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Walk the Algarve

VIA ALGARVIANA One of the few places in Europe where you can walk the breadth of a country, this 300-kilometre trail starts in Alcoutim on the Rio Guadiana, Portugal’s eastern border, and ends at Cabo de Sao Vicente, the country’s south-westerly tip. Along the way it passes through grasslands, protected areas and the forests of the Serras de Caldeirao and Monchique. Although more than 300 walkers have already used the route it is now officially open, following a recent inauguration ceremony. Accurate maps are a must. Avoid hunting days, Thursday and Sunday, and hunting season, which is from October to June. See viaalgarviana.org and algarveway. com. or pop into a tourist information centre, to pick up a free guide with maps or go online.

New Chaplain for Eastern Algarve

Members of the St Vincent’s Church will be welcoming Father Bob Bates and his wife Diane. He officially begins his work on May 31st, replacing the excellent team of locum priests, who have looked after the parish for the last three years. For details of services and information go online to

http://www.stvincentsalgarve.org/ almancil.htm

UV warnings

High levels of UV radiation have been registered. Warnings have been issued to the public to wear sunhats, sunglasses, T-shirts and to use sufficient sunscreen for protection. You can access advice online at www.meteo.pt/pt/ ambiente/uv

Gran Plaza Opening

Offical inauguration: 04/06. Free concert with Fingertips at 21:30. Open to the public 05/06. Continente, Worten, C&A, Casa, United colours of Benetton are just a few of the commercial units. Zon Lusomundo digital 3D cinema and eating places for leisure time.

Angelina Jolie to move to Portugal

Actress Angelina Jolie & partner Brad Pitt along with their children are looking for a house in Portugal. The “Changeling” actress is tired of the hectic pace of life in the US and looking for a more sedate lifestyle, reports femalefirst.co.uk. She loves Portugal and wants to raise her kids there. She wants to move there as soon as possible,” said a source. Jolie is said to be considering buying a property looking on to the beach in the village of Lagos in the southern Algarve area of Portugal. Obviously no-one has told her about the delights of the Eastern Algarve!

Madeleine McCann

According to the former detectives, Dave Edgar and Arthur Cowley, who are leading the search for information about the disappearance of Madeleine, they believe the Algarve is awash with child molesters. The recent suspect, Raymond Hewlett, whom they failed to interview in Germany, has given DNA to police. The investigation is also focusing on 4 or 5 predatory paedophiles most of them British. Two of them are still living in the Praia da Luz resort.

Retire to the Algarve

The number of British people living in Portugal, either with a temporary or permanent residence, is expected to increase. It has been found that the experience of integration by foreign elderly people in a host country is generally positive, and does highlight weaknesses in social services, like access to health care. This benefits the population/country as a whole, as improvements are identified and action taken. This does not only benefit the estrangeiros.