SPRINGFIELD – Labor Day weekend, Springfield said “viagem segura” (safe travels) to active community members and previous owners of The Pony House Inn at 660 C St., Nancie and Mark Koerber. The couple was all set to retire with six duffel bags, three guitars, one carry on, two boxes and three pets across the pond.
Their destination? Caldas da Rainha on the Silver Coast of Portugal.
Upon arrival, the Koerbers suffered from a nasty case of the flu, lasting three weeks, but they are now back on their feet.
“We are getting our house set up and exploring our small city of Caldas da Rainha. We don’t have a car so everything has been on foot which is delightful,” said Nancie.
At the time The Chronicle received an update, surfing season had started at Nazare beaches, just 30 minutes north, the most desired waves in the world for professional surfers.
“We of course are not surfers but I do look forward to surfing the seafood restaurants,” said Nancie.
The Koerbers have made some friends who are string musicians, whom Nancie hopes to play her many woodwind instruments with, and Mark, his guitar. They also attended the Caldas Jazz festival which was “unbelievable,” the Koerber’s said.
Nancie is also starting to take pottery classes, and Caldas de Rainha is the pottery capital of the world.
To keep in touch, follow Nancie’s blog, named after her sock monkey: itsgrapeegood.com
