FREE to take home June 2017 | Edition 67 | 5,000 copies
www.tomorrowalgarve.com |  TomorrowAlgarve
A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE COVERING LAGOS TO ALJEZUR
Community What does Brexit mean for you?
What's On Celebrating the past
Business From management to massage
Outdoor Stop plastic pollution Plus much more...
THE ALGARVE PROPERTY SPECIALISTS
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Summer's here! We have received many accolades (and some constructive criticism) for the ‘new look’ of the Tomorrow magazines and we really thank you for taking the time to express your opinions. It is only in this way that we can keep on improving. Our main thanks go to Phil Harding and Rebeca Silva from Creation Media who between them and of their own volition have brought us ‘up to date’ without damaging the ‘community feel’ of the magazine. We are very pleased to announce that through the great and patient efforts of Steven Sutton we now have been given charity status for our continuing fund raising efforts. The ‘Tomorrow Algarve Charity Trust.’ Our aim is to be able to continue to support the most needy in our community. We already support quite a number of local organisations but are open to suggestions. Please help us by letting us know if you hear of any particular worthy cause that deserve the support of Tomorrow and its readers. The summer ball is on June 17th and starts around 7pm at the Tivoli Dunas Beach Club. There are a few tickets left. Please call Steven on 918 185 677 if you want to book. The tickets have now arrived with Steven and he will be distributing them soon.
to be involved. This will be our third ‘Giving it back day’ and they really are very rewarding. The summer really has arrived and we hope that you find the June issue of the magazine informative and enjoyable. Please do get in touch with any comments or suggestions for the magazine. We always like to get letters, recipes, news about what’s on events and ongoing local campaigns. Please call Tom or email our editor, Amber, at amber@tomorrowalgarve.com. Best wishes, Tom, Amber and the whole Tomorrow team.
The next ‘Giving it back day’ is on July 8th and we are offering help at the Portimão Soup Kitchen so please email Steven@tomorrowalgarve.com if you would like
Tom Henshaw +351 919 918 733 Amber Henshaw amber@tomorrowalgarve.com
On the cover This month we wanted to reflect the colour of summer with this stunning Bougainvillea. You can spot these gorgeous flowers all over the Algarve but we also have a little test for you – can you can identify the butterfly? If you know perhaps you can email our editor at amber@tomorrowalgarve.com
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Community
Touching hearts and awakening minds There is no doubt that Zoomarine is a huge financial asset to the Algarve, frequently ranking in Trip Advisors Top 10 Best European Parks and employing 80 full time staff increasing to 450 in the summer months. But is it an asset to be proud of? We sent our reporter Sophie Sadler to find out.
Top to bottom: João Neves at an Educational presentation at the dolphin stadium; Pedro Lavia with Sam (the picture is about 15 years old) - in 2011, Sam was the oldest male dolphin in the world.
I set out to meet João Neves, Zoomarine’s conservation biologist and head of education, to get to the bottom of what goes on behind the scenes of the aqua theme park. In the process I discover how important the attraction is for our children’s education. João is an enthusiastic and engaging ambassador for the park and his role underpins Zoomarine´s philosophy. At the heart of the theme park is an ethos based on environmental education. There’s a belief that by observing different species and learning directly from them people will get a better understanding of wildlife and awareness of environmental problems that pose a serious threat to the planet and its oceans. I am pleased to learn that the founder, Pedro Lavia, is still the president and spends a lot of time in the park. Pedro Lavia came up with the concept with the help of a dolphin called Sam. Sr Lavia was originally from Argentina. In 1969 he got Sam from another park and started his own show in South America to educate people about dolphins. In those days many did not realise they were intelligent mammals and
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he wanted to share his love of the species. Sr Lavia travelled to (a very different) Guia back in 1989 with an idea to combine education with fun in Portugal. After 22 months of negotiations, he opened the park in 1991. His mission was clear. He wanted “to transport adults and children to a world of dream and fantasy by creating unique emotions and moments that touch hearts and awaken minds.” Sam was the main attraction and head of the new dolphin family. Sr Lavia was devastated when Sam died in 2011 but commented that “Sam had departed long after teaching us, in his extraordinary old age that one should always strive to go a little bit further than what was expected.” Last year Zoomarine celebrated its 25th birthday. Pedro Lavia said in their commemorative book: “They were 25 years of hard work and struggle, of conquests and special events. My dream is called Zoomarine and aims to help us all believe in the future and build a happier world.” These are incredibly noble intentions but many people are critical of animals performing and are opposed to keeping them in captivity.
But as a conservation biologist what does João think? “Well, it is something we are being asked more and more today, which is a good thing because it makes us and parks like us better and spend more time and effort on the animal´s welfare. “I cannot answer this question because it is down to your personal ethics. It has been illegal to take dolphins from the wild since 1991 and these dolphins, who reproduce on average one calf per year, would not survive in the ocean.” The dolphins at Zoomarine take part in valuable research projects, for example, it is impossible to study the bachelor groups in the wild as they move around so much. But a researcher at Zoomarine has just been discovering the hierarchy of the males in the bachelor group. Another research endeavour has been to study the mammals in their sleep patterns by monitoring their brain activity when they are in rest mode, this could tell us whether ‘dolphin watching tours’ should approach the pods when they are in their restive state. The dolphins at Zoomarine have also been trained to accept ultrasounds whilst pregnant, which allowed the National Geographic channel to come to Zoomarine to monitor the gestations of the calves and understand the developmental stages which was shown in the programme called “Life in the Womb.” João´s main role is to educate young people and it is a credit to Zoomarine that they have a biologist fulfilling this role. His team brings schools to learn about the dolphins, informing and increasing their sensitivity to issues in the ocean. They have summer camps, five-day programmes which mix of fun and education. The children help the staff and watch their routines which gives them the experience of being a trainer and increases their awareness of animal welfare. They are also required to make toys for the tropical birds out of recycled materials and during the week they can participate in games, treasure hunts and educators teach them
about co-operative behaviour and to enhance their perspective of conservation. If you would like your child to participate it is open to children between 6 and 13 and registration is open now. So what is new for you if you have been to Zoomarine before? Well, there is a re-modelled square with a new aqua splash ride, where you children can enjoy a type of aquatic roundabout with boats and water guns. The Zoomarine express has become longer so is now more appealing to older children. There is a new alligator display and best of all a new aquatic playground called Treasure Island with a pirate ship and water-slides. However, if I could give you any advice if you are spending a day there it would be to look at the park with another slant. Take some time to go into the exhibition centre and read about the conservation projects Zoomarine supports and the zoological awards they have won. Check out the marine wildlife rehabilitation centre which attempts to rescue animals and return them to the wild, even returning a seal which had been stranded, by air, back to Cornwall. There is also a backstage tour which João urges you to book at reception which will give children a different perspective and is priced at around €10 per ticket. The Dolphin Emotions, although pricey at €169, takes the experience to the next level. You will have a 30-minute talk from an educator before swimming with the dolphins. “Touching the dolphin raises awareness in people by using emotion to make people assimilate information, leaving an impression you will never forget,” explains João. In between the awesome wave pool and the pirate show take a second to tell your kids why the park exists. In the days before we knew much about conservation, a man had a dream to make more people love dolphins and explain that if we do we must take better care of our oceans. If you live here, or are a regular visitor, chances are you love the Atlantic and it´s ours to take care of, so let´s use Zoomarine to educate our kids as well as ourselves.
For more information: www.zoomarine.pt +351 289 560 300 info@zoomarine.pt ZoomarineAlgarve
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Left to right: New Feature; The Tropical Lagoon (where the dolphin emotions experience takes place); New Feature
Community
British Ambassador answers your Brexit questions BY ALYSON AND DAVE SHELDRAKE
The triggering of Article 50 on March 29th is destined to go down as a historic day for both Britain and Europe. But what is it going to mean for Brits living in Portugal – or even for Brits wanting to travel and holiday here?
British Ambassador to Portugal Kirsty Hayes and Vice Consul Clive Jewell Picture credit: Dave Sheldrake Photography
We attended an information evening in March hosted by the British Ambassador to Portugal, Kirsty Hayes, to try to find out some answers. It was reassuring to hear the current position of the British government in relation to their UK citizens abroad, and to feel that our questions and concerns were being heard. What was clear, however, is just how many complications and areas of negotiation lie ahead. The event allowed for questions to be raised in advance, and the sheer volume of different categories of interest to UK nationals living in Portugal became apparent as the talk began. Here’s an overview of what was addressed… Right to remain post-Brexit This was one of the major areas of concern, and one that the Ambassador was keen to address. Her stance was clear: the Portuguese government is not going to be “asking us to leave” in two years’ time. The Portuguese recognise the valuable contribution that Brits make to their country, and we will continue to be made welcome. Indeed, Portuguese Foreign Minister Augusto Santos Silva has already made it clear that he wants to “ensure our Brits here are duly protected and looked after,” and that he “wants to attract even more British citizens to come to Portugal” - good news for the 30,000 Brits that currently call Portugal home. Dual citizenship Although quick to point out that the UK government does not give advice on gaining citizenship or nationality of another country, the Ambassador did helpfully confirm that both the UK and Portugal accept and recognise dual nationality, which would allow us to retain our British passport but also gain a Portuguese EU passport too – something we are keen to do. Our timing is perfect. Our five-year residency is due for renewal prior to the end of the two year Brexit period, so we can apply for our 10-year residency, and as you need to have completed six years’ residency before you can apply for citizenship, we will make it within the two year Brexit period!
The article is an edited version of a post on Alyson and Dave’s website - visit www.algarveblog.com to read the full article which covers additional topics.
There’s just this small matter, as stated on the IRN website: “Nationality may be acquired if you have been legally resident in Portuguese territory for at least six years … provided that you have sufficient knowledge of the Portuguese language.” Better start those lessons then! Healthcare Access to healthcare was a major issue for many.
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Brits with Portuguese residency are currently entitled to register with a local health centre and receive state healthcare. This is unlikely to change once Britain is no longer an EU member, as non-EU nationals with residency here currently have the same access rights as nationalised Portuguese residents. However, it is a different matter for UK visitors to Portugal. The gov.uk website currently states that holidaymakers should have a valid European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) and take out private travel insurance before travelling to Portugal. Post-Brexit, however, the Ambassador stated that “we can’t give a blanket reassurance, this will have to be an area that is negotiated.” A theme is already emerging. We need to look at the rights non-EU citizens living in Portugal currently have, and start wondering if those issues are going to be applicable for Brits once the UK is no longer an EU member. Tourism and travel The Ambassador appeared confident that some form of visa-free travel in the EU would be possible, although the details of this remain to be seen. Right to work This is an area which is likely to see changes postBrexit, with right to work visas and lengths of stay to be negotiated. As the UK is insistent that it wants more ‘control of its borders’ and influence over the numbers of people coming to the UK to seek work, we can expect reciprocal arrangements to be considered in the EU. Driving licences The issue of holding an EU UK licence post-Brexit was another ‘hot potato’. The advice was to simply surrender your UK licence for a Portuguese one if you are legally resident in Portugal. Summary The Ambassador’s advice at this stage was simple: check that your papers are in order, ensure that you are registered here appropriately (including registering for healthcare and any other rights that you are entitled to), and that circumstances will not change for Brits living in Portugal in the next two years. She pledged her support and willingness to return with updates when they became available, and recommended consulting both the ‘Brits in Portugal’ Facebook page and newly launched government website www.planforbritain.gov.uk. Whatever happens, the next two years are certainly going to be interesting. We hope that we will continue to be able to enjoy such a beautiful place that we are very happy to call home for many more years to come.
Community
A day in the life of... This month we hear about a day in the life of Marina Khametova. Marina tells us about how she ditched the idea of becoming a maths teacher after being inspired by the film Dirty Dancing and she is now a dance teacher in Lagos.
“I was born in Russia in a small town called Ivanovo which means ‘City of Brides.’ From the ages of four to 14 I was a rhythm gymnast. I then joined the dance group at the International School of Ulybka. Watching ‘Dirty Dancing’ starring Patrick Swayze I discovered my passion for dance and my original idea of becoming a maths teacher faded. As a student at the University of Oryol, I decided to turn my love of dance into a career. Today I am teacher at the Dance School of Lagos. When School Director Ljiljana da Silva invited me to teach dance at the D.S.L in 2008 it was a dream come true. The Lagos coastline was beautiful and the climate wonderful. More importantly I could help give the school a reputation for dance with the hope that one day it would become an academy. This is such a challenge and a privilege. I begin my day by searching on the internet for songs for dances that I am creating. Songs turn into pictures in my head and I imagine all the performances in detail: steps, outfits, accessories, from Cossack spears to bridal lace, all of which are intended to produce a ‘wow’ factor. I think of international classic, contemporary or world dance repertoires and design original performances. After lunch, I walk to school where my ballerinas await me. As I close the classroom door I forget the world and magic happens. Dance means discipline, hard work, and mostly heartfelt passion. I love working with children beginning from the
age of three. They are passionate, motivated and committed. It is exciting for me to turn enthusiastic hopefuls into a competitive talented team. But what's more important is that pupils enjoy themselves and work to the best of their ability regardless of their professional choices. “If you dance, you dance well”. In class I speak Portuguese, English, French, Russian as our school is an International family. This helps me not to think so much of my family in Russia, as I especially miss my mother, Svetlana Smirnova. Instructing pupils on how to warm up and move safely, demonstrating new dance moves and providing them with positive feedback is all part of the daily routine. In the evening, my cat welcomes me at the doorstep and the relaxed atmosphere there contrasts with the professional one at work. My Portuguese boyfriend taught me the Portuguese laid-back life style, so different from back home. How do I ‘switch off’? I knit and I crochet tablecloths and warm blankets. All the while I think about ballet steps and pirouettes and how to design amazing choreographies for recitals and competitions. The audience deserves that magical time when they too can forget about their problems. Why do I love my job? It is wonderful seeing the joy of pupils when they dance. This year 40 pupils will perform eight choreographies at the World Dance Cup in Offenburg, Germany. Just like they did in Jersey last year, I hope to see their beaming faces when they bring gold to Lagos!”
We always love to hear from people of all walks of life – whatever your day job or hobby – so please get in touch with our editor amber@tomorrowalgarve.com if you would like to contribute a ‘Day in the life’ piece. We have guidelines to help you write it!
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Community
More than just meals From left to right: Dna. Assunção; Felicidade
More and more people are turning to the Lagos soup kitchen, the Mustard Seed. This year volunteers have already served up more than 5,000 meals but people are turning to the soup kitchen for much more than hot food. Many of the people who turn up at the soup kitchen are homeless or living on the bread line – some struggle with social problems. Staff at the Mustard Seed are keen to support those people and help them reintegrate back into mainstream society. Daniel Saunite said: “Behind each of the numbers is a real life, a real person. It is our mission to make those lives better, more purposeful and to enable each person to make a meaningful contribution to their community.”
"This is my second home where I am so welcomed, I’m in a family."
This month we wanted to introduce you to two soup kitchen regulars so you can hear their stories and learn how important the Mustard Seed actually is. “My name is Maria Felicidade, I’m 44-years-old and I am from Lagos.
My family is just me, my father and my son. I used to smoke a lot; sometimes I had a beer and drank too many coffees. Before I started coming to the Mustard Seed I did nothing, I was disappointed about my life and cried all the time. I didn’t have enough food and it was very hard. I didn’t have the strength to do anything.
For more information: elisabetesaunite@hotmail.com
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Somebody told me about the help given at the Mustard Seed. Since I started coming here I have been so welcomed and found help, here I feel at home and in a family. Thank God I stopped smoking, I stopped drinking beer. I feel like I’m a different person and now I have joy to live. I feel more strengthened and have the will to work. Since I started coming here so much has changed in my life for good and I will cooperate with this work to help others change their lives too. I’m a new person.” “My name is Assunção, I’m 82-years-old and I´m a widow. I´m from Odemira but I have lived in Lagos for many years. A neighbour once invited me to come to the lunch served at the soup kitchen, I came and I kept on coming because I felt so well, I enjoyed the fellowship I found in this place. Now I’m a much calmer person and I like to cooperate to help others. This is my second home where I am so welcomed, I’m in a family. I hope to be able to keep on supporting this cause as long as I can and to cooperate in the development of this work because it makes me really happy.” Donations are always much appreciated but other help is needed too. If you are looking for staff maybe you would consider employing one of the Mustard Seed’s service users. Perhaps you have a business which could help the homeless? For example, if you are a hairdresser could you perhaps donate two free haircuts a week? If you are a dentist could you donate a few oral health checks a month?
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Musical Notes
BY JAZZALI
This month I’m featuring London-born trumpeter, guitarist and singer Ray Charsley, who tries his best to be better today than he was yesterday both as a person and a musician. Born 1947 in Streatham Vale, the son of a London Transport bus driver, Ray describes his early home as “two up, two down with an outside lavy, its wooden seat bleached white by mum’s enthusiastic cleaning.” One of Ray’s regular chores was to tear the newspaper into squares for use in the toilet. He said: “There was every chance that you ended up with a picture of Queen Elizabeth II on your bum! In the winter the windows of our bedroom were frosted with ice on the inside so dad placed his heavy London Transport overcoat over us to provide additional warmth.” One of four siblings, Ray also acquired nine further siblings from his father’s previous marriage. A family rift led to strained relations between his father and grandpa but Ray and his grandpa, the successful proprietor of Streatham Vale Luxury Coaches, got along just fine. As the band leader of the local Methodist Church, grandpa encouraged Ray to sing and at four-years-old, he was already demonstrating an ability to remember lyrics. At seven, Ray joined the Cub Scouts where attendance at Sunday school was compulsory; he met the WPSM (Young People’s Sergeant Major) who enticed Ray with a promise of a Cornet, (brass not dairy) and music lessons. He clearly remembers playing ‘Onward Christian Soldiers’ with three other kids and by ten years old he was soloing, playing ‘Jerusalem’ with the East Dulwich Salvation Army.
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His association with the ‘Sally Army’ developed and by 14 years old he was selling their magazine in local pubs. This association led to considerable teasing at school but in the fifties and sixties, many a young lad received a similar musical grounding with the SA. When the Beatles exploded onto the UK music scene in 1961, Ray picked up a guitar and learned to sing and play at the same time! With friend Stan on bass, The Erstwhile Few was born, “I knew three cords, Stan knew four.” They entered into the Wimbledon Pop Contest, a disaster, evidenced by the response of the audience. Taking it on the chin, Ray went on to play with a band known as The Torque which, in 1964, was the support band for John Mayall and Eric Clapton gigging at Rutlishian Girls School in Wimbledon. From there Ray progressed to Mitcham-based pop band The Game with Terry Spencer on lead guitar. This led to an invitation to audition for actor, singer, song-writer Kenny Lynch; Ray confesses that the audition in Saville Row was scary but the no nonsense response from Kenny was “OK in the studio next week.” Within six weeks they had recorded a single and went on to appear on popular TV shows: Ready Steady Go, and Juke Box Jury. During the following 18 months, they performed at the Marquee Club and Flamingo Club. When things got a little
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A move from London to Kent in an effort to placate Ray’s first wife who “wanted me to settle down” led to a brief dalliance with engineering, milling and turning, but music held a firm grip and Ray wasn’t good at settling down. Ray’s next band was Morning Haze which brought together old friends for local gigs; inevitably Mr and Mrs Charsley went their separate ways.
Vince Hill and Charlie Williams to name but a few! Whilst ‘up North’, Ray joined the Jaguar Cars City of Coventry brass band and attending music college, Sandy studied voice with an opera singer and Ray, classical trumpet. In 1987, the Turn Pennies took them to the sunny shores of Mediterranean Mojaca, Spain where they worked at the White Lady Club owned then by the infamous Gordon Goodly; later they discovered that he was one of the notorious Great Train Robbers’. A brief and sad return to Coventry to support Sandy’s father through terminal illness was followed by a decision to follow the sun again.
Then came a 10-year period with Kent based band Sweet Illusion guesting at Kings Country Club, a 1000 seater venue in Eastbourne. 1979, enter Miss Croft (Sandy), vocalist with Kings resident band Meridian. Sharing similar taste in cake and music, Sandie became and remains the love of Ray’s life, ensuring professional and domestic harmony.
Spain was calling but their enthusiasm for food and wine delayed their progress through France. Caravan in tow, a spontaneous decision to investigate Portugal en route to Spain was too much for their old Range Rover. Developing engine trouble and with the rear suspension blown, fate guided them as they limped into Lagos where they’ve been ever since.
Sweet Illusion quickly gathered momentum playing the Dorchester and numerous debutant balls. Following the band’s successful reunion gig in February ‘17 at The Assembly Halls, Tunbridge Wells, the Kent Messenger reported that “for 18 years the five lads entertained at the county’s venues including Greenways near West Malling, the Royal Star Hotel in Maidstone, Gravesend’s Woodville Halls and the Elizabethan Barn at Tunbridge Wells. They also played London hotspots such as the Hilton, Savoy, Claridge’s, the Grosvenor and the Royal Albert Hall.” As Sweet Illusion veered towards a musical comedy act, Ray lost interest, so Sandy and Ray sold up in Kent, bought a caravan and headed for Yorkshire.
Their success in the Algarve is another story but in brief and in common with many other musicians, they enjoyed the busy, golden days of the ninties, playing the Tivoli three nights a week, the Bella Vista Hotel, Luz and adding a further string to their guitars with the Mirage in Luz where they started a craze for Line Dancing which took them to competition level. Ray played in the Orquestra de Jazz do Algarve and both belong to the Fortaleza Sunshine Jazz Band as well as their own Saraband duo. In 2010, they formed a popular rock & roll band called The Teds and Ray plays with the The New Orleans Jazz Band which gigs throughout the Algarve.
stale, Kenny invited Ray to form a new band but domestic life had Ray taking a different path.
There they formed the Turn Pennies, a multiinstrumental Vaudeville act featuring banjo, trumpet, post horn, guitars and vocal harmony. They worked alongside the likes of: Max Bygraves, Ted Rogers,
For more information: saraband-duo.webs.com
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After a lifetime in music they both agree that Jazz is by far the most musically demanding genre, the ultimate challenge; they are always learning and stretching.
Community
Portuguese sayings that make absolutely no sense in English! Portuguese is a rich language with plenty of traditional sayings, most of which don’t make sense - especially when literally translated into English! Check out a few below with their literal translation and a rough guide to their meaning…
Engolir sapos | ‘Swallow frogs’ Meaning: Accept unpleasant things Dormir sobre o assunto | ‘To sleep on the subject’ Meaning: Think before you act Tira o cavalinho da chuva | ‘Take the little horse from the rain’ Meaning: Don’t count on that! Muitos anos a virar frangos | ‘Many years turning chickens’ Meaning: A lot of experience/ knowledge Ter muita lata | ‘A lot of cans’ Meaning: 100% shameless
Dor de cotovelo | ‘Elbow ache’ Meaning: To envy someone/ something Chatear Camões | ‘Go bother [16th century Portuguese poet] Camões’ Meaning: Go bother someone else / Leave me alone Soltar a franga | ‘Release the chicken’ Meaning: Have a lot of fun Ir com os porcos | ‘Go with the pigs’ Meaning: Die Now that you know the meaning of the expressions, here is a message comprising all of them - see if you can understand it!
In life, but mainly at work sometimes we need to swallow frogs or sleep on the subject when our boss says for us to take the little horse from the rain; we can have a lot of cans or we turn chickens for many years now but there is always someone with an elbow ache. So, we advise you to send them to bother Camões, release the chicken and enjoy life, because we know that we are all destined to go with the pigs! This article was provided by the team at Mar d’Estórias, a unique shop, café, bistro, art gallery and seaview terrace bar in Lagos that brings together Portuguese culture, tradition and customs by selling products, services and experiences. More information: www.mardestorias.com
I Spy Algarve: along the coast Do you know your spits from your stacks? Here’s our guide to some key coastal features to look out for up and down the Algarve when you hit the beach this summer!
Sand spits A thin beach that projects out to sea and is joined to the mainland at one end, like at Ria Formosa.
Caves Undoubtedly the most impressive is Algar de Benagil, where the water’s upward pressure has created a blowhole.
Arches Observed at just the right angle, the double arch at Praia da Marinha is said to look like a love heart!
Stacks When the erosive power of sea water breaks through the top of an arch, a stand-alone stack is left.
Picture credits: João Domingos, Bruno Carlos, Klugschnacker, Juntas, Tm (all via Wikimedia Commons)
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Volcanic rock The distinct black rock at the end of Luz beach is the product of lava flow from Monchique some 150 million years ago.
Community • Finding other ways of relaxing - exercise or relaxation techniques for example. • Avoid drinking on an empty stomach and make sure someone else is driving. • Never drink alone and if you are meeting-up with someone for a drink, wait until they arrive before you order your first alcoholic drink. What is binge drinking? People who binge-drink often run greater risks to health and damaging consequences to others by the very nature of the illusion that they can’t be ‘alcoholics’ because they don’t drink every day.
A realistic guide to safe drinking
BY SALLY VINCENT
Are you drinking more than you should? It’s easily done! This month Sally Vincent from the Nova Vida Recovery Centre gives us some top tips for safer drinking. Here are some realistic tips that might be helpful: • Only drink in social settings and never to self- medicate stress, anxiety, mood or to unwind • Space your drinks out over time. It takes approximately one hour for the body to process one unit of alcohol • If you are thirsty have a soft drink first before an alcoholic one. • When drinking wine with a meal always drink water as well and alternate between the two. • Don’t allow someone to “top-up” your glass – always wait until your glass is empty. This way it is easier to monitor how much you have drunk. • Switch your usual drink to one with less alcohol in it. • Avoid the quick drink after work or at lunchtime • Have at least two alcohol free days • Take up a new interest, sport or just go to the cinema if you find most of your social life is involved around drinking. • Drinking longer drinks - beer rather than spirits and drinking more slowly. • If you drink at home, buying beers and wines with lower alcohol content could make a great difference. • Buy smaller glasses for the home or buy a drinks measure. • Keep a supply of non-alcoholic alternatives for drinking at home and entertaining. • Tell others you are cutting down and avoid rounds.
For more information: www.novavidarecovery.com
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Binge drinking is a kind of purposeful drinking style and can be mistaken for social drinking since it is often done in groups. A binge on alcohol can occur over hours or last up to several days. It is difficult to quantify how much alcohol needs to be consumed in a short period of time for it to be classed as binge drinking but the general view is consumption of more than 6 units. What are the effects of binge drinking? Studies show that drinking a large amount of alcohol over a short period of time may be significantly worse for your health than frequently drinking small quantities. Most binge drinkers are not familiar with the risks associated with binge drinking. Heavy regular binge drinking is associated with adverse effects on neurologic, cardiac, gastrointestinal, hematologic, immune, musculoskeletal organ systems as well as increasing the risk of alcohol induced psychiatric disorders. Immediate and delayed recall of verbal and visual information is impaired. Sudden death Binge drinking is also associated with strokes and sudden death. Binge drinking increases the risk of stroke by 10 times. Acute hazards The most common risk of consuming massive quantities of alcohol in a short period of time is a dangerously high blood alcohol level. The result is called alcohol poisoning (overdose), which can be fatal. Choking on (or inhalation of) vomit is also a potential cause of death, as are injuries from falls, fights, motor vehicle and bicycle accidents. Alcohol suppresses brain function during intoxication; but upon withdrawal rebound effects occur leading to persisting impairments in verbal and nonverbal cognitive abilities as well as impairment of spatial orientation. Binge drinking damages parts of the brain vital for you to perform at your best in whatever is your chosen profession. The cost of binge drinking could be your life or your career. Is it worth it?
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Supporting children in Syria Last month we told you about a sponsored walk organised by Alezur International School to raise funds for the Alwan Kindergarten in Syria. Our editor, Amber Henshaw, wanted to find out more about where the money was going so she interviewed the director, Abdulkader Almurie who is known as Abdo. “My name is Abdo Morie and I am 28-yearsold. I come from Syria. I studied English literature at Syria Aleppo University and graduated in 2012. My family and my relatives have been living in the village of Hass which is in Idlib province for a very long time. My grandparents and my father are farmers. I decided to set up the kindergarten in Hass in 2015. We now have about 100 children aged between four and seven. The conflict has been going on for six years now and most schools have been closed either because they have been targeted by bombs or because people have left their villages. Some closed because of a lack of funds. Our village has become home to many internally displaced people (IDPs) – people who have fled from other parts of Syria. This area has been out of the Syrian regime control for about four years but it is nearly bombed on a daily basis. My village is a little safer than other nearby villages so many families come here. This area is suffering because people lost their jobs in the war, many people are very poor and just work on their land to survive. I searched for a safe place which could be a school for refugee children and children from my village, finally I found a safe and good place. I managed to come up with an education plan with teachers who volunteer and started the school with happy drawings on the walls.
Daily life in this area is ok when there is no bombing, sometimes life stops when the village is bombed. On October 26th there was a deadly air attack in the village and three schools were hit – more than 50 people died including children and teachers.
and to some children losing limbs.
The school was closed for more than three months due to the heavy Russian airstrikes across the whole of Idli province and then there was a chemical attack at a village called Khan Shaikhoun which is 20 km away from my village.
We use the money at the school and for our education outreach programmes like the Risk Education Project. We will also distribute some children’s games while conducting the education sessions which helps us to encourage other children to attend. I will also give some money to the project team as an incentive to encourage them to keep up the good work.
The children are the most affected by this war and attacks on this area because they often witness daily bombings so they need psychological support and we do that in the activity room we have at the school and teachers are making those affected children happy. Most children lost their education in the war and at least we provide them with some support. We provide psychological and educational support for internally displaced children and from resident children in the area. The children feel so happy at our school because they feel they are out of the war zone for a while at least. After we recently closed the school we launched a Risk Education Project to teach children about explosive and non-explosive material which can be leftover in attacks. Some children were innocently touching these remnants which led to many deaths
We started the school with a voluntarily team which consisted of me and many other teachers with donations like the money from the International School in Aljezur.
It is very meaningful for children to get this money – it helps us to keep up our work to try to save children’s lives and to educate them. Frankly I do not have enough words to describe how useful it is getting money from other countries and people, believe me our projects will be closed unless we can keep getting money from places like the Aljezur International School fundraising. Karen Whitten from the International School and others are helping us financially and from their souls so it is very much appreciated. We need to make sure that our project keeps going to help the children who are so badly affected by the ongoing war we face in Syria.”
If you would like to support Abdo and his team please contact Karen Whitten karen@aljezur-international.org
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Community
Aiming high Lewis Moulson is a young man with big ambitions. He is just in the middle of his A’level exams but he’s already got his eye on the future with his new videography company, Chilli Pepper Productions. We wanted to find out more so we spoke to Lewis to get the low down. 1. Please tell us about yourself. I was born in Manchester and moved to Portugal at the age of five with my parents. I currently live in Albufeira with my parents and am finishing my final year of A-Levels at Nobel International School. After that I can then focus all my energies on my business, Chilli Pepper Productions and my career in videography and cinematography. 2. How did you wind up in the Algarve? As a family we had a holiday home in São Rafael some 15-years ago and holidayed in the Algarve several times a year before deciding to live in Portugal. 3. What do you like about living in the Algarve? I love the light that we have in the Algarve, beaches and social life. The Algarve is home for me as I have lived here since I was five. It feels quite alien when I'm back in the UK and I love nothing more than returning back to Faro airport and flying over the Rio Formosa. 4. Tell us about your business? I am based in Albufeira, but cover the whole of the Algarve with my work. I provide aerial photography and videography with the use of my drone. I also make short films and adverts for local businesses, property owners etc. 5. How did you get into videography/film making? My school was approached by the Dance World Cup in 2014 which was hosting its annual Dance World Cup event in Ferragudo. The organisers wanted volunteers from my school to sell tickets, t-shirts etc at the event. On one particular day they were
short of a video camera operative and my name was put forward by my classmates. I really enjoyed it, so much so I spent every working hour learning about the various video cameras, jibs etc. The organisers were impressed with my work and commitment and then contacted me the following year to work alongside them again, but this time it was in Romania. Romania was fantastic and I learnt a lot in terms of filming, but also presenting, managing live feeds and editing. The experience was invaluable and it was after this I realised that I had found my niche. 6. What sets you apart from other companies? I offer a new vibrant fresh approach, which allows for a fluid style of filming, editing and also accompaniment with carefully chosen music which is synced to the videos, but without any gimmicks. 7. What personal skills do you bring that make you different? My main focus is as a videographer and not a photographer who then dabbles into videography. 8. What's your ambition? My ambition is to continue with my business and growth in terms of knowledge and skills. I would also like to continue my travels and to record many of the beautiful places in both Portugal and countries beyond. I would love the opportunity of working freelance for a large production company and then to maybe get into TV and film work. 9. Tell us how you got involved in the Niamh charity event (a charity golf day being held this month) and what will you be doing at the event? We were contacted by the organisers who shared a video after they had seen one of my videos and wanted to collaborate with me. I duly obliged and offered my services on a complimentary basis to help support the charity. I will be filming the event on Saturday June 10th, unfortunately, I cannot be there on the Friday as I have my last two A-Level exams. 10. How important is it to be involved in community events like this? It's fundamental, it's important that we help our community and you never know when that favour maybe repaid.
+351 914 129 965 admin@chillipepperproductions.com www.chillipepperproductions.com
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Community
Diplomatic ramblings BY DOUG MCADAM
I mentioned in a previous Ramblings how, as Ambassador in Almaty, I was encouraged to try to raise the profile of Britain’s presence in the area. In this respect the official two-day visit by the Prince of Wales had helped tremendously. It was also extremely useful to be able to draw upon the resources of the British Council office in in Almaty. So, together with them and the Department of Trade in London, we decided to hold a Scottish Festival. The latter funded transporting Scottish crown jewel replicas which we successfully exhibited in the national museum. We cooperated with a recently-opened Hyatt Hotel to have Scottish food and whisky tastings, and we collaborated closely with the Symphony Orchestra to have an evening concert of Scottish music for the first half of the evening and a Scottish Rock band to play the second half. One of the pieces which we persuaded the orchestra play was Orkney Wedding by Peter Maxwell Davies. This includes a bagpipe solo which signifies sunrise after the riotous wedding party. A member of the rock band played bagpipes and we persuaded him beforehand to play this solo. But dramatically he did so by beginning to play at the back of the auditorium and making his way slowly down the aisle through the audience. It was a spine tingling moment which the audience greatly appreciated. But it was quite amazing how the mood changed abruptly after the interval and they joined in enthusiastically with the rock concert! A number of British companies had agreed to sponsor our effort and one of our ways of advertising our festival yet providing publicity for them was to decorate a public service bus which plied down the main road past our Embassy. We approached a local
advertising company who took this on with outstanding success (see picture) and we paid for three months. The bus was still in that state when we left two years later! So successful was the Scottish Rock Band experiment that we brought in another band. At the end of their visit I had a party at my house which included them, a Kazakh folk group with traditional instruments, and violin and piano soloists from the symphony orchestra. The band’s instruments had already been packed so it was with some trepidation that I permitted the band’s violin player to borrow the soloist’s expensive instrument: he was immaculate and excellent. I also wondered how the Kazakh piano soloist would react when I asked him to play on my daughter’s Kawai electronic piano, but he did not blanch. It was a fantastic evening and at one stage I saw the Scottish and Kazakh groups, who did not have a common language, comparing notes literally on paper about their respective instruments. We ended up with Scottish dancing and much hilarity. At one stage in the evening I explained that my father had been a keen supporter of the Edinburgh football team Hearts and handed out Danish beers from a case I had taken straight from the freezer (to cool down quickly). A friend subsequently drew my attention to an article in a highland newspaper where a member of the band, describing his Kazakh experience, had said the Ambassador was a great bloke who had danced with a crate of McEwan’s Export singing “Up the Jam Tarts”. A good story, even if not accurate!! And maybe not quite the publicity my masters in Whitehall had envisaged! Doug retired to theAlgarve 13 years ago after 40 years in the Foreign Office
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Poverty levels in Portugal A quarter of Portugal’s population is poor, despite a €79 increase in the average monthly household income last year according to new statistics. The figures from the Income and Living Conditions from the National Statistics Institute showed that 2,595 million people, including 487,000 under 18s and 468,000 over 65s, were barely scraping by and were classified as poor, or close to poverty and social exclusion. Cramped homes, properties without bathrooms, poor lighting and damp are the biggest problems for poor families with children. From 2015 to 2016, the average disposable income per household increased by €79, to €1,497 per month, or €17,967 per year. This was the same level as in 2008, the year of the economic crash. Poverty was marginally down (1.6%) despite incomes going up - the answer to this incongruity is that prices for essentials such as fuel went up 5.9% between 2013 and 2015. This led to the "overburden of housing expenses" which affected "almost 30% of the population with the lowest incomes during 2016." Here in Lagos there has been a massive increase on the number of people using the soup kitchen, the Mustard Seed. Last year a total of 10,500 meals were served but this year about 5,000 meals have been served in the last few months.
Thanks to the Algarve Daily News for this story www.algarvedailynews.com
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Retreating for a week BY LENA STRANG
Sitting on a bench in a tranquil garden, gazing over the extensive countryside whilst listening to the tweeting of the birds was a memorable part of my recent yoga retreat. I spent a week at Quinta da Alfarrobeira near Odiáxere with five other yoga practitioners in search of something special. I soon realised that this retreat was something out of the ordinary. Noeline Oldham, our yoga teacher, had meticulously devised a Hatha Yoga and Healing Retreat that encompassed so many different aspects to help us release any blockages and reassess our way of thinking. Two daily sessions of yoga and meditation with individual healing sessions and additional treatments helped me on my way. I know the others felt the same. We couldn't have come to a better location for this. The six-hectare rustic country estate owned by a Dutch couple, Inge and Theo was the ideal place to retreat to from the hustle and bustle of the outside world. We were accommodated in separate buildings, all having been built and restored in authentic traditional style. Each morning we made our way to the yellow yoga building with its bright coloured blue door, along a pathway flanked by flowers and herbs. I always paused to take in the views over the distant Monchique mountains, sometimes covered in morning mist. The days flowed by and somehow I lost concept of time. The days were punctured by daily walks in the countryside, observing the spring flowers, ducks
in the ponds and cows grazing in the fields. Hours were spent reading by the pool, sitting in the shade of a gnarled olive tree or simply sharing thoughts with the others. Francois Graftieaux, one of the participants thought the connection with the others was a key part and he commented afterwards: “I felt I was a member of a family during the retreat. I realised this when I was back home on my own. None of us had to play a role; we were able to act and talk according to our inner truth.” What will stay in my mind forever was the amazing food. Cátia and Tania had been entrusted with looking after us for the week and they went out of their way to do so. Every day we were presented with culinary delights made with fresh organic produce, served in imaginative ways. My first task when returning home after the retreat was to go to the local Saturday market and stock up on fresh ingredients to try out their recipes. Along with other things, the retreat changed my views on food in a real way. The week went by all too quickly. During our final evening we sat out in the garden by a blazing fire enjoying our last repast. The mackerel sky soon revealed the new moon and the bright stars. Just as we retired we saw not just one, but two falling stars. Will our wishes come true? Carita Nordman who also attended the retreat summed it up for us: “The remarkable ambience at the quinta and the lovely gardens were such a pleasant surprise. We were able to benefit from the experience and vast knowledge of our wonderful yoga teacher, Noeline. We talked, laughed and talked again. It was a fantastic week.”
For information about future yoga retreats go to www.zengardenretreats.com
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A fashion photographer with an eye for animals BY MATT D’ARCY Faith Clements had the Algarve’s beautiful west coast in her viewfinder 31 years before she made it her permanent home. Faith was a fashion photographer working with models like Patti Boyd (who married Beatle George Harrison, then Eric Clapton of the supergroups Yardbirds and Cream) when she arrived there on a photo-shoot. She recalled: “In 1963 we were asked to do a fashion shoot for Woman’s Own Magazine and the location was to be Portugal. I flew over to Lisbon with my boss and the Woman’s Own fashion editor, my assistant, two female models and two male models and two cars full of clothes and equipment. The electronic flash in those days weighed a ton!" From top to bottom: Faith Clements (2nd Left) At AEZA Stall, Vale Da Telha Car Boot Sale; Faith Clements At Animal Shelter 2002
“We flew in a cargo plane and can I remember driving my allotted car up the ramp into the back end of the plane at an airfield in the south of England and driving it off again in Lisbon. The photographs were shot during the day, black and white, and my assistant and I developed the films and produced contact prints every evening in makeshift darkrooms wherever we went. After three days in the Lisbon area we drove down to Sagres. The trip took many, many hours because the roads, frankly, were terrible back in those days,” she says. “They were cobbled all the way down from Lisbon, very bumpy and not good for cars."
West Sussex, running her own portrait studio from home, where the pantry doubled as her darkroom. “I also taught photography at adult education classes,” she recalled. “But then, in 1989, my life took a different turn! I still remembered my working visit to the Western Algarve with great fondness and, with that in mind my then partner and I bought our holiday home in Vale da Telha, just outside Aljezur. Then, by 1994 we had built our first permanent home in Sector M before I moved to my present home in Paisagem Oceano in 2004”. (Faith’s daughter Holly, a copywriter, also now lives in Vale da Telha). Faith, born in a small village named Rowlands Castle near Portsmouth always had ambitions to work in advertising and PR, and began studying photography at Guildford School of Art, under Ifor and Joy Thomas. “They were well known and highly respected for their teaching methods, which centred on the production of images that evoked some sort of emotion in the eye of the beholder,” Faith told us. "Of course technique was needed but primarily it was the student using their own ability to see an image using light and imagination. This background has stood me in good stead for when I took up painting some years ago. “Of course, I still take photographs as a hobby. But I miss the old method of “real photography” and will always prefer black-and-white, which I think relies only on the subject itself, not how good the colour is! “Typically, as a photographer, there are not many pictures of me in the family album. We have a joke in the family that I was never there when my children were young. That’s because I was always the one taking the picture!”
“That’s because the Algarve at the beginning of the 60s was little more than a peripheral region in the Portuguese mindset, mainly dedicated to agriculture, fishing and shellfish gathering and some lowmechanised faming, so the infrastructure was pretty basic until tourism began to develop in that decade.
She worked at a number of jobs in the advertising industry after leaving art school, smiling as she recalled: “It was always as an assistant because, after all, girls couldn’t be photographers could they even, though I did most of the setting up of the shots before my boss pressed the button!”
“I was 23 at the time and had never driven on the right before, which added to the difficulty of the journey. But we made it, and of course we drove through Aljezur where I now live. And that was the start of my love affair with Portugal.”
Eventually she landed a job with Sidney Pizan, one of the top advertising photographers at the time. “This was before Twiggy came on the scene, and the models we used for many jobs were Sandra Paul who married Michael Howard a former leader of the Conservative Party, Celia Hammond who set up the Celia Hammond Animal Trust in London to help the feral cat population and Pattie Boyd.
The images of the Algarve’s west coast were not just captured on Faith’s camera; they became firmly imprinted on her mind and her memory. And like a good photographer she never lost focus! She married and raised three children in Midhurst,
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“Patti, of course, later married George Harrison and also Eric Clapton, who wrote his classic song Layla about her.
Community “Our jobs included work for Danish Bacon, Max Factor and Rael Brook shirts. Every day was different and if we had to stay late to finish a job we did and I loved every minute of it”.
In her near-three decade association with Vale da Telha Faith has seen many changes…and has had many hair-raising experiences. José de Sousa Cintra and his Somundi development company began to map out the clifftop urbanisation in 1978 when he saw the west coast as the ideal place for a purpose-built community. From top to bottom: Models Including Patti Boyd, Celia Hammond, Tania MalletPicture Typical Of Early 60s; Faith Clements
Sousa Cintra, as he is best known, is a former President of Sporting Lisbon who was born in Raposeira, Vila do Bispo in 1944 and who became a property developer and a brewing magnate both here and in Brazil. Says Faith: “They used to bus people down from northern Portugal and entertain them very well, hoping to sell them plots of land.”
Faith smiled: “In an odd way it proved to be a huge benefit to Vale da Telha. “The services and infrastructure here were very poor. For example, when I was building my house I was told I would never have mains electricity as there wasn’t sufficient power to the area. “But the President of Portugal came down after the fires and very quickly realised the area was in trouble. He met the residents who raised various issues and he put pressure on EDP to increase the number of transformers up here, boosting the power supply. “It still wasn’t perfect. Everyone’s water was pumped from the lake and was quite often brown. Whenever it rained we lost electricity, phones and the water supply, because the pumps also failed. But the situation has improved in the last ten years or so to the current high power and water standards we now enjoy.” Like Celia Hammond, the model with whom she once worked, Faith has a deep and abiding love of animals. She was only 12 when she rescued her first animal. “I heard about a kitten that was going to be drowned, so I secreted it in my shoe bag and took it home,” she confessed.
But the area was hit by some really terrible fires during the early to mid-80s and the 90s, which destroyed a lot of property over a wide area, not to mention huge swathes of the pine forests across the plateau on which Vale da Telha was built. Faith was forced to flee through the flames in the last really serious outbreak, on July 23 1993.
Anyone wishing to donate to AEZA or would like to volunteer their help should check their website or contact them.
afterwards but in one sense it was almost a cleansing process, with everything growing back quickly. “A lot of people sold up and left after that, afraid it would happen again. But those were the last serious fires up here, 24 years ago, and it is extremely unlikely that it would happen again, with so much of the pinewoods now gone, and the authorities carefully creating fire breaks and keeping a close eye on things.”
“The flames, fanned by a warm Spanish wind, were igniting the tops of the pine trees, just rolling overhead, and we drove through what was almost a tunnel of fire in a desperate attempt to get to Arrifana beach,” she told us. “Fortunately, we made it. The woman who grazes sheep and the man who herds his cattle both just made it to the beach with their livestock ahead of the flames which burnt themselves out on the hills above Arrifana once there was nothing left to burn." “After spending the night on the beach we emerged to look out over what looked like a moonscape. “There was black ash blowing everywhere for months
Flash forward several decades and, concerned about the welfare of the many stray and suffering dogs and cats in the Aljezur area, Faith leapt to the rescue once again. She is now active in the AEZA Charity (Associação Ecologista e Zoófila de Aljezur) which she helped to set up in 2001, and has been on the Board of Directors ever since. “We are extremely lucky to have the support of the Câmara Municipal de Aljezur, and have been able to build a shelter, converted from old farm buildings, a cattery and we also fund and protect several feral cat colonies in the area. Our policy is a “no-kill” policy. Instead we provide the funds to medicate, neuter and protect the animals until a ‘forever home’ can be found”.
For information: info@aeza.org aeza.geral@gmail.com kerry@aeza.org www.aeza.org
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Sweet! A potato filled with history and flavour BY MATT D’ARCY
Britain has its Melton Mowbray pork pie, traditional Cumberland sausage, Stornoway black pudding, Stilton and Wensleydale cheeses, Cornish clotted cream, Arbroath smokies, Manx kippers, Cornish pasty, Scotch whisky, Newcastle Brown Ale, Whitstable oysters and even Rutland bitter. And, among other things, Portugal has the Aljezur sweet potato from the Algarve’s west coast. Just as those products from Britain have protected status under EEC legislation, the Aljezur sweet potato has been recognised by the European Commission as worthy of its own IGP seal (Indicação Geográfica Protegida), denoting a product from a protected geographical area. The award recognises that not all sweet potatoes are the same, and these tubers from Aljezur are unique thanks to the sand layers in the soil, and a well-compacted underlying stratum of clay and bark coupled with the local climatic conditions including— according to local farmers—the sea air. With the sea on one side and mountains on the other, the municipality of Aljezur boasts a natural beauty encapsulating lush, fertile landscapes, naturally irrigated valleys, sheer cliffs, sandy beaches and dunes. And this land along the west coast produces a gastronomic cornucopia from the organic delights of its world famous sweet potato, to peanuts, game meat, and an abundance of fish and shellfish. Aljezur has two annual food festivals; one—its sardine festival—celebrating the bounties of the sea, and another dedicated
to the sweet potato festival that draws international attention. The tuber, with its reddish brown, almost purple skin and yellow flesh, lies in third place in the world production of root and tuber crops that are suitable for human consumption, behind the traditional potato (to which it is only distantly related) and manioc. The Aljezur sweet potato has been described as being filled with history and flavour. Because of the local soil conditions and micro-climate it is sweeter and less fibrous than other varieties. Most importantly, the sweet potato from Aljezur is an organic product as no pesticides are used during its growth. Legend has it that, to battle and expel the Moors from Aljezur in 1249, the knights would get their strength from the traditional sweet potato "feijoada" (a stew of beans with beef and port, a typical Portuguese dish), it being the reason behind their victory. Legends are legends, and not much is known about the appearance of the sweet potato in the municipality. But it’s clear this account IS no more than a legend as the sweet potato has its origins in South America, where, according to Peruvian records, sweet potato dates back to 750 B.C. Portuguese explorers and traders introduced the batata and its sweet cousin to Portugal during the 17th century. What really matters is that the tradition
of production—the high season being the month of November—and consumption still remains particularly characteristic to this part of the Algarve. With Aljezur, the sweet potato found a perfect place to grow and develop to a nutritious and tasty earth fruit. The climate of the Western Algarve and especially the combination of weather and soil created an elongated and pear shaped potato with purple or reddish brown skin and yellow flesh. Every day across the region the sweet potato is boiled, fried, baked or grilled, served savoury or sweet as a traditional or gourmet meal in dozens of recipes It is an exclusive product, and one of great pride in the local area, so much so it is celebrated annually during three November days at the “Festival da Batata-doce de Aljezur" (Aljezur Sweet Potato Festival) in the town’s Espaço Multiusos, a huge metal building around 100 metres long, set among steep wooded slopes at the back of the town with views across the valley to the old town and castle. It is normal for more than 40,000 people to attend this festival of homage to the Aljezur sweet potato, with over 35,000 tonnes of the tuber being cooked up for these visitors to sample the mouthwatering appetisers, entrees and desserts all based on this local product, which can also be used to make sweets, pastries and bread. Even the leaves are a by-product used to feed farm animals.
How to get to Aljezur: From any point in the Algarve east of Lagos take the A22 motorway west, towards Sines and drive to where the motorway ends at a roundabout. Ignore the first turn right into Bensafrim and take the N120, again signposted for Sines. Stay on the N120 for about 20km (taking around 20-25) minutes as it bends, climbs and descends over a range of high-ish hills and eventually you reach the Moorish town of Aljezur. It’s not the prettiest town itself but the surrounding areas, cliffs and beaches are a delight.
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What's on
Delve into dance Nicola’s Move-Ment Dance Academy has once again shone on the national dance stage, winning many accolades for the school, dancers and the whole community. Over the last few weeks, they have competed at the Festival Norte Danca in Porto, winning a gold medal for a tap duet and a bronze for a jazz solo. This meant that the two dancers involved, Nicola and Annika Thomas both qualified for the All Dance International in Orlando and the Salto Festival in Brazil. The only way it would be possible for these two girls to compete at either of these competitions is if they are able to get sponsors. Adding to their success, the following weekend the entire competition team travelled to the Leiria Dance Competition in Figueiria da Foz. The competition
team was very successful, winning eight medals out of 12 dances .The team competed against many of the well-established dance schools in Portugal but our dancers were not put off despite having only 20 students in the whole school. They all received a medal/medals in a wide range of genres - tap, jazz, hip-hop, musical theatre and street, giving them a total of 1 gold, 4 silver and 3 bronze. All 12 choreographies were taught and choreographed by Nicola Thomas, a local 19-yearold dancer/ teacher who has taken on girls who just wanted to dance and made them into national superstars. And now is your chance to come and see them. Their ‘End of Year Show’ will be on June 10th at Portimão Museum Theatre at 6pm. There will be a short production of the Jungle Book, followed by their award winning choreographies. Tickets are €6 and must be bought in advance.
For more information: +351 913 832 335 move-ment@outlook.com
Join the puppy party BY LARS RAHMQUIST On the afternoon of Saturday June 17th we will, once again, be holding a fun day for our furry fun puppies.
When: June 17th Where: Lagos Vet Clinic
Throughout the afternoon, puppies are invited to play and interact with their young peers. To join in games, play fights, or just watch the others from a ´safe distance´. Whatever your puppy’s social traits are like, it is incredibly beneficial for them to interact and play with other puppies as they grow. Having them as pets’ means less opportunity for these engagements
for the young dogs to learn and grow through. The previous ‘Puppy Party’ afternoons are always a delight for owners and families as well as for the pups. There will be prizes given out to owners and toys distributed about the puppies as they play. There will be a sausage sizzle as well as drinks provided for all grown up puppies who come along too! To register your pup, it needs to be vaccinated and wormed beforehand. You can register your puppy for the PARTY by contacting us at the Lagos Vet Clinic. Or you can just pop in anytime between 9 and 6pm. Hope to see you there!
For more information: +351 282 782 282 info@lagosvet.com
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What's on
The Egyptian mummy: Ancient craft - modern science BY JANE ROBERTSON
On Tuesday June 6th the Algarve Archaeological Association (AAA) will be presenting two lectures, in English, by Robert Loynes.
Unfortunately, until the advent of medical imaging in the closing years of the 19th century, the only method of investigation and analysis was to subject the mummies to dissection. This had the obvious disadvantage of resulting in the complete destruction of these precious and unique artefacts. In the era of the 20th century, we have the advantage of using advanced medical imaging techniques – CT scans – to perform virtual autopsies ("virtopsies"). This enables the analysis of anatomical abnormalities and the ability to attribute them (in most cases) to disease, damage or the mummification/embalming process. Analysis of another part of the process of mummification, wrapping, can help to identify unexpected features.
BY MANDI KEEN Spontaneous Algarve - the concept has begun! If you are wanting to do something, but not to do it just by yourself, then maybe one of our group wants to do it, too! We are creating a group for singles or people without partners who want to take part in events at short notice which are spontaneously arranged with no meetings in advance. It is very simple.
The first lecture will be at 2.30pm at the Museu do Trajo in Sao Bras, the second lecture will be at 5.45pm at the Convento de São José in Lagoa. The Egyptian mummy has, for centuries, been a source of fascination. This was often driven by its association with magical properties and the occult. From the 19th century, archaeologists and Egyptologists commenced a more scientific and structured approach to the investigation of these human mummies.
Time to be spontaneous
This presentation will cover our current knowledge of the motivation of the ancient Egyptians to preserve their dead. It will look at various aspects of current mummy research, including some related to mummies in the Manchester Museum as well as others, if time permits, from across Europe and the USA.
You wake up in the morning and, maybe whilst enjoying your breakfast, you think!
I would really like to do a sky dive!
Dinner in town would be good today.
The presentation will also provide a brief explanation of the science behind medical imaging. After a career as an Orthopaedic surgeon in the West Midlands, Robert Loynes returned to University and obtained a PhD in Egyptology in 2014. His interest is in the use of medical imaging in the analysis of Egyptian mummies, with reference to the embalming techniques in particular and noting any pathological abnormalities as they appear. It is surprising how varied the details are of such processes when comparing different eras and locations in Ancient Egypt.
Lunch in São Brás can be arranged in advance, call Maxine on +351 917 267 948. Non-members are welcome to attend the lectures for a €6 admission fee - all money raised by the AAA is spent on archaeological grants and speakers. Please check the website or Facebook page for any last minute changes.
For more information: Algarve Archaeological Association algarvearchass@gmail.com arquealgarve.weebly.com
Garlic prawns on the beach - mmmm!
The waves are good today for surfing/bodyboarding!
Wonder what’s on at the cinema?
50%
El Corte Inglês Seville has a sale on this week.
The list is endless!!! It’s whatever you want to do!!! Then you go to your phone, get up the ‘Spontaneous Group’, and send around your idea. Anyone interested answers, no interest no answer!!
spontaneousalgarve@gmail.com
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What's on
June Calendar Promote your events and activities here - it’s FREE! Email your listings to us: calendar@tomorrowalgarve.com
Fitness Mat Classes Mon Wed & Fri 9.15 & 10.30am & Mon 6.30pm €10 /€90 for 10 Equipment Classes Duet Reformer | Semi Private & 1-2-1, Pilates Room, Lagos +351 926 514 613 Gymn for a fit back Mon 6pm €7 Hotel Belavista, Luz +351 965 211 996 Hatha Yoga Mon Wed & Fri 9.45 €10 Classes for Children Sat 9.15am (4-7 yrs) & 10.30am (8-12 yrs) Booking required Boavista, Luz +351 282 790 930 Gentle Hatha Mon 6.30 The Yoga Place, Burgau & Wed 12.15 - 2pm Hotel Belavista, Luz €8 +351 965 201 477 Yoga for All Tue & Thurs 10.30am, €10 (residents €65 x 8) The Yoga Place Burgau +351 913 202 621 Zumba Mon & Fri 9.45am €6 Alma Verde +351 918 461 840 Hatha Yoga Mon & Fri 1pm 1xwk €32, 2xwk €45, Kundalini Yoga Tues & Thurs 6.30pm 1xwk €30, 2xwk €40, Qi Gong Wed 6pm €35 p.m Casa Sakra, Lagos +351 916 060 814 Tai Chi/Qi Gong Wed 11am & Thurs 2pm Pilates Thurs 11am Yoga Wed 2pm, €7 Madrugada Centre, Luz 282 761 375
Tai Ji Quan Mon 10am (beg) & Thurs 5.30pm (adv), €10 Dojo Zen de Lagos Barão S. João, +351 919 718 955 Bootcamp Class Mon - Fri 7.30am 10am & 7pm, Yoga Tue & Thurs 9am, Pilates Mon Wed & Fri 9am Mobile Bootcamp Sat 9.30am, €8 Luz, AXN Club Cascade Resort, Lagos +351 915 183 888 Body Push Tue 9.30am, Cardio Fitness Wed 9.30am, Pilates Tues & Thurs 11am, Yoga Wed 11am, Zumba Thurs 9.30am €5 Golf Santo Antonio +351 282 690 086 Pilates Wed 11am, Yoga & De-stress Fri 11am, Zumba Dance Wed & Fri 10am, Step! & Tone (pre-book) Thurs 10am, €7.50 Hotel Belavista, Luz +351968 288 258 Circuit Training Wed 10am Ladies Sport Fri 1.30pm €5 Zumba Mon & Wed 6pm €5 Burgau Sports Centre +351 282 697 350 Hatha Flow Mon-Wed 10am & Sat 9.30am YinYoga Tue 10am, Sat 6pm Yin & Yang Yoga Tues 8.30 Integral Yoga Sat 9.30am €5.80-€10 Tai Chi,QiGong & Meditation Wed 8am donation €3-5, Inlight, Lagos +351 913 127 421 AR Mat Pilates Mon -Fri 8.30 9.30 10.30am & 6pm, €10, Lagos +351 966 784 280
Activities Football Academy Mon 4.45pm (5-11 yrs) & 6.15pm (12 -16 yrs) & Sat 9am (7-11 yrs), 10.30am (3-6 Yrs) & 12pm (12-16 yrs) | €5, Adults Touch Rugby Thurs 7.30pm | €4, Burgau Sports Centre, +351 282 697 350 Walking Football Wed 9.30am | +50yrs Welcome, €3 | Boavista, Luz +351 282 790 930 Netball Wed 7pm All ages & abilities, Behind Bombeiros Building, Lagos charlie.milsom@gmail.com Swimming Lessons Mon & Thurs pm & Sat am €10 (mem.) /€12.50, Holiday Courses 3x per week €20 (mem.) /€25, Boavista, Luz +351 917 953 914 ROLL UP for experienced bowlers Mon & Fri 10am, Bowls for Beginners Tue 11am (1st lesson FREE), €10 (non mem.) Floresta Bowls Club Rua Direita, Luz +351 919 707 635 Adult Ballet Mon & Wed 1pm | €9/€50p.m, Baby Ballet Sat 9.30am, Childrens Dance Mon-Sat, €3 Nicola's Move-Ment Dance Academy +351 913 832 335 Golf Academy with PGA Pro, Tennis Academy with certified Pro, contact us for details Golf Santo Antonio +351 282 690 008 Espiche Golf “Roll Up” Lesson Wed 2pm | €10 pp Group Lesson Putting & Driving Range Fri 2pm €15p.p Junior Golf School Sun 10am | €10 p.lesson, Espiche Golf +351 282 688 250 Dog Training Tue 11am (Rally-Obedience) | Fri 11am & Sat 4pm (Agility), €25 4 sess. Espiche +351 968 086 320
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Classes Dog Instruction Sat 5pm (Group dog lessons) 1st lesson by appointment, Hotel do CÃO Rasmalho, Portimão, +351 964 083 602 Watercolour Painting Thurs 10.30am - 2pm, all abilities welcome (Materials supplied or BYO), €10 Casa Grande, Burgau Sadie +351 912 149 839 Music Lessons all styles, 1-2-1 guitar, piano & voice beginners & intermediate theory & performance, €25 p.h Lagos & Sagres area +351 964 201 904 Life drawing Mon 11am Beginners & Professionals, €10 p.sess Marina de Lagos +351 916 035 308 Portuguese Language Beginners Class Tue & Thur 9.30, €6 Portelas +351 912 417 994 Colour Your Life Healing painting classes Wed & Thurs 3pm| +/- 70yrs, no experience necessary, €10 Barão S. João +351 962 039 574 Computer Classes Sat 10am, All levels Lagos, +351 918 764 613 Practical Portuguese Lessons Fri 10.30am, €5 Lounge Bar, Marina Club Hotel, +351 964 696 345 Open Studio/ Painting Atelier Wed & Thurs 11am for women to explore their creative potential, €10 Barão S. João +351 962 039 574 Meditation Classes Thur 5.15pm Boavista Golf Luz +351 963 614 499
Events Live Saxophone Music Tues 7pm Boutique Hotel Vivenda Miranda, Lagos +351 282 763 222 June 3rd Walking Marmelete 8.30am €8 4hrs June 11th Marinha Beach to Sra. Da Rocha & Wine Tasting €15 3.5hrs June 24th Boca do Rio (Vicentine Coast National Park) €8 3.5hrs Quimera Experience +351 69 467 275 June 10th Garden Party 2.30 - 6.30pm | Food, music, dance display of some of the competition dances | €20 Book tickets +351 914 634 542 or purchase at Moldopoli Molduras nr São Gonçalo Hospital In support of Escola de Dança de Lagos, Torre, Odiaxere June 11th APW Path to Victory wrestling event with Portuguese & International wrestlers 5pm, Centro Treinos Portimão +351964 931 113 June 16th Wine Paring “Paxá” 4-course dinner with Solo Harpist 7pm, €55 p.p | Reservation Necessary, Boutique Hotel Vivenda Miranda Lagos, +351 282 763 222 June 17th Dream & Hope Ângela Silva (Soprano) & João Rosa (Piano) works by Puccini, Liszt, Weber 9pm Reservation only, €19.50 (inc. refreshment buffet) Quinta das Alagoas nr. Almadena +351924 204 343 June 21 Carvoeiro Balck & White Night | 8.30pm - till late Dress Black & White | FREE, Carvoeiro Craft Fair at Zaza Restaurant in Burgau 17th June 10.30am (couple of stalls left) in aid of Cadela Carlota
Charity/ Support June 21st Alzheimer's/ Dementia Support Group 11am Restaurant Pirilampo, Lagos +351 926 297 527 +351 968 084 946 Riding for Disabled Mon, Wed, Fri 10.30 | Volunteers welcome, weather permitting, Bensafrim, +351 915 090 044 Cadela Carlota Animal Charity Three hour shifts am or pm, Almadena Shop, Trudy +351 912 444 666 AA International English Speaking Meeting Wed 7.30pm, Rua Da Freguesia Lote 12c, Lagos +351 282760506 AA hotline: +351 917 005 590
Faith
Useful Numbers General INFO: WWW.CM-LAGOS.PT EMERGENCY 112 HOSPITAL 282 770 100 RED CROSS 282 760 611 FIRE SERVICE 282 770 790 POLICE SERVICE 282 762 930 NATIONAL GUARD 282 770 010 TELECOM NAT. INFO 118 CITY COUNCIL 282 780 900 TOURIST OFFICE 282 763 031 TOWN INFO 282 764 111 TOURIST SUPPORT 808 781 212 TAXI SERVICE 282 460 610 BUS STATION 282 762 944 TRAIN STATION 282 762 987 TAXI : PEDRO COSTA 917 617 675 LAGOS CINEMA 282 799 138 CULTURAL CENTRE 282 770 450 HEALTH CENTRE 282 780 000 LUZ DOC (LUZ) 282 780 700 PRIVATE HOSPITAL 282 790 700 CHIROPRACTOR 282 768 044 DENTAL CLINIC 918 366 646 LAGOS VET 282 782 282 FUNERAL SERVICES 282 769 827 MOBILITY VEHICLES 964 230 225 ALL MOBILITY AIDS 282 760 611
Pharmacies/Chemist Communion Services 10am Thurs (followed by coffee & Bible Study/ discussion) Sun 8am (said) & 11.30 (choral), CoE | St Vincent’s Anglican Church Praia da Luz (church by the sea +351 282 78 8104 Sound Healing 2nd Thurs 7.30pm, Figueira +351 914 523 636 Zazen Zen Meditation Tue & Thurs 7.30am & Wed 7.30pm, €3 B. S. João +351 919 718 955 Catholic Mass in English Sat 7 pm (Everyone Welcome), Church of Our Lady of Light | Praia da Luz
LACOBRENSE NEVES CHEMIST RIBEIRO LOPES TELLO CHEMIST SILVA CHEMIST ODIAXERE CHEMIST
282 762 901 282 769 966 282 762 830 282 760 556 282 762 859 282 798 491
Consulates/Embassies BRITISH FRANCE GERMAN NETHERLANDS CANADA SWEDISH IRISH
282 490 750 281 380 660 289 803 181 289 820 903 289 803 757 213 942 260 213 308 200
No job too small PORTUGUESE LESSON 912 417 994 TRANSLATIONS 916 618 527 ALICE (PORTUGUESE) 914 269 118 GAVIN COX (BUILDER) 916 430 132 TRISTAN (HANDYMAN) 282 101 010 HELIO (ELECTRICIAN) 917 288 966 LUIS (LOCKSMITH) 964 605 213 CHIM. & WIN. CLEANER 926 860 123 RUSSELL (MECHANIC) 282 639 778 ANA (SEWING) 919 747 591 STEVEN (COMPUTERS) 936 387 512 PEDRO (COMPUTERS) 917 165 238 XELI (FLORIST) 282 768 129 UK DELIVERIES 0044 208 123 1966 DESIGN 916 606 226 ALISON HAIRDRESSER 918 663 352 PAINTING - INT / EXT 925 374 624
What's on to Boavista members - golf, buggy and lunch are included.
CA P T A IN ’S CH A RI TY G OL F D A Y BOAVISTA GOLF & SPA RESORT SATURDAY, JULY 1ST 2017
There will be lots of prizes plus other activities going on during the day, like a tombola, bake stall and other surprises. There will be a hog roast lunch at only €25 and this includes a free spa day.
Shotgun Start: 8h30 Pairs Betterball
Members 50€ Guests 65€ Price Includes Golf, buggy, buffet lunch, longest drive, nearest to the pin and other surprises... *All green fees will be donated to charity*
Lunch only: 25€ Hog Roast, grilled chicken, Salad buffet, Desserts, including half bottle wine, water & coffee. Includes access to Spa on the day. Limited places, so please book early!!! Boavista and the Club Captain invite you to play and at the same time help Madrugada, a very worthy charitable association. Madrugada, supports people affected by life-limiting illness here in the Western Algarve. Help us to help others and make the world a better place! Because you care, we can.
More Info and reservations to janicegalloway@hotmail.co.uk golf.reception@boavistaresort.pt 282 000 111
Time to tee off for charity
Places are limited so please book early. If you would like to sponsor a hole, donate a raffle/auction prize then please contact Janice Galloway at janicegalloway@hotmail.co.uk the Club Captain at Boavista. Sunpoint Properties of Praia da Luz is one of the sponsors this year. As well as sponsoring the refreshment 11th hole it has donated a fully furnished dolls house for auction and all proceeds will be given to Madrugada.
This year’s Captain’s Golf Day at Boavista is taking place on July 1st and the chosen charity is Madrugada which helps people with life limiting illnesses and their families.
The house in question is a beautiful dolls house with each of the four rooms exquisitely furnished. The current local owner Pat Glozier had the house built and furnished it with a lot of love and care, but as she is now moving back to the UK and she has offered the house to Sunpoint during the sale of her main property. The house will be available for viewings both in Sunpoint Properties and Madrugada, Praia da Luz throughout the month of June.
The event is being organised by the new captain, Janice Galloway, and Boavista is donating the course free of charge. It’s a pairs’ betterball shotgun which will start at 8.30am. It is €65 for guests and €50
Should you wish to make a bid for the doll’s house in advance of the auction or require more information about this house or the many others for sale in the area please contact info@sunpoint.pt
Play in the Parque The performance takes place on Friday July 7th at the Parque de Merendas near Barão de São João. The picnic and bbq begin at 5pm and the show starts at 6.30pm.
The Play in the Parque is an annual community theatre performance produced by Aljezur International School. The first performance in 2006 came about after a group of students studied ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ as part of their English Literature course. With the help of their teachers, they adapted Shakespeare’s classic, basing it in the Algarve and so the Play in the Parque was born. Since then the cast has grown considerably and this year more than 70 adults and children are taking part, as well as countless others helping with costumes, props and make-up. This is a unique theatrical production for many reasons. The performances take place at a picnic area in the forest behind Barão de São João so there are no lights or curtains; the crew put up a backdrop, install a sound system and transform the area into a spectacular stage. There are no auditions; if you want a part in it you simply have to ask.
The writer and director of the play, Karen Whitten, enjoys the challenges it brings. “The number of cast members has grown, the audience has increased in size and more people have offered their skills and time to help with the preparations,” she explained. “But the energy and passion that drive the event have remained the same: an enthusiastic, diverse group of people bringing their talents together and having a great time, whilst creating magic and laughter in the forest.” This year’s show is called ‘Lord of the Things’ and has the usual eclectic mix of characters as well as colourful cabaret acts between scenes. As happens every year, Karen comes up with a theme and the cast suggest their characters. “We have hobbits, unicorns, elves, superheroes, Harry Potter and so much more. The theme is Lord of the Rings but we go off at huge tangents. The most important thing is that everyone, cast and audience alike, loves the experience. And they do every year.”
For more information: www.aljezur-international.org +351 914 447 710
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What's on Holidays the strongest and largest team ever and reached the qualifying minimum in every one of the 23 dances, won 11 medal places and were selected for the Portuguese team with eight of these. The current objective is to fund-raise to assist the children to pay the costs of flights and hotels in order that they can defend their places and hopefully bring back even greater honours.
Dancing to a popular beat BY CAROLYN ELLISON
The Associação de Dança de Lagos continues to go from strength-to-strength. The photograph shows the whole medal winning group who have qualified for the Dance World Cup 2017 Finals in Offenburg, Germany. The Dance World Cup takes place from June 23rd to July 1st. We have Professora Nina Minkova teaching ballet, pointwork and repertory; Professora Marina Khametova teaching national, baby ballet and an introduction to dance; Professor Ivan Radovani teaching contemporary whilst Professora Tatiana Ursu is on maternity leave, Professor Margaret Marques teaching Oriental Dance and Professor Fènix teaching Hip Hop Freestyle. The school sent to Figueira da Foz in the Carnival
Get together
On June 10th between 2.30pm and 6.30pm there will be the annual Garden Party in a private garden in Torre. Our kind and generous hostess Mandi Keen has opened her garden to us three times now and we have a following but everyone who comes says how much they enjoy the informality, so we would like to build on this and encourage a few more. Tickets cost €20 each and include a good buffet, entertainment and live music in a beautiful Englishstyle garden full of colour and well-tended beds. There will be a presentation by the pupils. Give the kids a space and they will dance. What they can show depends on the space and the condition of the floor, BUT they dance anywhere, anytime and for anyone who is interested and especially for sponsors! Contacts for tickets and information are Carolyn 969216398(EN) Sulamita 914591191 (from 18.30 - 22.00(EN/PT) Telma 914634542 (PT) or Viola 915812055. Lastly we have our final show of the school year from June 15-17th at the Cultural Centre in Lagos from 7.30pm. Tickets will be on sale shortly at the school office. Contact Viola 915812055. This stage is where Professora Nina can really show the progress that has been made in classical ballet and stagecraft with even the youngest members in the school stepping up to take centre-stage in solos within carefully crafted scenes from the classical repertoire. This will also serve as the last public performances of the competition pieces before the team leave for Germany so an exciting show is in store.
BY KIRSTEEN LANDERT
The next meeting of the Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group will be on Wednesday June 21st at 11am at Restaurant Pirilampo in Lagos. The support group started four years ago. People exchange experiences and strategies on how to deal with challenging behaviour, continence issues, nutrition, carer's contacts, available appliances for the home and general tips which can help make life easier for all involved.
Through shared experiences the group can help UK citizens apply for attendance and carers’ allowances if applicable; suggest where and how to get power of attorney, and a living will can be attained if desired. Some of us also speak German and Portuguese. Please see the magazine for future dates and contact numbers. Don't feel alone and isolated - give us a call or just join us at a meeting that suits you.
For more information: Carol +351 926 297 527 or Kirsteen +351 968 084 946
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What's on
Photo credits: Lena Strang and Steven Sutton
Rhythm and colour in Alvor BY LENA STRANG
Sita Carnival, the third ‘Mardi Gras’ type event held in Alvor promised to be bigger and better than the previous two. And so it was. On Sunday in mid-May, the main carnival parade took place through the streets of the village, jam-packed with colour, rhythm and movement. There only seemed to be one rule: dress in as fanciful a costume as possible and have fun! Even the cloudy skies of the previous days gave way to brilliant sunshine on the day. The event is said to have drawn in over 3000 people who joined in on the action. Local restaurants and bars were doing brisk business too - all good for the local economy. SITA (Soul in the Algarve) is the brainchild of Vivy Brown, organiser of
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Soul Network in London for the over 30s. For many years she has been hosting trips to the Algarve for adults. Two years ago she opted for Alvor as the perfect place to stage a weeklong celebration of colour and fun, culminating in the parade. The now, annual event, attracts people from the UK, other parts of Portugal and beyond who sign up in advance to participate. What will the fourth Sita Carnival have in store for us next year? Can’t wait! The date for the carnival in 2018 will be May 10th. For more details go to the carnival Facebook page Soul in the Algarve.
What's on
Photo credits: Lena Strang
Returning to the past in Lagos BY LENA STRANG
At the end of May, the different cultures of the African western coast came together in a colourful display in Lagos. Locals and visitors alike were able to enjoy four eventful days of the Festival of the Discoveries. The theme this year allowed for an exploration of the economic and religious motives that propelled the country to launch its discoveries. Through a number of historical recreations, this period came alive; giving a glimpse of what Lagos would have been like at the time. The Festival kicked off with a grand procession along the Avenida, snaking its way to the Praça do Infante, where the
main activities took place. The city’s schools entered into the spirit of the occasion with hundreds of children looking the part. Each day there was plenty to see and do. Stalls offering a variety of products along with mouthwatering food and drink, oriental music and dance, impressive demonstrations of capoeira and impromptu dramatic scenes when you least expected it. You could see blacksmiths and artisans at work using traditional implements; try your hand at archery and watch falconry in action, amongst many other things. The city fort ‘Ponta da Bandeira’ and the replica of the 15th century Caravel were open for visits, offering their own historical re-enactments and musical entertainment. This year’s festival proved to be another resounding success to judge by the large crowd of visitors that it attracted each day.
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What's on
Vida por vida – life for life BY PAT ALLEN
Last month we saw the ‘grande finale’ of the Ambulance Appeal as the vehicle, which your money helped to buy, was presented to the Lagos Bombeiros, alongside the one that the Camara Municipal de Lagos paid for. The ceremony started with the city priest blessing them and continued with speeches from the mayor of the city, Joacquina Matos, and one from yours truly, which I managed to do in Portuguese. I noticed that both vehicles number plates have ST (68-ST-52 and 68-ST-55) as the letters. Saint Michael the Archangel is the patron saint not only of the sick
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and unwell, but also of those who work in dangerous conditions which is so apt for the bombeiros with their dual role as firefighters too. The wonderful achievement of being able to hand over an ambulance was so timely as one of the oldest ones had to be retired in February – the expense of repairs outweighed what it was worth. The parents of young Salvador who sadly lost his fight with cancer and died recently also attended and made a very generous donation. The remaining money from Salvador’s parents’ collection, about €28k, was used to buy special clothing for the Bombeiros so those contributions from the public also helped those who volunteer to help us. My special thanks go out to YOU – those who helped the Ambulance Appeal with ideas, special events, campaigns, fund-raising, and donations. Much gratitude to the Tomorrow team for keeping the campaign in the public eye.
Loved the Luz Triathlon Last month’s fourth Luz Triathlon was another fantastic success for those who signed up as part of a team or to do the event on their own. It was open to those who wanted to do either Sprint or Olympic distances. It was the first triathlon that CCD Lagos-based triathlon club partnered with Algarve Triathlons to help run the event. Local teams as well as teams from across the Algarve and further afield took part as well as a team from UK-based charity Help for Heroes. The organisers said: “We think the success of the triathlons we have held so far is largely down to the
generosity and support from the local communities. We have been stunned by the commitment and generosity shown by locals, businesses and athletes alike.” “We know that our new partnership with CCD will attract people from all over Portugal and will help make the event a big part of the triathlon calendar in this country and across Europe. Thank you to everyone that took part and came out to support it,” added the organisers.
www.algarvetriathlons.com +351 933 713 867 info@algarvetriathlons.com Thanks to Dan Birch for the fantastic photographs +351 965770093 info@birchphotography.com www.birchphotography.com birchphotography
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What's on
Pick up a taster passport The fantastic tapas trail, Rota do Petisco, is still open until June 11th. Scores of restaurants in Lagos, Aljezur and Vila do Bispo are taking part this year. The snack route opened last month for five weeks offering people many different tastes and flavours. This year 75 restaurants are taking part making it bigger and better than ever before. The Snack Route was started by the Teia D'Impulsos Association (TDI) in 2011. It was started in Portimão but in recent years has expanded. At the moment there are three Routes: ‘Terras do Infantes’ (Aljezur, Lagos and Vila do Bispo), ‘Terras da Ria’ (Faro and Olhão) and ‘Terras do Arade’ (Portimão, Silves, Lagoa and Monchique). Participating in the Snack Route is simple! With a ‘passport’ you can walk along the route
and discover the different menus available in all participating establishments. Each stop on the route, through the presentation of the passport, entitles you to a snack and a drink for €3 or, in the case of pastries, a dessert and drink for only €2. There is no pre-defined order to go through the snack route, nor any limit to the number of items from the menu. When choosing at each establishment, a stamp will be placed in the corresponding space in the ‘passport’ and depending on the number of stamps you can qualify for a series of prizes! The presentation of the ‘passport’ is mandatory, except for children under 16, accompanied by their parents.
For more information: www.rotadopetisco.com rotadopetisco@gmail.com Rota do Petisco
Find your zen in Lagoa BY SARAH PATSTONE These days people are becoming much more aware of how they treat their bodies; whether that’s being mindful of what they ingest through their mouth or skin, or remembering to stop and take a breath every now and then for the good of their minds.
When: June 16th - 18th Where: Fatacil, Lagoa
With that in mind, Lagoa will play host to the first +ZEN Health International Fair in the central Algarve region this month. Set to be held at the Fatacil venue, the event aims to promote healthy living habits, nutrition and alternative therapies. It will feature a range of national and international exhibitors and therapists with nourishing food, natural and organic products, workshops, classes
geral.maiszen@gmail.com
@maiszen.pt
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and other activities for all the family. While many love the thought of having that massage, doing that yoga class or learning how to meditate, very few actually understand how it could be of benefit. In our busy lives, such things are often classed as treats and we rarely indulge ourselves in this way. However, we are all very much worthy of such rewards, which prove nurturing and nourishing. Permitting regular self-care will affect your life in a positive way, and it’s never too late to start taking small steps towards a healthier, happier lifestyle. So keep an open mind and drop in to the fair between June 16th and 18th. There is an entrance fee of €2 to raise funds for social causes and local charities - another great reason to pop along.
Letters
The bombeiros thank Pat Allen Dear Editor, May 7th was a very important day in the 130 year history of the Bombeiros Voluntários de Lagos. It is the day that we celebrate mother’s day in Portugal and the day when we welcomed our great mother, Pat Allen, who has helped us so much over the last 15 years. She has listened to our problems and done her best to fix them. Our biggest drama in the last 15 years has been our ageing ambulances and their reoccurring mechanical issues. The repairs have been costing us more than €25,000 a year and the ambulances were no longer comfortable for patients.
and got the foreign community in Lagos and surrounding areas to work together. This made it possible to us to get not one, but two new ambulances. We can now offer patients ambulances with the most up-to-date equipment and real comfort. To all those who contributed to this campaign to raise money for the ambulances we are truly grateful. Thank you to Pat Allen and to the rest of the expat community. Yours sincerely, Associação Humanitária dos Bombeiros
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 newsletter please email: amber@tomorrowalgarve.com
www.bvlagos.pt Once again Pat heard our problems
Thanks for the fundraising fun Dear Editor, We would just like to say a big thank you to Petrina for holding a fundraising night at the Adega da Marina on May 6th on behalf of the Mustard Seed – the Lagos soup kitchen. Petrina chose to celebrate her birthday by dedicating an event at the Adega to the most needy and homeless in Lagos. All the participants enjoyed an excellent threecourse dinner including drinks provided by the Adega da Marina Restaurant and fabulous live music which meant that everyone was entertained. The event also helped to raise awareness of the soup kitchen. All in all, a great special event for a great cause which was carried out in friendship. Events like this are essential to support the Mustard Seed which depends on donations to fulfil its mission
and to keep on working with love and care to improve the quality of life for all the people in need in Lagos. If you would like to organise an awareness or fund raising event on behalf of this cause, please don't hesitate to get in touch with the Mustard Seed. If you would like to donate food or other items, if you have spare time you can join our volunteer staff, you are more than welcome. We provide around 300 meals per week, but besides that we do help people with clothes, home items and other things they need. There's so much you can do, your support makes all the difference, if you would like to help or support this social cause please get in touch with us. Yours sincerely, Elisabete Saunite elisabetesaunite@hotmail.com
Health From left to right: A barbed grass seed pulled from a Labrador; Grass seed
Look after your mental health BY MKHULULI MPOFU
Pets Mate
Mental ill health can affect anyone at any time. It is essential that we look after our psychological being as well as our physical beings. Here are some ways to look after your mental health.
BY LARS RAHMQUIST
If you have taken a walk off the beaten path lately I suspect you have also spent a bit of time pulling grass seeds out of your socks. I know this because I have spent a lot of time lately pulling grass seeds out of your pets. Senescence brings an end to our annual growing vegetable cousins. Instead of a bit of coitus, they have chosen to dry up a chromosomal parcel and let us spread their seed on their behalf. By proxy, if you will. The nature of a lot of grass seed is analogous to the Indian spear tip. Using sharp symmetrical barbs, they not only cling onto a dogs fur (or your socks), but as the dog moves, its fur moves and the grass seed ´walks´ its way deeper in. By this insidious penetration deeper into the fur the grass seeds can then pierce the skin and get lodged inside the dog. This, of course, applies equally to cats, horses, bunnies, etc. But the thicker the coat is, the more ability a grass seed has to walk its way and also it is harder for the dog to pull it out. The most common places for grass seed to get stuck are between the toes (here it is also harder for a dog to pull them out), in the ears, up the nose and under the eyelids (uch!). So, if your dog, cat or horse is sneezing loads or is holding one ear down or has
Mental ill health does not just refer to people suffering from severe mental illness like schizophrenia, depression or Bipolar Disorder. Severe stress, acute psychosis, mild low mood, drug-induced psychosis or depression, psychological trauma can also affect the human mind.
a closed painful eye or is constantly mithering at its feet… it might just have a grass seed stuck in there. Pop along to your vets and mention your concerns. Once a grass seed is out, the body usually resolves the situation pretty quickly. A course of antibiotics will help if it has been stuck under the skin with a secondary bacterial infection at play. You can help prevent grass seeds from burying themselves into your dog by getting the hair trimmed by a groomer or try yourself (like my mum did when I went to primary school – how embarrassment, duh). Less hair, less gripping potential for grass seeds. Also you can check between your dog´s toes after a walk over the grassy knolls. If you suspect a grass seed in the eye or the ear, do get down to your vet sooner rather than later as sharp foreign bodies such as these can cause corneal ulceration or a ruptured ear drum (respectively, right?!). Quick plug for the puppy party: If you have a new young pup who wants for a fun afternoon with some peers, contact the Lagos Vet Clinic to register for our Puppy Party from 2pm on June 17th.
For more information: www.lagosvet.com
Share your feelings For many expatriates living in the Algarve away from our wider family it may be hard to talk to people about our feelings. Besides, the sun, the beaches, the great food, the Algarve can be a lonely place for many people. Talk to the people you meet every day when your walk the dog. Talk to the lady that serves your café in the morning. Just talk because one day it will be easier to talk to that person when you feel troubled. Keep Active Experts say regular exercise can boost your self-esteem apart from keeping the body and brain healthy. Not everyone can sprint along the beach but there are many places we can exercise like the gym, the park as well as in our own homes. For those that are not as agile, a good 30 minutes a day of light exercise can help. Watch what you eat A diet that is good for your physical health is also good for your mental health. A healthy balanced diet includes: lots of different types of fruit and vegetables, wholegrain cereals or bread, nuts and seeds, dairy products, oily fish, plenty of water. Drink sensibly I would love to say ignore this part but seriously let us drink sensibly especially with the holidays coming.
www.maisvidacare.com
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Health
An attitude of gratitude
BY ANN DE JONGH
this can seem a very hard thing to do, but the more we approach things with a positive attitude, seeing the cup as half full. The easier it is to be grateful, to fill our minds with positive thoughts, reducing our internal stress levels and allowing our bodies to release the tension they hold on to. We all have occasions in our lives when the reality of life and death is brought to the forefront of our minds. Life is a wonderful blessing, but for some it is tragically shortened. Yet all too often we, or others around us spend time with our glass half empty. Finding reason to moan far too often. This negativity can have an adverse affect on our health. It will often affect our posture as we allow our bodies to hold tension, not to relax, often rounding our shoulders rather than opening our shoulders to open our heart center. One of my first yoga teachers always used to talk about having ‘an attitude of gratitude’. Sometimes
Why not start to create a gratitude log. This can be as simple as just writing on a piece of paper at the beginning or end of the day things that you are grateful about. There are lots of apps and journals available to help with this. One of my favorites is ‘The 5 min Journal’. By spending five minutes each day writing down what we are grateful for it helps to lower stress levels and provide calmness at night. Why not give it a go, commit to completing a journal for the next 30 days and then see how you feel after….you may well be surprised as to the positive affects it has on you. Ann de Jongh is a trainer, yoga teacher and sports massage therapist.
+351 913202621 www.fit2lovelife.com ann@fit2lovelife.com fit2lovelife anndejongh
Heart attack in women Last month we covered heart attacks which occur when the flow of blood to the heart is blocked. A heart attack may lead to cardiac arrest (heart stoppage). In addition to the general symptoms covered last month that are common in both men and women, there are some additional symptoms that women may experience. These include: - A profound sense of fatigue - Shortness of breath - Flu like discomfort - A feeling of indigestion or heartburn
BY JOHN CLIFFORD
- Have symptoms for a number of days If you suspect a heart attack, sit the person down with their back against a support (e.g. wall) and get them to pull their knees up towards their chest. You can place a support under the legs if possible. Call an ambulance (ring 112), keep the person warm and give lots of reassurance until help arrives. If the person loses consciousness and stops breathing, be prepared to carry out CPR. Remember to follow the instructions of the emergency services at all times.
For more information: firstresponder@sapo.pt
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The Mustard Seed Soup Kitchen Lagos We serve over 300 meals each week. Please, we need your help to continue helping those in need. Account #
IBAN
- soupkitchenlagos@gmail.com For more information- 919 439 069
Health
My sciatica is playing up!
BY DR WEN OATES DC MCHIRO
In the last few weeks, we’ve had lots of patients coming into our clinic complaining of sciatica pain, either due to too much gardening or other strenuous activities. When sciatica flares up, it is helpful to know what can be done to alleviate the pain and stay active. The term ‘sciatica’ is used to describe pain that radiates down the sciatic nerve, which starts from each side of the lower back, extends down the back of the thigh and into the foot. It’s caused by compression of nerve roots in the lower part of the spine, which merge together to form the sciatic nerve in the pelvis. Chiropractic care As you may know, chiropractors use their hands to gently adjust the part of the spine that is misaligned
and causing the pain. Once the skeletal joints are moving freely, you will experience less joint irritation and less inflammation. Ice pack at home For sciatica pain, you can use an ice pack (or a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a towel) and place it over the lower back, as that is where the sciatic nerve is usually pinched. Keep it in place for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat each hour. Remember though that there are other causes of pain in the leg that may not actually be ‘sciatica’. Therefore, get ANY pain checked out by Dr Wen at Lagos Health Chiropractic. Call us to make an appointment. You can also check the blog pages on our website for articles on various health issues, plus you can get tips and news by following us on Facebook and Twitter.
For more information: +351 282 768 044 www.lagos-health.com/en lagoshealthalgarve lagoshealth
Raising children in the digital world BY LAURA NEWMAN Social media has given us instant access to information and entertainment on an unprecedented scale. Is it really a blessing? A health warning might read: “Overuse of digital devices in children can lead to cyber-bullying, arrest of emotional development, addictions and fixations, optical disease, postural imbalance. See full list attached.” *teens spend 30-50 hours per week playing video games *43% of teens reported cyber-bullying 2013 Research shows children naturally orientate towards parents providing consistent, warm connections daily. This connection is the context for development
of self-confidence, resilience, self-control, independence, intellectual intelligence etc.
But we have embraced this digital world, so it’s no longer a matter of NEVER, it’s about WHEN and HOW.
1. What does social media provide for our children? - entertainment without connection - answers to questions - instant relief from boredom and difficult feelings
Parents have a very significant role to play in making sense of children's behaviour around digital devices, setting appropriate limits and above all, making sure their child is developmentally ready to start.
2. What does social media prevent our children from having? - natural curiosity for learning - dealing with difficult feelings naturally - opportunities for real play where learning takes place - deep, satisfying relationships with real people - natural protection from peer rejection
Because once children start something (whether it’s chocolate or a video game) it’s difficult to turn back the clock.
For more information: +351 961 633 995 www.connectedchild.net myconnectedchild@gmail.com
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Business
“When we heard the ‘Nauti Girl’ was going to be in Portugal and no longer operating at the hotel we were very sad, and we both decided we would book a flight to the Algarve and join up with her once again, if only for a few days, we really missed her that much!” So they did! Barry and Jackie booked their flights and came to Lagos where we caught up with them as they stepped off their return cruise to Alvor and Portimão.
Why not try a luxury cruise?
From left to right: Nauti Girl on the move; Barry and Jackie Hayward on Nauti Girl - May 2017
“Fantastic" said Barry, “it was worth the flight alone and we are now in love with Lagos and this coastline too, we will be definitely be back again in the summer and hopefully for years to come.” You can try your own exclusive family or group cruise bringing up to eight passengers on board throughout this summer. Two hour cruises can be reserved for just €25 per person, per hour and drinks and nibbles are included. Half, or full day cruises are available – please see the table of 2017 cruise options below.
BY TOM HENSHAW
‘Nauti Girl‘ a Fairline Targa 34ft luxury motor cruiser designed and adapted for spacious cruising comfort is fast becoming a firm favourite since its arrival into Lagos Marina.
Chris is partnered by local crew man Luis Domingues and they are beginning the 2017 season by offering a series of free trips to the local children from the children’s home. We hope to feature some photographs of the trips in our forthcoming series.
The ‘Nauti Girl’ arrived early in 2016 from Christchurch, in Dorset where it had operated daily cruises from its mooring outside the Captains Club Hotel, to the Isle of Wight and along the Jurassic coastline for a period of nine years.
We will also be auctioning a cruise on the ‘Nauti Girl’ at our Lagos Summer Ball in July. Do get your tickets and don’t miss out on what will be a lovely occasion as we raise some more money for the magazine’s chosen charities.
It was there that Barry and Jackie Hayward, clients of the hotel and ‘Nauti Girl’ first met Chris Bradfield the owner and skipper of the vessel. Barry said: “We loved our lunchtime and afternoon cruises on the ‘Nauti Girl’ so much that we sold our own boat and then used ‘Nauti Girl’ eight to ten times a year. Chris has client service to a tee and we had some of the best days of our lives cruising on his boat.
Do check out the booking numbers for ‘Nauti Girl’ below. Take a look at the Facebook and website pages or, call Skipper Chris or, Luis Domingues on their numbers below.
For more information: www.nautigirl.pt Nauti girl Lagos +351 967 942 004
Half Day
Full Day
Sundown (minimum 4)
10am to 1.30pm
2pm to 5.30pm
10am to 5.30pm
6pm to 8pm
€595
€650
€1200
€30 per person per hour
62 62
2 Hour Cruise (minimum 4) 10am to midday
12.30pm to 2.30pm
3pm to 5pm
€25 per person per hour
GLO adverts x3 designs v2.qxp_Layout 1 19/05/2017 16:42 Page 3
SELLING YOUR PROPERTY AND NOT SURE HOW TO TRANSFER YOUR MONEY TO THE UK?
When it comes to selling your house and moving back to the UK we understand that you are looking for a fast, simple process that gives you great exchange rates.
We have been helping clients transfer money to and from the UK for over 13 years. Talk to us to find out how we can help you transfer your money simply, safely and quickly.
To find out more about all of our products and services please contact us at: Vilamoura Office 289 093 137 Lagos Office 282 768 136 / UK rate 01622 815 201 E portugal@gcen.co.uk www.gcen.co.uk GCEN is fully authorised by the FCA to provide payment service as an Authorised Payment Services Institution. Registration No. 504346.
Business
It’s all about home comfort Sonia and Antonio Aguas started their own furniture business, Home Confort, in October 2015 and it has proved to be a wise decision. Business start-ups are notoriously difficult but for Sonia and Antonio it has been very different as they had both spent 18 years working for a very well established furniture retailer. All those years have been put to good use as they learned a lot from their experiences and took note of any issues that came up. They know how important service is and how to improve things for customers. They now have increasing numbers of expat clients. Their ethos revolves around quality of service
and taking time to understand what clients need. They always aim to offer best value, attention to detail and a wide range of interesting and value for money furnishings. Home Confort has a lovely showroom with a well displayed mixture of beds, sofa sets and dining furniture. Call in and have a chat with Sonia or Antonio they speak very good English and really do aim to please.
For more information: +351 282 098 768 +351 919 688 637 geral@homeconfort.pt www.homeconfort.pt
Clients count Abacoz Properties opened its doors three years ago this month. It started with a staff of three but quickly grew because of its successful marketing techniques, the outstanding after-sales service and dedication of the team. Abacoz Properties opened its office in Lagos due to the support of a Spanish-owned bank that decided to sell its bank repossession properties through our agency. This proved to be a huge success. In its first year Abacoz Properties sold over 50 properties on behalf of the Spanish bank. Soon the word went around and many potential sellers found their way to Abacoz. As the agency grew, more staff was required to fulfill the needs of the clients and to ensure that the team could continue to offer the same level of quality service. The agency in Lagos now has seven staff who speak six different languages. To buy or sell a property in a foreign country can be stressful and complicated, especially with the language barrier. That’s why
Abacoz believe it’s important to give customer’s confidence by speaking the client’s own language. Abacoz Properties’ mission is to make the client feel at home in several different ways: by speaking the client’s language, paying attention to all the client’s needs, advising and helping in several processes from the beginning until the end. Even after the sale or purchase of the property Abacoz provides an excellent after-sales service. Growth also means investing and Abacoz Properties did - mainly in people and marketing. Today you can find their properties on all the important international and national portals and in the main papers and magazines throughout the Algarve and beyond. The art of property sales is mainly about very good marketing and good personal communication. Once the potential buyer finds the way to the real – estate agency the most important thing is to find out what the client’s wishes and needs are, and consequently find the property that best fits him or her. As we all know the best publicity is a happy client! And that’s all we want at ABACOZ - happy clients.
For more information: ineke@abacoz-properties.com www.abacoz-properties.com +351 282 044 886
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Enjoy professional hair cuts & colours in the comfort of your own home
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Business
New golf partnership BY STEVEN BAINBRIDGE
Grand-opening of the new short game area on June 30th 2017
Elite Golf Academy is very excited to announce its new partnership with Espiche Golf Club and its professional Ethan Shaw. This is the second academy in the Algarve but the first that is based at a golf club. The plan for the project is to help support Ethan to develop his skills and knowledge within the game and then grow the coaching team based at Espiche. Our goal is to offer the best coaching and custom fitting service in Portugal and we need the right locations and staff to achieve this, Espiche and Ethan both have the same plans and that creates a powerful team. We have all the leading technology for the coaching team to use, we have Trackman and a full 3D system which can be booked through one of our coaching team. We invest in current technology and further education to stay at the forefront of the coaching market. Ethan is in his early stages of being a Professional and keen to grow and gain more qualifications. We also offer full custom fit options using Trackman to get the best data and fitting information. We are the National Callaway Custom Fit Centre so have a huge offering of product to try. All of the fitting service will be available at Espiche Golf Club. Elite Golf Academy is driven by me, Steven Bainbridge. I worked on the European Tour for 14
years before setting up my first academy in the UK over two years ago. I made the move to come to Portugal a year ago to open my second academy and Espiche is the third Academy. I have great experience in coaching beginners to winners on the European Tour. I also have many qualifications within golf, psychology, nutrition, fitness and is still developing his knowledge. We are very excited to be part of the Espiche team, they are a new golf club that have already made a super impression in the golf market. They have exciting plans for the future and we can’t wait to be part of this team going forward. Espiche Golf is only a few minutes away from the coast and the historic city of Lagos, in the quiet and less developed area of the western Algarve. The golf course is located within an ecological reserve and combines both a place for an exceptional sporting challenge and a respect for the surrounding natural environment. Espiche Golf won worldwide recognition after becoming the first golf club outside the United States to win a leading position in the “Clubhouse of the Year” awards by the prestigious Golf Inc Magazine. The Portuguese golf club won 3rd place in the “New construction and Refurbishment” category. Espiche Golf is also preparing the grand-opening of the new short game area on June 30th 2017, which will complement the existing facilities at the Driving Range and help to make this a reference in the region. For more information: events@espiche-golf.com
From corporate management to chill Having worked my entire career in corporate management, the time came for a change when I moved to Portugal. Looking at budgets, dealing with appraisals and computer issues were not the type of things that enticed me to Portugal but I never tired of dealing with people issues. Keeping that philosophy of putting people first allowed me to select a different path. A serious car accident some years ago taught me that your body is a precious thing, that
you should do all you can to keep it tuned and operating at its maximum efficiency. Many UK osteopath and massage appointments later, I decided to learn more about how your body works. Lagos has a fantastic place to do just that at the Algarve Beauty School run by Naomi. She offered a course that taught to UK City and Guilds standards. It is a brilliant hub for all things beauty.
Massage can do so many things. From relaxing you, invigorating you and also making those tired muscles come back to life quicker. My lifestyle has been transformed and I am pleased that I can now offer this to others retaining a core value of looking after people. If you have never had a massage, my advice is to try it. If you have had a massage before and liked it, what are you waiting for?
For more information: +351 932 598 747 gjjmassage@gmail.com GJJMassage.com GJJ Massage
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BY GRAHAM JONES
Business
What is it about Lagos? In the last 10 years we have seen Lagos go through a lot of change. A new president, new golf courses, re-building of old golf courses, property market booms, property market crashes, new renting legislation, new taxes. Not to mention builders going bankrupt, golf courses going bankrupt, job losses and what seems every day change to the property market. French buyers, Swedish buyers coupled to tax breaks for foreigners in terms of NHR and ‘free’ visas for non-Europeans under the Golden Visa scheme. Having said all that, there has been one piece of consistency. Lagos is as popular now as it has always been. In fact it is
BY DAVID WESTMORELAND
probably more popular. Try to get into your favourite restaurant in August without a reservation and you expect to be turned away. However that now applies to February and March as tourist flock to the relative safe haven that the Western Algarve is. The beaches are attracting hoards of people, even in the winter, as soon as we get any sunshine, and the roads are full of French, Belgian, Swedish and UK number plates all year round. This is because our secret is out… golden unspoilt beaches, more sun than anywhere else in Europe, the best sea food you can eat and at ridiculously low prices. Couple this to the white washed streets of Lagos
old town and the welcoming and friendly attitude of the Portuguese means your winter break doesn’t need to be spent lying in the sun, but can be spent exploring the towns and villages, eating your way through the menu of the Atlantic ocean or walking on the long golden sandy beaches of the west coast, finished with a crisp glass of Planalto watching the sun go down at Porto de Mos. So, if you are planning a winter break this year, take a look on the Resort Rentals website. From one week breaks through to winter lets of up to six months, you can enjoy everything that Lagos and the Western Algarve has to offer in the winter.
For more information: victoria@resortrentalsalgarve.com www.resortrentalsalgarve.com
I.T. can be easy Cyberattack - Ransomware Definition: a type of malicious software designed to block access to a computer system until a sum of money is paid. In May, a piece of ransomware called WannaCry caused chaos around the world. It reportedly infected over 200,000 computers in over 150 countries. In the UK it primarily attacked the NHS and other large organisations. What does Ransomware do? There are different types of ransomware. However, all of them will prevent you from using your PC normally, and they will all ask you to do something before you can use your PC again. They can target any PC users, including home computers, those used by the government or as we have seen, even the NHS. Ransomware can: • Lock your screen and shows a full-screen message and prevents you from accessing computer. • Change (encrypt) your files so you can’t open them. • Stop certain apps from running like your web browser that would not allow you to access the Internet. So no Skype, Amazon, grocery deliveries from the UK, access to banking details in fact all of the daily things we now rely on. Ransomware will demand that you pay a ‘ransom’ to give you full access back to your PC. I cannot access my
PC or my files. Should I just go ahead and pay? Unfortunately there is no guarantee that paying the fine or doing what the ransomware tells you will give access to your PC or files again. In some cases paying the ransom could also make you a target for other fraudulent software. What should I do if I've paid? You should contact your bank or Credit Card Company and your local police. If you paid with a credit card, your provider may be able to block the transaction and return your money. If your card was issued in the UK you can report the issue to the UK Action Fraud website: www.actionfraud.police.uk I think I’m alright, but what can I do to protect my computer against future attacks? • Install and use an up-to-date antivirus program. • Make sure your computer software is up-to-date. • Don’t click on a link on a webpage, in an email, or in a chat message unless you absolutely trust the page or sender. • Regularly backup your important files. • If you’re ever unsure – don’t click on it! Here’s what you can do: Hopefully, by the time this article is published the main computer software companies and antivirus providers would of fixed this issue. However, if you think you have been a victim of ransomware, please call me to discuss a solution.
For more information: sdunwell@sky.com +351 936 387 512
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BY STEVEN DUNWELL
Food & drink
Imbibe, feast and be merry BY ANN LAWS
I am delighted to report that Restaurante Fontenario, in the heart of Espiche village, has re-opened its doors to welcome clients with a new and creative menu. Following a short and restorative break, Chef Julio Marcela is back at the helm and with his inherent passion for combining flavours, has created an inventive menu to please and tantalise all palates. Julio and his wife Debbie welcomed their first guests to the restaurant 30 years ago; and following the birth of two children in the intervening years, Team Marcela are ready again to welcome clients to their newly refurbished restaurant. The menu is international but includes Portuguese favourites such as chicken piri-piri and cataplanas of monkfish and mussels. I chose to feast on succulent prawns cooked in olive oil with copious amounts of garlic in a mild piri-piri sauce – each and every last drop of this delicious sauce was mopped up with chunks of freshly baked bread. Rekindling the thought, makes my mouth instantly water! For my main course, I opted for the house speciality – a generous rack of lamb which was cooked to perfection. With just a little space remaining for dessert, I ordered the chocolate mousse which was rich, creamy and extremely satisfying. Our evening at Restaurante Fontenario was both a relaxing and gastronomic experience and one that I look forward to repeating again soon. I wish to share the joy so urge you to visit – I’m sure you’ll not be disappointed! And before I sign off, I must add that guests can also enjoy ‘happy hour’ drinks at the bar or on the terrace from 4pm to 6pm and that the restaurant is opened on Sundays for barbecue lunches.
Reservations: +351 912 546 661 / +351 917 795 841
Win a meal for two BY NATASCHA HUNT Restaurant Bom Apetite is now under new management and has been revamped by the new team. This restaurant offers typical Portuguese cuisine prepared and served with love. I was very impressed with the varied menu, the excellent quality, and presentation. It’s open every day for lunch and dinner with dishes of the day and extensive a la carte options, something for everyone, and great value for money. The new team are Carlos Martins, Basílio Gonçalves and João Santos.
Call to book your table 282 763 098 Rua José Afonso, next door to Café Pão Doce, and near the Finanças. You can win a meal for two at Bom Apetite, courtesy of Property Specialists Algarve by filling out the contact form on the website and answer the following question: "Which is the longest beach in Lagos?"
For more information: www.propertyspecialistsalgarve.com
Perfect for a picnic Algarve Gardens which runs Green Bifes Café in Portimão has launched its new picnic box. It could be the perfect box for you to take with you on a family day out or a romantic picnic on the beach! The box feeds four people but could easily be increased in size if requested or made smaller for a couple. It costs €50 with delivery included and includes the following: • Melon, papaya, strawberry and mint smoothies • Layered spring salad with mozzarella and balsamic dressing • Roast beef or roast pumpkin sandwiches with French mustard • Smoked salmon pate with spring
onion and garlic pitta bites • Ricotta and spinach tarts • Red fruit, passion fruit and mascarpone pots • Plus a picnic surprise! Napkins and eating utensils also included! Don’t forget that Algarve Gardens also offers food boxes which are now delivered on Fridays. Kate from Algarve Gardens said: “We have some lovely fruits now such as cherries, nespras and our melons are really lovely. Don’t forget our salad selections like our spring onion and cherry tomatoes and huge lettuces. Our root vegetables as always are thriving, and always perfect for the plate. Have you tried our artichokes yet?” Algarve Gardens is also able to offer free range eggs, organic meat and fresh fish in its food boxes! Why not give them a try?
For more information: Green Bifes Facebook page or email algarvegardens@outlook.pt
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The best of gourmet chutneys and hot chilli pastes to buy in Lagos at Pimenta-PiriPiri
Rua 25 de Abril, 44 8600-763 Lagos www.pimenta-piripiri.eu
Serge & Satoshi pâtisserie française Croissants, Roasted chicken, Quiches, Oven ready meals, French pastry and more...
Open everyday except Mondays
Praia da luz, Next to the pharmacy Tel: 960 028 647 | Facebook.com/SergeSatoshi.pf
Food & drink
Don’t be fooled by Fools and Horses! BY THE YUM YUM BOYS!
When going to Fools and Horses, you will be treated to traditional pub activities like darts, karaoke on some nights and there’s an extra bar downstairs and good beer. Add to that, great food and you have a winning combination. Sam has made brilliant strides to stand out from the crowd with her food options. Given the mix of nationalities here in Lagos, the menus come in five languages and a children's menu is also available. Indeed, unique to Lagos as I haven't seen it elsewhere, Sam and her team will be allowing kids to actually build their own healthy wraps which I thought was a great idea. There isn’t a shortage of options here and you know you are in safe hands because the Portuguese chefs have been with Fools and Horse for over 30 years. These guys were taught to cook English food by Sam's nanny so they know a thing or two about what goes down well, plus great fish and chips (more on this later). There is also a Sunday roast with all the trimmings on offer. One of the most popular dishes, served fresh every day, is the Portuguese chicken in a
spicy tomato and vegetable sauce. It’s very popular and is normally sold out by the end of the day. “Delicious” was the opinion of my eating partner. I had the cod in batter with chips and garden peas which was again cooked to perfection. Hake and Skate wings are available too in the fish range, as well as the catch of the day. Changes were afoot last month - tapas was put on the menu. Three items with a litre of wine is on offer between 3pm and 7pm which should entice afternoon visitors. Sam and her team can also lay on food for special events so if you wanted a group meeting of some kind, there is no better place to go. Opposite the pub is the soon-to-be opened summer juice bar called Fresh and Juicy. Fantastic if you are just passing by and don’t feel like anything alcoholic. Also a good option if the children are sick of sightseeing. So to sum up, go to Fools and Horses for a beer, for good pub fayre and prepare to be treated to something you may not be expecting food-wise. The friendly staff all make you feel very welcome. You will find them in the second side road off of the main square in town with the beautiful green building. Enjoy!
For more information: +351 282 762 970 Fools and Horses Lagos
Local, friendly and fresh BY JULIE BATTERSBY
Café Fresco is in a great location with free parking. It is close to the town, the Marina and all the major amenities including the main bus station. Sometimes being local may sound a little dull but you can never say that about Fresco. It always has a great buzz and locals find it a great meeting point. It’s always been a favourite for me and my family with great indoor and outdoor areas.
Everyday there are fresh dishes and all at really reasonable prices. Opens every day in June from 9am until 5pm. In July and August it is open from 9am and in the evenings - check their summer times. There is a great takeaway service too. It is fully licensed and serves delicious coffee – guaranteed as well as amazing freshly served juices. I can say it has the lot!
For more information: +351 282 769 256 contact@cafefresco.com.pt
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Rua Silva Lopes, 30 8600-632 Lagos Portugal +351 282 792 165 info@mardestorias.com
www.mardestorias.com
Shop Café / Bistro Roof Terrace Bar Homeware Books & Music Gallery
Kiko’s Tasca
Wine, food and friends. Portuguese food. Tapas, lunch and dinner. Come and try for yourself. Open daily* from 11am * June, July and August
Closed on Mondays at lunch time. Open only from 5pm
Tel.: +351 282 046 037 • Email: one.destino@gmail.com Centro Naútico Sopromar - Estrada Sopromar (Meia-Praia) • LAGOS • GPS - N 37º 06.433' / W 08º 40.176' • f facebook.com/tascadokiko
Food & drink
Alentejo black pork and kumquat sweet and sour BY STEPHANIE GINGER
Ingredients: Iberian Black Pork 2 cm thick, cut into chunks or strips (Presa is best, but you can use other grilling steaks or cuts) For the marinade: 8-10 Kumquats, sliced and de-seeded (keep a few back to garnish the rice) Red sweet pepper, in chunks 1-2 Garlic cloves, chopped finely 1-2 Tbsp peeled and chopped fresh ginger (the fresher the juicier) 2 Tbsp five spice powder 1 Tbsp sugar 2 Tbsp Indonesian Ketjap Manis (or equal Hoisin and Oyster sauce) 2 Tbsp olive oil ½ Fresh medium hot chilli without seeds, chopped small Additional ingredients for the sauce: ½ Sweet onion, chopped small ½ Vegetable stock cube made into 1 cup stock A splash of Japanese Rice Wine Vinegar (1 teaspoon – 1 tablespoon) 1 Tbsp corn flour or arrowroot Ketjap Manis to taste For the stir-fried cabbage: Sliced sweetheart cabbage A grating of nutmeg Sesame oil Chopped garlic
kumquat
4 20 minute s preparati on of the pork. 2 hours m inimum marinatin g. 20 minu tes maximum just before serving
For the coconut yoghurt: Plain unsweetened yoghurt (1 small pot) 2-3 Tbsp coconut cream (a splash almond milk to soften if the coconut cream is in blocks) Chopped fresh coriander
marinade. In a deep sauté pan on a highish heat, brown off quickly (about 3-4 minutes) without burning. Don’t overcook. Remove to your oven-proof dish.
Serve with White Rice or Quinoa
7. In the sauté pan cook down the rest of the kumquat mixture, peppers with the sweet onion until soft. Add 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey, rice vinegar and stock. Mix corn flour or arrowroot with a little water and add to sauce to thicken. Test for seasoning. Add Ketjap Manis to taste.
Method: 1. Pick (beg or buy) your Kumquats. 2. Cut the Iberian pork into chunks or chunky strips. Prepare and combine the pork with all your marinating ingredients in an open oven-proof dish. I prefer to do this with my hands to make sure every bit of pork is well mixed with the marinade. Set aside and cover. Leave to marinade for a couple of hours. 3. Wash and slice the cabbage into strips for stir-frying. Dry or spin-dry well and set aside. Chop the garlic ready for the cabbage. 4. If your coconut is in a block and too stiff, melt it a bit on a low heat with a little soya or almond milk to soften. Leave to cool. Combine the yoghourt and coconut cream together with the chopped coriander. 5. To Cook: Pick the pork out of the
6. Cook rice or quinoa until fluffy.
8. When the sauce is almost ready, pop the pork back under a hottish grill for five minutes until still tender but browned on top. 9. Meanwhile stir-fry cabbage with nutmeg on a high heat until crispy and bright green, but not soggy. Drizzle with sesame oil. Season. 10. Sprinkle the pork with coriander and serve with white rice, stir-fried cabbage and the coconut yoghourt. NB: If you find it easier to stir-fry everything together then do so, but I haven’t tested that method and it’s easy to overcook the pork if you cook down the sauce in the same pan.
If you would like to submit a recipe please email our editor at amber@tomorrowalgarve.com 74 74
Outdoor
Drowning in Seas of blue (and green, yellow, red, white….) BY CLAIRE FRIEDLANDER As summer returns and Algarve restaurants and beach bars prepare to indulge us with Portugal’s famous seafood, let’s consider the ubiquitous ingredient which isn’t on the menu: Plastic. Micro-size plastic fibres can be found in the smallest ocean organisms. Over 700 ocean species have been found to ingest plastics, ensuring that marine food-chains are rife with it and the toxins that they contain. Even sea salt contains minute synthetic content. Besides the appalling consequences to ocean creatures and sea birds, those carcinogenic BPAs are frankly bad for your health! In the 1960s, plastic comprised 1% of global human waste. After just 60 years, the figure exceeds 10% and measures 300 million metric tonnes annually, of which eight million tonnes ends up in the sea. Critically, 50% of plastic waste is permanently discarded within a year of use - a tragic outcome of our ‘disposable’ modern lifestyle. Furthermore, plastic production accounts for a massive 8% of polluting global oil consumption. Much ocean plastic can be attributed to mismanaged waste practices, particularly in developing countries, forced to focus resources on poverty and food security. As plastics don’t decompose (a disposable water bottle can take 400 years to degrade) the plastic tide is relentlessly rising, and ocean life is drowning in it.
For more information: www.friedlanderdesign.com
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Much plastic pollution accumulates in the great ocean gyres, where currents collect floating detritus in swirling perpetuity. The largest of these is the Great Pacific Gyre or ‘Great Pacific Garbage Patch’, which is approximately 15 times the size of Portugal. Ambitious ocean cleanup initiatives, such as the ‘The Ocean Cleanup’- are admirable, but address only surface rubbish. Ocean elements break plastics down and, as only a portion are buoyant, they are four times more abundant deeper down than in surface or coastal waters. What we can see or deal with is the tip of a colossal garbage iceberg. We must tackle the source of the problem. At grassroot level, volunteer beach cleanups are helpful, and lend gratifying purpose to beach outings. Communities and councils should also strive for improved recycling practices- currently only 5% of plastics are recovered globally. In reality though, a quantum shift in approach to plastic is essential. Packaging comprises 40% of total plastic waste, placing waste responsibility on the consumer. Innovative solutions should hold the suppliers of packaged goods accountable. Or we can continue to allow waves of reticence wash over us, accepting that by 2050 there will be more plastic in the oceans than fish. A main order of Bakelite with a side of Styrofoam, anyone?
Stéphane Rambaud for Fermob
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OUTDOOR FURNITURE
Sunbeds, chairs and tables in 24 colours Fermob Shop at Q Garden in Odiáxere/Lagos (EN125) Buy online at www.happyfurniture.pt
Gardening
Grasses!
BY JEANETTE FAHLBUSCH
Last month the local Western Algarve Garden Group (WAGG) involved a trip to Pina Garden Centre in Lagoa (three minutes drive outside Lagoa, EN125, direction Porches). Our hosts of the morning, Sharon and Bob Dennis, had arranged for a speaker, Ana Brito. She is the charming and very knowledgeable agronomist at Pina.
others perform well in containers – highly adaptable and all round plants. Having been introduced to various types, Ana then gave a demonstration about how to plant them properly as well as techniques for pruning. She also advised about soil selection for grasses and Mediterranean plants in general.
The chosen subject of Ana's talk was ornamental grasses. Ana explained that whilst ornamental grasses could play a part in most gardens, many are particularly suitable for our Mediterranean climate as they require little care once established and hardly any watering.
Amongst the recommended plants which all thrive in full sun and well-drained soil were Blue Fescue, a steely blue foliage which looks fantastic when drifted through a gravel garden or when used in a Mediterranean-style planting scheme.
Ana took us to the grass section of the garden centre and having introduced us to a large variety of different grasses of all sizes and colours, explained how they could be used to provide calming accompaniments to more colourful flowering plants. Many are great additions to floristry design and are useful for the cutting garden,
By contrast, Pennisetum Rubrum has a deep red to burgundy foliage and produces wonderfully wispy red-purple flower spikes from July to September. This gorgeous ornamental grass looks stunning when planted in large clumps, ideally in a spot where the evening sun sets where the swaying flower spikes will be a true eye catcher. A grass that will grow in full sun as well
as in partial shade is Stipa arundinacea, or Pheasant's tail grass. A fast growing, wonderful grass that provides year round colour, movement and structure. Its evergreen foliage emerges green, but develops irregular yellow, orange and red spotting and streaking. This colouring becomes even more intense during the colder months of the year. An added bonus is the spray of airy flower heads which appear late summer. After the introduction to grasses and their care in our climate, Ana took general questions from our group as we walked through different plant sections at Pina. A highly informative morning in the company of a charming and interesting tutor – and of course none of us left without having acquired yet more plants for our gardens! There is no membership fee for our local group, but paid for membership of the Mediterranean Gardening Association Portugal (of which we are the Western Algarve offspring) is well worthwhile and will give additional benefits.
For more information: wagardeninggroup@gmail.com www.mediterraneangardensociety.org
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