A Santa of his very own
Like all 3-year-olds, Zachary Valadares no doubt has his hopes pinned on Santa dropping by on Christmas Eve, but this little boy has a portrait hanging on a wall in his home, in Figueira, in the mountains of central Portugal, to add to the anticipation.
Unrecognised by Zachary, however, there should be a strong family resemblance beneath the beard. The portrait, cut from the cover of a summer supplement published by the Northland Age some years ago, is actually of his grandfather, Motutangi farmer Norm Bryan.
Zachary, his mum Kathy Bryan (daughter of Norm and Sylvia), 4-year-old brother Jamie and dad Rui Valadares, will be leaving Portugal for a new home in New Zealand next year, with Kathy and Rui planning to marry here.
"It's easier to bring Rui's family, parents and one identical twin, out here than to take our family of 50 - yes, there are 50 of us from Norm and me down," Sylvia said.
"Rui has his residency visa and they are sorting out things to come home," she added.
Kathy's return has been awaited for some time. She has been living in Portugal for a couple of years, but prior to that spent 15 years working as a mastering engineer at the Abbey Road recording studio (of Beatles fame) in London.
She gave that away to raise her family, with Sylvia saying both boys travel to "school" by bus each day, and comfortably speak both English and Portuguese.
"Kathy uses them to translate for her," she added.
