Connect with Sally: https://www.sally-dixon.com/

Sally is a former fashion editor who worked at Harpers Bazaar and Cosmopolitan Bride, traveling to Maldives, South Africa, Kenya, and Malaysian jungles for shoots. She now writes for Algarve Plus magazine covering wellness, local artists, and businesses while preparing to relocate from London after 30 years.

Sally's been visiting the Algarve since childhood in the 1970s when her parents started taking summer holidays there. She bought a farmhouse three years ago but still hasn't moved past planning permission stage due to Portuguese bureaucracy. The property sits unusually in the middle of the land rather than on the road edge, and she's renovating to passive house standards using zero-VOC paints, MVHR systems, and building biology principles.

As a qualified Pilates instructor, CNM natural chef, and fourth-year nutritional therapy student, Sally discusses why weightlifting matters for women's bone health, DNA testing nuances, interviewing Carlos Ferreira who makes art from old fishing boats, visiting Dark Sky Algarve, and why Portugal's traditional crafts are disappearing but worth preserving through initiatives like the 80-90 year old women hand-embroidering gold into photographs.

Perfect for wellness-focused relocators, anyone planning eco-friendly builds in Portugal, former Londoners considering the move, or people wanting honest takes on Portuguese bureaucracy timelines.

CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction01:51 Childhood Summers: 1970s Cine Films from Parents04:30 Fashion Cupboard to Fashion Director Journey06:51 Launching Sportswear Brand: Why Portugal Textiles12:42 Internet Health Advice: What's Real vs Rubbish15:01 Writing for Algarve Plus Magazine Since 202218:16 Standout Stories: Carlos Ferreira's Fishing Boat Art22:24 Traditional Crafts: Hand-Embroidered Gold Photos25:21 Bought Farmhouse 3 Years Ago: Still at Planning Stage26:39 I Go for Vibes: Knew It When I Walked the Land27:41 Passive House Standards and Building Biology29:58 MVHR System Explained: Balanced Temperature Throughout31:42 Fire Risk and Earthquake Proofing Requirements32:15 Advice for Big Moves: Excel Spreadsheet Method33:45 UK Car Import: The One Free Car Rule34:43 Portugal Makes My Heart Sing

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