27.05.25 - Bola fora

Halloooo,

Hope all well. We're gearing up to tear down large chunks of our flat next week, carting around sacks of cement and such. And Gabi has become so torn between the different tiling options available to her that she learnt how to 3D model our entire flat on pro architect software overnight, to see what each one looks like. 

We also celebrated our wedding anniversary on Saturday by heading to Cê Que Sabe (the Italian restaurant we went to when you were here!) and a rooftop bar for fancy drinks; and on Sunday we went to a food festival down the road for some Uruguayan pit barbeque.

I've made a new compilation, and my phrase of the day means "ball out of bounds", for when you miss the mark. Conversely, "bola dentro" or "ball within bounds" is for when you get something right; I'm assuming it comes from football/scoring a goal.

And that's about it - speak soon!

Fredache

20.05.25 - Quem não te conhece que te compre

Hallooooo,

Hope all well! I am just about over my lurgee, with an assist from the mound of drugs prescribed to me during the week. So we made the most of a lull in Gabi's punishing work schedule to have a picnic and snooze in the Horto Florestal on Sunday, and have also green-lit the building work in the new flat, due to start early next month. Exciting!

In other news, there's a new compilation in town, and my phrase of the day translates as "let he who doesn't know you, buy you". It's got something to do with not taking people at face value, a bit like saying "I've got your number, mate". Or so I'm told. 

That's all for this week - speak soon!

Fred & Watered

13.05.25 - Ficar a ver navios

Hallooooo,

Hope all well. I'm ill again, but soldiering on with all sorts of work- and flat-related shenanigans nonetheless. Gabi has been firing on all cylinders too, flying to Goiania and back over the weekend to give a lecture and then having the family round for Mother's Day on Sunday.

No compilation this week, but my phrase of the week is the last of the ones I picked up in Ouro Preto - "ficar a ver navios", or "waiting to see ships", means to not get what you expected, and allegedly comes from the Portuguese fruitlessly expecting to see their ships coming back from Brazil, as the gold trade waned. So there's that!

Speak soon,

Frod x

06.05.25 - Maria-vai-com-os-outros

Halloooo,

Hope all well! We've been out and about this week, having lunch with Zila and visiting Gaby's grandad in hospital (his feet swelled up so they took him in for monitoring, but he should be out tomorrow!), while hosting our first dinner party in the new flat, which was more of a picnic on the floor followed by pizza in the outdoor area.

In other news I've made another compilation (the 500th so far, in the official canon!); and my phrase of the day, "Maria-goes-with-the-others", refers to people who go along with the crowd, and (according to our tour guide!) comes from Queen Maria I of Portugal who wandered around Ouro Preto with her confidants in the latter days of her reign. 

And that's about it so far - speak soon!

Caught in a Fred Romance

PS: Tory, I got your card and cheque! Thanks a lot x