When my plane landed in Portugal the weather was a bit stormy and unstable. I was dreaming of sun and the first signs of Springtime but the weather report had not been very reassuring.

I went to stay with my sister who lives in the countryside in the outskirts of Lisbon for the first two nights. The fields looked green and lush but the sky was covered in clouds.

In the morning everything was covered in fog, from the terrace I could hardly grasp the olive grove ahead. I feared the worst but then slowly the blanket of fog lifted and there it was, the most glorious sun bringing it all back to life.

Portugal is after all the European country with the most sunny days per year. Temperatures rose and when we went for lunch at the Casal Branco vineyards (which just celebrated 200 years of wine producing), there it was, springtime in all its glory.

From the monogamous Stork couple in their huge nest anxiously awaiting the arrival of their offspring to the baby swallows already training their flight, signs were everywhere.

Looking further afield, trees were starting to bloom. There were flowery scents all around, a good combination together with the scents of the Portuguese olive oil, olives, ham and cheese that we started with. These earthy flavours always make me feel I’m being welcomed home once again.

Being back with my sisters and walking together among the olive trees and the blooming colourful fields makes me happy. We talked like it was just yesterday we had seen each other. Spring is definitely here and this is home.