Tomorrow Algarve Magazine - February 2023

Cheers to the Algarve An innovative cocktail in a can Meet Mr Music The man behind the biggest music stars

Ascending the Algarve Climbing cliffs in competition Harnessing the Wind The Algarve's history of wind-power A Beacon of Motorsport From Le Mans to the Algarve

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Dear Tomorrow readers,

EDITORIAL

sophie@tomorrowalgarve.com +351 912 176 588 SALES

It’s February in the Algarve, the month of almond blossom and deliciously sweet oranges. Of course, it is also the month of Valentine’s Day, which adds some romance to this otherwise uneventful month.

If you are looking for a romantic gesture for your valentine, I have a couple of ideas for you. In the municipality of Guimarães in Northern Portugal, it is traditional to give the cantarinha dos namorados as a valentine’s gift. This dates back to an ancient tradition. When a man decided to make the official marriage proposal, he had to give his loved one a clay jug called a cantarinha. If the lady in question answered ‘yes’ and her parents gave their approval, this jug was then used to store the gifts that the groom and bride’s parents would give her. These would usually be pieces of gold jewellery.

The lenço dos namorados is another important Portuguese tradition that dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries. In order to attract the man of their desires, women would wear colourful embroidered handkerchiefs. In this elaborate courtship ritual, the scarf was given to the suitor and if he returned the lady’s affection, he would wear it on his coat, neck or hat. If he did not, it would be returned to the girl. Well, I guess that’s similar to giving a bunch of flowers, but it took a lot more time and devotion. The embroideries were stitched with beautiful colours and drawings symbolising their love. In Braga, the tradition remains, and many people give and receive an embroidered scarf as a Valentine’s Day gift.

Phil

Harding phil@tomorrowalgarve.com +351 916 606 226 FOLLOW  TomorrowAlgarve  @TomorrowAlgarve  www.tomorrowalgarve.com

My valentine’s gift to our readers is the following amorous collection of articles, which will hopefully leave you feeling loved up. I give you cocktails in a can as a loving cup, a vegan valentine’s feast, a sweet selection of interviews, heartfelt places to visit and a bunch of health and beauty tips. Not forgetting an exciting range of romantic events to celebrate St Valentine.

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04230, HUÉRCAL DE

Ready to Drink

WORDS Sophie Sadler PHOTOGRAPHY @tiagomaya_visualarts

Two Algarvian entrepreneurs have used their friendship and the delicious flavours of the Algarve to create an artisan, ready-to-drink cocktail in a can.

Tiago Oliveira and Wilson Pires were childhood friends after meeting while playing football, aged ten. Their friendship continued through high school and when they both attended the University of the Algarve (UAlg). Tiago graduated with a degree in economics, and Wilson, in tourism.

Their paths then separated when they went to get experience abroad. When we spoke, Tiago explained, “We wanted to discover things to make us richer as people.” Tiago first started bar work to pay the tuition fees before entering university. “I started enjoying being behind the bar and working in O Castelo, Faro. I moved to London and started to study at a bar school. Then I went to Edinburgh, joining the most exciting project I’ve been to, a place with the biggest bar laboratory in Europe. It was a phase in which I became interested in the scientific part of the process and managed to put a bit of everything into practice. When I returned to Portugal, I was part of a hospitality training and consultancy company for three years, travelling all over the country teaching bartenders.”

Wilson was a musician in the band Fora da Bóia during his time at university. When he finished his course, he worked as a bartender for the NoSolo Grupo, then spent seven months on cruises before working at the Conrad Algarve. “That’s when I became more interested and participated in the first competitions. In 2014, I won the Bartender of the Year award in Portugal. In 2015, I went to the Netherlands as a bartender at the Waldorf Astoria, a 5* Hotel in Amsterdam. I moved to the street bar Tails and Spirits, which at the time was listed amongst the 50 best bars in the world.” Wilson then moved on to São Paulo, Brazil, working at the Guilhotina Bar. Later, he travelled to Argentina and worked in a bar called Floreria Atlântico, which was number three in the world and is currently number five.

These combined formative experiences around the world gave the pair the know-how to structure the idea of a new drink. During the lockdown, they decided to become business partners and put their knowledge, strengths and friendship together into a project. Verso. was born.

With Wilson in Buenos Aires and Tiago in Portugal, they started to share remotely some ideas about cocktails brands they had seen around the world and to research what was possible in Portugal. Their knowledge about drinks, along with their desire to learn, gave them the vital ingredients to start their own business.

When travel restrictions were lifted, Wison decided to stay in Portugal, so they started to put more energy into the idea and they took a leap of faith to create an enterprise. “We were inspired by Microsoft and started our business in a garage,” jokes Tiago. In the beginning, they entered into a partnership with a group called Call In, which gave them some support to get started.

The pair faced a lot of challenges. The first was the complexity of creating a beverage in a can rather than behind a bar. “We had to learn about carbonisation and the processes they don’t use in a bar,” recounts Tiago. As it’s a pioneering product in Portugal, the beginning of the project took longer than the partners expected: “More than creating a company, we wanted to create it with something that didn’t exist on the Portuguese market. The cocktail terminology existed, and canned drinks also, but not the fusion of the two.”

Verso. buys alcohol as a raw ingredient which they add to their cocktails. They also try to keep the alcoholic content low and concentrate on flavour rather than getting people drunk! All varieties have around five per cent alcohol content, similar to craft beer, and are handmade using mostly local ingredients, except for the pineapple.

Their USP was always to use fresh products with no colourant or flavour enhancers, but, to do this, they needed to learn how to manipulate the products in a new way. For example, in order to use grapefruit in their soda, they discovered it changes colour three times a year as the fruit changes from vibrant red to yellow. But it is always delicious. Tiago tells

me, “We only work with what God creates and we try to respect nature, so we extract everything with different flavours and techniques. Because everything is natural, it only has a shelf life of one year.”

Their flavours rely on the ancient technique of fermentation. For example, in their Poncha, they ferment honey with passion fruit and then, in the final phase, they add fennel. This gives it a flavour reminiscent of absinthe, with a touch of tangerine and orange, all freshly squeezed by hand. “The fermentation is largely responsible for the lengthening of the flavours you feel, the complexity, the body and bringing more volatile aromas as soon as you open a can. We don’t add sugars. What happens is that, in fermentation, there is an exchange of sugars for other elements, such as carbon dioxide and different types of acidity,” explains Wilson.

Verso. also tries to use products from local producers, such as oranges, and in some cases, they actually pick the ingredients themselves. They grow their own aromatic herbs. Their raspberry producer is a friend from school and they pick the fruit from her farm. So their product can be described as ‘field to fork’ (or in this case, ‘farm to can’), which they believe helps the local economy and make them more sustainable. “Many people see glass as a more elegant receptacle than a can, but we think cans are better as 90% can be recycled. Glass takes a lot of energy to recycle and is heavier to transport. We also believe that a can is a better alternative to conserve the product.”

We only work with what God creates and we try to respect nature, so we extract everything with different flavours and techniques. Because everything is natural, it only has a shelf life of one year.

Their non-alcoholic cocktails have also had great feedback from their clients. Tiago tells me, “It is easy to create a complex flavour with alcohols with a beginning, middle and end with different flavours. It is not so easy with non-alcoholic drinks. We believe that our non-alcoholic drinks have a quality and complexity and volatility akin to wine.” Their Tepache cocktails are created with an ancient technique of stabilisation and conservation of the pineapple through fermentation. In the last phase, mango and hops are added. “The idea was to make a non-alcoholic beer. Basically, an IPA [India Pale Ale] beer, with a very bitter taste but with very tropical touches,” Tiago explains. They believe by using fermented products, their drinks have a greater complexity, better than if they had been distilled.

The partners wanted their brand to have a very Portuguese flavour, reflected in their use of local ingredients but also the distinctive design on their cans, which incorporates a motif of traditional Portuguese azulejos (tiles).

In May 2021, the first cans were ready when they had a call from NOS saying they’d heard about Verso..The telecommunications company ended up being their first client with an order of 400 cans for a corporate event the next day. “It was pandemonium because we were still testing,” recalls Tiago. From the brand’s first order in less than a year, they have sold to the whole country and its archipelagos, gathering momentum through word of mouth.

With some orders coming in from Barcelona and Rome, the business partners hope that next year they can sell abroad, but it is a dream, not a goal. They are happy to remain artisans. Tiago comments, “People like our brand as it is Portuguese. It is about the quality of products which we use when we work with the products. You feel the flavours when you drink it. We respect nature and quality. We have no desire to compromise any of this by trying to be global.”

Wilson adds, “Why does everyone want to open a business and be the next great national or world reference? It’s all very well being ambitious, but why can’t there be many small companies where we can spread the money around, make quality products and all be fulfilled?”

Their goal for 2023 is to double production. Although Tiago trained in economics, he has found the finance side of the business challenging. “There is no support for young people starting businesses. Sometimes money is not the answer, but rather support and guidance. Also, because this business broke new ground, it was difficult to get advice.

Verso. also aims to give a second life to products which otherwise might be thrown away. For example, when they strain raspberry and lemongrass, the waste products still have a flavour which they use to make kombucha. They also save the pulp of ginger from their sangria to make ginger beer. The objective is to reduce the brand’s environmental footprint even further and, at the same time, create a range primarily directed at bar professionals. According to Tiago Oliveira, this second line will be called ‘ReVerso.’ “It is born from products that were going to waste to serve as a base for other cocktails.”

At the moment, they are supported by friends and family, but they don’t have anyone else on the payroll. “Friends volunteer to help as it is engaging for them as they want to be part of this startup as they think one day it might be something big and they want to be part of the story,” says Tiago.

Whatever the future holds, the story of Verso. is indeed compelling. A tale of enduring friendship, travel and ingenuity, with each chapter flavoured by the aromas of Portugal, I am sure the appendix will be equally gripping. Cheers to Tiago and Wilson.

How to taste Verso.

Verso. recommend drinking their cocktails cold straight from the beautifully designed can, which retains the cold and the CO2 or in a nice wine glass with ice.

Mediterranean Sangria with white wine, pear, basil and ginger

Poncha da Madeira with sugarcane spirit, passion fruit, tangerine and honey

Spritz With White Wine, Raspberry, Lime and lemongrass

ReVerso. Port Tonic dry white port infused with juniper berries, cucumber and mint and tonic water

Alcohol-free

Grapefruit and marjoram soda (allows bartenders to make the Paloma, a very popular cocktail at the moment)

Tepache with fermented pineapple, mango and hops

Alcoholic cocktails cost 3.50€ a unit, Tepache 2.50€ and Soda 1.50€.

Orders can be placed directly with the producer, through social networks (@verso. cocktails) and shipped anywhere in the country.

Order them from Instagram, or they can be sampled at Michelin-starred Bela Vista restaurant in Portimão, Palmares and Bon Vivant in Lagos, Club Nau in Ferragudo, NoSoloÁgua in Portimão and Three Little Birds in Sagres. Conrad Hotel, A Venda in Faro, À do Pinto in Faro, Grand Hotel in Vila Real de St António, Red Frog (one of the 50 best bars in the world) in Lisbon and Torto in Porto.

Boundless

Music

WORDS Niall Hilary

PHOTOGRAPHY Rui Pedro Lamy

Boundless are an electronic music duo based in Praia da Luz, made up of Ivan Pereira, a Portuguese electronic music producer, and Bárbara Starling, a Brazilian singer, instrumentalist and composer. Their debut album, 100 seconds to Midnight, will be released on 18 January 2023. I caught up with them to find out more.

Congratulations on the album! Could you tell me a bit about the process?

Ivan: Thanks, we’re super excited to share the album with you! Every track we produce comes from a conceptual approach, a feeling, a thought or a specific subject we wish to transmit through music. We then seek inspiration, digging deep into various cultures, scales and rhythms. We look for textures to apply and explore a lot of sound design so that people can feel each element in the music.

Bárbara: We mainly produce during the night, as we feel that quietness in the universe and a vast space to explore creativity, which is what inspired the album title.

Do you both come from a musical background?

Ivan: Music has always played an essential part in our lives. I devoted a lot of time learning electronic music composition, studied at Etic in Lisbon and took countless workshops with great technicians worldwide. I have been involved in recognised electronic music projects such as Yestermorrow, Atomizers, Techyon, Ankh, Holophonik and Holographic Brain!

Bárbara: I studied music and grew up around Brazilian musicians who founded Clube da Esquina, a cultural movement from the ‘60s that blends bossa nova, jazz, samba and chorinho, composed by artists such as Milton Nascimento, Toninho Horta, Paulinho Pedra Azul and many others. I witnessed priceless music sessions at my parents’ house and I even recorded an entire album at the same studio as Seu Jorge.

Have you had any notable performances and can we see you perform anytime soon?

Ivan: Performing at Boom Festival 2022 for its 25th anniversary was one of the most memorable moments for us and a very notable gig. You can check the full video on our YouTube channel. Over the next few months, we have performances in Portugal, France, Morocco, Brazil, Hungary and the United States.

When and where will we be able to listen to the album?

Bárbara: 100 seconds to Midnight, our debut album, will be released on all major platforms on 18 January 2023, by a Danish label, Ibogatech Records.

What brought you to the Algarve?

Bárbara: In the middle of 2020, I was invited to manage Kozii Shop in Lagos, a sustainable fashion brand based in the Algarve, so we decided to move from central Portugal to the south. We were also searching for peace of mind and a more “in-tune” environment to release the tension of the pandemic. This region combines some important aspects for us: pleasant weather, an open-minded community of people from all corners of the earth, beautiful landscapes and a mix of cultures. The Algarve is a boundless place and we feel at home here.

Ivan: The Algarve is a very inspiring place for us, as its streets breathe cosmopolitan culture. You can appreciate talented musicians on the streets daily, experience great food and find natural sanctuaries with distinct landscapes. Many interesting activities are hosted by the local and foreign communities that enhance our lives.

What are your hopes for Boundless and what plans do you have for the coming year?

Ivan: We hope Boundless can touch people’s hearts through the groovy beats produced with love. In 2023, we plan to launch a party concept, called B-sharp, that connects high-quality music with other cultural spheres to provide unique experiences in partnership with Xana Freitas and the creative entrepreneur João Pedro a.k.a Prof Panik.

Bárbara: We have also just launched Midwaystation Prod, a hub dedicated to developing creative content for the electronic music scene, in partnership with the video artist Vitinho Matias.

Ivan: We will also be releasing new material on Ibogatech and the Canadian Alpaka Records.



boundlessmusic.live Spotify: spoti.fi/3JbyKvV

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Mr Music

An exclusive interview with John Giddings

WORDS Vaughan Willmore

He’s worked with the biggest names –Bowie, Madonna, Lady Gaga and U2. In an exclusive interview with Tomorrow, John Giddings talks about his stellar career and his love of the Algarve.

John Giddings always wanted to work in the music industry. But there was no silver spoon for John and no connections in the industry. All that changed when, as the ambitious young social secretary for the University of Exeter, he took it upon himself to book the likes of Genesis, Procol Harum and T. Rex. It was the early 70s, and you name them, John booked them. Crucially, he started making connections in the industry that still serve him well today.

John and I chatted over lunch at a wellknown restaurant on the upmarket Quinta do Lago resort, in the Golden Triangle, near Almancil. Dressed in his trademark black jumper and black jeans, John was great company. Funny, interesting and selfdeprecating, he has many a tale to tell. “I was fortunate, he said, smiling. “I discovered at an early age I wasn’t a very good musician. It takes others a lot longer to realise that.” A career as a concert promoter and agent beckoned.

John initially worked for Management Agency And Music, Ltd., but before too long, he’d gone solo – quite literally, as it happened – creating the Solo Agency Ltd. An early breakthrough came when they won responsibility for David Bowie’s legendary 1987 concert at Wembley Stadium. Then, the Rolling Stones took on John as their

European promoter. U2, Madonna, and Celine Dion soon followed, as did The Corrs, The Police, Westlife, Little Mix, and many more.

If you look at any list of the top-grossing concert tours of all time, then John and the Solo Agency are there. The Sticky & Sweet Tour by Madonna in 2008 grossed $282 million. In 2009, Billboard named three of his clients as having the top-grossing tours of the previous decade - The Rolling Stones ($869m), U2 ($844m), and Madonna ($801m).

I asked John what it’s like working with such stellar names. “You have to remember, they’re top professionals, incredibly hardworking and dedicated,’ said John. ‘That’s what helps make them what they are. And at the end of the day, they’re people, albeit very talented people.”

I asked him how he keeps in contact with such an impressive client list. “It varies. With some, it’s more work-based, but certainly, with Bowie and others, it’s been a more personal relationship. He would often email and ask for my thoughts on all kinds of things, and me likewise. He was incredibly talented. I still can’t believe he’s gone.”

John considers the Isle of Wight to be home, though he plans on spending more time in the Algarve. A passion of John’s

The Rolling Stones took on John as their European promoter. U2, Madonna, and Celine Dion soon followed, as did The Corrs, The Police, Westlife, Little Mix, and many more.

John Giddings with Mariah Carey

Christmas Countdown

has been to restore the Isle of Wight Festival to its former glory. “It’s iconic. It was Europe’s Woodstock,” he told me. In the 20 years he’s been organising the festival, it has gone from being something of a sideshow for the top artists to one of the premier festivals in music, featuring The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, Coldplay, The Who, and Paul McCartney. This year’s festival takes place from the 18th to the 23rd of June. Headline acts include Robbie Williams, George Ezra, Pulp and Blondie.

Last year, John worked with Bono on his book signing tour. It generated positive coverage from the British press, something they haven’t always afforded Bono. “It’s really odd”, said John. “Bono decided a long time ago to use his fame to try and bring about some good in the world and, for that, he gets criticised. It’s a strange world we live in.”

As for those that got away? “Paul McCartney turned me down. His management team said he wouldn’t appreciate my sense of humour. It was the nicest turn-down I’ve ever had. When Take That were reforming, I was asked to represent them. I asked, ‘Is Robbie in?’ and they said, ‘No’, so I said, ‘No, thank you’. The girls in the office called me an idiot. And they were right: I was an idiot.”

As for the Algarve, John first visited here over 20 years ago and, for him

and his family, it’s a special place. “I’ve holidayed here many times,” said John. “A few years ago, I decided to buy a property. My work involves a lot of travel, so I’m away from home a lot. The Algarve is the place where I can reconnect with family.” John has three girls and one stepdaughter. He has a passion for Formula 1 racing. “I’m obsessed with it. I think Lewis Hamilton is incredible”. As for the future, “I’d like to reform Led Zeppelin or Pink Floyd or Oasis. Or maybe some kind of 'Supergroup' with musicians from the top bands.”

It was a pleasure speaking with John. He’s one of the titans of the music industry and fabulous company. John’s work, and that of his clients, has brought joy to millions. Long may that continue.

Boavista opens their bookings for Christmas and New Year on 1 February, so you can begin your Christmas countdown and benefit from an early bird discount.

Boavista's annual Christmas feast, turkey with all the trimmings, will be served as a buffet this year by popular request. The lunch is normally sold out by the summer, so don't delay. As well as a festive atmosphere with fellow diners and the hospitable Boavista hospitality team you will also enjoy live music, entertainment and of course, great food.

You can also bring in the New Year with a welcome drink, a five-course meal, music and a dance show culminating in an epic firework display at the golf resort. The food is international cuisine to suit all nationalities. This year's theme will be Re-living the Eighties, so dig out those shoulder pads and shell suits and reserve your place now.

Christmas at Boavista is 95€ reduced to 75€ with the early bird discount.

New Year at Boavista is 170€ reduced to 140€ if you book in February.

 isleofwightfestival.com www.solo.uk.com

“Our party had a great evening at the New Years party. Please pass on our thanks to the chef and to all the staff for the lovely food and for the excellent service. As normal, the service provided was excellent and all your staff went out of their way to make our evening exceptional”

- Chris

If you are still in a post-Christmas lull, then what better way to snap out of it than booking for Christmas 2023!

John with Adam Clayton from U2

John with Pharrell Williams

Júlio Dantas A man of his time

WORDS Lena Strang

Many will have come across the name Júlio Dantas in Lagos. A secondary school, a road and the public library bear his name. There is also a bust of him by the market in Santo Amaro. But who was Júlio Dantas, and why is he commemorated in Lagos?

When I delved into the history of Dantas, I began to appreciate why his legacy has been honoured. He was born in Lagos on 19 May 1876 and died in Lisbon in 1962 at the age of 86. He had a long and illustrious career, becoming one of the best-known Portuguese intellectuals of the 20th century. He completed his studies in medicine at the University of Lisbon, specialising in psychiatry, which he practised as a military doctor. However, literature was his great passion, and it gave rise to a vast range of literary works, from novels, essays, poems and plays to journalism. At the age of 21, he published his first article, and four years later, his first book of poems appeared.

He exalted the cult of heroism and the glorification of romantic love in his works. The setting was usually the 18th century, often highlighting the decadence of aristocratic life. His writing was considered pompous and archaic by the younger modernist writers, and he became the object of vivid criticism.

However, it was as a playwright that he truly excelled. His play A Ceia dos Cardeais (The Supper of the Cardinals), written in 1902, was a huge success. It was repeatedly performed on stage and later on television. Translated into many languages, it brought him international acclaim.

He adapted his novel Severa (1901) to be performed on stage. It was significant in many ways. It told the story of Maria Severa Onofriana, a prostitute with gypsy roots who immortalised fado singing as we know it today. The play was a runaway success. It was also performed as an opera and, in 1931, was made into a film – the first Portuguese alltalking sound film.

He established himself as one of the Portuguese writers who best employed the Portuguese language. He translated the works of Cervantes and Shakespeare and later coordinated the spelling agreement with Brazil.

Dantas became a public figure involved in a wide range of activities. He taught at and directed the National Conservatory of Lisbon and founded the Portuguese Society of Authors. His merit and cultural prestige were publicly acknowledged when he became the president

of the Academy of Sciences and was awarded honorary doctorates in Brazil and by the University of Coimbra in 1954.

During the tumultuous times in which he lived, his politics were pragmatic. He served as a deputy during the time of the monarchy and a minister in the First Republic following the overthrow of the monarchy. After the military revolution of 1926, which opened the way to the right-wing dictatorship of Salazar, he was the leading promoter of the grand Portuguese World Exhibition, which took place in Lisbon in 1940. It was held to mark 800 years since the foundation of the country and 300 years since the restoration of independence from Spain. The dictatorship’s propaganda machine went into overdrive, promoting the New Order (Estado Novo) and presenting its colonial endeavours in a rosy light. In 1949, he was appointed Portuguese Ambassador to Brazil.

Despite being cast as reactionary by his modernist contemporaries, Dantas seemed avant-garde in some of his writing. For example, in Os Crucificados (1902), he touched on realism and social drama, and addressed the case of homosexuality for the first time on stage in Portugal. Having already expressed strongly anticlerical sentiments in his play A Santa Inquisition (1910), he also resisted social pressure at the time, marrying his wife in a civil ceremony in 1942 and refusing a Catholic funeral in line with his secular convictions.

He was awarded multiple honours and accolades due to his public office and services to literature and culture. However, he always seemed to remember Lagos, his hometown. He was the patron of the first public school in Lagos, named after him. As Inspector of Libraries, he supported the municipal library of Lagos and donated over 10,000 books. Both the road and the library are named after him.

If you visit the Santo Amaro market in the upper part of Lagos, pause for a moment. There you’ll find a bronze bust of Júlio Dantas made by Tolentino Abegoaria on behalf of the Rotary Club of Lagos. Perhaps now the name of Júlio Dantas will have a different significance?

A Beacon of Motorsport

WORDS David Lugg PHOTOGRAPHY United Autosports

In a region that is dominated by football pitches, the Autódromo Internacional do Algarve sticks out like a beacon of motorsport majesty. Nestled discreetly within the foothills of the Monchique mountains, most tourists would barely be aware of its existence, but, in the past few years, this marvellous racetrack has been home to Formula 1 MotoGP and the World Superbikes (to name but a few). You can imagine my excitement when I was offered a behind-the-scenes tour by sportscar racing team ‘United Autosports’. I eagerly accepted and headed up to the hills.

The construction of the track was only finished in 2008, but the cost was reported to be just 195 million€ – not bad by modern budgetary standards. It is a little over 4.5km making it one of the shorter circuits on the FIA international calendar, but its undulating nature also makes it one of the most exciting. Considering that Formula 1 cars are capable of around 350kph (220mph), any driver at this circuit needs to have nerves of steel. Today, however, it is not the sight of the track that is the most impressive, but rather the sound. I am greeted by a thunderous roar that echoes across the hills. Nothing can really prepare you for the sheer volume, but United Autosports marketing manager Scarlett Whittell is on hand with some earplugs and the answers to all my questions. We make our way through the tunnel that takes us to the inside of the track for the start of my tour.

Scarlett tells me that United Autosports are “one of the fastest growing motorsport companies in the UK” and race across a wide range of categories. Their drivers have included the likes of Fernando Alonso and Lando Norris. The “business”, as she puts it, also specialises in the

restoration of classic cars and has its hand in other commercial entities such as race suits, helmets and sustainable paint technology that they say will “revolutionise the way vehicles are presented”. Today though, it is the turn of the European Le Mans Series Championship, a four-hour event that uses three drivers per car. The team will run three cars and are previous winners of the race, so hopes are high.

Inside the paddock, we are greeted by a polished procession of neatlyparked vehicles that make up the travelling motorsport family. Buses are lined up with meticulous symmetry, all emblazoned with distinctive colours and logos from their respective sponsors. Motorsport is an entertainment business, but without its benefactors, there would be little on offer. That said, it feels far from corporate. There is an impressive sense of pride and identity. Drivers zip by on electric scooters whilst burly men wheel enormous tyres destined for the next pit stop.

have them all! - and all of our products wash beautifully at 60º in commercial laundries.

Which is where we head next – to the pits. There is a noticeable change of mood as this is where the serious stuff takes place. Television monitors show live lap times whilst the pit lane crew are poised, ready for the arrival of the next car. We don’t have to wait long before the throaty roar of a 4.2 litre V8 engine comes into view. Tyres are changed with lightning efficiency as the driver steps out and calmly removes his helmet. Aside from a little perspiration, his face gives scant indication that he has just been driving at over 300kph.

We step away to meet one of the co-owners of United Autosports, former racing driver Richard Dean. Richard tells me that the company was born in 2010 from relatively humble beginnings as a GT (Grand Tourer) team. Looking at the entourage that surrounds him now, there is no doubt that his team is a great success, regardless of their result today. His tone is friendly and unruffled, something that seems to be inherent in all drivers.

Scarlett escorts me up to one of the grandstands to watch some of the action. It is immediately apparent how steep some of the slopes are. Between turns 10 and 12, the rise in elevation is around twelve metres before it drops away by a staggering sixteen metres. It is not just the speed of the cars that is impressive, but their ability to break so late at the corners. As for the race itself, United Autosports’ car

number 2 finished third, but there is no doubt they will come back stronger and their name is here to stay.

The Autódromo Internacional do Algarve is a marvellous addition to the region. In 2022, it attracted over a million visitors with 355 days of track occupancy. There is a separate karting track, a technology park, a sports complex and even a five-star hotel. The word about town is that Formula 1 will be returning again in 2023. Negotiations have already begun. Motorsport enthusiasts everywhere will be hoping that it does, as it is an exciting and popular track for both fans and drivers alike. Just don’t forget your earplugs.

Did you know?

The European Le Mans Series is a sports car ‘endurance’ series inspired by the 24 Hours of Le Mans race. The race lasts for four hours and each car has three drivers. The 2023 season will visit six tracks across Europe and finish in Portugal. www.europeanlemansseries.com/en

S H E E T S . D U V E T S . D U V E T C O

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P R O T E C T O R S B E D S P R E A D S T OW E L S T H R

Strike with No End in Sight

WORDS Natercia Godinho

An unprecedented strike by teachers and non-teachers has been taking place across Portugal. After Tomorrow was approached by a number of concerned expat parents, we sent Natercia Godinho to talk to the teachers to address their concerns.

Tomorrow by parents was teachers’ high sickness level, leaving children without subject teachers for months and sometimes a whole academic year. The teachers told me that many of their colleagues are old and unwell and young people are opting for other careers; therefore, there is a shortage of teachers.

The strike has been organised by STOP (Sindicato de Todos os Professores), a syndicate of all teachers that has no affiliation to any political party. This is a historical event supported by academic staff, including some students and their parents who have been protesting across the country. This has caused disruption to many families who have to take time off work or find alternative childcare without any prior warning.

Many parents are expressing concern that since Christmas, some children have only had one full day of school, others complain of a lack of teachers, and many more are concerned for the future of the children. Some schools may close completely if the government doesn’t negotiate with the educational staff.

To seek answers to parents’ concerns, I met with four local teachers: Miguel Gomes, Lena Marisa Soares, Antónia Manche and Luísa Magalhães. They began by explaining several factors that cumulatively have contributed to current strikes.

In 2005, working hours increased without remuneration. The government then implemented methods of evaluation without any logical criteria. Then in 2008, in the opinion of Lena, “there was a massive campaign of lies by the government stating that teachers were earning too much money and so the public never supported our concerns.”

Subsequently, Troika (a time period given to Portugal to save and pay national debt back to the EU) affected the whole country. Miguel explained: “we all complied with the

need to save money to pay national debts which were not caused by any of us but by banks, and so our salaries froze, our chances of promotion stopped, and worst of all, teachers were told not to complain or else to emigrate.”

A teacher’s pay grade goes up with a system called escalões, which pits teachers against each other. Miguel, who has taught for 27 years and is close to retirement, has never reached the top of his career despite achieving good results with the children he taught. He finds this insulting for a career dedicated to the children in the community, with teachers often putting in extra hours to help children with special needs.

According to Luisa, past strikes have failed to meet the demands of teachers, and the final straw came when a new law passed recently devolved control of education to municipalities. Antónia explained that by decentralising education to local municipalities, teachers would be sent miles away from where they live, resulting in teachers having to find new accommodation, which, as we all know, is not easy to find, especially in the Algarve!

This derives from an outdated belief that teachers should not teach in their home town because they could be open to favouritism to children they know and open to bribes from parents. What this means, in reality, is teachers have to uproot their own children and lives to live in another town.

All four teachers were keen to provide reassurance to parents that they too showed disappointment with the current state of affairs. Another complaint put to

Another gripe from the parent lobby is that during this period of strikes, they are required to take children to school every day so that they won’t receive a non-attendance mark, only to then be turned back home without any prior warning. Miguel explained that some teachers continue to choose to teach lessons; therefore, the student needs to show up as normal. However, some teachers choose to strike on the day, which is their right by law. Parents concerned with their children’s future education have proposed that teachers work through the summer to compensate for the loss of tuition, to which Miguel replied that teachers only have 22–24 days off a year. During holidays they are involved in paperwork and bureaucracy.

The unions are reporting that 100,000 teachers went to Lisbon to protest over the weekend, one of the largest strikes in history. This is denied by the government, who claims only 30,000 attended. Teachers have told me that the GNR stopped buses from the local schools in the Algarve on the way to Lisbon. It has been reported that teachers were fined for having food in their backpacks, apparently against the law! However, the strikes were peaceful with no violence and also attended by many students and parents who sympathised with the teachers’ grievances.

The government’s response to the strike has been almost silent. They have sought advice from Procuradoria-Geral da República as they doubt the strike’s legality. Until they have this ruling, they are refusing to enter into a dialogue with the teachers’ unions.

We can only hope that the government and educational representatives reach agreements to provide stability and confidence to everyone’s lives, above all to the children whose future is at stake.  Information

sindicatostop.pt

Teachers protest in Lagos © Hugo Rocha

on the current strike with dates:

From Left to right: Antonia Manche, Luísa Magalhães, Miguel Gomes & Lena Maria Soares

Ascending in the Algarve

Climbing Cliffs in Competition

WORDS Meredith Price Levitt

The atmosphere was tense. The temporary stands were overflowing. Several spectators found seats either on the floor or on top of a two-metre-thick safety mat. The smell of chalk and rubber filled the air. A Portuguese emcee rattled off information about the upcoming finals at the first and only climbing gym in the Algarve – Vertical Escalada in Lagoa.

When I arrived just before the last challenge began, the 4.5-metre-high wall with six of the most challenging routes to the top was empty. As is typical for a climbing competition, the athletes competing for the top places were in what’s referred to as ‘isolation’. In order to avoid any unfair advantage, they are all forbidden from seeing the route (fluorescent plastic holds screwed into the wall) before their four-minute timer begins. Men and women are given different routes to complete, but no one is allowed to see what they will have to climb before they step onto the mat.

At 5 pm, the first climber emerged. He managed to make it to the first point hold but not all the way to the top. The crowd cheered him on as he hung precariously from one of the hot pink plastic pieces, but it was simply not possible. One by one, the men took their turns before the women began to test their skills. Few made it to the top and held on for the required two seconds. Several were able to score points at halfway holds along the way. But even for the top climbers in Portugal, many of whom climb professionally, these routes were difficult.

For most climbers, in fact, these incredibly challenging routes would be beyond their capability. The strength required to pull your body up as you angle your weight onto a single hand upside down and then swing to another hold as you jump for the next plastic boulder is massive. Beyond the strength required throughout the entire body, successful climbers know how to use momentum to swing their weight across seemingly impossible gaps. They practise using more technique and less strength. They cross-train by lifting weights and doing cardio. To maintain the combination of strength, balance and flexibility needed to climb, most successful athletes climb at least four times a week or every other day.

For Maya Wheeler, a fifteen-year-old climber and expat who attends Vale Verde International School in Burgau, the biggest reason she loves climbing is actually surprising. It’s not the great fitness levels or the adrenaline rush, or the attention she gets from being the top climber in Portugal for her age group. “For me, it’s really social,” she explains. “I go to see my friends at Vertical. It’s a lot of fun to climb together and it’s my favourite place to hang out.”

Maya, who is half Spanish and half American, is also focused on learning Portuguese. The climbing gym has given her a way of meeting locals, which is otherwise relatively challenging for expats. Competing together has formed close bonds and Maya says she has been accepted into the local scene.

Perhaps another unexpected advantage to climbing – other than the absolutely amazing fitness benefits – is the cost. Climbing is a relatively inexpensive sport. For some climbers the gym offers all the climbing they need, while others use it for training and when it’s bad weather outside. On sunny days, like we have most of the year here in the Algarve, climbing on outdoor routes is practically free.

A delicate balance move for Maya © Guilherme Costa

Top: Rafael Kenji at full streach in the Men's finals © Guilherme Costa

Bottom: Two of the finalists working the last noulder problems © Justin Wheeler

Maya heel-hooking to stay connected to the wall © Saul at Showcase Productions

All you need are your climbing shoes, a rope, a harness, some carabiners and a good belayer below to catch you if you fall. Gym climbing requires even less gear, just a pair of climbing shoes and some chalk for your fingers.

Unlike horseback riding or tennis, this sport is accessible to most income levels because it requires so little gear. Even the gym membership at Vertical Escalada is not expensive compared to a regular gym, and you can pay per time (7€) or monthly (25€), which makes things even more budgetfriendly.

Founded in 2014 by two sets of brothers (Nuno and Ricardo Sacramento and Tiago and Valter Guerreiro) who are all avid climbers, Vertical Escalada has been a major catalyst for the climbing scene here in the Algarve. Nuno explains, “Although climbing has been a huge sport in Spain for the last 30 years, it’s relatively new here. The only indoor climbing gym in the Algarve, Vertical Escalada, has been a big part of the growth of the local climbing community. Over the last decade, the number of climbers has increased and the climbing tourism to the Algarve has also expanded.”

“Although the Algarve is mostly flat and without large mountains, we do have some very good rock climbing here, especially Rocha da Pena which has lots of routes for all levels and excellent rock quality,” says Valter. “If you are an experienced climber who wants adventure, Sagres has spectacular cliff climbing over the Atlantic Ocean. It is breathtaking. One of the main benefits of climbing here is the 300+ days of sunshine, so almost every day is a climbing day.”

“Having Vertical Escalada here is what makes the sport accessible,” says Maya’s father, Justin Wheeler, a California native who is a filmmaker and extreme sports aficionado. “It gives people a place to go where they can gain the

confidence and rope skills they need to go outside.” As Justin points out, although climbing is a sport that just about anyone can afford and do, it is important to learn the basics before you go freestyling out on a cliff by yourself with some rope. It is still a relatively dangerous sport and it’s important to fully respect the safety parameters.

The world-renowned cliffs of Sagres, for example, are only recommended for expert climbers. Here in the Algarve, the three largest climbing areas are Rocha de Pena, Albufeira and Sagres.

“Most people aren’t doing what Alex Honnold did at El Capitan in Free Solo with no ropes,” explains Justin. There are, however, some cliff climbs here in the Algarve where you can climb over water up to eight metres. So if you fall, you land in the water below. Not for the faint of heart, it’s still far less dangerous than free climbing in Yosemite.

Perhaps another reason why climbing, both indoor and outdoor, has experienced a boom in recent years is its official entry into the Olympic Games. With its debut in 2020 in Tokyo, which was delayed to 2021 due to the pandemic, rock climbing has finally gained the recognition it deserves as a sport.

At the Olympics, climbers compete in three different areas – bouldering, lead and speed. Bouldering, in which climbers have four minutes to reach the top of a 4.5-metre-high wall, is made up of indoor routes. Technically and tactically challenging, it also tests strength, agility and a climber’s ability to solve problems, namely the best way to reach the top quickly. For lead, climbers have six minutes to go as high as possible on a 15-metre-tall wall.

Climbing the cliffs of Sagres (selfie Justin Wheeler)

Valter Guerreiro chalking up in the rock at Albufeira © Justin Wheeler

Valter Guerreiro climbing a cave along the Algarve coast © Justin Wheeler

Maya admits that her first competition was terrifying because she had no idea so many people would be watching her try to climb such difficult routes, screaming and cheering behind her. But watching her scale the walls this past November, she already looked like a pro. Grouped with the top professional climbers in Portugal, she is welcomed into the group despite her young age. Today she holds the top place for women in her age group in Portugal (under 16) and has placed in the women’s finals in each of the national competitions she competed in – even against professional climbers, many of whom are twice her age.

Ever since she started climbing with her parents at around age three, Maya has been climbing for fun. But it wasn’t until last year that she got serious about it and started to compete. “After I started going to Vertical, I really started to like climbing and get more serious about it. Also, Nuno and the Vertical team have been helping me train for the competitions, which I am very thankful for,” she says. “I also like the people there and I made so many friends that this is what really keeps me going.”

When it comes to competitions, Maya’s weakest point at the moment is climbing routes that require what’s called ‘dynamic’ climbs. These moves require the climber to literally swing their bodies and jump in order to reach the next hold. Nevertheless, at just fifteen, Maya’s strength, determination and perseverance have got her to the top in Portugal for her age group. If she continues to train, there’s no doubt she has far higher to climb.

On the first Monday of each month, the local climbers get a chance to compete against each other at Vertical Escalada’s Boss Day. New routes are set and everyone gets a chance to try them for the first time in a friendly event. So what are you waiting for? If you’ve been craving the chance to climb some walls other than the ones you have at home, here’s your chance!

Harnessing the Wind

The Algarve’s Windmills

WORDS AND PHOTOGRAPHY Julian Putley

Wind power has been used for centuries by sailors for propelling waterborne craft for transportation and voyages of discovery. But it was land dwellers who discovered the windmill. The first windmill is attributed to the Persians, but European countries, particularly England and the Netherlands, soon saw the usefulness of this early machinery specifically for pumping water for irrigation. It was in the 12th century that Portugal began the construction of windmills and they soon became vital for milling grain, wheat and corn for staple foods like bread, cornmeal and confections.

Today as you travel the highways and byways of the Algarve, it is impossible not to notice the ubiquitous, conical stone and mortar ruins, often with the horizontal spar that used to support the sails sticking out from the top of the structure. It is another reminder that Portugal was an agrarian economy before tourism and hundreds of windmills were still operational until the late 1960s.

Nearly every village had a windmill or perhaps a shared windmill between two communities. A milling day was a community gathering. Farmers and growers would arrive at the mill with grain in their donkey’s pannier bags or in the horse-drawn cart. Gossip was shared along with a libation or two until the milled grain, either flour or corn meal was ready.

On the coastal path between Burgau and Praia da Luz the ruins of farm buildings and an old windmill are clearly visible on the ridge of a hill to the north. On a sunny January day, I decided to investigate. The mechanical workings of the mill are still pretty much intact, enough to show how the system worked. The main shaft that was powered by the sails was fitted with a large, cogged wheel that, with the use of a primitive gear, transmitted the energy to a vertical shaft that turned the millstones to grind the grain. The whole structure could be rotated depending on the direction of the wind.

Portugal’s windmills were different to those in northern Europe, whereby the sails were made of cloth and were easily furled to accommodate strong winds. Not only that, but clay devices were attached to the revolving structure to create a whistling sound that would tell the operator of the speed of the revolutions and act as a warning to reduce the sail.

Windmills of old were usually positioned on hilltops where the wind speed would be stronger and more reliable. As such, the views from these high elevations are often spectacular. This has prompted several history enthusiasts to take up renovating the interesting structures and some have been turned into restaurants or accommodation.

Just as windmills became a major innovation in the agricultural sector in bygone years, today the wind is being

harnessed to generate electricity in a new but similar way; enter the wind turbine. Wind turbines are conspicuous on the higher elevations throughout the Algarve, particularly the north and southwest regions. Green energy is a priority in these days of catastrophic natural disasters caused by global warming and climate change, the result of unchecked carbon emissions from fossil fuels.

These pollutants need to be eliminated or vastly reduced as soon as possible. Portugal has committed to becoming carbon neutral by 2050 and this will likely be brought forward. It currently gets 60% of its electricity from renewable sources – one of Europe’s largest proportions of green energy use.

Also, to add to the incentive to move away from fossil fuels, many countries in Europe, without sufficient oil and gas, have been held hostage by the pariah state of Russia, which supplied them with this essential resource. Now European countries are scrambling for alternatives – wind and solar power sources are being ramped up to alleviate the situation.

It’s hard to believe that a brutal war could have a fringe benefit, but one thing is certain – the journey from windmills to wind turbines and other renewables is likely to continue.

Do you live in a windmill, or have you converted one? We would love to hear from you sophie@tomorrowalgarve.com

Odiáxere windmill

Readers 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: sophie@tomorrowalgarve.com

Dear Editor

Lagoa câmara claims to have a strong commitment to the environment. However, it takes more than soundbites, catchy slogans and glossy brochures to earn environmental credentials. The câmara can be judged instead by its actions. In respect of Alagoas Brancas, the following actions demonstrate a less-than-green agenda:

• consistently emphasising its requirement to comply with building regulations whilst conveniently neglecting its responsibility to uphold environmental laws

• repeatedly denying the ecological value of Alagoas Brancas despite the evidence provided by an extensive study by scientists

• spending time and money producing a video with the explicit aim of disproving the environmental importance of Alagoas Brancas

• publicly labelling conscientious campaigners as ‘crazy bird people’

• appealing against court rulings favourable to the preservation of the habitat

• having to be pressured into changing the status of Alagoas Brancas in the PDM and in the process creating a Reserva Agricola Nacional (RAN) when it clearly merits being made a Reserva Ecológica Nacional (REN)

Moreover, by these actions, the câmara is failing not only the environment but its citizens as well. The true role of the local authority in sustainable development is to facilitate citizens in manifesting their visions; to help them realise their green ideas, schemes and projects. The administration’s function is to motivate and promote access, not to frustrate and demoralise.

Sadly, unless prevailing attitudes are challenged, it is likely that the dream of a sustainable future for Lagoa, fair and equitable for all (including birds), will remain just that – a dream (and a distant one at that).

The coming months may prove crucial for the survival of Alagoas Brancas as a habitat for vulnerable species. Support from the local community will be vital for the success of the campaign. More public events are being planned. Come and participate with your family, friends and colleagues. Watch this space!

PS There is a facebook public group called: “Salvar as Alagoas de Lagoa – Save the Alagoas of Lagoa.”

The page has a link to a newly created public petition. If people want to participate in the protest, they could join the group and sign the petition.

Dear Sophie

After reading the articles you have in the December issue on using hemp, plus other articles you have printed about using this product, I am beginning to love it. It is so versatile and green too.

I would love to see in the New Year this product being more widely used. Its versatility should be made more widely known. I think it’s a wonderful product and I would certainly live in a hemp-constructed house. I also intend to purposefully look for items that use hemp in their construction.

Marion Verling, Lagos.

Dear Tomorrow

After reading Sophie Sadler’s fascinating article about the use of hempcrete in building projects, we got in touch with the man she interviewed to find out more. We were so impressed with everything we learned from him about this sustainable building material.

We’re planning to build an eco-friendly property and hadn’t really considered using hemp before, but it’s now our number one choice thanks to Tomorrow and Sophie’s article.

Jenny and John Pickering Silves

Dear Tomorrow

The youngsters from the Lagos Children’s Home enjoyed their annual “Festa dos Estrangeiros “ last Saturday.

They merrily devoured their three-course lunch and Father Xmas distributed their personal gifts. Once again, this would not have been possible without your kind generosity.

We have never before managed to achieve all the children satisfied with their gift. This year we did, with the assistance of a new group of mainly American volunteers (not forgetting the Irish, British and Portuguese). They did a magnificent job of sourcing, shopping and wrapping.

This year’s innovation was a table plan drawn out of a hat and the most beautiful place cards, painstakingly created by one of our volunteers. The kids were made to feel special.

The only thing I had to do was organise the venue, music and menu. The same restaurant and menu as last year was an easy option. They had enjoyed last year’s ”healthy” lunch so much that it was simple to repeat. What could possibly go wrong?

Well, everything that I had a hand in. The food was not what I thought I had ordered. My ego kicked in and I got angry. Luckily, some of the other volunteers tried to soothe me and point out that the children were having a ball. And they were. They were also very appreciative. This also assuaged my ego.

The music was irrelevant because no one was listening to it. They were all admiring their gifts before they had to rush off to watch Portugal lose their soccer match.

If any of your readers would like to join these enthusiastic new volunteers. So far, they have taken the kids to crazy golf, the beach, and swimming and are currently organising a regular event with a dog charity, spiffinggriffin@hotmail.com

And so, to conclude, thank you very much once again.

Lots of love from Leela and her large elves xxxxxxxx

Martin Owen

An off-grid story that will charge you up!

The lesson that Robert learnt from all this was that power was the key to living off-grid. With his previous experience, he was able to easily set the farm up to be off-grid within a few months and he says that the most important thing is to be able to “use your power tools to maintain your land, pump water from a borehole or fonte to the rest of the land, and be able to use normal white goods like fridges, freezers, washing machines, dishwashers and things that keep you comfortable.”

Friends started to seek advice from Rob about the best way to live off-grid and how to maximise the use of solar energy, and so the natural way forward was to provide a service that helped people to understand how to live off-grid and provide the systems to go with it. Algarve OffGrid was born.

Rob emphasises that “living off-grid is not simple; it is a juggling act. You can’t turn on all your appliances at once, and you have to be mindful of what you use and when. This can be frustrating at times but gives you a real appreciation of exactly how much energy you are using and for what. It teaches you so much about your impact on this earth and empowers you to contribute towards the changes that are needed to help with the climate crisis.”

I asked him why someone would choose his company to install solar panels over companies that already exist and allow you to tap into their already set up grid system. He answers confidently, “If you want to be fully in control of your power and not rely on systems that can charge extra at any notice or cut off your power at any time, then our solution is for you.”

Being a successful headhunter in the UK since 2008 allowed Robert Hawcroft and his family the freedom to work and live from anywhere in the world. Yearning to live in nature, in a different culture, they decided to move to the Algarve mountains to seek a better, more grounded quality of life.

After realising there is no value in having an attachment to things but that the only important things in life are living beings and nature, they bought an 18-hectare farm in 2018. Located on the south side of Monchique towards Picota and facing the orange grove countryside of the beautiful Odelouca Valley, the area gave them the ‘wild environment’ they sought. It was a complete contrast from their suburban house in Cheshire, where they had brought up their two children for the last decade.

Besides the abundance of water their land offered from their private fonte (well), the possibility of living off the grid allowed them to free themselves from the constraints that come with relying on normal amenities. They also wanted to teach themselves and their children to value life less materialistically and more honestly. “Living off the grid teaches you to be more in tune with nature and more aware of your impact on your environment.”

There is nothing more humbling than working with nature and, in 2018, the wildfires of Monchique unexpectedly showed them that the ‘wild environment’ that first attracted them to this region had

a fierce temperament. They lost all their possessions and some animals as the fire swept through their land, leaving a barren, bleak and black-smouldering emptiness in front of them.

The fire not only destroyed their dreams, but the psychological effects of this massive destruction lead to the end of the couple’s 17-year-long relationship. Rob describes his despair for the lost wildlife, vegetation and trees, adding, “The fire also had a huge negative mental impact on our family, and with it came a lot of difficult times and reflection.”

On a much-needed positive note, all the overgrown forest on their land was burnt to the ground, and so for them, the mammoth task of clearing this had now all disappeared. With the exposed landscape, it was now easier to see how they could progress their project and plan the site to set up their off-grid lifestyle with a new vision.

Even though they had separated, Rob and his wife worked together to build up what is now a fully functional and beautiful 18-hectare farm that sits beside its own water source, is fully off-grid, and only a 15-minute drive to all the facilities in Portimão. They also have approved planning permission to build a 250-square-metre house with ocean views. Originally their vision was to build this up as a family home and farm, but now that they have separated, the quinta is on the market.

If you’d like to explore the possibility of living off the grid, Rob offers consultations throughout the Algarve region. Algarve OffGrid can install and set up your whole solar system. For more in-depth information, visit www. algarveoffgrid.com

If you are interested in purchasing his property, which is set up to enjoy an off grid lifestyle straight away, contact Robert on Rob@eco-monchique.com with reference ‘Tomorrow’.

WORDS @nomadicnili

Alice in the Wasteland

Alice in the Wasteland is the provocative name of a stage show written by Maria Clara Lobos, which will be performed in the Centro Cultural de Lagos this month. The innovative theatre is aimed at young people to make the new generation aware of the consequences of our consumer society.

Maria Clara was born in Brasilia, the capital of Brazil, in 1972. Her father was a diplomat, so she lived in different countries throughout her childhood, including France, the USA, Germany and Sweden. As a result, she speaks six languages, including Portuguese, her mother tongue. “Though I speak so many languages, the non-verbal language of the body has been my passion from an early age.” At the age of sixteen, she studied classical and modern dance to become a professional dancer. After graduating, she worked as a freelance dancer for four years before going to Brussels in 1995 to complete her studies at P.A.R.T.S (Performing Arts and Research Training Studios).

Brussels became her home, where she collaborated with different choreographers and in 2000, she set up her own company, XL Production. Her career took her on a path as a choreographer and company director, creating numerous productions on different scales, both for adults and young audiences, which have toured internationally in venues and festivals across Europe.

“Using a hybrid language that mixes dance, physical theatre, video, objects and speech, what characterises my work is a humorous, visual and critical approach to social and ecological topics such as consumer society, mass culture or plastic pollution,” says Clara.

Alice no País do Lixo was first created in Brussels and toured France, Belgium and Brazil. Aimed at a young audience aged five to 13, the show deconstructs the idea of Alice in Wonderland, as it becomes Alice in a wasteland of rubbish. A mix of theatre, dance, video, and object manipulation with a narrative and original music combines to create an entertaining and educational spectacle that is entertaining for the whole family and transcends any language barriers. Although a Portuguese adaptation, there is not much dialogue, so if you don't speak Portuguese, don’t be put off, you will still understand the story.

The narrative follows Alice, an eight-year-old girl who, one night, while trying to retrieve her teddy bear, falls into the rubbish bin. Strangely, the bin is very deep and Alice lands on a mountain

of rubbish. She begins an adventure in this imaginary country – the Land of Garbage. Maria Clara takes the public on this journey into the world of waste and its various aspects, passing not only through the negative aspects but also through the creative and transforming ones.

This piece seeks to bring awareness to environmental issues. “Seeing it in a creative context can impact children more. We emphasise that waste is not to be thrown away but given a value.” The production was inspired by artists using recycled waste to make art. Maria Clara sees this as prophetic as she has recycled her own work six years after its initial conception. By creating this new version with a new cast in Portugal, the show practices what it preaches. Sets and costumes are created from recycled waste. After the performances in Lagos, they will be touring Portugal, recycling their message to other audiences.

This production came to Lagos due to the founder of the Lagos artistic collective Sofia Brito. She met Maria Clara in Brussels while studying and asked her to come to Portugal with the performance. AORCA (Associação de Observação, Regeneração e Criação na

Atualidade) was established in 2018 and supports artists in creating their own shows and initiatives. Part of Sofia's goal is to create performances for children and teenagers in a region where there is not much on offer. Sofia also tries to engage schools in theatre and music and is also keen to promote cultural tourism.

As well as AORCA the production is being supported by partners including the Regenerative Organic Farm Quinta do Vale da Lama, together with the association Projecto Novas Descobertas (PND) and the Associação de Dança de Lagos (ADL). The artistic presentations will be further articulated with an educational programme developed in collaboration with Project New Discoveries. The Spectator Workshops held in schools and at the Lagos Cultural Centre are intended to open dialogue on the theme of waste, and regenerative practices. They aim to raise awareness about the consequences of the consumer society that leads us to create more and more waste on the planet, polluting our oceans, natural and urban spaces worldwide. It will also hopefully awaken young people to their potential. “Touching the costumes and teaching a bit of dance are all ways of encouraging children to glimpse another world of artistic endeavour they might not be familiar with,” reflects Sofia.

With two morning shows sold out and the artistic duo would love to sell out the other shows so that the municipality invites them back. With such a dynamic duo of artistic talent behind this show, there is one thing for sure - none of this show will go to waste!

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The play is scheduled for 23 and 24 February, with sessions at 10:30 am and 3:30 pm. On the 25th, there is a session aimed at families at 4 pm, all in the Centro Cultural de Lagos.

Tickets on sale at the Cultural Center ticket office in Lagos: 10€/adults, 5€/under 18 years old, 3€/ student (school groups), 5€/spectator workshop

For reservation of tickets and more info about the workshops contactA ORCA: (+351) 936 781 791 / 914 308 424 info@aorca.pt

WORDS Sophie Sadler PHOTOGRAPHY Charlotte Sampermans

Dr. Andrew Garbett (DC)

An Author of the Inner Worlds

Lorraine

DeSousa

Q: Mrs DeSousa, you are a dog lover. Apparently, dogs tend to show similar personality traits with their two-legged friends (I hate to use the word ‘owners’). Do you think this also happens with the pair character-author as well?

Dogs are my joy and bring happiness to my life. I think we all have many facets to our personalities and when a character climbs onto the page, I can hear the voices of the characters in my head. I suppose there must be similarities to the author in that we use our own experiences of life when we write. So there must be a similarity of feelings; whether we would dare to act on them like our characters is another thing! The characters, though, tend to have their own voice patterns and tones, but, within this book, I deliberately tried hard not to use speech very much. I wanted more to convey inner worlds rather than conversations.

Q: I do not picture Delusions as autobiographical, but some details seem too evident not to be linked to our surrounding reality: Atlantic beaches, cultural differences between partners, cobbled streets, almond blossom trees, underground salt mining (mina de sal-gema de Loulé?), fiesta nights, bougainvillaea (florde-papel), bread with chorizo and tomato and cheese, and so forth. Am I wrong?

You are correct. I drew

inspiration from my surroundings and the things that I have experienced. I am indeed extremely fortunate to have lived in two beautiful places in the world (UK and Portugal) with an enormous amount of scope for poetic description and being able to live and see the cultural differences between the two countries. I use everything around me to build a sense of place.

Q: It takes a lot of sensitivity to write a book full of love, stress, happiness, and challenges, but also many dangerous delusions. In your opinion, is being highly sensitive a gift or a curse?

I think being highly sensitive is probably a double-edged sword. There are many gifts though, that come with being highly sensitive, such as insight, empathy, a rich inner life, a search for the meaning of life, deep thoughts and emotions. I think these positives can outweigh, most of the time, the negative side of being highly sensitive. But I realise it is hard if you are prone to depression, anxiety, withdrawn, or misunderstood, then being highly sensitive must be a challenge.

Q: I have heard that you wrote (at least) three books but have only published Delusions so far. Why only one, and when can we expect the next announcement?

My second book is being published as we speak and will probably be ready sometime next year. I had never had the confidence before to submit a book for publication and the one that is due to be published was written many years ago, with a completely different writing style. Experiance alters your writing and what you wish to say so much.

Q.: You are also a poet, aren’t you?

Yes, I adore poetry. I have had a few poems published in several poetry anthologies, and found it also helped with my writing and expression when writing books.

Q: Two questions in one shot: Edgar Allan Poe or Pablo Neruda? The Woman in the Dunes or Kafka on the Shore? Pablo Neruda, his surreal passionate love poems are to die for. One of my favourite couple of lines is from Sonnet XVII: “Where I do not exist, nor you /so close that your hand on my chest is my hand,/so close that your eyes close as I fall asleep.”

Kafka on the Shore? [I] love, love, love this book; it is spellbinding. It follows a 15-year-old Japanese boy who runs away from home on a surreal journey. The book is hard to put down and is described perfectly as a metaphysical mind-bender.

Q: Has living in Portugal made any difference in your writing? Yes, a huge difference: the different cultures allow you to see fresh possibilities that you would never gain being in only one culture. Travel, as they say, expands the mind, which can only help with writing.

Q.: What is your message to the readers of Tomorrow? Keep reading books, please. The words of so many minds make us what we are today. Turn off the TV and phones once in a while, and enjoy the pleasure of immersing yourself in a story that allows you into a different world. Books are so important to give each generation the stories of the previous generation and to give insight into our minds, feelings, words, events, and cultures of our times.

Read Dan's review on the book in the Tomorrow blog: tomorrowalgarve.com/community-news

WORDS Dan Costinas

Bookworm

Cat

Lady, By Dawn O'Porter

WORDS Annie O’Dea

Cat Lady is Dawn O’Porter’s latest witty creation. Her bold new fiction will have readers in stitches. This frank, fresh approach that marks her writing tells the story of a woman who, cat-like, defies labels, becomes independent, free and cannot be tamed but lands on her feet in the end. Thought-provoking and addictive, this is a story of one woman’s journey after a life of playing the part people expect.

Mia is a good wife to Tristan and a doting stepmother who makes a choice after a shocking event shatters her conventional life. Forging new friendships in her quest for a new life, Mia decides to live for herself rather than for a society that is all too quick to judge. An independent woman in her forties with a cat, Pigeon, the world had better watch out for her.

Dedicated to her pets, past and present, Dawn O’Porter writes about how animals provide “a lesson to us all on how to live for nothing but pure love”. She follows with an astute insight into human nature, stating that “everyone is playing a part”. Her novel is divided into five parts, each representing a specific role played/lived as a mother, career woman and wife. As she reminds her husband of all she does: food shopping, the admin, washing and putting away the clothes, teaching his child to read, and amazingly putting up with his intolerable exwife Belinda, it is little wonder why Mia chooses the cat!

Written in the first person, present tense, Mia tells her story with humour and sarcasm as she depicts society and the people around her. As Mia describes one dinner party she is hosting for Tristan with all his friends, including his ex-wife, she is

astutely aware that she is the “odd one out” and that they all secretly hope she will “silently exit out of the cat flap”. It is this realism and insight into human nature that is so poignant and which resonates with O’Porter’s readers.

Cat Lady reminds us all to live our lives our way and that, “The kindness of strangers can get you to the next place you are supposed to be.” As Mia reflects on her marriage as a “facade”, she acknowledges, “But was I sad because I had lost love? No, I was sad because I lost myself trying to find it.”

The back cover of the novel states, “We’ve all known a cat lady and we’ve probably all judged her too. But behind the label, what if there’s a story worth nine lives?” Never has a truer word been spoken!

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Dawn O'Porter is a British writer, director, and television presenter. Dawn Porter first came to widespread public attention when she attempted to slim down to a size zero by using drastic dieting regimes for the BBC documentary Super Slim Me. A career as a TV presenter followed and she established her own TV production company, Hot Patootie TV. In 2006, she published Diaries of an Internet Lover. In May 2013, she released her first fictional novel, Paper Aeroplanes, the tale of an intense female friendship loosely inspired by her own childhood in Guernsey.

In August 2012, Porter married Hollywood actor Chris O’Dowd and changed her name to Dawn O’Porter. She now lives in LA with her husband, two sons and a cat!

Portraits of a Life

WORDS Tom Henshaw

Clae Eastgate is a British artist known for her portraits, particularly those of contemporary poets, including the former Poet Laureate, Carol Ann Duffy, the former National Poet of Wales Gillian Clarke and former Scots Makar (Scottish Poet Laureate) Jackie Kay.

Two of these portraits were recently purchased for the Scottish National Portrait Gallery’s permanent collection of contemporary portraiture. She has also painted the Queen (commissioned by the Kennel Club in 2013) and is currently working on a portrait of Dame Jane Goodall, the renowned ethologist.

Clae lives and works in the UK between Shropshire (her base) and London. She also teaches portrait and still life classes, and has taught at art schools on BA Fine Art courses (Contemporary Portraiture BA Hons), Foundation Art and the Diploma in Fine Art. She has regular workshops both online and from her London studio, and runs mentoring programmes for students.

Clae is a frequent visitor to the Algarve and, in particular, Lagos. Over the last few years, she has gradually fallen for the Algarve way of life and has made it her focus to spend more time here and eventually move here full-time.

This autumn, Clae is looking at running a selection of still life and portrait workshops in Lagos and will be collecting numbers of those interested in attending.

“I love this area of the Algarve and I am looking to spend much more time here. I’d really like to find out what the interest is for people wishing to learn to paint and wanting a regular workshop to go to. The workshops will be relaxed and fun – a place to forget about everything but the paint, canvas, and good company! They will be ideally suited to those with little or no experience who want to have a go, begin a new hobby or even take it to a more advanced level.”



Clae is looking to run the workshops this September, so if you’d like to find the painter in you, please register your interest here mail@clae.uk or visit www.clae.uk and follow the Algarve link. Let’s get Lagos painting!

Fresh, funny and for anyone who’s ever felt astray, Cat Lady will help you belong because a woman always lands on her feet.

Meet the Artist

Samantha van der Westhuizen

WORDS Alyson Sheldrake

Artist Samantha van der Westhuizen was featured in Tomorrow in June 2020, telling the story of how she and her family fled South Africa in fear for their lives. Now, three years on, Alyson Sheldrake catches up with her to find out about her latest artistic projects.

Samantha and her family now appreciate every day in a country they now call home. On moving to Portugal, her husband encouraged her to take up her painting again. “My painting murals came about because a friend asked me to paint their ‘vacation view’ on a wall of their home. From there, one mural turned into two, then three, and two-and-a-half years later, this is what keeps me busy.”

Samantha explains that painting produces a relaxing, open environment where she can explore her creativity. “The reward of growing and expanding my artistic skills creates a sense of accomplishment and allows me to produce something that is visually appealing. I find painting extremely inspiring in itself. For me, it’s a practical reminder that I can create with my own two hands.”

Interestingly, Samantha paints with acrylics, but she only works with the three primary colours, black and white. “I think the colour mixing is my favourite part. I’m a fast painter, and I think that’s also why I enjoy acrylics because they dry quickly. The subject matter, size, and surface texture determine the length of time it’ll take to complete a project.”

Her inspiration for her art comes from her surroundings. The inspiration for her murals depends on the criteria she has been given by the client. “Then it’s about creating someone else’s vision. I think the

best compliment is when you’re told you’ve surpassed what they imagined.”

She considers herself very lucky to have an ever-changing studio. “With each mural, I get a new studio. This is how we’ve got to see and explore Portugal. I’ve completed numerous mural projects in the Algarve as well as the Silver Coast. I’ve also been lucky enough to fly to Bremen, Germany, and Madeira for commissioned murals. My space has ranged between working upside down on a double shipping container to sitting on top of a jacuzzi painting the ceiling.”

Ultimately, she wants people to feel the same amount of pleasure looking at her work, as she had creating it. She believes that murals aren’t only about taking a blank wall and creating a focal point, it’s also about creating somebody else’s vision. “I want to create something for them that each time they look at it, they get that same initial feeling of joy.”

Her advice for an aspiring artist is very sensible: “Just start and have the open mind of a child. You can never make mistakes in art, just change your direction of thought, enjoy the process and the end product will fall into place.”

This year Samantha will be continuing with her murals and has some exciting projects lined up where she’ll be painting new scenes or designs that she hasn’t done before.

She is also taking part in the Algarve Art Expo, which is taking place in Portimão on the 10–12 February, and she will be exhibiting in São Brás de Alportel at the Amigos do Museu in April.

Samantha paints her murals on a commission basis and happily accepts commissions for her art too. She also does live wedding portraits where she paints the bridal couple and wedding party during the reception.

She offers acrylic workshops for adults twice a week, morning and afternoon classes, and a children’s class once a week.

You can read about Samantha's dramatic past here: bit.ly/3ZFn0r7

What's on

Five ways to Die of Love

Charity Recycle Sale

St. Vincent’s Church is holding a Recycle Sale for the community. You are invited to participate in this great opportunity to clear out your loft, garage, storage, and make some money at the same time!

Take advantage of this event to give your home a new look for 2023 or update your wardrobe. Or just pop in for a cup of tea or coffee and a browse.

When: 11 February 10:00 - 15:00 Where: In the Salão, behind the church in Luz Sellers: 10€ per table, Buyers: free admission  Louise Player: louise@frogeyedtoad.co.uk

This operatic performance, Cinco formas de Morrer de Amor by Catarina Molder reflects on the fact that those who die more for love or who sacrifice more for love in opera, in literature and in life are women. The performer and soprano is accompanied by the MPMP Ensemble Quartet in a musicalscenic show of contemporary opera with sounds from the post-Romanticism of Ernest Chausson to the pop music of the Clã.

When: 11 February 9 pm Where: TEMPO - Teatro Municipal de Portimão Price: 20€ Tickets: tempo.bol.pt  +351 282 402 475 l 961 579 917 teatromunicipaldeportimao.pt

Silves Orange Festival

An initiative promoted by Silves City Hall, highlighting the citrus fruits grown in the municipality. The Orange XXI Conference (where specialists will debate issues that are central to citrus production and producers), the Silves 2022 Regional Cocktail Competition the puppet show As Laranjas Doces do Jesuíta and the customary Valentine's March are other high points of the event.

Besides the citrus-growing area, there will be dozens of exhibitors linked to wines, agriculture, regional products, confectionary, handicraft, gastronomy, associations and local and regional institutions.

From Lagos with Love

Love is in the air in Lagos! To mark Valentine's Day, celebrated all over the world on 14 February, the municipality has prepared some very special activities for couples who live or visit us here. To show their love, the Lagos council is offering free parking in Frente Ribeirinha Park for 2 hours a day (10 to 14 February) on presentation of a receipt for purchases equal to or greater than 10€ made in local shops and restaurants in Lagos.

When: 10 to 14 February

 You can register for all events at: www.cm-lagos. pt/municipio/eventos/10629-lagos-com-amor-2023

Art Expo Algarve

Over 140 artists from more than 20 countries will be exhibiting their paintings, sculptures and other works of art at this popular annual international event. Many local artists will be there, including some who have featured in the pages of Tomorrow magazine.

Don’t miss this unique opportunity to view and buy affordable art directly from artists and galleries.

When: February 10–12 Friday and Saturday: 11 am to 9 pm Sunday: 11 am to 8 pm Where: Portimão Arena

Price: Free entry

 John Ganhao artexpoalgarve@hotmail.com www.artexpoalgarve.com

When: 18,18 & 20 February Where: The riverside area next to FISSUL in Silves  www.cm-silves.pt www.facebook.com/municipiodesilves

Solo Piano Concert

The distinguished Japanese musician, Kodo Yamagishi, will interpret works by Peter Ilitch Tchaikovsky, Enrique Granados and Johannes Brahms —the great composers of Romanticism. Yamagishi was educated at the University of Music and Performing Arts of Vienna. Since 1996 he has been working in opera productions. IN 2009 he became a professor at the University of Évora and orchestra conductor at the same institution.

When: 3 April 9 pm

Where: Cultural Centre of Lagos - Duval Pestana Auditorium

Price: 10€ with a 50% discount for under 18s  www.facebook.com/CentroCulturaldeLagos

New Year, New You, New Sport

WORDS Louise Taylor

Have you caught the padel bug yet? This fast-paced sport sits somewhere between tennis and squash, and it’s been capturing the attention of players around the globe in the past couple of years.

In fact, the International Padel Federation reports that more than 25 million people now play padel in over 90 countries. In Europe in 2021, it’s believed that 15,000 new padel courts were registered. Padel advocates include Andy Murray, Tim Henman, Jürgen Klopp and Pep Guardiola, to name just a few.

Portugal has certainly jumped on the padel bandwagon. Sports clubs along the length of the Algarve have added padel courts to their offering in recent years. Vilamoura Tennis & Padel Academy, Albufeira Padel Clube and Lagos Tennis Club are three of the largest, while Pedras Tennis & Padel Academy and Padel Clube VRSA serve those towards the eastern end of the Algarve.

In the western Algarve, the Ocean Padel Club in Praia da Luz has the first courts with a two-tone, blue Mondo WPT championship surface. Meanwhile, at Burgau Sports Centre, two new padel courts are being constructed, along with a full-sized singles court. It is expected to be operational in May.

Part of the appeal of padel is how easy the game is to pick up and how fun it is to play. Padel courts are roughly threequarters the size of tennis courts, with a central net and walls around the sides. Players use bats rather than stringed racquets and can bounce the ball off the walls, much like in squash.

As well as tennis clubs adding padel courts and padel clubs springing up along the Algarve, luxury resorts are also embracing the sport. The Campus at Quinta do Lago, for example, now includes four padel courts, while Amendoeira Golf Resort in Silves has added two padel courts to its extensive sporting offering. Families from around the world have bought properties at Amendoeira Golf Resort in recent years and many have enjoyed spending time on the padel

courts. Alda Filipe, Sales and Marketing Director at Kronos Homes, which owns and operates Amendoeira, comments:

“Our padel courts have been popular since they opened, and we expect this to continue as the rest of the world wakes up to this exciting sport. We are delighted to welcome those who have never tried padel to our courts, as well as seasoned players looking to refine their skills.”

The social element of padel is also part of the appeal. The game is played in doubles, making it ideal for couples and friends to take to the court together. Combined with the fast pace at which padel games proceed, the sport offers an excellent blend of fun and fitness.

Being able to play somewhere with nearly year-round good weather is, of course, a major bonus and is one reason why so many padel clubs have popped up along the Algarve. Over the border in Spain, meanwhile, there are more than six million active padel players. The sport has become the second most popular in the country, behind football.

While Portugal can’t quite match Spain’s six million players, the sport continues to grow here. The 2021 figures from Air Courts estimate that there are now nearly 1,000 padel courts in Portugal, serving over 200,000 active players. Player numbers in Portugal grew significantly during the pandemic, as many people prioritised staying fit and healthy while also finding ways to socialise outdoors rather than in.

So, if you’re looking for a new sport to take up in the New Year, why not take the opportunity to try out your skills on the padel court?

SPORTS ROUND UP

Football

Cristiano Ronaldo

Portuguese superstar Cristiano Ronaldo looks set to finish his playing career in Saudi Arabia after signing for Al Nassr. The 37-year-old had a disappointing World Cup for his country, but the new contract that will earn him close to 200€ million a year will undoubtedly ease his frustrations! The move is seen as a big coup for Saudi Arabia as they seek to draw positive publicity to the nation. The former Manchester United striker currently has over 500 million followers on social media.

Champions League football

Both Porto and Benfica have enjoyed marvellous starts to their respective Champions League campaigns. After losing their opening two games (and a 4-0 home loss to Clube Bruges), Porto topped Group B with four straight victories that included a 4-0 away win over Bruges. Benfica’s achievements were arguably more impressive. The Lisbon-based side completed the double over Italian giants Juventus and even pipped Paris St Germain to win Group H. In the last 16, Porto will face Inter Milan, while Benfica will have their turn at facing Clube Bruges.

Women’s Champions League

Benfica found the going tough against the might of Barcelona and Bayern Munich but were able to complete the double against Swedish side FC Rosengård. They finished their campaign in third position with six points.

International Football

Roberto Martinez has been named as the new head coach of the Portugal men’s side. The Spaniard replaces Fernando Santos following a shock defeat to Morocco at the World Cup. Martinez was in charge of a talented Belgium side that crashed out in the group stages, where they also lost to Morocco. As a player, he played most of his career in England and Wales before going on to manage Swansea, Wigan and Everton. One of his first decisions will be whether to keep the talismanic 37-yearold Cristiano Ronaldo in the squad for the upcoming European Championship qualifiers.

Cycling

The 49th Volta ao Algarve (Tour of Algarve) will begin from Portimão on 15 February. The five-day event will see twenty-five of the top pro-cycling teams undertake a gruelling 795 km across largely undulating or mountainous terrain. The top three ranked teams in the world (Jumbo-Visma, UAE Team Emirates, INEOS Grenadiers) have all confirmed their attendance as they view the tour as a great warm-up event for the long season ahead. Aside from Portimão, the tour will visit Lagos, Faro, Aljezur and Sagres.

The images are from the 2022 volta ao Algarve cycling race. The winner of the race (in the yellow jersey) is the Belgian rider Remco Evenepoel - one of the best cyclists in the world - he won the tour of Spain in 2022.

Tennis

Rugby

The Algarve’s top club side, Loulé, has had a disappointing first half to their season. After last year’s historic promotion to national Division One, they have found the going tough and have suffered a series of heavy defeats. To compound their issues, head coach Max Evans has now left his role by mutual consent. The ex-Scottish international had been key to the recent rise of the club, but the new coaching set-up must now try to galvanise their side as they attempt to stave off an immediate relegation back to Division Two. Their first port of call will be the upcoming national cup competition which they will hope will lead to a change of fortunes.

The Algarve city of Vila Real de Santo António will host the opening men’s Portuguese ITF World Tennis tournament of the year. The outdoor, hardcourt event will run from February 6-12 and will be followed by further tournaments at Quinta do Lago, Loulé, Portimão and Faro. The ITF tour offers entry-range and mid-level professional tournaments and is the gateway to the prestigious WTA tour. The women’s schedule has not yet been announced, but competitions are due to be held at the same venues across the region.

If you wish to publicise a sporting event, please contact our sports editor David Lugg: david@tomorrowalgarve.com

WORDS David Lugg

Photo courtesy of www.facebook.com/rugbyclubedeloule

Musings of a MOUNTAIN BIKER

WORDS Gilly Grateley

Hi, Gilly here. Winter in the Algarve is my favourite time for mountain biking. I love the quiet routes, the sunny days and the great temperatures for exploring. I recently had the pleasure of a guided MTB ride with the local trail-building legend Jim Carroll and his team from Mountain Bike Adventure.

Our transport stayed with us, albeit taking a more conventional route down, and the driver was in regular radio contact should there have been any blowouts or wipeouts. Fortunately, there were no dramas and, after about two hours of riding, we met up on a double track north of the Autodrome, where we were treated to self-assembled sarnies and snacks to keep us going to the end of the ride.

On arriving at the coast, we cycled alongside the nature reserve, where we had great views of Fóia in the distance, giving us a chance to appreciate the variety of scenery and terrain that we had covered. From here, the bikes were loaded back onto the trailer and we arrived back in Luz midafternoon.

Jim, an MTB fanatic, is the go-to guy for a fantastic day out hitting dirt roads and single track you probably wouldn’t find yourself. Since 2005, he has spent countless days building a rapport with the local communities and landowners in and around Monchique and the western Algarve, cutting, building and maintaining his own trails and growing his reputation for quality guided rides.

I hadn’t been on a guided ride like this before and I really appreciated the opportunity to explore the amazing and diverse countryside without having to plan my own route. In fact, it was a real treat, especially as discovering new tracks and trails is my favourite type of riding and most of the route was new to me.

I was booked on a small-group ‘Summit to Sea’ ride, an off-road, predominantly downhill route from the summit of Fóia to the coast in Alvor. As always, it is great meeting and riding with other like-minded cyclists and, on this ride, I was with keen riders with a range of abilities from occasional mountain biking to skilled downhill. This type of ride is a social event, not a race. It offers something for all levels of rider, whether that’s switching off and letting someone else do all of the organising and route planning, exploring wonderful wilderness, or using the guide’s expert

knowledge to improve riding skills; there’s lots to be gained.

After a 9.30 am meet-up in Luz, we were transported up Serra de Monchique with our bikes safely loaded onto a purpose-built bike trailer. Here I should say I took my own bike, but if you don’t have a suitable bike, or want to book for family and friends as part of their holiday, then Jim has a new fleet of full suspension bikes that can be included in the package.

The drive up was on quiet back roads and included a stop-off at a pretty traditional village for a coffee and a chance for the group to get acquainted. At the top of Fóia, the highest mountain in the Algarve, we were treated to fantastic views and, whilst we were taking them in, our bikes were unloaded, ready to go.

The ride itself was 40 km descending approximately 900 metres down to the coast (for fellow stats nerds, the total ascent was 330 m and total descent 1,200 m); most of the route was dirt roads and single tracks. With Jim’s expert knowledge, we were guided through forests and agricultural landscapes, over rocks and down a river valley. My senses were in overdrive, taking in the beautiful views and the smell of the eucalyptus.

As you can probably sense, I thoroughly enjoyed my day and I would highly recommend a guided tour, whether that’s the summit to sea or one of the coastal routes, or a bespoke ride organised specifically for your group. Thanks, Jim; the route was epic and a great way to explore the Algarve.

Since setting up his MTB adventure business, Jim has also established a bike retail, repair and rental business called Bica Bikes. Details of all the ride options and services can be found on his websites.

I hope this inspires you to get out and discover more riding in the Algarve. As always, have fun, stay safe and if you have something to share with the MTB community, please get in touch at bikinginthealgarve@gmail.com



www.themountainbikeadventure.com www.bicabikes.com

The Knight’s Move

It does not seem long since my daughters Chantal and Francisca Ellison performed on the stage of the Centro Cultural of Lagos with the Academia de Música de Lagos, and the Associação de Dança de Lagos. Those first encounters with the stage have led them on to artistic careers.

Firstly, they moved to Lisbon and their respective Ministry of Education articulated programs at the Conservatório Nacional, where Chantal studied the bassoon and piano and Francisca continued her dance training. Later both girls progressed to undergraduate level professional in the United Kingdom with scholarships.

Francisca has completed the Level 6 Diploma in Classical Ballet with double distinction at London Studio Centre, having received the award of the Brigitte Spinosa Scholarship on entry and now participates in the Capital Ballet performances in London, though simultaneously studying for a B.A. in Psychosocial Studies and the Principles of Psychodynamic Counselling at Birkbeck College. London.

Chantal is currently finishing her BMus. (Hons.) at the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire, with the bassoon as her principal instrument. The final recital will come in May and includes a homage

to a Portuguese composer, Jorge Salgueiro, whose world premieres of his second and third symphonies, Chantal had the pleasure and privilege to perform here in the Algarve.

In the meantime, Chantal must create a special final project for other credits and she has chosen, quite naturally, to include the talents and expertise of her sister and Francisca’s colleagues from LSC and Capital. They are to design and perform an evening of music and dance of suites and variations adapted to Chantal’s wind quintet. The director of the Capital Ballet, Jamie Carter, has agreed to choreograph new works for the company which will be integrated into the Capital Ballet summer repertoire. The performance of The Knight’s Move in front of the college jury and a public audience will be at the Crescent Theatre in Birmingham on the 14th of February at 7pm. The title is significant of the theme that life is rarely a linear path and there have been many compromises, sacrifices and acts of serendipity that have occurred to arrive at this moment.

Should any of the readers of Tomorrow magazine who live nearby or have family in Birmingham be interested in attending, tickets will be on sale through the Crescent Theatre Box Office. The event can be followed on Instagram and Facebook @theknightsmove

Meet the Pro

João Tomaz is the new golf pro at Espiche Golf

Tell us a little bit about yourself.

I am from Portalegre, a small town in the interior of Portugal. Since I was young, I started showing interest in sports and practised swimming, horse riding and rugby. I had the opportunity to do my studies in Évora, where there was a driving range in a hotel unit, which allowed me to take my first steps as a professional golf coach.

What made you move to the Algarve? For you, what are the advantages of living in the Algarve?

Due to the lack of opportunities to work in golf in Alentejo, I came after the dream to become a golf teacher on a golf course and eventually be able to run my academy. Today I can say that I was lucky to have the opportunity to work at the Espiche golf course and in a region with a massive golf offer.

When and how did you start playing golf?

I started in 1999 when I was only nine years old. It was at the Ammaia golf course in Marvão. Without any golf culture at home, it was through some family friends that I had the opportunity to fall in love with the sport. I remember that in 1999, the training was somewhat poor in the local culture, so I had some difficulties learning the sport. I remember that I never missed a weekend at the driving range as I aimed to have the opportunity to play on another golf course one day.

Tell us something about yourself, a curiosity or something you like to do, like a hobby, for example.

I love to run ultra-marathons, races with more than 100 km in the mountains. Nowadays, I am still the youngest athlete in Portugal to complete the longest distance

of a race. It was 304 km in 60 hours in a self-reliant regime. I did this when I was only 29 years old.

I like to add the social component to my race. I remember that the one that challenged me the most was as an ambassador to raise funds for OAR (Organization for Autism Research). I joined more than 300 people in a solidarity event in which I ran over 800 kilometres during August. One day I dream of being able to run the Marathon de Sables in the desert.

 www.espichegolf.pt

WORDS Carolyn Ellison

You may have heard of chakras but not be exactly sure what they are and what they do. Chakra means ‘wheel of light’ and we have seven major chakras within us. They run in a midline up the body, from the base of the spine to the top of the head. A chakra can be balanced, deficient or excessive. The lists below are certainly not definitive but more a little insight.

ROOT CHAKRA (MULADHARA) - RED , positioned just below the base of the spine. Earth element.

Balanced - Stable, trust, good health, vitality, relaxed

SACRAL CHAKRA (SVADISTHANA) - ORANGE , positioned pelvis centre. Water element.

Balanced - Graceful, healthy boundaries, playful, sexual

SOLAR PLEXUS (MANIPURA) - YELLOW , positioned at the belly. Fire element.

Balanced - Confident, healthy gut, humour, emotionally balanced

HEART (ANAHATA) - GREEN , positioned at our heart. Air element.

Balanced - Compassionate, loving, peaceful, healthy, empathetic

THROAT (VISHUDDA) - BLUE , positioned at the throat centre. Sound element.

Balanced - Communicative, expressive, authentic, creative, good listener

THIRD EYE (AJNA) - PURPLE , positioned in the centre of the brow. Light element.

Balanced - Intuitive, good memory, perceptive, visualiser

CROWN (SAHASHARA) - WHITE , positioned just above the head. Consciousness.

Balanced - Wisdom, compassion, intelligence, awareness, open-minded, calm

Chakras are a favourite topic of mine, so please drop me a message if you want to know more about your internal rainbow, or book a healing session with me to balance any deficiency or excessiveness within your chakras.

MOON MUSINGS FOR FEBRUARY

Full Moon in Leo 5 February No rash decisions, as emotions might be running higher than usual.

Super New Moon in Pisces 20 February Imagine your dreams into reality and if you have been thinking about starting meditation, now is the time.

AFFIRMATION ‘It's only a thought and a thought can be changed.’

Detox your life

Let’s talk about beauty

WORDS Paula Rey

Did you know that an average woman uses around 12 beauty products with about 168 chemicals every single day?

We all approach self-care differently, prioritising some things based on our knowledge or marketing. Like in nutrition, some self-care practices and products either energise or drain us.

According to Ayurveda, you shouldn’t put anything on your skin that you wouldn’t eat. This makes sense, as the skin is the largest organ of our body, and everything it absorbs goes to our bloodstream. Have you ever thought about it? The more you understand about what’s in the products you use and how they were made, the more empowered you’ll be to make choices that support health.

The best products you can use are 100% natural, organic, green-beauty and sustainable. Sometimes we find “vegan”, “cruelty-free”, and “parabensfree” labels, but that doesn’t mean they are toxic-free. I’ve made a list of the ingredients you should avoid. Remember the first five ingredients on the label are the most important.

• Fragrances: which contain between ten and hundreds of ingredients to create a smell

• Colors and dyes: those which contain heavy metals and petroleum

• Aluminium: it has been linked to Alzheimer’s and autism

• Hydroquinone: an ingredient prevalent in hair conditioners and nail polishes

• Parabens: a family of related chemicals commonly used as preservatives in cosmetic products. They can increase the amount of oestrogen, which is believed to cause breast cancer

• Petroleum derivatives: if refined correctly, petrolatum ingredients are safe. With an incomplete refining history, however, they could potentially be contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons. The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) lists 14 PAHs as probable or possible carcinogens and one PAH as a known carcinogen.

• Phthalate: found in lotions, they can cause male infertility

• Retino: damages free radicals and skin tissues

• Triclosan: affects the gut microbiome

• Silicones: impairs the skin

• PEGs/PGs: worsen eczema, kidney and liver damage

• Phenoxyethanol: found in shampoos and creams and used as a preservative. They have been linked to kidney damage.

This information will hopefully guide you to adopting a clean beauty practice that nourishes your skin and brings more light and joy into your life.

Paula Rey is a Holistic Health Coach, Hypnobirthing Childbirth Educator, and Cacao and Embodiment Facilitator.

pauladelaselva.squarespace.com Facebook/Instagram @delaselva.holistic

© Mila Dub

The Blush Craze

WORDS Donna Groom

The beauty scene is a revolving table, constantly moving and updating like never before and the latest trend is “Cheek Blushing”.

Yes, you heard right. Cheek blushing adds a healthy glow to your skin using semipermanent makeup or micro-pigmentation, as it’s also known. When applied correctly, it can create the illusion of high cheekbones, making it the perfect addition to a natural no make-up, fresh-faced look. Celebs looking for that rosy glow, such as Selena Gomez and Hailey Bieber, are now using cheek blushing.

THE BENEFITS

• A natural hassle-free makeup routine

• Enhances the cheekbone area

• Doesn’t smear off with heat or swimming

• Ideal for someone who has a lot of allergies to general make-up

• A great way to reduce dullness and add colour

• Lasts up to a couple of years, depending on lifestyle

WHAT IS THE PROCEDURE?

Colour, face shape and positioning are discussed prior to treatment. The area is

numbed, then the chosen rosy shade is implanted lightly into the skin with a PMU machine, the same machine used to do any semi-permanent makeup.

The treatment takes about an hour to do, but a little extra time is required for the numbing, although the treatment itself is fairly pain-free.

CHOOSING THE COLOUR

Colour is chosen based on the skin tone and undertones of the skin. We use warm, cool and neutral tones, so the colour chosen will complement the skin’s natural tones.

The idea is that it is a soft natural blush and not the stripy 80s look we once thought looked good. Therefore, two treatments are needed to slowly build the colour with a 4/6week gap between the two treatments.

IS THERE ANY DOWNTIME?

Immediately after the treatment, the skin is flushed as blood flow has also come to

the surface. That subsides quickly. The skin becomes dry, but a healing balm is given to help hydrate and speed up the healing process. The colour will look quite strong initially but once healed, you will lose about 60% of the first application of colour, leaving a softer look. We build the colour on the second procedure and soften any areas that need more blending.

Donna Groom works at the Kutting Room in Praia da Luz



donnagroom89@gmail.com +351 282 789 354

Healthy Ageing

WORDS Arlindo Martins

I meet many people who tell me they don’t need a new exercise program because they regularly walk. It worries me that the message we are receiving is that walking is sufficient movement for our overall health.

If walking is currently your only form of exercise, I would like you to think about the below questions:

HOW DOES WALKING HELP WITH:

• the strength we need to carry a heavy suitcase, move furniture at home, or lift a heavy box?

• balance and agility to prevent falls and injuries?

• the flexibility we need to avoid injuries and perform our daily activities efficiently?

• improving our bone density, crucial to prevent osteoporosis?

• our cardiovascular (heart) health?

• the reduction of joint pain/inflammation?

UNFORTUNATELY, THE ANSWER IS ‘NOT VERY MUCH’.

In my opinion and coaching experience, walking is the minimum activity we can do. It is a great foundational practice and can, of course, help you to maintain a healthy weight. And if you power walk or hike uphill, it will also improve your cardiovascular health.

However, many clients come to me with weaknesses in other areas, despite having a regular walking practice. For instance, they may not be able to lift themselves up from the floor, easily tie shoelaces or balance on one leg. They may get puffed walking upstairs or playing with grandchildren. And when they have a fall with injuries, their bones take a long time to recover. Suppose you want to have a more holistically healthy body that can perform all the daily tasks you need with ease. In that case, I strongly encourage you to choose another form of movement, or a variety of exercises, that provide more benefits. Some examples include bodyweight training, yoga, pilates, tennis or swimming.

If you aren’t motivated to do more than walking, it may be best to find a personal coach.

Arlindo’s Way provides guidance with healthy ageing and movement with a studio in Portimão.

Our motto is ‘We can’t avoid getting older, but we don’t need to get old!”

Arlindo is qualified in sports science and a healthy ageing movement specialist, animal flow instructor, exercise motivational coach and founder of Arlindo’s Way.

Is walking enough for healthy ageing?

It can be quite daunting knowing how to practise yoga at home. What poses should you do? Do you follow a class online or through an app, and how to find the right one?

If you have never done yoga before, then you will need to follow something at first, but it doesn't need to be long or complicated. It is not about trying to become a gymnast on a mat, but it is some “me time”. Start the day with much-needed stretching, movement, breathing and meditation. It really does set you up for the day, both physically and mentally.

It doesn’t need to be complicated or long, or done in your best matching yoga outfit! Ten minutes could be all that you have time for in the morning. The important thing is creating a habit that is sustainable throughout the year. This is why I now practise what I call “pyjama yoga”. I go straight to my mat in my pyjamas and do a short practice allowing me to breathe, observe how my body feels, and move as it wants to. Afterwards, I sit in silence, observing my breath and just allowing my mind to calm down. I am then set and ready for the day.

If you’re unsure where to start, I have recorded a simple pyjama yoga flow to give you some ideas. If you scan the QR code, you can go to it. If you can incorporate this into your week, it will not be long before you start to notice a difference.

Ann teaches Yoga at Fit2loveLife in Burgau.

Bra Humbug!

Contrary to popular belief, a quarter of UK women would actually like to make their breasts smaller (according to a 2008 survey by figleaves.com and the British Chiropractic Association). The main reason is that larger breasts are a real ‘pain in the back’, with 70% of the women surveyed admitting to having suffered back pain at some point in their lives and nearly half (47%) claimed their breast size affected their posture.

According to Tim Hutchful from the British Chiropractic Association, “Bras are like suspension bridges; you need a wellengineered bra, so your shoulders don’t take all of the strain and end up doing all of the work. Spreading the load is important."

Bras that don’t fit will affect the shoulders and chest and may cause back pain as you get older. It is so important to make sure a bra gives you as much support as possible.” The staff at Victoria’s Secret, along with many scientists and even, famously, Oprah, say you have only a 20% chance of choosing the right fit. The idea that 80% of women are wearing the wrong bra size has been ingrained in the minds of shoppers for decades, becoming a puzzle that no one can seem to solve.

These are the tell-tale signs that indicate you are wearing the wrong size bra:

THE UNDERBAND IS RIDING UP

Lift up your arms to see if the under band is tight enough. Check that the underwire is still fitting on the body. If you are still unsure, here’s how to judge: the underband should fit firmly against the body so that it does not slide around or move away

from the chest as you go about your daily activities.

THE SHOULDER STRAPS ARE DIGGING IN

The underband of a bra provides the majority (80% ) of support for the breasts, with the straps providing just 20%. If the bra straps are digging in, it could be because the underband is too loose and you are over-adjusting the straps to feel supported. When you do this, the straps pull the bra up at the back, which is another telltale sign that the band is too loose. In this case, we recommend that you try a smaller band size. Alternatively, you may just need to loosen the straps.

THE CENTRE FRONT IS LIFTING AWAY FROM THE BODY

The centre front should lie flat against the body. If it doesn’t, this could be a sign that the cups are too small, causing the breasts to push the centre front away.

THE BACK BAND IS OVERSTRETCHED

Look at your back straps: they should either be parallel to each other or converge in a slight V-shape at the back. If they are too far apart at the back (an upside-down V), it could mean that your bra band is too small and overstretching.

Of course, if you are suffering from back pain, come see us at Lagos Chiropractic. Solving back pain is what we do!

WORDS Adam Rich

WORDS Anne De Jongh

I.T. Can Be Easy

WORDS Steven Dunwell

Apps to make life a little easier

More than 60 per cent of adults aged 65 and over own a smartphone. If you're one of those smartphone owners, you’re probably using mobile apps every single day. Maybe you are video chatting with the family, playing games with your friends, checking Facebook, or getting directions. A mobile app makes it all possible. Sometimes we all need a little help, so here are five apps for your Apple iPhone or android devices that may make it a little easier.

MEDISAFE – MANAGE YOUR MEDICATIONS

Medisafe helps you manage your medications and set daily reminders. Simply record your prescriptions and timings and Medisafe will create a schedule complete with images of each pill. It will then give you reminders throughout the day when it's time to take a medication, let you know if a prescription is running low, and even alert a friend or family member of a missed dose.

MAGNIFYING GLASS + FLASHLIGHT – READ THE MENU IN A DIM RESTAURANT

Sometimes it can be difficult to read the small print. If you've ever had trouble reading a restaurant menu or a form that needs completing, even labels on food packaging, a magnifying app could be a very helpful tool for you. This app uses your phone's camera to zoom in on whatever you point it at and you can quickly turn on the flashlight to light up what you need to read. You can also “freeze” what you are looking at, so you don't have to point it in the same spot the entire time you're reading.

I will be reviewing more apps next month but in the meantime, if you would like more information on this subject or require help with any I.T. challenges, I am always happy to help.  +351 936 387 512 www.stevendunwell.com

Creating a Community with Coffee

WORDS Sophie Sadler

Lena discovered Lagos as a resting place to heal herself. Having benefited from the beautiful surroundings, she decided in turn to heal Lagos, creating a zero-waste concept that will keep the streets clean and give back to the community that helped her.

After a few years in Ireland and a short visit back to their origins in Germany, Marcus and Lena took some time off on a sabbatical year to reconnect with each other, discover new places, and mostly heal.

Their journey took them to Lagos in January 2020, where they found more than just a resting place to stay and recover from their journey as a family. Lena explains, “We also made it a priority for recovery from a long-term medical condition I’ve been suffering from for years. We’ve always been conscious of our environment, especially during the pandemic. But it wasn’t just the pandemic that made us rethink our consumption – it’s also a deep yearning to bring some changes in the hospitality industry. And so, our project of passion was born.”

The couple had the idea to create a zerowaste coffee shop serving coffee in edible vegan cups so their customers could enjoy coffee while eating away the cups themselves! “We knew there had to be a better way than simply throwing everything away after it was used. But we couldn’t just stop there – we wanted to be able to bring awareness and sustainability into their everyday lives.”

Coffee shops hand out an estimated 250 billion paper cups every year, which go straight to landfills. Even the cups that say they’re recyclable on the packaging are misleading because the infrastructure to recycle them is costly and doesn’t exist in many places. “When we started our first coffee truck, we wanted to take sustainability to another level but contribute 0% waste to the streets of beautiful Lagos,” says Lena.

After an extended time of trial and error, during which they worked with local businesses and communities, the idea became a reality and MarLe was born. They are now happy to be serving not only a good product but also making sure there is no waste from their coffee, delicious cakes and home-made German breakfasts and lunches!

Lena tells me, “At MarLe cafe, we source our coffee and grains from small local farmers. Everything we serve is not only sustainable and biologically certified – it also comes from small producers who we support because we believe small lights can become a firework. By supporting local farmers and producers, we know that the money goes directly to them – helping to build better infrastructure and education, providing real support for their businesses.”

The couple work hard to create a place where people from all walks of life can come together to share their values –fairness, sustainability, and giving back to their communities. “We believe in quality over quantity. It’s better to drink a cuppa knowing the source and living background of farming as much as knowing the source of your meat, vegetables, fruits, or other necessities that we are already concerned about.”

MarLe has so far ‘bean’ a great hit with customers and with such a great concept and a worthy cause, let’s hope this coffee shop will ‘mocha’ Lena and Marcus happy and sustainable!



Rua Prof Luís de Azevedo 25, 8600-617 Lagos

Facebook: Marlecafelagos

•

That Asian Home Cook Pad Thai

Pad Thai is one of Thailand’s most popular dishes and loved by everyone. To tell you the truth, I never made Pad Thai until we migrated to Portugal. This classic Thai dish is so easily available everywhere in Asia that no one bothers to make it themselves. With fewer options for Asian food in the Algarve you might consider it worth the effort.

Pad Thai is a little labour-intensive but it is so worth it. That sweet, salty, sour, umami combination on a plate promises to leave you salivating. This is a prawn version, my favourite, but you can also substitute prawn with the protein of your choice, for example, chicken. I hope you make time to try this recipe and that you will love it as much as I do.

INGREDIENTS

• 150gm flat rice noodle sticks

• 1 ½ tbsp vegetable oil

• 2 garlic cloves minced

• 1 small onion or shallot diced

• 1 egg

• 6–8 prawns peeled and deveined

• 1 cup bean sprouts

• 1 cup garlic chives or spring onions

• ½ cup peanuts chopped roughly

• 1 lime cut in wedges

• 1 tsp chilli flakes or ground piri piri

SAUCE

• 1 ½ tbsp Thai oyster sauce

• 2 tbsp fish sauce

1 ½ tbsp tamarind paste or puree

• 1 tbsp sugar

• Pinch of salt

INSTRUCTIONS

Soak the rice noodles in cold water for 40–45 minutes. Your noodles should soften to the touch but remain firm, and look a little less translucent than

before. Drain and set aside. Mix the sauce column of ingredients together in a small bowl as the stirfry will go quickly and requires you to stir constantly. Heat up your wok with oil and fry onions and garlic for a minute until the aromas begin to waft.

Now, add the prawns and as soon as they start to pink, push them aside and crack your egg right into the centre of your wok. Add a pinch of salt and scramble with a wooden spoon.

Where to shop?

GO DUTCH

WINE PAIRING

Our favourite Portuguese sommelier, Sofia of Mosto Wine and Tapas Bar in Lagos, recommends Entre II Santos, Sauvignon Blanc. Light peach and apple aromas, balanced acidity, and fresh and fruity hues are perfect to pair with the intense flavours of Pad Thai.

Throw in the rice noodles, followed by your sauce concoction. You will want to continue stirring at this point, ensuring that your noodles separate nicely and are coated evenly with all that yummy sauce. You will notice your noodles begin to take on a caramelised hue as it absorbs all that sauce as you continue stirring for the next five minutes. If you are unsure if your noodles are cooked, you can always do a bite test (like you would with pasta).

If you are happy with the texture, stir in half a cup of bean sprouts, the same amount of garlic chives or spring onions and the peanuts. Give it a quick stir, to bring it all together. Your noodles are now ready and should be served immediately.

Traditionally, Pad Thai is served with fresh bean sprouts, chilli flakes, wedges of lime, chives or spring onions and crushed peanuts on the side. If none of these excites you, feel free to eliminate them. This recipe makes a generous portion for one and can also be shared by two.

This Dutch shop stocks most of what I need with a very good selection of Asian sauces, many Indonesian condiments and a frozen section with the likes of wonton wrappers and kaffir lime leaves. (R. Gomes Vinagre 13 Loja 2, 8600-315 Lagos)

CONTINENTE

You will be able to find a decent selection of Asian sauces in the dry goods aisle and a variety of noodles, too.

INTERMARCHÉ

From Asian noodles to sauces and other ingredients, the Asian section also has a really nice selection of Indian food items which you might enjoy. I also love that they always have fresh turmeric, chillies, Pak Choi, lemongrass and spring onions

ASIA SUPERMARKET

If you can afford to go a little bit further, the nearest full-on Asian grocer is in Albufeira. They stock just about anything you will need for an Asian cook for Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian and even Malaysian dishes. (Beco da Felosa 33, 8200-182 Albufeira)

Joy Entry is a Malaysian home cook based in Lagos who is obsessed with the provocative, unapologetic flavours of South-East Asian cuisine  Instagram: @thatasianhomecook joyentry@gmail.com

Happy Valentine’s

WORDS Lalitana Vegan Kitchen

Red colours are not just warm colours. They are very powerful, the colour of love! If you want to surprise the love of your life with a romantic vegan dinner to celebrate Valentine’s Day, try my lovely three-course menu, which I created for you. All the recipes serve two, perfect for an intimate dinner with your loved one.

Seitan stew

Seitan is a plant-based meat substitute made out of wheat gluten. It’s made by rinsing prepared wheat dough to remove the starch, leaving a sticky mass of protein that can be flavoured, cooked, and used in a number of dishes.

INGREDIENTS

• 200g seitan (you can buy at natural food shops or Intermarché)

• 2 medium size carrots

• I cup of frozen peas

• 1 red onion

• 3 garlic cloves

• 1 tbsp tomato paste

• 1 can of tomato sauce

• 1 tsp paprika powder

• ½ tsp cumin

• 1 tbsp of vegetable stock

• 2 tbsp olive oil

Beetroot carpaccio

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cooked beetroots

• Olive oil

• Lemon or balsamic

• Parsley

• Salt and pepper

PREPARATION

Cut the beetroots into very thin slices and arrange these in the shape of a heart. Marinate the beetroot carpaccio with salt, pepper, olive oil, lemon or balsamic and some parsley.

• Salt and pepper

PREPARATION

Chop one onion and the garlic. Cut the seitan and carrots into small cubes, take the peas out of the freezer and put them into a cup. Put all the spices you need for the stew aside and open the tomato sauce can.

COOKING

Pour a little olive oil into a pan, fry the seitan briefly, and then remove it. Fry the onions, then add the tomato paste. Mix in the garlic, paprika powder and cumin while stirring. Next, add the tomatoes with their juice, carrots and vegetable broth powder, cover the pot and simmer for 20 to 25 minutes, adding the peas just before the carrots are cooked. Finally, add the seitan and cook for 5 minutes. Season with salt and pepper as you wish.

Red cabbage

INGREDIENTS

• ½ small red cabbage

• 2 red onions

• 1 apple

• 2 tbsp sunflower oil

• 2 tsp brown sugar

• 2 tbsp of balsamic vinegar

• 100 ml red wine

• 100ml water

• 1 tsp vegetable broth powder

• 2 bayleaves

• ¼ tsp caraway seed

• 5 cloves

• Salt and pepper

PREPARATION

Cut the red cabbage in two halves, then trim it into very thin slices, then put them in a bowl with water and wash them thoroughly. Chop one onion and cut the apple into small cubes, then remove the skin of the second onion and stick five cloves in it and put aside. Rinse the red cabbage and get all the spices ready.

COOKING

Place a pot on the stove, add sunflower oil and fry the onions until translucent, then add the apple and stir fry for two minutes. Next, add the red cabbage and immediately add the balsamic (it helps keep the colour). Stir everything, then add the onion with the cloves, the water, the red wine, and all the spices and keep stirring. You will need to reduce the heat and let everything cook for around one hour, stirring occasionally. You can add more water or red wine if necessary. When the cabbage is cooked, add salt and pepper and it is ready to serve.

TIP

While the red cabbage and the seitan is cooking, you can prepare the starter, cook the quinoa and make the dessert.

To cook the quinoa, use one cup of quinoa to two cups of water, then simmer on low heat until the water is gone.

BENEFITS OF THE RED CABBAGE

All types of cabbage are high in fibre and contain many minerals and vitamins, strengthening the body and boosting the immune system – an ideal winter vegetable. Red cabbage can be prepared in many different ways – steamed or stewed as a side dish with tofu or seitan, cooked as a soup, or even raw in a salad.

Lisbon's Magical

Greenhouse

We approached the entrance alongside a lake, the complex rising up before us up the cliffs of the old quarry hugging the north side of the lake. A huge sign to the left of the entrance informed us that we could “travel the world through more than 300 botanical species.”

The Estufa Fria in Lisbon is a treat for all gardeners and nature lovers.

Estufa Fria (which literally translates as “cold greenhouse”) is a large greenhouse complex covering one and a half hectares within Eduardo VII Park, situated at the northern end of Avenida de Liberdade in the centre of Lisbon. Conceived and designed by Portuguese architect Raul Carapinha, it was opened in 1933. It utilised the site of an old basalt mine which was abandoned when a natural spring was discovered close by.

The gardens consist of three parts: the largest and oldest is the original cold greenhouse which covers about fiftyfive per cent of the total area. It has no heating at all. Instead, the roof is made up of wooden slats, which give a dappled shade and create an environment that protects the plants so that they never get excessively hot or cold. The next largest area is Estufa Quente or hot greenhouse. This covers three thousand square metres and is enclosed in glass to create a tropical atmosphere. Lastly, there is Estufa Doce or sweet greenhouse, which houses the cacti and succulent collection. The entire greenhouse complex features small lakes, waterfalls, and sculptures. Some of the sculptures are by noted twentieth-century Portuguese sculptors.

When Eduardo VII Park was remodelled in 1945, the current entrance porch, lake and a visitor’s reception room, called nave (the ship), were added to the complex. In 1975, the hot and sweet greenhouses were built so that tropical and equatorial plants could enhance the botanical collection. In 2009, the original Estufa Fria was closed due to safety concerns over the steel structure but reopened in 2011 after extensive renovation works.

We entered the Estufa Fria first which was mind-boggling as it was so enormous. Tall trees, palms and large shrubs reached

for the light whilst underneath were lush plantings of ferns, fuchsias, begonias, bromeliads and birds of paradise, to name but a few of the plants. Meandering wide paths invited you further into the complex towards a small lake at the far end. To the left, the original quarry walls were cleverly planted with lush Monstera or Swiss Cheese plant and lots of ferns, creating a verdant sanctuary in the middle of a busy capital city.

We walked up some steps into the Estufa Quente, where various paths took you further up the quarry walls, which had been cleverly terraced so you could get a bird’s eye view of the hot house. Here, the plants were more tropical, with staghorn ferns and orchids vying with what I would consider exotic house plants, such as crotons with their beautiful red and yellow leaves. Finally, we walked through the succulent and cacti house, which had some impressive old specimens.

Estufa Fria is open between April to October from 10.00–19.00 and from November to March from 09.00–17.00. Tickets cost 3.25€ or 1.63€ for concessions. It is closed on 1 January, 1st May and 25 December. The nearest metro stations are Marquês de Pombal or Parque. If you have time on your hands and want to relax in a peaceful lush setting with no sound of any traffic, then I highly recommend a visit.

Tamsin Varley is a member of Clube Dos Bons Jardins, a small, friendly multi-national garden club that meets at different locations around the Algarve on the 2nd Tuesday of every month except over the summer with an optional lunch afterwards.

 algarvecbj@hotmail.com

WORDS & PHOTOGRAPHY Tamsin Varley

Carnival in Cádiz

WORDS Sophie Sadler

Last February, we stumbled on the carnival in Cádiz. It is an experience I will never forget. This month I strongly urge you to grab your carnival masks and go see it for yourselves.

On arriving in the old town of Cádiz for the half-term break, we were immediately struck by the party atmosphere. Crowds of people were gathering in the large tree-lined piazzas while young and old stumbled through the windy cobbled streets, drinks in hand, wearing colourful costumes, a hat or blowing a horn. Of course, we knew that in Spain and Portugal this was the carnival holiday, but what we didn’t know was that Cádiz hosts one of the craziest and most entertaining parties you will ever have the pleasure to attend.

The gaditanos (Cádiz locals) are known throughout Spain for their wit, jokes and amusing one-liners. Cádiz's inhabitants put their hearts and souls into making their carnival the most entertaining and funfilled in Spain. Carnival here is about having a good time with people who love to laugh and love to make others laugh. Stages are put up all over the town for shows and musical performances.

DON’T MISS

The first parade is called Gran Cabalgata (Great Parade) and takes place on the first Sunday of the carnival (this year on 19 February). It attracts more than ten thousand visitors. There will also be a firework display from the city’s famous beach La Caleta.

DRIVE TIME

From Lagos, it is a 390 km drive via the A22 and A-49. It will take approximately 2 hours and 45 minutes.

FUN FACT

The Cádiz carnival is believed to date back to the 15th century when Italian traders came to live in the historic seaside city to form a trade route between Africa and Europe. Homesick and nostalgic for the traditional Italian carnival, these traders greatly influenced this tradition by bringing masks, confetti and sweets to the party.

WHEN

In 2023 the carnival will take place from 16 to 23 February. For more information and a full programme of events go to:

www.spain.info/en/calendar/fiestascarnival-cadiz

www.andalucia.org/es/carnavalde-cadiz

At first, this presented itself as an inconvenience. Most of the restaurants, having been packed all day, were shut while their staff took a break before they reopened again later in the night. With two hungry children, fortunately, we stumbled across one of those hole-in-the-walls, sawdust-covered floors, hams hanging from the ceiling, tapas joints that I love. Having commandeered a table, we had only just ordered some calamari rings and a couple of beers when three elderly gentlemen accosted us. They had obviously had a fun day and were determined to befriend us and explain the concept of the carnival (carnaval in Spanish and Portuguese). Their friendliness exemplified the Andalucian carnival spirit of mass participation, where locals not only want to have fun themselves but wish others to have fun as well. This played out with them buying me a shot of a powerful spirit!

As this was 2022 and the tail-end of COVID, they told us this was nothing compared to the normal event. The authorities had not allowed the floats to enter the city this year to keep the number of people in the old town at a minimum. This had not dampened the party spirit. Whole families, from young children dressed in Disney costumes to their grandparents, were either standing on the streets or filling the bars and restaurants with tables leading the procession through an intricate maze of streets. Alleyways gave an intimate atmosphere for revellers before they opened out onto small squares adorned with fountains where more people were gathered, talking, laughing and singing.

Occasionally a performer in costume would set up on a street corner and begin to perform a song which would have the gathered crowds in stitches. As I was unable to understand the ditty, I researched the concept of the Andalucian carnival. It differs from our idea of a carnival in that it centres around singing and satire.

Fancy dress is obligatory at Cádiz carnival. It is one big costume party. Everywhere we looked, we saw people dressed up, from little girls in Disney Princess costumes to a group of stormtroopers eating tapas. While some carnivals elsewhere in the world stress the glamorous and exhibit scandalous costumes, Cádiz distinguishes itself with clever and imaginative costumes more along the lines of a fancy dress party. It is traditional to paint the face as a humble substitute for a mask. The most significant events in the carnival are two giant parades where the crowds often participate, creating a huge street party.

The following day, we ventured out of our hotel with the streets littered with the remnants of the party the night before and took the ferry from Cádiz across the bay and up the Guadalete River to El Puerto de Santa Maria. Here we were lucky enough to witness the choirs (coros). These are larger groups that travel through the streets on open flat-bed carts or wagons, singing with a small ensemble of guitars and other instruments. They alternate between a comical and serious repertoire, with special pathos as they sing homages to the city and its people. Their colourful costumes and decorated floats filled the streets as beautifully as their singing. I was utterly blown away by their performances, which were incredibly professional, joyful and passionate, with fabulous voices singing a dazzling array of harmonies to the accompaniment of guitars.

We wandered into a restaurant on the water’s edge to enjoy a sumptuous fiesta of tapas, including clams in garlic sauce, chocos and jamón to the accompaniment of a male quartet of singers accompanied by a drum and percussion instruments. It would have been rude not to sample the sherry that the town is famous for.

Cádiz carnival is a festive gift of days of laughter, quirkiness and mass participation! A unique cultural experience. People who are lucky enough to experience Cádiz Carnival get to participate in a tradition of fun and frivolity that you will never forget.

Rota

Vicentina

Tracy Burton

Anyone familiar with the Algarvian landscape will understand why the region has become a real mecca for outdoor enthusiasts. One particular magnet is the popular Rota Vicentina, a network of 450 kilometres of footpaths and cycling trails extending from Sines in the Alentejo to Lagos.

The always-spectacular Rota Vicentina not only showcases the dramatic, coastal wilderness of the Parque Natural do Sudoeste Alentejano e Costa Vicentina, but encourages visitors to venture inland to explore the whitewashed villages and historic tracks just a few kilometres from the rugged cliffs.

There are two main trails: the inland Historical Way (Caminho Histórico) and the coastal Fishermen’s Trail (Trilho dos Pescadores). These are interspersed with 24 circular day walks ranging from 3.5km to 15km, many of which link the inland trail to the coast or vice versa. Both main trails see hikers arriving at the lighthouse of Cabo de São Vicente, the most southwesterly point of mainland Europe and part of the pilgrimage route of the devotees of Saint Vicente.

The beauty of the Rota Vicentina is the ease with which you can combine various stages of the Historical Way and the Fishermen’s Way with circular day walks. You can also hike the well-waymarked trails north to

south or south to north, which means no hiker’s experience of the Rota Vicentina will be exactly the same.

Walking (or cycling) in this unspoilt part of Portugal is only half the experience. The Rota Vicentina Association – the non-profit organisation which manages, promotes and maintains the network of trails – is keen for visitors to experience the cultural heritage and local traditions while they are on the trail.

THE HISTORICAL WAY

This mostly inland route meanders from Santiago do Cacém to Cabo de São Vicente along 263km of rural trails and quiet roads. The landscape is one of rolling hills, valleys, rivers and cork tree forests, interspersed with whitewashed villages. Highlights include the Roman ruins of Mirobriga, the river beach and rock pools at Pego das Pias and the revitalised village of Pedralva. For those looking for the best natural experience, the wildflowers are at their peak in the spring.

The route outlined in Cicerone’s new edition of this pocket-sized guide begins with three days of walking on the Historical Way, starting at the rural Alentejan town of Santiago do Cacém with overnight stops at Moinhos do Paneiro and Cercal do Alentejo. From Porto Covo, the author stays with the Fishermen’s Trail to Odeceixe before opting to rejoin the Historical Trail to Vila do Bispo. Both routes are described for the final trek to the tourist honeypot of Cabo de São Vicente.

For those with less time – or who are combining the Rota Vicentina with other trips in Portugal – the author has combined some of these stages with four outlined inland routes to suggest:

• a nine-day loop from Cercal do Alentejo heading south along the coast as far as Odeceixe and back

• a one-week hike from Porto Covo to Carrapateira

• a four-day coastal walk from Porto Covo to Odeceixe

As well as detailed walking instructions, the book includes all the information you’d expect from a good hiking guide, i.e. when to walk, what to take, GPX downloads, potential issues, e.g. “a dearth of shade”, transport links and accommodation ideas.

In her introduction, Gillian Price writes, “This beautiful route … is on the way to becoming popular with walkers” – if our experience in spring 2022 is anything to go by, I’d say it’s already there!

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Trekking Portugal’s Rota Vicentina: the Historical Way and Fishermen’s Trail by Gillian Price

There are 13 stages, ranging from 12km to 33km; all are described as ‘easy’ or ‘average’. The Rota Vicentina website describes the trail as ‘a true journey through time, local culture and nature trails’. It’s a good choice for anyone seeking tranquillity and an off-the-beat hiking holiday.

THE FISHERMEN’S TRAIL

At 226.5km, the Fishermen’s Trail is the more popular and challenging of the two routes, not least because it rarely leaves the rugged coastline and involves a fair amount of walking along sandy trails. The scenery is almost always spectacular, with the crashing waves providing a constant soundtrack to each day’s walking. Another trail highlight is seeing the storks nesting on rock stacks.

Overall, there are 13 stages, ranging from 10km to 22.5km. The Rota Vicentina website describes the trail overall as ‘somewhat difficult’. We walked the route in May 2022 and found the toughest sections to be the one between Carrapateira and Vila do Bispo and the two between Sagres and Luz.

The trail officially begins at Praia de São Torpes, 10 km north of Sines; however, hikers frequently join it at Porto Covo, where there are more accommodation options. Many tour groups offer four-day guided tours from Porto Covo to Odeceixe, so during the hiking season (September to June), this section of the Fishermen’s Trail can become a little busy (book your accommodation ahead).

NOTE

The extended Fishermen’s Trail to Lagos is far tougher in technical terms than the earlier stages.

CYCLING

It’s far too dangerous to cycle the cliff-edge paths of the Fishermen’s Trail; however, the Historical Way offers both road and mountain biking options. More information is available on the Rota Vicentina website.

TIPS FOR WALKING THE ROTA VICENTINA

To get the best out of your trip, the Rota Vicentina Association suggests you:

visit during the shoulder months and low season when there are fewer visitors and temperatures are lower. Split your time between the coast and inland route options for a more diverse experience consider using local services, e.g. guided tours choose local Rota Vicentina partner organisations, e.g. for accommodation and food buy sustainable products send your feedback and suggestions for improvement And my own tip? Take full advantage of the low-cost luggage carriers and walk with only a day pack.

 rotavicentina.com blog.rotavicentina.com tracyburton.co.uk

Pet's Mate

WORDS Lars Ramquist

I am writing to you as an ageful 50-year-old man this month. Well, with the nature of the medium that is a monthly publication, I write it as a frolicking 49-year-old. I will probably read it with the disapproval that the old often carry for the youth. I look forward to being smug (and sage) in my 50s.

Some people like to comment that their seven-year-old dog is the same age. I tend to disagree, arguing that we exist in the same temporal universe as dogs and it’s just that they just have a different lifespan. I have never met anyone who would refer to 50 as the same age as a 12-year-old turtle (Google them, if you need to).

This year I will be going back to the doctor to check that my temple is still strong and that there are no occult problems that might knock me off my perch before the

shelf life date that was written by my maker. Many readers know the benefits of routine health checks after the age of 50 and how many lives they have 'saved'. Segway to vet article alert: The same is true of our furry flatmates. That refers to your pet, right, not the Persian upstairs (unless it’s your cat).

At our clinic, as in many others, we have been promoting 'geriatric' blood testing for a while. I gotta watch that word myself. Prior to anaesthetising older patients, we try and insist on a basic pre-surgical panel, checking that the organs are not going to suffer from the anaesthetic. Geriatric panels are a little more complete to look for underlying problems that might not be showing clinical signs.

Our geriatric profiles are in various categories, from basic blood checks

Flashpoints

For cyclists, joggers, walkers and dog owners - Part 1

With spring in the air, whether we are humans or animals, those first rays of spring sunshine tempt us all to get out and enjoy the countryside. While we all hope our experience will be pleasurable, there are some situations which might spoil our enjoyment of the great outdoors.

When I take my two dogs (who are both rescue dogs) for a walk, I am acutely aware of many situations that could be problematic. Some situations I am prepared for, others I am not. If you own a rescue dog, you accept that you have no idea what happened to them before they were adopted by you. You need to be on your guard at all times – not on the phone!

As humans, we know that fear of any kind is not a pleasant experience and can make us act in an unpredictable way. Our whole instinct when experiencing fear is for selfpreservation – and dogs are no different.

Zazie is a terrier bitch, adopted from a rescue when she was ten months old. During her short life, it was obvious that she had been beaten by someone wearing a baseball-type hat and carrying a stick.

Whenever she saw someone approaching wearing the hat and carrying a stick, she started to bark in a threatening manner, ‘keep away from me’. She is now in her 14th year and despite training, she will still react to this trigger at times. If she sees the person approaching, I reassure her she is fine, but if the person suddenly appears (either in front or behind her), she is terrified.

The unsuspecting person, wearing the hat and carrying a stick in all innocence – is suddenly confronted by a terrier, running towards them and barking. Their instant reaction is also fear. They usually start by shouting or waving the stick to keep her away – and this makes the situation even worse. From the dog’s point of view, this is threatening behaviour.

Another trigger, for all dogs, is cyclists, motorcyclists and now electric scooters. Dogs have acute hearing and the highpitched whirring sound created by these is much louder to a dog. And, therefore, much more threatening. All too often, the cyclist is travelling too fast or, even worse, approaching from behind. Both these

through to more comprehensive ones, which include chest X-rays, blood pressure and abdominal ultrasound scans. It is rare that we don’t uncover any underlying abnormality in older patients.

If we find an occult problem with an essential organ (such as the liver, heart or kidneys), we can start medications/ observations which will increase said lifespan of the animal and, indeed, the quality of those remaining years as well.

Here’s to all of our remaining years. Let them be full of fulfilment!

Catch you later in the year!

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info@lagosvet.com www.facebook.com/lagosvetclinic

situations leave me no time to control my dog. Once they are upon us, I immediately spring into action – out of fear for what might happen. Zazie senses my fear and she is also afraid. It is a dangerous situation for everyone concerned. A situation so easily avoided by just slowing down and warning us in advance by the use of a bell or shouting. As simple as that.

There are other very common ‘flashpoints’ which I will mention in a later article. After all, human or animal, we all want to enjoy our countryside visits.

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Anne Hodges is a volunteer for Cadela Carlota, which is urgently trying to raise money to ‘Own the Land ~ O Nosso Terreno’ to ensure that 80+ abandoned dogs don’t lose their safe refuge. If you can help, go to gofund.me/966c6018

facebook.com/cadelacarlota +351 917 448 583

WORDS Anne Hodges