SIMPLY
ALGARVE ISSUE NO. 38 JUNE 19
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Contents
RICHARD BASSETT
SUSI ROGOL-GOODKIND
4 WORTH KNOWING News, views, and some very good ideas
8 THE MAKING OF MONDO Sculptor Mondo Pena creates thinks big
12 CARE COUNTS A life-style alternative for seniors with Alzheimer’s
14 GOOD VIBRATIONS Mestival Med in Loulé pulls in music-loving crowds
18 ITCHING FOR A BARGAIN You may just be lucky and pick up a gem at one of the Algarve’s fascinating flea markets
22 LET THERE BE LIGHT Bill Bates works are on show at Corte Real
26 RECIPE OF THE MONTH Ben Tish makes a mean gazpacho with crab toasts
28 ROYAL RETREAT What makes the Palacio Estoril so special
29 ALGARVE PHOTOGRAPHERS’ GROUP The theme is running water, so the beach it is
JAKE BASSETT
MEHREEN NAWAZ
PUBLISHER Richard Bassett EDITOR Susi Rogol-Goodkind +351 965 581 831 susi@rogol-goodkind.com ART DIRECTOR Jake Bassett simplyalgarvemag@gmail.com +351 966 044 143 CONTRIBUTORS Anthony Martin Brian Redmond Carolyn Kain Chris Partridge Chris Wright Jose Almeida Mikaila Tutt Menezes Ricardo Chaves Richard Hudson Robert Bijker
32 PROPERTY UPDATE Diving in to adding a pool
34 GADGETS & GIZMOS The techno-kit that will survive in the water
36 A CHAIR FOR... An initiative that changes lives of youngsters at risk
39 RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH Fancy cabrito? Here where to go for the best
41 FINANCE The B-word and the negatives indecision brings
43 MONEY MATTERS Your finance questions answered
45 NOT TO BE MISSED Our guide to really special events
51 GOLF Gripping stiff from the pros in the know
53 SPORTS NEWS Who are the winners this month?
54 EXPAT TALK Anthony Martin draws unlikely comparisons www.simplyalgarvemag.com
ADVERTISING Mehreen Nawaz +351 920 470 883 mehreen0782@gmail.com COVER PICTURE Richard Bassett DISTRIBUTION 6,000 copies monthly, distributed via 100+ quality retailers, shopping centres, restaurants and more within the central Algarve region. All rights reserved. Except for normal review purposes, no part of this magazine may be reproduced without the written permission of the publisher. Every care has been taken in the preparation of this magazine, but the contents are only meant as a guide to readers. The proprietors of this magazine are publishers not agents or sub agents of those who advertise therein. The publisher cannot be held liable for any loss suffered as a result of information gained from this publication. Unipessoal Lda
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News
WORTH KNOWING 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
SINGALONG
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n evening of brilliant sound is planned when the São Lourenço Singers stage a special performance at the new Catholic church in Almancil (right near the big Pingo Doce) on Saturday 22 June, starting 7pm. The Choir was formed in 2013 and boasts some 30 singers of different nationalities who meet weekly for rehearsals. Joyce Whitelaw, the choir director, arranger and composer, creates all the vocal harmonies and musical arrangements tailored to the interests and abilities of the members of the
troupe. “We perform a diverse repertoire of songs ranging from contemporary to classical and musical theater to jazz,” she explains. Since their first public performance at the São Lourenço Cultural Centre, the choir has performed for various charities at a wide variety of events around the Algarve, including, Teatro Lethes, Cineteatro Sao Bras, and Cine Teatro Loulé. Elsbeth Graf, manager of the choir, promises the forthcoming concert will be really special.
TIME OUT…. AND TIME WELL SPENT
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he chance to relax and focus on YOU, comes with the retreat sessions at the splendid Casa Vida, Betunes, where body wellness is the focus and mind and spirit needs are addressed through meditation and yoga, on Fridays, from 8.30am to 11.30am. Email moorwellbeing@gmail.com for details.
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FIRST MAISON DU MONDE IN PORTUGAL
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ar Shopping is where you’ll now find the well-known and much-loved French homewares store that offers every conceivable bit of contemporary furniture – indoors and outdoors – and a massive array of accessories and decorative items. Apart from all the mouthwatering goodies on display – check out the great chairs – the store here is staffed with design experts who can advise on style decisions, space solutions and interior design. This is a store you will not leave empty-handed.
A FUN WAY TO RAISE VITAL FUNDS
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he new Goldra Dog Sanctuary at any one time has around 80 dogs in its care, many of whom have suffered from neglect and sometimes abuse and are in need of medical attention. The aim, of course, is to nurse them back to good health, improve their sense of security and to get them adopted by caring new owners. Fund raising is an important element of the Sanctuary’s work and it is hoped that the proceeds from the Summer Quiz Night on 12 June will help towards the costs of the volunteer-run facility. The event will take place at Barbacoa Steak House in Rua Vale Formosa 8100-267. The quiz is in English and open to teams of six. Tickets for the evening and the two-course meal are ¤22. To book, call Shirley on 936 933 799 or email shrillys@yahoo.com
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News
CHARITY FASHION SHOW
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here may still be a few tickets available at La Dolce Vita for its high-style fashion show in aid of children’s charity ACCA at Capisce Restaurant in Almancil on Tuesday 4 June. Expect drinks on arrival at 12.30pm, followed by a three-course lunch including wine, water and coffee; ¤45, with ¤20 going to ACCA. For ticket availability, contact debbiemadgett@gmail.com or La Dolce Vita.
ZOOMARINE TO EXPAND
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he action-packed water theme park near Alcantarilha on the EN125, has had the go-ahead to expand, subject to its plans being approved by the local Council this month. Already providing a fantastic menu of experiences, from dolphin shows to swimming adventures and fun-fair rides, Zoomarine is the holiday-makers idea of bliss for families. Watch this space to find out what’s on the drawing board. And if you haven’t swum with the dolphins yourself, you are missing out on a great, pleasurable delight.
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ARTCATTO OPENS SCULPTURE GARDEN
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he latest collaboration between prestigious Loulé gallery ArtCatto and the Conrad Hotel in Quinta do Lago is a spectacular outdoor exhibition, a sculpture garden that features works from uber-talents such as Sam Shendi, below right, Anneke Bester, Eleanor Stride, Paulo Neves, Jonty Hurwitz and Mondo, who is featured in this issue on page 8. A collection of more than 30 pieces in materials including copper, bronze, wire and fibreglass will become the focal point in the Conrad’s gardens throughout the summer. The works range from ¤800 to ¤30,000; the largest is close to three meters in height. This could be just what your terrace needs! According to Gillian Catto whose concept the sculpture garden is: “The Conrad has big, open spaces that were calling out for something special. What started as a fun idea has developed into a major event that artists themselves truly appreciate.”
AND JUST SO YOU KNOW…
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PORTUGAL DAY IS 10 JUNE This is a national holiday, officially called Day of Camões – Dia de Camões, de Portugal e das Comunidades Portuguesas – and celebrated by the Portuguese wherever they are at the time. The day marks the death of Luís de Camões on 10 June 1580; he was regarded as the greatest poet and best known for his epic Os Lusíada, that celebrates Portugal’s history and achievements, particularly the 15th-century explorations, which brought fame and fortune to the country. Camões was an adventurer who lost one eye fighting in Ceuta, wrote the poem while traveling, survived a shipwreck in Cochinchina (a region of present-day Vietnam) and, according to popular folklore, saved his poem by swimming with one arm while keeping the other arm above water. Although Camões became a symbol for Portugal nationalism, his death coincided with the Portuguese succession crisis of 1580 that eventually resulted in Philip II of Spain claiming the Portuguese throne. Portugal was then ruled by three generations of Spanish kings during the Iberian Union (1580–1640). On 1 December 1640, the country regained its independence once again, with John of Bragança as King John IV of Portugal.
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Great works
THE MAKING OF MONDO His name means the world in Spanish and he hopes his recycled sculpture will be a global success. Brigit Grant visits the man in his magical garden in Boliquieme 8
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W
hile others look at a discarded copper water cylinder or float waste pipes as things to throw out, sculptor Mondo Pena sees huge possibilities. For Mondo old is beautiful and in the age of recycling, he is in keeping with the zeitgeist as the master of reinvention. In his hands a broken boiler is a giant ant with treelike antenna. Pipes that once flowed with water are the strapping haunches of a life-size giraffe complete with eyelashes. Creating the extraordinary from the ordinary is his self-taught talent and that is what he has brought to Portugal along with his sculptures which have stood in his home – Casa De Mondo in Boliqueme – until today. Born in San Francisco to a Czech mother and father from San Salvador, Mondo first came to Portugal in 2001 with his wife Harriett and two children Dylan and Gia and was smitten with the beaches, the food and the people.
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California dreamin’ As a west coast boy Mondo was a natural surfer and when he left the States to live in London, there was always a part of him that longed for the rush of the tide. That absence was quelled in the Algarve where he found the surf and an old farm house that he and Harriett have since converted into an idyllic haven filled with bi-coastal memorabilia and his menagerie of copper animals. “In Boliquieme which we love, we feel close enough to life but also far away enough to have space and quiet. Combined with the daily sheep who visit us!” says Mondo who is a trained plumber thanks to the grandfather who taught him the skills when he was just nine. The art which came later in life was born out of tragedy when Mondo was involved in a traumatic car accident which put him in a coma for four weeks. “As I recovered I began to see things in a three-dimensional way,” he explains. “It became a passion very quickly and I loved to create wonderful creatures.”
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Great works In downtown San Francisco otherwise known as The Mission – Mondo Pena was something of a legend as the warehouse in which he and Harriett lived doubled as a welding studio. Surrounded by bars and clubs, those who frequented them preferred to watch Mondo work as he turned castoff copper parts into animals or bridges. “It all sparked from a point in my recovery when the lawyer working on my behalf inspired me to draw on that old cliché – lawyer as a shark – and make a set of shark teeth. But the case dragged on and so did the shark which grew into a fully anatomically-correct life-size Threasher.” At over five metres, the aforementioned giraffe is the largest piece Mondo has produced, but size is not an issue as he found creating a father embracing his family of four an emotive piece to make. On television “I love them all for different reasons and actually struggle with the idea of giving them up, but my favourite sculpture to date was the one I sold in 2016 on a Channel 4 TV show in the UK. I would like to have brought that life size octopus here today.” The copper octopus which shone like a mirror caused a bidding war between the expert buyers on the show and the winner displayed his prize in Selfridges. Having sold other pieces in the USA and Europe, Mondo’s dream commission would now be to “design and create a play area for children with interactive art to inspire their imaginations or to put a piece of my art in a place that would make people pause in this hectic world we live in and put a smile on their faces.” With materials sourced through plumbing scraps that he salvages from homes he has refurbished, Mondo is an enthusiastic recycler and he begins each art project with the image in his head and just keeps going. Currently welding outdoors “under the most glorious tree in my home in Boliquieme”, Mondo is thrilled ArtCatto has given him the chance to show his work in the just opened Sculpture Garden at the Conrad Hotel in Quinta do Lago. “As hosts at Casa de Mondo we like to give others the chance to get creative and be inspired and in turn; I hope to reciprocate by making something special for the Algarve which has welcomed me.”
TALKING POINTS... Brigit Grant has been a journalist and editor for 37 years holding positions on Sunday Mirror, The Express and writing for The Daily Telegraph. She has launched magazines in the US and India and interviewed most A-list stars and directors. Currently, she is writing for film and television – notably with Comic Strip founder Peter Richardson. In November, Brigit will be joining actor and writer Nigel Planer and Comic Strip founder Peter Richardson to host a three-day writing course at Casa de Mondo. For details of the course and other activities, contact info@casademondo.com
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Health
CARE COUNTS The Alzheimer’s and Parkinson’s Day Centre in the Vila Sol estate on the road to Quarteira is a long-awaited addition to the varied social services on offer here on the Algarve. Run by a team of experienced professionals, it is providing care and new interests for its attendees
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ra Rute Rodrigues and her colleagues are justly proud of the difference they can make to the lives of those with Alzheimer’s Disease, Dementia and Parkinsons. The day centre they run on property provided by the Câmara Municipal de Loulé and funded by Vitor de Souza, is providing an outlet for their clients as well as respite for the carers who up until now may have had round-the-clock responsibility. Associacao Humanitaria de Doentes de Parkinson e Alzheimer (AHDPA) was officially recognised as an institution in June 2001, but it is only now that something formal is in place that can deliver what is needed; previously there was a facility here on the Algarve that offered two-hour sessions
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twice week but, as anyone who has dealt with a friend or family member with a condition knows only too well, consistent attention is needed to bring out the best in each individual and ensure their lives are as full and as enjoyable and stressfree as possible. All the staff at the centre are qualified – even those who do not have initials after their name have experience in the field of care and bring that to the support equation. Degrees in social care, clinical psychology, psychogerontology, cultural heritage and nursing abound. Four members of staff speak English and Dra Rute also speaks Dutch. The driver, who does the rounds and picks up clients at 8.30am, has a degree in orthothics and prosthetics, and is a sports massage therapist.
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First thing each day, when clients arrive, is a round of exercises, followed by an outdoors walk to enjoy the surroundings, observe, and relax. Sometimes it is in the gardens surrounding the centre where beds of flowers introduce colour and walls have been decorated by young students; or it might be to the seaside to people watch. During lunch each day, there is a background of soft music, and after lunch a rest period. Those who want an early afternoon nap take it then; others are occupied with books, television, a board game or puzzle. Then the afternoon activities start – music therapy, art and crafts, yoga and dancing, gardening, biscuit baking, and that vitally important ingredient to a successful schedule, the circle of storytelling, poetry, shared recollections. Snacks are served and at 5pm clients are collected by family or friends, or driven home in the facility’s bus. This expertly-planned regime means that every minute is filled and, importantly, filled with activities that have a soothing, calming effect, giving pleasure and encouraging responses. The monthly cost of ¤350 is a small price to pay for the care, kindness and gentleness with which clients are treated and the reassurance that gives their families. It does not, of course cover the considerable running costs of the Centre, but help from outside sources makes a huge difference. Almancil Rotary, for example, has purchased three reclining chairs and a bath wheelchair for the Centre and a special oven for all that biscuit baking. Jane Oliphant and Vila Sol Golf members are looking to fund-raise; ladies of the Sao Lourenco Choir volunteers are donating time and energy to support staff and hosts activities, as are the staff at Banco do Tempo de Quarteira. This is a cause that needs you, too,and youmight just need it..
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TALKING POINTS... You can visit the Centre and will be welcomed. The best time is 3pm when activities are underway and Friday, which is music day, is especially interesting to observers. The centre is at Urbanizacao Vila Sol lote 5 – 1 fase, 8125-307 Quarteira. T: 289 039 775 / 931 673 217 Volunteers needed Time to give something back! The Centre is hoping that those who want to help will come forward. Much needed are: Speech Therapist Auxiliary Assistant Cleaning Assistant Occupational or animal therapist Animator Art Therapist Someone to do hair and nails, once a month
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Be there
GOOD VIBRATIONS
LoulĂŠ will become the centre of the musical universe at the end of June when the winding streets of the old town are transformed with awnings overhead, pop up bars and eateries and dozens of high octave performers. Ten of thousands of visitors will be there to enjoy the unique experience of Festival Med. Brian Redmond reports 14
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Consider an atlas of the world’s political landscape after nearly two decades of the 21st century and transpose it onto a similar world music landscape without frontiers and you will notice a big difference. The difference is that basic human decencies, learned from amongst other things, artistic and cultural interaction, mean that nationalistic posturing has no place in people simply liking one another and having a good time. Festival Med was made for this.
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he term ‘World Music’ has a polarising effect in the music business with artists such as David Byrne of Talking Heads fame who wrote an editorial in the New York Times under the heading I hate World Music where he argued that: “Labelling and categorising other cultures as exotic attracts insincere consumption.” It’s not that he disliked the music itself, in fact he was a cultivator of all music, it was the broad terminology he was uncomfortable with. Peter Gabriel and Paul Simon have embraced the influences of other musical cultures in their own creations. Whichever way you look at it, the intermingling of musical cultures is in a healthy state and one of southern Europe’s foremost festivals celebrating its appeal is Festival Med in Loulé. The message Founded in 2004 as a cultural accompaniment to the Euro Football finals in Portugal when Loulé acted as a host city
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in the group stages, it has become an important element in tourism diversity and as such is a positive thing. The local economy, shops, café’s, restaurants and accommodation experience a growth of 50 to 80 percent during the period of the Festival. And the small businesses that don’t normally benefit from mass tourism are the biggest winners. The director of this year’s event, Carlos Carmo, explains that the Festival will continue with its policies of sustainability and eco friendly initiatives that have won it plaudits and awards internationally, notably at the Iberian Festival Awards for Best Contribution to Sustainability in the Iberian Peninsula. Amongst the initiatives are the promotion of ‘Zero Waste’ by providing and encouraging the use of a reusable ecologically produced cup for drinks and beverages. Photovoltaic panels will be installed for electricity generation and there will be free distribution points for fresh, cool drinking water.
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Happenings The music As crucial as environmental awareness issues are, Festival Med is primarily about the music and entertainment. Street theatre, fine arts, cuisine, exhibitions and workshops all combine to delight the 7,000 or so daily visitors. Since its inception in 2004 over 450 bands have taken to the stages including Grammy nominees Amadour & Marian from Mali, Solomon Burke – one of the founding fathers of soul music – The Buenavista Vista Social Club who revived the music of pre-revolution Cuba, to name a few. One of this year’s headline acts is Marcelo D2 the acclaimed Brazilian rapper who combines traditional samba with hip hop and rap. Another unmissable artist on this year’s calendar is the Tunisian Dhafer Youssef who continues to transcend generations with his fusion of jazz and Arabian music. This concert promises to be one of the highlights of the festival. And then there is of course the food! Gastronomy, the art of cookery, blending together with the consumption and absorption of culture. Festival Med has recognised gastronomy as an important facet of the Mediterranean lifestyle. It stresses the benefits of a healthy diet and in recent years the festival has invited culinary experts from Egypt, France, Iberia, Italy, Lebanon, Libya, Tunisia and Turkey, to showcase the best dishes their regions in the Mediterranean basin have to offer. The positive spin off is that local and national restaurateurs embrace the concepts and are including their own interpretations in their menus; this is cultural cross-pollination at work.
many other genres besides. Hans Zimmer with Gladiator or the alternating pattern of two notes that John Williams composed which had us on the edge of our seats for Jaws. The two mediums combine to make memories. This year the Festival will absorb a new theme into its programme entitled Cinema Med. Curated by Rui Tendrinha who explains the objective of creating short cinematic sessions between the musical acts to make “something organic”. The highlight of Cinema Med will be the screening of one of this year’s Cannes Film Festival nominees, Gabriel e a Montanha, at the Loulé Castle walls. Festival Med will run for four days, 27-30 of June. Tickets are available online at festivalmed.pt/en/bilheteira/. A oneday ticket is ¤10 if bought in advance before 25 June, or ¤12 at the door. The website lists details of family tickets. On the final day all events will be free of charge.
The movies Music and movies are intertwined. A good soundtrack can make a movie unforgettable. Think of the evocative pieces of Ennio Morricone in spaghetti westerns and
TALKING POINTS... This year’s line up (at time of going to print) is as follows. Anthony Joseph (Trinidad & Tobago) BaBaZuLa (Turkey) Dhafer Youssef (Tunisia) Dino D’Santiago (Cabo Verde, Portugal) Eneida Marta (Guinea Bissau) Gato Preto (Ghana, Mozambique, Portugal) Kel Assouf (Nigeria, Belgium) Los de Abajo (Mexico) MarceloD2 (Brasil) Marinah (Spain) Mellow Mood (Italy) Moonlight Benjamin (Haiti, France) Orkesta Mendoza (Mexico, USA) Os Tubarões (Cabo Verde) Selma Uamusse (Mozambique, Portugal) The Turbans (Bulgaria, Turkey, Israel, Iran, Greece, UK ) Tsheque (Congo, France) Plus some of the finest of homegrown Portuguese talents: Cais de Sodré Funk Connection Gisela João Camané e Mario Laginha Dead Combo Diabo na Cruz DJ Riot Júlio Pereira Luis Galrito with João Afonso Márcia Ricardo Ribeiro Ruben Monteiro
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A rustic charming oasis set in the Hills of Boliqueime offering Creative Courses. Cooking, Writing and Art. A venue to hold your Special Birthday or even an intimate wedding.
Up and coming Events: • 12th June Pamper Day Sit by our beautiful pool Two treatments Massage and Facial Light lunch Cream tea with bubbles Limited spaces available • Mexican Fiesta Night 21st June A three course meal with Margarita Cocktails In a Mexicana Atmosphere with music and dancing. Please email for reservations at info@casademondo.com • July 4th All You Can Eat BBQ American Style Party with Ribs, chicken and all the extras A special night at Casa de Mondo For all private parties and events please email or phone +44 790 352 59 41
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Out and about
ITCHING FOR A BARGAIN The Algarve is not just a land of sea, sand and golf, it also offers a vast number of options for the adventurer, indoor and out, cultural and otherwise. A favourite for the curious and those keen to discover that little treasure an owner is ready to part with, are the flea markets. Ludi Stiebner grabs her camera to see what’s on offer
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ila Real de Santo Antonio, Lagoa and Tavira are the three longest-established flea markets (feira das velharias) on the Algarve, attracting hoards of bargain hunters every month. In addition, there is a large market at Fuseta where lovers of the quirky, might pick up an antiquity of sorts from tables, or even ground sheets, set up between the rails of clothes, barrows of fragrant plants and herbs, and frango piri piri stands. Might you find a treasure? Well, anything is possible. In 2005 a woman bought a necklace in a flea market in New York for £12. Three years later, she visited an Alexander Calder exhibition and realised her ‘cheap’ necklace was one of the renowned American sculptor’s missing works; it fetched £220,000 at a Christie’s auction in 2013. And of course followers of the Antiques Road Show will be familiar with the gasp and grins from those who paid pennies for something in a car boot sale, that turned out to be worth a small fortune. Like a piece of Fabergé picked up for 50p just the day before the new owner took it along to where the Roadshow team were filming locally. What’s this got to do with fleas? The much-smartersounding, though the same in translation, Marché aux Puces, was the original – a market in Paris where the goods on sale were shabby, second-hand pieces; the sort of grubby stuff – especially clothes – that could well be flea-ridden. But what was originally a destination for those who couldn’t afford to buy new, became a magnet for anyone fascinated by household bric-a-brac, fabrics, vintage clothing and even furniture, wines and scrap metal. Worth a visit Flea Markets are unpredictable by nature… you never know what you may find. I personally witnessed a gentleman purchasing a watch at a Welsh flea market for a tenner.
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Out and about It transpired that it was originally owned by TE Shaw aka Lawrence of Arabia. Said the incredulous new owner: “Good God. To be truthfully honest, I always thought he was a fictional character.” The watch was valued at up to £10,000. Over the years I have made many incredible discoveries, some right here on my doorstep. I have come across a stereoscope showing old sepia slides from the Boer War, a toy racing car driven by a headless driver, and an ear drum of a sperm whale, which, by the way, is the loudest animal in the world, only four decibels less than a Saturn V Rocket. But I rather envy the couple in Asheville, North Carolina who paid $58 for a vintage sweatshirt from their local Goodwill store. Not long after, they were watching a documentary on legendary NFL coach Vince Lombardi and spotted him wearing the sweatshirt they’d bought – it sold at auction a year later for $44,150. And who wouldn’t have liked to be the very fortunate
bargain hunter, who picked up an old Breitling watch at a car boot sale in 2013 for just £25. The mock Geiger counter was a dead giveaway: the watch was revealed to be the timepiece worn by Sean Connery in Thunderball. It sold later that year for £131,000. You may not end up being be one of the few lucky browsers who come up trumps with a treasure, but at flea markets you can spend hours in the sunshine wandering around looking, inspecting, touching and scrutinising what’s on offer, hoping to find either that rare item no one else has recognised as such, or simply an ideal present for Auntie Phyllis. Enjoy the buzz, the bargaining, the stories told, and the good food on offer. And remember, that set of traditional wooden chairs may take on a cool and contemporary lease of life with a dose of TLC and a coat of paint. And the chunky lucite-cased old-fashioned radio that’s going for a song could become a focal point on your study shelves.
TALKING POINTS... Got something to sell ? Contact the local authority (Junta de Freguesia) of the town where you wish to have a stall and they will direct you to the people in charge of each flea-market. Fuseta: Second Sunday of the month. Lagoa: Fourth Sunday of the month. Tavira: First and third Sunday of the month. Vila Real de Santo Antonio: Second Saturday of the month. There are also car boot sales dotted across the central area, often with quite good stuff people who are moving want to be rid of. Albufeira: First and third Saturday of the month Almancil: Second, third and fourth Sunday of the month Sao Bras: Third Sunday of the month
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ART
LET THERE BE LIGHT 22
The human body as seen through water is mysteriously ethereal. Fine artist Bill Bate succeeds in his ambition to escape the confines that realism can impose. Carolyn Kain reports www.simplyalgarvemag.com
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ven on the hottest summer day Bill Bate’s paintings create an overall mood of cool calmness. As light refracts through the water it gives a hazy clarity that illuminates the human form. He is not constrained by the need to replicate the vision, preferring instead to imbue the paintings of his sitters – or in his case swimmers – with more spirituality and expression. Added to this his stated intention is to allow the paint to have a life of its own by leaving the application quite loose. Guiding the brushstrokes into undulations of soft lines and shapes, his figures have a ghostlike quality held almost motionless in time. In contrast his unique ability to paint dramatic light behind his subjects enhances their quality and beauty.
TALKING POINTS... Bill Bate trained at London’s Central School of Art and his work is celebrated on the international scene and featured now at Galeria Côrte-Real. This gallery is signposted from Boliqueime, Ferreiras and Paderne. Open: Thursday to Sunday, 11am until 5pm T: 912 737 762
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Property
PROPERTY YELLOW HOMES Land & Houses Algarve 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
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OF THE MONTH Unique and spacious single storey villa close to beaches and amenities near Vale do Lobo
PROPERTY DETAILS
• Spacious and bright lounge with fireplace • 2 large bedrooms with fitted wardrobes • 2 bathrooms en-suite • Guest bathroom • Fully fitted and equipped kitchen with breakfast area • Spacious covered terrace / BBQ • Possibility to create a third bedroom
• • • • •
Workshop / utility room Central heating / double glazing Fully fenced and landscaped plot Swimming pool 12x5m Borehole / mains water can be connected • Construction size: 345 m2 • Plot: 2,750 m2 • EC: C
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Ref: HNG 25
Simply delicious
Gazpacho With spiced crab toasts It would be hard to find a Spanish dish with more recorded history than the gazpacho. Traceable back to Roman times, when soldiers on the march would carry stale bread, vinegar and garlic to make a quick soup when on the go, it wasn’t until much later that the Arabs started flavouring this traditional mix with herbs, vegetables and nuts. Chef Ben Tish adds extras – in this case delicious little spicy toasts
Serves 4 – 6
Return to the fridge to keep cool until ready to serve.
Gazpacho 1kg very ripe plum tomatoes 1 large red pepper, deseeded 1/2 cucumber, cut into chunks 1 large banana shallot, chopped 1 fresh red chilli, cut in half lengthways 2 garlic cloves, crushed a handful of basil, leaves picked 70g day-old crusty bread, roughly torn 300ml fresh, good-quality tomato juice 50ml extra virgin olive oil, plus extra to drizzle 100ml moscatel vinegar or white balsamic Sea salt and black pepper
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Crab toasts Olive oil 2 slices of sourdough bread, cut into 6 pieces 200g white crab meat, picked over to remove any shell or cartilage 1/2 tsp ground cumin Lemon juice, to taste 1 small fresh red chilli, finely chopped A handful of coriander leaves, chopped Method First make the gazpacho. Quarter the tomatoes and pepper, and put all the ingredients in a bowl or other container along with 100ml of cold water and some seasoning. Cover and leave in the fridge for at least 4 hours, or overnight, to allow the flavour to develop.
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Transfer the tomato mixture to a blender (you will need to do this in 2 batches) and blitz to a purée – the consistency should be that of a thick soup. Pour into a bowl. Check the seasoning. If the gazpacho is too thick you can add a splash of water.
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For the crab toasts, heat a sauté pan over a high heat, add some olive oil and fry the bread on both sides until golden brown and crisp. Transfer to kitchen paper to drain. Mix the crab with the cumin, lemon juice, chilli and coriander, and season to taste.
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To serve, pour the gazpacho into chilled bowls and drizzle over some extra virgin olive oil. Top the bread slices with the crab mix and place in the gazpacho bowls.
TALKING POINTS... The word gazpacho is often used generically across Spain to describe a cold soup, whether it be an ajo blanco or a salmorejo, but the true gazpacho, a medium thick, piquant, chilled tomato soup, drinkable from a cup or glass, was first honed in Andalucía. The Moors married the technique with the local glut of tomatoes, pounding everything together to make this brilliantly refreshing, sharp soup. There are as many variations on gazpacho as there are soups based on texture and flavourings not to mention the garnishes which can range from eggs and jamón, to all varieties of chopped vegetables and beyond – all have a place in the gazpacho pantheon. This is Ben Tish’s version, from his latest cookery book, Moorish. Photography by Kris Kirkham
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Worth seeing
Royal Retreat
“The story focuses on the Duke and Duchess of Windsor and the time they spent in Portugal in 1940, some of it at the Palacio Estoril. Already a refuge for many royal families fleeing from the Nazis, when the Windsors arrived there was also a clandestine mix of British and German spies. These included Dusko Popov, the War’s most infamous double agent. “Ricardo Espirito Santo Silva, Portugal’s wealthy banker and germanophile is a key character in the play’s plot. Based on intriguing facts as revealed in the Marburg Files, the banker brings a telegram written by the German Foreign Minister von Ribbentrop. It contains information about a plan to place the Duke of Windsor back on the British throne once the War is over and Hitler is in charge. “Believing the Duke and Duchess to be Nazi sympathizers, it is whilst they are staying in Estoril that the idea is first suggested to them. Further complications arise when it is made known that the Duchess – before her marriage to the Duke, during her previous life as Wallis Simpson – had an affair with von Ribbentrop. At one time he was German Ambassador in London and when 17 pink carnations are delivered to the hotel signifying 17 nights of love!
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Photo: Jean Rowland
Since it opened in 1930, the magnificent hotel, Palacio Estoril, has been home to Kings and Heads of States and, during the Second World War, when Portugal remained a neutral country, it was the retreat of European royalty and nobility. Last month it hosted members of an Algarve Theatre Group before they commence rehearsals for their new play, The Windsors in Portugal. Scriptwriter Carolyn Kain explains why it was chosen as the setting for her play
Members of the Theatre Group, left to right: Natalie Galland, Barbara Mountford, Carolyn Kain, Denise Raines.
“The play resembles a farcical entertainment but it is based on real events and introduces the audience to other actual characters staying at or visiting the hotel. Empress Zita of Hapsburg, Great Duchess Charlotte of Luxembourg, the art collector Peggy Guggenheim and nightclub sensation Josephine Baker, an undercover agent working for the French Resistance. “It’s hardly any wonder when, in 1941, Ian Fleming was staying at the hotel, it became the inspiration for his first James Bond book, On Her Majesty’s Secret Service. Working for Naval Intelligence, the Palacio Estoril became Fleming’s HQ when Lisbon was a hub of espionage. “Recreated in the film version of the book, James Bond drives up in his Aston Martin and parks outside the real Palacio Estoril, next to the car of a fictional Contessa. Entering the actual lobby he remarks on how nice it is to be back and compliments the maitre d’ on the hotel’s “usual high standards”. “No doubt for George Lazenby (Bond) and Diana Rigg (the Contessa) their stay at the hotel during the filming would have been exceptional. My own afternoon spent there was one to be remembered for the courtesy of the staff, the lavish surroundings and a tip-top gin and tonic! “Photographs in the hotel’s gallery show politicians, royalty, the aristocracy, celebrities and film stars lapping up the luxurious atmosphere. They include King Carlos and Queen Sophia, Grace Kelly and Prince Rainier, Princess Ann, Prince Edward, Tony Blair, Rock Hudson, Benjamin Netanyahu, Amalia Rodrigues, Diana Ross and Orson Welles. “This list is by no means exhaustive as the gallery does not show all those who resided there during the War years; the Austrian, Spanish, Italian, Luxembourgian and Romanian royal families.”
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Photo: Jean Rowland
George Lazenby
TALKING POINTS... Performances of The Windsors in Portugal take place at São Brás Museum. 13 December at 7.30pm 14 and 15 December at 4pm The Palacio Estoril picked up the Conde Nast Traveller ‘Best for Targeted Healing’ title in the Spa Awards 2019; the Wellness Centre is luxury all the way, as are the sumptuous hotel suits that named after the distinguished guests who have stayed there. The golf facilitis, too, are exceptional. Visit palacioestorilhotel.com
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Stories in pictures
RUNNING WATER We asked the Algarve Photographers’ Group for some beach scenes and they came up with a few surprises. And not an ice cream stand or sunglasses seller in sight. Hurray!
Carole Tranmer What: Old life-saving station Where: Fuseta Why: I just loved the whole setting with the little figures fishing; and the colours were so vibrant Camera: Fuji XT2
Nigel Moore What: Anchors Where: Barril Beach Why: I liked the compositon from that angle Camera: Fuji X-T3 with 18 - 55mm lens
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Mary McClay What: Secret beach Where: I organised the boat trip for APG when I was President. This cave is near Benagil beach Why: Interesting coastline with the coloured rock formations Camera: Canon PowerShot Sx50HS
Alan Sheridan What: My footprints in the sand Where: Praia de Faro Why: Looking back on Christmas Day 2018 Camera: Panasonic Lumix Bridge
Govert Sakkers What: The Beach of Armona Where: On the way back from Armona Island to Fuseta Why: The rhythm of parasoles against the blue sky and the dynamic of the blue-yellow-blue contrast Camera: Canon 80D with Tanron 18-300mm lens
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Property
IN THE SWIM
Yellow Homes – Land & Houses Algarve frequently receives questions about specific property matters. In this issue director Robert Bijker answers those about swimming pools, spas and above-ground pools I’m looking at buying a property in the countryside without pool. Can I build one when we own the property? To build a pool you need planning permission from the Council. Depending on the location, the qualification of the land and the existing construction (total square metres) you may or may not be granted permission. In some cases you will not only need permission from the Council but also from the CCDR. Qualification of land can vary from urban (most flexible) to the restricted environmental protected areas and anything in between. To start, you can make a formal request (pedido de informação prévia) to the Council. If this proves positive, you need an architect to make the required drawings which need to be submitted. Once approved, you can collect and pay for the building license. Although many builders build swimming pools, our preference is to use a specialist company that only builds pools. Once the pool is complete, you need to inform the town hall. Our agent tells us that it will not be a problem to build a pool after we purchased the property because other
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properties in the area also have a pool. Is this true or should we be worried? It would be wrong to assume that you will be automatically granted permission to build a pool just because there are some in the area. Rules and regulations have changed over the years and it may well be that the property you are interested in already used the maximum allowable square metres of construction. Although many swimming pools are legal, it would be wrong to assume that just because there is a pool it must be legal – there are still many properties without a license for the swimming pool. I’m looking to buy a property which I will rent out most of the year. Is a swimming pool important? If you are interested in getting rental income from your property it is important to have a swimming pool, especially in a country side location so guests do not have to go to the beach every day. Properties without a pool rent for less and in general have a lower occupancy rate. For short-term holiday letting you will need to apply for an Alojamento Local (AL)
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license. Part of the AL licensing process gives people from the town hall the right to inspect the property before issuing the license. In case you have a pool without a license, your property will not pass the AL inspection. The definition of a short-term let is a stay of not more than 28 days. On the other hand, for long term lets you do not need a rental license, only an energy certificate for the property. If your property doesn’t have an EC qualification, it is relatively easy to organise. Furthermore, if you have purchased your property recently you already have one, as it has been mandatory by law since 2008. We were told that for an above ground pool you do not need planning permission, is this true? The argument is if it is permanent structure, with connection to water, electricity for filtration etc that it is no longer considered a temporary set up and as such not legal. Furthermore, abovegrund pools often stand on a concrete slab which is also not allowed. Pool tiles or liner, what is the best investment if one plans to resell? Most people prefer pool tiles over a pool liner and as such I would choose what is appealing to the majority of buyers. Nowadays there is a great variety of tiles and colours to choose from; mosaic tiles are very popular and have a really contemporary look and are often edged with a contrast shade. Overall, the most common
colour for pools is light blue, which some may find a bit boring, but it is a safe choice as it appeals to a broad audience. Do I need a license for a spa? No, you do not need a license for a spa. However, it needs to sit on a terrace (a terrace that is documented in the papers of the property). It is not allowable to position it at the back of the garden on top of a concrete slab. If you have any questions just let us know. Vilamoura Office EN 125, Benfarras Boliqueime 8100 - 068 Boliqueime T: 289 301 294 / F: 289 301 439 Tavira Office Rua Dr. José Pires Padinha 178 8800 - 354 Tavira T: 281 320 281 / F: 281 321 901 (AMI - 6232)
GOLF PROPERTIES - VILLAS - APARTMENTS - TOWNHOUSES - PLOTS
AMI: 6232
ELEGANT COUNTRY HOME WITH 4 BEDROOMS AND POOL IN THE CENTRAL ALGARVE. This exceptional quinta (400m2 built area) is designed to highest quality and is conveniently located in the hills close to the charming town of Loulé. The perfectly-maintained villa, with lots of character and charm, is surrounded by natural, Mediterranean vegetation and is only a short drive away from amenities, beaches and golf courses. Truly unique property.. Price: €1,950,000 Ref: R-LLJ EC: E.
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
AMI: 6232
IMPECCABLY PRESENTED 3 BED VILLA IN BOLIQUEIME WITH POOL AND SEA VIEWS. In walking distance to the village of Boliqueime sits this well-proportioned Villa with 3 bedrooms. The property is set on a peaceful south facing landscaped plot of land of 2000m2 and enjoys great views to the coast. The villa benefits from domestic solar hot water, double glazed windows, mosquito screens, aluminium shutters, air-conditioning, heat radiators, alarm and pool heating. Price €650,000 Ref: R-GBT EC class B.
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
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Technotalk
WATER RIGHT Water and sand can kill phones, cameras and speakers stone dead. So hooray for new technology such as nanocoatings that seal gadgets from moisture and dust, says our techno wizard Chris Partridge
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he beach and pool are very dangerous places for sensitive electronic gadgetry. But how can you tell whether your expensive new gizmo can be taken deep sea diving or will only survive a bit of a splash? The answer is the IP or ‘ingress protection’ code. Most IP codes consist of the letters IP followed by two numbers which indicate the level of dust and water protection, respectively. The rating for dust starts at 0 (none) and goes up to 6 which indicates the casing is totally dust tight. The water protection rating starts at 0, rising to 4 for splashes, 7 for immersion up to 1m and 8 for immersion up to a depth specified by the manufacturer. If either digit is replaced with an X, it means there is no data to base the rating on. Phones In practice, an IP67 rating will mean any gadget will survive being dropped in a swimming pool for half an hour, which is probably as much as you need. Most new high-end smartphones including the Apple iPhone X and the Samsung Galaxy S10
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are now water- and dust-proof to IP67, which is reassuring. However, one of the things they don’t tell you about smartphones is the touch screens are almost impossible to use when wet, however waterproof the phone might be. For some reason, wet fingers just don’t work very well. For sailors, surfers and others who might rely on their phone to get help when floating in the briny, a phone with old-style pressable keys might be the answer, working even when wearing wet-suit gloves. The CAT B30 phone, styled to recall the iconic Caterpillar truck, can be left underwater to a depth of 1m for up to half an hour, is dustproof and can withstand a drop of up to 1.8m. It is fairly indestructible and has a removable battery so you can carry a spare for longer expeditions. The downsides are that the display is tiny, the 2MP camera is rubbish and carrying one makes you look like a builder. But it costs less that ¤90, from FNAC or Worten so, combined with a pay as you go sim card, it is a great way of keeping in touch when out on the water. E-readers Another of life’s great pleasures is relaxing in a deck chair on the beach, reading, but water is almost as bad for paperbacks as it is for electronics. Which makes Amazon’s decision to leave waterproofing off the feature list of the
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new entry-level Kindle really annoying. It has a fancy frontlit screen but that is helpful only in the dark – for reading on the beach you will have to fork out for the IPX8-rated Paperwhite, ¤129.99, or Oasis, from ¤249.99. The Oasis has a sharper screen and a lovely balanced design with physical page-turning buttons. Photo-finish Traditional cameras are delicate bits of kit - watch a group of professional snappers hastily pop their SLRs in their bags when it starts to rain. Nowadays, cameras that can withstand the elements are usually not very capable in comparison, with smaller image sensors and shorter zoom lenses giving less than sparkling results. And most of them feature action-man styling that will mark the user as more Bear Grylls than David Bailey. Filming action footage as you surf or dive has long been owned by the GoPro Hero 7 camera, with its iconic big lens on a small body. Now, however, it has a rival in the new DJI Osmo Action. DJI is best known for its drones, but many of its drones have cameras built-in and the Osmo Action borrows features such as auto-stabilisation from the drone technology. It looks a bit like the GoPro but is fully waterproof to a depth of 11m without a case. Its most notable external feature is a small colour screen on the front that helps frame selfies (and which sportsman can resist taking selfies with sharks?) The video stablisation is on a par with the GoPro, but it lacks features such as GPS and the social media options are a bit klutzy.
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But the price is right – at from ¤379 it is significantly cheaper than the GoPro. Less athletic but more aesthetic photographers still need their cameras to withstand ordinary outdoor conditions while producing top notch images, and the new Lumix G90 does just that. It is a mirrorless camera that mounts Micro Four Thirds lenses, but with seals on all the buttons and openings to make it splash- and dust-resistant. Sound advice The latest battery powered Bluetooth speakers can pump out extraordinarily good sound wherever you decide to party (though please be considerate to your neighbours!) Kitsound’s Diggit XL speaker is stylish in its bamboo and fabric covering - you wouldn’t believe it is water and dust resistant to IP66 standards, making it ideal for outdoor use, using its attachable stake to dig it in to the sand or turf. It even has a downward-facing led light that makes it into anattractive garden feature. You can daisy-chain several speakers to cover the garden with music. The Diggit XL costs ¤89.90.
Yoga & Mindfulness Weekday Retreats
Join us at Casa Vida for transforming mornings of Yoga and Mindfulness near Loule. Gentle yoga flow, peaceful mindful meditation and yoga Nidra relaxation. Friday 8.30 - 11.30am June to October Fee 50 Euros (includes healthy snacks) Contact 0044 07941 264621 moorwellbeing@gmail.com www.moorwellbeing.com
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Sitting Pretty
A CHAIR FOR‌
If you have been into Mar Shopping in the past weeks you will have seen the interest in a spectacular display of customised chairs and, understandably, thought it was the work of a collective of professional artists. The story behind the project is very different however‌
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Chair for…. Is the name of an integrated programme of education and training (PIEF) which is part of the special activity run at the Agrupamento de Escolas Dra Laura Ayres in Quarteira. But this is no ordinary addition to a regular curriculum, it is rather a venture that seeks to promote social inclusion of teens between the ages of 15 and 18. And these are not ordinary kids; they have been deemed at risk by the authorities. Most come from disadvantaged backgrounds and the aim of the programme is to combat failure at school and to safeguard and ensure personal development, educationally and socially, and to give each and every one a sense of pride and a wish to always improve. This special initiative changes with the years. Previously, the group produced intricate pictures; this year, the result of discussion, agreement and encouragement between the students and their teachers has led to a fascinating and rewarding challenge – turning a simple chair into a brilliant statement of original design. The results are far from simple, however. And they dazzle in their sheer creativity, combining recycling with art and
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giving a new lease of life to something previously damaged and discarded. The chairs have been rescued from the garbage depots and roadside dumps, cleaned, mended, and remade, then dressed with anything other than the traditional; bicycle tyres, tape cases, mosaic tiles, tennis balls… nothing has escaped the enthusiasm of these youngsters. In all, 45 chairs have been on show, and crowds have gathered and applauded the work of these budding artists, many of whom have not had the opportunity to bask in a bit of glory before. They gathered at Mar on the opening day of the display area, astonished at the reaction from passers-by, feeling appreciated – perhaps for the first time – important, and above all, smiling. Headmistress Conceição Bernardes is rightly proud of the success of this programme. It is a collaboration between teachers, technicians and the teenagers themselves, who spur each other on, ask questions, share experiences, and make discoveries. If the success of this project is life-changing for the students and gives them direction and committment ongoing, then we, too, should applaud the teachers and technicians who have made is possible.
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E legance
ALGARVE
Algarve Elegance is the beauty within your home with a taste of difference and style. Find us here: Av. Duarte Pacheco 143, Almancil or contact us on T: 960 116 396 E: donna@algarveelegance.com W: algarveelegance.com
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Dining out
RESTAURANT OF THE MONTH RETIRO DO CAMPONES, VALE JUDEA
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pened in 1998 in the Mendes family farm, and carrying signs of its history in the wooden wheels and plough yokes that adorn the walls, Retiro do Campones remains a family business run by father and founder João Carlos, his wife Maria Teresa, sons José Carlos and João Paulo, daughter Catarina and, sometimes, the younger Teresa Carolina. The atmosphere is one of rustic charm, the food is faithful to its countyside heritage, and the patrons who return regularly heap praise on the warmth of the service and the quality of the cooking. This is a place where you feel at home instantly (“Sit wherever you want” is Dona Maria Teresa’s opening welcome) and find yourself chatting to strangers on the next table, exchanging recommendations on the various dishes. And there’s much to choose from. The most-requested main course is the kid speciality, Cabrito Assado no Forno. It is rich, tender and deliciously filling; served with coriander rice, it is what brings people back again and again. Wild Boar bean stew and razor clam rice are also top of the popularity polls. The aromas that float out of the kitchen are wonderful and include those of freshly-baked country bread and apples roasting in sweet juices. Small wonder that this unassuming restaurant is packed year round at both lunchtime and in the evenings. Being a family business, the Mendes clan welcome groups – and especially families with children – to their tables. Seating just over 100 in the main restaurant, a further 70 on the terrace, and another 50 in the gardens in the summer months, where there is also a great play area for youngsters who may get bored sitting with their seniors, there always seems to be room for everyone. We’ve been regulars for many a year now and despite always vowing en route to try something different, we do tend to end up with the same every time – yes, the kid, and
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yes the razor clams, and yes, yes, yes the black presunto to start off with and the juicy spare ribs. Fish eaters will be satisifed, too, with straight-from-sea carapaus, robalo and sardines in season. And there’s stuffed lulas, giant prawns, and clams cooked in different ways. Prices? They are reasonable and at lunchtime, two can easily share one main course – great if you have kids with you or want less than a full meal yourself. It will come as no suprise that Retiro has been awarded certificates of merit year after year; it is one restaurant where standards do not slip once the tourists head home. But don’t rush there please – I need to make sure I’ll always be able to get a table! Rua João Ramos Vale Judeu, Loule 8100-333 T: 289 328 412 E: reservations@retirodocampones.pt W: retirodocampones.p
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Portugal Solicitors
Finance
BREXIT: the news is not good WHAT’S BEEN HAPPENING? Talks between the ruling Conservative Party and opposition Labour Party collapsed in May and a lack of certainty over what comes next has meant that no-deal Brexit fears have returned. All the ongoing Brexit uncertainty meant the pound was unable to benefit from Bank of England Governor Mark Carney asserting that interest rates are likely to rise faster than investors expect. The news that the European Commission had slashed its growth forecasts for two of the largest economies in the Eurozone (Germany and Italy) applied some pressure to EUR/USD, as did the expectation that the European Central Bank (ECB) is likely to keep monetary policy accommodative for the foreseeable future. However, EUR rates were boosted by the news that the White House would delay tariffs on all car imports by at least six months. Rising hopes about resilience in the Eurozone economy led to major GBP/EUR losses, with the pair trending low at around ¤1.14. GBP/USD also fell from the level of $1.30, to around $1.27. The chances of a full Sterling recovery appears unlikely as uncertainties surrounding Brexit and UK politics in general weigh heavily on the outlook. As the US dollar has benefitted from safe haven demand it has gained against the euro too, pushing EUR/USD down to trend near May’s worst levels of $1.11. US-China trade war fears have also flared up again and there are fresh concerns that the Eurozone economy could be impacted. This led to safe haven demand, which caused a surge in US dollar strength and allowed it to capitalise on a broadly weak pound as well as sustain its gains versus the euro. WHAT DO YOU NEED TO LOOK OUT FOR? Politics will continue to take focus for the pound and euro for the next few weeks, as the fallout from the EU elections results takes effect. Both currencies are likely to lose some appeal if populist Eurosceptic parties perform
The pound’s potential for gains is limited as crossparty Brexit talks break down. Staying on top of the latest currency news can help you time your transfers more effectively. Jose Almeida explains well in the elections, as they will worsen concerns about the future of the EU project, as well as the sustainability of the Eurozone economy. A poor performance for the UK’s ruling Conservative Party could be perceived as increasing the chances of a no-deal Brexit, as well as the likelihood that a hard Brexit supporting leader would take over from Theresa May in the coming months. MPs are currently set to vote on the withdrawal bill in early June, and it was reported that if Mrs May’s plan is defeated again, the UK will either be set for a no-deal or for Article 50 to be revoked. May has also affirmed that she will set out a timetable for her resignation. Such upheaval could send the pound lower in the weeks ahead. With so much Brexit news on the horizon, UK data releases are unlikely to have much impact on the pound. With political uncertainties, driving the pound and euro, the safe haven US dollar may remain appealing. Still, the US dollar’s potential for further gains on risk-sentiment may be limited as data continues to paint a mixed picture for the economic outlook. If upcoming Federal Reserve news or domestic data disappoints investors, Fed interest rate cut bets could rise and the US dollar may slump from its recent highs. Currencies Direct is here to talk currency, so please get in touch if you want to know more about the latest news or how it could impact your currency transfers. Since 1996 we have helped more than 275,000 customers with their currency transfers; give us a call to find out more. For more detailed information, contact the local office, email us, or visit our website and register to get regular updates on the currency markets. (Do mention you heard of us in Simply Algarve magazine.) T: 289 395 739 E: algarve@currenciesdirect.com W: currenciesdirect.com/portugal
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Albufeira - Vale Paraiso - N125 - Retail Park - 8200-567 | MON-SUN 10.00-19.00 Almancil - Av. 5 de Outubro 284 - 8135-103 | MON-FRI 10.00-18.00
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Finance
RENT YOUR PROPERTY Each month, Ricardo Chaves of All Finance Matters will answer readers’questions to help you to understand the often complex tax system here
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he number of tourists visiting Portugal continues to increase and, for some property owners, renting their property is a way of reducing annual costs. Currently there are over 84,000 rental licenses registered in the Portuguese Portal of Tourism, and this number is growing every day. If you are considering renting out your property, you need to be aware of the following to avoid any problems with the Portuguese licensing and tax departments. First of all, when you rent your property in Portugal, whether you are a tax resident or not, the rental income needs to be declared in Portugal. Secondly, the Tax Authorities (Finanças) state categorically that letting directly to holidaymakers for less than 30 days is viewed as business activity and must be reported in Category B. Despite several taxpayers declaring rentals on Category F, this should be reserved for ‘long-term’ rentals (more than 30 days). Only when the property owner makes a contract ceding the property to an agent for ongoing letting to tourists – may it be taxed under category B or F. The main reasons to comply with this new law are: – ASAE and the tax authorities are checking the rental portals (air bnb, holiday lettings, etc), to make sure that the properties advertised are all legal and the owners are fully compliant. Fines are considerably high for those not advertising the AL license number; – Tax is considerably low if you are on this scheme; as a non-resident you pay as little as 8.75% tax, instead of 28% (this is not a typo... you read it correctly... 8.75% opposed to 28%). The tax is even lower for hostels, guesthouses and other properties where you can rent a single room, instead of the whole property: 3.75%. So why take unnecessary risks and not obey the law? Please find below some questions and answers, to help you understand a bit more about the local lodging:
What is the tax payable on the simplified regime? The effective tax rate on Category B for a non-resident property pwner is 8.75%, for apartments and villas and 3.75% for hostels, etc. So, for earnings of ¤10,000 the taxable income equates to ¤875 in a villa or apartment. Under Category F, the same income taxed autonomously at 28%, the tax liability would be ¤2,800. Do I have to issue invoices to holidaymakers? Yes, but this is a service included on our package, so we will do it for you. We will also simultaneous report the arrivals and departures to the Immigration and Borders Service (SEF) at no additional cost. This is mandatory. Will I need to be VAT registered? You will be VAT registered, but you will benefit from a VAT exemption unless you chose not to be exempt, or if your income exceeds ¤10,000 per year. However, as the VAT you charge to holidaymakers is 6% and most of your operating expenses have VAT at 23%, you should be in credit in terms of VAT or have a very little VAT liability. Do I have to pay Social Security contributions? Since 1 January 2018, the Local Lodging activity is exempt of Social Security contributions. But this only applies where this is your only activity registered with the tax office. If you have other activities, contact us as there are various full and partial exemptions that may apply. How long does it take to get this rental license? We can complete the registration at the tax office and the application to the tourism office in a week, and you should have your AL number two days after the application is submitted. The AL license is valid until you close your activity or sell your property. Do I pay capital gains if I decide to stop renting? In most cases, no, but it is advisable to seek advice, so you can plan ahead a future sale of the property.
As a business, will there be complicated accounting/ reporting requirements? No, unless your income is over ¤200,000 per year, we will class you on the ‘Simplified Regime’ and as the name suggests, everything will be simple.
What do I need to report to SEF? Property owners need to report to the SEF (Emigration Office) the entry and exit of all guests with nonPortuguese nationality.
What is the simplified regime and what expenses can I offset against my rentals? Most sole traders in Portugal elect to operate under the Simplified Regime under which taxpayers cannot deduct professional and business expenses against their annual gross income. The taxable income of this category will be computed automatically, based on income.
If you have any other questions, please feel free to contact us; we aim our expertise and know-how to work to your benefit, keeping you tax compliant while paying only the legal minimum. Contact our office and book an appointment to find out about the tax strategy that might be more effective in your specific situation.
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Natural remedies
FEELING BETTER We’ve been studying Marianne Guerreiro’s book, Herbal Hints from the Algarve Countryside, since previewing it last month. Here her granddaughter, Mikaila Tutt Menezes, picks out some of best health-promoting tips
Field Marigold
Allium Roseum, Rose Garlic or Alho Rosa Allium Roseum or rose garlic grows in the fields in and around the Algarve, as well as in many a garden. It is a diuretic, expectorant antiseptic and stimulant. The locals believe that swallowing a sliver before eating every morning helps against colds, flu and high blood pressure. One of the most popular home remedies for a fever or cold is a tea made with onion peels and a little honey. If you have to take medication for high blood pressure, there are some side effects including constipation, diarrhea, nausea and dizziness. Imagine you could eliminate those with a  small dose of a herbal remedy, drank every morning before breakfast? The origins of the benefits of wild garlic and onions are lost in time, but a Moorish legend said that the devil was expelled from Paradise; garlic grew from his left footprint and onions from his right. The Romans also used garlic to cure wounds, and between their toes against fungal infections. Borago Officianalis, Borage, Borragem Borage makes it appearance towards the end of winter, and can be seen growing along the roadside, in fields and at home. The flowers hang face down, and the leaves are covered in hairs.
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Borage is used in the Algarve mostly as a culinary herb boiled in soups and stews, but our great-grandmothers swore by it as a tea for coronary diseases as it comforted the heart. The country folk believe that eating the new fresh greens in a salad strengthens the blood and calms mentally unstable people. Borage is also used for fevers and contains potassium, calcium, mineral acids and yields nitrate and common salt. Who knew that a flower growing on the side of the road could hold so many surprises? Apart from its medicinal advantages, the locals also believe that the blue flowers are a potent medicine against evil spells and combat depression. Anti-depressants can cause nausea, weight gain, fatigue and insomnia; having a wild flower to turn to may avoid these. Calendula Arvensis, Field Marigold, Lentugas The field marigold grows everywhere in the Algarve, but particularly in the Barrocal. It is one of the first that will flower towards the end of winter. Dona Jacinta Galega was one of the many locals who shared her knowledge with author Marianne on this particular herb, purely because she uses it to combat her terrible toothache and gingivitis. The most common use of field marigold is as an anodyne
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(painkiller). The leaves and flowers are used in a strong decoction for pain and infections of the mouth, gums and throat as a gargle. It can also be taken as a tea, but not in very large doses. If you find yourself popping painkiller after painkiller to fight a toothache, this might be a great alternative – the Algarvian remedy rather than mass-produced medicine. It’s important to note, that by no means is this book meant to sway the readers from modern-day medicines; herbal remedies should not be used as replacement for medicine prescribed by doctors or professionals. However, for hundreds of years the local farmers and residents of the Algarve have relied on the herbs and remedies detailed in Marianne’s book, and perhaps there is some method to the madness. Many locals avoid trips down to the local chemist and turn instead to the herbs grown along the street and in their own gardens. At any given point, you can drive through the little town of Alfontes, just outside of Boliqueime, and see an elderly lady walking along the roadside with a canvas bag in hand to which she adds little bunches of leaves and off-picks of herbs she may find. If you’re able to speak Portuguese, it is well worth stopping her and asking what is being collected and why – often you will hear a fascinating story behind each plant and discover what it will be used for.
Rose Garlic
Rose Garlic
TALKING POINTS...
Borage
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Marianne Guerreiro, South African born and Rhodesian bred, is a naturalised Portuguese citizen, living here since 1993. She is married to Francisco, who is the great-nephew of famous Portuguese Poet, Candido Guerreiro Moving here, Marianne joined a local garden club, and has never looked back. She organised a flower show in Alfontes, and the locals opened up and started to share generations worth of knowledge. Her favourite story, she says is: “When an EDP technician visiting the show shared with me that his mother used to stuff his shoes with the flowers I was displaying to get rid of the smell!”
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Agenda
NOT TO BE MISSED
Each month, Simply Algarve brings you a hand-picked selection of the events on the region’s calendar. There are, of course, many more, but we will focus on the lesser-known and possibly more interesting. Got an event coming up? Email us with the details at simplyalgarvemag@gmail.com
THE ARTS SUMMER EXHBITION
ArtCatto, Loulé Opens 6 June Works from Cristina Bergoglia and Swedish artist Ralf Arzt, right, who uses an advanced and timeconsuming layer-by-layer technique, with no traces of brushwork to give the impression of photo art but with a painted finish.
THE SCULPTURE GARDEN Conrad Hotel,QdL On now See page 7.
WILD THINGS
ARTCATTO AT THE CONRAD
Conrad Hotel, QdL Opens 13 June Colour, contour and spectacular pieces: Vincent Pool whose signature work combines graphics and fine art, as people, brands, objects and marketing materials are linked with specific London locations; from City professionals in EC4, to streetwalkers in Kings Cross to south London wide boys; never-ending curves from sculptor Georg Scheele and sweet things by Perish the Thought.
THE ALGARVE ARTISTS NETWORK GROUP Centro Cultural de Lagos Till 31 July In this exhibition 15 members of the Network draw attention to nature which transforms itself constantly and is transformed by man’s intervention.
Corte Real, Paderne On now Algarve-based Tom Compton captures on canvas with mixed media the brilliant swaths of wild flowers to be found in the Algarve, fast disappearing now with the onset of the summer sun.
HAPPENINGS FESTIVAL MED
Loulé 27-30 June Music, dancing, outdoor eating and a hippy haven for shoppers of the quirky, this festival has achieved world status. Read all about it on page 14.
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SANTOS POPULARES DE QUARTEIRA
Quarteria marginal 12, 23 and 28 June They twirl and whirl, dance and prance. If you’ve never seen this celebration before, take your camera and the kids and enjoy. The costumes are OTT and brilliant, the choreography – well not up Strictly standards – does have a personality of its own.
FARMERS’ MARKET
Quinta Shopping Sunday 2 June As the temperatures go up so does the quality of the local goods on offer at this monthly event on the first Sunday. Lots to buy, much to taste, and friends to bump into.
ESTOI MARKET
MUSIC 24 HORAS FIGURAS
Teatro das Figuras, Faro 15-16 June, 12pm to 12pm Get ready for 24 consecutive hours of emerging cultural programming, in the second edition of the 24 Hours Figures when the theatre and its unusual spaces and surroundings will be invaded by diverse artistic expressions, appealing to all ages. Music with Twist Connection, Gala Drop, Allen Halloween, Paus, among others, poetry readings, theatre and a pre-performance dinner, set the tone for 24 hours of celebration of contemporary culture. And that is just a taster. Tickets are ¤5, children under 12 go free if accompanied by an adult.
CONCERT
Quintinha da Música, Tavira Sunday 16 June, 5pm Varoujan Bartikian, cello and Lucjan Luc, piano, with a programme that includes Bach, Beethoven, Handel, Mozart and Chopin. Tickets are ¤25 (including interval drinks and tapas by Maria). To book contact lynne.algarvehistory@ gmail.com / 281 971 567
Estoi Sunday 9 June This big monthly gypsy market, along with the T-shirts and designer-look-alike handbags and watches, has a good number of plant and herb stands, and locally-grown fruit and veg, sausages and cheeses, bread and homemade biscuits. The sit-down snackeries do serve up some pretty good chicken piri piri, too. Follow the cars and park, if you can, in the big lot next to the cemetery.
SAND CITY
Lagoa Opens 8 June, on until September, 10am-10pm Sand City is currently the largest Sand Sculpture Festival in the World. Over the past 16 years, What was FIESA is now giving way to SAND CITY, the great novelty of this summer in the Algarve. The themes are varied and always impressive in their size and scope. Kids will love it.
SUMMER VINTAGE NIGHT
Vale do Lobo Auditorium Saturday 15 June, 20.30 Put on your dancing shoes and step back in time with the Lucky Duckies as they bring back the glamour and nostalgia of yesteryear with hits from the greats including Dean Martin, Dinah Shore, Elvis, Sinatra and Nat King Cole. Drinks and treats are available throughout the night. This exciting band, one of the most popular of their genre, look and sound like they have stepped straight out of a Las Vegas
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casino in the 50s, includes crooner Marco Antonio and female singer Cláudia Faria. Tickets to the event cost ¤30, available from the Resort Reception now.
LIVE MUSIC
Vale do Lobo Praça 1 June to 15 September, 7pm to 10.30pm Family fun on the Praça which will be home to live musical performances every night – take your place at one of the restaurants for a front seat. Mondays: Wendy & Adam Tuesday: Denzel & The Washingtons Wednesday: M90 Thursday: Wendy & Adam Frida: Dieb Band Saturday: Space Jam & Let’s Go Out Sunday: The Originals
SAO LOURENÇO SINGERS
New Catholic Church, Almancil Saturday 22 June, 7pm This will be a goodie of an evening with a great mix of music. Read more on page 4.
AMIGOS DE MÚSICA
and repeated again during the short interval. The Amigos de Música is an international group of some 90 members who stage musical activities by internationally-renowned musicians and also sponsor young Portuguese musicians. It is a non-profit organisation and celebrates its 29th anniversary this year. Entry donation is ¤25 per person. For programme information visit amigos-de-musica.org and for membership enquires email helga.hampton@btinternet. com. To book concert tickets email reservasconcertos@ gmail.com
VIOLAS E O FADO
Teatro Lethes, Faro Saturday 22 June, 9.30 If you fancy a bit of fado, this will feed your fancy. Brother and sister act Teresa and Pedro Viola, interpret poems of Portuguese poets in a show full of guests and truly great music. Tickets are just ¤10, and worth every single cent.
TALKS THE TEN BEST NOVELS EVER A discussion with Ellen Thomassen
Os Agostos, near St Barbara de Nexe Tuesday 11 June, 7pm Thursday 13 June, 7pm This performance will include the world premiere of Alissa’s latest composition Algarvia as well as pieces by Elgar and Walton and others. Doors open at 6pm, wine, juices and canapés are served
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Tavira Library Monday 17 June, 6pm According to the Encyclopaedia Britannica a novel is “an invented prose narrative of considerable length and a certain complexity that deals imaginatively with human experience, usually through a connected sequence of events.” When and where was the first novel written? Which influences contributed to its origin? What genres can be distinguished? Do different nationalities admire and enjoy distinctive forms of writing or can a universal preference for certain novels be found? Let us try and discover this in a discussion and, after an introduction to the history of the novel, we may come up with a list of the ten best novels ever!
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THE TWILIGHT OF THE PEPPER EMPIRE with Peter Kingdon Booker
Lagoa Library Tuesday 25 June, 6pm Tavira Library Friday 28 June, 11am The Portuguese pepper empire was founded at the time of Vasco da Gama´s epic voyage around the Cape of Good Hope in 1498, and flourished for much of the 16th century, but towards the end of that century, two fundamental difficulties challenged the Royal monopoly. First, the disaster at Alcácer Quibir in 1578 robbed Portugal of its independent status, of much of its nobility and lastly of much of its wealth, as the Moroccans exacted gold in return for returning captured nobles.The second difficulty was the intervention of Dutch and English competition in eastern waters. In this fascinating lecture, Peter Booker examines the reasons for the decline of the Portuguese Empire, explaining why Portugal under the Dual Monarchy was unable to modernise its trade systems when faced with successive crises.
Time to welcome back one of the most popular annual events on the resort’s social calendar – the Wolf Valley Charity Golf Day. This is a real family outing and raises money to help support local worthy causes highlighted by the Wolf Valley Charity Fund which makes a difference to the lives of so many underprivileged members of the local community. See valedolobo.com/en/events/wolf-valley-charityday-2019/ for details
SPORTS There loads of sporting events in the summer months. We picked this one out for all you golfers as the local communities will benefit, too.
WOLF VALLEY CHARITY GOLF DAY 2019 Saturday 1 June, 10.30am-5.30pm
A warm and relaxed dining experience with a highly trained friendly team on hand to make sure your visit is unforgettable for either just a drink in our beautiful lounge or a gastronomic experience in our fabulous dining area. Live music every Wednesday & Saturday Vila Sol Plaza, 8125-307 Quarteira Gps: 37º05’01.92”N 8º05’04.20”O Open from Monday to Saturday 5:00pm till late
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Closed on Sunday www.restaurantmoon.com z+351 289 316 084 +351 925 323 098 info@restaurantmoon.com
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sis_Outdoor_8x3.pdf
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Opening hours: May: Thursday - Sunday 15:00Pm - 24:00Am June to September - Everyday 10:00Am - 2:00Am
A vida A vida uma festa. ééCelebre-a. uma festa. Celebre-a. Crie um evento inesquecível.
Life a party. Celebrate it. Crie umis evento inesquecível. Create an unforgettable event.
Life is a party. Celebrate it. Create an unforgettable event.
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Golf
BE THE BEST “YOU” Richard Hudson and Eddie Charnock, Algarve Golf Guru, PGA Professionals discuss The Grip
F
ollowing up from our article in the May issue of Simply Algarve: ‘So to be the BEST YOU on the fairways, make sure you appreciate the fundamentals of golf,’ we are going to discuss what to look for when you grip your golf club. The perfect grip can lead to the correct wrist action throughout the swing. It is easy for your coach to check your grip when standing in front of you but it is important to be able to check it yourself. The ideal grip should consist of two knuckles showing on your left hand and a V shape made between the thumb and first finger. The grip of the club should pass through the fingers of your right hand with the right thumb covering the left thumb – this will create another V shape between the thumb and first finger of the right
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hand. Both Vs should point to the right shoulder, as shown in the picture above. If you look in the mirror you can see perfectly if your grip matches our description above. For left-handed golfers, the left hand is your right hand, the right hand is your left hand with the Vs pointing to your left shoulder. There are three variations to the perfect grip related the size of your hand; to understand which one best suits you, we would recommend booking a lesson with one of your PGA Gurus. Contact Richard or Eddie to discuss coaching opportunities for 2019 E: sales@algarvegolfguru.com W: algarvegolfguru.com And do mention Simply Algarve as a point of referral
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Why not give us a no obligation call to discuss what you may like to sell? We offer honest valuations and free advise to all potential sellers.
Open: Mon - Fri 09:00 - 14:00pm Sat: Open Auction days Email: valuations@ahalgarve.com Office: 289 832 380 Tel. Mark: 914 774 438 Sitio do Besouro, Conceição, Faro
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SPORTS NEWS
Brought to you by Chris Wright
PORTIMONENSE FINISH IN GOOD SPIRITS SC Portimonense finished a very creditable eleventh in the Primeira Liga thanks to a 3-2 home victory against Marítimo (Madeira). The Algarve’s only top-flight team came back from 2-1 down at half-time to draw level through Dener Clemente before Jackson Martinez slotted home the winner two minutes from time. The week previously, a visit to the home of championselect Benfica resulted in a 5-1 defeat but the scoreline is not a true reflect of the game. Portimonense took the lead early in the second-half through Tabata but the Eagles responded through Rafa Silva (62’ & 66’) to make it 2-1 and that’s the way it stayed until six minutes from time. A flurry of goals then ensued from Seferovic (84’ & 88’) and Jonas (92’) to give Benfica a flattering win. Portimonense went down 2-0 at SC Braga in the final game of the season. FUTSAL SUCCESS Futsal, fast-paced indoor five-a-side football, with its emphasis on improvisation, creativity and technique is hugely popular in Europe with current Portuguese champions Sporting Lisbon having won the UEFA Futsal Championship when they beat Kairat (Kazakhstan) in April. Portimonense recently became the first team from the Algarve to reach the National Futsal 1st Division when they beat Estoril 8-5 away. They will now play the other promoted team Candosa (Guimarães district), from the Northern Division, to decide the National 2nd Division champions. HANDS ACROSS THE SEA The 21st anniversary of the international inter-club fixture between Clube do Golfe da Quinta do Lago (CGQL) and Donaghdee, Northern Ireland climaxed in a wonderful Final Fling finale in the Algarve recently. The cordial rivalry between the Men’s Past Captains of CGQL and Donaghadee involved 51 past Captains at one time or another. Senior Past Captain and Past President Victor Stephens – still swinging in his 90th year – played alongside
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Donaghadee’s Tom McNulty in the decisive last match. Last year, the Federação Portuguesa de Golfe and the Golfing Union of Ireland made presentation gifts of engraved crystal plates to the clubs, recognising the continuous role of the Past Captains as splendid ambassadors of the game thus ensuring that distinctive memories and bonds of friendship will linger for a lifetime. EAWF OLHÃO WIN BROWNS FESTIVAL Walking football tournaments come thick-and-fast at this time of the year and in an action packed two days at Vilamoura it was East Algarve Walking Football (EAWF) Olhão team who took the top award with the only goal coming from Andy Smith against Clitheroe in the final. Sporting Ramsgits took home the Wood Trophy and Beverly Taylor (Preston North End) was adjudged the most valuable player. With players all over 50 – and some approaching their 80th year – it was a memorable event. EAWF Tavira took third place with a 3-0 win over Ipswich WF Spartans whilst Browns Two won the Plate Competition ahead of EAWF São Brás. RUGBY TRIUMPH FOR GIBRALTAR On the adjacent full-sized rugby pitch, Gibraltar and Sweden were full-on as they played a very competitive game as Gibraltar took the lead with a try and conversion within the first five minutes. In an enthralling game it was the team from The Rock, ranked 87th, who secured a 31-26 victory against the Scandinavians ranked 46th in the world! FARENSE LOOKING FOR RECRUITS SC Farense are looking to establish a weekly Walking Football section for the over 50s. EAWF were the guests at the Gambelas Tennis Club near Faro airport in an introductory session that it is hoped will become a regular weekly feature. You do not need to have a background in football and everyone is welcome to join in a sport that has numerous health benefits. For more information contact Pedro by email: aprferreira@gmail.com
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Last word
EXPAT talk... At times it is easier to draw similarities than to tell it like it is, especially when the subject matter is a tad sensitive. Anthony Martin decided to play it safe rather than face the inevitable ripostes
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t was in London, in the mid-60s when the late Judge James Pickles, who once described the Duchess of York as a “scrubber” and Freddie Mercury as a “greedy bisexual”, famously asked in Court: “Who are the Beatles?” This certainly underlined the general perception that the elders of the judiciary were totally out of touch with modern times. This came to mind, when recently reading of a Portuguese woman – who we shall call Sra A – whose surgeon had botched an operation on her ‘nether regions’ which left her unable to have sex; after a protracted legal battle she was awarded ¤172,000 in damages. The Lisbon hospital appealed, and the judge reduced to amount to ¤111,000 stating that: “It is important not to forget that the plaintiff was already 50-years-old by the date of the surgery and had two children. So, she was at an age in which sexuality does not hold as much importance as with younger women.” Wow! That statement speaks volumes, and not only about his own marital setup. Besides, aren’t we now in 2019? I wanted to write something regarding this because it was too good to let go and, apart from that, my innate belief in sexual equality came charging to the fore. But being a male of a certain age, who has a wife who admits to being over 50 and who reads this magazine from cover to cover, whatever I say – whether for, against, agreeing or disagreeing – or even commenting on any aspect of the matter, will land me right in the proverbial. I would get one, or all of the following ripostes: “You are talking through your backside! Since when are you the expert on the female anatomy/orgasm? Anyway, how would you know?” And finally: “Alright know-all, who is she?” Therefore, I am forced to totally ignore this golden opportunity, shove it to one side, cleanse my mind of it and instead write of a completely different matter that has absolutely no bearing, parallel or similarity whatsoever to the aforementioned. Therefore, protecting the innocent, namely me – so, here we go. In a country that is definitely not Portugal, there was a 50-year-old lady, who we shall call Mrs A, a keen amateur tennis player who had an unsuccessful operation on her arm which left her unable to serve or play a forearm stroke. She went to a lawyer who took her case on and together they took the surgeon to Court. The Court discussed the pros and cons. Counsel for the Defence tried to break her down, bringing her to tears with intimate questions, such as how often she played, did she consider herself good at it, had she ever considered
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becoming professional, did she have a regular partner or did she just phone someone up on the spur of the moment when she felt the urge? He suggested that perhaps a five-set match for a 50-yearold was too much, and would it be less strenuous for her if she only played quickie doubles or set up a machine that would automatically lob balls at her at a predetermined very slow speed? He added that she could alter her position on the court, adapt to an underarm serve, forget the forearm strokes and only use her backhand. But tennis was what she most loved doing and she knew that she would never again get to win a match and enjoy the thrill of jumping the net. But, as an intelligent lady, she also knew that the jump wasn’t everything and that others play for years and never get to jump the net, but still enjoy the thrill of the game. The long rallies, the backhand smash and particularly, the beautifully-timed smoothly stroked ball from the base-line. Now I am a man who firmly believes that all people, regardless of sex, race, religion or indeed age, have the God-given right to play whatever games they wish, with who ever they wish – especially tennis. There is nothing nicer than coming home after a hard day, having a shower with your partner and then settling down to a good game. And if you are, shall we say, mature, all the better, as it increases the heart rate, exercises the lungs and generally keeps you fit. Over the years, I have known men who regularly played tennis with ladies of 50 plus and believe me those ladies, having had years of experience in both exercising the unique muscles the game requires, together with altering their positions with lightning speed, can leave their partners red-faced and gasping for air in less time than it takes the umpire to say: “new balls please.” Therefore, I personally applaud all senior women tennis players and say keep at it, continue to enjoy the game and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.
I read of – we shall call her Sra A – whose surgeon had botched an operation on her ‘nether regions’ which left her unable to have sex
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