Tomorrow Lagos - Aljezur August 2017 Edition

FREE to take home August 2017 | Edition 69 | 6,000 copies

www.tomorrowalgarve.com |  TomorrowAlgarve

A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE COVERING LAGOS TO ALJEZUR

Community Life at the Lagos children's home

Community Meet a wrestling champion

West coast Our caring west coasters

THE ALGARVE PROPERTY SPECIALISTS

What's on Join the sunset colour party

What's on Get medieval in Silves Plus much more...

Editor's Welcome SEDE: 86, MILBOROUGH CRESCENT, LONDON, UK , SE12 ORW. UK . PERIODICIDADE: MENSAL . TIRAGEN: 4,000 | TIPOGRAFIA: C/ AL MEDITERRÁNEO, 29, POLÍGONO DE SAN RAFAEL, 04230, HUÉRCAL DE ALMERÍA CIF: B04250056

Picture of Ponta da Piedade submitted by Tomorrow reader Sharon Hurst

It’s hot, hot, hot!

Welcome to summer in the Algarve.

July proved to be a really successful month along this superb coastline with more and more tourists discovering the charms of the area and enjoying the wonderful Portuguese hospitality.

Even though this is the main holiday month of the year there is always plenty to see and do. It really does seem that the holiday season is becoming an all year round phenomenon.

Last month the Tomorrow team accepted another ‘Giving it Back Day’ challenge-the Portimão Soup Kitchen. It was a major paint job to prepare the very busy soup kitchen for those in need in the community.

One of the main holiday features of the Algarve calendar is the Silves Medieval Festival from August 11th until 20th. This is a magnificent event where the whole city including the castle completely come to life with everyone participating in medieval costume.

You can join the banquets at the castle itself, see the jousting and generally be part of this unique annual event and the kids will love it!

There is also the ‘last day of summer’ taking place on August 29th when everyone joins the fun on the beaches, bars as a celebration of the summer’s end.

Great night and we mean night out!!

Dad and I are finding that more and more people seem to be getting involved with our brand of community news, fundraising and the breadth of the magazines focus which we are delighted about.

Long may it continue and this part is all down to your involvement in what we do so please keep sending your letters, suggestions and please do tell us about needy causes in the area.

Best wishes for a great month, Amber, Tom and the whole team Tom Henshaw  +351 919 918 733 Amber Henshaw  amber@tomorrowalgarve.com

On the cover On the cover this month you will see a classic image of the Algarve – a windsurfer basking in the evening sun. Let us know your favourite pastime when you are in Lagos. Have you tried anything new this summer? We would love to hear about it! Please email our editor amberhenshaw@gmail.com

Stay Connected... 

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TomorrowAlgarve

www.tomorrowalgarve.com

+351 919 918 733

3

Community

Casa Amarela and the Red Barn

Going through the mill

BY STEPHANIE GINGER It’s not easy to find Paul Shattock’s property. You can’t spot it from the road and like many a destination in the undulating hillsides and secret valleys of Monchique, its location is so well-hidden that it doesn’t appear on any map or navigation system. Even the Bombeiros have had their work cut out in the past to find their way there.

I’m here to see the result of Paul’s seven long years of renovation; the piéce de resistance in his portfolio of renovated Portuguese properties and his present home.

Paul suggests that I park in a layby not far from Alferce and he will collect me and as we negotiate the steep track into the mouth of the valley, I’m glad it’s him at the wheel and not me.

As we bump around the last bend and cross the little bridge over a small river, the morning sunlight falls on the little collection of brightly-painted buildings on the opposite hillside.

It resembles a diminutive, perfectly restored Portuguese hamlet and I can see immediately why it was, for Paul, love at first sight.

“If I won the lotto I’d buy up half of Monchique to renovate”

The Yellow House – Casa Amarela - lies at the front linked to the Red Barn by a roofed terrace that

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houses the original millstone. These two buildings overlook the orchard with the river at the bottom.

On the hillside behind stands the two-hundred-yearold mill house – Casa do Moinho – once used for the communal grinding of corn, but with the advent of modernisation it fell into disuse about thirty years ago.

“Historically, there would have been quite a bustling little community here,” Paul explains. “But when I first saw it the whole place was in ruins! No electricity, no water, no sewage system, not even a bridge across the river. They would have used donkeys and sometimes, with the river in full flood, the water would have been over their heads!”

To recreate the sense of a village, each section has its own character, painted in Paul’s favourite colours; Ochre, Malaga Red with touches of Cerulean Blue to match the sky. Even the street name Avenida do Paulo is testament to Paul’s commitment to his tiny community.

But before we take a tour around the property, let’s start with the man. Born in Surrey, Paul spent some time in Devon and the 1980s saw him working in property. “First I was in real estate, then I worked for a letting agency and finally the building trade.”

After being made redundant in his 30s, he left England to travel overland through Africa and South America. “Frankly, I couldn’t get out the door fast enough,” he admits. A few years later,

after being made redundant a second time he reckoned “somebody was definitely trying to tell me something.”

To date he’s travelled all over Africa, South America and the Middle East as well as the United States and Europe. “About 40 countries all told,” he grins.

Certainly, everywhere in the interior of this very Portuguese property there are examples of Paul’s predilection for exotic travel; a favourite elephant from Mali, rugs and wall-hangings from South America, a Camfor-wood chest from Singapore, colourful Moroccan lamps and mirrors.

So how did he end up as a serial renovator of ruins in the Monchique mountains? “Happenstance,” he smiles. “It could have been France, or Morocco, but it turned out to be Portugal.”

For some years, his parents owned a small apartment in Carvoeiro, Rocha Brava and it was that which led Paul to buy and then renovate a holiday home in Nora, near Messines. After his parents passed away, Paul moved to Portugal and that renovation led to others and gradually, a pattern emerged.

For more than 10 years he’s been in Monchique, buying old Portuguese properties, renovating them, living in them for a while before falling in love with the next project, selling his home and moving on.

“It’s not a business,” he insists. “More a series of stepping stones.”

By 2007 he’d completed the renovation of his previous property – between Monchique and Alferce – a major project he swore would be his last. Yet even before the dust had settled, Paul’s keen eye had alighted on something else. And one look was enough!

However, the financial crisis and the property market

crash meant it was two years before Paul was able to purchase the property, complicated by the fact that the land was owned by different families. In the end no less than 16 people were involved in signing the final contract.

As with all his renovations, Paul does as much of the groundwork as he can and always employs a team led by a local builder from Monchique José Varela to do the rest. “José is fantastic and it’s really important to support the community here,” Paul insists.

Invariably, it’s Paul who does the initial stripping down, painstakingly removing tiles, knocking out walls and taking down ceilings, re-using what he can.

The builders are then left with an empty shell and all rubble is buried on site under terracing and paving.

Paul’s next challenge was electricity, water and sewage. Electricity proved to be the most difficult of the three to resolve and it took EDP three years to bring it the 1.5 kilometres from Alferce. Paul installed a vast Cisterna which stores 25,000 litres of rainwater, which is pumped into the house and filtered. It’s generally sufficient to sustain Paul through the dry months if he’s careful. If not, he must purchase it from the Bombeiros who bring their fire engine to fill up the Cisterna.

But it’s not been an easy journey with both money and health taking their toll. “I have been through the mill a bit – pardon the pun,” grins Paul. “It’s all behind me now, but I’ve had tremendous support from family and friends, which I will never forget.”

Looking at Paul’s photos of the original property, I try to imagine the sheer labour that transformed those ruins into this delightful home: the high ceilings of The Red Barn, once the stamping ground of cows, Javali (wild boar), deer and mongoose now 

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Paul on site with builder Jose

The Mill House; The interior of The Red Barn; The yellow House BEFORE; The yellow House AFTER

Community

Paul Shattock on the balcony of Casa Amarela; Interior of the Mill House

houses a wood-burner and Paul’s collection of Alentejo wine bottles; the exotic sitting room that stretches the depth of the Mill House, now Paul’s favourite room or the tranquil bedroom in the Yellow House, cool and inviting behind 80 cm walls made of rock and Taipa that was once used to store seeds and carobs and was full of bats.

And what next? Now settled in the Mill House for just over a year, it strikes me Paul isn’t the kind of person who sits about resting on his laurels – or should I say Eucalyptus. Isn’t it about time he “fell in love” with a new project?

“It’s true, I love old buildings and Monchique has a considerable heritage. If I won the Lotto I’d buy up half of Monchique to renovate,” he jokes.

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“But seriously, the environment here is so different from anywhere else and I feel very much part of the community; I have friends of every nationality – a relationship with a very special Portuguese lady and we’re making a new life together. It’s not for everyone, but I love it and for once, I’m looking forward to enjoying the peace.

This time, I promise, I’m not going anywhere!”

Casa Amarelha (including the Red Barn) is available for long-term rental (couples only, no pets) from November 2017.

 paulshattock2@gmail.com

A day in the life….

Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a make-up artist?

Well, this month we spoke to Jéssica Blackhorse who is half-Portuguese and half-English to find out what makes her get into bed in the morning.

“I’m Jéssica Blackhorse, 24-yearsold and I am a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and make-up artist. I was born in Olhão, but I'm living in Faro now. I work all over the Algarve.

I live with my boyfriend and two cats called Tião and Nicky.

My days vary quite a lot. What time I get up often depends on what time I go to bed! As well as being a makeup artist I also work at a cocktail bar and sometimes I don’t get home until 5 or 6am. So my day really depends on that! I try to schedule my beauty sessions between 1:30 pm and 4:30pm and then I go to my bar job in Vale de Lobo.

I got into being a beauty consultant after a friend got me involved and I fell in love with the products and the possibilities they opened up straight away.

I decided to create my own business as an independent consultant one year ago, because I saw in this company a lifetime of opportunity.

I could work with two of the things that I like the most: first people and second cosmetics!

Immediately I realized I had a purpose which I needed to share with everyone

around me. My legacy is to help people improve and change their lives like I did.

I am juggling a lot of stuff at the moment because I am still at university and I also have my bar job!

Actually it all fits really well together because I am my own boss, I can manage my time, I can organise my days and book sessions to suit everything else that is going on.

Being your own boss means that you need to be organised. You have to set your own goals and accomplish them by yourself. And be motivated the whole time.

The best thing is the feeling after a beauty session when people thank you for making them feeling better about themselves. I feel really grateful when I know I have helped .

I have the chance to improve the people’s self-esteem by showing them how stunning they are, and teaching them how they can take care of their skin.

I’ve met so many different people from around the world, it’s such a joy when I meet other Mary Kay consultants at conferences and everybody applauds your success. I can travel and do what I love.”

 jessica.blackhorse.marykay  +351 912 442 708

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Community

Help needy youngsters go back to school ACCA, the Algarve-based charity dedicated to helping children in need across the region, has started its annual "Back To School" drive and needs your help. The campaign helps to ensure that youngsters across the Algarve can start the new school year with confidence - and with the basic essentials to help them achieve.

of plain paper; post-it notes; correctors; pen drives; staplers; and scientific calculators.

Although the Portuguese government provides text books for the poorest children, it does not supply them with the simple, everyday materials that are vital to support the learning process.

- Almancil: Curiosa, Lewis Andrews, and Nobre Pharmacy - Albufeira: Iceland and Paws4pets - Armação de Pera: Castelo dos Sonhos and Holiday Inn Silves - Alcantarilha : The Golf Shack - Lagos: C.A.R.D.S and Moveison

Every year, ACCA increases its back-to-school programme in an attempt to help as many kids as possible. In 2016 the charity gave out 841 backpacks filled with those all-important essentials, and this year it hopes to top that figure.

Here’s where you come in and can make a real difference!

ACCA needs the following for each student under 10: A4 lined, squared and plain exercise books; A5 plain exercise books; pencil cases; scissors; colouring pencils; felt tip pens; 30cm rulers, pencil sharpeners, rubbers, HB pencils, blue pens; and glue sticks.

In addition to the above, children over the age of 10 require: recorder, set square and protractor sets; blue, black and red biros; A4 files; A4 paper with punched holes; calculators; and compasses.

Furthermore, senior students also require: one ream

If you are able to shop for any of the above and drop your purchases off at one of the designated dropoff points, you will be making a huge difference. The drop-off point locations are:

Alternatively you can donate directly to the charity so that they can purchase items on your behalf simply get in touch using the contact details below.

Since its founding in 2000, ACCA has delivered life-changing therapies and medical aid to disadvantaged youngsters who live below the poverty line, are orphaned and in care, or who require specialist treatment that is not available to them through social services. The organisation is run by a small committee who give their time, experience and enthusiasm freely to make the world a better place for these children, with the help of generous sponsors, donors and volunteers.

All at ACCA thank you in advance for your help in hopefully making this year’s "Back To School" campaign the most successful yet.

For more information:  backtoschoolalgarve@gmail.com  +351 936 463 177

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Community

A hard knock life

BY SOPHIE SADLER

If you are a resident of Lagos you will no doubt have heard of efforts to raise money for the Lagos Orphanage. Before I went I had Dickensian images in my head. My interviews uncovered a totally different story, which might not be what you were expecting.

The Nossa Senhora do Carmo Youth Home was founded in 1931, thanks to the commitment of Cesaltina Roque and Lucinda Anino dos Santos, who recognised the need to support underprivileged children in Lagos. The residential home opened in 1933 and moved to its current base in 1969.

The Casa de Acolhimento Nossa Senhora do Carmo, belongs to CASLAS (Centro de Assistência Social Lucinda Anino dos Santos) which is an IPSS (a non-profit making organisation).

CASLAS was dubbed the Lagos Orphanage by expats who started fundraising to help the children who live in the home but most of them aren’t actually orphans – many of their parents are still alive.

Director Ana Leal tells me: “The residential care is for children and adolescents, we are not an orphanage because our children have parents, but for many reasons, they are not able to take care of their children.

We take children and teenagers from both genders aged between two and 25.”

Many of them are there because they have been taken from their families due to sexual, physical or emotional abuse, or neglect.

CASLAS now takes children from all over Portugal because sometimes it is deemed necessary, in cases of abuse, to create distance between them and their families.

Ana says: “We have the capacity to have 40 children or adolescents (25 girls and 15 boys). Now we have 12 boys and 12 girls, aged between nine and 19 years old.

“Our mission is to embrace and integrate children and adolescents deprived of a healthy family setting, to grant a caring environment and to promote their integral

development. The main goal is to look after and secure the children and adolescents rights, when parents or carers compromise their health, development and education, or are not able to protect them from dangers caused by others or by themselves, keeping them from danger.”

Many of the children are psychologically damaged and can have behavioural problems.

The volunteer I spoke to who doesn’t wish to be named, tells me how she started working with the children 15 years ago when she was asked by a friend to give a Christmas present for an anonymous child, it gave her such great pleasure she decided to do more.

She now takes the children on trips to try to enrich their lives and give them genuine life experiences they would otherwise never receive. With the help of funds from Tomorrow magazine, she recently took a group to Tomar and Fatima, where they stayed in chalets. She tries to show them how to cook, as most have no experience of normal family life, one had never even broken an egg, or worked a stove. The visit included a visit to a Knights Templar stronghold, they saw dinosaur prints, a synagogue and visited a match museum.

Ana stresses the importance of giving the kids the childhood experiences they would otherwise be deprived of: “We would like in the future to promote more cultural trips, have music and theatre workshops, and we would like to complete the outside space with barbeque, and tables covered with one awning. The occupation of children allows for greater emotional well-being. In the future we would like to have one apartment for adolescents so they can become more

autonomous, this is very important to prepare them for real life.”

The latest funds have gone into a new outdoor gym, which Ana believes “will be good for the children because it promotes the practice of physical exercise, promotes physical and emotional well-being, and physical exercise decreases anxiety.”

She says that the kids need new positive role models in their lives in particular from men and if anyone can commit to giving their time on a regular basis she would be delighted to train up new volunteers.

She stresses you only need a basic level of Portuguese but you have to be able commit for a regular and long periods so the kids have continuity. In the future, they would like to have one volunteer to work with the children in the gym (which was officially opened last month) and organise the exercises. So maybe if you have experience in physical education you could give up some of your time for this worthwhile project?

The home desperately needs the generosity of others in order to continue the trips they organise including Slide and Splash which the kids adore. They currently need funds to support a Val de Judeu camping trip for 10 kids and to enable four young people to camp at Vale de Lama. Tomorrow magazine has just set up its official charity, TACT, so you are able to donate through this.

So if you donate your hard earned money to this charity do so in the knowledge that you are not supporting the modern day Oliver Twist, but you are helping young people who have not had a good start in life to achieve their potential.

To find out more call Tom from this magazine on  +351 919 988 733

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Community

Boost for local charity More than 10,000 euros was raised for the palliative care charity Madrugada at an event organised by the Boavista Clube de Golfe headed by Club Golf Captain Janice Galloway.

offer including homemade cakes and treats, tombola, holiday raffle and guess the number of tees! There was a very successful auction and a voucher raffle.

The day was organized to appeal to both golfers and non-golfers and turned out to be a resounding success.

A total of 95 players participated in the Pairs Betterball Stableford competition with a further 39 people treated to a splendid Hogs Roast buffet lunch. Many visitors were pampered with the special treatments and facilities on offer by the Essential Fitness & Health Spa.

Club Captain Janice Galloway expressed her thanks to all those who attended and all the sponsors for their support in making this event a very memorable day, special thanks to those who helped organise and helped out on the day!

The event was strongly supported

by Boavista and the Emerson Group who donated the course for the day.

Another 23 reputable companies also joined forces with the Boavista team by supporting the event by either sponsoring a golf hole or giving a prize. A good many local businesses and restaurants, over 40, donated prizes for the raffle, all their contributions helped enormously to the overall success of the day.

In a jovial and generous mood the crowd enjoyed all the activities on

The day ended with the presentation of the prizes first prize went to Kath and Derek Sells who came in with 45 points, Graham Vince and Paul Haywood were second, third place went to Jack Hague and Ian Galloway and fourth place went to Yvonne and Steve Hall all 3 pairings came in with 43 points!

Carol Spires President of Madrugada closed the event by expressing her gratitude and thanks to Philip Pope & Boavista for hosting the event and to Janice Galloway for all her hard work helping to raise the profile of Madrugada.

Soup kitchen support For the second year running Phil Bull from Eurostar Commodities, a Yorkshire-based family business, has given a tonne of rice to help the soup kitchen in Lagos, the Mustard Seed.

The company which has been operating since 1984 sells commodities including different types of rice and flour to the UK wholesale market. Fittingly the rice that Phil has donated this year comes from a supplier in Portugal.

Phil said: “I am more than happy to help this worthwhile cause again. It really does benefit the most needy in the community in Lagos.”

Daniel Saunite from the Mustard Seed said: “We are so grateful for this generous contribution from Phil. This year volunteers have already served up more than 5,000 meals and we need all the help we can get to make sure that no one is turned away.”

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Thespian fundraisers

Steve Dackombe, Jan Sheppeard (both from The Algarveans) and Liliana (Castelo de Sonhos).

The Algarveans Experimental Theatre was in touch with Castelo dos Sonhos (Silves) as it wanted to help the charity by buying items that were needed by the less fortunate in the community.

In late June this year, €533 was spent on items for babies such as dried milk, bottle, dummies, baby wipes, creams, nappies and many other associated items.

Created in 1999, Castelo dos Sonhos is a non-profit charity helping the community in Silves. The charity has a food bank which is distributed monthly, they support children at risk along with helping the elderly and much more besides.

For more information on the charity visit the website www.castelodesonhos.pt The Algarveans Experimental Theatre is now rehearsing for its next production, Kindertransport, which is opening on November 22 at the Lagoa Auditorium.

If anyone would like to join the group to help backstage, with costumes, front of house or just to meet new people and join in the social side of the group don’t hesitate to contact them.

For more information contact:  algarveanspress@gmail.com  +351 919 198 840

Community

of retirees, many of whom were veterans of WWII; sufficiently motivated he took up the saxophone as an alternative to the clarinet which had been responsible for his rapidly developing ‘tennis elbow’.

Musical Notes

On leaving college, Matt had a brief dalliance with factory life but constant advice from the old timers on the factory floor to “live your life” had him reconsidering his options and aged 18 years he grasped life and his saxophone with both hands and decided on a career as a professional musician.

BY JAZZALI

This month we are featuring a man of many musical talents, Matt Lester, who has spent the last 25 years living and working in the Algarve.

August may be hot, hot, hot but not as hot as the coolest clarinettist in town, Matt Lester. Born at 1 Paradise Road, Chelmsford, Essex in 1962, multiinstrumentalist Matt has been metaphorically taking his audiences down Paradise Road for over 35 years.

The second born of four siblings, eldest son Matt remembers his mother as an organised lady with an accomplished soprano voice who enjoyed singing with her local Choral Society for more than 30 years.

When Matt was young his father was a professional photographer but his lack of enthusiasm for the digital age had him, unbeknownst to Matt at the time, re-focusing on his first love. Once again he took up the guitar and flute in earnest and continued to play until the great age of 84.

Although not a marriage destined to last, Matt’s parents shared love of music brought a little harmony to an otherwise discordant union. Following his parent’s divorce, Matt lost touch with his father for a while and so it came as a surprise to find out, at the age of 18, that his dad was a competent multiinstrumentalist!

Matt’s first real interest in music came when he was 12-years-old and attending boarding school; he picked up a clarinet and proceeded to teach himself, finding a sense of solace in playing which has remained with him all his life. At Sixth Form College he was inspired by the College Big Band which consisted mostly

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Realising that to get anywhere in music one must commit to both physical and mental hard work and be prepared to practice, practice, practice, Matt set about improving his tone, agility and embouchure whilst developing his technical mastery and his ability to play in a range of keys both major and minor. “As a musician there is a constant requirement to practice, if you don’t practice you start to lose tone and technique.” This level of commitment has served Matt well and continued throughout his career.

Matt’s first gig in 1975, was a classical rendition of “Morning” from Grieg’s “Peer Gynt” but he has since developed a great love of jazz including Syncopated, Latin, Trad etc. and has been hugely inspired by the “King of Clarinet” Arte Shaw, the “King of Swing” Benny Goodman, the jazz giant and saxophonist Charlie ‘Bird’ Parker not forgetting the UK’s very own multi-instrumentalist Tubby Hayes.

In 1990, in search of something more ‘Latino’, Matt journeyed first to Portugal and then to Brazil where he was captivated by the rhythms and energy of Samba and Bossa Nova. He discovered the nostalgic melodies of choro and in particular the work of Brazilian born Altamiro Carrilho, renowned composer and flautist of the choro genre. Despite its name which translates as “little cry” choro music often has a fast and happy rhythm and is characterised by its virtuosity and improvisation whilst being full of syncopation and counterpoint, all characteristics that Matt truly appreciates.

On returning to Portugal Matt’s Brazilian experience continued to influence his music and proved particularly popular with audiences especially when it came to dancing – Matt loves to get people up on their feet, feeling the beat and taking music to 

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Community yet another level. He enjoys sharing the joy of music with audiences both formal and incidental and he relishes every opportunity to play. This joy is intoxicating and is recognised by his colleagues who are more than pleased to get the opportunity to make music with him. When asked “what has been your best moment so far?” He replied: “every time I play”.

Whilst continuing to develop his repertoire, his favourite genre is leaning towards the American Jazz of the early 20th century, yes Matt has been busy! He now plays tenor, alto and soprano saxophone, clarinet, flute and piano. He still practices every day, he’s on a learning curve for life. What’s more, he firmly believes that there is no place for ego in music which is a gift to both the musician and the audience and therefore must transcend ego. As a man of great faith, this thoroughly nice man is humbly striving to communicate at a higher reality.

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Amongst his loves are his two daughters, both bright, young women, the eldest (21) currently considering a career in either nursing or education, “she’s a very positive person, fluent in French and English as well as her native Portuguese. My youngest (16) is a classical pianist, a singer and a guitarist, she’s hoping for a career in music as a Choral Director. They are both so balanced and I’m very proud of them”.

He also loves living in the Algarve where he has been for 25 years; he says that the Algarve has always treated him well.

As a highly regarded musician, Matt Lester is never short of work; he travels the length and breadth of Portugal and further afield but for those of us lucky enough to be living in the Algarve we can take pleasure in his regular appearances at several venues including: Hotel Pedra Dos Bicos, Albufeira, Café Ingles, Silves and with the Sunshine Band, Fortaleza, Luz. Matt recently recorded two CD’s on which he plays every instrument, both will be available wherever he performs: a real treat!

Matt can be contacted via email  mj62jazz@yahoo.com or  +351 966 895 009

The Red Cross on your doorstep The Red Cross is well-known for its incredible work in war-torn areas around the globe but maybe less is known about its work locally. One of the services it offers here is round-the-clock teleassistance for the elderly and ill. We sent our man in Lagos, Tom Henshaw, to find out more.

The Red Cross was founded in 1863 in Geneva with over 97 million staff and volunteers worldwide. Its mission is: ‘to protect human life and health to ensure respect for all human beings, prevent and alleviate human suffering’.

Based on that ethos I felt that we at Tomorrow should acknowledge the work the Portuguese Red Cross do here in Portugal. I was met with great respect when I had the pleasure of meeting up with Dr Jose Batista, who has been the president of the Lagos Red Cross for the last 14 years, and two lovely and dedicated members of this wonderful organisation namely Katya and Emanuel.

It was amazing to hear that the Red Cross has been in Portugal for 152 years and in Lagos since 1976. The organisation has more than 22 fulltime staff and 40 volunteers in the area providing wonderful support for families and the community.

Its work is so varied that it really is hard to quantify in a short article but I really must convey their complete loyalty to the principles of the Red Cross.

The charity relies very much on gifts and donations from the community and it really is very hard to

comprehend how they manage locally to be able to give so much help to the needy in terms of food, helping the sick with their ambulances and attend all the functions that they are asked to participate in by providing nurses and carers for all local major events and activities.

One of the services that I felt could really help expats is a dedicated Tele-assistance scheme giving 24-hour cover for the elderly, those incapacitated by illness or the infirm.

This allows the user to speak with the call centre at any time of the day or night. The call centre evaluates the person’s needs and gives the most sensible response and action necessary. Installation and rental is only €70 per annum and the fee for members of Red Cross is €15 per month.

To use this brilliant service please contact Red Cross Lagos +351 282 760 611 or email diagos.social@ cruzvermelha.org.pt If you have any doubts or need further help email Tom on tom@tomorrowalgarve.com One last thing to mention - alongside their genuine dedication – the local Red Cross organisations do need help with funding.

If you would like to make a donation to the local branch, the name is: Cruz Vermelha Portuguesa – Delegação de Lagos Account: 0387015131430 - EUR | NIB: 0035 0387 00015131430 08 IBAN: PT50 0035 0387 00015131430 08 | BIC SWIFT CGDIPTPL

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Community

All images © Tim Motion

Unique images reveal the Algarve of yesteryear The Algarve has changed dramatically in the last 50 years - something that Tim Motion knows only too well.

and humanity only accessible to someone embedded within the community - as Tim was.

The photographer lived in the Algarve, specifically in Carvoeiro, during the sixties and seventies, then one of few foreigners to reside in the region - long before the boom in tourism and influx of expats that has so transformed Portugal’s southernmost area.

Fast-forward and now Tim has released luxury photo book Algarve 63, which features (as the title suggests) 63 of his most captivating images, and offers a snapshot of what life was like here all those years ago.

Algarve 63 was launched at an event last month at the Parque Municipal do Sítio das Fontes in Estômbar, Lagoa, where an exhibition featuring selected images from the book is currently open to the public.

Running until September 16th, it can be visited Tuesday to Saturday from 11am-1pm and 2pm-6pm. Entry is free.

During that time Tim - now 81 - took a collection of photographs that captured the essence of day-to-day life in the Algarve during that era. With a focus on the people of the area, his unique black and white images convey a sense of spirit

In addition to the pictures, the book also includes commentary from the Mayor of Lagoa, Francisco Martins, co-ordinator and curator of the work, Nuno de Santos Loureiro, and Miguel Reimão Costa, a professor at the University of Algarve, as

Both the book and exhibition are part of ENFOLA 2017, an annual photography programme organised jointly by the Mayor of Lagoa and the University of the Algarve.

For more details and to buy Algarve 63, visit the website.

 www.encontrosfotografialagoa.pt/algarve-63

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well as the author himself.

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10 minutes with…

Pedro Encarnação Pedro, 40, is a three-time national wrestling champion who goes by the name ArteGore. He is also the president of APW, the Portuguese wrestling association which he helped establish. In his day job he works as a computer programmer for the Câmara. He lives in Portimão with his girlfriend, Ana. How did you first get into wrestling?

At the age of eight I would sneak into the living room to watch foreign channels on pirate TV. One day I remember turning on Sky One and seeing [late Canadian wrestler] Rowdy Roddy Piper saying he was going to teach some guy a lesson. He did it with such intensity and passion that I was instantly hooked and wanted to know more. It was like seeing the heroes and villains from cartoons come to life!

What’s the history of wrestling in Portugal?

Wrestling had a huge boom here in the sixties, with wrestlers such as Tarzan Taborda and Carlos Rocha, but when they retired no-one continued their legacy.

It had a small revival from 2006 to 2010 and now it is growing once again, with the various Portuguese organisations (as well as the APW there’s also the WP, CTW and WSW) holding shows in Portugal and even around the world.

How would you summarise wrestling for our readers?

Wow, that’s a hard one! Wrestling is action, drama, emotion, happiness and despair, all mixed into a show that promises to move everyone in the audience. It’s fought in a ring, inside of which we can do anything, but there is one guarantee: we always tell a story.

How were you involved in establishing the APW? When I was 14, myself and a group of guys got together at the beach to try wrestling for ourselves. I called myself Zombie, and the others were Caveman

 @apwwrestling

(Luis Pargana), Doomsday Machine (Daniel Nunes) and Vitor Amaro. We just tried to copy what we saw on TV, which I must stress is dangerous.

I would not advise that others do the same, but luckily we didn’t cause any serious injuries! Over time the group grew and we even started to attract an audience. Then a guy called Mad Dog (Carlos Sequeira) suggested we set up a wrestling association. This is how the APW began.

I left initially to focus on my studies but returned in 2006, first as just a wrestler. Then I became fiscal secretary and vice-president before becoming president. I’m also a coach, promoter and friend to members. The APW is like my second family.

What have been your most memorable matches?

I fought Joe E. Legend in the semi-final of the European Championship in 2012. He is awesome, and has been in all the major leagues - ECW, WCW, WWE. At one time he held five belts. It was a great match, but unfortunately I lost. Another memorable one was my first match on TV, against Jimmy Best and Mad Dog. What do you enjoy doing outside of wrestling?

Plenty! I love writing, football, photography and movies. I also love music and play drums, so I regularly check out the live bands at Bar Marginalia in Portimão. I like to ride my bicycle too, and wish we had more bike lanes here. I like to go to the top of the Serra de Monchique - there’s a great sense of freedom that you can’t get anywhere else.

What do you love most about living in the Algarve?

The sea. I went to college in Beja which I loved, but I missed the smells and sounds of the ocean.

 geral@apwwrestling.pt

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Diplomatic Ramblings

Although based in Almaty, Kazakhstan during my posting as Ambassador in the late 90s I was also accredited to neighbouring Kyrgyzstan. In many ways I preferred dealing with the Kyrgyz as they tended to take themselves less seriously than the resource-rich Kazakhs. But more importantly perhaps they were more accessible as they were all based in Bishkek whereas the Kazakh authorities were in the throes of moving between Almaty and the new Capital Astana. I mentioned in a previous article how the Prince of Wales visit had created a huge range of high level contacts and this was particularly so in the President’s Palace in Bishkek.

I came to know the President’s chief of staff very well and was disappointed to learn that he was to be appointed as Ambassador to Washington. Before he left he rang me in Almaty to ask if I would be prepared to attend a small private party in Bishkek on a Saturday night and then spend the next day with him and his family.

He was a bit mysterious about the visit but thought maybe it would be better if

my wife Sue did not accompany me. So on the said Saturday night I duly waited outside the hotel to be met by a private car driven by the Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs. Already in the back of the car were my Chief of Staff friend and the Kazakh State Secretary – essentially the second in charge after the President. The mystery, and why my wife was not invited, was that they had taken over a small sauna parlour for the evening where the intention was that we ate, drank and had saunas all evening, while they picked my brains about how Kyrgyzstan could go about improving the investment climate to attract foreign business! It was a surreal experience sitting in the altogether with the Kyrgyz great and good – as per the local custom quaffing large amounts of vodka yet getting into the complex detail involved. It was even more remarkable how, over the next couple of years, many of the legal changes we had discussed became implemented.

But it was great the next day to spend quality time with my friend and his family in the hills above Bishkek including watching a yurt being assembled from scratch (picture). He set off for Washington the following week.

I tried to spare as much time as possible to visit Kyrgyzstan and managed once an extended visit to the troubled Fergana Valley in the east - which had been the scene of serious ethnic disturbances between the Kyrgyz and Uzbek inhabitants.

BY DOUG MCADAM

This was a throwback to Soviet times when the meandering border had been arbitrarily drawn up, often splitting Kyrgyz, Uzbek and Tadjik families. There were also ongoing issues between Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan about water resources. A tiny aid project we had taken on near Osh, the regional capital, was helping a rural primary school fix its roof and they were very keen to express their thanks publicly. At the “thank you” ceremony I was presented with the huge stuffed head of a wild mountain sheep with battery-lit eyes. Quite grotesque but I was bound to accept it. I had great fun trying to get it on board our tiny aircraft back to Bishkek!

During a later visit to Bishkek I learned of the death of Princess Diana. I had a number of official visits lined up in around Bishkek over the next couple of days so informed my Deputy in Almaty that I would not break my visit on account of the news. But we discussed how, to cover the eventuality of mourners turning up at the Embassy, he might set up a condolence book in our reception. I was amazed to learn a few days later that the Embassy had almost been overwhelmed by Kazakh visitors who had to form a long queue in the street as they were eager to express their regrets in our condolence book! Kazakhs to whom we subsequently spoke greatly admired her charity work.

Doug retired to the Algarve 13 years ago after over 40 years in the Foreign Office.

Golfers give generously The Celebration Trophy at Espiche Golf at the end of June was a great success with 84 men and women players taking part in the Longest Day Challenge.

The format of this year's competition was an open pairs better ball stableford. First place honors went to Robert Pearson and Ian Mackay.

Organisers said: “The course was in prime condition and looked fantastic.” At the end of the competition over 100 people attended a BBQ lunch at Espiche’s Gecko Restaurant. Over the course of this special day, €870 was raised for the local Bombeiros charity.

Winners: Bob Pearson and Ian Mackay 2nd Place: Joseph Hollebrand and Jeanette Hollebrand

3rd Place: Brian Probert and Linda Severn 4th Place: Jeff Wright and Valerie Wright 5th Place: Filipe da Silva and Liz Allport Nearest the Pins 5th: Paul Cotterell 7th: Uwe Rugenhagen 12th: John Duffield 15th: Elisabet Lowa Longest Drive Ladies: Luz Schmaelzk Longest Drive Men: Perry Lloyd The trophy was kindly donated by members Geoff and Linda Severn. Espiche Golf said: “A very big thank you to all the players and guests who supported the event.”

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 www.espiche-golf.com

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Living the dream Many people move to the Algarve looking for a new life. This month our editor, Amber Henshaw, spoke to Graham Jones who moved to Lagos from London after a serious car accident made him rethink his priorities.

Please tell us about yourself I was born in South London, near Crystal Palace, and went to secondary school locally in Beckenham. (The same school that generated Haircut 100 from the 80s for those that remember). Beckenham can claim many a pop fame. Bowie lived there, Billy Idol went to college in Bromley, Siouxsie Sioux was from there too. So music played an important part in my life, and still does.

yourself, as a person, than any book can teach you and that will stay with you. It will form your core values in life.

When you moved to the Algarve what were you hoping for?

So far, all that I have achieved. New friends, a different pace of life, more time to spend outdoors, a new career path, exploring and embracing a different culture.

Tell us more about your new venture I wanted to leave corporate UK behind and tread a very different path that encompassed a form of customer service here in the Algarve, so I am now a fully trained massage therapist.

Please tell us about how you came to the Algarve A serious car accident some years ago left me with a need to move eventually to a warmer climate. Having been to Portugal quite a few times, it was a no brainer to eventually make the move.

Lagos seemed the obvious place. It is central where everything is to hand and not too commercial. I loved the chillaxed atmosphere here that Portugal provides.

Please tell us about your professional background I started work in the office of the local crematorium (for another time!), moving into insurance and then into a wider career of customer service and learning and development, ending up working in social housing, construction and also local government positions.

How would you describe your stance on life?

Definately, a people person. Personally, just go for. Having packed up and sold everything in the UK previously and then travelled and lived in North America, I can honestly say, you will learn more about

I had always had massages in the UK and some osteopathy treatments so I wanted to know more about how I could look after my body better and how it all works.

And importantly, when something does go wrong, understanding why. Learning anatomy and physiology along with massage, makes the massage itself a brilliant way to relieve stress, tension or just to have a relaxing time. It really does work so well.

I practice at the Estetica para Profissionais in Lagos, near the Black Ball Roundabout.

We are open from 10am to 6pm and until 2pm on Saturdays. I work at the place I was trained at as I needed a base that was known and complimented the other treatments that people require. It really is a one stop shop for all your needs. I am mobile too with my own equipment if that is more convenient for customers

What aspects of the massage business do you particularly like?

Getting to know the customers and helping them get back on track. People can walk in a bit low. I believe that your body retains what your mind cannot process.

Often, after a few sessions, people find headaches have gone, there are no more uncomfortable back issues and they are back to swimming and undertaking that hike they always promised themselves they would do.

What do you offer that is different to other people in the same business Let’s be honest, there a lot of massage people out there and some people are hesitant to have a massage from a guy.

Believe me, there is no difference. For me, you have to offer flexibility and work around your customer’s needs. In offering Swedish massage with a bit of sports massage, people often think that it’s a light touch.

My experience has shown people like to ‘feel’ a massage to know that it is doing them good. I like to see my customers more than once and not make it a one off visit as issues can often take more than one visit to rectify. It is also my job to make the environment as comfortable and relaxing as possible What is your ambition?

To build up a portfolio of customers that leave, having had a massage, knowing they are not treated like any other massage customer and go ‘Wow’. I would like to have my own premises too.

 gjjmassage.com  GJJ Massage  gjjmassage@gmail.com

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All images © Alexandre Manuel

From linguistics to landscape

BY STEPHANIE GINGER

Alexandre Manuel and his search for simplicity

If you wander along Praia da Luz promenade almost any afternoon during the summer months, a small stall selling exquisite black and white photographs of the Algarve will undoubtedly catch your eye.

The stall belongs to Portuguese photographer Alexandre Manuel and a few years ago I bought one of Alexandre's high quality prints - a tempestuous study of a raging sea at Sagres - as a present for my brother. Since then, I’ve wanted to talk to the man behind these fine art pictures which show a truthful side to the Algarve that most summer visitors, let’s be honest, would not be aware of otherwise.

So here I am on a blistering July afternoon in the shade of a canopy behind his display.

With one eye on passing trade and the sound of the seashore in our ears, he tells me about his life and his art. I quickly realise that, like his extraordinary awardwinning photos, Alexandre, with his ready smile and lilting french accent, is anything but ordinary.

For starters, what I didn’t expect is that photography is Alexandre’s second career.

His first was as an academic in Semiotics and Linguistics.

He was brought up in a close family from the far eastern Algarve on the Guadiana River; his mother from the little village of Castro Marim just outside Vila Real de Santo Antonio and his father from Monte Gordo. Following school, he went to the

University of Besançon, in north-eastern France to study Semiotics, a philosophical approach that seeks to interpret messages in terms of signs and patterns. These signs can be linguistic, i.e. in a word or a sound or they can be visual, within images.

“I spent many years in France,” he explains, first gaining a degree, then a Masters.

“My specialism was visual semiotics,” he explains: the analysis of visual images and how they communicate a particular message. Following that, he then went on to do a PhD in the visual semiotic study of TV News. “For that I had to analyse big dramatic events reported on the TV such as Nine Eleven and the Tsunami (in Thailand) of 2004-5.”

For a decade between 2000 and 2010 Alexandre watched and recorded television news, analysing the differences between American, French and Portuguese methods of reporting disasters; how they build emotions and drama.

By 2010, he had returned to Portugal to teach Semiotics at Faro University and Linguistics and French at the Lyceum. And it was about this time that his innate urge to do something else, something artistic, began to take hold.

So what made him take that leap into the landscape, as it were? Did he wake up one day thinking he’d had enough studying pain and anguish and it was time to do something else?

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“Something like that,” he admits, hand on heart. “It was always inside me, the dream to do something artistic. I spent every day for years studying real-life drama in which people die, I wanted to do the opposite.

I wanted to create something beautiful.

Something simple. With no people.” He grins. “I used to tell my colleagues as a joke ‘One day, I’m going to change everything.

Do something for myself. Maybe I’m going to be an artist or maybe I’ll just make soap!’”

Soap turned out not to be an option, but the lure of the lonely landscape gradually drew him in and finally he resigned from teaching and took the risky decision to indeed “change everything” and make photography his career.

And did his decision to throw up a respected academic career for the precarious existence of a fine art photographer cause conflict within his family?

“It was very bad in the beginning,” he admits ruefully. “When I got my PhD my family were so very proud – particularly as I had the best results in my year. They just didn’t understand! But now they are very supportive and are very proud of what I’ve achieved. They even help me with publicity.”

Until a few years ago, Alexandre used analogue photography, printing the black and white and Sepia prints himself. These days however, the increasing scarcity and expense of the analogue system as well as improvement in digital equipment means 

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that he now works almost exclusively in digital media and has his work printed in Albufeira to ensure it is of the highest standard.

Digital photography does not necessarily mean less gear to carry around however; with at least a camera, tripod, lenses, shutter delay, filters and a remote.

So where does he begin?

“A good photograph is a moment in time,” he explains. “For me, I can get inspiration from anywhere; a postcard, a book or maybe even from Google maps. I see some potential and I get ideas from that.”

“Weather is very important,” he says. “Winter has a kind of purity and I’m always trying to extract the beauty and wildness in a landscape. I hardly ever take photographs in summer. Unlike most people in Portugal, I don’t like the sun. Summer light is too strong. The irony is you could call me ‘Mr. Sunshine’ because everywhere I go the sun seems to shine!”

were two mountains. One range of mountains in Huangshan, I managed to get a photograph I really like (pictured), but I climbed another mountain range Zhangjiajie for four hours, something like six thousand steps and got nothing because of the weather! Not one picture!” He laughs. “But I like to be positive, so I look at the week I spent there as being useful for next time because now I know exactly where to go.”

It’s hard to make a living solely from artistic photography, but it’s clear Alexandre is on the right track; In the last few years he’s won or been placed in a number of prestigious international awards for fine art, architecture and landscape photography, including European (Landscape) Professional Photographer of the Year 2015.

And his talent is by no means confined to Portugal.

This year alone, he’s travelled to China, Vietnam, Japan and Iceland to take photos and he is represented by the Adega Gallery in Lagoa, Sâo Mamede in Lisbon as well as galleries in Lugano, Switzerland and Sâo Paulo, Brazil.

And does he recognise a great picture straightaway?

And for the future?

Find Alexandre Manuel between 1-9pm on the promenade, Luz Beach Also available at the specialist Portuguese emporium in Lagos Mar D’Estorias on Rua Silva Lopes in the historic centre of Lagos.

“Technique is important and I spend a lot of time on composition and calculating the light, for example, but it’s not just about technical skill. It’s an emotional connection between me and the picture. Sometimes it’s an instant thing, but then again at other times it’s like music; the more you listen to it, the more you love it. A good photograph can be like that. Each time you look at it, you see something else.”

“It can be very frustrating too,” he admits.

“Occasionally, when I’m travelling for example, I know exactly what I want and when I get there, the conditions are not right.”

This happened on his recent visit to China “There

 www.alexandrephotography.com/gallery

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Alexandre replies with a bright smile. “I’ll keep going, of course! I want to return to China in the winter and finish what I started. I’d like to produce a book of my photos to show to the galleries. The most important thing is that I’m doing what I love.”

Until then you can find Alexandre and his work on the promenade at Luz and in Mar D’Estorias in Lagos, an important outlet giving much-needed support to local artists and artisans. There’s no doubt though, that what he’d really like is for more international galleries to take him on so that he can get out on the road and concentrate on what he does best. Taking the perfect picture.

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Love of the Algarve landscape There’s so much creative talent in the Algarve, that we have decided to shine a light on some of the many artists who live and work here. This month we spoke to Liz Allen who finds inspiration in the local landscape.

I was brought up in Sevenoaks in Kent, and have an older sister. I, my father and sister all liked to paint and draw. My father worked as an engineer in London and abroad, but at the weekends he indulged his passion for photography, turning the bathroom into a darkroom.

My parents were always busy, doing things on the house and large garden, then they found a bit of time to run an allotment and do dressmaking. Oddly, when I'm not painting, I am often taking photos, growing vegetables or dress making.

I took a foundation course in Art at Croydon College of Art and Design prior to studying Fine Art painting at Bath Academy of Art from 1976-79.

I moved to the Algarve in 2005 with my ex-partner although I’d never set foot here before.

We had no preconceived ideas about how things should be, we just knew that we wanted a quiet place in the country with some land around us.

My style of painting is a bit of Naive, (in that I don't use a lot of perspective), combined with the bold flatness of Pop Art. There is a term sometimes used for a genre of contemporary painting – ‘Faux Naïve’ (falsely naive) used by contemporary painters such as Jules de Balincourt, which I think could also be applied to my work.

As I live rurally and have a great deal of land, there is usually something to be done outside (unless it's winter, when I barricade myself inside) as well as tending my vegetables in the spring and summer.

Going to get supplies and groceries can take most of the day, as the drive to Portimão or Lagoa takes an hour or two there and back. Finally, in the afternoons, I settle down to painting. I find it hard to paint in the morning though.

Since living in the Algarve, the landscape has been my primary source of inspiration, and the last few years, I seem to have focused more on the landscape around Monchique. I don't tend to plan my work but when I am completing a painting, the next one will

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suggest itself. Recently, I have been trying different subjects however, one being prompted by the Spring Equinox at Praia Amoreira in Aljezur and another a party I went to at a very scenic location on Picotta.

The arts scene in the Algarve is lively and has a wide range of artists working and living here. There are artists working alone, and in groups, one of which, the Algarve Artists Network has been going for 10 years this year. This group meets once a month and holds several group exhibitions each year.

Although there are many very good professional artists here, there are only a few art galleries, and artists have to search around to find good exhibiting opportunities.

The Algarve arts scene has changed since I have been living here - galleries I once exhibited at have closed down, and exhibiting spaces lost to other causes... I think that the financial crises has been responsible for the closure of such shops and galleries, which haven't really been replaced.

One of my greatest successes has been my open studio which I hold at my home gallery in Chilrão, near Monchique, usually on the last Sunday of each month. It has been good to make personal contact with clients, which I prefer to selling through a gallery, where you don't often meet the purchasers of your work.

The next Algarve Artists Network group exhibition will be in the Museo Municipo de Faro entitled Eis Nos! (Here We Are!) which begins on August 8th and continues until mid- September. Apart from these, my work is on exhibition at the Ochala Casa de Cha, 12 Rua Samora Gil, Monchique, which is ongoing.

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Jacquie’s Algarve legion of fundraisers

BY MATT D’ARCY

Jacquie Collins, Freeman of the City Of London, is the face of the Royal British Legion in Portugal, supported by her ex-army husband Robert.

And with another Remembrance Sunday barely three months away they are bracing themselves for a busy time as they and their team here on the Algarve prepare for a flurry of fundraising activities.

RBL events—dinners, lunches, golf days etc—are a high priority on the Algarve’s social calendar and, on average, raise a hugely impressive €32,000 annually for the Poppy Appeal.

The various amounts raised fluctuate depending on the time of the year, as Jacquie explained. “The donations in the airports and ports increase if Remembrance time coincides with half term,” she told us.

“Naturally, this is all extremely dependent on our volunteers, and how many shifts they can do, or how many trays they can take and collect in bars and restaurants.

“If we had more people at Faro Airport, for instance, we can cover all the key UK flights on busy days, so we are always on the lookout for more volunteers to do this important work.”

Jacquie’s involvement in the British Legion was triggered because husband Robert, known to friends as Bob, has had a lifelong affinity with the organisation. He and his father were both servicemen; his father in the two World Wars, and Bob a career soldier serving 22 years, including four rotations on active service.

Jacquie’s career was spent as a financial lawyer, and although she doesn’t have any sheep or cattle she would be allowed to herd them across London Bridge if she did!

This is a privilege accorded to a Freeman of the City of London, an honour bestowed on Jacquie through her Guild, the Solicitors’ Company, for her work on the City Of London Crime Prevention Association. This organisation was set up to prevent and deter crime in the financial, commercial and residential sectors of the famous Square Mile. Born in Bideford, north Devon, Jacquie read law at Bristol

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University before being articled to a law firm in the City of London where she specialised in commercial property law. Jacquie—who also gave birth to her daughter Louise-Amy—during this time, recalled: “At first I found it very interesting. But eventually I realised I needed to be involved not just in advising clients, but in deal-making and problemsolving which was much more challenging and exciting.”Jacquie switched to an American bank, a move which launched her on a career in financial law with a string of international companies, mainly as in-house Counsel. Rising from officer level to VicePresident.

At this time, 30 years ago, Jacquie met Cheltenhamborn Bob at a committee meeting for the Bishopgate Crime Prevention Association in what is known simply as The City, being the centre of the UK’s trading and financial services industries.

Jacquie explained: “I had seen a crime prevention film and felt compelled to write a letter of feedback to the Chairman. He contacted me to say they needed a female voice on the committee and that I had some interesting observations to make.

“So, in a sense I was hoisted by my own petard!

“Robert was also there as Head of Security and Manager, Support Services at the Bank of Montreal in London, due to his 22-year experience with the Royal Military Police, and we hit it off right away”Jacquie’s career continued to escalate. She became Secretary and General Counsel for the Birmingham Midshires Building Society based in Wolverhampton, which meant the family re-locating to Shropshire.

At that time Bob, who retired at the rank of Regimental Sergeant Major, was advised by his medical consultant to move to a warmer climate for health reasons. This was a move that had always been in their long-term plans and after weighing up the options of Greece, Italy, Spain—dismissed because of the problems associated with owning property in that country—they decided Portugal ticked all the boxes.

“Everything was right about it,” said Jacquie. “The climate, the lifestyle, the practically risk-free ease of acquiring property and the ease of travel to and from the UK where we had both young and ageing families suited both of us.”

They moved here in 2000, buying a hilltop property between Praia da Luz and Burgau. But at the same time Jacquie was offered a position in the Cayman 

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seat was taken by insurance loss adjusters!

“The pilot told us the main runway was under water and I said ‘what’s he talking about—there’s only ONE runway’,” smiled Bob. Soon after, Jacquie went to work for the Indian bank ICICI, which she said was a fascinating time, giving her an insight into some vastly different procedures. She smiled: “The Indians don’t throw technology at problems—they throw bodies at them!”

Finally, Jacquie switched to Citibank which allowed her to work from home for the last three years of her employment with them, before she joined Bob in retirement.

Islands, and she moved there for almost three years. It wasn’t all glamour on these gloriously beautiful islands, a tax haven with a thriving tourist industry.

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And in September 2004, while Bob was back in Portugal, the Cayman Islands were hit by Hurricane Ivan***, one of the most ferocious storms on record.

“It was a really traumatic experience,” recalled Jacquie. “Half of our roof was torn off and the sea surge reached to within 6ft of the front door.

“Robert was tracking the hurricane on the computer back home and he was good enough to tell me that the eye of the hurricane hadn’t yet passed, so what whatever we were going through, we were going to go through again after the lull!

“The average height above sea level in the Cayman islands is just five feet (the highest point there is only 50ft) so there was a real fear we would be engulfed by the sea.

“After the storm did pass, the house was suddenly invaded by land crabs seeking shelter. I was sharing my living room with these creatures!”

Bob flew out on the first plane cleared to land—a plane where almost every other

But two such active minds required further stimulation, so the RBL became the next project into which they threw themselves.

Jacquie said: “Bob had been a career soldier with a deep sense of commitment to the military and his comrades, and was very aware of the British Legion’s sense of duty to service personnel past and present.

“He was a member but did not actively participate because, as I was away so much, he didn’t want to attend functions on his own. But once I came back here to live full-time in retirement we wanted to get involved.

“And almost by osmosis I started as secretary on the Algarve sub-committee, then of the branch for four years before I became Chairman and Bob became Secretary”.

Membership in Portugal has been growing steadily—including an expansion along the Algarve’s west coast—but they are now launching an active programme of recruitment. “There are 320 members in Portugal, half of them on the Algarve,” said Jacquie. “The second biggest branch is on Madeira”.

Bob’s father, a British Legion member himself, served throughout World War One, and after being turned down at the outbreak of WW2 in 1939 because of his age as he twice tried to join up for active service, he was given the rank of sergeant

and placed in command of an anti-aircraft battery.

Bob, after rising through the ranks to become a Warrant Officer Class One, then a Regimental Sergeant-Major, also saw active service, in Borneo, Malaysia and Aden, plus tours In Northern Ireland, like many other servicemen during the emergency.

He also served in Canada briefly, Germany, in and Rhodesia with the Commonwealth monitoring force made up of service personnel from virtually all the Commonwealth countries, overseeing the transfer of power from the Ian Smith to the Robert Mugabe regimes.

Incidentally, Army jargon for RSM is “Number One Top Soldier”, and that says it all about Bob’s career which also included serving on protection details, accompanying Government ministers as they travelled abroad.

Should you be interested in enjoying some of the Legion’s social activities here on the Algarve these are details of forthcoming events: East Algarve monthly suppers Throughout the summer are held on the first Sunday of each month.

Contact:  prladbrook@aol.com Central Algarve lunches Take place on the third Wednesday in the month, and recommence in September.

Contact:  prladbrook@aol.com Veterans’ & Amateur Golf Day On November 11th—the day before Remembrance Sunday—the Western Algarve branch is holding a Veterans’ & Amateur Golf Day at Boa Vista Golf Resort between Lagos and Praia da Luz, with some disabled ex-servicemen taking part.

For the golf details please contact  janicegalloway@hotmail.co.uk To book lunch at the event please get in touch with Jacquie at:  rblportugalchairman@gmail.com

***On September 11th 2004 the island of Grand Cayman, which lies largely unprotected at sea level, was hit by Hurricane Ivan, creating an 8-ft storm surge which flooded many areas of Grand Cayman. An estimated 83% of the dwellings on the island were damaged including 4% requiring complete reconstruction. A reported 70% of all dwellings suffered severe damage from flooding or wind. Another 26% sustained minor damage from partial roof removal, low levels of flooding, or impact with floating or wind driven hurricane debris. Power, water and communications were disrupted for months in some areas as Ivan was the worst hurricane to hit the islands in 86 years.

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Community

Images by: © Brian Jutsum © Sue Bedford © Neale Hayes

Caring west coast A caring community on the Algarve's west coast jumped into action to raise €2,260 for their local fire fighters following the devastating fires in the north of Portugal.

The residents of Vale da Telha outside Aljezur were moved by the heroic and selfless actions of the firefighters who so bravely and fearlessly tackled those huge outbreaks at Pedrógão Grande, where 62 people died.

Brian "DJ Rockindad" Jutsum, a charity fund-raising disc jockey, along with guitarist Richard Brogan-both Vale da Telha residents--quickly organised a Bombeiros Benefit Concert at the Restaurante Vale Da Telha.

BY MATT D’ARCY

fund-raiser, calling themselves 'Musicians Supporting The Bombeiros".

"The concert was sold out in just a couple of days, with 148 people attending. The Shakespearos, together with Diamond and Pearl and local singer/ songwriter Jackie Meadows, put on a fantastic show which everybody hugely enjoyed."

Brian, who rounded off the night by playing a 70s and 80s DJ set, added: "It was a magical night which, with some anonymous donations, raised €1,760 including €135 from an auction of two oil paintings by a local artist, €410 by raffling some amazing prizes donated by local businesses and residents plus another €275 from sponsors of the poster to advertise the event.

He said: "We know from experience that our local bombeiros, many of them volunteers, are just as ready to risk their lives on our behalf.

"We will be meeting soon with the local bombeiros to discuss how best to use this money".

"You can't buy the kind of bravery and skill these men and women show in a time of crisis. But we can help to provide them with some of the resources they need to do the amazing job they do in such times.

Earlier in the month the local community association Amovate raised €500 from their annual Summer Solstice dinner and dance at Restaurante O Paulo on the clifftop at Arrifana.

"So, a number of musicians, including a UK band, the Shakespearos, offered their services free for this

Here, we show a selection of photographs from the two events.

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What's on

Images by: © Birch photography

Step back in time One of the major highlights in the Algarve every summer is the Silves Medieval Fair when thousands of visitors from across Portugal and Europe get transported back in time.

It’s a wonderful, colourful festival that recreates how the Moors and Christians lived in the Middle Ages. It takes place in Silves, which was the capital of the Algarve for a period during medieval times, between August 11th and August 20th.

During the festival there will be street performers including jugglers, acrobats,

dancers and snake charmers, who will exhibit their skills. It’s a great opportunity to see a live-action history lesson, including processions of noblemen, jousting tournaments and artisans and merchants offering their wares.

to the festival 7pm – Dramatizations of Daily Life | Various areas of the city 8pm – Tournament of Arms and Horses | Praça Al-Mu’thamid

Regional food and drink will be available.

The Silves Medieval Fair begins every night at 6pm and the nightly schedule includes:

10pm Entertainment in the Castle | Silves Castle

6pm – Festival Opens | Procession in the streets and squares

10.30pm – Tournament of Arms and Horses | Praça Al-Mu’thamid

6.30pm – Reading of the Notice | Entrance

For more information:  Feira Medieval de Silves

Outdoor arias Summer is truly upon us and the Western Algarve Community Choir invites you once again to join it for its traditional evening sing-along performances in Luz. Throughout August the choir traditionally takes some of its rehearsals outdoors - its performance date for this month is Tuesday August 1st. Anyone is welcome to join in...or if you prefer you can just sit, relax and take in the atmosphere while the group sings some of its favourite summer songs for you. The choir will meet at 6.45pm and the performance will last for around an hour...so if

you're heading out for an evening meal, or simply enjoying a leisurely stroll along the front, there's time to catch up with the community choir first and enjoy some singing in the sunshine. You can find them on the walkway beside the beach and they are looking forward to seeing you there!

The Western Algarve Choir is an all-inclusive choir with no auditions or previous singing experience necessary, and a strong emphasis on singing for fun.

For more information about joining, performances or bookings, please contact choir leader Elizabeth.

For more information contact Elizabeth Roberts Honey:  elizabeth_roberts15@hotmail.com

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All brought to you by the friendliest crew in Lagos!

Rua Lanรงarote de Freitas 26 Lagos 8600 605 www.3monkeys.me.uk threemonkeyslagos

What's on

From left to right and top to bottom: Rags To Riches 2014; Rhyming Diary Of Mrs Pepys 2015; Passionate Pilgrim 2016; Diesel Maiden 2017

From stage to screen

BY CAROLYN KAIN

An inside story told by a group of random players. Spanning the distance between Lynne Booker in Tavira and Natalie Galland in Lagos, we are an international team of 20 actors, a costume and set designer, a film- maker and a writer.

Our first theatrical venture was in the summer of 2014 to celebrate the centennial anniversary of the town of Sâo Brås de Alportel. In the space of 30 minutes we told the true but tragic life story of Miguel Dias, the founder of the town's museum.

It was a tentative beginning encouraged by an established theatre group, Aperitivo, who loaned us a director. Our writer, Carolyn Kain created a rhyming poem that included two narrators, lines for the actors and a great deal of action.

The group's confidence was boosted by successful reviews and compliments. We forged ahead the following year with our own Dutch director, Thomas Hartmann and a full length production entitled, The Rhyming Diary of Mrs Pepys. This story focussed on the hapless Portuguese princess Catherine of Braganza who married the licentious English king, Charles II. By the summer of 2016 we were ready to launch an even grander historical production, The Passionate Pilgrim. Again the story was based on fact, with all the actors speaking in rhyme and an elaborate opening scene showing the marriage procession of the Portuguese king, Dom Joao I to Philippa of Lancaster. The devout queen makes a pilgrimage to the holy site of Santiago de

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Compostela and as happens in Chaucer's Canterbury Tales it turns into a bawdy rollick!

Meanwhile The Rhyming Diary of Mrs Pepys was published in the UK and one of the Portuguese actors, Miguel Cosme, extended his interest in photography to purchase a movie camera and a drone. He introduced himself as SkyeVision and for the theatre group this was an opportunity not to be missed. As a result this summer the group's new production is a film, The Algarve's Diesel Maiden.

Narrated in rhyming verse by Barbara Mountford and Simon Tubb it follows the railway journey from Vila Real in the east all along the route to Lagos. It contains scenes of our actors playing the parts of eccentric passengers on the train and drone footage from the air. There are many local environmental issues raised using views of unspoiled countryside and parts of the Algarve's less developed coastline.

The film will be shown at the Faro Film Festival between August 23rd and 26th. Also to be screened by the Algarve History Association in Tavira and Lagoa as part of a wider talk on the development of transport across Portugal.

What's on

Algarve 41 Club invites new members Calling all former Round Tablers!

Brimming with colour Lagos Sunset Colour Party - Solid Colours is a celebration to mark Youth Day and will be held on August 13, at 6pm at Porta de Vila Sports Complex.

Part of the money raised by this event, organised by the Lagos Youth Association, will be donated to the Lagos Voluntary Firefighters.

Tickets which cost €3.50 can be bought from the association or at Papelaria Natal and Lagos Surf Center.

On stage will be artists like DJ TobyOne - co-founder of the Funk Royale soundsystem and participant in events such as Bestival in the UK, Bowlriders World Skate in Marseille, Arrifana Sunset Fest in Aljezur, and a concert in Wembley, a night that was considered "one of the best of 2009"

by Timeout magazine.

DJ Rhythm - already known for his presence at Milkshake Party nights at NoSoloÁgua Portimão, as well as playing at festivals such as Festival F Kristóman - guest of DJ Rhythm - and DJ Kwan, one of the official DJs of the Mega Hits radio.

This event counts on the partnerships of Lagos City Council, São Gonçalo de Lagos Town Council and Odiáxere Junta da Freguesia, as supporters, and McDonald's de Lagos, Adega da Marina, Casas do Barlavento, Cerveja Sagres, Hospital São Gonçalo and António Ferreira, as sponsors.

Being a Youth Festival, there is also the support of the Students Associations of the Gil Eanes and Júlio Dantes High Schools in Lagos.

For those not in the know, Round Table is a community and fellowship organisation that was established in 1928. At the age of 40, ‘Tablers’ - as its members are know - graduate to the 41 Club, the Algarve branch of which was set-up in 1985 by founding chairman Robert Todman.

Today the club has 50 members, some of which live full-time in Portugal, although around half are regular visitors with holiday homes here. Together with the members’ wives and partners, the club is very active on the Algarve!

In May the club had its annual changeover, the time when the old chairman hands over to a new chairman.

This was marked with five days of celebrations that included parties, golf, bowling, a formal AGM and a black tie ladies’ festival, which this year was held at Penina Golf Resort.

Some 85 members, wives, partners and

guests attended to say thank you to outgoing chairman Bob Montague for a fantastic year, and to welcome new chairman Paul Taplin.

The club meets on the first Tuesday of every month at O Farol restaurant in the Rocha Brava resort just outside Carvoeiro. A 1pm meeting of members is followed by lunch with wives and partners - a very convivial way to spend a Tuesday afternoon. In addition, on the third Tuesday of every month there is a social meeting, with past events featuring a quiz night, dinner at a member’s home and even a ten pin bowling trip.

If you are an old Round Tabler or a member of a 41 Club anywhere in the world and you are now living in or regularly passing through the Algarve, you are invited to join the Algarve 41 Club. Please contact vice-chairman Geoff Harnett who will be delighted to give you further information on the club.

For more information:  gvharnettalgarve41club@aol.com

Get together

BY KIRSTEEN LANDERT The next meeting of the Alzheimer's/ Dementia Support Group will be on August 23rd at 11am at Restaurant Pirilampo in Lagos.

The support group started four years ago. People exchange experiences and strategies on how to deal with challenging behaviour, continence issues, nutrition, carer's contacts, available appliances for the home and general tips which can help make life easier for all involved.

Through shared experiences the group can help UK citizens apply for

attendance and carers’ allowances if applicable; suggest where and how to get power of attorney, and a living will can be attained if desired.

Some of us also speak German and Portuguese. Please see the magazine for future dates and contact numbers.

Don't feel alone and isolated - give us a call or just join us at a meeting that suits you.

For more information: Carol  +351 926 297 527 or Kirsteen  +351 968 084 946

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What's on

Sport is cool in Lagos

BY LENA STRANG

José with his sports collection

Lagos will be host to hundreds of sporting teams around the world and fans can come face to face with their all time heroes.

Well, almost. From August 11th to the 25th (10am to 8pm) a mega exhibition of different sports modalities from over 50 countries will take place at the Lagos Sport Pavilion (behind the swimming pool). The exhibition entitled Sport is cool (O Desporto é fixe) is trying to prove just this.

On display will be over 3000 figurines of sports personalities and related memorabilia, representing a wide range of sports, including cycling, handball, basketball, cricket, rugby, hockey, boxing, motor racing and football. There are over 500 images of international teams on show with England being represented by miniatures of premier league football and rugby players, autographed footballs and biographies. You can also encounter legends such as Eusébio, French Platini and Dutch player Ruudi Gullitt along with Beckham, Figo, Zidani and of course, Ronaldo.

Motorsports fans won't be disappointed either as all the important international events will be represented. There is a philately section, featuring stamps of major world tournaments, including European and World events and the Olympic Games.

An added attraction will be the presence of well-

known athletes available to sign autographs.

The exhibition is a first for Lagos and the Algarve and probably for Europe too, José Búzio, the man behind the initiative, tells me. He is showcasing a collection of miniatures and memorabilia that has taken him decades to amass. Although his home is Praia da Luz, he spent 22 years in the United States where it all began. He worked as a sports journalist for a Portuguese radio station, played football for the Luso American Soccer Association and also refereed games. “It was with the money earned that I first started buying miniatures and sporting memorabilia," he says, “On my return back to Portugal a few years ago, I had to ship it all in two huge containers!” His collection is ever expanding, as his search for gems never seems to stop.

José obviously takes great pleasure in what he does but is also keen to share his treasures with others. Not only does he make his museum Salão de Colecção Búzio in Praia da Luz (showing part of his collection), available to visitors free of charge but he is hoping to reach a wider audience with the exhibition in Lagos.

His unique collections should provide something for everyone. Why not pop into the pavilion this month to see for yourself?

The exhibition is organised by the Junta de Freguesia de São Gonçalo, the Museum Colecção Búzio and supported by Lagos Câmara. Entrance is €1.50 (to assist in the purchase of glass display cabinets for the museum) and free for children under 13.

Anniversary celebrations!

Santo Antonio golf course is set to celebrate its 30th anniversary.

The Parque da Floresta golf course opened in 1987 and was designed by Pepe Gancedo, one of Spain´s most famous golf course architects whose design philosophy was to make courses enjoyable, traditional, challenging, and memorable with minimal alteration to the existing terrain.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary, the 1st Pepe Gancedo Trophy will take place on Wednesday

For more information:  golf.reservations@saresorts.com

August 16th. The day will commence with a Singles Stableford golf competition with a shotgun start at 9am.

Following the golf there will be a Prize Giving Buffet with a delicious menu, professional service and live entertainment. All the ingredients are there for a memorable event.

This celebration is open to everyone.

 +351 282 690 054

44

 www.saresorts.com

What's on

August Calendar Promote your events and activities here - it’s FREE! Email your listings to us: calendar@tomorrowalgarve.com

Classes Dog Training Tue 11am (Rally-Obedience) | Fri 11am & Sat 4pm (Agility), €25 4 sess. Espiche  +351 968 086 320 Dog Instruction Sat 5pm (Group dog lessons) 1st lesson by appointment, Hotel do CÃO Rasmalho, Portimão,  +351 964 083 602 African Dance Classes Mon 7 - 8.30pm (Teatro Experimental de Lagos) & Tue 10.30am - 12pm (Aljezur), €10  +351 964 588 588 Music Lessons all styles, 1-2-1 guitar, piano & voice beginners & intermediate theory & performance, €25 p.h Lagos & Sagres area  +351 964 201 904 Life drawing Mon 11am Beginners & Professionals, €10 p.sess Marina de Lagos  +351 916 035 308 Portuguese Language Beginners Class Tue & Thur 9.30, €6 Portelas  +351 912 417 994 Colour Your Life Healing painting classes Wed & Thurs 3pm| +/- 70yrs, no experience necessary, €10 Barão S. João  +351 962 039 574 Computer Classes Sat 10am, All levels Lagos,  +351 918 764 613 Open Studio/ Painting Atelier Wed & Thurs 11am for women to explore their creative potential, €10 Barão S. João  +351 962 039 574 Meditation Classes Thur 5.15pm Boavista Golf Luz  +351 963 614 499

Events

Activities Football Academy Mon 4.45pm (5-11 yrs) & 6.15pm (12 -16 yrs) & Sat 9am (7-11 yrs), 10.30am (3-6 Yrs) & 12pm (12-16 yrs) | €5, Adults Touch Rugby Thurs 7.30pm | €4, Burgau Sports Centre  +351 282 697 350 Walking Football Wed 9am +50yrs welcome, €3 Boavista +351 282 790 930 Netball Wed 7pm All ages & abilities, Behind Bombeiros Building, Lagos charlie.milsom@gmail.com

Live Saxophone Music Tues 7pm Boutique Hotel Vivenda Miranda, Lagos  +351 282 763 222 BBQ with Live Music Tues 6 - 9.30pm FREE face painting & more, €22 (Kids 4-12yrs €12) inc. salad & dessert buffet + 1 drink, Golf Santo Antonio,  +351 282 690 051 Bridge Tue & Fri 1.15pm Marina Bar, Lagos  +351 963 977 642

August 3rd Funky Latin Soul Ecelctic funk rock band 9 pm - midnight, Tickets Avaliable Now €5,  +351 964 078 191 O'Feedback Alcantarilha Gare August 19th Jazz on the Threshing Floor with the Hugo Alves Trio 9pm €19,50 inc. refreshment buffet with wine, cheese & homemade products, Quinta das Alagoas nr.

Almadena Reservation only:  +351 924204343

August 6th Megalithic Tour with archaeologist Ricardo Soares 7.30pm 2hrs 3km, €5 August 19th Alvor Walk & Oyster Tasting 8am, 2.5hrs 7.5km €20 More Walks/Tours Avaliable Quimera Experience, Reservations:  +351 969467275

Group Lesson Short Game Area & Driving Range Fri 2pm €15p.p Espiche Golf  +351 282 688 250 Swimming Lessons Mon & Thurs pm & Sat am €10 (mem.) /€12.50, Holiday Courses 3x per week €20 (mem.) /€25, Boavista  +351 917 953 914 ROLL UP for experienced bowlers Mon & Fri 10am, For Beginners Tue 11am (1st FREE), €10 (non mem.)

Floresta Bowls Club Luz  +351 919 707 635 Adult Ballet Mon & Wed 1pm | €9/€50p.m, Baby Ballet Sat 9.30am, Kids Dance Mon-Sat, €3 Move-Ment Dance Academy  +351 913 832 335 Trail Climb Trip 9am-1pm Beginners (12+yrs), €40 Lagos: Mon | 8.45am Alama Verde Parking Lot Sagres: Tues 8.45am Intermarché Sagres  +351 964 062 900 Fun Club (4-12yrs) MonSat 10am-6pm €25 (inc. lunch & tea) €15 half day, Golf Kids Lesson (4-16yrs) Tue & Fri 9.30am €12, Adults Try Golf Lesson €15, Tennis Technique Teens 3.30pm Kids 4.30pm Adults 5.30pm €15, Football Academy (4-15) 9.30am €18 (3=€45) Golf Santo Antonio  +351 282 690 008

Fitness

Mat Classes Mon Wed & Fri 9.15 & 10.30am & Mon 6.30pm €10 /€90 for 10 Equipment Classes Duet Reformer | Semi Private & 1-2-1, Pilates Room, Lagos  +351 926 514 613 Tai Chi/Qi Gong Wed 11am & Thurs 2pm Pilates Thurs 11am Yoga Wed 2pm, €7 Madrugada Centre, Luz  282 761 375 Gymn for a fit back Mon 6pm €7 Hotel Belavista, Luz  +351 965 211 996 Hatha Yoga Mon Wed & Fri 9.45 €10 Classes for Children Sat 9.15am (4-7 yrs) & 10.30am (8-12 yrs) Booking required Boavista, Luz  +351 282 790 930 Hatha Flow Mon-Wed 10am & Sat 9.30am YinYoga Tue 10am, Sat 6pm Yin & Yang Yoga Tues 8.30 Integral Yoga Sat 9.30am €5.80-€10 Tai Chi,QiGong & Meditation Wed 8am donation €3-5, Inlight, Lagos  +351 913 127 421

46

Gentle Hatha Mon 6.30 The Yoga Place, Burgau & Wed 12.15 - 2pm Hotel Belavista, Luz €8  +351 965 201 477 Yoga for all Tues & Thurs 10.30am, Slow Flow and Yin Yoga Wed 9.15am, €10/€65 for 8 residents | Above Clube do Grupo Desportivo Burgau,  +351 913 202 621 Tai Ji Quan Mon 10am (beg) & Thurs 5.30pm (adv), €10 Dojo Zen de Lagos Barão S. João,  +351 919 718 955 Hatha Yoga Mon & Fri 1pm 1xwk €32, 2xwk €45, Kundalini Yoga Tues & Thurs 6.30pm 1xwk €30, 2xwk €40, Meditation Group €7.50 Casa Sakra, Lagos  +351 916 060 814 Circuit Training Wed 10am Ladies Sport Fri 1.30pm €5 Zumba Mon & Wed 6pm €5 Burgau Sports Centre  +351 282 697 350 AR Mat Pilates Mon -Fri 8.30 9.30 10.30am & 6pm €10 Lagos  +351 966 784 280

Bootcamp Class Mon - Fri 7.30am 10am & 7pm, Yoga Tue & Thurs 9am, Pilates Mon Wed & Fri 9am Mobile Bootcamp Sat 9am, €10 Luz, AXN Club Cascade Resort, Lagos  +351 915 183 888 Body Push Tue 9.30am, Cardio Fitness Wed 9.30am, Pilates Tues & Thurs 11am, Yoga Wed 11am, Zumba Thurs 9.30am €5 Golf Santo Antonio  +351 282 690 086 Pilates Wed 11am, Yoga & De-stress Fri 11am, Zumba Dance Wed & Fri 10am, Step! & Tone (pre-book) Thurs 10am, €7.50 Hotel Belavista, Luz  +351968 288 258 Zumba Mon & Fri 9.45am €6 Alma Verde  +351 918 461 840 Hatha Yoga Tues 6pm Yin Yoga Sun 6pm €10 / €50 for 6 with Helen at The Pilates Room Lagos  +351 912 176 914

Charity/ Support Depression and Bipolar Support Group No charge, first Monday of every month 6.30pm to 8.30pm upstairs at Casa Inglesa Portimão  +351 914 878 927 August 23rd Alzheimer's/ Dementia Support Group 11am Restaurant Pirilampo, Lagos  +351 926 297 527  +351 968 084 946 Riding for Disabled Mon, Wed, Fri 10.30 | Volunteers welcome, weather permitting, Bensafrim,  +351 915 090 044 Cadela Carlota Animal Charity Three hour shifts am or pm, Almadena Shop, Trudy  +351 912 444 666 AA International English Speaking Meeting Wed 7.30pm, Rua Da Freguesia Lote 12c, Lagos  +351 282760506 AA Hotline:  +351 917 005 590

Faith

Communion Services 10am Thurs (followed by coffee & Bible Study/ discussion) Sun 8am (said) & 11.30 (choral), CoE | St Vincent’s Anglican Church Praia da Luz  +351 282 78 8104 Sound Healing 2nd Thurs 7.30pm, Figueira  +351 914 523 636 Zazen Zen Meditation Tue & Thurs 7.30am & Wed 7.30pm, €3 B. S. João  +351 919 718 955 Catholic Mass in English Sat 7 pm (Everyone Welcome), Church of Our Lady of Light | Luz

Useful Numbers General INFO: WWW.CM-LAGOS.PT EMERGENCY

112 HOSPITAL 282 770 100 RED CROSS 282 760 611 FIRE SERVICE 282 770 790 POLICE SERVICE 282 762 930 NATIONAL GUARD 282 770 010 TELECOM NAT. INFO 118 CITY COUNCIL 282 780 900 TOURIST OFFICE 282 763 031 TOWN INFO 282 764 111 TOURIST SUPPORT 808 781 212 TAXI SERVICE 282 460 610 BUS STATION 282 762 944 TRAIN STATION 282 762 987 TAXI : PEDRO COSTA 917 617 675 LAGOS CINEMA 282 799 138 CULTURAL CENTRE 282 770 450 HEALTH CENTRE 282 780 000 LUZ DOC (LUZ) 282 780 700 PRIVATE HOSPITAL 282 790 700 CHIROPRACTOR 282 768 044 DENTAL CLINIC 918 366 646 LAGOS VET 282 782 282 FUNERAL SERVICES 282 769 827 MOBILITY VEHICLES 964 230 225 ALL MOBILITY AIDS 282 760 611

Pharmacies/Chemist

LACOBRENSE NEVES CHEMIST RIBEIRO LOPES TELLO CHEMIST SILVA CHEMIST ODIAXERE CHEMIST

282 762 901 282 769 966 282 762 830 282 760 556 282 762 859 282 798 491

Consulates/Embassies BRITISH FRANCE GERMAN NETHERLANDS CANADA SWEDISH IRISH

282 490 750 281 380 660 289 803 181 289 820 903 289 803 757 213 942 260 213 308 200

No job too small PORTUGUESE LESSON 912 417 994 TRANSLATIONS 916 618 527 ALICE (PORTUGUESE) 914 269 118 GAVIN COX (BUILDER) 916 430 132 TRISTAN (HANDYMAN) 282 101 010 HELIO (ELECTRICIAN) 917 288 966 LUIS (LOCKSMITH) 964 605 213 CHIM. & WIN. CLEANER 926 860 123 RUSSELL (MECHANIC) 282 639 778 ANA (SEWING) 919 747 591 STEVEN (COMPUTERS) 936 387 512 PEDRO (COMPUTERS) 917 165 238 XELI (FLORIST) 282 768 129 UK DELIVERIES 0044 208 123 1966 DESIGN 916 606 226 ALISON HAIRDRESSER 918 663 352 PAINTING - INT / EXT 925 374 624

What's on

A new lease of life for Portimão Soup Kitchen Team Tomorrow rolled up its sleeves last month to help revamp the Soup Kitchen in Portimão. It was our third 'Giving Back Day', which is part of our ongoing commitment to help local charities. The soup kitchen needed some TLC and we were there to give it!

A merry band of workers set about giving the vast venue a lick of paint, starting work at 8am one Saturday morning and not putting down their paintbrushes until 5.30pm that night. Not only did we paint the entire hall, but we also carried out essential maintenance and gave the entryway a new lease of life.

Amongst the volunteers were David and James from the physical therapy clinic in Mexilhoeira Grande. Big thanks to Dave for painting the 17ft-high ceiling!

Special thanks must go also to David Flockheart who donated the paint for the day; he also donated his wife, Jeanette Fahlbusch, who spent the day with a roller in her hands and then washed all the chairs and tables.

Meanwhile, Alison Foo-Ryland from Your Life Live It funded the maintenance and other materials, without which we would not have been able to do this amazing transformation. This included a four foot by three foot mural for the wall which has brightened up the kitchen.

As we gave the keys back to the Soup Kitchen team who work so tirelessly during the week and on a Sunday, you could see their faces light up as they entered the transformed space. We also received great feedback from some of the people who use the kitchen for food and essentials during hard times.

The Soup Kitchen serves up to 70 people an evening during the week and up to 90 people on a Sunday, with demand rising in the winter months. The kitchen also serves as a place where people can collect clothes, shoes and other necessities. In the back, there is a place where the volunteers give haircuts and beard trims.

To donate to, volunteer at or learn more about Portimão Soup Kitchen, please contact Joy Borgan using the details below. To get involved with our next Giving Back Day, email Steven.

 borganjoy@gmail.com  +351 917 358 098  steven@tomorrowalgarve.com

48

What's on

Fantastic food fest Hundreds of people turned up for this year’s Lagos Food Fest which was held for three days last month.

It’s already become a hugely successful fixture on the summer menu and this years’ was bigger and better than ever.

There were visitors from across the globe mixing with locals sampling tasty food from a variety of weird and wonderful food trucks at very reasonable prices.

The food on offer included: bistronomique burgers, traditional hot dogs, vegan dishes, tacos, pekoras, paelhas, pregos, ice-creams and many other delicious desserts.

There were hundreds of people out early on the first night and the Academy of Lagos provided a great show by some of the area’s young and budding musicians.

50

One local resident told Tomorrow: “This was a great event and I am sure we will be expecting the event to get even bigger, better it cannot be.”

Another wanted to say: “Well done to all those who brought so much pleasure to locals and tourists alike.”

When asked how it went Event Coordinator Maria Nobre de Carvalho said: “We are delighted with the success of this year’s event. This year’s food fest was really boosted by live music and some great acts!”

She added that “Our goal with the Lagos Street Food Fest has always been not only to fill a gap in the events scene but to create community and a space for people to ‘live the city’. And I think we got it!"

What's on

Taking a moment to reflect Last month the Algarve Artists Network (AAN) celebrated 10 years of ever-changing art in Portugal with its Take A Moment Exhibition which opened with a celebration of music, food and drink on the Summer Solstice. The exhibition, which was held in the shady olive grove of artist Silvia Cavelti on a hilltop in Loulé, was open until the end of July.

The exhibition was a Land Art Project which featured a variety of original art in dialogue with the environment, with installations from 21 local artists.

Many of the artists had never made an ‘art installation’ before having worked primarily on flat surfaces but the event turned out to be a fantastic success.

One visitor said about the opening night: “At every tree people were busy and having fun. Guests were encouraged not only to view but to interact with artist’s installations, painting, writing poems and

52

wishes, or engaged in creative discussion with artists about their works.

“The heat abated and the cool evening of the summer solstice gave ample opportunity for over 300 guests attending the 10th anniversary celebration to Take a Moment and stroll along the flower dotted sand-path, get involved with art in a relaxed atmosphere listening to Martin Teutscher, the wandering minstrel on his saxophone. Only darkness falling persuaded the guests and artists to depart.”

AAN is a network of professional artists based in the Algarve who have been supporting each other through an exchange of ideas and skills since 2006.

The group has organised many diverse exhibitions over the years, including an exhibition in 2015 at Faro Airport.

 www:algarveartistsnetwork.com

What's on

DJ cool

BY SIMON MOULSON

It’s not every day that you get to hang out in the company of an international star but last month the well-known Portuguese DJ and music producer Pete Tha Zouk was back in the Algarve.

The Portuguese star who is originally from Olhão was spending some time with his wife and friends ahead of performing at Agua Moments in Vilamoura Marina.

He was on a Cool Charter yacht which have added DJ decks to the upper deck and a not too shabby sound system. This certainly made Pete, whose real name is Antonio Mendonca, feel very at home.

Some people say that Pete Tha Zouk is one of the most promising Portuguese DJs with fans across the globe including Europe, Asia, North America and Brazil. He was certainly enjoying his time basking in the glorious

sunset in Vilamoura Marina when we met him.

We were all on-board the Cool Charter yacht enjoying a chilled glass of bubbly. Our destination was to meander west and to take-in the stunning beauty of the Algarvean coastline; until we reached Benagil.

The Captain told us that he was hopeful in seeing dolphins on our trip, they had earlier in the day. The boat, all 58-foot of her, shimmered and glide across the water.

When we got back to the marina the Captain made a manoeuvre on the water, a parallel park if you like, look effortless. The clients on-board disembarked, all smiling and sun-kissed. I watched the crew set out in cleaning this lady for the next trip.

Prices start from €50 per person for their Sunset Cruise (based on maximum occupancy of 14). The boat is available for morning, afternoon and sunset cruising, with the addition of half or full-day charters.

 www.coolchartersvilamoura.com  @luxuryyachtchartervilamoura  +351 934 228 116

Portimão Sardine Festival 2017 One of the highlights of the summer season returns this month, as the Portimão Sardine Festival takes place from August 2nd - 6th.

The festival celebrates the humble sardine with local eateries setting up shop along Zona Ribeirinha to grill up a feast. But there is so much more on offer too, with live music, arts and crafts and a range of activities to get involved in.

Every night from 7.30pm the bandstand will come alive with music catering to all tastes, with an

emphasis on Portuguese popular music, Brazilian music, blues and fado, in an initiative by the Parish Council of Portimão.

Along the riverside there will also be several lounges featuring everything from children's entertainment to a book fair. Portuguese performers Fernando Mendes, Jorge Mourato, Carla Andrino and Patricia Tavares will also be staging Noivo por Acaso (Groom

By Chance) at the TEMPO Municipal Theatre.

The festival runs every night from 7pm to 1am and entrance is free. Enjoy the sardines!

For more information:  www.cm-portimao.pt/festivaldasardinha

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What's on

Photo credit: Fatima Vargas  +351 968 509 515  bestillfatimavargas

Espiche golf club soiree

BY JULIE BATTERSBY We were delighted to be invited to the sell-out event at Espiche Golf Club, namely their second summer soiree.

There were over 250 guests for this event and I am so pleased we were invited to share this great ‘giving back’ event. Most people will know how successful the club is now and their course and amenities are absolutely first rate.

The directors and staff were all there to greet us one by one and I am sure, like me, everyone felt honoured and privileged to be invited. All the drinks and wine were complimentary as indeed was the superb buffet and I can honestly say that it really was a feast.

Espiche Golf has now really established its importance and significance in the golf community and those of us who do not enjoy the

game but love the clubhouse facilities.

The staff and location make it one of our favourite places and once again this year Espiche Golf Club are hosting our third annual golf day as they not only provide us with exactly what our Tomorrow golfers want but they willing give back half the ticket money to us for the Tomorrow charity T.A.C.T You will be able to ‘catch the spirit’ of the evening from the two page spread in this issue.

There are also big plans afoot to further enhance the club and its facilities as we will be reporting on in full in the near future as Tomorrow has been offered the first opportunity of reporting on the big changes afoot.

Thank you all for your splendid hospitality

To book your event at Espiche Golf Club call  +351 286 688 250

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Letters

We are always really pleased to get letters from our readers. If you would like to send us your views on anything that’s going on in the western Algarve or if you have any suggestions to make about the magazine please email:  amber@tomorrowalgarve.com

Success at last Dear Editor, On behalf of the residents of Colinas Verdes I wish to extend my eternal thanks to not only Maria Joaquina Matos, the president of Lagos Câmara but also to Duarte Nuno Rio, the president of the junta of Bensafrim and Barão de S. João for their help and understanding and their fulfilment of the promise to repair the road infrastucture of Colinas Verdes.

This repair took place after some 25 years of misery and broken vehicles.

We, as promised in their manifesto in 2013, now have quality access.

Yet again, thank you on behalf of us all - a listening Câmara – impressed.

Yours sincerely, Stephen Wakefield

Butterfly cover Dear Editor, On the front cover of the June edition you had a photograph of a butterfly.

You asked readers to get in touch if they knew what the butterfly was.

Could it be the Swallow Tail Butterfly?

Here is a similar photo I took in our garden up here in Vale da Telha on the West Coast, some years ago.

Regards, Sue Bedford

Cop21, a cop out? (July Edition) Dear Editor, Well, yes, of course it is. Yes, don’t pollute the planet more than is absolutely necessary, but when I was born there were about two billion people on the planet.

We are heading for 8 billion now. If you are right and humans are responsible for global warming, the most obvious way to slow down global emission levels would be to get rid of rather a lot of people. Any offers?

Most people seem oblivious to the fact that the planet goes through various temperature cycles. Humans can’t alter these variations. Every so often we head towards an ice age. Then the temperatures start to rise again, and when they reach

high levels you get tropical conditions nearer the poles, with lions and tigers and the like roaming the Scottish hillsides. The last ice age ended roughly seven thousand years ago, and we are heading towards another hot era. You, me, or anyone else you care to nominate, won’t alter that.

Hotter times are a-coming, and it has very little to do with human activity. We are not as important as you think we are. There are forces much greater than our puny attempts that control the temperature of our planet.

And who is pushing all this stuff?

Governments that want more control over what you do. Since when did any

politician come up with a sensible idea, together with a sensible solution to a problem? Just look at the EU. Seventeen years of the euro: what a great idea, and yet every single country in the region is technically bankrupt. After only 17 years?

Be nice to the planet, but global warming is way beyond your control. Get used to it. Things are going to get a lot hotter however much you drive your car and however much the cows fart. And don’t get sucked in by more government attempts to control your life.

John Clare, Silves

Health

Menopause and training

BY ANN DE JONGH Menopause is something that is often not talked about, yet it affects so many of us. Normally we are a couple of years into perimenopause before we realise, it is only when we look back, and for me, it was when I was studying about menopause on my nutrition course that I realised what had been going on with my body!

It has been shown that regular exercise, sticking to a healthy weight helps prime women for a leaner healthier menopause. During menopause oestrogen drops and this has been linked to an increase risk of cardio vascular disease.

So if you do not have an exercise habit then now is the time to get one and stick to it.

Some studies show that high intensity exercise can exacerbate hot flushes, so you need to find the best suited exercise for you, which is often where strength training comes in. One thing is for sure, including strength exercises, using weights or bodyweight is

especially important as after menopause woman are more at risk of osteoporosis so the more that can be done to strengthen bone density the better.

What has been shown is that hot flushes increase with weight gain, and decrease with weight loss. So anything that can aide the weight to stay where it should be is a good thing.

Yoga is also a great thing to take up, as it is very important to keep the body relaxed, reducing stress to enable the body to adapt to hormonal fluctuations better.

At anytime of our lives it is important to exercise, but for women this is especially true as we reach our 40s ….and never think you are too old to start, my oldest strength training client is 79, and she has only recently started training with me.

Ann is a trainer, yoga teacher and sports massage therapist

 +351 913 202 621  www.fit2lovelife.com  ann@fit2lovelife.com  fit2lovelife  anndejongh

Why talk to a parent consultant?

BY LAURA NEWMAN

Life with children can be joyful and fulfilling. They are delightfully creative and fun to be with….when at their best. However, sometimes family life is challenging and stressful so parents ride the storm hoping for better times ahead. But what if you are stuck in the storm, resigned to power struggles with your children or between siblings, trying to enforce order and keep the peace, while shouting louder but making no difference?

In North America, it is widely accepted to consult a Parent Consultant when children show difficulties at school, behaviour becomes aggressive at home, or anxieties become obvious. In Europe, parents are starting to understand the concept of professional parental support and the substantial benefits to be gained from good advice early on.

A Parent Consultant can help parents make sense of their child’s behaviour, introduce discipline strategies that are effective and support the child’s natural development. Transformation to a more relaxed family life can happen quickly when parents start focusing on the relationship rather than the behaviour per se. Parents feel empowered, more relaxed, and enjoy their children more and children love the new way their parents connect with them.

There are significant advantages in the development of childrens’ emotional intelligence when parents take on the relationship model.

So, if you want some general advice or specific support with a challenging child, contact your local Parent Consultant in the Algarve, with 25 years of experience working with children. Reviews on facebook.com/connectedchildfamily.

 +351 961 633 995  myconnectedchild@gmail.com  www.connectedchild.net

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Health

Holidays - a pain in the neck?

BY DR WEN OATES DC MCHIRO

You go to bed without any symptoms and then wake up the following morning with pain and a stiff neck. This is known as acute torticollis and is actually very common. A visit to your chiropractor should sort it out in no time.

What are the symptoms of torticollis?

• You feel pain and stiffness usually just on one side of the neck, with the stiffness of the muscles in that area twisting the neck to one side.

• The pain may spread to the back of your head or to your shoulder.

• Movement of your neck is restricted, with the muscles on the affected side feeling tender.

What causes acute torticollis?

• Sitting or sleeping in an unusual position without adequate neck support.

• Poor posture when looking at a computer screen, tablet or mobile phone.

• Carrying heavy unbalanced loads, such as shopping bags or suitcases.

• Allowing muscles of the neck to be exposed to cold (sleeping in a draught or under an air-conditioning unit).

If you’re suffering from any kind of neck pain or stiffness and would like it identified and treated, please come and see us at Lagos Health Chiropractic…we’re in the big, pink building just across the road from the Lidl Supermarket in Lagos.

Or call us to make an appointment on +351 282 768 044.

By the way, we don’t just treat neck pain…look after your lower back while you’re here as well, because a day doesn’t go by without us seeing a holidaymaker with back pain, brought on by moving a heavy suitcase from hire car to apartment or playing too much golf!

The digestive system Have you ever wondered how your body manages to convert food into energy and basic nutrients? Well, this month Niki Medlock, who’s the head nurse at Luzdoc, has. Here she gives us a beginner’s introduction I had my gall bladder out a while ago and it got me thinking about this very important system. It turns food and liquids into the building blocks and fuel our body needs for energy, growth and cell repair, as well as creating waste that has to be eliminated!

This system consists of a long tube called the alimentary canal or the gastrointestinal tract (GI Tract) and is made up of the oral cavity (mouth), pharynx, oesophagus, stomach, small intestines, and large intestines.

There are also several important accessory organs that are connected to this tract helping the body in the digestive process including; teeth, tongue, salivary glands, liver, gallbladder, and pancreas.

To achieve the goal of providing the body with nutrients and energy six

major functions have to take place in the digestive system: Ingestion - The act of taking food and drink into the body by mouth.

Secretion (in a cell or gland) the act or process of creating and releasing a substance, such as saliva or digestive juices, that fulfils some function during the digestive process.

Mixing and movement Including mastication (chewing), swallowing, sphincter control (a ring-shaped muscle that surrounds a natural opening in the body and can open or close it by expanding or contracting) and peristalsis (wave like movements of the GI tract muscular walls).

Digestion the process your body goes

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through to break the large insoluble food molecules you eat into small water-soluble food molecules.

Absorption Digested food molecules are absorbed in the small intestine passing through the wall and into our bloodstream.

Once in the bloodstream, the digested food molecules are carried around the body to where they are needed.

Excretion The process by which metabolic wastes and other non-useful materials are eliminated from an organism.

Next month Niki will look at the mouth, oesophagus and stomach.

 www.luzdoc.com

Health

The heart

BY JOHN CLIFFORD

The heart is roughly the size of a fist and is located near the centre of the chest between the two lungs. It weighs about 250 to 350 grams and pumps around five to six litres of blood around the body. It is the body’s engine beating approximately 100,000 times per day.

The blood is pumped from the heart into the arteries, carrying oxygen to every cell in the body. Used blood is then returned by the veins to the heart to be re-oxygenated.

The heart contracts and relaxes like every other muscle in the body but it does so to a regular rhythm which is called the heartbeat. When the heart is relaxed it beats approximately 60 to 100 times per minute which is known as normal resting heart rate.

However, heart rate can vary. For example when exercising, muscles require more oxygen which makes the heart pump more blood around the body and may beat up to 200 times per minute. Extremely fit people could be lower.

You can feel your heart working pumping the blood around your body.

Place your fingers (not your thumb) on the inside of your wrist just below the ball of your thumb where a blood vessel runs just under the skin. Press gently on the spot you will feel a faint throbbing, this is your pulse. You can check how many times your heart beats per minute – using a stop watch, count how many times your heart beats in 60 seconds.

Your heart is the most important muscle in your body, so it’s important to look after it!

 firstresponder@sapo.pt

Best foot forward With summer in full swing and feet on full display, Lesley Wall shares her recipe for a natural peppermint foot balm - and one for your four-legged friend too!

This DIY foot balm is designed to both repair and cool, and is particularly good at fixing cracked heels and softening hard skin. Apply in the evening after a bath or foot soak and rub in well. Then don a pair of light cotton socks overnight to keep it in contact with the skin and ensure deep nourishment. When you get up your feet will feel soft and refreshed.

Ingredients - 1/4 cup + 1 tablespoon Nilotic Fruit Butter or shea butter - 2 tbsp carnauba wax, grated - 2 tbsp jojoba oil - 2-4 drops peppermint oil - Airtight glass container or jar Method 1. Using a double boiler, melt the Nilotic Fruit Butter and carnauba wax.

2. Remove from heat, then stir in the jojoba and peppermint oil, mixing thoroughly.

3. Transfer the mixture to a lidded container and cool completely in the refrigerator.

4. Store at room temperature and use as needed.

Sore paws treatment wax This easy-to-make wax is designed to treat doggy skin conditions and protect paws against damage from cold, heat and rough terrain. It is ideal for both prevention of cracks in

dogs prone to skin conditions, and treating conditions that have already occurred. The product is 100% natural and vegan.

Ingredients - 2 tbsp olive oil or sweet almond oil - Vegetable oil - 2 tbsp fractionated coconut oil - 1 tbsp Nilotic Fruit Butter or shea butter - 4 tsp carnauba wax, grated - Airtight glass container or jar Method 1. Prepare small silicon moulds or a muffin tin by spraying lightly with vegetable oil.

2. Melt all of the ingredients using a double boiler, stirring constantly.

3. Pour the mixture into the muffin tin or moulds and solidify in the refrigerator.

4. Store the wax bars in an airtight glass container or jar at room temperature. They will keep for up to two years.

5. To use, warm in your hand and apply to the pads of your pet's feet before they are exposed to heat, cold or rough terrain, or as a treatment after damage occurs.

Lesley is an ITEC-qualified aromatherapist and the owner of Puraglow. She lives in Alvor.

 lesley@puraglow.com  www.puraglow.com

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Health

Pets Mate

BY LARS RAHMQUIST

Microchipping He’s got a right chip on his shoulder, he does!

Though this sentence commonly raises a Billy Idol-like sneer in most circles, when we hear a nurse uttering this whilst scanning a stray dog a quiet cheer goes up in waiting room. When a dog is brought into the clinic without an owner it is always a concern. If it has no chip a situation arises.

The several dog sanctuaries around Lagos do a fantastic job in taking stray dogs in and striving to re-home them. Unfortunately given the numbers of stray dogs in the Algarve these shelters are nearly always full to bursting. By the way, if you think you can lend a hand, your vet can give you some shelter contact numbers regarding volunteer work.

The Lagos Pound (the Camara Canil) is very good at taking strays and also re-homing dogs. But it’s tough. Occasionally the people who bring in the dogs can look after them for a period of time and sometimes we end up housing strays in the clinic for a bit.

Microchipping - Gives your dog life-long registration throughout all of Portugal - Means your dog (or cat) can be back with you the same day that it is scanned.

Scanners are used by all vets, the Canil, dog shelters and some police - Is a legal requirement in Portugal (along with regular Rabies vaccination) - Is necessary for crossing any international borders (ie crossing in France or Spain, most certainly Great Brexit, sorry Britain) If you have your dog microchipped it might be worth double checking with your vet that it is registered, and perhaps which microchip company has it registered (there are two). That is another we find a lot, that a dog might be microchipped, it sometimes isn’t registered (I mean, like yeah, it’s like, what’s the point, right? Said in LA Valley Girl-like accent).

In fact the big clown n the photo attached was brought in by a mate who found him abandoned in a boat yard. After a (very short, maybe 1 day) stint in the clinic we took him home to foster him for a short bit. We are still officially fostering Bozo at home, but I must say, he is doing a pretty good job at cementing himself in…watch this space.

One last comment, microchipping cats who go outside is also worthwhile doing. Though you might have a cool pussy who doesn’t stray, it could be chased to the other side of town by excited dogs. I chip my cats, at any rate, do consider it.

So: MICROCHIP YOUR DOG

 www.lagosvet.com

Chips in and a happy Summer to all!

Yoga at the Pilates Room Lagos I’m often asked by locals and visitors alike if I do Yoga at the Pilates Studio. So with this in mind we are starting two types of Yoga; Hatha Yoga on Tuesday evenings from 6pm until 7pm and Ashtanga Yoga on Saturday mornings from 10.30-11.30am.

Hatha Yoga aims to restore harmony and balance to body and mind so that you are better able to cope with the challenges of life. Postures are combined with breath awareness and relaxation so you will build strength as you stretch, unwind and release tension. By focusing on the flexibility of the spine; circulation, digestion and the nervous and respiratory systems are also improved. Energy levels increase and the body re-gains its natural flexibility.

By practicing yoga, one can maintain

Bozo looking very comfortable at his 'foster home'.

youthfulness and enjoy a wonderful improvement in your physical and mental well-being.

Helen has 29 years of personal practice and 14 years experience of teaching people of all ages and levels of ability and encourages everyone to explore their own boundaries and progress at their own unique pace.

Ashtanga Yoga is a dynamic set series of postures designed to build strength, flexibility, endurance and focus. You will be guided through the Ashtanga Primary Series step-by-step gaining an all over body workout which will leave you feeling exercised and energised. Those who wish to find a real sense of deep strength in the body whilst remaining steady in the mind

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BY LISA LONGHURST

will enjoy this approach to yoga. Once the series becomes more familiar, the body stronger and more flexible, participants will begin to feel a sense of rhythm and smoothness in the practice. The breath is key so you will be taught how to surround the practice with breath to fuel the sequence and calm a busy mind. Each session will end with a short guided relaxation.

Lindsay Gale has over 20 years of teaching experience and in 1997, she was humbled to receive the International Student of the Year accolade from ICYER in addition to her first yoga diploma.  +351 926 514 613  info@pilatesroomlagos.com

Business DOUBLE TAXATION AGREEMENT PT/UK

TREATY OF WINDSOR PT/UK

EU

BREXIT

1960’S

1386

ONGOING RELATIONSHIP PT/UK

1993 FUTURE

Portugal - the place to be

BY EMILIE DE BLOCK AND NATASCHA HUNT Portugal after the recession After successfully exiting bail out, crisis and recession, the Portuguese Government worked closely together with the European Union and the town halls, and introduced several strategies and legislations to attract and incite (foreign) investment.

Now, Portugal is experiencing a resurgence in foreign investment, with record tourism levels, being ranked the third most peaceful country in the world, and a number of high profile events taking place including the international web summit in Lisbon.

The strategies and legislations that have been introduced include: 1. The Golden Visa Programme to attract Non-European investors. Several types of investment allow non-EU citizens to work, live, and travel freely through the Schengen countries. Since its introduction in 2012, 5000 + permits have been granted and over 3 billion euro has been invested in real estate through the program.

2. The NHR Tax Programme which was introduced to attract European investors.

Since its introduction, 8100 NHR applications have been approved up to October 2016 and an estimated 50% more since then to date. The success of the program lies in its simplicity. You can apply for a 0% tax scheme for a period of 10 years if 1) you have not been a Portuguese tax resident in the last five years, 2) you have a qualified income, 3) you will live in Portugal at least six months a year. A flat tax rate of 20% income tax also applies for high value activities brought to Portugal.

3. Urban Rehabilitation which was

introduced to incentivise investing in the renovation of existing properties in ‘urban rehabilitation areas’ or that are more than 30 years old.

Tax incentives include 1) the refund of property transfer tax, 2) the exemption of IMI for 5 years, 3) the decrease of VAT to 6% (instead of 23%), 4) a flat tax rate of 5% over rental income & capital gains.

4. Start-ups are attracted by the creation of programmes such as StartupLisboa, which supports the creation of companies and tracks their first years of activity. Portugal has seen over 37,000 new companies started in 2016 alone.

During the recession, real estate prices dropped a lot, up to 11% in 2012 according to the INE. After its low, and due to Portugal’s efforts, the prices have been rising ever since, with expectations of prices rising further in the coming years.

existed. So even a ‘hard-Brexit’ would not halt current relations.

Edge International Lawyers foresee that it is likely that the availability of healthcare to UK citizens will remain for those already in the system before Brexit is implemented, and bank accounts will be regulated according to the same principles as for Non-EU nationals.

Post-Brexit, several scenarios can happen with regards to living, working and traveling. In case of a bilateral agreement between the UK and other nations, a scenario of flexible movement and residency can occur with no requirements of a visa. In case no agreement can be reached, the UK will fall back on WTO rules.

In this scenario, the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) will be used to determine the eligibility of visitors to travel under a Visa Waiver Program.

What does this mean for British after Brexit?

Since the recession, Portugal has been welcoming foreign investment with open arms. This alone should be comforting for British citizens, as Portugal won’t want to give up their investments.

At the moment, it is possible for UK citizens to obtain a Permanent Residency Visa for a five year period, further to obtaining a certificate of registration of European Union Citizen. After the sixth year in Portugal, it is possible for all UK citizens to obtain Portuguese Nationality.

Furthermore, a retirement Visa in Portugal can be obtained through a relatively simple application process, and spouses of EU citizens are entitled to residency in Portugal.

More importantly, Portugal and the United Kingdom are the oldest alliance, ratified at the treaty of Windsor in 1386, and Portugal has had a double taxation agreement with the UK since 1968, long before the EU even

What is the message?

Ideally, buy or rent now, either as resident or non-resident, get in the system and take advantage of tax savings, rental income, and long-term capital appreciation.

Source: Edge International Lawyers Brexit Seminar, June 6 2017. www.edge-il.com.

International law firm with 30 years of experience.

For the full article, go to the blog:  www.propertyspecialistsalgarve.com

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Talk to us to find out how we can cut out those fees and save you money To find out more about all of our products and services please contact us at: Vilamoura Office 289 093 137 Lagos Office 282 768 136 / UK rate 01622 815 201 E portugal@gcen.co.uk www.gcen.co.uk GCEN is fully authorised by the FCA to provide payment service as an Authorised Payment Services Institution. Registration No. 504346.

Business

The wonder of water taxis

BY STEVEN SUTTON

The owners of Days of Adventure had a lightbulb moment one day. They loved to visit Alvor for drinks and a meal during the day.

But parking was limited in or near the small village. It was even more difficult to park along the water front where all the best restaurants could be found. There was the other small issue of drinking and driving or in fact not drinking and driving.

So they decided to get one of their own Days of Adventure boats to ferry them to the centre of Alvor and back. At that point – a genius idea was born!

Being the owners of a UK taxi business and realising the great benefits of this they decided to start operating a direct water taxi service between Lagos and Alvor. With various departure and return times to fit in with your day and your experience you can stay for as long as you like.

The first boat they purchased for this service was named ‘Amber’ after their UK Company.

But this is so much more than just a bog standard taxi service. It is also a fabulous boat trip out of the

marina along the River Bensafrim. You go out into the open ocean along the stunning Meia Praia Beach turn into the inlet and nature reserve following the tidal estuary right up to the centre of Alvor where you disembark and discover the beautiful fishing village that is Alvor. Alvor has incredible array of restaurants shops and bars. You can walk around and see what makes this village such a hit with the people who return every year.

This is a great experience and always a lot of fun; it beats the car journey along the N125 which during the summer months can be quite heavy with traffic.

Part of the fun is that you get to see parts of the Algarve that you can’t see from this inside a car.

Great fun for kids of all ages.

As you disembark the boat, don't forget to book your return journey time as this experience is very popular and gets quite busy in the summer!

As you are travelling on a ‘Days of Adventure’ water taxi you will be entitled to a 20% discount at their bar and grill, the Orangery, which is clearly visible on your left had side as you enter Lagos from the sea.

A great treat for the children is the bouncy castle, which is free to the Orangery customers.

Give it a try and let us know what you think.

For more information:  +351 282 181 282  partner@daysofadventure.com

Try out a new trend in Lagos You may well have seen a new twowheeled craze which has been sweeping the globe…well, now it’s come to Lagos and you can try it out for yourself.

The Segway was invented in 2001 and is now a worldwide phenomenon.

The two-wheeler transporter toy, the Segway, is great fun for children and adults alike. If you don’t feel like giving it a go yourself, you could always sit and have a drink while watching your children having some scooter fun. The mininavigators test your balance and control but they will also put a huge smile on your face. It doesn’t matter whether you are four or 74 – they are fun for everyone.

Open every day 4pmmidnight

You just jump on and ride around a fabulous course which changes every day. At night time they even light up. We are open from 4pm until midnight every day and it is just three euros for 5 minutes or five euros for 10 minutes.

The fuzzy animal rides are wonderful for the little ones and parents can sit on the back with them if they want. A great little ride for just 2 euros will give 5 minutes of a gentle roll around the spacious terrace on our fuzzies. Panda, Koala, Bear and dinosaur. Once you try it, you will want to keep coming back and we are always happy to see you.

Kids are given a certificate at the end of their ride A great memory keepsake from their holidays in Lagos.

Ride the navigator -  +351 912 876 049  Next to The Orangery on top of main car park in Lagos

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Business

Amendments to lease laws in Portugal

BY CASAS DO BARLAVENTO

The main amendments to the lease laws will provide more time to non-paying tenants before eviction, as well as more protection for those who have old rents; this change in the law will provide councils greater intervention in the control of construction improvements which justifies evictions and creates a protection regime for historic properties:

Families with a gross annual income of less than € 38,990 will have a transition period of 10 years, compared with the current five years, i.e. until 2020.

Cancellation of contract and eviction - It is only possible for the landlord to cancel a lease and proceed with eviction after 3 months of nonpayment.

This avoids the ease of evicting the tenant, justifying the need for deep works in the building, by increasing the amount of compensation to double - from one to two years of income - and strengthening the council requirements in the definition of what is a deep construction improvement: the budget of the construction must correspond to at least 25% of the Property Tax Value of the property.

Historical properties - It is the responsibility of councils to recognize buildings that have had at least 25 years of activity and a material and immaterial heritage with cultural, historical or social value.

Old lease – The transition period for updating old rents (contracts prior to 1990) has been extended until 2022 (it should have ended this year) in the case of renters over 65 years old and / or disabled people.

To these properties the general rules of the Urban Lease Scheme do not apply for a period of five years.

In addition, the landlord can not oppose the renewal of the contract for an additional period of five years.

The Casas do Barlavento team is always aware of all changes to the law in order to provide a better response to all our customers. An informed team is a more effective team.

For more information:  info@casasdobarlavento.com  +351 282 780 870  www.casasdobarlavento.com

New booking platform launched in Lagos Yourroom.eu is a young, energetic company that has recently been launched in Lagos.

anyone can book their accommodation, from bed and breakfasts to ice hotels, pousada, villas, apartments, guesthouses and even 5-star hotels.

We know now that travelling is for everyone – old and young alike and we are making it easier than ever to book your travel and stay, wherever you are and whenever you want. You can do it from your laptop, computer or with an app on your tablet or smartphone.

The Yourroom.eu website is very clear and easy to use and the Y. app is ready to download on your smartphone or tablet. Customers can book anywhere at any time but we want to make sure that your accommodation is reputable and guaranteed, so please book your accommodation at Yourroom.eu.

It is easy, but how can you ensure that you are choosing the right accommodation for you?

Yourroom.eu can help you with this. Via Yourroom.eu

For property owners, if you would like to rent out your property, with no commission for the first year, then please get in touch with us.

For more information: Ernst van Amersfoort  +351 913 316 276

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Business

Anniversary celebrations for Algarve Accommodation Agency Algarve Accommodation was founded by Jill and Gerald Marsh in 1997 with a handful of properties that were gained through friends and acquaintances they had met during their years of running a successful bar and restaurant in the heart of Lagos.

After leaving the bar trade they concentrated their years of local knowledge in starting a successful management and rental agency. Now the company is celebrating its 20th birthday.

Jill and Gerald had holidayed in Lagos since 1976 and decided to swap their life in Essex for Lagos in 1984 so Lagos is now firmly set as home. They spent the first 12 years running ´Domingos` a successful English-style bar and restaurant, it’s here that they met many British expats and holidaymakers that owned holiday homes and needed key holding and rental services and this is where the start of the Algarve Accommodation Agency was born. They saw the potential in the holiday rental market and over the years they have increased their database of clients in excess of 80 villas and apartments, many of which were gained by word of mouth or referrals from other owners.

Jill and Gerald have always prided themselves on their hard work ethic and their personal service they offer to their clients, many of whom have become friends over the years. A lot of the praise has to be passed to Gerald who also sees to most of the maintenance work for the agency.

having a Alojamento Local (rental licence) for all properties has been one of the more challenging over the last few years, making sure all our properties adhere to the rental regulations is one of our top priorities and keeping up with the changes can sometimes be a challenge but we do pride ourselves on keeping our owners updated on all the new information provided by Tourism Portugal.

The Algarve Accommodation team has grown from Jill and Gerald and one member of staff doing administration work and a couple of cleaners all of which were based from their own private villa, to an office by Lagos Marina with a team of four in the office including their daughter, Vicki, who has worked with them for the last 14 years and eight cleaning staff as well as Jill and Gerald.

2017 will be the last season for Jill and Gerald running the Algarve Accommodation Agency as they will be retiring and enjoying some well-earned rest.

The agency will stay in the family with their daughter Vicki taking over with her husband Phil so it will be business as usual. Gerald will also be keeping on with some of the maintenance when he’s not off on holiday himself.

All in all the business has gone from strength to strength and being one of the larger Lagos agencies we are looking forward to many more years providing quality holiday accommodations to our ever growing database of clients.

Things have changed over the last 20 years with stricter regulations for the holiday rental market and

 vicki@algarveaccommodation.co.uk  +351 282 760970  www.algarveaccommodation.co.uk

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Enjoy professional hair cuts & colours in the comfort of your own home

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FOR EACH NEW CUSTOMER +351 916 837 661 | +49 174 451 39 49 info@mobilehairdresserchrissy.com www.mobilehairdresserchrissy.com

Business

Love the Algarve? Why not move here?

BY DAVID WESTMORELAND August is here and the summer is going as fast as it came! Are you enjoying your holiday? Glass of wine in one hand and a good book in the other, soaking up the incredible weather we are having? Loving the Algarve sun so much that you are considering buying a property here? I have outlined the purchase process in just three stages below.

1. Agree the sale – the negotiation is normally carried out between the vendor and the purchaser through the sales agent. Offers are made and hopefully an agreement is made on a purchase price as well as most of the conditions of the sale such as deposit amount, timings for payment and furniture. Once a lawyer is appointed, all the checks to ensure the property is in a legal position to be sold will be completed.

2. CPCV or Promissory Contract – this is exactly what it says, a promise from both parties that they will sell & purchase the property for an agreed price against an agreed set of conditions. Usually the lawyer would issue an English version of the contract for the client to read, although it has to be the Portuguese version that is signed. This is documented, then signed, and is legally binding.

The deposit is to be paid at this stage which this is usually between 10-20% of the sales price. If the purchaser pulls out following this legal agreement then they would forfeit their deposit. If the seller pulls

out he has to forfeit the deposit and also pay the equivalent amount (i.e. double) back to the purchaser. To be honest this rarely happens as most purchasers have at least a couple of weeks between agreeing the sale and the signing of the promissory contract which is a reasonable cooling off period. In terms of money, there are a series of taxes that need to be paid but these are made just prior to the final deed and will be paid for through your lawyer; I will be covering purchase costs in a future update.

3. Final Deed – the final deed is usually dictated by the time it takes the purchaser to arrange for his money to be moved around and sent over to Portugal. The final deed is drawn up based upon the contents of the promissory contract, so when the money arrives, everything is in place and the deed can be signed. Usually a 'sign before date' is included within the contract.

This is to protect both parties and ensure that the exchange of contracts is time bound and doesn’t roll on forever, with one of the parties waiting to either sell or move into their property. Once the money has arrived the final deed will be agreed and signed; the property and monies are exchanged.

And that’s it! Although there are a number of other duties that the lawyer does such as: Power of Attorney – this is where the purchaser gives authority to the lawyer to enable them to undertake an agreed and

documented series of actions, such as sign the CPCV or the final deed. This would be done prior to the CPCV so the lawyer can sign when everyone is ready. There is a nominal charge for this legal requirement.

Utility Changes – the lawyer will usually be responsible for the changing of names on the utility bills.

Fiscal Number – everyone in Portugal has a Fiscal number. This number is kind of like a National Insurance number and if you are to own a property in Portugal you will need one. Don’t worry it is very simple to get one of these, in fact this is one of the duties your lawyer will undertake. You could do it yourself but it’s also fine for the lawyer to sort it and just advise you of the number.

You need a Fiscal number for various things such as bank account and of course the buying process.

Bank Account – you don’t need to have a bank account here in Portugal, all financial transactions take place through your lawyer. The lawyers have special client accounts where your money goes; these are protected so your money is safe. The lawyer writes a cheque on signing of the contracts on your behalf. After this you may choose to have a bank account in Portugal to pay bills etc. but this is not essential.

We are now taking bookings for September viewings so contact me today at: david@bpaproperty.com

Vilamoura Boat Owners Club A new Facebook page has been setup for any boat owners who moor at Vilamoura Marina. The rationale was to create an online club for all boat owners to participate and share experiences with any ‘boat’ related things in Vilamoura.

 Vilamoura Boat Owners Club

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It maybe you are new to the Marina and want to be part of the social scene, or gain some useful tips from fellow boat owners, which reputable mechanics people use, maybe you need a skipper, cleaners, a photographer or videographer.

Serge & Satoshi pâtisserie française Croissants, Roasted chicken, Quiches, Oven ready meals, French pastry and more...

Open everyday except Mondays

Praia da luz, Next to the pharmacy Tel: 960 028 647 | Facebook.com/SergeSatoshi.pf

Business

I.T. can be easy

BY STEVEN DUNWELL

Three essential apps to help you enjoy the summer in Portugal just that little bit more!

Real estate harmony Some people say that you should never go into business with friends but 13 years ago that’s exactly what José António Pinheiro and Isabel Oliveira did and they have never looked back. We spoke to them about having a good business partnership Q: How long have you been established?

A: Having 10 years local experience in the real estate business, friends José António Pinheiro and Isabel Oliveira saw the opportunity to create a modern, professional and personalised service and became business partners in 2014 when they opened the doors of Algarve Unique Properties.

Q: What is unique about Unique?

A: Most importantly, our office is harmonious. We are a united team and work very well together. We all love what we do, we care about our clients´ needs and we understand that building relationships on honesty and dedication is the key to a great business. From the moment you meet any of our staff, you will know that we are here to help you throughout the entire process of the sale or purchase of your property.

Q: Do you have the right contacts to support your clients in all aspects of the sale?

A: Absolutely, Yes. Over the years we have built up a support network of experts who provide legal, fiscal and financial expertise to ensure the property purchase is structured effectively. We also have a full contact list of tradesmen who we trust and can handle any job that we give them.

Whether it is decoration, furniture, or recommendations on restaurants etc, we are here to make our clients feel at home in Lagos and enjoy their time when they are here.

Q: What makes your day?

A: Our clients are not only clients, they are more than this. They become our friends. It makes us feel very happy because we know that we have made a difference in their lives and that they like us, but most importantly, they trust us. That is a good day.

Q: What languages do your staff speak?

A: We have staff that speak, read and write in Portuguese, English, French, Swedish, German, Italian, Spanish and Dutch.

Q: What are your office hours?

A: That’s a great question! Officially we open Monday to Friday 9:30am to 6:30pm and Saturday 10am to 1pm.

But….. It is very normal to find some of the agents in the office until 8-9pm, also Sundays, Saturday afternoons etc.

Basically we know that clients often have limited time to deal with their property needs and we accept any appointment outside of normal hours to ensure that we can offer the service they need any day or time of the week.

Wolfram Sun Exposure Reference App – Apple The Wolfram Sun Exposure Reference App is your ultimate beach essential this summer! It calculates how long your skin can be exposed to the Sun without burning based on your skin type, location, time, and the level of Sun protection factor you might be using. You can also compute a UV forecast for your location, along with a sun protection advisory Audiobooks from Audible – Apple and Android Download the Audible app and get access to 200,000+ audio books including best sellers, classics and everything in between. Immerse yourself in a great story anytime, anywhere… yes even on the beach!

Portugal Travel Guide

by Triposo - Apple and Android The Portugal Travel guide offers you complete and up to date guides to lots of destinations in Portugal. You don't need an internet connection to use the main app but some features update when online. Each location contains a sightseeing section with all the monuments, best restaurants, nightlife, bars, pubs & discos. Lots of very useful functions, which include among them: currency converter, phrasebook for Portuguese and weather forecast (updated when online).

If you have any questions, suggestions for future tips or require assistance with any I.T. challenges, I am very happy help. Have a great month, see you for another tip in the September issue.

 sdunwell@sky.com  +351 936 387 512

 www.algarveuniqueproperties.com

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Food & drink

Discovering Silves’ Moorish secret

BY STEVEN SUTTON

Next time you find yourself wandering the streets of Silves, take a left down Travessa da Cato as you make your way up the climbing road that leads to the cathedral.

It may look like a typical residential street, but follow the small signs on the wall and in about 50 yards you will find restaurant Segredo dos Mouros - or Moorish Secret.

As you descend the steps, you get the feeling you are entering someone’s home. When I last visited I was greeted by owner Kerry, who gave me the distinct feeling that the evening was going to have a warm and homely feel about it. As she led me out to the balcony I found myself in awe of the view which looks over the entire town, all the way to the historic mansion on the other side of the river.

The restaurant has a warm, eclectic feel and my eyes were drawn to every nook and cranny to see what gems have been carefully placed for their customers’ enjoyment.

I ordered tapas, which arrives on a platter and is made to be shared. All the produce here is locally sourced and prepared on the premises. Nothing is too much trouble, and the team want you to enjoy every last morsel. This also includes the wine, which Kerry is a bit of an expert on - so be sure to ask her to tell you about any special bottles she has discovered on her travels.

For Kerry and and her partner, Carlos, your comfort is paramount and they make sure you have everything you need; your glasses are always being filled and the bread is never ending! If it’s your first visit you will soon be made to feel as if you have known them for years and when you leave you will definitely want to come back.

So, give it a try and say that Steven sent you.

 Travessa da Cato 13, Silves  +351 968 092 942  @segredodosmouros

Indulge your Spanish passion Once again Vila Vita has provided the perfect recipe for a contemporary, laid back and fun Sunday for all the family.

cooked on the beach, finished off by Cremá Catalana and helado de Azahar as a dessert.

From now until September 17th you will be treated to all things Spanish. The idea is to bring Barcelona’s Chiringuito Beach here to you in the Algarve.

To compliment this stunning food, is the backdrop on Praia dos Pescadores, Armação de Pêra Beach and the Algarvean fishing boats just simply add to the charm.

You will be able to experience the truly great classics of this Catalan region: tapas such as Jamón Ibérico, Queso Manchego, Croquetas de Bacalao and the traditional Gazpacho, followed by the main course of squid, shrimp, mussels and chicken Paella, live

Another element is that of a chilled-out vibe from their DJ, you can dance on the beach or just enjoy the ideal lazy Sunday afternoon (12 noon to 4pm). The lunch is €22.50 per person (drinks excluded), with a 50% discount for children between four and 12 years old.

For reservations:  reservas@vilavitaparc.com  +351 282 310 100  www.vilavitaparc.com

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Food & drink

Made in Italy, eaten in Lagos

BY THE YUM YUM BOYS

Made in Italy is a small, neat little restaurant in the top half of town, near the Goji cafe and Owl Story Book Shop and has only been open since late June. A great find.

We visited on a warm Tuesday afternoon for lunch and were greeted with a warm smile and a quickly served cold beer so the scene was set.

This is a restaurant that is Italian owned and run and the food is made with homemade pasta. It is rustic and friendly and like a little piece of Italy with its distinct blue decor and patterned table clothes and I am glad to say that the food did not disappoint.

We had the mixed platter to start with, which had the usual of some cold cuts but griddled slices of aubergine and courgette and some prosciutto ham. It was served with a nice light bread and plenty of olive oil. An extra portion, served hot, was the mixed tomato and aubergine (Melezane). Scrummy. I would thoroughly recommend this.

All of the starters hit the spot and other plates that were coming out for other guests looked just as appetising.

A great start. For mains, I had the homemade lasagne and my other Yum Yum colleague had homemade vegetarian cannelloni. Both served with a little salad. Again, not disappointed. The lasagne being homemade was not what you might buy in the supermarket as it has different ingredients but it was well worth it.

We were both feeling very full up by this time but we observed other guests receiving their spaghetti, linguine and pizzas and all looked amazing and fresh too. You could easily order plates and share these with friends that are not pasta based.

People I know did this and I did sneak a taste of the calamari which again was fresh and not from the freezer.

The portions are a good size so be hungry when you arrive! With no room left sadly for dessert, I ended the meal with a coffee which was strong and finished off the meal and the experience, superbly.

To conclude, get there as soon as you can and you will not be disappointed.

We will be visiting again, that's for sure.

Sweet Home If you have a sweet tooth but also like to keep an eye on your health then the Sweet Home Coffee Shop is probably an obligatory stop for you.

Marzena offers a range of delicious home-made cakes and snacks. There are everyday specials where the food is made to order.

There is a selection of sweets, paninis, smoothies and milkshakes. Our food is real – we don’t use preservatives, artificial colours or flavour enhancers.

 Rua Marreiros Netto, 62 8600-315, Lagos

Lunch Bunch munch Sangam Indian Tandoori hosted a very successful Lunch Bunch event at the restaurant in Luz in July and as you can see it was extremely well attended. On behalf of the group Tomorrow would like to pass on its praise for the service and quality provided.

The smoothies and milkshakes are made only from fresh or frozen ingredients - we don't use sachets and carton juices.

We offer gluten free, refined sugar free, microwave free and vegan options.

There’s also a selection of coffees (which you can also take-away) and leaf teas.

Our motto is: Your health is important to us! What’s not to love? Go and try it out, Marzena and her team will be there with a warm welcome.

Please call Sangam should you wish to book an event at their very spacious restaurant.

 +351 932 586 921  SweetHomeLagos  Sweet Home is in Rua Victor Costa e Silva 5B, Lagos

 +351 282 760 882’

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Rua Silva Lopes, 30 8600-632 Lagos Portugal +351 282 792 165 info@mardestorias.com

www.mardestorias.com

Shop Café / Bistro Roof Terrace Bar Homeware Books & Music Gallery

Kiko’s Tasca

Wine, food and friends.

Portuguese food. Tapas, lunch and dinner.

Come and try for yourself. Open daily* from 11am * June, July and August

Closed on Mondays at lunch time. Open only from 5pm

Tel.: +351 282 046 037 • Email: one.destino@gmail.com Centro Naútico Sopromar - Estrada Sopromar (Meia-Praia) • LAGOS • GPS - N 37º 06.433' / W 08º 40.176' • f facebook.com/tascadokiko

Food & drink

The Green Room The owners of the Green Room describe it as a ‘cocktail and burrito joint’ but when we sent Julie Battersby to check it out she discovered that the Mexican restaurant was so much more.

The Green Room in the heart of Lagos has a really ‘cool buzz.’ There’s a sort of electric atmosphere which is hard to put into words. The young and very attractive staff add a great dimension to its appeal as they immediately put you at ease.

was delicious and a real bargain at only €6. I had a great main course of burritos, beef with red onion chutney, grilled steak, cheese, roast tomato salsa, beans, rice and slaw salad. Wow! Another great and flavoursome choice which cost €10.

The whole atmosphere of the Green Room is very different to other restaurants in the area. It’s a place where all ages can rub shoulders and enjoy what is on offer but rustic definitely defines the fun decor.

An important point to mention is that everything is freshly made. You can see the chefs working – the kitchen is a hive of activity.

Lots of the cocktails are only €5 and a bottle of house wine was our choice at only €9 and a good one! It is good to know that there is a wide drinks selection and the prices are very fair.

The menu is very varied and you can pick as much or as little as your budget will allow, I can truly say that we all had a great meal in a great place and with cool and efficient fun service.

Our group had a wide mix but I had the chimichanga starter plate with a choice of a veggie option. I chose wild mushroom Requeijão cheese and spinach which

I would strongly recommend it and would suggest that booking would be a good idea now as we are in the height of the season.

 +351 913 127 510 / +351 910 263 071 or find them on Facebook (cards not taken).

Wines from the Algarve Fancy trying some local wine? This month the Mar d'Estórias team tell us about three wines that are from the Algarve.

We are wine lovers, we admit it! The Mar d'Estórias team, along with most British and Portuguese, like a good meal, where you can’t miss a bottle of wine, it doesn’t matter what kind: white, rosé or red.

It’s a wonderful way to end the day with a glass of wine on on our terrace in good company, with or without tapas or to sip a glass of red while reading a book and listening to the rain falling. If the truth be told you don’t need an excuse to open a bottle of wine and we believe that you do not need to be knowledgeable to appreciate it.

Whatever your level of knowledge about wines, you certainly want the wine to complement what you are eating, so we feel an obligation to inform you about the good Algarvian wines that are being

produced lately. The Algarve is not one of the best known areas for wine production, but the region’s climate and soil heterogeneity makes the Algarve one of the areas with the greatest growth potential of wine production in Portugal.

So, here we present three brands of Algarvian wines available at Mar d'Estórias along with our suggestions of Chef Megan's dishes.

Mar d’Estórias opened on June 17th 2016 and arose from a desire to create, in Lagos, a place that is multifunctional and brings together Portuguese culture, tradition and customs by selling products, services and experiences  www.mardestorias.com

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Imprevisto (Unexpected) DOC Silves, Red, €8 Perfect paired with: Secretos de porco (pork ‘secrets’) served with tomato, bread and bean stew, orange and fennel

Euphoria DOC Silves, Rosé, €12.90 Perfect paired with: Braised tuna served with carrot purée, muxama, fig, tomato and onion

Lagoa, known as the Submerso (submerged) for having graduated underwater DOC Lagoa, Red, €24 Perfect paired with: Roasted octopus served with tomato rice and pickled roast peppers

Food & drink

Oasis on Lagos Marina

BY TOM HENSHAW Often we wander along the marina probably unaware that many of the restaurants are continuously making changes to improve their business and offer better choices.

Nowhere is this more noticeable than with the ever more confident Oasis Café which has upgraded so many aspects of their services. Stephen confirms that he and Ravin have now completed three years running the Oasis and have always aimed to maintain the high standards of Marilyn and David before them.

We all know they are well known for their breakfasts but add to this the fact that they have just won a much coveted award from the ‘Culture Trip’ as one of the seven best spots for breakfast and brunch on

the Algarve! No mean feat and great recognition for all their hard work.

Whilst we are talking about hard work Stephen and Ravin have managed to acquire the culinary skills of Steve and Will both of whom are well known as excellent chefs in the area.

Steve who has achieved a big following in the western Algarve will be bringing his ‘pie nights’ including homemade desserts, such as cheesecakes, trifles and crumble and custard.

Ravin, Stephen’s wife, offers Malaysian curries on Wednesdays, cooking authentic Malay cuisine using spices from South East Asia. These have become extremely popular and are well worth trying.

There really are big changes afoot and so without divulging too much in this short piece I suggest you make your way there and check out the differences.

There is a new menu plus the breakfasts and of course always their healthy options, curry nights, fish and chips and other speciality theme nights and a lot more.

I think you will be very pleasantly surprised.

Well done, your hard work and creativity have paid off.

With WiFi, a new internet landing page, new furniture and more, call in and book for any of their amazing new offerings or call Stephen on 931 374 772. See their advert for more details in this issue of Tomorrow.

Top event at the Pigs Head You can always rely on Rotten and Pat at the Pigs Head in Burgau to put on a great do!

None better than their BBQ last month. There was excellent food by Pat and her very able team and fantastic music by the great group ‘The Shakespearos.’

I would say over 100 people turned out for this great value event, the food for adults was only €8 per person and €5 forchildren.

Our party had a great night and can recommend any such event that Pat and Rotten undertake. Well done to you all.

Call the Pigs head on  +351 282 697 315 or  +351 934 293 821 to make a booking.

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BY TOM HENSHAW

Environment

Painting the town green

BY CLAIRE FRIEDLANDER

Sustainable Building Design in Context One of the first and most important lessons that a student of architecture learns about designing new buildings is that they should be appropriate to their respective sites and respectful of local context.

People develop an inherent 'sense of plac' through cumulative experience and knowledge, informed by its geography, ecology and history.

Developing this sensibility strengthens human identity with place and with one another, engendering sensitivity to it alongside desire for stewardship of local culture and natural environment.

Buildings founded on this inherent sensitivity tend to be those that stand the test of time, and are buildings of humility and intelligence. They also tend to be the most sustainable.

The environmental significance of this is that despite heightened environmental awareness and modern technological advances in developed countries, there is a growing disconnect between modern buildings and ‘place.’ These buildings also currently account for up to 40% of overall energy use, 60-70% of electricity consumption, 40% of CO2 emissions, 15% of overall water usage and 30% of landfill waste.

The modern built environment is no beacon of sustainability!

Contemporary ideals for building conventions are often at odds with context and climate. Whilst a slick modern house with endless glass may be attractive, the design and materials don’t necessarily suit the local climate (the Algarve springs to mind).

The modern solution to this particular problem is air-conditioning, but that’s like offering a pipe to someone trying to give up cigarettes. Airconditioning is disastrous for energy-efficiency and CO2 emissions. If they are essential, the building isn’t really ‘green.’

The US Environmental Protection Agency defined sustainable or ‘Green Building’ as “the practice of creating structures and using processes that are environmentally responsible and resource-efficient

 www.friedlanderdesign.com

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throughout a building’s life-cycle from siting to design, construction, operation, maintenance, renovation and deconstruction.”

These extremely complex goals require environmental, economic, and social needs to be met without compromising future generations’ ability to enjoy the same. A building’s full life-cycle must be considered- from materials to energy use in occupation and final waste when demolished.

Furthermore, sustainable buildings should enhance occupants’ health and comfort, as well as protect and enhance the biodiversity of the ecosystems on which it imposes. A very tall order- particularly for developers with a strict bottom-line. True to human nature, shortcuts are found.

Initially, a building’s design might seem green, but so many new developments merely apply token elements, like solar panels or a partial green-roof, in order to appear 'green'. Whilst marginally beneficial, if these are not integral to a holistic overall design, they are just a ludicrously obvious wig on a toothless old man, and a prime example of 'greenwash'.

Significantly, green buildings can command premium prices. According to a recent Nielsen global survey, client and market demand comprise the main reasons for building green, and the market is growing exponentially. Sustainable building techniques don’t necessarily cost more than traditional techniques and offer long-term energy-efficiency savings on running costs.

Growing awareness of environmentally-responsible building is positive, but has also provided a bandwagon onto which less scrupulous builders, developers and estate agents have leapt, gleefully waving 'green' credentials at an unsuspecting public happy to pay more for an eco-friendly product. And that wagon is careering off into the sunset, leaving trails of toxic exhaust in its wake.

Perhaps modern architecture should look to 'place' and natural processes for clues on how best to progress truly environmental building. Biomimicry and vernacular architecture could be a starting point. Aligned with modern technology and genuine desire to achieve a pure shade of green, sustainable modern structures appropriate to their environment and climate are achievable.

Gardening

How to make your garden rock

as a garden feature in their own right in the midst of Algarvian plants. The under-layer helps keep weeds at a minimum and, as the rocks help hold water, the garden should only need watering once or twice a week, making rock gardens a low-maintenance option.

BY KATE INÁCIO, ALGARVE GARDENS

Gardeners living in the Algarve are always looking to save as much water as possible. This is called xeriscaping, a landscaping practice and art form that we at Algarve Gardens pride ourselves on. One major element of any beautiful xeriscape is usually a rock garden and, whether you want to spruce up your garden or make an attractive element for potential buyers or tenants, this is a cost-effective feature that really grabs people’s attention.

Rock gardens often conjure up images of dull grey stones, but in reality they are anything but boring.

They can include a wide variety of plants and design elements including rocks of different colours, shapes and sizes along with garden art. They work nicely with fish ponds, bird baths, stone and ceramic planters, and other similar garden features. They also make a great transition between different areas of space, such as from a decking area to the rest of the garden.

The key component of any rock garden is a layer of porous rocks that holds water well while also allowing drainage. These rocks aren’t expensive as you can find them all around the Algarve. The rocks themselves create a part of the landscaping, serving

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When the Algarve Gardens team are tackling a new rock garden, we start by establishing a base layer which contains a mix of sand and pebbles for drainage and soil over the top. We then sculpt this to create the texture and visual interest the client requests. The sides need to be reinforced to prevent collapse, which is why it is always best to call in professional help. For larger areas you can use concrete masonry units, bricks and larger rocks for reinforcement. Once we have established the base we lay out the rocks, which isn’t as easy as it looks! We use creative placement with accent pieces to ensure our clients get the feature they are looking for.

Once the rockery is placed it is time to plant. When it comes to xeriscaping, succulents are an ideal option.

These hardy plants thrive in low-water environments like the Algarve and look fantastic, with lush leaves and flowers in a variety of colours. We generally mix these with small, understated plants that blend well with the rocks, such as annuals, evergreens and perennials. Spring-flowering bulbs can also create more visual interest.

So, if you want to make your garden rock, why not give us a call? With plenty of experience and a wideranging knowledge of Algarvian plants, our friendly team can make your vision for the perfect garden a reality.

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