Simply
FR E
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December 2017 Issue 20
Loulé, Almancil, Vale do Lobo,
Quarteira, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura, S. Brás
TAVIRA_WINTER 17.18
WELCOME
Welcome...
...to your December, our 20th issue. This month is packed full of fun and interesting articles, with a touch of Christmas too! We have the much loved Venepão Pastelaria with its delicious cakes, pastries and more, we were also invited to the incredible Refúgio Aboím Ascensão which carries out inspiring work for children in need of help. Susi Rogol Goodkind brings us "Why I love Christmas in the Algarve", an insight into why some of the people living in the Algarve enjoy this time of year. Martin gives us his experience with the kite of this generation as he has aquired a new drone and of course, is up to no good with it! Furthermore, we take a moment to appreciate the Christmas decorations with a few pictures of the light extravaganza in Olhão as well as at the Forum Algarve. All of this plus our regular Finance, News, Sport, Gardening, Property, Golf, Food and Energy pages. Many thanks to all of our loyal readers and advertisers, we hope you have a great Christmas and New year, and we'll see you in 2018! Richard Bassett, Publisher
PUBLISHER Richard Bassett
EDITOR Richard Bassett
ART DIRECTOR Jake Bassett
WRITERS
DISTRIBUTION
6,000 copies printed. All advertisers are issued copies for distribution, along with retail outlets.
COVER PHOTO Richard Bassett
Susi Rogal-Goodkind Jake Bassett
ADVERTISING
Call 966 044 143 or email design@simplyalgarvemag.com
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All rights reserved. Except for normal review purposes, no part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the contents are only meant as a guide to readers. The proprietors of this magazine are publishers not agents or sub agents of those who advertise therein. The publisher cannot be held liable for any loss suffered as a result of information gained from this publication.
Unipessoal Lda
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CONTENTS
Contents NEWS
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SAM
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FOOD
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Your local news. Sam’s views and reviews. Devine dining.
ENERGY
Heat recovery ventilation.
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PEOPLE
14
PLACES
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PLACES
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"Why I love Christmas". Almancil's favourite meeting place. Refúgio Aboím Ascensão.
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MAP
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FINANCE
43
PROPERTY
28
FINANCE
44
PROPERTY
32
GARDENS
46
COLUMN
35
SPORT
48
FOOD
36
GOLF
49
PLACES
38
CLASSIFIEDS
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Your map of Almancil and surrounding areas. 2017’s effects on the property market. Property of the month. Tales from an expat in Portugal. Oven baked pumpkin from Purple Carrots. The Algarve lights up!
Currency news from experts Currencies Direct! An update from experts at AFM. A Christmas gift from Mexico.
The latest sports news from Chris Wright. Pro tips from PGA professionals Eddie and Richard. New classified ads!
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NEWS
News
Keep up to date with all the local news. DESIGNER OUTLET NOW OPEN!
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he last of three developments at the retail site near Loulé is now open as of November 23rd. The Designer Outlet is the first in Europe to be integrated with an IKEA store, a shopping centre and an outdoor leisure area. On opening, the Designer Outlet Algarve will integrate more than 50 fashion and lifestyle brands in a 13,000 m2 area and will offer shoppers permanent discounts of 30 percent to 70 percent on recommended sale prices. The shops will be selling men’s and women’s fashion, children’s clothes and lifestyle and sports brands. Thomas Reichenauer, Managing Director of ROS Retail Outlet Shopping, commented, “We are delighted to bring to Portugal and the Algarve the international outlet concept adjusted to the characteristics of the region.” Miguel Guerreiro, Managing Director of the Designer Outlet Algarve, promises exclusive campaigns and events throughout the year, “soon we will open the doors to the largest outlet in the Algarve, offering all our visitors exclusive access to fashion and lifestyle brands in an inspiring environment. “In addition to access to permanent discounts up to 70 percent, we will provide exclusive campaigns and events throughout the year, highlighting the attractiveness of the Algarve beyond the summer months and enhancing the fashion sector as one of the region’s attractions. It is with great pride that we are already members of the Algarve Tourism Association.”
Sources: www.algarvedailynews.com
DROUGHT TRIGGERS ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION COST RISE
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Portuguese energy producer EDP has started to prepare the public and the regulator for price rises, claiming that its hydroelectric power production is running at half normal output due to the continuing drought. EDP claims that its production costs have risen by 53 percent as it has maintained overall production by raising output at its coal-fired and gas-fuelled plants. The use of production methods other than hydropower has been due to the effects of the prolonged drought which has forced the energy company to switch off production at hydro plants to save water, preserving it for public consumption. Portugal’s reservoirs are at less than 20 percent capacity nationally and EDP claims that its average cost of producing electricity in the first nine months of the year has risen by slightly more than a half. The water saving strategy in reservoirs “has had costs, both economically and for the environment,” said Vítor Silva, the man responsible for EDP Produção’s hydroelectric power plants. As a result, natural gas plants have doubled production and coal-fired power generation has increased. Up to the end of September, CO2 emissions have increased by 40 percent in Portugal and Spain.
NATIONAL TREE PURGE ORDERED BY GOVERNMENT
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rivate landowners have until March 15th next year to clean scrubland and trees from around isolated properties, along roadsides and from the edge of villages. If landowners fail to do so, councils will take on the work which will have to be finished before the end of May. The Secretary of State for Civil Protection, José Artur Neves, acknowledged today in the debate on the 2018 State Budget that there is “immense amount of work to be done” to prepare the country for next year’s fire season, saying that “prevention will help instill a feeling of security for country folk, a feeling that has been absent until now.” “To this end, we want private landowners to attend to all the area surrounding villages, isolated houses, business parks and even along roadsides and clear them all of combustible scrub and trees such as eucalyptus, pine, shrubs and arbutus,” said the Secretary of State who did not point out that much of this clearance work already is provided for in existing decree laws but often does not get done. Jose Artur Neves said that a “list will be made” so that “everyone knows what they have to clean” and that he will be instructing the preservation of “species such as oaks and chestnut trees.” Neves said that municipalities need to get deeply involved, “If
some owners - due to ignorance or laziness - do not do the work, the municipalities will come in and do it for them so that by the end of next May, we have the safe villages, green spaces, safe roads, safe forests and safe cable corridors.” MP, Nuno Magalhães, offered a detail for consideration as the compensation allocated in next year’s budget is only for those who died in this summer’s fires, not for those that were injured. The Ministry of Finance has €186 million set aside for fire related expenditure with €62 million allocated for “compensation for deaths in the forest fires of June and October.” The prime minister said that he intends to extend compensation to the seriously injured, mainly because President Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa wanted it when he called for a “re-examination of the matter, in particular the section on seriously injured people.” PM António Costa said “We already have a very rapid system of support for the victims and our intention is to extend this to the seriously injured, since the commission that was set up is capable of completing the report within the next two weeks, presenting the compensation criteria of the victims and can do the same for the injured.”
ALGARVE LEADS PORTUGAL WITH ITS MICHELIN-STARRED RESTAURANTS
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wo Algarve restaurants have been awarded two Michelin stars. The Vila Joya restaurant near Galé and the Ocean Restaurant at Vila Vila Parc near Armação de Pêra. Portugal now has 23 Michelin star restaurants of which only five have the two-star accolade. Vista in Praia da Rocha and Gusto at Quinta do Lago’s Conrad Algarve are the only
Portuguese restaurants to have been awarded a new star this year. The excellence of top-class restaurants in the Algarve has allowed the Michelin organisation to boost the region’s reputation with the two-star Vila Joya and Ocean Restaurants but there also are plenty of one star restaurants.
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SAM
Native German and living in Portugal since 1995, Sam is a partner at Management Works! and of Blue Sky Villas, with over 8 years of experience and knowledge of the local area.
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Birthday Segway tour in Monchique!
t was my mum’s birthday recently (Happy Birthday Mum) and every year we like to do something different, discovering something new and memorable in the Algarve. Last year we went to an Adventure Park in Albufeira where you get to do a daring obstacle course on the tree tops, quite fun (and tiring). This year we went for something less extreme, I organised a tour of the stunning Monchique mountains by Segway for the whole family. The Serra de Monchique is a town situated around a 1 hour drive away from the main Golden Triangle area and it is a thickly wooded mountain range that separates the Algarve from the Alentejo. It all starts with the drive up to the summit of the highest mountain in the Algarve where we had to meet our tour guide. As soon as you start getting closer to the destination, the car fills up with the most amazing eucalyptus smell, surrounded by the most picturesque views. As we arrive at the summit we are given our Segways and the tour guide briefs us on how not to fall face down (which still managed to happen in our
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family - no worries everyone was ok!). It was everyone’s first time on a Segway and let me tell you, super easy! Within seconds everyone was comfortable and whizzing about. The tour is simple, two hours long with a beautiful 360º view of the surrounding area, stopping at every opportunity for a family photo (Mother insisted, it’s not every day the whole family is together). Past the Monchique city center, there is a local nearby area called “Caldas de Monchique” which is a charismatic little park known for its hot springs. You finish the tour in front of O Tasco, a local bar which is said to have the best Pão Com Chouriço in the area, which is still made in the traditional Portuguese wood burning oven (it tastes even better when its warm). We finished the day by having a delicious lunch in a local Restaurant, but that is a story for another day. Have you been to Monchique? What did you think? Let me know under, contact@blue-sky-villas.com
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FOOD
Authentic and traditional Portuguese flavors: Quail, Mushrooms, Quince, Chestnuts and Greek yogurt, from Chef Osvalde Stange Silva, Restaurant Louro at the Conrad Algarve.
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Devine
his month, Osvalde brings us Quail, Mushrooms, Quince, Chestnuts and Greek yogurt in a stunning looking, Portuguese inspired dish. Osvalde is the Conrad Algarve’s Executive Chef, overseeing all the outlets of the resort
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(excluding Gusto By Heinz Beck).. The concept is traditional Portuguese cuisine, using the unique characteristics that the specific climate, geography and geology have on the region’s produce. At Louro you can gain a privileged taste of the heritage and tradition of Portuguese cuisine.
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Dining
Almancil – Praça Sá Carneiro, 10 Quinta do Lago – Quinta Shopping, Loja 33 www.edjoia.com
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Edjoia_Rotary.indd 1
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ENERGY
Heat Recovery Ventilation
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Mechanical Ventilation with Heat Recovery (MVHR) Explained by Sustainable superstore partner
VHR is a multi-room ducted system that combines supply and extract ventilation in one solution. It continuously provides fresh air to habitable rooms whilst prewarming it with recovered heat from the extract air which would otherwise have been vented outside and therefore lost. Warm moist air is extracted from wet rooms such as bathrooms and kitchens through ductwork to a central unit. Supply ventilation air from outside the home is passed through a heat exchanger in the central unit and warmed by the heat in the extract air. MVHR systems are able to recover around 90 percent of the heat that would otherwise be lost (measured in accordance with the 2005 SAP Appendix Q test). The warmed air is then distributed throughout the home by ductwork. Air valves at ceiling level ensure that draughts are avoided. The system runs most of the time at a low background rate but when more rapid ventilation is required because of increased moisture generation (caused for example by cooking, or extra density of occupation) the system is switched to a boost rate, either manually or by sensor control. AN MVHR PROVIDES: Fresh air throughout Lower heating bills Air filtration & cleaning Less traffic noise Humidity control Cooling in Summer AN MVHR REMOVES: Water vapour, moisture & mould Dust & airborne allergens Cooking odours Cigarette smoke CO2 & Methane Formaldehyde & VOC's How a Whole House MVHR works... Typically 20 percent - 30 percent of your space heating energy is lost
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through 'natural' ventilation; trickle vents in windows, extractor fans in wet rooms, and gaps in the building fabric. Rather than dumping warm air out of the building in the name of ventilation, an MVHR draws stale moist air from kitchens, bathrooms and utility rooms into a heat exchanger. At the same time another fan in the MVHR draws fresh air from outside which is filtered then gently fed into bedrooms and living spaces. In a well insulated building the heat exchanger transfers around 90
percent of the heat from the old air to the new, so if the temperature of the stale air leaving the bathroom is 20C the temperature of the fresh air supplied to the living rooms is around 18C. Your boiler just needs to top this back up to 20C rather than warming up a whole house full of cold (unfiltered) air. An MVHR therefore reduces your heating bills and improves your air quality. Dry air also costs less to heat than moist air. As spiralling energy costs start to exceed mortgage repayments the need to conserve heat and power becomes increasingly important. To really cut the costs your house needs to become airtight. Ventilating an airtight house by fitting vents (holes) in the window frames and sucking warm air out of wet rooms defeats the object, so the only way to ventilate an efficient home is a balanced (supply/extract) whole house
MVHR system. At least that's our opinion and the Energy Saving Trust seem to agree. SINGLE ROOM dMVHR UNITS MPB Services provide a range of single room MVHR units to replace your traditional extractor fan. As a balanced unit that supplies and extracts air from any given room, the decentralised dMVHR fan maintains the internal air pressure to avoid drawing cold air in through window trickle vents. Single room dMVHR units for smaller rooms slot through either a 100mm or 150mm hole in the exterior wall, so are relatively easy to install, provided power is available. dMVHR units for larger rooms typically require a square aperture so require a little more planning. HOW 'GREEN' ARE MVHR'S? The MVHR units offered by MPB Services are made largely from recycled materials. Where possible we source products from UK manufacturers and employ local expert installers. The motors are extremely low powered and typically require less electricity than a regular light bulb. Filters require very little maintenance and only need cleaning with a vac, once or twice a year. Replacement of filters every 2-5 years. All units have a trickle and boost setting, if required, not that you'll need to control the system on a day-to-day basis. MVHR COMPLETE SERVICE MPB Services design, supply & install MVHR systems throughout the Algarve. We're approved distributors of Vent Axia and Polypipe systems. In addition, we can install Daikin systems including HVAC. Email plans to info@mpb-services.com Call 00 351 915239933 for assistance
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www.opticajoia.pt | geral@opticajoia.pt Almancil
Rua do Comércio, 64-A T: (+351) 289 399 104 M: (+351) 918 752 684 37º05'18.0"N 8º02'13.7"W
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encontre-nos | find us
Montenegro
Rua Júlio Dinis, 85 T: (+351) 289 090 602 M: (+351) 913 656 560 37°02'01.7"N 7°57'38.7"W
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CAPE GARDENS info@cape-gardens.com 289 397 165
Design | Construction | Maintenance www.simplyalgarvemag.com
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PEOPLE
“WHY I LOVE CHRISTMAS IN THE ALGARVE” “It is knowing that any day now the wild flowers will start to appear and the hills will be dotted with early almond blossom. I never fail to be amazed by the sheer beauty of our surroundings and the landscape which changes in colour according to the season.” That’s Susi Rogol Goodkind’s views. Here are a few others… 14
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“I love Christmas in the Algarve because the oranges and lemons on the trees in my garden are beginning to turn colour; the roses are still in bloom and the vibrant colours of bougainvillea still decorate garden walls. But most of all I love Christmas in the Algarve because I have wonderful friends and neighbours of many nationalities to share it with, easing the pain of missing family in the UK at this time of year.” Jan Hinze, Vale Telheiro, from Wales Almancil International Rotary Club Here for 12 years
“Christmas. A celebration of the love we should all share because it is the singular reminder of the birth of Jesus Christ. And so it does here in Algarve and throughout Portugal. Happiness is the key and plays a big part – Feliz Natal, Happy Christmas. It’s not about a competition between two giant supermarket chains hoping for the best advertisement of the year with all its commercial crassness but rather the simple loveliness of sharing food and family and friendship and this is what I enjoy about Christmas-time here. It has not lost its charm or meaning. Life-sized nativity scenes, Precépio’s , appear on crossroads and in villages, generations of families gather to share a meal on Christmas Eve often after midnight mass. It’s a wonderful tradition. “Our favourite tradition as a family since we moved here from Ireland has been to visit and spend some time walking the beach at Faro on Christmas Day. It is still a novelty after all these years to be able to enjoy blue skies and warm sunshine on this special day.” Brian Redmond, São Brás de Alportel, from Ireland Electrical consultant Here for 13 years
“If I was in London, I’d be frantic. Last-minute shopping in town a nightmare because of congestion charges, parking costs, traffic jams and crowds. Or tubing there and taxi-ing back, going from hot to cold and hating every minute. Here, I can drive on open roads, shop till late, find little treasures my friends will love, stock upon delicacies, eat in, eat out, plan to party, and simply enjoy every minute. Relaxed? You bet. Happy holidays that really are.” Gerry Goodman, Mosqueira, from UK Retired Here for 13 years
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PEOPLE
“Christmas is about giving. Stats show that the Portuguese spend €338 euros per family – for presents, food and anything else related. They are paid an extra one month’s salary at the end of the month, which means the shops are busy, busy, busy right up to the last minute. All the Portuguese want is to be is remembered; a pair of socks or a bottle of wine makes them happy, they are not greedy. And they want to be with their family, eating bacalhau and talking. Decorations go up later here, it is the real spirit. I love being immersed in it. You can choose to share this special time with anyone you want; you can walk on the beach and feel wonderful; you can eat and drink without worrying. Gwenda Daud, Almancil, from UK Careers Lecturer Lived in Portugal for 24 years, 19 in the Algarve.
“Christmas is a special time. I love decorating the house and garden. In the 20 years we have lived here we have spent 18 at home on Christmas Day as we love the coziness and having close friends over. Christmas in the Algarve is so much more relaxed than anywhere else. Anything goes. Friends are our family here.” Sonja Rienderhoff, Vale Telherio, from Holland Sales and Marketing Consultant Here for 20 years
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“Amigos de Musica de Sao Lourenco is now located at Os Agostos, near Bordeira and Santa Barbara and, as a longstanding Committee member, I look after the PR. The endof-year programme is a special delight to me, and enjoyed by Algarvean residents as well as visitors here for the holidays. This month, for example, Norwegian pianist Anne Kaasa will give two recitals – the first, on 12 December, will feature music by Mozart, Chopin, Ravel and de Falla; then on the 14, Anne will be joined by Portuguese celloist Maria Jose Falcao to play pieces by Schumann, Grieg and Rachmaninov. For more information, visit amigos-de-musica.org John HT Perera, Santa Barbara de Nexe, from Sri Lanka Former pilot, international aviation consultant Amigos de Musica de Sao Lourenco Here for 26 years
“It’s the weather and the food. We do not have to suffer the traditional turkey and stuff; we do not have to suffer from the cold snap and snow. We can have whatever we like for Christmas from freshly-caught seafood to wild game and of course, that traditional turkey if we fancy. It’s a great way to live, doing what you want to. And from a business perspective there are plenty of rental properties available for winter lets, and plenty of holiday-makers keen to enjoy a relxing festive season, which means we are busy year round.” Barbie Rubie, Vale Judea, from Hong Kong Five Star Properties Lived here for 10 years, visiting for 20
We have live music at lunchtime on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day, New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day. So the 25th becomes a well-earned day off with wonderful family and friends. Shelley Porton, Vale do Lobo Owner, Julia’s Restaurant Here for almost 32 years
“Here at Euro Finesco, our work is not seasonal and with the influx of home buyers in recent years we have been super busy year round dealing with and on behalf of our ex-pat clients. But we close SHOP between Christmas and the New Year, so that’s the time to sit back, celebrate, enjoy friends and family. It’s a treat in so many ways, and with the wide number of events staged across the Algarve, I get a chance to feel what it is like being a holiday-maker. Charlotte Hill, Vilamoura, from UK Documentation Services Here for 14 years
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“It is my team’s job to make sure our clients feel good and are relaxed and ready for the festive season, free from those niggling aches and pains that professional treatment can ease. We focus a lot on specialist skin treatments, too, ensuring we can improve both tone and texture, and year round, manicures and pedicures are in demand, with red tones the most popular at Christmas.” My real pleasure, aside from the intimacy of friend-and-family celebrations, is to see clients leaving the salon delighted with the result of their time with us, and planning their next visit. Jacqui Vehlow, Vale Judea, from South Africa Estetica Salon, Quinta do lago In the Algarve for 26 years
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My holiday home of 30 years became my full-time residence eight years ago. That said, after years of heading to the Lake District for the festive season, with wellington boots and electric blankets on board, I haven’t missed a Christmas here since 1987. It’s the people, the food, the entertainment, the sunshine (I remember clearly my first Christmas ever on the Algarve, and sitting in Julia’s on the beach just so I could tell the less fortunate of the experience). And it is the joy of getting up in the morning and putting bare foot on warm floor. Nothing could ever match up to that ‘aaaaah’ feeling. Martin Goodkind, Loule, from UK Retired, sort of Here for eight years going on 31.
Susi Rogol Goodkind is a freelance journalist/editor who works between the UK and the Algarve where she and her husband have had a home for 30 years. She is also a member of the ACCA children’s charity committee. susi@rogol-goodkind.com
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PLACES
Our Favourite meeting place Venepão, the very popular pastelaria in the heart of Almancil.
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irst opened in 1993 by a Venezuelan man, Venepão is now one of the most popular meeting places in the central Algarve. With the original owner looking to sell in 2008, João and 3 partners bought the cafe and kept the things running until the following year when João and a friend José bought the rest of the shares from the three investors. After things were handed over the two
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started on renovations, redecorating and refurbishing the tired look with new, more modern one. Now, with it’s irresistible cakes, pastries and breads it also offers the traditional Portuguese fish or meat and other alternatives on their all day menu such as pizzas, omelletes, English breakfast, toasties amongst others. Their 19 friendly staff know the importance of quality and so everything that comes from the kitchen is checked and double checked before making its way to the
client. As our personal favourite meeting place, the cafe is also one of the best places to pick up your copy of the Simply Algarve magazine. We hope you visit and enjoy everything there is to offer at Venepão and if you ever need a cake for a special occasion, they make delicious cakes to order as well! The pastelaria is located on the Estrada Vale Formosa from Almancil to Loulé, just past the GNR station.
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PLACES
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PLACES
Caring for children in need
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his month we were very kindly welcomed by Dr. Luis Villas-Boas and his team whilst visiting Refúgio Aboim Ascensão, a private internationally recognised non profit Christian Charity Organization, working to better the lives of abused, abandoned and neglected children under the age of six. Since 1985, Refúgio’s specialized model of care ‘Emergencia Infantil’ dedicated to infants and young children at risk, has earned numerous national and international awards. Dr.Luis was also
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awarded the prestigious - Diana Princess of Wales Award in 1998 and was also made an honorary member of the council of the NSPCC (National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children), in 1992 and remains a role model for infant care around the globe,. His work has been compared to that of pioneering Benjamin Whall founder of the NSPCC at the end of the 19th century. Refúgio Aboim Ascensão was founded in 1933 in Faro, by Manuel de Sande Lemos, in recognition of his uncle Rodrigo’s will. It was Rodrigo Aboim Ascensão, who
founded The Protective Association of Early Childhood in Lisbon in 1901. It was initially established as a breast milk support centre for single mothers, then a medical service for newborns and premature infants. The founder’s primary goal “Support for Early Childhood” has been the institutions technical and methodical focus over the years, and since 1985 the Refúgio has undergone a number of changes with regard to its facilities, social framework, and clinical and teaching services for children temporarily living at the Refúgio. Based on agreements made with the
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Not only Christmas but 24/7, 365 days a year, Refúgio Aboim Ascensão take care of under privelaged children
‘Ministries of Social Security, Justice, Health, Education and the Municipality of Faro’, the Refúgio is now a major centre for temporary emergency protection – the first to be created in Portugal for at risk children of both sexes, from newborns to six years of age. The Refúgio derives no income or profit from its programme and heavily relies on donations. The Emergencia Infantil program, created by director Luis Villas-Boas on August 1st, 1985, was an effort to continue the child protection reconstruction work begun at the Refúgio, to benefit children at risk.
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Emergencia Infantil’s primary aim is the rapid re-integration of a child to its natural family. As the first and primary temporary centre for child protection in Portugal it aims to reconnect children with their families whenever possible, if not, it facilitates alternative family arrangements such as adoption, but only upon the competent court’s decision when it is not possible for children to return to their families. Over the years Emergencia Infantil’s unique and effective model of intervention has been recognized nationally and internationally for its
ability to help children as they have ‘the right to be loved’. Refúgio Aboim Ascensão has participated and promoted seminars, meetings and conferences for both European and International participation, such as the International Children’s Forum in 1997, which included participation of 57 countries. It continues to voice the rights of abused and neglected children and with benefit of early intervention to help children who are at risk. The Refúgio is a very friendly and welcoming place, hosting many children’s events and visits from special guests
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PLACES
and friends from the community. You are more than welcome to visit them at any time and see for yourself the amazing work and environment that they have created for the children; the latest arrival was a baby girl who was just a few days old. Providing professional care services on a 24 hour 365 day a year schedule, therapists and technicians of varying specialities form part of a weekly schedule including evening, weekend and holiday rotations to ensure quality care on a continual basis. The team consists of; 3 Occupational Therapists, 2 Physiotherapists, 1 Speech Therapist, 1 Medical Doctor, 3 Psychologists, 9 Childhood Educators, 3 Social Workers. Upon entering the Refúgio, each child receives an individual assessment by the professional therapy team and a program of care is designed for them, depending on their specific needs. Therapists work with children in order to enhance and develop their sensor motor, cognitive interaction and communication
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skills. To achieve this development many different objectives and techniques are applied such as Neurodevelopment, Sensorial Integration, Hydrotherapy, Baby Massage, Postural Alignment and Activity Training, amongst many others. PSYCHOTHERAPY The Refúgio’s psychotherapy program consists of 3 clinical psychologists who have the appropriate material for diagnosis and therapeutic interventions. THE OBJECTIVE Their main purpose is to provide children a safe, structured, happy and healthy environment, while giving them tools to develop confidence and self esteem for the future and ultimately, to either return them to their Biological parents or an adoptive one after a court decision and social security services select a candidate. It has the capacity for 95 children, plus special emergency protection for an additional 5. Non profit making, they appreciate the many forms of assistance that they receive from local, national and international supporters, their work would not be possible without those
contributions. They welcome many forms of volunteer work to enable them to provide the best possible care for the children. If you would like to be considered for a volunteering position, please do contact them to discuss the best way the children can benefit from your help. “We endeavor to provide a superior quality of life for infants and children needing shelter and protection. This work however would not be possible, if we were not in receipt of the support from the community, businesses and citizens throughout the country. It is with their financial contributions Refúgio Aboim Ascensão is able to provide the enhanced care abused and neglected children need”. If you are interested in helping them continue this work they would appreciate your consideration, and ask you to get in contact with them through their website www.refugio.pt, or please, as we did, visit them yourself. Very many thanks to everyone at The Refúgio Aboim Ascensão it is a truly special place.
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Follow the N125 West for Togofor-Homes, Vilamoura Foll Wes ow t Yell t for he N1 ow 25 Hom es
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Monica's restaurant
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Property... A look back at 2017
Property expert Robert Bijker, takes a look back at the market in 2017 and forward to 2018
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very year in December, we reflect on the past year and provide an outlook for the property market in the year ahead, 2018. During the past 12 month’s real estate continued to be popular for both permanent living and investment. The total number of visitors to the Algarve continued to increase in 2017 and surpassed the all time high recorded in 2016. This is mainly due to the continuous popularity of the destination as well as the influx of hundreds of thousands ´newcomers´ from other holiday destinations in countries that
are currently facing turmoil. The weather conditions have been very good all the way up to the end of November, much to the delight of visitors who will leave with fond memories of the Algarve. When back home, word of mouth will do the rest. Most reasons for the popularity of the Algarve have been the same for a long time: 300 days of sunshine, beautiful sandy beaches, reasonable prices, good flight connections, excellent cuisine and friendly local people. Having said this, in combination with tax incentives such as the Golden Visa and the Non Habitual Resident (NHR) Programs, as well as
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the relatively low tax on short-term holiday rental income, there is a sense that the property market has found new momentum. This in turn has led to higher turnover for local businesses, lower unemployment and more revenue for the government. We believe that the property market will remain buoyant throughout 2018 supported by a solid and broad-based economic expansion in Europe as well as the continuation of a low interest rate environment. The demand for properties this year came predominately from buyers from Scandinavia, France, Germany, Italy and The United Kingdom and often in relation with the NHR program. Where buyers of property with the Golden Visa program tend to favour areas like the golden triangle in the Algarve, Porto and the greater Lisbon area, NHR applicants seem less focussed on a particular area and tend to have a preference for apartments, townhouses and villas in urban areas. The British continued to buy property seemingly undeterred by a weak Pound and ongoing Brexit saga. The resulting unprecedented political and economic uncertainty is reflected in the volatility of the exchange rate. However, we see most buyers from the UK hedging themselves once agreement has been reached over the purchase price of a property. Financially, Portugal is in a better position which is reflected in the 1.9 percent yield on 10 year government bonds, down from 2.3 percent last May. It peaked in 2012 at 18 percent at the height of the euro region debt crisis. The ministry of
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PROPERTY
finance expects the debt to GDP ratio to come in at 126.2 percent in 2017 and to drop to 123.5 percent in 2018. Even if the 2018 target is achieved, it remains dangerously high. The reduction in the debt to GDP ratio is mainly due to an expanding economy, not because of a reduction of the absolute level of debt which rose from € 72 bn in 2007 to € 249 bn (up from 239 bn in 2016). The government aims to narrow the budget deficit in 2018 to 1 percent of GDP. Economic growth is expected to slow to 2.2 percent in 2018, down from 2.6 percent in 2017. The unemployment rate is expected to drop to 8.6 percent in 2018, down from 9.2 percent in 2017. For the first time since 2010 all leading economies are expanding in 2017 and Portugal benefits from this too. However, there is little sign that Portugal is using the opportunities offered during the recovery for structural reform of the economy and runs the risk of wasting a once in a lifetime opportunity to get its finances in order. The period of ultralow interest rates and QE will not last forever. Instead, it seems to choose to be rather happy to enjoy the economic recovery and greater optimism after a period of austerity. Foreign buyers continued to be attracted by the Golden Visa and the NHR program. Especially the latter as more and more people from Northern Europe learned about this program and the benefits. The NHR program is a scheme for individuals who have not been a resident in Portugal during the past 5 years. Once an individual has been granted the NHR status, he or she will be exempt from income tax (work, royalties, pension, interest and dividend) for a period of 10 years. This program is an attractive proposition for many
foreigners who like to capitalize on a recovery in property prices while having a 10 year tax holiday. The construction sector is also performing better than expected, with newly built residential property up by 8 percent year-on-year during the period of January to October 2017. Demand for good quality properties is outstripping supply, which we expect to continue in 2018. Due to the recovery in construction, there is upward price pressure for building materials and skilled labour. Renovation of old properties in town centers are popular amongst investors as there are several benefits as part of the urban rehabilitation program, such as a lower VAT rate (6 percent) on construction materials which effectively reduce building costs by more than 10 percent, no cost for the building license, exemption of IMT (property transfer tax) and exemption of IMI (council tax) for 3 years. Some banks offer preferential interest rates to finance the renovation work. We continue to be in a low interest rate environment. The interest margin banks charge their best customers is 1.15 percent, which is 10 basis points lower than a year ago. For those who prefer a fixed rate over a floating rate mortgage, the interest rate is 1.35 percent for 5 year fixed consisting of the interest margin of the bank and the 5 year swap rate of 0,20 percent. The current interest rate of a floating rate mortgage is 0.89 percent (1.15 percent - 0.33 percent / 3 month Euribor) but one would be exposed to interest rate fluctuations. The low rates and increasing availability of mortgage financing has resulted in a sharp increase in mortgage lending. Banks in Portugal do not offer 10 – 20 year fixed mortgages. The question is for how much
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longer will interest rates stay low? The ECB has indicated that it is extending its economic stimulus programme (QE) until at least September 2018, although bond purchases would be halved to Euro 30 bn per month while at the same time saying that, should economic conditions warrant it, the program would continue. In other words, the ending of QE seems to be open-ended. It also intends to keep interest rates low well beyond the end of QE which suggests rates will stay at the current lows until 2019. The general perception is that interest rates are kept artificially low and in the future move back up. As a mortgage on a property is a long term commitment, the possibility of higher rates makes some people uncomfortable. They are in good company. Former fed chairman Alan Greenspan recently warned about bond markets to be in bubble territory, and when the bubble bursts, it will be bad for everyone. A study by Paul Schmelzing (Harvard University) of real risk free rates (The return on an investment with zero risk. Long dated government bonds of countries with a high investment rating are often used as benchmark) covering the past 700 years shows a decline since 1980, but is actually part of a downward trend covering 5 centuries. There have been 9 periods of real rate depression before, which on average ended after 26 years. We are currently in the 34th year, the second longest on record, which saw dramatic changes in technology, demographics, globalization and a saving glut. It is not if but when this trend will reverse. If history is a guideline most upward corrections are sharp. Within two years from the trough rates on average move up by 315 basis points. For some this is enough reason to have preference for a fixed rate mortgage. In Portugal most mortgages have a floating rate based on 3 or 6 months Euribor. Rising interest rates are therefore passed on to the homeowner, hurting disposable income and economic activity and may become an issue in 2020/2021. Property ownership by offshore companies is about to become less attractive. Portugal is implementing the Beneficial Ownership Register regime, a recent EU directive which requires the name of the beneficial owner(s) to be shared with other countries. As usual, there are fines for non-compliance as high as Euro 50.000. Offshore centers will need to comply with new rules, such as implementation the Common Reporting Standard (CRS), have agreements in place for the automatic exchange of information with all EU member states before the end of 2017. This may cause a problem for companies registered in Delaware, as the United States is refusing to be part of the CRS. This could
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mean that Delaware loses its status as white listed jurisdiction in which case companies could face almost a 20 fold increase in their council tax rate. The normal rate depending on the location of the property/council is 0.4 – 0.5 percent, where as the punitive tax rate is 7.5 percent. The alternative is to redomicile the Delaware company to Portugal or to sell the property. Having said this, the United States may in the end decide to comply. If properties do come to market because of this, we expect that they be met by eager buyers. Just like last year, newly built properties that came to the market were quickly snapped up by eager buyers. The balance in supply and demand is changing more and more in favour of vendors as demand is outstripping supply. Some banks still own properties which they foreclosed on during the financial crisis and are now being able to offload on the back of a rising market. The residential property market in general is in pretty good shape with strong demand from buyers and renters alike. In our base case scenario at the end of 2016 we expected transaction volume of residential housing to slow down in 2017 while prices of existing homes sales to rise between 4 – 6 percent. On average the price of a property over the past 12 months has appreciated by 7 percent, slightly above the top end of our expectation. We were cautious with our transaction volume outlook for the year as at the time the rise of populist and nationalist parties across Europe was a cause for concern with upcoming elections in France, Germany, The Netherlands and Austria. That
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could have been the start a period of uncertainty and hurt discretionary purchases such as a second home abroad. Although populist parties did gain ground they did not gain the majority of votes in any of the countries which proved to be beneficial for the market as transaction volume continued to exceed our expectations. When forming a well informed opinion about the market outlook for 2018 one has to take into consideration not only the economic prospect of Portugal for the year ahead but also of other economies. The economic outlook for Portugal is improving on the back of a solid and broad based economic expansion in Europe which is likely to continue into the New Year, as recent economic data shows that the European economy is picking up steam. Economic confidence in the euro zone has surged to its highest level since the introduction of the Euro in 1999. As such the Catalonia crisis in Spain and the difficulty of forming a government in Germany (the largest economy of Europe) is largely ignored. The Portuguese government has published their budget proposal for 2018. There is a possibility for taxation of short term rental income (Alojamento Local) as well as the NHR program to be changed. If this were the case it would send a negative signal to current and prospective homeowners. Once the new budget for 2018 is endorsed and include changes to the AL and NHR regime that would be a negative for the property market. For 2018 we expect another good year for real estate with a further pick up in
new construction of residential property. The plans that various councils have announced are taking more time to start, but this is common in Portugal. They range from developments such as marinas with housing in the council of Olhao, Faro, Vila Real de Santo Antonio to the abandonment of a large, Euro 1 bn development in Vilamoura. The latter would have represented one of the largest real estate developments in Portugal and is now for sale. In Tavira a project for a marina with housing on a prime location in the center of town has been in the offing for a long time. Highly desirable properties in prime locations are always in demand and we look forward to seeing these projects come to fruition. In our base case scenario we expect transaction volume of residential housing to continue to be robust in 2018 while prices of existing homes sales to rise between 7 – 9 percent. Considering all of the above, we expect the year 2018 to be very exciting. Robert Bijker Yellow Homes Land & Houses Algarve www.algarvepropertysearch.com www.algarve-portugal-immobilien.de Vilamoura Office EN 125, Benfarras Boliqueime 8100 - 068 Boliqueime Tel: 289 301294, Fax: 289 301439 AMI 6232 Tavira Office Rua Dr. José Pires Padinha 178 8800 - 354 Tavira Tel: 281 320 281 Fax: 281 321 901 (AMI – 6232)
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Property of the month YELLOW HOMES Land & Houses Algarve Real Estate Agent since 1995 Tel: +351 289 301 294 Email: info@yellowhomes.com www.yellowhomes.com EN 125, Benfarras Boliqueime (opposite DHL)
AMI: 6232
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PROPERTY
PROPERTY DETAILS Ref: P-PEC
Designed with clever use of space and finished with great attention to detail, this dazzling Estoi property offers a balanced contrast between a traditional style exterior and a high quality, bright and modern interior.
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• Beautiful countryside location • Complete privacy on a plot of 8,940m2 • Stunning new build property • Bright entrance hall • 5 bedrooms • Master bedroom dressing area • 3 bathrooms • Open living room with wood burner • Open dining area • High quality fitted and Siemens equipped kitchen • Art studio / media room / large office • Under floor heating throughout • Double glazing and tilting windows • Air-conditioning • LED lighting • Full internet and TV connections • Separate Bosch equipped laundry • Double garage with automatic doors • Tool room • EC class: B • Electric entrance gates • Solar panels for domestic water • Saltwater swimming pool • Mains and borehole water with filter • Landscaped and wild garden • Abundance of vines and fruit trees • Fully walled and fenced
Price €850.000
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CHRISTMAS MARKETat the CONRAD Children’s charit y ACCA is inviting a select number of prestigious companies to exhibit at the annual Christmas Market held at Quinta do Lago’s Conrad Hotel, this year on 8 December, 11am to 5pm. The event attracts a money-spending audience looking for luxury Christmas gifts – and there will be much on offer, from artisan foods to fashion and home accessories to original art works. Delicious eats, warming drinks and splendid entertainment, including a Christmas Carol choir, and a bouncy castle and visit from Santa to delight the youngsters, add to the fun. Stands, €50, are 2m square and include a 180x80cm table, cloth and t wo chairs. High demand and limited space make early booking essential. To enquire about booking please contact: Wanda Crawford 919 617 995 wandacrawfordspa@yahoo.com Pre-payment is required please, to: IBAN PT50 0079 0000 43426419101 22
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COLUMN
Tales from an expat in Portugal The days of ‘go fly a kite’ are but a memory. Anthony Martin takes to the skies with the latest gizmo… no strings attached.
“Each time I leave the house to get in more flying hours, as I pick up my flight case and reach for
I
the Ray Bans my wife starts singing ‘Take my Breath Away’ and calls out “Fly Safe Maverick” she’ll stop laughing when I get the phone call from Michael O’Leary.”
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t’s not easy learning to fly. I’ve been at it for a total of three hours now and I still can’t bank and turn smoothly. I have the aviator sun-glasses, Amazon sent me a natty pilots cap with silver wings but until I can master pitch and yaw I can’t sew the four gold stripes onto my blazer which buggers up my chance to enjoy high jinks in the cockpit. Each time I leave the house to get in more flying hours, as I pick up my flight case and reach for the Ray Bans my wife starts singing ‘Take my Breath Away’ and calls out “Fly Safe Maverick” - she’ll stop laughing when I get the phone call from Michael O’Leary. But then flights are fanciful and dreams are cheap, which is more than I can say about the latest must have boys-toy. Yes, I bought myself a drone (or as it’s known by us aficionados, a quadcopter) and not one of cheap plasticky ones. This one has GPS, a camera, front and base sensors and will reach speeds of 65 Kph. What the camera sees is transmitted, via the controller, to my mobile phone screen where I have buttons to shoot video or stills. The only downside is that each fully charged battery only lasts half an hour. Doing the sums, half an hour at 65 Kph equals 32.5k out and 32.5k back. If we call this a radius of 30k that allows me hovering time over your house. So, remember, if you are within my 30k area think twice before skinny-dipping as flying at an altitude of 120 metres you won’t hear or see me … but I will see you. That was ‘what to do with a drone - plan A’. However, plan ‘A’ comes with a problem. Up here in Jed Clampett land, most, if not all the locals have guns, which I am sure they would use at the slightest provocation. I am also sure that my drone, hovering over private property, would be considered provocation and that I wouldn’t have a leg to stand on (legal-wise) if it was shot down. But I shall worry about that when the time comes as I was quite excited when my package arrived. If you are like me, the first thing you do, after taking a machine out of its box, is to completely ignore the instruction manual and turn it on. The second thing you do is turn it off, as you have forgotten to fit the propellers, calibrate the compass, remove the gimble thingy and a myriad of other
things. Two days later, having read the manual and watched dozens of instructional YouTube videos of rooftops and back yards belonging to intense bearded Americans in pointy boots and check shirts, you are ready to go. But go where? Having seen the videos, you realise that we do not live in an area of wide open spaces, of flat dusty plains and of tumbleweed bouncing down Main Street. No, we live in an area where there are a lot of hills, hills with big trees, tall pylons, telegraph poles and a multitude of wires. So perhaps I should consider: What to do with a drone - plan ’B’. This is more complicated as it involves utilising the drone for the very reason it was developed. For this I would need to ask the US company Lockheed Martin if they could make me two miniature Hellfire missiles to enable me to knock on a couple of doors, namely EDP and MEO. But these are, if you will excuse the pun, my personal flights of fancy. Which brings me to; What to do with a drone - plan ‘C’. Now the Alentejo, for me, is one of the most beautiful areas of Portugal and possibly the most underrated. Portugal’s west coast has stunning beaches, wonderful rock formations and great food. Travel inland and you will find small villages oozing with charm, character and history. The local people always make you welcome and should you speak to them in Portuguese they will go out of their way to help and guide you. Now, as the weather is cooler, this is where I would like to spend some time. Space a-plenty to create those wonderful sweeping panoramas we saw in Out of Africa and Lawrence of Arabia. Here we have amazing vistas, forests of cork oaks, olive farms and wineries, so completely different to the Algarve. This is where I could fly to my heart’s content, filming while following the course of a river, over and under Roman bridges and aqueducts until, with dubbed symphonic music building to a crescendo, we finally reach the town and zoom into the main subject – a basilica – a dome – a statue or perhaps the Temple to Diana in Evora. Yes, I see it now. I could possibly be, no shall be, the true disciple of David Lean. But I really must master pitch and yaw otherwise I can’t turn corners.
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FOOD
PURPLE CARROTS
OVEN BAKED PUMPKIN The ideal addition to a cosy, relaxed winter dinner with friends, this baked pumpkin is packed full of flavour and great fun for guests, who can serve themselves (and come back for more!). This zero preparation dish You will need:
• 1 whole pumpkin • Honey to taste • Assorted seeds and nuts, previously toasted • Sour cream
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excels both in terms of flavour and versatility, working both as the main ingredient in a meal, served with salad or rye bread, and as a seasonal side dish, for serving with grilled fish or meat.
P
reheat the oven to 160ºC. Place the whole pumpkin on a tray and bake for about 75 minutes. Serve the baked pumpkin on a platter. Remove the skin from part of the top. Drizzle with the honey and sprinkle with seeds or nuts of your choice. On this occasion we used almond flakes, which we toasted for 1 minute in a hot non-stick frying pan. Accompany with a bowl of sour cream, and with their spoons at the ready, let your guests get stuck in!
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PLACES
Forum Algarve, Faro 38
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The Algarve
LIGHTS UP
Taking a moment to look at some of the Algarve's Christmas decorations this year..
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Igreja Matriz de Nossa Senhora do Rosรกrio e Capela de Nosso Senhor dos Aflitos
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PLACES
The fishing boat Bom Sucesso (Good Success) is a replica of a Caíque of Olhão
OLHÃO
Olhão Municipal camara
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Algarve outlet, Olhão
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Why not give us a no obligation call to discuss what you may like to sell? We offer honest valuations and free advise to all potential sellers.
Open: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 14:00pm Sat: Open Auction days Email: valuations@ahalgarve.com Office: 289 832 380 Tel. Mark: 914 774 438 Sitio do Besouro, Conceição, Faro
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WANTED!
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FINANCE
Dovish BoE sinks pound, impressive data supports euro Keep up to date with our currency expert Chantelle, Client Account Executive at Currencies Direct.
‘The pound could see further losses in the coming weeks as Brexit negotiations are unlikely to be completed before the next EU Summit on December 14th.’
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ovember was a bit of a struggle for Sterling, starting with the Bank of England’s (BoE) rate decision which prompted significant losses for the currency at the start of the month. Confidence in the pound in November was also rattled by political developments in the UK, with investors fearing that the instability of the UK government would hamper Brexit negotiations. Further adding to the pound’s woes was a growing sense of political uncertainty in the UK after Prime Minister Theresa May was forced to shuffle her cabinet multiple times after two of her top ministers were hit by unrelated scandals. Meanwhile, the euro has been lifted over the past few weeks by a run of upbeat data from across the Eurozone, with the bloc looking to have capped off a year of impressive growth with a strong fourth quarter. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR? The pound could see further losses in the coming weeks as Brexit negotiations are unlikely to be completed before the next EU Summit on December 14th.
Currency savings are best enjoyed poolside. Sit back and beat the banks from the comfort of your sun lounger.
This could scupper any chances for trade talks to begin by the end of the year and likely dent Sterling sentiment. Meanwhile, the euro may continue to strengthen over the next couple of weeks if the positive trend in Eurozone data continues. However, the single currency’s gains could be undermined somewhat by the European Central Bank’s (ECB) stance that loose monetary policy would still be needed for the foreseeable future. The euro may also be suppressed by the strength of the US dollar, which is likely to pick up in anticipation of a rate hike from the Federal Reserve this month. For more information, please contact Chantelle at the Almancil office of Currencies Direct on 289 395739 or alternatively visit their website on www.currenciesdirect.com/portugal and register to get regular updates on the currency markets, (please mention Simply Algarve magazine as a referral point).” We would like to take this opportunity to wish all the readers of this magazine a Very Happy Christmas and a Prosperous New Year.
Paul Currencies Direct customer since 2013, Watch his story at currenciesdirect.com/Paul
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*Fees and exchange rate data for banks taken from the International money transfer index™ (imti™). Currencies Direct Ltd is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority under the Payment Service Regulations 2009 (FRN 504360) for the provision of payment services.
PO16171EN – Simply Algarve advert – Dec 16 v2.indd 1
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19/12/2016 17:22
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FINANCE
New tax rules for sole traders in 2018 Keep up to date with our Finance expert, chartered accountant Ricardo Chaves from All Finance Matters.
‘Here are some questions and answers about the expected changes in the simplified IRS scheme.’
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he government included in the budget proposal for 2018 changes to the IRS (Personal Income Tax) simplified regime. Although the rules do not have a great impact on most taxpayers, as only the ones earning above 27 thousand euros per year would be slightly affected by this, there has been several articles in the press about this, so we will try to explain the changes in this article. Please note that for all those earning less than 27K per year in sole trader activities, it remains unnecessary to register expenses to continue to benefit from all the automatic deductions that the regime will continue to have. However, it’s important to remind all taxpayers, that it is still mandatory to register the invoices in the tax portal, before the 15th of February, in case you want to use the allowances available to save on your tax bill. Here are some questions and answers about the expected changes in the simplified IRS scheme: Who will be covered by the new regime? Sole trader professionals, such as lawyers, accountants, hairdressers, journalists, dentists, veterinarians and shopkeepers, among others and other service providers (such as local lodgers). Who stays out? Farmers and small traders will not be covered, as well as self-employed whose activity is the sale of products and services and those who have activity in the catering sector and in the hotel industry (excluding local accommodation). How is this regime taxed today? To the income of these taxpayers, a coefficient is applied which acts as an automatic deduction and which, in practice, causes the tax to charge only on part of the taxable income and not on its totality. The IRS code assigns different deductions depending on the activity concerned: for example, 25 percent for liberal professionals (taxed on 75 percent of income) and 65 percent for other service providers (taxed on 35 percent of income) which include those that rent their property to tourists (AL or Local Lodging Activities). What should change? The automatic presumption of expenditure will be limited: one party will continue to be presumed, but another will be dependent on the costs incurred and recorded, and in both cases only 15 percent of expenditure will be justified and not presumed. The taxation coefficients should remain unchanged but, to achieve them fully and not suffer a tax increase, taxpayers will have to justify 15 percent of the expenditure. How can these sole traders fill the 15 percent of expenses? Firstly, through the automatic deduction of EUR 4,104 (equal to the specific deduction of dependent work) or, if higher, by the amount of contributions to compulsory social security schemes which are not currently
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deductible. For this purpose, personnel expenses, rents and charges for real estate and other expenses such as “current consumption materials, electricity, water, transport and communications, rentals, litigation, insurance, leasing, and other organizations representing professional categories relating to the taxable person, travel, travel and residence of the taxable person and his employees. What if the expense is not just related to the activity? In this case, the expenses with real estate and the acquisition of goods and services are considered in only 25 percent, and in the case of charges on real estate related to the activity, the allowable deductions are ‘tighter’. If the properties are rented, the respective rents are accepted and, if the properties are owned by the workers, then an amortization of the respective investment calculated automatically by the Tax Office according to the tax asset value (VPT) is accepted as an expense: 25 percent of 1.5 percent of the VPT of the property affected by the activity, a proportion that in the local housing rises to 25 percent of 4 percent of the fiscal value of the property. New simplified depreciation rules have also been created, which will be automatically applied by the Tax Authorities to all those on the Local Lodging sector. This may have an impact on your capital gain tax, but mainly for the resident tax payers and only at the time of selling the property. How can sole traders allocate real estate expenses to professional activity? Through the e-fatura page, in the Tax portal (www. portaldasfinancas.gov.pt), where three buttons will be available for each property, and the taxpayers can indicate if the expense is “personal, professional or mixed”. How many expenses do I have to register to maintain the same tax rate? The application of the automatic deduction of 4,104 euros will mean that only taxpayers with incomes higher than 27 thousand euros will be affected; so all those, which earn up to 2,250 euros per month, do not have to justify or register any additional expenses. But just to have an idea of the small impact of these changes, all those who invoice 3,000 euros monthly will have to register just 108 euros per year in expenses, to maintain the same coefficient. The amount of expenses needed to register each year, so that the level of tax does not increase, for those who earn 5,000 euros per month, is just 250 euros per year. As you can see, there are changes, but will only affect those sole traders who invoice more. So perhaps it’s a good time to analyse your current situation and perhaps try to change your tax structure, in order to mitigate this tax increase. Please feel free pass by our office for a friendly chat and find out more about the tax strategy that might be more effective on your specific situation. The AFM team wishes you a Merry Christmas and a fantastic year in 2018!
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AFM-Boat-2017-B5
20-02-2017
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GARDENS
A Christmas Gift from Mexico
Poinsettias are native to Mexico, and are found in the wild in the deciduous tropical forests down the entire Pacific Coast, as well as in the interior, in the forests of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas.
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here are certain plants that play important and often mysterious roles in holiday traditions and celebrations all over the world, and amongst these, the Poinsettia’s story is a unique one, spanning hundreds of years. Poinsettias are native to Mexico, and are found in the wild in the deciduous tropical forests down the entire Pacific Coast, as well as in the interior, in the forests of Guerrero, Oaxaca, and Chiapas. Highly priced in Aztec culture, where it was called “Cuetlaxochitl”, and where its milky sap was used in a medicine to reduce fever, it also produced red and purple dyes for the colouring of clothing and textiles. The last Aztec emperor, Montezuma, so loved this plant that he even ordered caravans of Poinsettias to be shipped to the capital city of Teotihuacan, as it was unable to grow at his city’s high altitude. Though the first Conquistadors were aware of the Poinsettia’s importance in Aztec culture, it wasn’t until the Spanish colonization of Mexico that it began to be associated with the Christian festival of Christmas. Franciscan monks in the small town off Taxco de Alarcon were the first to use the flowering plant in their Nativity processions, and it was at about this time that the Mexican legend of “Pepita and the Flowers of the Holy Night” evolved, forever linking the Central
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American red and green shrub to our Christmas folklore. This legend tells a story of Pepita, a poor young country girl, who was walking to her village one Christmas Eve to pray at the Nativity scene at the local church. Having no money to buy a present to give to the Baby Jesus, she could only gather a bunch of wild plants growing by the roadside, and make them into a modest bouquet. Very sad that her present was so humble, she entered the chapel, and shyly presented her gift to the Nativity Jesus with a feeling of great love and tenderness. As she did so, her bunch of weeds miraculously turned into a glowing bouquet of the beautiful scarlet and green plant that we now know as “Poinsettia and that Pepita’s descendants call: “Flor de Noche Buena”! Two hundred years later, in 1828, the first US Ambassador to Mexico, Joel Roberts Poinsett, visited the Taxco area for the first time, and walking in its beautiful countryside, he became enchanted by the flaming red leaves of an unknown plant. Being an enthusiastic botanist, he shipped specimens back to his property in South Carolina, where he shared them amongst fellow horticulturalists and botanical gardens. The reputation of these lovely plants rapidly spread, and by the 1830’s the plant was formally named “Poinsettia” after its first American admirer, and so began its enduring and much-loved association with our Christmas festivities all over the world.
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SPORT
SPORTS NEWS
Brought to you by Chris Wright.
FARENSE LOOK LIKE CHAMPIONS
DIER DOES IT IN STYLE
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ric Dier became one of the youngest players to captain his country when he led out the England team for the international against Germany at Wembley on the eve of Remembrance Day. Eric’s grandfather Ted Croker, a former secretary of the Football Association, was an RAF pilot during WW2 and sustained injuries in a crash which hampered his later football career. As the players of both countries paid homage to the millions of people who gave the ultimate sacrifice it should be remembered that approximately 12,000 Portuguese troops died during the course of World War I and civilian deaths in Portugal exceeded 220,000: 82,000 caused by food shortages and 138,000 by the Spanish flu. Young Eric Dier came to the Algarve with his family sixteen years ago as his mother Louise took up a position working at EURO 2004. After moving to Lisbon, Dier was soon spotted by world famous Sporting Lisbon Academy, it was here that he quickly adapted to the Portuguese way of life, where he showed a maturity that belied his age. Three years ago he moved to Tottenham Hotspur for a fee of €5m and a year later made his debut for the England senior team against Spain. Current England manager Gareth Southgate had no hesitation in handing him the captain’s armband against the World Champions. “Eric is an established player in the side now,” said Southgate. “He plays with maturity and intelligence and understands the game really well. He is also a great role model”. Dier, fluent in the Portuguese language, retained the captain’s armband in the 0-0 draw with Brazil when he would have had no problem understanding the Brazilians chatter!
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S
C Farense ran riot against local archrivals SC Olhanense as they dominated the game from start to finish. Three goals up by half-time, through Okechukwu Irobiso, Fábio Gomes and former Benfica and Portugal international Jorge Ribeiro, they coasted the second-half with the game ending 4-1 to the home side. With nine victories and just one defeat in their opening ten games the Faro based outfit have scored twenty-three goals and conceded just three. After this humiliating defeat Olhanense are seven points off the pace..
THE GREATEST COMEBACK
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efore Bill Shankly, Sir Alex Ferguson and José Mourinho there was Béla Guttman: the first superstar football coach and the man who paved the way for the celebrated coaches of the modern age. More extraordinarily still, Guttman was a Holocaust Survivor. He narrowly dodged death by hiding for months in an attic near Budapest as thousands of fellow Jews were dragged off to concentration camps. Guttman later escaped from a slave labour camp but his father, sister and wider family perished at the hands of the Nazis. But by 1961, as coach of Benfica, he had lifted one of football’s greatest prizes: the European Cup - a feat he repeated the following year. Guttmann was on top of the World and asked for a pay rise but his request was rejected by the Benfica directors and he stormed out of the club. He left them with a parting shot ‘The Curse of Béla Guttman’, uttering as he departed “Not in a hundred years from now will Benfica ever win a European Cup”. Since 1962 Benfica have been in eight European finals 1963, 1965, 1968, 1983, 1988, 1990 and 2013 and they have lost every single one! Now comes the publication of Béla Guttman’s life story beautifully written by David Bolchover. Moving, original, full of insight; this is a terrifying and inspirational story of survival and triumph. It is an astonishing journey.
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GOLF
GOLF
PRO TIPS Richard Hudson and Eddie Charnock, Algarve Golf Guru, PGA Golf Professionals tell us how the use alignment sticks can help our game.
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lignment sticks are not just a fashion accessory, blue sticks for a blue golf bag or red sticks for a red golf bag; use them every session if you own a set as they are probably the most important practice aid you can acquire. If you don’t own a set of sticks, you can use your golf clubs but this could be an expensive option; stepping on them by mistake and resulting in a broken shaft for example! When you visit your PGA Qualified Golf Professional for a lesson the 5 key areas he will be looking at during your warm up are Alignment, Ball Position, Grip, Posture and Club Face Angle to decide which areas from this list to correct, if necessary, before moving forward with any changes that may be required to your golf swing. If you work with the sticks when practicing you can ensure your alignment and ball position are correct (picture above), the two most common faults in golf. A huge percentage of golfers aim way right of target in an effort to stop slicing but this simply compounds the problem. Concerning the ball position, we nearly always find the Driver is too far back in the stance and the Irons are too far forward. These problems can easily be rectified using your sticks. Ensure your feet alignment
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stick is parallel to your target before locating your ball position stick. To make this easier for you the two sticks can easily be connected with a right angled connector as shown in the picture above. NEXT MONTH, we will cover another area of practice showing how the Alignment Sticks work for you! If you would like to contact the duo for lessons or any other golf needs, find them on their website: www.algarvegolfguru. com Email sales@algarvegolfguru.com and make sure to mention Simply Algarve as a point of refferal.
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CLASSIFIEDS
NEW CLASSIFIED ADS! The Simply Algarve magazine now has a free classifieds section for our readers. Please send your small free ads to Design@simplyalgarvemag.com before the 16th December to be included in the next issue! CARETAKER POSITION WANTED: Responsible, Experienced couple HE: certified Electrician (35+ years), plumber, builder, retired Fireman/Officer. SHE: retired Entrepreneur & Restaurateur. BOTH: avid Gardeners, Cooks, Homeowners & Rotarians. EastCentral Algarve, min. 2+ yrs engagement desired. M: 963774824; E: patcreagh@gmail.com
1999 FORD COUGAR 2.5 V6 €2995 ONO 189,000 km’s Excellent condition for age, air conditioning, electric windows, sunroof, drivers seat and mirrors, heated leather seats. Perfect interior, unmarked apart from wear on bolster on the drivers seat which has been patched over. Ultra smooth and quiet V6 engine drives perfectly and averages over 30mpg, no rattles or knocks. Bodywork has a few small scratches but no sun damage at all, way above average for year. Taxed and IPO until May 2018. PORTUGUESE CAR, WILL ACCEPT OFFERS OR INTERESTING SWAPS, LOOKING FOR A CLASSIC CAR OR COMMERCIAL VAN. Contact: 961 700 200 or email richibass@hotmail.co.uk
Art by Alyson Sheldrake. Original Acrylic Paintings for sale, Pet and House Portraits all at affordable prices. Alyson is an Algarve-based artist available for Commissions. alyson@artbyalysonsheldrake.com PT mobile: 912027256 www.artbyalysonsheldrake.com
ENTERTAINMENT FOR RESTAURANTS, BARS AND HOTELS. We specialize in Sixties Music but we offer Karaoke as an option. Please contact Richy on 966 006 436 or see www.richybassett.com.
Buganvilia Plaza, Quinta do Lago 35m2 shop / office for rent. Ground floor, front row, middle unit with large display windows. Directly facing the main VDL to QDL road. Available February 2018. Call: 962 115 133
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WANTED: Large petrol driven cylinder lawn mower, Suffolk Colt or similar. Mini giratoria, like small JCB, in good working condition, up to €3,000 or px for Ford Connect High Top van. Tel: 281 971 484.
ALL YOUR SOLAR NEEDS! Expert in solar solutions, we will beat any quote in the Algarve, finance available! Contact info@solarpanels4u.com
Artist and Teacher Karen Wride at First Class Art Oil painting and drawing lessons in small, friendly classes for beginners to advanced. See my work exhibited in Galleria Corte Real and Galleria de Arte, Lagoa www.karenwride.com www.first-class-art.com
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THE ALGARVE PROPERTY SPECIALISTS
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JUST A FEW OF THE INTERNATIONAL ARTISTS TO BE FOUND EXHIBITING AT THE GALLERY
Find us on Google maps Corte Real Gallery From the protected village of Paderne, follow the signs ‘Corte Real’ TM: 912 737 762 . Gallery Open Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun. 11am - 5pm Email: galeria@corterealarte.com - www.corterealarte.com