Our friends the Crabtrees left Portugal early to fly to Turkey because Mel needed to have surgery on the wrist he broke on Christmas Eve. They were able to find a doctor in Istanbul, and he is now healing well after a plate and eleven screws! The Blackbourns headed to our next destination early so that their son Josh could start at a Jiu-Jitsu gym. The Sigstons ended up renting a place just down the street from our new place in Lagos, so we were able to hang out.
We had Kristian and Dexter over while Vicki and Jake went to London for the weekend to look at a University Jake will be attending next year (Yes- worldschoolers can go on to higher education if they so choose). We are endlessly proud of him—and of the path that led him there. We don’t have to say farewells until next year when he heads to London, but moments like this are a powerful reminder that learning doesn’t have to look one certain way to lead somewhere incredible.
Lagos ended up being exactly what we needed. Our new Airbnb was great, with a lot of room for our family of four to spread out. We explored the coast, stopping at Farol do Cabo de São Vicente, Sagres Fortress, and other beaches and scenic overlooks. The coast of Southern Portugal is stunning.
Michael organized a driving challenge for Jake, Lucas, and Henry in an empty parking lot. He set up driving and parking challenges that the boys loved. We don’t know when they might get a driver’s license because they don’t need one, but they are excited to learn.
We walked a lot in old town, and enjoyed the luxury of being within walking distance to—yes—pickleball. We found a great pickleball community in Lagos. The pickleball center has 8 courts, and we played a lot during our stay. Through pickleball, we met Pete and Carol, a lovely couple who perfectly embody the kind of people we seem to meet time and again on this journey. They travel the world participating in service projects with the Rotary Club, giving their time and energy wherever they land. Conversations with them were a reminder of why we love this lifestyle so much—how inspiring it is to cross paths with people who live generously and intentionally, and who remind you that the world is both big and deeply connected.
This stretch of time has been rainy and cool—very much winter Algarve weather. Instead of pushing through or trying to “make the most” of every hour, we leaned into it. Rested. Relaxed. Read, played games, and cooked simple meals (except Henry and Dexter made sushi).
There’s something deeply restorative about these in-between moments, especially when you know what’s coming next. Soon we’ll be heading to a new city and back into a shared house with other families—more noise, more laughter, more shared meals and late-night conversations.
