Simply
FR E
E
February 2018 Issue 22
Loulé, Almancil, Vale do Lobo,
Quarteira, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura, S. Brás
Welcome... ...to your February issue! This months issue is packed full of interesting content and we kick it off with a look at Sesil, a place that we can guarantee you will not leave without buying something for your home, then Susi Rogol Goodkind tells us what the Leibman family have been up to, restoring some of the incredible architecture in Loule. Susi also sits down with Alyson Sheldrake, a well known painter in the Algarve with a very distinct style, we get to know what inspires her, how she developed her style and more. Our travels around the region also brought us to Seven Quinta's doorstep where we spent an hour talking to Hildegard and Marta, two brilliant women highly reaspected in the real estate business here in the Algarve. All of this plus of course our regular Gardening, Finance, Sports, Golf tip, News and Property articles! We hope you enjoy this issue, if you have any comments or suggestions please send them to design@simplyalgarvemag.com 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 Alyson Sheldrake
Susi Rogal-Goodkind Jake Bassett
ADVERTISING
Call Jake on 966 044 143 or email design@simplyalgarvemag.com
2
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
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
Contents NEWS 4
PROPERTY 26
SAM 5
PROPERTY 28
Your local news.
Sam’s views and reviews.
Property of the month.
PLACES 6
A property update from experts Yellow Homes.
PEOPLE 12
An hour with Seven Quintas.
The amazing Sesil.
The Leibman family.
EXPATS 18 Tales from an Expat in Portugal.
PEOPLE 20
PEOPLE 30 FINANCE 32 Have you had "The Talk"?
FINANCE 34
A Q&A session with Alyson Sheldrake.
Currency news from experts Currencies Direct!
Almancil and surrounding areas.
An update from experts at AFM.
MAP 24
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
GARDENING 39
A Moorish Gardener.
SPORT 44
The latest sports news from Chris Wright.
GOLF 45
Pro tips from PGA professionals Eddie and Richard.
CLASSIFIEDS 46
Classified ads!
FINANCE 36
3
News
Local news
Keep up to date with this months news. GOVERNMENT SENDS IN THE GOATS TO HELP FOREST TIDY-UP
T
he Government is sending in the goats this year as part of its determination to clear forests of dangerous and inflammable scrub. Herds of munching quadrupeds will be used in a pilot project, announced the Secretary of State for Forests, Miguel Freitas, explaining that the Government also will be funding the use of machinery to cut back scrub. During a parliamentary hearing of the Committee on Agriculture, requested by the Left Bloc, the Secretary of State said that €17 million already has been made available to carry out fire prevention actions. The country will have a budget balanced between preventing and combating, forest fires. "For the first time in Portugal, we will have an
operational policy that shows what is going to be done for combat and prevention. Until now, the operational policy was only combat," said the Secretary of State. Asked by MPs about how the government will ensure that Infraestruturas de Portugal will comply with the new laws about cleaning forests, Miguel Freitas said that the company already has opened a tender, worth €18 million, to clean the road network verges and land alongside the roads, adding that "there is a great determination to move forward with the cleaning." Freitas may discover that goats are ideal for the task, need zero hydrocarbon fuel input, however, may need around 40 litres of water a day in the summer months, something to consider.
PORTUGAL'S UNEMPLOYMENT FALLS TO LOWEST LEVEL SINCE OCTOBER 2008
Sources: www.algarvedailynews.com
A
4
delighted Minister of Labour, Vieira da Silva, seized on data published by the Institute of Employment and Professional Training for the 2017 year-end which showed a significant drop in the number of unemployed that show up on the official statistics. 2017 ended with 78,800 fewer unemployed registered at employment centres compared to the end of 2016, down 16.3%. The number of people registered as unemployed was 403,800, the lowest figure since October 2008, when the financial crisis began. Registered unemployment declined in each month of 2107, except November when it was stable, an average of, 8,200 people a month. The 2017 decline in unemployment was: - Young people (-19.7%), - Adults (-15.9%), - Short-term unemployed (-16%), - Long-term unemployed (-16.7%), - People looking for the first job (-15.8%) and new employment (-16.4%). The year-on-year decrease was across all regions of the country, with most of the new jobs being in the construction sector and for tourism-related work. Vieira da Silva said that the news and figures are "extremely positive", as “over the last two years about a quarter of a million new jobs have been created,” and that the Portuguese economy now presented "a significant dynamism." There always is some justifiable criticism as to how these figures are arrived at - but for 2017 one thing is clear, more people had jobs at the end of the year than at the start of it.
ALGARVE GOLF TEES OFF 2018 WITH TWO AWARDS
T
he Algarve golf industry has started 2018 by winning two new international accolades from the magazine, ‘Today's Golfer.’ As part of the 2018 Annual Travel Awards, the Algarve won ‘Best Golf Destination in Continental Europe’ for the second year running and ‘Best Value Golf Destination in Continental Europe’ for the fifth time since 2012. These prizes were awarded after adding up readers’ votes, with 60% considering that the Algarve has maintained its excellence as the best destination for golf in Europe. The quality-to-price ratio in the region was recognised by 40% of voters as one of the key factors influencing their decision when booking golf holidays. The region’s variety of course types, with over 40 courses to choose from and the high quality of each, has made this sector the driving force for off-season tourism in the Algarve. The 2017 total number of golf rounds played region was up 5.3% over the previous year, hitting 1,345,000 rounds, 70% of the country’s total.
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
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.
Sams favourite spot for brunch.
A
hh brunch, the king of all meals, why? Due to many reasons of course! Firstly, the food options are literally double. Breakfast + Lunch = Brunch which also = double the food possibilities. Second, it makes it totally acceptable to start drinking on a Sunday morning. Where else can you order a gin & tonic or mimosa at 12AM and NOT get weird looks? Nowhere, thats where! Third, it just feels fancy. Stuffing your face with delicious food at the endless buffet, surrounded by the champagne flutes, it just feels like you have your life together and are ready to face anything after a full stomach. So if you are like me and love your brunch and you know it is almost impossible to find a place that serves brunch in the area, and even more difficult to find a place
that does brunch the right way. Boy do I have a treat for you! In Faro, our beautiful city in the heart of the Algarve just next to the famous Ria Formosa there, is this place appropriately called, “Restaurante Ria Formosa”, on the roof of a local hotel with the most incredible view; perfect to enjoy a sunny Sunday morning. Every Sunday, the staff at the hotel introduce a different buffet, they get inspired by different areas around the world and cook brunch based on different cultures. Last Sunday it was inspired by Africa, next Sunday it will be Mexico. The food was amazing, you have your usual breakfast buffet plus all the mouth-watering extras, a bucket full of king shrimp, black pork skewers and the list goes on. My absolutely favourite part of the restaurant? It is only 20€ per person, so without a doubt the cheapest and the most delicious brunch I have had in the area. The worst part, they only serve brunch from November until June which is quite devastating! Do you have a favourite brunch place? Send me an email so I can go try it out. contact@blue-sky-villas.com
Simply Almancil, Vale do Lobo,
Quarteira, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura
Advertise your business with us all year round for just 360 euros! Call 966 044 143 for more info. Simply
FR EE
Simply
May 2016
Almancil, Vale do Lobo,
Quarteira, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura
FR EE
Simply
June 2016
Almancil, Vale do Lobo,
Quarteira, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura
FR EE
Simply
July 2016
Almancil, Vale do Lobo,
Quarteira, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura
FR EE
Simply
August 2016
Almancil, Vale do Lobo,
Quarteira, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura
FR EE
Simply
Sept 2016
Almancil, Vale do Lobo,
Quarteira, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura
FR EE
Oct 2016
Almancil, Vale do Lobo,
Quarteira, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura
Dining out special
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
5
Places
In and out Living
Stylish, Grand, Quirky or Traditional, you will never leave Sesil without finding something perfect for your home.
6
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
E
stablished in 1992, Sesil Home has been offering a big diversity of house products to their clients through the 26 years of its existence, such as hand crafts, garden pots, ceramics, cotton and linen all made in Portugal. As the majority of the suppliers are portuguese, it enables them to have direct contact with the factories to be able to create personalized products, in interior and in exterior decoration. Sesil also has its own atelier,
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
7
Places
where they produce hand painted tiles that can be made in any size, colors or themes, and also, customized hand painted canvas watercolours and sculptures that are made in partnership with algarvian artisans. Such examples are the bull made in steel and the tree that is an exclusive design of Sesil Home, made from a dead tree with the base and branches made from steel and leaves made in ceramic. Recently, they introduced the interior design and architecture services that offer personalized projects for each customer. Sesil is located in the center of Almancil, if you would like to know any more about them or are interested in purchasing something for your home contact them through their website www.sesilhome.com
8
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
9
Simply Almancil, Vale do Lobo,
Quarteira, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura
Missed an issue? No problem! Find it on our website. www.simplyalgarvemag.com Simply
FR E
E
September 2017 Issue 17
Almancil, Vale do Lobo,
Quarteira, Quinta do Lago, Vilamoura
BEAUTY CENTRE | CENTRO DE BELEZA HAIRDRESSER | CABELEIREIRO BARBER SHOP | BARBEIRO BODY AND FACE TREATMENTS TRATAMENTOS CORPORAIS E FACIAIS NUTRITION / IMAGE CONSULTANT NUTRIÇÃO / CONSULTORA DE IMAGEM ANTI-AGING CENTRE ANTI-ENVELHECIMENTO WOMANS FASHION | MODA FEMININA LOUNGE BAR ART GALLERY | GALERIA DE ARTE ESTHETICS | ESTETICA
Rua 5 de Outubro, n°229 8135-103 Almancil GPS: N 37°5'29' W 8°2'15' +351 911 572 265 | 963 529 144 Fashion: www.dareu.pt Beauty: www.dare-u.pt Email: info@dareu.pt
10
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
om fr s n 5 Mi lé Lou
Art For Everyone
We buy and sell high quality furniture.
Find us in front of Hotel Vila Gale Tavira. Rua 4 de Outubro, 24, Tavira
Telephone 96 201 2111 www.taviradartes.com An enjoyable shopping experience with amazing choices at affordable prices. taviradartes@gmail.com
Why go anywhere else.
Bedroom - Dining room - Lounge - Garden - Office - Kitchenware - Lighting - Soft Furnishings - Pictures - Mirrors - Objets d’art OPEN MONDAY - FRIDAY, 10:00AM - 17:00PM TEL: 289 395 197 OR VISIT WWW.HOUSE2HOUSE.PT
A TRUE LINKS COURSE ON THE SPANISH BORDER
2 FOR 1 EVERY WEDNESDAY
EAT AT Costa Esuri www.eastalgarvemag.com
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
RESERVATIONS: COSTA ESURI GOLF CLUB Urbanización Costa Esuri Avda Juan Pablo II, S/N, A49 – Salida 131 21400 Ayamonte, Huelva, Spain Tlf:(0034) 959 328 071 www.costaesurih2ogolf.com
11
11
12
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
People
Full House With an annual average of 1.9 million air miles flown on one Airline carrier alone and significant mileage across multiple other international airlines, a history of creating global brands, and a decision to change his life, Alan Leibman moved to the Algarve with his wife Cathy. Here, the man associated with world hospitality, has already made his mark, bringing life and meaning into our fine old buildings. And then some…
A
lan and Cathy Leibman’s first trip to the Algarve was in 2000 when their sons were one and three years old (Nicholas, now 21 is a Junior at Willamette University, Oregon; Brandon, 19, is in his Freshman year at Colby College, Maine). “We did what you are not supposed to do,” Cathy confesses, with a huge smile. The Sheraton Algarve Golf Villas had just launched. Like many visitors we were enchanted by the beach, the local seafood, the stunning weather and thought we would look at what was for sale. We ended up buying a three-bedroom apartment on Falesia beach. Talk about a purchase on a whim. We had not explored the area or even visited the Golden Triangle. The apartment was affordable and in a small block that was within walking distance to the beach. Over the subsequent 17 years we have moved to a townhouse and now to our home, still in the same area. It’s the view of the water, the sound of the waves in the evening, the incredible sunsets and delicious fruit and seafood that still makes us smile when we return here.” MOVING ON In 2017 the Leibmans chose the Algarve as their fulltime home. Before that they were living in Dubai, in the United Arab Emirates. South African by birth, Alan, now 52, was the youngest General Manager in the history of the Ritz-Carlton Group and went on to become the CEO of Kerzner International. Cathy, meanwhile, who was born in Sydney, was working voluntarily with the Ministry of Health as a dentist, helping with local charities and being a full-time mum to their two boys. So how come the decision to up and move on and leave the glitz and glitter of Dubai and settle in the Algarvian
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
sunshine? “Alan had worked for Kerzner for 23 years,” explains Cathy. “As an expat family, our lives were spent back-andforthing. We lived in the UK, then the Bahamas for ten years and Dubai for 11 years. Our boys were studying in the US and we were suddenly empty nesters. Continual travel was taking its toll on Alan’s health and our family life – an indication of just how much he was moving around was evidenced by his Emirates Airlines Frequent Flyer account. He was their number one man, having racked up an astonishing 1.9 million miles annually. Cathy and her business partner in Dubai created the charmingly-name Ethical Muse (www.ethicalmuse.com), an online platform that focused on the sustainable luxury finds discovered on their world travels. The operation has moved here with her, and focuses now on 100% Portuguese goods and services on the luxury spectrum – clothing, Michelin-star restaurants, the finest quality furniture and hotels that have something special to offer.. FINDING NEW CHALLENGES Not one to ever sit back and relax, Alan has developed new interests, ones that we Algarve dwellers will benefit from. His keen eye for property and development potential has not taken him into the buying/building of luxury residential palaces on the coast; he has, instead started to invest in what is already here, and part of our architectural heritage. “I would describe my husband as an A-Type personality with in-built hyperactivity,” says Cathy. “I had visions of ‘retirement’ on the Algarve and learning to play golf, or perhaps cruising the world and focusing on Ethical Muse. But Alan can’t slow down. He could never take a back seat or enjoy a quiet life. Nothing he
13
People
I have always had a love of vintage, beautiful buildings and the history and stories that are hidden within their walls. The ‘Green Building’ in Loulé on the Avenida had the most wonderful façade, yet the interiors were in ruins.” does really surprises me – his enthusiasm to take on new projects never diminishes. But when he came home to say he had bought a building in Loulé, I thought he was joking!” “Loulé is unquestionably a special place and we would always take visitors to the Saturday morning Mercado. Knowing that Alan had experience in the hospitality industry, Gillian Catto of ArtCatto had mentioned that the town needed a small boutique hotel and had told us of buildings that were for sale. We did run the numbers for a small hotel in the area, but they did not make fiscal sense. I thought that was the end of it, until Alan announced his purchase.’ “Embracing Alan’s spontaneity I got involved and absorbed right from the start. I have always had a love of vintage, beautiful buildings and the history and stories that are hidden within their walls. The ‘Green Building’ in Loulé on the Avenida had the most wonderful façade, yet the interiors were in ruins.” “We have maintained the façade, which the Loulé Council dictated, yet we have made the interiors modern
14
in every way, including the installation of a lift, which is rare for the area. We will also have a glass ceiling at the back of the building which will open. I am currently in talks about designing a vertical green garden on the back wall. This project took twists and turns and we are planning to open in March. The property will be rented out for office space and as a communal workhub. We still have a few offices available, for those who are interested. All our current clients are thrilled with the renovation. We believe it is something unique and special for the area.” BROADENING THE PERSONAL PORTFOLIO Cathy says that Alan and she are both organic in their planning. They have a vision and then they make it happen. “All of the people we work with are recommendations from friends. We do not speak Portuguese – yet – and that has presented its challenges. Managing expectations from working in Dubai to moving to Portugal also took some adjustments. Finding reputable and trustworthy suppliers is also important. Our concept of time seems to be different too.
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
“We have maintained the façade, which the Loulé Council dictated, yet we have made the interiors modern in every way, including the installation of a lift, which is rare for the area. The first property the couple purchased In Portugal, after their home, was an apartment in Chiado in Lisbon. Bought for practical reasons – Alan’s residency – it is in a quiet street and boasts a view over the Christo Rei and the Bridge. The feature of the Art Deco apartment is the central staircase which they commissioned a Portuguese artist to design. About to go on the market as a rental proposition, it is yet another example of how inspired thinking can be perfectly exercised. DEALING WITH THE SYSTEM As many of us know only too well, the Portugal property arena can be daunting. Buying, selling and converting legalities can be difficult, puzzling, and even hazardous. So what advice do the Leibmans have to share? “We put a lot of trust in the real estate agents for their due diligence, as well as our lawyers for ensuring that all is legal. There have definitely been some challenges in understanding how to work with older buildings. For example, the second Loulé building Alan bought on his lunch break is located next to a Church. Therefore we
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
need special investigation from the Cultural Foundation in Faro. We were not made aware of this before we purchased the property, only after everything was agreed and signed. Unsurprisingly, this has caused unexpected delays.” “We have learned a lot from these experiences. We are very fast in our decisions. Definitely a note to ourselves is to slow down and take some time to truly understand what is involved. We get too excited about the vision after the renovation!” “The past 18 months have been incredibly busy. I would like to sit back and enjoy the fruits of our labour, but I never know what will come next.” “Alan found our townhouse by going for a morning walk; he found the Green Building in Loulé by going for a coffee, and the latest building, set on multi-floors, by accident after lunch in the town. That said, I would always suggest that someone who is serious about looking for older properties, does so with a much-trusted agent who knows the area… and the potential problems associated with such purchases. There are some beautiful buildings
15
People
that need TLC.” And your next project Mr and Mrs Leibman? “I am laughing. I am near to completion of every dream renovation project possible. A beautiful apartment in Chiado, heritage office buildings in Loule, a ski home in Aspen and a beach home in the Bahamas. My next project will be to downsize… I seriously love the idea of ‘tiny’ homes in the USA. I think these would be ideal for student housing.” But property isn’t enough for these two, whose thirst for challenge is unquenchable. Alan has partnered with a South African entrepreneur who owns the largest luxury car service business in South Africa and taken over the highly-successful VIP Chauffeurs company
LOVE THE IDEA OF A SPECIAL RENOVATION? Look around in our towns and villages, at the buildings that have been empty for a while but retain that faded grande dame essence that stirs you. Take in the detail and envisage what you could achieve if you tried to bring it back to life. Then ask yourself – or better still, a knowledgeable agent – where you could go from there. We have seen one-floor, two-room roadside cottages that have gone the contemporary route but retained their distinct personality…and been snapped up as they are completed
16
here on the Algarve. And Cathy, who planned to relax and learn to play golf, has invested in an online digital marketing platform, Portugal Confidential (www. portugalconfidential.com) for, for “Everything Cool in Portugal”. She and her partner Greg Boegner are already looking to evolve and expand the business into designing and curating tours are already looking to evolve and expand the business into designing and curating tours, and have formed an association with US-based Frosch Travel to offer their clients hands-on deluxe service and experiences in Portugal. High voltage in the energy stakes, this couple will make a difference to everything they touch.
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
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
CAPE GARDENS info@cape-gardens.com 289 397 165
Design | Construction | Maintenance www.simplyalgarvemag.com
www.cape-gardens.com
17
Expats
Tales from an expat in Portugal Fifteen minutes of fame or a burning desire to be someone else? Away from your past you can take your pick, says Anthony Martin.
"Why do they do this? And why do they pick out an ordinary Joe in need of new knees, who wanders around with a couple of days growth of beard, mud-caked boat shoes, and evident arthritis, to bigup their previous precious lives?"
18
I
n the early days of word processers, the buzz word was ‘wysiwyg’ (pron. wiz-ee-wig), this being the acronym for ‘What You See Is What You Get’, meaning the printer would print exactly what was on the screen. The line, paragraph, punctuation and lay-out would be identical. What you saw was what you got and at the time it was quite a breakthrough. Now I like to think that I’m a wysiwyg kinda guy as are most of the people I know but strange things can happen to people when they re-locate to another country, make new friends and mix in new circles. Some re-invent themselves; create a persona that is far removed from their actual selves, believing that this will make them more interesting/ more popular/more acceptable and therefore more – if you will allow me to invent a word – ‘inviteable’. (“Oh, you must meet so-and-so, they’ve had such an interesting life.”) A couple of years back I met a man who, in our first ten minutes of conversation told me he used to work for the Keeper of the Privy Purse, the office that oversees the distribution of the Queen’s finances. He regaled me with tales of dishing out pocket money to the younger members of the Royal family who would occasionally come to him and explain that they had an expensive week ahead and may need a little extra. He was almost impossible to stop, rabbiting on of his boat in Vilamoura marina, his managing directorship of a publishing company and the house he was going to build in Quinta do Lago. I
later saw his boat – gin palace it wasn’t – it was relegated to the far end of the marina where the water taxis moor up. I’ve seen bigger tenders. I’ve met ‘ex bankers’ who used to have a single figure golfing handicap until they “did their backs in”, ‘ex computer gurus’ who decided they had had enough of jetting around the world and instead now want the simple life of living in a motor home, and ladies who decided to eschew their Hermes handbags, Michelin-starred restaurants and Louboutin-shod feet for a more simple, down-to- earth life. I have also come across obviously gay men who insist on talking about their exwives and cast-off girlfriends and major players in almost everything who can get caught out with the simplest question. I know people who hang fake certificates on their walls, and singles that live together but pretend to be married (why is this so important?). I’ve met doctors who aren’t, and men who can’t wait to tell everyone how many millions they had to pay for their divorce. Strangely enough I’ve yet to meet anyone who admits to a life in the UK that was not up there with the movers and shakers of Brit society. Why do they do this? And why do they pick out an ordinary Joe in need of new knees, who wanders around with a couple of days growth of beard, mudcaked boat shoes, and evident arthritis, to big-up their previous precious lives? Is it because they don’t know that the shambling ex-pat they are trying to impress was;
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
a) presented to the late Queen Mother; b) danced with a woman who danced with Fred Astaire; c) had Beatle George Harrison, after asking him for an autograph, tell me to p*** off (apt, as we were side by side in a discothèque’s urinal); and d) chatted with Richard Chamberlain – he who played Dr Kildare in the television series – at the tailors (by the way, he dresses to the left); and e) came second in the qualifiers for the men’s downhill in the winter Olympics of 1976. (Try checking that
in Google – second place in qualifiers is generally difficult to confirm so in future I may well use this ruse to top the Walter Mittys I meet. I could claim second qualifier place for James Bond’s stand-in, just missing being the stunt double for Mark Damon, but was an Oscar red carpet walker for Emma Thompson. Also, that I fathered a love child with Michelle Pfeiffer (well, if you are going to dream you might as well dream big). Oh, I nearly forgot, Lloyd George knew my grandmother but she was obviously too vanilla to
be granted a title. I have also boasted of sleeping with the late Lois Maxwell (the original Miss Moneypenny of the Bond franchise) but always leave out the fact that we were on a transatlantic overnight flight and were seated next to each other. So, I’m not altogether unknown, whoever is reading this is one click away from a man who has lived a life of sorts. Google my name and you will get 391,000 results and, if you want to risk RSI, I’m there somewhere.
Graphic Design... get to the Point!
•Adverts •Business cards •Signage •Leaflets •Promotional booklets
Unipessoal Lda
Call 966 044 143 or Email: design@simplyalgarvemag.com www.simplyalgarvemag.com
19
People
Q&A with Artist
Alyson Sheldrake You probably know the name, and you will certainly recognise the style. Alyson Sheldrake’s works hang in private homes across the world. Adventurous in her approach, dazzling in her use of colour, the highly-talented painter is also dedicating time to encourage others keen to improve their artistic skills.
B
irmingham-born Alyson Sheldrake, 13 years a Police Officer in the south-west of England, later a Director of Education and always an artist with a dream, moved to the Algarve, to Ferragudo, six years ago with her professional photographer husband, Dave. “My dream was always to have my own studio space and to be able to spend all day painting and creating. With a full time career taking up most of my time, I would spend an occasional week on an art course or holiday and become inspired, only to have to go back to work again and pack my paints away. We finally managed to move here permanently six years ago, having bought a house here five years before that.” Why algarve? We fell in love with the fishing village of Ferragudo almost 15 years ago, when we came here by chance on a last-minute holiday. Our holiday motto back then was 'never go back to the same place twice' .. but we returned to Ferragudo seven times in the subsequent two years... and we have never wanted to go anywhere else since! When did you first start painting – was it your passion as far back as school days? Even as a child my favourite present for birthdays and Christmas was always a new set of paints or pens. My next-door neighbour was an artist and I spent hours there as a child watching him paint in oils and helping
20
him clean his brushes! At school my art teacher told me that I couldn't paint; I think I have spent the next 30 years trying to prove her wrong! You have a very distinct style – how did it develop? Can you describe? My art will always contain a representational focal point – a boat, nesting storks, a church or a path to the beach – which is then enhanced by an almost abstract series of ‘waves’ of colour and shape – allowing the viewer to bring their own imagination to the picture. I like to create harmonious – yet vibrant – paintings which are full of detail and bright colours. As soon as I see a scene or view, or one of Dave’s photographs, I can instantly envisage the finished painting in my mind. I also complete pet and house portraits upon request, and also enjoy painting big bold flowers, and the old doors and windows of the Algarve. I like to experiment with new ideas, like including sand in my paintings, but my favourite work is always in my 'New Wave' style. And your favourite medium? I love the rich buttery texture of acrylic paint; and prepare all my own art boards as I dislike painting on canvas. I only use professional quality Liquitex paints, but even with a special 'stay-wet' palette, they do dry out quickly which is why I don't paint in July and August out here - it's just too hot!
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
What are your favourite subjects today? I have always got a folder on my computer full of new ideas for paintings, and I am lucky that I always have access to a wide range of images of Dave’s to inspire me! He did a great photo shoot of a troop of Arabianinspired dancers before Christmas and I can't wait to get going painting some new works from those photos. I also love painting pet portraits; I offered two free portraits as secret vouchers in this year's Goldra Charity calendar, and I am looking forward to working on those. How did you get involved in animals as subject matter? At the first ever 'pop-up' exhibition we organised – at the Holiday Inn Algarve hotel – a lovely couple asked me if I could paint pets. I was honest and told them that I had no idea, as I had never painted one before, but that I was willing to have a go! That was Winston, about five years ago, and since then I have painted over 60 pet portraits – dogs, cats, donkeys, horses, and even five chickens! Do you have any pets yourself? Yes, we have the most beautiful dog in the world! Kat is a rescued Spanish Water Dog. I walk her on the beach in Ferragudo every morning, and everyone knows and loves her. She gets invited to more parties and events that we do… and even has her own Facebook Page! What inspires you? Living here in the Algarve, I am inspired every day
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
21
People
by the light, the fabulous views and scenery that we have, and also sometimes by the tiniest detail like a single feather lying on the sand. I also love working on commissions and talking with a client about what they love and incorporating that into a painting for them. Most interesting/challenging commission ever? I completed a large (2.4m x 1m) triptych for clients who wanted me to portray their favourite places in Armação de Pêra... the beach, their favourite sun loungers, and the local café bar with two small beers waiting for them at their usual table. It was great fun and the resulting painting, 'Beach Life' takes pride of place in their lounge now. Do you work odd hours – like the middle of the night? I don't paint at night - but I often find that my best ideas for paintings and work come at 4am! I keep a notebook by the bed ready for inspiration to visit! Do you have art shows, and where? Dave and I run our own 'pop-up' gallery exhibitions. We are hoping to organise one for 2018 but I have been so busy with commissions that I have not been able to create enough of my own original works for an exhibition lately. People seem to really like being able to say that they met the artist when they show off a painting in their own home. With a background that included producing conferences for over 100 headteachers, the thought of setting up a gallery event of our own hardly seemed daunting, although I fast realised that not having a PA and admin team to support me was something I missed! Over the past six years we have run more than ten events, all of which have been great fun to set up and run; they have also been highly successful for us, too. A bit of advice of the best types of framing please –and
22
hanging in this climate of ours? I prepare my own art boards individually, and they all come ready to hang. The boards are designed to ‘float’ on the wall, and they have a concealed frame securely fixed to the reverse of the board with a simple hook ready to hang. They do not need to be framed separately. My only advice is always to hang them by drilling and using a rawl plug and a screw to put up your hanging hook as the walls out here tend to crumble if you hammer a nail in! Do you have a dream you want to paint one day? I'd love to add a celebrity or two to my client list! I had a client who invited me round to their brand new apartment and asked me to paint something to hang in every room for them. I ended up completing nine works for them and then helping them to hang them all too .. that was a fabulous opportunity I would love to have again! Where would you advise keen amateurs to go for lessons? Last Autumn I launched the Algarve Society of Artists. I had no idea how it would be received, although when testing it out with some trusted art friends I knew I had a good idea in the making. Well, it has been a crazy four months! We already have 100 members, a website algarve-art.com and a quarterly online Algarve Art! magazine that had over 57,000 page views in the first three weeks of publishing the first edition in October. The website also has a section promoting our members' exhibitions, as well as details of art and drawing classes for all abilities across the Algarve: If you would like to be the first to hear about upcoming events and new work, visit Alyson’s website artbyalysonsheldrake.com/ and subscribe to her free monthly newsletter.
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
Alyson’s Pet Portraits start from €175. Email her a photograph and she’ll let you know if it will work as a painting, and she’ll give you a quote; you don’t have to pay anything until you are happy with the completed painting. Prices for her New Wave pieces start at around 225€ and go up to about 500€, depending on size and complexity. Clients requesting special commissions need to give her a rough idea of what they want, and she will send a proposal with a price. “You have to trust me as the artist, though,” she says. “ I can work with your ideas but ultimately it will be my interpretation of a piece that you will see – but there is no obligation to purchase unless you like the finished work.
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
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
23
4
3
2
1
A
Follow the N125 West for Togofor-Homes, Vilamoura Foll Wes ow t Yell t for he N1 ow 25 Hom es
B
Monica's restaurant
C
re
Da U
D
Follow to find House2House Golfers Paradise
7 Quintas
Optica Joia
Management Works!
E
F
4
3
2
1
D
E
F
9
9
C
8
8
B
7
7
A
6
EDJOIA
5
6
5
Property
Property of the month 'Sitting on an elevated position close to Loule, this property enjoys hypnotic 180ยบ views of the Algarvian coastline and the sea.'
26
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
PROPERTY DETAILS • Private, detached villa; • Stunning country and sea views; • Peaceful location; • 3 bedrooms; • 3 bathrooms; • Upper floor atelier; • Entrance hall; • Living room with wood burner; • Fitted and equipped kitchen with breakfast area; • Under floor heating; • Pantry / laundry; • Swimming pool; • Open terrace with amazing views; • BBQ; • Double glazed windows; • Aluminum shutters; • Basement with garage, work shop, storage and a WC / utility room; • Telephone and internet connections; • Borehole water and cistern; • Water Softener; • Garden with automatic irrigation; • Ideal lock up and leave property; • High rental yield; • Energy certificate: C
€475.000 Ref: P-MDB
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
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
27
Property
A rising tide lifts Property expert Robert Bijker advises us on the buoyant
W
hen it comes to the desirability of property, it is all about location,
location, location. But for property prices in general, liquidity, liquidity, liquidity is just as important. This does not refer to how easy it is to trade in and out of property, but liquidity in the financial system. Money supply can either stimulate or slow down demand. A rising tide lifts all boats. The abundance of cheap and easy
money from a loose monetary policy has benefited economic growth and employment. It also inflates prices of financial assets and could potentially lead to another economic bubble. With ultra low interest rates investors in search of a higher yield are accumulating riskier asset classes such as junk bonds and other exotic investments. The property market is also benefiting from this. Yields in real estate are out stripping other assets such as bonds, giving a boost to the industry. Not only does a buy to let property generate a higher annual return but it can also be of use
GOLF PROPERTIES - VILLAS - APARTMENTS - TOWNHOUSES - PLOTS
MODERN STUNNING VILLA ON BIG PLOT IN SANTA BARBARA DE NEXE WITH TENNIS COURT. This fabulous 5 bedroom property sits on a south facing hill near Santa Barbara with magnificent views of the coastline and the sea. To be fully appreciated, this property needs to be seen.. Excellent value for money! Price: AMI: 6232 €1.600.000 Ref: P-BKL1 EC class A. 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
28
for family holidays. Over time there can be upside potential from price appreciation, which is something a saving account doesn’t offer. Over the years the ECB has been very accommodative and the outlook is that this will remain the same in 2018 and possibly beyond, until the ECB sees signs that the economic recovery is on a more solid footing with core inflation near their 2% target. The current strength of the Euro makes it harder to meet the 2% inflation target and may fuel arguments for a prolongation of ECB stimulus. However, the global economy is experiencing a synchronised pick-up in growth. There are signs that we are entering into a normal economic cycle with increased consumption leading to more corporate investment and trade rather than being finance driven. This reduces the need for stimulus. There will come a time that the ECB will reduce – and eventually end – the quantitative easing program. As long as the normalization of monetary policy is achieved in an orderly fashion we do not see an interruption in the current recovery of property prices in the Algarve. With the financial system being flush with liquidity, it is normal that some of the money finds its way
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
all boats property market. into financial assets. The recovery in house prices in Portugal is just one example. However, with property prices of existing homes still below the previous peak, the market is far from being overheated. As a result, real estate continues 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. We expect 2018 to be no different. For those interested in a buy to let property, rental income from short term holiday letting is taxed under the simplified regime. 65% of rental income is automatically considered as an expense and therefore exempt from income tax. In other words, you are only taxed on 35% of your invoiced rental income. There is a flat tax rate of 25% percent, which results in a final rate of 8.75% of total rental income. Rental income from
GOLF PROPERTIES - VILLAS - APARTMENTS - TOWNHOUSES - PLOTS
BEAUTIFUL SINGLE STOREY 3 BED VILLA WITH POOL NEAR LOULE. Beautifully presented, this single storey property built in 2005 is a gem. Located near Loule in small residential area, this fully walled and fenced property is accessed through electric gates and up a calcada driveway. A very impressive AMI: 6232 and elevated property with views over the surrounding countryside.. Ref: MCW / Price €645.000 EC class 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
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
long term letting continues to be taxed at 28%. Contact us for more information about the new rental law, investment opportunities and assistance with your property search. Our multilingual associates have all lived in the Algarve for many years and are experts at walking you through each step of the buying and selling process. Yellow Homes - Land & Houses Algarve has specialized in all manor of property in the Algarve since 1995. All properties on our website have been personally visited and inspected by our real estate consultants for accuracy before listing and we are in direct contact with all vendors. Rober 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)
29
People
An hour with:
Seven Quintas
H
We sat down with Hildegard and Marta to find out how they make you feel like a King in one of his Seven Quintas.
ildegard and Marta take being great hosts very seriously and when we sat down with them this was no exception. We were greeted with coffee, chocolate, almonds, water (sparkling or still, flavoured or not!), I'm sure if we were bold enough to ask they would have had a 3 course meal ready and waiting for us on their beautiful wooden table. Taking a look at the friendly, modern and sophisticated office you can fairly say it is an accurate representation of the dynamic
30
duo. Originally from The Netherlands, Hildegard started her working career in sales (b-to-b) with an American printing company providing direct marketing services in Amsterdam, however, with her love of travelling, experiencing other cultures and places, she decided that the next foreign country she landed in, she would stay for a longer period of time, if possible. First setting her eyes on the Algarve in 1995, Hildegard found herself wanting to stay, falling in love with the way of life, the
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
people, the scenery and culture and imagining herself walking on the beach everyday enjoying the sunshine. So, in the year 2000 she made the leap to her own place in the sun. She started working for Kiss FM for a short period of time, then for a Dutch real estate agent with an office in the same building as a portuguese lawyer from whom she learnt a lot about working with property paperwork and licenses in the Algarve, which was the start of a career in real estate. After gaining some years of experience in the field it was time to open her own agency. So in 2007, after she got the official qualifications from IMOPPI (now IMPIC) to open a real estate agency, Seven Quintas was born. With determination and the goal of giving the best service available, Seven Quintas started in the same building as today! Born as a Property Search company, helping people find their ideal properties, Seven Quintas evolved into the Boutique, high caliber full service estate agency it is now. After doing everything on her own for 9 years, in 2016 Hildegard welcomed Marta. Marta started her career in a resort in Quinta do Lago, working in the condominium department, however after 18 years there, she knew that it wasn't something she wanted to do for her entire career and so she left, in search of new exciting challenges. Before joining Seven Quintas Marta also gained working experience in a lawyers office. The two work relentlessly to make sure their clients have the best "hand picked" selection of propertries to choose from. And efficiently organized tours save time whilst looking to buy a property and it doesn't end there! For Marta and Hildegard the sale of a property is only the beginning of a relationship. With their after sales service, they help you find a lawyer, accountant, handyman, pool cleaner, etc... With their vast network of reliable people, they can help you with anything. Hildegard speaks five languages fluently: dutch, english, portuguese, german and french. Marta speaks portuguese and english. Seven Quintas is a well rooted establishment with unique and personal customer service in the property business, if you are looking to sell or buy a property here in the Algarve they have to be on your list. Contact Seven Quintas on 289 355 697, email info@ sevenquintas.com or visit their website http://www. sevenquintas.com to view some of their exclusive properties.
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
31
Have you had
“the talk”?
While it’s not necessary easy or pleasant, helping family members or other people in your life prepare for retirement by having “the talk” might well be the most valuable thing you can possibly do.
N
o, not the birds and bees talk with your preteen ... the one with your parents or other aging family members to discuss their finances, health, and longer-term wishes and desires. I’m lucky because my parents and I have always been pretty open about money matters. But for many people, it can be hard to get parents to open up about such topics. Still, it may be one of the most important conversations you’ll ever have. (And if you have siblings, they should be in on it, too.) To better explain why, I’ll give you a hypothetical case study below... Sally, Tim, and Howard were siblings who lived in different parts of the country. Their parents,
32
Mary and Jeff, were in their mid50s and looking forward to an early retirement. Mary was a school teacher for 25 years and Jeff was an engineer with a local government agency. Between pensions and overall thriftiness, a comfortable and secure retirement seemed a sure thing. FAST-FORWARD 10 YEARS Jeff is playing a round of golf with his buddies. He’s walking up to a green, clinches his chest, and collapses. He’s had a stroke. After a week in the hospital, Jeff is discharged but requires in-home nursing care. His wife Mary was at a loss. Jeff had handled the family’s finances. She hadn’t even written a check in years. Toss in dealing with Jeff’s nurses and home care aides eight hours a day, and it was
overwhelming. Bad enough, right? Then the other shoe dropped. A neighbor found Mary unconscious in the kitchen. After getting her to the hospital, she called Sally to give her the bad news. Sally called her brothers. With Jeff needing full-time custodial care and Mary in the hospital, someone had to travel to their parents’ house to figure out what was going on. Neither brother would lend a hand. Both said jobs and other responsibilities prevented them from helping. And since Sally only worked part time for a little extra spending money, they said she should be the one to drop everything. First, she visited her mom in the hospital. The doctor said her mom had suffered a severe concussion, was still unconscious, and might
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
Finance
need around-the- clock care. Then he asked if Mary had a living will and a healthcare power of attorney. “I don’t know,” Sally said. Next, Sally went to see her father. A nurse and the neighbor were there. The nurse told her that Jeff was slowly getting dementia and recommended that he be moved to a long-term care facility. Meanwhile, she’d make arrangements for an aide to spend the night. Sally called her brothers to discuss the situation. “Whatever you think is best,” they both replied. Now she had to make some tough decisions. The nurse helped her find a decent long-term care facility for Jeff. But before he could be admitted, the business office wanted to know how they were going to pay for it. And did she have the authority to make financial and healthcare decisions for her father? They told her that Medicare wouldn’t pay, but perhaps her father qualified for Medicaid. They also asked: Does he have a longterm care insurance policy? Does he have investments that could be used? While at the nursing home, Sally called her brothers to ask if they knew. “I don’t know,” was their joint response. “But do whatever you need to do.” Sally returned to her parents’ home and dug through files in her father’s desk. She spent several hours sorting brokerage statements, bank statements, credit card statements, correspondence, and insurance policies going back 10 years. She concluded that her parents had more than 100 holdings with five brokerage firms. There were no long-term care policies. Nor could she find paperwork indicating any type of power of attorney, wills, or even correspondence with a lawyer. The nursing home business office recommended that Sally get an elder care attorney. The lawyer got the ball rolling by drafting powers of attorney that
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
would give Sally the authority to make health and financial decisions for her parents. He prepared wills making Sally the executor of their estates. He then rushed them through the court in 48 hours. Jeff and Mary were moved to the long-term care facility where they shared a room. And it was determined that they’d have to pay out of pocket for their care. Sally was tasked with dealing with medical and nursing home personnel, attorneys, and real estate agents. Traveling from another state took an enormous amount of time away from her family. Eventually, Jeff and Mary’s home was sold and their assets were consolidated into one account holding a money market fund and two ETFs. The story doesn’t end there… FAST-FORWARD THREE MORE YEARS… Jeff dies peacefully while asleep. And Mary does the same six weeks later. Their brokerage account had been jointly held with right of survivorship. So when Jeff died, it went to Mary. And when Mary died, it was to be divided evenly amongst the three children. But when it came to splitting the account, one of the brothers pointed out that Sally had been getting compensated while handling their parents’ affairs. Therefore, she shouldn’t receive a full third. The other brother agreed. Sally objected, saying that she was only reimbursed for flights she had to take. Not for her time, lost wages, or other expenses she incurred. The brothers wouldn’t budge. Sally didn’t have the energy to fight them. So she agreed to pay half of the reimbursed travel expenses. And the family has been divided ever since. This is a hypothetical case, of course. The exact documents needed and court process would vary among states and one’s net worth. But I know plenty of REAL-LIFE stories that ended up even worse than this
one. So to make sure something similar doesn’t happen to your family, below are four things to include in your “talk.” FIRST, ASK ABOUT FINANCES… Preferably BEFORE anyone even retires, ask: • What investments do you have and how are they owned? • Do you have an emergency fund — money market account, saving account — that you can get at quickly? • Where are important documents kept? • Who is your attorney, accountant, insurance agent, and so on? • Do you have debt, such as a mortgage, auto loans, or credit card balances? • Is there a safe deposit box or anything else we need to know about? SECOND, HOW IS THEIR HEALTH? Are there chronic issues you’re not aware of? And what are their plans/ wishes if their health deteriorates? THIRD, ASSESS OPTIONS AND FORMULATE A PLAN. What home health care options are available in their area? Is a longterm care insurance policy a practical solution? Are there other family members who would help with care? Consider all the possibilities and permutations as best you can. FOURTH, GET ANY ADVICE BEFORE IT’S NEEDED. Regardless of your parents’ net worth and health, if they don’t’ have an attorney, find one who specializes in eldercare issues like advance directives. It’s a whole lot easier to work out who will do what if your parents can’t make critical decisions. While it’s not necessary easy or pleasant, helping family members or other people in your life prepare for retirement by having “the talk” might well be the most valuable thing you can possibly do. By Nilus Mattive
33
Finanace
Conflicting UK Growth Forecasts Fail to Limit Pound (GBP) Exchange Rates. Keep up to date with our currency expert Chantelle, Client Account Executive at Currencies Direct.
The Mayor of London’s economic assessment on the impact of Brexit would easily be overcome by growth led by the North West as well as strengthening global growth.
34
T
he Pound Euro (GBP/EUR) exchange rate rose in January, bolstered by upbeat comments from former UK Treasury Minister Lord O’Neil and seemingly unperturbed by the International Monetary Fund’s (IMF) latest downgrade in UK growth forecasts. Lord O’Neil asserted that downcast expectations regarding the impact of Brexit will likely be entirely ‘dwarfed’ by other, more positive economic figures from the UK. He also asserted that the Mayor of London’s economic assessment on the impact of Brexit would easily be overcome by growth led by the North West as well as strengthening global growth. This outlook directly contrasted the outlook of the IMF, however, with the group downgrading their outlook for UK growth in 2019 (the year of Brexit) from 1.6% to 1.5%. GERMAN COALITION TALKS MOVE AHEAD Germany’s Social Democratic Party (SPD) successfully voted to begin formal coalition negotiations with Chancellor Angela Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union (CDU), news that helped ease concerns that the SPD might reject plans for a new grand coalition. This news came after various senior SPD members had criticised party plans in the recent negotiation blueprint, effectively calling for compromise on Merkel’s part in regards to policies on pollution and immigration. These criticisms seemed to have eased, however, effectively keeping calls for a return to the polls at bay (for now). This news proved ineffective in bolstering the EUR/GBP exchange rate, however, with markets still sensitive to the possibility that talks could fail at any juncture. EUR/GBP Exchange Rate Forecast: Volatility Likely based on ECB Rate Decision
The Euro Pound (EUR/GBP) exchange rate could become increasingly volatile in February depending on the outcome of the European Central Bank (ECB) rate decision. Whilst markets are not expecting any change to interest rates - with the ECB historically continuing to prove dovish and inflation rates in the bloc similarly disappointing – revelations may come in the form of remarks from ECB President Mario Draghi. He has previously stated that the ECB could ‘revisit its policy message soon’, news that has led many to wonder if the ECB will make good on this statement. This could mean that the bank is looking to adopt a reduced focus on bond purchasing, or perhaps prepare for the possibility of tighter monetary policy in 2019 – both events that could bolster the EUR/ GBP exchange rate. For more information, please contact Chantelle at the Almancil office of Currencies Direct on 289 395 739 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).
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
Currency savings are best enjoyed poolside. Sit back and beat the banks from the comfort of your sun lounger.
Paul Currencies Direct customer since 2013, Watch his story at currenciesdirect.com/Paul
• Bank-beating exchange rates* • Fee-free transfers • No hidden charges Contact us today to start making great savings.
Get in touch - Algarve Ave 5 de Outubro, No 246 Almancil, Portugal, 8135-103
+351 289 395 739 algarve@currenciesdirect.com currenciesdirect.com/portugal
*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
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
19/12/2016 17:22
35
Finance
New Social Security Rules 2018
Keep up to date with our Finance expert, chartered accountant Ricardo Chaves from All Finance Matters.
"One of the key changes has to do with the fact that the rates to be applied to green receipts, consider the average quarterly income, "
36
N
ew Social Security rules applicable to sole traders. There is news for sole traders, also commonly known as workers on green receipts. The new social security regime has already been published, but new rules will only take effect on January 1st, 2019. One of the key changes has to do with the fact that the rates to be applied to green receipts consider the average quarterly income, instead of the yearly income. This means that in the first declaration, under the new rules in January of next year, this will be based on the income of the last quarter of 2018. DOES THIS MEAN THAT I WILL BE PAYING MORE OR LESS? Well each case is different. In relation to the rate of discounts for Social Security, this drops from 29.6% to 21.4%, being applied to 70% of the average income of the last three months. And there's a particularity: workers will be able to adjust their income up to 25% up or down. So, in case you stop working on green receipts or suddenly reduced your income, you don’t need to wait one year to apply for a reduction, this can be done each quarter. But the opposite is also valid, in case your income increases. In the case of self-employed persons with organized accounts, the relevant income must correspond to the value of the taxable profit calculated in the previous year, with a minimum limit of 1.5 IAS, even if the taxpayer may opt for the quarterly scheme. Currently, these people also deduct taxable income (from 1.5 IAS), but only if it is lower than what results from the general rules. Other novelties relate to the sickness and unemployment allowance The sick allowance will now be applied from the 11th day, not 31st, and the unemployment benefit for workers considered to be economically dependent (of the contracting entities) is now requiring 360 days of discount instead of 720. WHAT WILL BE THE MINIMUM
AMOUNT TO PAY EACH MONTH? The new rules provide for a minimum contribution of € 20, also applicable in cases where the employee decides to lower the relevant income. This is still the amount that should be paid in the months when there is no income, which will allow workers to continue to accumulate social protection rights. In the current law, the minimum contribution exceeds 62 euros even in the months without gains, applying to workers of reduced income who are placed in a sort of 'step zero'. WHEN IS THE DECLARATION MADE? Green receipts that are not exempt from contribution must report income from services, production and sale of goods quarterly. But the bill also points to the declaration of other values necessary to the determination of the relevant income, in terms still to regulate. The declaration is made until the last day of April, July, October, and January, regarding the income obtained in the previous three months. The tax base is then constant for three months, corresponding to one third of the relevant income for the quarter. The first quarterly statement takes place in January 2019, with reference to the incomes of October, November and December of 2018. Therefore, until the end of this year the current incidence base, communicated to independent workers in November of this year, still applies. should be maintained until October 31, 2018 (with its discount the following month), but there will not be a new contributory repositioning under the current rules. In the future, self-employed workers will also have to declare or confirm the values of the previous year in January, and in this case the obligation extends also to those who are not exempt from contributing. None of these obligations apply to workers whose relevant income is determined on the basis of taxable income. WHEN IS THE CONTRIBUTION PAID? The payment of contributions of selfemployed workers will be made between the
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
10th and 20th of the month following the month to which it respects - now, the deadline extends for the first 20 days of the month. WHAT CHANGES IN THE EXEMPTIONS? Those who accumulate employment and independent work may only be exempt from contributions by green receipts if they have a relevant income of less than four IAS. This threshold will correspond to around 1,716 euros in 2018 (the amount will be updated annually), which implies an overall yield of around 2,450 euros. The remaining exemptions that already exist for those who accumulate pension activity are to maintain. The law also provides that, after 12 months to pay for the minimum value of 20 euros, the worker becomes exempt from contributions. This rule replaces another, which today determines the exemption of discounts after 12 months to discount for a relevant income lower than six IAS (2,573 euros in 2018). AND FOR COMPANIES, WHAT CHANGES? The projected changes increase the rate due by so-called "contracting entities" and also extend this concept. Today, contracting entities are legal persons and natural persons with business activity responsible for 80% or more of the annual value of the self-employed activity. In the future,
the percentage drops to 50%. And if these companies are now subject to a rate of 5% on the total of services provided to them by that person, in the future the contribution rises to 7% - in the case of economic dependence between 50 and 80% - or 10% when economic dependence exceeds 80%. This means that contracting sole traders, to avoid employing them with full benefits, will be now more expensive than in 2017. These changes take effect as early as 2018 to apply to the payment made by companies in 2019. LOCAL LODGING EXCLUDED FROM SOCIAL SECURITY CONTRIBUTIONS The law already lists a group of tax payers that are excluded from the self-employed regime, now also specifically excludes leases activities (including for housing). In the case of income from electricity production, there are also changes in the wording. There are many other alterations that may affect your situation with the social security and it may come as a surprise to you in 2019. If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us; tax planning is critical and you and your company, cannot afford surprises. Pass by our office to discuss your personal situation and avoid any surprises.
BRITISH STYLE AUCTION HOUSE
• Direct Sales • Business and House Clearances
Direct sales, Business and house clearance service, online catalogue, & Monthly Auctions! Free valuations and Monthly Auctions!
• Free Valuations • Online Catalogue
General Auctions Plus Antiques and Collectables General auctions are held on the 1st Saturday of the month and Start at 10:00 am.Viewings on the Thursday and Friday before the Auction between 09:00 and 17:00.
WANTED! ANTIQUE AND VINTAGE JEWELLERY AND HALLMARKED STERLING SILVER.
FURTHER DETAILS OF ALL AUCTIONS ARE ON OUR WEBSITE
Do you have antique and vintage jewellery you would like to sell? Have you got some hallmarked sterling silver items you no longer want? These items are creating a lot of interest at Auction at the moment and are achieving realistic prices.
WWW.AHALGARVE.COM
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
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
37
AFM-Boat-2017-B5
20-02-2017
AFM-Boat-2017-B5 AFM-Boat-2017-B5
20-02-2017 20-02-2017
07:23 07:23 07:23
Page 1
NEW
Page 1
OFF EN ICE N IN F O ARO W !
OP
Page 1
New office open in Faro!
Rua Frederico Lecor, nยบ 53-B, 8000-347 Faro
38
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
Gardening
A Moorish Gardener As it is still winter in the Algarve and our gardens are still at rest, we have the time to gather round the fire and listen to tales of past gardens…
I
t’s still winter in the Algarve, when the cold can become intense, and the winds may blow with gale force from the grey Atlantic. But very soon the black nights will be at an end, and the winds will lose their biting edge as the sap begins to rise in the trees. And since our gardens are still at rest, we have the time to gather round the fire and listen to tales of past gardens… In the time of Al-Andalus, around 400 years after
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
the Moorish conquest of Southern Iberia, an Arab squire called Ibn al Awwam lived on a large agricultural estate which he owned on the plain of the Wadi al Kabir (todays Guadalquivir), close to Seville. All we know of him is contained in the masterpiece he wrote; the “Kitab al Felaha” or “The Book of Agriculture”, but this work proved him to be a man with a curious, enquiring mind and a wide knowledge of agricultural history, both that of Ancient Greece and Rome, and also of Byzantium
39
Gardening
and the Middle East, not to mention the earlier agriculturalists of Al-Andalus. The historical overview that this gives us of the development of agricultural techniques is invaluable, especially as his original sources, where they survive, now only exist in very fragmentary and incomplete form. His was the most thorough and complete manual of its time, and presents a unique survey of the agricultural geography of Al-Andalus in the late 12th century. There had been a revolution in agricultural practices since the Moorish conquests. Over the years many new plants had been introduced, amongst them the orange, melon, apricot and lemon, as well as sugarcane, rice and the carob. The method of cultivating vines, olives and cereals had been much improved, and 100 years before the “Kitab al Felaha” was written, botanical gardens had been established in Toledo and Seville, pre-dating those of Northern Europe by nearly 500 years. The success of this whole new methodology was made possible by the creation of vast new irrigation and drainage systems. Ibn al Awwam’s work was the comprehensive agricultural treatise in Arabic of that time, and it included excerpts from all know previous agricultural traditions and writings, blending both the author´s own scientific experimental approach based on observation with a record of the superstitions and folk traditions of his 12th century world. The treatise has 34 chapters dealing with all aspects of farming, from the cultivation of fruit trees to observations of soil types, from the application of different types of manure to the artificial fertilisation of trees, from the medicinal use of gardens plants to the raising of mules, donkeys, camels, bees and even peacocks! Methods of grafting trees, how to improve different types of soil, how to establish and maintain a kitchen garden or harvest and store fruit and grain, there was no aspect of plant and animal management that he didn’t cover in details. One lovely fragment that stays with me is his injunction that the labourers in charge of working oxen in the month of August, should carry jars of cool water with them to the fields, in order to rub down the animal’s heads and necks in the middle of the day, and cool them in the burning summer heat. LISTEN TO HIS ACTUAL VOICE: On garden design – “Let a garden be close by the masters house, so that he take pleasure in looking on it, and breathing the air of it…Plant your trees in rows… where there are doorways or basins or pools then plant
40
round about such trees as laurel, myrtle, cypress, pine, citron, jasmine, Seville orange, grapefruit, lime and cane-apple, for those never shed their leaves. And on the largest of these trees hang trellises and bowers for your pleasure, and by the same means you may shade pools of water, so that they remain cool…” On companion planting - “On sympathy among trees and plants…you should know that trees planted in proximity to others with which they are in sympathy will flourish, and where there is antipathy they will decline. Thus the vine loves that gourd and the olive…while the palm and the juniper will never do well together” And to finish on a festive note: On Home Brewing – “A recipe for making wine…when you have grape syrup in waxed jars and it is fermenting, take mustard
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
seed, rocket and rind of caper root, and grind them up and scatter this dust on top of the wine each time that fermentation erupts…this wine expands the mind, warms the stomach, and all parts of the body, improves digestion, restrains ill temper…it is also said that such wine can never be the cause of drunkenness - but I advise
moderation” The vivid and clear descriptions of the Al-Andalus of over 8 hundred years ago opens to us through this wonderful work, a fascinating world which contributed to forming the landscape in which we live today. Credit: www.cape-gardens.com/info@cape-gardens.com
CAPE GARDENS
DESIGN |CONSTRUCTION | MAINTENANCE www.cape-gardens.com
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
info@cape-gardens.com
289 397 165
41
42
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
BERLIN’S FASHION WEEK
PRESENTING WINTER COLLECTION 18.19 AT KRAFTWERK WINTER 17.18 NOW ON SALE _UP TO 70%_TRU FEB www.simplyalgarvemag.com
WWW.KOZIISHOP.COM
43
Sports
SPORTS NEWS W
PRIDE OF PORTUGAL
ith three daily newspapers dedicated to the sport, there is no doubt that football ranks among the most talked about topics the length and breadth of the country. The first organised football match on Portuguese soil was not in Lisbon, Porto, Coimbra or even Guimarães but on the island of Madeira. In 1875 Harry Hinton, a second-generation expat being educated in England, returned to the island for the summer holidays with his family at their quinta in Camancha. The 18 year-old had a ball made of an animal bladder and proceeded to organise a football match between local lads and English sailors. A commemorative wall now marks the area where that historic game took place. Exactly 110 years later, Cristiano Ronaldo, current holder of the Ballon d’Or, was born in nearby Funchal. It was a further thirteen years after Hinton’s informal Madeiran matches that the sport is recorded on mainland Portugal. In January 1889, a match took place in Campo Pequeno, Lisbon, that is considered as the first ‘formal match’ in Portuguese history. What was different is that the pitch had markings, goalposts, followed association rules and lasted ninety minutes. A Portuguese team played against an English one made up of players working on the installation of a submarine cable in Carcavelos and the Graham’s Port establishment with the home side winning 2-1. In 1893, a familiar name emerged in the north – Football Club Porto. This was an English team with a few Portuguese players. It only existed for a few months and has no link to the current FC Porto, which was formed in 1906. At the turn of the twentieth century, football in Portugal began to formalise. The Associação de Futebol de Lisboa (Lisbon Football Association) was created in 1910, followed by local associations in Portalegre and Porto. Finally, in 1914, the Federação Portuguesa de Futebol (Portuguese Football Federation) was formed. Then the Great War interrupted matters. Portugal managed to remain neutral until 1916 before entering on the side of the Allies. From
T
1922 to 1938, the Portuguese champion was determined in a knock-out competition known as the Championship of Portugal and in 1924 SC Olhanense became the first and only team from the Algarve to win the title with a 4-2 victory over FC Porto in Lisbon. Portugal was a poor country by European standards at this time, so did not enjoy the benefits of an extensive transport network, as existed in England, for example. So, power was concentrated in the capital and Porto, and not dispersed across the land as in England, Germany, Italy or Spain. Today there are two major professional leagues - the Primeira Liga and the Segunda Liga - with S C Portimonense the only team from the region playing in the top flight. There is much local interest in the third tier know as the Campeonato de Portugal. The current format consists of five series of sixteen teams, arranged according to geographic criteria, with the exception of teams from Madeira (placed in Division A) and from the Azores (placed in Divisions D & E). It is Division E that has seven Algarve teams - SC Farense, SC Olhanense, Moncarapachense, Louletano, Almancilense, Os Armacenenses and Lusitano VRSA. The top team in each league and the three best runners-up will then compete to decide which two teams will be promoted to the Segunda Liga. And to think, it all started with Harry Hinton’s kickabout in Camacha…
VOLTA AO ALGARVE
he eagerly anticipated Volta do Algarve takes place from the 14th to 18th February and will feature twenty-five of the best teams in cycling including a select group of World Tour teams. The first major cycle event of the year will include BMC Racing Team (USA), Bora-hansgrohe (Germany), Lotto Soudal (Belgium), Quick-Step Floors (Belgium), Team Dimension Data (South Africa), Team Katusha Alpecin (Switzerland) Team Sunweb (Germany) and UAE Team Emirates (United Arab Emirates). In addition teams from France, Belgium and Portugal make this a truly international event. The five stages will provide opportunities for sprinters, climbers and time-trialists. The race starts with a stage linking Albufeira to Lagos. Route: First Stage: Albufeira – Lagos. Second Stage: Sagres – Fóia. Third Stage: Lagoa – Lagoa (ITT). Fourth Stage: Almodôvar – Tavira. Fifth Stage: Faro – Malhão. www.voltaaoalgarve.com
44
Brought to you by Chris Wright.
T
PORTIMONENSE STRUGGLE TO PICK UP POINTS
he Portimão based team, promoted to the Primeira Liga last season, made a good start to the season but are now finding it difficult to score goals. Just one goal, 1-1 draw at P.Ferreira, in the last six league games has seen slip down the table. As the magazine went press FC Porto were on the verge of signing two Portimonense young stars, the Brazilian Paulinho and Japanese Nakajima, for a hefty transfer fee. In addition left-back Inácio and midfielder Fede Varela plus reserve striker Galeno could move south to strengthen Portimonense’s squad. This month Benfica (weekend 9th/11th February) and FC Porto (weekend 23rd/25th February) under the leadership of former Olhanense boss Sérgio Conceição, will provide stiff opposition at the Estádio Municipal de Portimão.
www.simplyalgarvemag.com www.simplyalgarvemag.com
Golf
Golf PRO TIPS Richard Hudson and Eddie Charnock, Algarve Golf Guru, PGA Golf Professionals highlight their top tips for reading putts.
S
o many golfers do not work hard enough on the most important part of the game, putting! When the Top Professionals get onto the putting green they not only rely on a well honed putting stroke from hours of hard work, but also reading the putt, usually with the help of their caddy, to give themselves the very best chance of holing out! How many times do you just walk up to your putt without looking at the line and hit it? Start reading your putt from the fairway, as you are walking towards the green look for the high part, low part etc. When you arrive onto the green repair your pitch mark and mark your ball, step back and look at the obvious direction the green falls. Two key areas to look at your putt from are: up hill, either from behind the ball or behind the hole depending if you have an uphill or downhill putt and then from the side, this helps you with the speed of the putt and if there are and hidden slopes. When your playing partners are putting, watch closely, this can help especially with the pace of the green as not all greens run at the same speed.
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
If the green is raised this helps, as it is proven that the nearer to the ground you get the more you can see slopes on the green, so standing off the green behind your putt or to the side of your putt really helps! One of the most famous golfers in America is Camillo Villegas, as you can see from the picture he uses a Spider Man pose for reading the greens, a bit extreme and not one that we would recommend but the most important observation from this is his chin is touching the green, that is how low he feels he needs to be to see as many undulations as possible. So, to get your handicap down, spend more time on the practice green and when on the golf course, don’t just hit your putt where you think the line is - READ THE GREEN! Richard Hudson and Eddie Charnock, Algarve Golf Guru, PGA Golf Professionals 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.
45
Classifieds
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 Febuary to be included in the next issue! FOR SALE: Mens Golf Clubs Ping G5 4-LW great condition with matching bag. 966 044 143
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.
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. FOR SALE: German built 2 bed wooden house. Moncarapacho. €40,000: 964588666 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
46
ALL YOUR SOLAR NEEDS! Expert in solar solutions, we will beat any quote in the Algarve, finance available! Contact info@solarpanels4u.com REWARD OFFERED Stolen in Albufeira BLUE MOTORBIKE Reg: 04-AF-25 (2005) Tel: 934 542 983 Eduardo
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
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
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
www.simplyalgarvemag.com
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
47
Europe's Best Golf Venue *Membership prices for anual subscriptions.