Simply Algarve Dec 2020

SIMPLY

ALGARVE ISSUE NO. 53 DEC 2020

by Dora Guerreiro

Buy with Confidence, Sell with Success!

Your home, your lifestyle...It´s our purpose.

DG Algarve Properties | (+351) 289 355 336 | (+351) 912 391 925 | dora@dgalgarveproperties.com Estrada de Vale do Lobo, Rua Manuel Teixeira Gomes 947 1Âş Dto, 8135 - 016 Almancil, Portugal

www.dgalgarveproperties.com

AMI 14557

Contents

Welcome!

Take a look at what’s coming in this months issue.

Have an interesting story you think should be shared?

Email us at simplyalgarvemag@gmail.com 6 WORTH KNOWING News, views, and some very good ideas

8 TALENTOS UNIDOS Providing vital education for kids in need

12 CAPTURING THE MOMENT Widgis Haugaas shares some of her favourite pics

16 HIPPY SPIRIT

ART DIRECTOR Jake Bassett +351 966 044 143 simplyalgarvemag@gmail.com

Meeting Zana and Joki from Hippy Spirit

20 MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF Beth Jackson meets grafitti artist ‘Sen’

24 THE YEAR IN REVIEW An update on the property market by YellowHomes.

26 PROPERTY OF THE MONTH Could this be your dream property?

28 DESIGNING YOUR HOME DIY Christmas decorations

30 BOOK CLUB Calling all book worms!

32 INTENTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS Some advice to take on for the new year!

34 RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH Restaurante Brava

38 RECIPE OF THE MONTH A simple twist on a festive favourite

40 PROPERTY INVESTMENT Vitor Reis talks poroperty valuations

42 FINANCE Your questions, answered by our expert

44 GOLF

PUBLISHER Richard Bassett

CONTRIBUTORS Ricardo Chaves Richard Hudson Robert Bijker Isabela Gonçalves Janet Shook Vitor Reis Jake Cleaver Beth Jackson Portugal News AlgarveDailyNews Portugal Resident Ana Schiavonne Jake Bassett ADVERTISING 966 044 143 simplyalgarvemag@gmail.com 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.

A tip from the pro’s!

46 PARTING WORDS Jake Cleaver discusses magical plants

Unipessoal Lda

December 2020

3

News

NEED TO KNOW We bring you more news, local happenings, shop openings, bright ideas as well as helpful hints and charity updates, so you know what to look out for where. Send us your news too, we’ll always include anything of special interest

PORTUGAL WINS BEST DESTINATION IN EUROPE FOR THE 4TH YEAR RUNNING

P

ortugal was elected as the Best Destination in Europe in the 2020 edition of the World Travel Awards for the fourth consecutive year, according to the results released on Sunday night.

“It is with particular pride that we received this award, in this atypical year”, said the Secretary of State for Tourism, Rita Marques, in a statement released by the Ministry of Economy and Digital Transition.

Known as the “Tourism Oscars”, the World Travel Awards are given by professionals in the sector and the ceremony in which they are released was replaced this year by a virtual format, due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

The Secretary of State for Tourism added: “It is yet another proof of international confidence in our destination and a recognition that Portugal’s attributes remain intact and ready to be discovered by all those who wish to visit us, always respecting the rules defined by the authorities” .

From the extensive list of awards, Portugal won 21, including the city of Porto, with the award for Best Destination ‘City Break’ in Europe, and Lisbon elected as the Best European Cruise Destination.

The Algarve again became the Best Beach Destination in Europe and the Azores were distinguished as the Best Adventure Tourism Destination.

4

For Rita Marques, “health, protection and trust are unquestionable synonyms of the national tourist offer”.

In this year’s edition, in addition to several hotels and resorts, initiatives and entities such as the Dark Sky Alqueva project, the Passadiços do Paiva or the air carrier TAP were also recognized. source: theportugalnews.com

December 2020

I

PORTUGUESE RIDER MIGUEL OLIVEIRA WINS HOME RACE IN PORTIMÃO

n one of the best kind of feel-good results the country could hope for, Portuguese rider Miguel Oliveira has won the 2020 MotoGP Portuguese Grand Prix in Portimão today, producing a fairytale ending to his extraordinary season.

President Marcelo and prime minister António Costa have been quick to congratulate him, both referring to the pride and delight it has brought the country at what is otherwise a fairly dismal time.

Oliveira himself has described the win as ‘surreal’, in that it is his first MotoGP victory on home soil.

“You dream of these kind of races, and to finally be able to win, it’s incredible”, he said afterwards – adding that the whole day has been made ‘extra special’ because his family “didn’t get to see my first win, and they get to see it live here. An incredible say for me, very emotional”.

The 25-year-old who has been on wheels pretty much since he was four years old was riding for French-based Red Bull KTM Tech3 which had never had a MotoGP win in its 40 year history until August, when Oliveira clinched his first victory of the season at Austria’s Styrian GP (click here).

The extraordinary rider is now leaving Tech 3, but he does so, he told Sport TV with “a smile and a victory that leaves me very proud”.

And because the pandemic meant this extraordinary victory played out without any members of the public in the stands, the champion had a special word of thanks to “all those who watched (the race) at home and couldn’t come to the Algarve to give their support physically. I know they were on my side, giving me strength – and believe me I needed all of it to manage the laps. Thank you to everyone”.

Source: portugalresident.com

FILM PRODUCTIONS IN THE ALGARVE STRENGTHEN PORTUGAL’S FILM INDUSTRY ´There’s always Hope`, is a production from Eagle Films, Bad Penny Productions and Monte Productions in association with Spy Manor Productions. All film organisations behind this project have plans to bring film productions to the region.

A statement by Spy Manor Production says that “November marks a successful month for the Film & Entertainment industries in the Algarve. The Algarve Film Collective unveiled that eight film organisations from both the UK and Portugal are currently collaborating in over four important initiatives”.

Directed by Tim Lewiston, the movie features Colm Meaney (Hell On Wheels), Kate Ashfield (Shaun Of The Dead) and newcomer Hannah Chinn with Oscar-nominated production designer Tim Hutchinson (Victor Victoria), composer Guy Farley (Anthropoid), DoP Ali Asad (Mad To Be Normal) and editor Jeremy Gibb (Property Of The State) as part of the crew.

With a budget of £1 million, the production generated around one hundred jobs for the local community and went ahead

despite restrictions imposed by COVID-19. The producers created a separate Covid-19 team that was responsible for the execution of the strict regulations given by the Portuguese authorities. Among the crew there was a very important person on set, Otto Linden, who was hired as the production’s COVID-19 compliance officer, a role that will become crucial in the years ahead, according to the press release.

During the same month, Spy Manor Productions initiated a global search for Portuguese screenwriters to take part in a ground-breaking, free workshop that will produce a new Algarve based television series.

In the beginning of November, the Moviebox Premiere Streaming platform was also launched, the platform showcases independent films to independent filmmakers, giving independent producers a chance not only to reach a wider audience but also to further develop their work. source: theportugalnews.com

December 2020

5

News

LOULÉ ANIMAL CHARITY BECOMES FIRST IN PORTUGAL TO WIN INTERNATIONAL “HOST OF THE MONTH” AWARD

L

oulé animal charity ARA – standing for Animal Rescue Algarve – has become the first Portuguese activity to receive hosting platform WorkAway International’s “Host of the Month” award.

The unique shelter and all those who work within it are delighted.

As volunteer coordinator Tiago explained, the WorkAway programme has given ARA “the chance to change the lives of hundreds of dogs and cats for the better, as well as connecting people who share the same love and respect for animals”.

Indeed the shelter’s founder Sid Richardson says WorkAway has been an integral part of ARA’s winning formula – a turnover of almost 200% in the form of adoptions.

As he explained last year, thanks to the steady stream of enthusiastic youngsters, all ARA’s animals get the attention they need to prepare them them for rehoming.

But Sid wasn’t aware then how much WorkAway candidates were going to enjoy their experience.

The organisation’s blog explains, the “very positive feedback from previous volunteers” led to ‘further investigation’ which showed ARA “proved totally worthy of the award”.

WorkAway has around 50,000 opportunities (meaning activities or destinations) in over 170 countries. In other words, ARA was up against ‘a lot of competition’.

Meantime, the repercussions of ARA’s work at the ‘Cabanita’ shelter are not limited to the Loule area. They stretch further afield (have proved the saving grace for another shelter from Tavira) and are two-pronged: Animal Welfare – In just the last two years the charity has rescued, medically treated, sterilised, registered and rehomed over 500 dogs and cats. ARA’s contribution to animal population control has been of distinct importance in keeping animals off the streets, especially since anti-kennel cull laws came into force in 2018.

Tourism – ARA has hosted over 400 mainly international volunteers through the WorkAway scheme. These volunteer visitors to Portugal have made a positive contribution to local tourism and the economy and gone home to extoll the many benefits of Portugal to their own friends and family. Many of Cabanita volunteers have returned time and again, “often with others”, says the charity that is actually fighting its corner still in a ‘planning dispute’ with the local authority (click here). source: portugalresident.com

Quality Portuguese cuisine with an International twist...

Enjoy and explore texture, colour & tastes with a carefully selected menu that merges Portuguese flavours and international classics.

From Suckling Pig to Calves Liver, Lamb, prawns curry, Fish pie and the daily selection of fresh fish and much more. Vegetarian and gluten free options available. Sit back and unwind, enjoy the perfect combination of food, homemade desserts and a well balanced list of outstanding wines.

Open during the month of December.

We accept group bookings, respecting all security rules.

Open from 7pm Monday to Saturday, closed on Sundays Please call 289 396 638 to book your table

6

December 2020

Greenvalleyrestaurant.com Valverde, Quinta do Lago Algarve, Portugal

Elegance

ALGARVE

Love of furniture and interior design by Donna Algarve Elegance is the beauty within your home with a taste of difference and style.

Find us here: Rua vale Fromoso, 8100-267, Almancil or contact us on T: 960 116 396 E: donna@algarveelegance.com W: algarveelegance.com

Giving

TALENTOS UNIDOS...

...Or “United talents” is a non-profit charity whose main aim is to actively participate in the creation of integration opportunities for all, regardless of origin, religion or nationality.

A

t the TU Charity, they are on a mission to help children and young adults to rise above difficulties through education and entrepreneurship. They believe that having economic development, education and a strong sense of community is key to helping communities to achieve their goals. Their projects use an integrated approach to community development - focusing on the development of economic, social, natural, human, and cultural capital. The programs and projects empower the young generation to show their talents and abilities.

Many children cannot afford to attend school in the most desirable way or 3rd level education. As they believe that education is the key to fight poverty and make communities stronger, they created Sponsorship Projects to match sponsors with children in need. They also run

8

additional community development programs to make sure they reach their full potential.

Sponsor a child and change a life!​ When a child receives education, their future is brighter, and their dreams become a possibility. An educated child will be able to find employment to secure a future for them and their family, a chance to earn a sustainable income. Through becoming better educated, a child can be informed much earlier about their health and wellbeing.

“Education is the key to success and a better future” TU also focuses heavily on Skills and Talent, not all children that graduate High School will attend college. Their goal is to have every Participant not only graduate but leave with a skill or talent that they can always rely on.

More about TU TU has 9 permanent members on the management board,

December 2020

together Selma, Fatima and Juliene are the trio who are more involved with the community and sponsors. They first met back in 2009, soon they became best friends due to their interest in participating actively in the community with projects that would benefit children and young adults.

Selma’s creativity along with her desire to help people and her strong connection with Fatima and Juliene were the key reasons TU was founded.

As all are local, Selma, Fatima and Juliene know what their local communities need. Selma works full time for the TU charity, developing projects, making payments, and helping where needed, she connects with sponsors making sure operations run smoothly.

The Mission & Vision TU’s long-term vision is to have their own education center where both children and their parents can learn and develop their entrepreneurship skills.

What makes them different Our volunteers are members of the communities they service, communicate with their community directly to understand what their principal needs are. Our intention is to collaborate with the community to ensure our projects can have an effective impact with enduring results. As we believe that everything is interrelated, we also look at nutrition, home situation and other special needs. .

The 4 key programs Education, Nutrition, Community, and Economic development.

Examples of projects: - Funny Cook - Christmas Fair to support school trips

- Scrapbooking Classes - Individual and group coaching / Lectures in schools on motivation and success - Donation of university books, payment of annual university fees - Donation of school supplies for the 1st Cycle - Clothing donation - Support through volunteers in the dissemination of companies in social media - Participation in entrepreneurship and networking projects - Promotion of young artists, true exhibitions Of the various projects carried out, they highlight the support that allows young people with difficulties to start/ continue their university studies.

At the cultural and artistic level, the promotion of local writers/illustrators and artists through exhibitions, workshops and dissemination on social networks.

In health, promoting healthy eating through “Funny Cook” workshops.

At the business level, participating in events, to foster exchanges between entrepreneurs.

If any kind soul would like to donate, even in these difficult times, it would be greatly appreciated donate directly here: Banco Santander - Loulé IBAN: PT50 0018 000351009231020 39 Email: selmafer.tu@gmail.com Website: www.talentosunidos.com Social media: facebook.com/associacaotalentosunidos

December 2020

9

Memories

LOOKING BACK AS WE LOOK FORWARD It has been a strange year for everyone as we learn to adapt to the new normal and try to work around one of the most unique situations in recent history. And whilst it has been difficult at times, we have still managed to make 2020 a great year, join us on looking back on some of our favourite moments of this year..

SIMPLY

ALGARVE ISSUE NO. 45 JANUARY 2020

Jan20-i45.indd 1

ALGARVE ISSUE NO. 46 FEBRUARY 2020

25/12/2019 02:12

SIMPLY

ALGARVE ISSUE NO. 49 AUGUST 2020

SAM AUG2020.indd 1

SIMPLY

02/08/2020 17:58

SIMPLY

ALGARVE ISSUE NO. 47 MARCH 2020

SAM March2020.indd 1

SIMPLY

ALGARVE ISSUE NO. 50 SEPT 2020

Sam Sept 2020.indd 1

31/08/2020 23:11

27/02/2020 21:48

SIMPLY

ALGARVE ISSUE NO. 51 OCT 2020

SAM-Oct20.indd 1

02/10/2020 15:46

SIMPLY

ALGARVE ISSUE NO. 48 JULY 2020

July48 - 2020.indd 1

03/07/2020 06:58

SIMPLY

ALGARVE ISSUE NO. 52 NOV 2020

SAM_Nov20-I52.indd 1

03/11/2020 10:08

From sunsets to sunrises and climbing hills to standup paddling, in a year full of lockdown and quarantines we really have made the most of it. If you have missed any of these articles and want to see more you can find all of our past issues online at simplyalgarvemag.com you can also find extra photos that didn’t make it in the article and sneak peaks posted on instagram @simplyalgarve 10

December 2020

Snap

“Sometimes I also like to play and experiment … to see if it can turn out to be something different. ”

12

December 2020

CAPTURING THE MOMENT

Widgis Haugaas has been busy snapping away since she was young, she shares her story of how she got started and we showcase some of her favourite shots taken so far…

W

igdis Haugaas first moved to Portugal in 2014 from Norway along side her husband Per to find a warmer place to live with a different culture. Initially wanting to move to Italy as she had visited before and loved it, her husband steered her towards Portugal and so she gave it a shot.

First visiting the northern areas of Nazare and Peniche they found amazing wildlife which gave her a lot of hope though she soon realised that the cool weather and rain kept people indoors and there wasn’t much of a community.

They kept looking around and discovered Tavira and found exactly what they were looking for.

Whilst looked for a place to live they came across an amazing abandoned house with a rich history, it had belonged to the same family for 90 years and for the past 15 years had been untouched. It spoke to her like no other place had and so they decided it was the one and after completely remodelling it into the perfect house tributing the traditional details, they moved in.

Wigdis started taking photographs when she was just a young girl, using a compact camera she got when she was 13, completely self-taught she worked on her skills and eventually started working with prize winning German Shepherd dogs. In 1986 she bought her first professional camera and whilst she struggled she eventually got the

“It is fascinating to see how small children communicate with animals! I think that in general they are more intuitive than us adults that have made too many restrictions on ourselves.

This little girl was born on a farm with a lot of horses, and she is still working with these animals.

It would be interesting to see who she is now! I took this picture 6,5 years ago.”

December 2020

13

Snap hang of it.

She briefly stopped taking pictures professionally to study a degree in Criminology which she completed and then found a job related to it, however, she quickly found out she didn’t enjoy it and fell back on her love of photography.

Having decided to take her photography a bit more seriously, she entered a school in Oslo to study photography for two years in 2010, since completing that course she has worked with magazines and taken part in multiple workshops gaining more and more experience for her passion work.

“The summer 2012 I went to a beautiful, small island in Lago Maggiore in Italy.

There I met this peacock that was white (not albino), and it tried as best as it could to impress me.

Beautiful beings!”

14

“I like to try to find their personality when I work with animals”

December 2020

“The situation” in Venice. “I like to observe, and sometimes I also get the oportunity to photograph it too!

Here I was sitting and waiting for a couple of hours for something interesting to happen and suddenly this took place! So many stories have been told here…”

Portugal “Meeting animals fascinates me! To get a good result with one is something, but when you can get a group to respond together in unison, it really makes me feel alive!”

December 2020

15

Living free

Finding happiness wherever they may be, Zana and Joki spread their positive vibes through their lifestyle and clothing brand, Hippy Spirit...

16

December 2020

Y

oung life enthusiasts and positive vibe givers Zana and Joki have found their new home here in the Algarve, they have come to experience the next chapter of their life having come directly from Sweden, bringing their global brand “Hippy Spirit� (and their three dogs!) across Europe to our little corner of the world in their awesome VW van (which was a Vegan food truck).

After a long and tough journey, they arrived just weeks ago and are settling in to their new surroundings in the hills near Santa Catarina, we met them at their new home to talk about their lifestyle. brand and their plans now they are here in the Algarve.

Within minutes of talking to them their love of life and the world around them oozes from them, with such energy and positive thoughts on ways of living, its easy to see how they have a following and have made friends everywhere they have been.

Having worked in festivals in Sweden and Norway, they decided to find a warmer place to move to as there aren’t many festivals in the snow and the Algarve is just the perfect place, you may not know it but the Algarve (normally) has many festivals each year as well as many private and some not so private gatherings each filled with opportunities to meet new like-minded people with a love for life and connection to the world around us and whatever may be beyond that. This lifestyle is what brought Hippy Spirit to life along side the vision of creating something new and loved from nothing. Initially working in printing textiles years ago with a company in Oxford in the U.K, Zana and Joki realised that a clothing brand based on being sustainable and sharing their outlook on life was how they wanted to live.

They do many styles of printing such as high quality matte soft vinyl, full colour ink, bleach art/freehand, stencil printing and natural dyes.

They create all of their bleach art tees from old stock, reusing

December 2020

17

Living free

@hippyspiritclothing www.hippyspirit.se

clothing that is of no use anymore, giving them a new life (though technically, this is what they were destined for from the get go!).

They have a strong belief that all you need is to believe in your dreams and ideas, be strong and put your energy in to your art and what makes you happiest, you will find a way to make it work and get around any obstacles. “All you need is the basics and imagination to create your own magic!”.

Most of their clothing is from Gildan, one of the world’s largest manufacturers of basic apparel including activewear, underwear, socks, hosiery and legwear.

They are a leading company when it comes to sustainability in fashion and large scale manufacturing.

In the future, Zana and Joki would like to host their own festival here in the Algarve to further share their outlook on life and give people the same experience they have had over the past few years after putting their fears aside and living life to the fullest.

If you want to see more of their clothing or follow them on their journey you can find Hippy spirit here: @hippyspiritclothing on instagram or visit hippyspirit.se Find them here: Instagram: @hippyspiritclothing Website: hippyspirit.se

18

December 2020

Your trusted property valuers and consultants.

KTESIOS Appraisal is a company comprised of a series of professionals with a high level of experience in the valuation of properties, assets and companies.

Our objective is providing our clients with precise information that allows you to make decisions that maximise the profitability of your projects.

To do this, KTESIOS Appraisal follows National as well as International standards and every member of staff has the qualifications necessary to complete any valuation you may need. geral@ktesios.pt | ktesios.pt | (+351) 932 225 090

You should know

MAKING A NAME FOR HIMSELF Beth Jackson meets grafitti artist ‘Sen’ to find out a bit more about what’s behind the name

20

December 2020

T

he name is the first thing you see as you drive along the EN125 past Tavira and heading West:

Sen Rast. I later found out that this is two separate people, as graffiti artists often work in teams. Closer inspection reveals treasures on this dilapidating wall: crafted lines depict a motor boat branded with friendly stars and a patient looking stork, nesting. I wondered if the nest was actually a pile of branches at the foot of the building and after leaving I still wasn’t quite sure. Meanwhile, I took note of his number and later met Sen in Olhao where he was painting graffiti inside.

Beth: So, why graffiti?

Were you a rebel?

Sen: Probably, I was repressed as a child. So was my mother, but she was trying to protect me. My dad was drunk a lot, and I was afraid of him; but my aunt was like someone sent from heaven. I loved to go there. My cousins took me to their friend’s place where all the walls were covered with heavy metal posters except for one small space where “Megadeth” was written in letters like I had never seen before, and I was captivated.

Beth: At seven?

Sen: Yes. I still believe that hobbies are really important.

They keep me from getting jealous, or being a tyrant with my wife and child; and back then I went through a few things: skateboarding for a couple of years, guitar for about the same. Then I had a BMX bike which I would take to Tavira. I painted it a different colour every week for I don’t know how many weeks, and then just kept on painting.

Beth: Your Dad was a painter?

Sen: I have that advantage. I know paint and how it works.

He took me to Quarteira some weekends, and I started to see Graffiti. Then a BMX film from the States, showed me great graffiti. I started to experiment, and that is the hobby which stayed.

Beth: I’ve seen some really good graffiti, but what is it with the name?

Sen: Well, you got in touch with me through it. But there is this thing with names. We have a sort of competition, and whoever has the most names in the most improbable places is king. There’s also a sort of compulsion, an

December 2020

21

You should know addiction that develops.

Beth: The top of the water tower in Olhao?

How on earth did you manage to get up there?

Sen: The Town Council funded us to hire a cat’s cradle to paint the building with the tower, but although I had a permit to paint the water tower, it was twice the height.

Then one day I saw some men working on the mobile phone aerials, and I persuaded them to let me use their machine in the lunch hour! As we were going up and up and up I was terrified, but it was now or never, and I did the painting.

Beth: How’s your ego?

Sen: “Medio” Beth: Splashing your name everywhere?

Sen: Sometimes when I am in that state between sleep and wakefulness I think “I shouldn’t be doing that” but then I wake up the next morning and I am ok. But I would like to do more commissioned work. More people are giving me jobs inside restaurants and shops.

Beth: How many times have you been in court?

Sen: Only three or four. (That painting at Tavira cost me ¤500, despite the owner giving me permission.) But the police have turned up a hundred times or more. There is a buzz when I am painting and cars are passing. I don’t know who has phoned the cops and when I will feel a hand on my shoulder.

Beth: So is it about adrenaline?

Sen: Absolutely. I could be doing exactly the same painting for a commission and get bored. When I am doing an illegal graffiti I am alert all the time, every second counts.

Beth: I’m not sure how to go about this interview.

Sen: Be honest.

Envoi: I am ambivalent about graffiti, mainly because of the name issue, but perhaps I need to develop my sense of humour. Maybe I also need to remember that there are times when society needs people who are willing to take risks, and in times of peace these people are still with us. Meanwhile let us look for what is good within it, and appreciate that our world is more colourful because of people like SEN.

22

December 2020

We buy and sell high quality furniture.

An enjoyable shopping experience with amazing choices at affordable prices.

Why go anywhere else?

Bedroom - Dining room - Lounge - Garden - Office - Kitchenware - Lighting - Soft Furnishings - Pictures - Mirrors - Objets d’art

Open Monday to Friday, 10am-1pm, 2pm-5pm T: 289 395 197 or visit house2house.pt Sitio do Areeiro, EN 521, LoulĂŠ 8100-225

Property Update

A YEAR LIKE NO OTHER

Robert Bijker, managing director of Yellow Homes - Land & Houses Algarve, discusses this year in the property market

E

very year in December we reflect on the past year and provide an outlook for the property market in the year ahead, 2021. It has been a year like no other, one that will stay on our minds forever. The by long-term historical standards relatively mild Covid-19 pandemic has led to many lost lives and enormous economic damage causing great uncertainty for people and businesses alike and is still ongoing. Contrary to our expectations the market held up remarkably well. We have seen some sharp reductions in asking prices of resale properties, but the majority of vendors left prices unchanged. There has been many cross currents this year.

Some areas like Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo have seen an increase in transaction volume with an upward bias in property prices. In other areas of the Algarve prices remained stable to slightly lower. Additionally there was a decline in transaction volume partly due to the lack of supply of properties and travel restrictions. On the other hand newly built properties sold well and at higher prices per square meter than the year before. Also demand for quality villas with pools and penthouse apartments on good locations held up well, in particular in the higher price segment. These types of buyers are likely to be less affected by the economic uncertainty. They are mostly cash buyers who are faced with negative interest rates on their savings accounts in their home countries.

With a sharp and deep recession one would normally expect a wave of foreclosures of residential property and a fall in prices. However this has not happened as governments created funds to directly support both businesses and their employees to bridge this period of distress. Additionally banks are also offering a repayment holiday for business loans and residential and commercial mortgages for those in need. As a result prices of resale property did not correct as much as we expected.

Although the financial support from governments and banks was needed and much welcomed, it mainly came in the form of a loan or in case of the banks a postponement of loan obligations.

Thus the burden remains as these will still need to be repaid in the future. Another reason why property prices held up relatively well is the continuous positive articles in the international media about Portugal as the place to be, also during the pandemic.

Except for a few cities, the Algarve predominantly consists of low density residential areas. As such, and with a population eager to follow and obey safety measures, the number of people affected by Covid-19 as well as the number of casualties are low in comparison with other countries. In addition working from home has become more acceptable than ever before and made possible by technological innovation. That home office might as well be in sunnier climes like the Algarve. The demand for long term stay accommodation in 2020 has increased confirming this trend.

The economic situation is still dire as we are now in the pandemic´s 2nd wave and an increased possibility of a double dip recession. The purchasing managers index (PMI) is a leading indicator of business activity which fell to 45.1% in November, a six month low and down from 50% the previous month. A reading below the 50% mark indicates that the majority of businesses reported a contraction in activity.

So far the action taken by central banks to add liquidity to stabilize financial markets has worked. Stock markets are back again at levels seen before the pandemic started and some are making new all-time highs such as the Dow Jones, S&P 500 and Nasdaq indices. A good example of the unusual times we are living in is that the yield on 10 year Portuguese government bonds turned negative in November for the first time ever, down from 16.5% in January 2012 during the Eurozone debt crisis.

Bear in mind that Portugal is a country with a high debt to GDP ratio of 135%. It’s just another example of how the abundance of liquidity created by central banks floats all boats.

For the Eurozone the ECB expects an economic contraction of 7.4% for this year while lowering their economic growth expectations for 2021 from 6.1 % to 4.1% due to the 2nd and quite likely 3rd wave of infections. This forecast is made even with the consideration that vaccines are becoming available for the general public in the course of the year, which together with more testing and tracing offers an opportunity of the normalization of day to day life in the future.

The Algarve has been badly hit as economic activity is highly dependent on tourism and hospitality related industries, a sector of the economy which has been most affected. Demand for these services has disappeared almost overnight. Now we are in the second-wave which could delay the Eurozone economic recovery as fourth quarter economic activity is expected to decline by 2.3% due to new restrictions and lockdowns. The economy of Portugal is expected to contract by 9.2% for the whole year and to rebound by 5.4% in 2021. Unemployment is expected to reach 8% in 2020 and only to recover slowly in 2021 to 7.7%. The UK is an important market as many holidaymakers who visit the Algarve every year have been keen buyers of property. However, the UK is badly affected by the Corona virus in addition to the uncertainty of Brexit and is expecting a fall in GDP of 11.3% in 2020, the largest drop in 300 years.

24

The demand for hotel rooms and self-catering holiday accommodation may have fallen off a cliff this year. However demand for properties has not abated although transaction volume was lower than last year due to limited supply and travel restrictions. It is likely that in the future, maybe as early as Q3 2021, things normalize and people will regain confidence to travel again.

Before the pandemic started there was already an oversupply of savings versus borrowings. The lockdowns and travel restrictions have led people to save even more as the possibilities to spend money were supressed. This may continue for some time.

However, once things normalize and people are able to go about their normal lives it is well possible that this will lead to a boom in consumption. With similarities to the period after the 1st world war and the Spanish flu pandemic last century, a period which lasted a decade and that is referred to as the Roaring Twenties, then like now, people were very pleased to leave a period of great uncertainty, anxiety and frugality behind them as the pandemic came to an end and new innovations such as the automobile, radio, telephone, electrical appliances made

December 2020

it seem that everything was possible. A period of economic make the news. There are also some large scale, eco-friendly prosperity with new job opportunities. Now the innovation is developments in the offing. different, we need to make an energy transition away from fossil However we would not be surprised to see another drop in fuels to green energy. We are at the beginning of The Internet of transaction volume for 2021 due to the supply constraints and Things, making progress with artificial intelligence and advances travel restrictions for part of the 1st six months of the year. Prices in medicine. The speed of innovation is likely to accelerate as of resale property may stabilise during the course of the year the long awaited EU corona virus recovery fund of ¤750 bn is depending on the successful distribution, acceptance and lasting allocated to the countries. A large part will be used to invest effectiveness of Covid-19 vaccines. in new technology, the energy transition and infrastructure. In addition the ECB is increasingly vocal about the necessity of Stay strong, healthy and safe. governments to do their part to stimulate the economy. Whereas a year ago governments in Europe largely ignored calls for Yellow Homes – Land & Houses Algarve fiscal stimulation of the economy, now the taps are wide open www.algarvepropertysearch.com to fight the corona-virus pandemic. Portugal (¤9.2bn support www.algarve-portugal-immobilien.de for companies and workers), France (¤45bn in tax breaks and ¤300bn loans to businesses), Brittan (£330bn emergency loan Vilamoura Office guarantees and £20bn fiscal support), USA ($2000bn fiscal EN 125, Benfarras Boliqueime stimulus), Spain (¤100bn emergency loan guarantees), Germany 8100 - 068 Boliqueime (¤750bn business and employee support) and Holland (¤40bn) Tel: 289 301 294 are all using their balance sheets to protect household incomes and prop up business activity.

GOLF PROPERTIES - VILLAS - APARTMENTS - TOWNHOUSES - PLOTS In Portugal the 2021 state budget is currently under discussion and one of the proposals is that properties which are registered under Alojamento Local no longer are subject to capital gains tax when the rental activity is closed. At the moment it is possible to avoid having to pay CGT when initiating a long term rental agreement of 3 years or longer.

Eventually the economic uncertainty will subside as vaccines will be made available during the course of the year. It’s tempting to believe that the end of the pandemic is in sight, but vaccines are not a magic bullet.

There is a long road ahead. Getting back to normal is not an event but a process that requires time.

However, the availability of vaccines together with more testing and tracing offers hope that we will be able to return to our normal day to day life in the future.

WELL-MAINTAINED 2-BED VILLA WITH GREAT COUNTRYSIDE VIEWS NEAR STA. BARBARA DE NEXE This compact and well maintained 2 bedroom detached villa is conveniently set on the outskirts of the village and consist of a fully fitted and equipped kitchen, a living room with separate dining area and open fireplace, 2 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms (1x ensuite), roof terrace and a single car garage. Low maintenance, private garden with pool. Perfect as a rental investment or for permanent residence. Value for money! Plot size: 1.720m2 Ref : ATV Price: ¤375.000 Energy efficiency F.

Contact us! Our email is info@yellowhomes.com or call us on (+351) 289 301 294 Find out more info on our website www.yellowhomes.com

GOLF PROPERTIES - VILLAS - APARTMENTS - TOWNHOUSES - PLOTS

As far as the economy is concerned we believe that the glass is half full and not half empty. If and when needed not only central banks stand by to provide support but increasingly governments too by deficit spending. Their mantra is to prop-up the economy and keep people employed and to worry about reducing debt later. If they succeed, and we think they will, it could put a floor under property prices.

The popularity of Portugal as a place to live and holiday make us believe that demand for property in 2021 will continue to be healthy.

We are strengthened in our view by the ongoing investments in various small and medium size developments, most which do not

EXCELLENT PRICE: BEAUTIFULLY KEPT 4 BEDROOM VILLA NEAR LOULE Well maintained single storey property conveniently set near Loulé. The villa (built in 2007) is in excellent condition offering 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms (1x ensuite), a bright living room with fireplace and covered terrace, a separate dining room and a large fully fitted and equipped kitchen with breakfast area and utility room. The large roof terrace has open views and an attic which can be developed.

Beautiful, easy to maintain garden (1.550m2). Ref: MGE Price: € 430.000 Euro, EC D

Contact us! Our email is info@yellowhomes.com or call us on (+351) 289 301 294 Find out more info on our website www.yellowhomes.com

December 2020

25

Property

PROPERTY OF Real Estate Agent since 1995 T: +351 289 301 294 E: info@yellowhomes.com www.yellowhomes.com EN 125, Benfarras Boliqueime (opposite DHL)

AMI: 6232

26

December 2020

THE MONTH PROPERTY DETAILS Beautifully renovated 4-bedroom country house in peaceful location on large plot near Odiáxere, Lagos

• 4 bedrooms • 4 bathrooms ensuite plus WC • Living room with wood burning stove • Fully fitted and equipped kitchen with dining area • Utility room with fridge/ freezer/washing machine/ tumble dryer • Large terraces with great BBQ area • 10 x 5m swimming pool • CCTV and sound system • Heating by electric marble

heaters with thermostat • Automatic entrance gate • Large wooden carport for several cars • 2 boreholes / 2 water tanks • Mains water connection • Beautiful manicured garden with automatic irrigation system • Fully furnished • Plot: 2.840 m2 • Construction: 254 m2 • EC: D

¤795,000 Ref: LHV-2557 December 2020

27

Do It Yourself

DIY CHRISMAS DECORATIONS!

This Christmas, make your home as festive as possible with these natural jolly Christmas decoration ideas from Sesil Home’s Isabela Goncalves

DIY Citrus Who said fruits have no place in your Christmas decor setup?

For a fun and aromatic twist, consider making you own garland out of dried citrus.

Simply use twine, nylon thread, or a wire to assemble it.

28

December 2020

Natural Christmas Garland If you want to go natural with your garland this year, try to use some plants from your own garden. On this fireplace garland, I used some carob and cypress leaves, pinecones, mistletoe and white spray snow. But you can get the same look using for example corn starch.

Pine Cones Crafting with pine cones at Christmas time is easy, inexpensive and fun. Gather pine cones from your garden or a nearby park to warm your home with homemade decorations this holiday season. This can be a fun winter activity to do with your kids; you can play a game seeing who can find the most or biggest pine cones. You can also go on a calm walk and pick up pine cones along the way. Once you have the materials add a hook screw to each pine cone and decorate.

DIY Napkin Ring To create a relaxing ambiance for the dinner Christmas table, you can use a diy napkins ring with linen thread to give texture and a natural look that will blend beautifully with the Christmas colors..

Meet Isabela: Isabela studied Fashion and Branding at the University of Lisbon and also completed a course on Trends at Central Saint Martins, after finishing her masters she created her own clothing brand called Hode Studio.

During this time she started working as a visual merchandiser at Guess and also working part time at her parents’ shop, Sesil to help when the shop was busy.

As time went on she fell in love with the world of decor and the opportunity arose for the family to open a second Showroom in Olhao.

Due to this opportunity and her new love for decor, she decided to leave fashion behind and put 100% of her effort into decor, jumping straight into a professional course in the subject and 4 years and a lot of effort later she is now working full time at Sesil, progressing into full scale interior and decor projects.

If you have any questions or would like to contact Isabela you can reach her here: isabelafilipagoncalves@ gmail.com +351 917 054 429

December 2020

29

Books

ALGARVE BOOK WORMS Welcome to the December edition of our Simply Book Club. We haven’t got too many for you this month so if you enjoy this section please help us keep it going next year by writing into Simplyalgarvemag@gmail.com and letting your fellow Algarvian book lovers about some books they should put on their shelves in 2021. In the meantime have a very Merry Christmas, and here’s (a few) real ‘crackers’.

The Institute

by Stephen King Not so horrific as you would expect from a Stephen King novel. In this book King starts with ordinary people, in this case, a former police officer who stumbles by chance into the town of Du Pray. You keep reading as your feeling of unease builds because you know something weird is happening to the main character of the story, a 12-year old boy with ‘exceptional talents’. Luke is abducted, his family are killed, and he is taken to ‘The Institute’, a secret government facility in deepest Maine, where he meets up with other abductees with varying degrees of ‘exceptional talents’, ie telekinesis and telepathy. The children are forced to take more and more damaging experiments (flickering lights, injections, dunking) for reasons that are not immediately revealed, but realisation creeps up on you as the experiments drain them and there appears to be no hope of escape. A typical Stephen King tale, he draws you inevitably into his web of fantasy without you realising you want more.

Marilyn Sheridan

“Nathaniel’s Nutmeg”

by Giles Milton (Hodder & Sloughton, 1999) Consider the extent to which oil dominated the geopolitical scene in the 20th Century. Turn the clock back six hundred years and for ‘oil’ read ‘spices’, which were in great demand

by Europe’s rich and indulgent aristocracy. The earliest Portuguese mariners to reach the Far East, such as Vasco da Gama and Magellan, did not start the spice trade, which was already flourishing overland along the Silk Road, but their navigational successes opened an alternative supply route by-passing the Venetians’ lucrative monopoly from their base in Constantinople.

30

December 2020

In the late 16th Century, the uncharted seas were divided

by Papal Decree between Portugal and Spain but, following the rout of the Spanish Armada, Britain came into the game, firstly in the form of Government-sponsored piracy.

Attempts to find a shorter, northern route to the spice islands (now Indonesia) foundered in the Arctic Ocean to the east and Hudson Bay to the west. Expeditions round the Cape fared little better with most of the crews dying of scurvy, dysentery or tropical diseases. Those that survived found some of the islands inhabited by headhunters and cannibals and spices supplied exclusively to the Portuguese. The hardships of mediaeval seafaring make sobering reading and it is little wonder that mutiny was not uncommon.

The arrival of the Dutch on the scene early in the 17th Century with a brutal ‘might is right’ philosophy alienated local rulers and led to direct conflict between the European traders. Appalling atrocities were committed to add to the woes of the merchants and mariners stranded there between expeditions, often three years apart. With the Portuguese usurped and the Dutch in military control of most of the islands, Nathaniel Courthope’s courageous five-year resistance on the island of Run, with just thirty half-starved men against three thousand Dutch, preserved what was then the only world source of nutmeg for Britain and arguably changed the course of history.

essence of the story. As films go, it really does. But as always there’s so much that you can get from a book that a film just can’t hope to capture. In this case Krakaur takes us truly into the mind of Supertramp and fills his book with notes from McCandless’s journal found at the bus, as well as quoting the bits out of his books that he underlined.

There’s also lots of extra little stories of other wild expeditions as well. Some of which didn’t fare so well either.. There was one story of a man who took a plane into the wilderness to live for the summer - but somehow neglected to book a flight back. He took plenty of bullets but feeling like a warmonger he had decided to chuck them away into a stream early on. He was starving in the wilderness when finally a plane came flying over. He was saved! He waved at it and then when the plane came around again he turned his back on it and went eagerly to pack up his stuff. To his surprise the plane flew away and never came back. He then realized he had only waved with one hand which means ‘all okay here’, instead of with two - the international signal for assistance. And since he showed no more interest in the plane the pilot concluded he was fine and left him to it. He eventually, in the face of starvation, used one of his last bullets to shoot himself.

It’s clearly a serious business this living in the wild. There’s no margin for error and you really have to have your wits about you.

Lots of people would say that you have to be a damn fool and a bit nutty to want to do it in the first place. But even though Alexander Supertramp was certainly a bit eccentric. He was no fool. He was highly educated, and what I think makes the story so compelling is how ethical and moral he was.

In the film he paraphrases his favourite author, Henry David Thoreau, and says “ rather than love, than money, than faith, than fame, than fairness - give me truth”. And that sums it up nicely.

He was looking to live a principled life in communion with nature.

Giles Milton bases his compellingly graphic narrative on original letters, journals and diaries in the archives of the East India Company and Colonial State papers. These extensive ‘olde English’ extracts give the account the authenticity this barely believable history requires.

Alan Vittery Into the wild I’m sure many of you have seen the film. It tells the story of Christopher McCandless, or as he changed his name to ‘Alexander Supertramp’, a young man from a well to do family, who in 1990 gave away all his savings to charity, drove away until his car broke down he then burned all the money in his wallet and walked off to live on the road as, well, a ‘supertramp’, until eventually walking ‘into the wild’ of Alaska.

And he very nearly succeeded. It’s also interesting to note that while he made great efforts to escape society, one of his final entries in his journal found at the bus gives us something to ruminate over.

He wrote “Happiness is only real when shared”.

It’s an extraordinary story that journalist Jon Krakaur, author of other wild adventure stories, and who understands the same strange allure of the wild that Mccandless did, pieces together for us.

Yes, I said ‘did’. This spoiler alert comes a little late, and if this was the film review I’d feel bad, but since this is for the book and it’s clear even from the beginning that 2 and a half years after Chris disappeared he was found dead in the Canadian wilderness in a now infamous abandoned bus.

(A bus that was only recently helicoptered away as it was encouraging too many copycats endangering themselves to follow in his perilous footsteps to try and reach.)

Now, I’m not saying the film doesn’t capture the romantic

Another thing you get from the book and not from the film are the quotes from Supertramps favourite books. I’ll leave you with one of my favourites, also by Thoreau.

“If the day and the night are such that you greet them with joy, and life emits a fragrance like flowers and sweetscented herbs, is more elastic, more starry, more immortal — that is your success. All nature is your congratulation, and you have cause momentarily to bless yourself.

The greatest gains and values are farthest from being appreciated. We easily come to doubt if they exist. We soon forget them. They are the highest reality.. The true harvest of my daily life is somewhat as intangible and indescribable as the tints of morning or evening. It is a little star-dust caught, a segment of the rainbow which I have clutched.”

Jake Cleaver

December 2020

31

Your Health

INTENTIONS AND RESOLUTIONS Janet Shook gives us some positive advice to help our make 2021 a great year, even though it might come with its own complications.

A

nd here we enter the last month in one of the weirdest years in our lifetime. With the end of 2020, it does not mean that we get to leave the strangeness behind. I think we all know that 2020 will leak over into 2021, and 2021 will come with it’s own complications. What the upcoming holiday season offers us is a pause; a moment to stop, be still, celebrate the blessings we have whilst quietly reflecting on what 2020 has taught us. This is the groundwork for staying afloat, and even thriving in 2021.

When we look at our lives holistically, we can find the connections from one area to another. Perhaps a habit we want to change can be supported through changes in other areas of life? For example; a sugar addiction related to an energy depleting job? Smoking because of an unaddressed anxiety problem? Relationship issues because of build up tension in an untidy home environment? Emotional eating from lack of someone you can talk to? And of course, we could be not doing our best because our diet doesn’t give us the energy we need to succeed!

In any transition there are three steps to make it effective; 1. Let go.

2. Rest and re-cooperate.

3. Take action towards your next step.

You are a package deal. And in order to really change a habit, you must get the whole being in the game.

This is exactly that this upcoming season gives us the chance to do (Since we won’t be having all those Christmas office parties).

If you are like me and love a natural marker, you can make a special effort from the 21st of December, the Winter Solstice, until the New Year, to allow yourself this process.

People used to set New Years resolutions, but it seems to have gone out of fashion. Perhaps we all got a little tired of setting the same resolutions every year only to watch as by mid-February we had caved-in and returned to our comfortable discomforts.

Life continued on as before and the great change we hoped for, alas, dissolved into the ether like the fizzling sparks of the New Years Eve fireworks.

As we all know, the amount of will power needed to change a habit can be immense. Fast changes can be awkward, superficial, forced. True transformation doesn’t usually happen overnight. Transformation is a process of effort and organization.

Transformation happens step-by step. So as you are setting new intentions for yourself for 2021, reach for the stars, but lay the stepping stones at your feet.

Take a minute here to think about what change, if any, you would like to see in your life for the next year? Is there a habit you would like to break? A habit you would like to start? A change in routines, job, body, relationships?

You might chime in here with the thought; “I want to be 3x richer and look 10 years younger!” Because you think that it will make you happier, but as there is no guarantee that it will (beauty and wealth are insatiable lusts!), let’s simplify it down to our fundamental desire. What do we all want? Peace, health & happiness.

Instead of thinking I need X,Y and Z to be happy, if we make health and happiness our goal, we will keep our eyes on the prize and never get deluded that health and happiness come in a package, a pill, or in another person.

It’s likely to be a bit more complex than that.

32

Now, here is where I will let you in on my methodology for orienting myself to health and happiness. I don’t just focus on one or two things, I focus on 8! Don’t worry, it is not like juggling 8 balls at a time, it is more like watering 8 plants, and having 8 plants makes a much healthier garden than just one.

I use a compass of 8 fundamental aspects of who we are that need our attention in order to have deep sustainable health.

These aspects are inter-connected, one naturally effecting the other and all together contributing to a life of balance.

As you read the following, try to relate it to your life and the areas that you feel strong, and the areas that could use your attention.

1. The relationship we have with ourselves.

May we act out of self-love and self-respect; working on our boundaries and listening to our own needs.

Spending time daily on this relationship and reenforcing our ingrained sense of our own value.

2. Nurturing our bodies as if our lives depended upon it (Which they do).

3. Cleansing our minds of unhealthy, negative, or even just excessive thoughts. Practicing mindfulness, meditation or seeking support when it gets to be too much!

4. Strengthening our hearts to feel love, compassion and patience. Cleansing judgementalism and envy which are quicksand traps for our health and well-being.

5. In our work, profession, hobbies or purpose; giving and taking with the world in healthy, fair and high vibration exchanges.

This means doing what you love and are good at the best you can and investing in yourself in these areas.

6. Environments! Cleansing, beautifying or changing if needed our physical environments so they support who we are and what we do instead of depriving us of energy. For example creating a space for meditation; cleaning our old cupboards, adding houseplants to cleanse the air.

December 2020

7. Looking at the bigger picture. We can think of ourselves as heroes in our own journeys; what is our character and what is the moral of the story? Like every good story, there is a struggle, a down-turn, and in the end‌ a triumph or a tragedy.

We are writing our stories, so let’s make sure they go in the right direction!

8. This is the area we leave open, because this is the one where we keep the extra bit of luck, destiny, divine intervention, call it what you may, that comes at just the right time when we need it most. This is our lucky 8; the emptiness, the pure potential, the magical mystery of life, where when we keep the faith, and ask for help, we know we will be guided in the right direction.

That is a lot to think about. It should give you some things to consider over the next few weeks. Every aspect is a door to a world of possibilities for growth, learning and personal development.

So, maybe instead of a 2021 resolution, you can write a 2021 manifesto of a revolution in self-care based on holistic well-being.

Or not! Loving the life you live is also healthy! Most important is the number one rule: Do what feels right for you.

If you decide to take on a transformation, resolution, or just a simple change of habit, I am here to help. You might want to join my at-home 3-day detox the 2-5th of January where we will be using these 8 principles to re-design our lifestyles with a conscious cleanse!

Just e-mail for details and to sign up!

Janet_shook@yahoo.com Wishing you an incredible year of personal growth, deep happiness, and loving relationships.

December 2020

33

Great food

RESTAURANTE BRAVA

Welcome to Brava, a tapas restaurant that feels like home...

34

December 2020

F

irst opening its doors in 2018, Brava has received nothing but positive reviews for guests and having sat down with the owner Filipe, its easy to see why.

Relaxed and informal as he is, Felipe explained to us how Brava came to be and what makes people come back for more: “I have owned restaurants in the area for over 10 years now and have had succeeded in making them popular, however, they were big restaurants with a lot of hype around them.

Sometimes we would close at 3-4 am and whilst I did thouroughly enjoy it, it wasn’t the most profitable way of running a business, so, using my past experience I came up with the concept of Brava, a tapas restaurant with a relaxed

atmosphere and friendly but professional service.

We have limited space here, which is something I like.

To be able to fill the restaurant all year round and have consistent great service is an important part of a successful restaurant and allows us to give special attention to clients that you just can’t give when you have 30 tables or more.”

This explains the feeling of being at home when you arrive at the restaurant, the lighting is perfect and half of the seating is made up of comfy sofa’s, its honestly hard to leave!

To go with the cozy surroundings is the stunning food from Chef João Santana (look at it, it’s hard to start eating it as it looks more like art!), the menu changes every week

December 2020

35

Great food

with new additions so that regulars always have something new to try. The idea of the menu was to get away from the typical cheese, chouriço and cured ham tapas you see at most places and instead embrace the high quality fish the Algarve has to offer as well as experimenting with dishes from around the world inspired by their personal travels and stories from friends.

Of course they also have Vegetarian and Vegan options.

Their restaurant manager is very experienced, speaks English, French and of course Portuguese, he, along with the rest of the staff have great knowledge of wines and beverages to pair with your food choices.

You’re guaranteed to have a good experience at Brava and leave wanting to come back! To book a table you can reach them here: +351 917 811 114 You can see all their reviews on trip advisor and check their facebook page for any updates and for events.

36

December 2020

ACCOUNTANCY TAX ADVICE FISCAL REPRESENTATION ALL FINANCE MATTERS tel: (+351) 281 029 059 email: info@allfinancematters.com web: www.allfinancematters.com

Simply delicious

PORTUGUESE MULLED WINE

This month we are keeping it simple and festive by adding a Portuguese twist on a Christmas favourite.

INGREDIENTS:

OPTIONAL EXTRAS:

1 bottle of Red wine 1 cup Vintage Port Wine 1 Orange, sliced 1 tablespoon of Sugar or honey 3 anise star 2 Cinnamon Stick 1 Cardamom 2 cloves

For a spicier and warmer kick, you can add some fresh ginger root.

Diced apples, and red fruits can be added at the start for some extra flavour, but we like to keep ours simple and let the wines and oranges speak up!

If you like it sweeter, then you can add an extra sweetener like syrup. We find the Port adds its own sweetness so we don’t add too much extra sugar.

If you like your hot wine a little less alcoholic then a cup of water does the trick

METHOD

1 2 3 4 5

Add half of the sliced oranges to a deep pot with the sugar (or honey) and turn on the heat; Once the sugar starts to melt, stir the syrup and gently press the orange slices with a wooden spoon to release some of the juice; Then add the port wine, anise star, cardamom, cloves and cinnamon sticks to the pot; Once the mixture starts to steam and is fragrant, add the red wine and the rest of the orange slices.

Heat the rest of the mixture up, but don’t allow it to boil (you don’t want to cook off the alcohol) That’s it, serve into mugs or a large pitcher. Use some orange zest and cinnamon sticks to garnish if you’d like!

38

December 2020

December 2020

39

Property

REAL ESTATE VALUATION

Vitor Reis, experienced investing consultant explains how the valuation of properties has changed due to the 2020 pandemic.

T

he Covid-19 outbreak represents a real challenge for the Portuguese real estate market.

After years of continuous gains in property values and ​​ falling interest rates, the rapid expansion of coronavirus worldwide has forced governments to take extensive containment measures, leading to a decline in GDP and an increased risk of insolvency for Many companies.

In addition, with frozen air traffic and closed borders, the decline in tourism, a strong driver of the growth of the Portuguese economy in recent years, has led to a strong uncertainty about the behavior of prices for different real estate products.

Depending on the real estate valuation of the information on transactions that occur in a given market, in a time period close to the valuation, the strong slowdown in transactions that occurred in the first months of confinement, with many of them referring to businesses started in the pre-COVID period19, meant that the valuations carried out in that period were highly uncertain, since the values of ​​ the transactions could not yet reflect the market’s reaction to all these developments.

The presentation of the indicators of the behavior of the real estate market made by INE in relation to the 2nd quarter of 2020 are, however, already an indicator of the expected evolution for the coming times, with an increase in the average transaction and rental value compared to the period. the previous year, thus showing the resilience of the real estate market to the crisis.

This resilience of the Portuguese real estate market has been achieved due to low interest rates and the default on loans in bank credit. However, Banco de Portugal recently issued an opinion stating that there are risks of a downward correction, in particular due to the overvaluation of prices in some segments and in some locations, namely Algarve, Lisbon and Porto.

In this scenario, the performance of the real estate appraiser is particularly complex, not only in the estimation of value but also, and from the outset, in the visit to the real estate in compliance with the safety rules imposed by DGS. Regarding visits, national and international real estate appraisal organizations have issued rules that allow remote visits to homes and other buildings, using new technologies, such as conducting surveys using video services.

Regarding the value estimate, the restriction of transaction information and the current scenario of uncertainty oblige the appraiser to take extra care in the assessment process and in the report, indicating to RICS that it should be reported as being subject to ‘material valuation uncertainty’.

When valuating real estate for the financial system, the appraiser must use two valuation methods, selected from the traditional valuation methods (comparative, yield and cost), and must also reflect in his estimate the effects of short-term market volatility or conditions temporary

40

market conditions (Law 153/2015).

In the comparative method, it becomes more difficult for the appraiser to reflect market volatility, since the value estimate takes into account the values at ​​ which, at the valuation date, the properties are being traded.

In the yield method, this volatility becomes easier to incorporate, since the rate of remuneration of the rents currently practiced incorporates the risk that the market perceives at a given moment, and at this moment both the country risk and the real estate business risk are higher than the beginning of the pandemic. This rise in the remuneration rate, keeping rents at the same level, means that the value estimated in this way is lower than the preCOVID value19.

In the estimation of value by the two methods, the appraiser can, therefore, reach differentiated value conclusions, assuming the one that, in his opinion, best reflects not only the transaction value at the moment but also his expectation of evolution according to the current uncertainty scenario.

If you have any questions about this topic please contact vitor_reis@veroverso.com

With 24 years of experience in real estate valuation, along side 23 years of teaching and research in Real Estate Valuation and Real Estate Management, Vítor Reis is: • Member of RICS - member of the Board of Real Estate Valuations of RICS Portugal • REV certified by TEGoVA - examiner for Portugal • Master at Univ. Northumbria (United Kingdom) in the “Property Valuation” area • Degree in Real Estate Management (ESAI) • Partner of KTESIOS APPRAISAL, Consultoria e Avaliação Imobiliária, Lda. • Valuer registered with the CMVM • Official Expert of the Permanent List of the Lisbon Court of Appeal • State Heritage Valuer - DGTF • Valuer of the Arbitration Court of the Property and Real Estate Arbitration Center ESAI • Real Estate Valuer since 1996 • Founding member of the “National Association of Real Estate Valuers” • Director of ESAI - School of Real Estate Activities • Coordinator of the Real Estate Valuation MsC and the Real Estate Appraisal MBA, at ESAI • Director of ESAI’s Pedagogical and Scientific Council • Coordinator of the Real Estate Valuation Course, at BAI Academy, which allows enrolment as an expert Real Estate appraiser at CMC - Angola

December 2020

We believe personality profiling should be for everyone, and that We believe personality profiling should be for everyone, and that colour creates a common language colour creates a common language

Clarity4D provides a suite of profiles which can be used by companies, Clarity4D provides a suite of profiles which can be used by companies, people (young and older) as well as professionals at every stage of their people (young and older) as well as professionals at every stage of their careers in the corporate world. It is simple to understand, affordable for all careers in the corporate world. It is simple to understand, affordable for all budgets, globally accessible for all ages and effective at getting results. budgets, globally accessible for all ages and effective at getting results.

Our Solutions Our Solutions

Coaching Coaching Our approach is designed to be a learning Our approach is designed to be a learning and development process, which includes and development process, which includes a profile and supportive follow-up via a profile and supportive follow-up via either workshops and/or coaching. either workshops and/or coaching.

Development Development There are a number of workshops There are a number of workshops that have been designed to support that have been designed to support the Clarity4D profiles. the Clarity4D profiles.

Solutions S np s anies f oorl uctoi om faonrdcp oe moppal en i e s and people

Accreditations Accreditations The personality profiles, The personality profiles, workshops and coaching are workshops and coaching are delivered to clients via delivered to clients via accredited Business Partners. accredited Business Partners.

VER O VERSO Lda VER O VERSO Lda Algarve - Lisboa - Porto Algarve Selma - LisboaFerreira - Porto Selma Ferreira Training Responsable Training Tel.: + 351Responsable 934 436 515 Tel.: + 351 934 436 515 Email: selma@veroverso.com Email: selma@veroverso.com Site: veroverso.com Site: veroverso.com

Finance

QUESTIONS & ANSWERS

D

Each month, Ricardo Chaves of All Finance Matters gives an insight into the legalities governing tax and general financial matters

uring the whole year, many clients have enquired about the impact of Brexit in their taxes. This has been by far the most trending topic, with Residency and the Non Habitual Residency tax status also on the top of the enquiries.

In fact we’ve noticed this year that a lot of British consider the possibility of relocating in Portugal prior to Brexit. Covid 19 also showed that people can work from anywhere and Portugal is surely one of the best places in the world to be working from. Below you can find the most common questions we have received.

If you also have some questions regarding tax in Portugal, please feel free to send it to us.

Q. I am a British citizen with Portuguese tax number, and I have my address (tax domicile) in Portugal. After Brexit, do I have to comply with any tax obligations or change my register?

No, Brexit will not have any impact on your personal circumstances.

Q. I am a British citizen with Portuguese tax number, and I have my tax address in the UK. After Brexit, am I required to appoint a tax representative?

Yes. The designation of a fiscal representative is mandatory for citizens residing abroad, more precisely in a third country, outside the EU or the European Economic Area.

Q I am a British pensioner, residing in Portugal. How should I proceed with the payment of my taxes?

Brexit will not have any impact on this situation. If you are resident in Portugal you must declare your worldwide income here. Public pensions will be declared but continue to be taxed in the country of source. Private pensions will be declared and taxed in Portugal (the country of residency) as per the existing Double Tax Agreement In the case of a taxpayer covered by the Non-Habitual Residents’ Status and in the case of pension income, the taxpayer may choose the exemption method, or to be taxed at 10% (for all those residents after 01-04-2020).

Q. I am a UK citizen currently working from London but I am considering relocating and working from Portugal.

Would you be able to advise us on the procedures required to establish NHR in Portugal? Are there certain steps we need to take in a particular order, before we complete the process?

The first step is to obtain the NIF (fiscal number) in Portugal. As currently most of the tax offices are closed due to Covid19, you need to book an appointment with the tax authorities through the finance portal. If you prefer, we can do this on your behalf, as part of the process. To issue the NIFs you need to provide copy of your id or passports and a utility bill or driving license,

42

with your current address. This will be from your foreign address.

Once you get the NIF’s the following step is to become resident, as you are EU citizen, you can get the residency through the local council. Once you have the EU residency certificate, you then need to change the tax status, again through the tax office and finally apply for the NHR status.

Q In terms of residency in Portugal, do I need to purchase a property, or can I rent? How long a rental would be required by the authorities in order to establish our intention to stay long-term in Portugal ? We intend to stay long-term but wish to rent before possibly buying.

Providing is a registered rental contract (not Air BnB and similar) the contract will allow you to obtain residency.

Please note that the residency requirements may change slightly from council to council, in some cases is not even asked for a rental contract.

Q I have the temporary residency certificate since April 2019, but I have never changed my tax residency to Portugal. Do I need to do anything after Brexit?

Once you get the EU Residency Certificate, you are in fact taking residency here, not temporarily, it is full residency.

Therefore, you should also change your tax status to Portuguese Tax Resident. This is not done automatically, as the system that issues the residency permits at the local councils, is not yet linked with the tax system, however any taxpayer has 60 days to inform the tax authorities of the place where they normally live, this will be their tax address.

Q I will continue to work from my home Portugal, to my current employer in the UK, what is the tax under the NHR rules on my salary?

If you can get the income as salary and it’s from an high value activity, this income would be either free of tax if you pay any tax at source, or taxed at 20%, if not taxed at source. This is a privilege of the NHR status, that you can take advantage of.

There is a list of activities on the non-habitual residency regime, that allow that you are taxed at a flat rate of 20% on the earnings from this activity.

This applies to income from employment (category A) and income from self-employment (category B). The same 20% tax rate may also apply in certain cases for the profit of your Portuguese registered company, that is invoicing to your clients in the UK. Please note that even if you remain on the payroll of your current company, as the job is done in Portugal, the company may have to pay your SS here. If you are selfemployed the Social Security is also your responsibility, but you may have a one year exemption after registration.

Q After applying for NHR status must I change my

December 2020

driving license for a Portuguese license?

Yes, after residency you should contact the relevant authorities, to either exchange your driving license to a Portuguese one, or at least register your foreign driving license with the relevant authorities.

Q Once I become resident in Portugal, how do I register with the National Health System? Do I need a private medical insurance to live in Portugal?

The only requirement to obtain state health care in Portugal is residency. You do not require private health insurance. To be registered with the National Health System, you should go to the health centre of your area with your id, fiscal number and residency certificate. No inscription with the social security is required.

Q What happens to my residency permit after Brexit?

You will be covered under the withdrawal agreement if you live in Portugal prior to 1 January 2021 and continue to do so afterwards. As Portugal has chosen a declaratory system for residency, this means that in 2021 UK nationals will be required to exchange their residency

documentation for a biometric card. This biometric card will state the holder is covered by the Withdrawal Agreement.

UK nationals in Portugal are required to register for residency and have the appropriate documentation.

If you have not registered for residency prior to the end of December 2020, the EU country you reside in may not consider you for it. However, Portugal have stated those that arrive prior to 1 January 2021 may register for residency under EU citizenship rules, until 30 June 2021.

Those who arrive after the 31 December 2020 will have to apply for residency under the more stringent third country national rules. Applying means it can be refused whereas if all requirements are in place for EU residency it is automatically given. Also, it means going through the emigration office (SEF) where an appointment is currently in many cases, taking months to be scheduled.

Please feel free to send us the questions you may have to helpdesk@allfinance.pt. We will select some of these to be published.

DRONE PHOTOGRAPHY AND 4K VIDEO

HIGH RESOLUTION PHOTOGRAPHY AND 4K VIDEO T: +351 961 700 200 E: RICHIBASS@HOTMAIL.CO.UK Decemober 2020

43

PRO TIPS

View from the Championship tee

Golf

Richard Hudson and Eddie Charnock, Algarve Golf Guru, PGA Professionals along side some special guests discuss how to play the Par 5 14th hole at Pestana Vila Sol

V

ila Sol is one of the best golf courses on the Algarve. A course that requires controlled power (not always a driver), a solid short game and most important of all, patience. If you plan your round like a game of chess you will leave Vila Sol happy!

This is no more evident than when playing the Par 5 14th, a dog leg with sloping fairways, hanging lies, water in front of the green and pine trees in abundance. We asked two members of Vila Sol to join us and tell you how they play this classy but tricky par 5.

THE CHAMPIONSHIP TEES - 506 meters Algarve Golf Guru PGA Professional, Eddie Charnock The 14th at Vila Sol isn’t the longest par 5 at Vila Sol, but with water in front of the green, the tee shot is what determines if I’m going to go for the green in two or lay up. As a fader of the ball, the 14th adds a different dimension when I stand on the tee, as a draw is the best shot to take advantage of the slope that kicks the ball down the fairway to give me the opportunity to make the green in two. A faded drive runs off the fairway to the right rough, making the second shot a layup. If my

44

drive isn’t perfect it’s a three shot approach for sure. If I need to layup, the fairway slopes down to the water from 100 meter and it’s easy to hit into the water in front of the green if I get a little greedy! I try to land the ball at 100 meters and let it run down the hill, leaving me with a 100 to 60 meter shot into the middle of the green. The green has three tiers and slopes back to front, so hitting off a down hill slope doesn’t cause me any problems as stopping the ball is easy. All you need is a little distance control on your wedges to stay on the right level and give you a reasonable chance for a birdie.

MENS YELLOW TEES - 458 meters Member of Vila Sol, Roger Parkin playing off 19.7hcp This is a hole where I expect to be on the green for 3 or at worst 4. It is critical to get a decent drive over the top of the hill and ideally on the right hand side of the fairway or failing that in the light rough. This opens up a 3 wood aimed down the left side, where the slope (and my natural fade) will bring my ball back to the centre of the fairway leaving anything from a 5 wood to a short iron (depending on wind and the quality of the first two shots) over the water to the tricky green. It’s very easy to lose the second shot right into the uneven rough and then having to contend with an awkward lie and/or trees

December 2020

to reach the green. This usually means a lay up and a fourth shot.

the toughest greens on the course so being on the right level is key.

The 14th is a long, three tier green and anything a long way from the hole is definitely in 3 putt territory!

Your chance to WIN! Here is your chance to WIN a 30 minute Golf Lesson with The Gurus! Just answer the following question correctly and your name will be entered in to a draw to take place on the 1st January.

LADIES RED TEES - 432 meters Member of Vila Sol, Diana Lessing playing off 20.1hcp If I hit my best shots I would use my driver to the top of the hill, then I would choose a 3 wood, followed by my 5 wood then my 8 iron over the water onto the green.

The 14th requires me to hit straight shots keeping out of the rough so I can go for the green with my fourth shot, if I get caught up in the rough I will need another shot before going for the green! When you feel the hard work is done, hitting the green in 4, you are faced with one of

Who is World #1 Dustin Johnsons Golf Coach?

Please email your answer to sales@algarvegolfguru.com To book a golf lesson or to purchase one of our popular lesson vouchers in time for Christmas, please contact Richard or Eddie and mention Simply Algarve as a referral.

E: sales@algarvegolfguru.com W: algarvegolfguru.com

December 2020

45

Last word

Parting words...

Jake Cleaver connects the dots between magical spells and plant names, with the Christmassy Poinsettia being a perfect example...

You can give it the old ‘hocus pocus’, but if your words aren’t true your spells that might appear strong to start with will soon fizzle out

‘Mesembryanthemum nodiflorum’! Did you ever think that plant names sound a bit like magic spells? And that actually makes sense seeing as you have to be a bit of wizard to be a good gardener.

A good example of this is the Poinsettia, or ‘Euphorbia pulcherrima’ *Waves wand.

This extremely festive plant lives for Christmas. Quite literally, at least in our house.

Their distinctive red and green leaves make them the perfect yuletide foliage.

Every year we get given one, but as hard as we try it just keeps shedding its leaves until February at the latest, at which point, like the Monty Python Parrot, it ‘ceases to be’. And that’s okay, you get another one next year. But I can’t help but think that a big industry is built on us ‘muggles’ being a little too overzealous with the watering can.

and words come out (maybe you even wave your arms like you are trying to conjure something, Italian style), and with them you create your world. In that way we are all wizards.

So, then you might think what are the most potent spells?

How can I become a powerful ‘word wizard’? Well, I think the answer is with the Truth.

You can give it the old ‘hocus pocus’, but if your words aren’t true your spells that might appear strong to start with will soon fizzle out (a bit like a firecracker - one big BANG and then it goes out and you are in trouble).

The truth is your ‘Expecto Patronum’ (I can’t work out what kind of plant this should be. I guess it’s different for everybody). It’s unique to you and who knows what shape it will take? But it will shine out and move around in a brilliant ball of light illuminating the world and keeping the dementors at bay.

Having said all that, the truth is that we’ve just been given this year’s Poinsettia and I’m really not all that confident in my lazy laissez faire approach to gardening. If there’s any real life Professor Sprouts out there please do write in and suggest some enchantments.

I really think that might be the case. Last year I tried to pay as little attention to it as possible and I think we got it to March. A tiny bit better, so maybe the secret way to get into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft, Wizardry and ‘Gardening’ is what the Taoists, and Winnie the Pooh have always known: ‘If you try too hard, it doesn’t work’.

Speaking of Wizards, I sometimes think that with all this amazing technology that we’ve got now if somebody from the not too distant past were to time travel to today they might very well assume that we were all Magicians. What with our illuminated streets, our flying boxes of metal, moving photographs, instantaneous communication around the globe, and can’t you even parallel park your car with your phone? Science and technology are magic as far as I’m concerned. Us Muggles are catching up fast.

In fact, I thought to myself the other day that given the choice I’m not so sure Harry Potter wouldn’t prefer to have a smartphone, rather than his magic wand. I mean, “Wingardium Levi-O-sar” (see, sounds like a plant definitely a climber) is all very well and very handy for deciding where the sofa should go.. But I bet the novelty would wear off pretty quick and that Harry wishes he could watch some Quidditch tutorials on YouTube.

I would also like to argue that it’s not just plant names that are spells. I think all words are spells. You move your tongue

46

December 2020

December 2020

47

Europe's Best Golf Venue *Membership prices for anual subscriptions.