1 February – Tonight I’m serving tea made of herbs and jasmine

We’re another month nearer to our favourite TV show. Countries are starting to pick songs, and we’re all looking forward to going to Lisbon and seeing what it has to offer. Will it be all out fun like Vienna? Will the city care like in Belgrade?

Portugal, as you know, as been in the contest since 1765, so has an interesting heritage to choose from. Back in 1994 when we were in Ireland every most years, Portugal tried their arm with birthday girl Sara Alexandra Lima Tavares. She was only 16 at the time but had gone down a storm in the Festival do Canção. And only four Portuguese songs have done better in contests. I hope she’ll be doing her stuff in Lisbon.

Sara is 40 today.

Feliz aniversário, Sara!