Tomorrow Vilamoura to Faro - May 2019 by Tomorrow Algarve Magazine

A COMMUNITY MAGAZINE COVERING VILAMOURA TO FARO

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 TomorrowAlgarve www.tomorrowalgarve.com EDITOR Amber Henshaw amber@tomorrowalgarve.com

SALES Simon Moulson simon@tomorrowalgarve.com +351 963 807 162

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ON THE COVER

WELCOME TO OUR MAY EDITION Hopefully the rain that we saw in April is now all behind us and we can move into May with the sun shining and the feeling of Spring in the air. There’s a popular Portuguese saying that goes like this: ‘Em Abril, aguas mil’ (which roughly translated means - In April, thousand waters’). The saying referred to the fact that, often, in April it rains a lot, and this year was no different! However, we do still need to top-up our reservoirs which once again this year are low going forward into the hotter months. As we look towards the summer months it certainly looks like things are still on the up in the Algarve. As I drive around the region mostly on the magazine’s patch, Vilamoura to Faro - I am delighted to see the sight of cranes and construction companies building houses, shops and offices.

One of Lisbon's trams painted by Roman Markov. You can read more about the significance of trams on page 16.

For quite a few years the Algarve saw quite a significant slump in building due to the economy; the height of activity is a welcome return. We can now see major international supermarkets jostling with each other for prime position. The latest Algarve Lidl in

Whilst we take every care to ensure details are correct the publisher will take no responsibility for errors or omissions. Where prices or dates are quoted they are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change. Links to third party websites are by no way an endorsement of the linked material and the publisher takes no responsibility for the content or security of any third party website. Unless specifically stated Tomorrow Magazine does not endorse any product or service appearing in the directory, classified, editorial or display advertising featured on the website.

The magazine is now in its third month and we hope that you are enjoying the stories that reflect the people and places that cover our stretch of the Algarve. We always love to hear from our readers so please contact our editor, Amber Henshaw by emailing: amber@tomorrowalgarve.com if you have something newsworthy or interesting to share. We are delighted that we will be showcasing the work of artists exhibiting at the Côrte Real Art Gallery in Paderne. Each month we will be focusing on one of their artists and their work. If you’ve never been to Michael and Pedro’s gallery, then you are in for an utter treat. They have a stunning tranquil enclave of a gallery in corterealarte.com. Best wishes for a great month. Simon, Amber and the whole Tomorrow team

CONTENTS

SEDE: MESSINES DE BAIXO, CAIXA POSTAL 301X, SÃO BARTOLOMEU DE MESSINES, 8375-046. PERIODICIDADE: MENSAL . TIRAGEN: 3,000 | TIPOGRAFIA: C/ AL MEDITERRÁNEO, 29, POLÍGONO DE SAN RAFAEL, 04230, HUÉRCAL DE ALMERÍA CIF: B04250056

Boliqueime was built in an astonishing short period of time. The new exciting second Jack Nicklaus signature golf course at Monte Rei is due to open in 2021. So, all in all, the Algarve is once again alive and rejuvenated!

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4 - 17

FOOD & DRINK

26 - 27

WHAT’S ON

18 - 19

ENVIRONMENT

28 - 29

HEALTH & BEAUTY

20 - 21

OUTDOOR

30 - 31

BUSINESS

22 - 25

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ROBUST RECYCLING IN THE ALGARVE During the summer season the number of people in the Algarve triples - more people means more rubbish and more recycling. The management of the regional waste company, Algar, is responding by boosting rubbish collections and ecopoints. Algar is also taking on more people for the selective collection and sorting of waste and will increase the collection from ecopoints between May and October from 350 to 3,900. We sent Sophie Sadler to find out more. I visit Algar – the company responsible for rubbish collection throughout the Algarve – at their main depot in Loulé, which handles rubbish from the Sotavento region.

"It’s both a revelation and incredibly motivating to see our everyday rubbish sorted into something so palatable"

Arriving at Algar I’m pleasantly surprised at the air of organisation and space. Neatly manicured lawns surround impressively contemporary offices with a huge pile of tyres reminding me more of a modern art installation than rubbish. In the distance, a lorry off-loads old mattresses, but surprisingly there’s no bad smell! As we’re met on the steps with press officer Maria João and mechanical engineer, Carlos Jucal to explain how it all works, a group of suited VIP's file past. We’re told these are the heads of the six Algarve Câmaras (which still have a 49% stake after the state-owned company went public in 2015). Recently Algar invested €1.2 million to acquire seven new vehicles, through the Cohesion Fund, co-financed by the Operational Program for Sustainability and Efficiency in the Use of Resources (POSEUR), Portugal 2020 and the European Union. Maria tells me; “This acquisition enabled the company to increase the capacity of the vehicle fleet by 32% to 29 vehicles. The seven new vehicles are equipped with the latest motorization technology in compliance with the EURO VI (gas emission) standard.” Furthermore in 2018 Algar installed 750 new eco-points, for rubbish collection “The company

pursues its strategy due to the increase in recyclable packaging waste deposited in ecopoints, which in January and February of this year show a 22% increase when compared to the same period last year.” This investment will continue in 2019 with the installation of approximately 350 new eco-points, increasing the number to 3900 eco-points throughout the Algarve (12,800 containers). Their objective is to guarantee the ratio of one eco-point per 126 inhabitants. The rubbish that is collected in these Ecopoints then goes to the main plants via transfer stations in Lagos, Albufeira, Aljezur, Vila do Bispo and Portimão. Working alongside are ecocentres where individuals can take larger plastic items that don’t fit in the bins. Glass goes to two sorting stations located in Chão Frio, Porto de Lagos and Barros, S. João da Venda in Almancil before being recycled into new products by private companies. Garden waste is manually sorted into piles, shredded and sent on to another plant in São Brás de Alportel where it’s made into Nutriverde, certified organic compost used in biological agriculture and only available from Algar plants. Moving on to plastics. In a large warehouse, stacked to the roof are clean, bales of different materials, sorted for recycling; each comprising a different type of plastic: Crushed water bottles in one, milk cartons in another, crisp packets and margarine lids in yet another. Plastic bags tethered by binding strips. It’s both a revelation

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Sophie Sadler and Carlos Juncal and incredibly motivating to see our everyday rubbish sorted into something so palatable and I vow never to put anything recyclable into a black bin bag again. I ask Carlos if it’s necessary to wash the packaging thoroughly, often a requirement in the UK? Carlos tells me it doesn’t have to be spotless but contamination of the recycled material from food waste is one of their biggest problems, so there should be no food left inside. Algar sells the bales on to integrated packaging management companies, the government sets the price and they’re subsidised by companies selling packaged products to consumers. And the real benefit? Last year 1,295 tonnes of clear plastic bottles (PET) went into producing over 1.5 million fleece sweaters, 15,039 tonnes of glass contributed to over 37 million new glass bottles and 12,501 tonnes of paper/carton meant that nearly 200,000 trees were not felled. But we’re not done yet. The largest building, the plastics-sorting “factory” houses ceiling-high piles of plastic containers of all kinds, shovelled first by dumper trucks, chugging up conveyor belts to the epicentre of the activity before being identified by laser and blown into containers dependent on their type, shape or weight. Cans and metals are extracted by a magnet and the plastics divided into the different types. Finally, it’s to the hand-sorting cabin where two cheerful ladies sort a conveyor belt of different plastics, weeding out incorrect items like paper which can contaminate the recycling process. Once again, this highlights the necessity for everyone to put the right waste in the right bin. I now must mention the “F-word” of rubbish collection; “Landfill.” We didn’t actually see the Algar landfill deposition cells (consisting of around 4 hectares each) but they ’re probably less exciting and rather more depressing. The Câmara pays a gate fee to Algar for each tonne of waste delivered for treatment plus a landfill tax of €8,8 per tonne. Maria tells me she hates the sound of breaking glass echoing around the plant when the trucks unload unseparated waste from the lixo bins into the hoppers; reminding her just how often people still mix recyclable materials with general waste.

And what of the Tyre Mountain and the stack of mattresses we saw being unloaded at the start – what will happen to them? While the textiles end up in landfill, the metal springs are recycled; as are the tyres, processed in northern Portugal under international guidelines. Our tour of Algar over, I am overwhelmed at the time and patience of Carlos and Maria, but this reflects the ethos of the company and Maria works a lot with schools and a large emphasis is given to educating the public and especially children. A sure sign that the message is getting across is their latest stats which show, in the period from 2009 to 2019, the amount of glass collected in the green container, grew by 25.42%, the amount of paper/cardboard packaging collected in the blue container, grew by 10.95% and the amount of plastic/ metal/ packaging collected in the yellow container, grew by 61.47%. Incidentally, the Algarve recycles more packaging per capita than anywhere else in Continental Portugal.

Sophie Sadler at waste sorting conveyor belt

Remember though that the collection and industrial processing in itself produces waste materials and carbon emissions so as well as recycling we should all be thinking about how to reduce the amount of rubbish we produce. So let this be a call to action. We can all make positive changes. We can think about what we buy, what we use and how we can re-use packaging. Are we separating waste intelligently, not just at home but when we’re away, at the office, on holiday? Let’s all think again and do the environment a favour!

WWW.TOMORROWALGARVE.COM

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BMW HONOURS THE ALGARVE BY PHIL EGGINTON

The fabulous Autódromo Internacional do Algarve (AIA) is frequently used by international vehicle manufacturers to launch new models. The combination of demanding tracks, empty local roads, hotel and extensive presentation facilities make it the ideal venue. One of the major users of the AIA for international press launches is BMW. They recently launched at AIA the seventh generation 3 Series Saloon. To honour the special relationship between AIA and BMW they have named one of the colours for the new car “Portimão Blue Metallic”.

Paulo Pinheiro, CEO of the AIA said “I am very proud when a brand like BMW launches a new car at the Algarve Autódromo especially with a colour for the whole world that is called Portimão Blue!!” Phil is a motorsport consultant and journalist who has now retired to the Algarve.

+INFO:  www.aia.pt

FARO PALACE TO RE-OPEN The Episcopal Palace of the Diocese of the Algarve, described as one of the finest 'plain style' religious buildings in the region, reopened to the public last month. This decision was taken by the Bishop of Algarve, D. Manuel Quintas, and will promote culture in the region. "It made sense permanently to provide the Algarvian people and all those who visit us, with the enjoyment of the richness and beauty of our cultural and religious heritage," said a diocese spokesman. After significant restoration works, overseen by a technical team from the Municipal Museum of Faro, the palace is ready for viewing. The construction of the palace started during the bishopric of D. Afonso Castel-Branco (1581-1585), following the transfer of the bishopric of the Algarve from Silves to Faro in 1577. After the earthquake of 1755, the building was rebuilt and enlarged under D. Lourenço de Santa Maria (17521783).

The interior features a set of 18th century tiles which starts in the reception hall, extends up the staircase and continues in the three rooms on the first floor. The palace is described by the council as: 'Religious, plain, rococo architecture. Longitudinal plan with two floors. Rectilinear main façade with balconette windows on the 1st floor with iron railings and tiled “scissor” roofs. The access doorway and window above it are in rococo style. Experts say this is one of the best examples of plain architecture. The interior boasts the largest and most significant examples of “Rocaille” tiles in the Algarve (atrium, stairs to the 1st floor and state rooms). The Library is lined with wooden shelves decorated with carvings and “chinoiserie”. This plain style of architecture was popular during the union of Portugal and Spain, the period between 1580 and 1640, when a new style was developed. This style also marked by a clear structure, a sturdy appearance with smooth, flat surfaces and a moderate arrangement of space, lacking excessive decorations. Thanks to the Algarve Daily News for this story. algarvedailynews.com

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THE ROAD TO REINVENTION

However, his re-occurring health problems brought the metal working to and end. With nothing to occupy his active mind he was advised by an author friend to write an account of his time as a uniformed policeman, which resulted in the writing of a humour and pathos filled book called “ A Copper in Castleford “ this was self published, received good reviews and is available worldwide from internet sources such as Amazon.co.uk.

Bob Whalley’s career has taken many twists and turns from being a welder to a police officer and now to an artisan woodworker in his adopted hometown of São Brás De Alportel. Stuart Richards caught up with him to find out more.

When the book was finished he once again found he had too much time on his hands and having enjoyed carpentry and wood turning at school, some 50 or so years before, he decided to try his hand at rustic woodwork. He wanted to be a little different, which is in his nature, and decided to only use woods sourced from his home town of São Brás de Alportel. So he mainly uses Alfarobeira (carob) . Oliveira (olive), Azinheira (oak) and occasionally other woods.

Bob was born in 1950, son to a male nurse and a tailoress, in the mining town of Castleford, west Yorkshire, England. He received a secondary education and left school at the age of 15. He then found a job as a panel beater, welder and later moved to be a welder in heavy engineering. In 1973 with a wife pregnant, a child and a mortgage he joined the West Yorkshire Police as a uniformed police constable. He spent 12 years in uniform serving the people of his home town Castleford before being posted to the Leeds Stolen Vehicle Squad as a detective for the next 10 years. In September 1994 he was involved in a car accident and received serious injuries which resulted in arthritis in his neck, shoulder and spine. In early 1995 he was retired as being unable to fulfil the duties of a police officer. In February 1996 he and his wife Pauline moved to the Algarve, leaving his adult son and daughter in England. With nothing to occupy himself he used his welding skills to make small practical and decorative metalwork objects for friends, he had a lifelong passion for art and used this in his metalwork.

Bob makes candle holders, table ornaments, table lamps, coffee tables, mirrors and kitchen utensils like butter knifes, rolling pins, bowls, meat tenderisers, honey dippers, cruet sets and much more in a rustic style. He also makes items to order. The Câmara of São Brás de Alportel is very active in promoting the work of artisans in the town and hold an Artisans Market in the garden in front of the Centro de Saude on the third Sunday morning of each month, which moves into the Municipal Market if it is raining. Bob has a stall selling his wares at this market. The Camara also have a building called Casa Artoes, which is situated in the old town behind the Centro de Arte e Oficios; this has displays of local Artisan work on show and for sale. Bob has some small pieces of work on display there and also does a small demonstration of his craft every Tuesday, 10am to 1pm. The Casa is open Monday to Friday except Public Holidays. There are also occasional Artisan Markets around the town organised by a small group of Artisans called Esfera Triunfante.

+INFO:  +351 938 652 377 (Bob)  +351 969 592 770 / 289 840210 (Esfera Triunfante)

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TEN MINUTES WITH... Paul Felix has a background in fashion that has taken him as far afield as Japan. He even won a major international design award. He has also worked in events in some of the finest hotels in the Algarve, nightclubs such as Bliss and now he’s started his own events planning company here. We caught up with him. Please tell us about your background in fashion? I started studying at art college from the tender age of 16 and went on to study fashion from 18. At 21 I won the prestigious International Design Award for the UK and was flown to Tokyo, Japan to represent the UK for my clothing design for Mizuno. I remember buying a Yohji Yamamoto jacket with proceeds from my prize money. Fashion is my one true love and I lived that out when I started in fashion as a designer at St.Martins, London. I loved the fact that the emphasis was on you developing your own style. I studied alongside Stella McCartney and we graduated together. I achieved my 1st class honours degree. However, there was a degree of controversy when Kate Moss, Naomi Campbell and other models modelled her clothes for her, whilst Paul and Linda McCartney looked on from the front row. Needless to say the amount of press attention was of biblical proportion. What has been the highlight of your career so far? When I graduated from St. Martins I was pretty thrilled to have received an invitation from Isabella Blow inviting me to meet her as she had liked my graduation collection ‘Punk Sheepskin Wraps’. The day I met her the weather was particularly bad and I remember sitting there waiting for her and she pretty much got blown through the doors at the foyer of Vogue House, she was an incredible character. So where have you been working for the last few years? I spent five or six years working in event design and planning. I was freelance for three companies based in the Algarve - DMC freelance stylist /creatives when things needed to be made, Almancil Styling caterers and then wedding planning, freelance decorative work for the Conrad. How and when did you end up in the Algarve? My parents had a place here so my partner and I were coming backwards and forwards from London. Steve, had a great level of experience in bars in Soho, Covent Garden and Brighton and we had an opportunity to run a bar in the Algarve. However, we soon realised the bar work was not exactly to our standards and decided to stay in the Algarve but to do something else. I started dressmaking again, but this time for private clients in the Algarve. Please tell us about your new event planning business? It’s been a culmination from the last few years. It’s something that I’ve fallen into but I love it and now I am

making it official. I love being more focused, offering bespoke parties. I’m not a package planner. I offer a very bespoke service that take into the account client’s personalities. My company values take into consideration the environment, the venue and I always ask to see the wedding dress from the outset which then determines the entire visual for the day. What do you offer that’s different to other people? I’ve always had an intrinsic eye and firmly believe that everything has to follow a sequence, Fibonacci Sequence which represents a golden rule of geometry. I think I have quite a persuasive manner with suppliers, as I have also been a supplier I have an all-round understanding of the whole process. I get on easily with my clients which is key to organising a successful event. I always ensure the brief is met, I manage expectations and carefully respect budgetary constraints. Stamina at long events and being fairly nocturnal ensures that I still have good energy levels by the end of an evening. What’s your philosophy? My philosophy, work-wise is that I am at the service of the client and I want to deliver the best for the client. What are your hopes for the future? To continue to meet likeminded clients who love originality and want that to be reflected in their own wedding, party or event. I would love nothing more than to be able to hark back to my fashion days and to use my skill set to create a truly bespoke event company that further enhances the natural beauty that beholds in the Algarve.

+INFO:  +351 963 183 476  nautilus.event.planner  events@nautilusplanning.com

"Fashion is my one true love and was truly lived out when I started in fashion as a designer at St.Martins, London. "

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Alexandra competed in the 50k run in stifling temperatures; “It was silly, I can see that now. Last year 600 people ran it. People from the top of the sport came to Portugal to get points. It is the hottest and highest trail run in the world.” She completed the run in 10 hours 13 minutes which was over the allowed time of 10 hours but still felt proud that she finished.

BLAZING A TRAIL

BY SOPHIE SADLER

Mother-of-four, Alexandra Vanstalle, started running to lose her baby weight and now trains for trail runs of over 100km. As part of the organising team behind the 300km ALUT trail run, she tells us how she became an athlete and why trail running is good for the Algarve. Alexandra was born in Oerias near Lisbon, but her mother came from Monchique and so she spent many childhood holidays in Manta Rota in the Algarve. After studying in Lisbon she worked in a Mexican restaurant and that led to the opportunity to go to Mexico and she lived there for a short time and met her British husband. They moved to Boliqueime just outside Loulé, when she was 21, but found it too isolated - “like an island.” Her life changed dramatically when she had her first son and started to find the Algarve suited her and her growing family, with good schools and a relaxed way of life. It was after her fourth baby that she decided she wanted to lose weight and she started running around the municipal park which was next to her house. “I thought I was going to die, I was spitting my lungs out, my heart was coming out of my mouth, I thought one more step wouldn't be possible. Then I grew to like the feeling of achievement it gave me. I tried an extra loop of the park, despite the pain I felt proud of having accomplished something and I was losing weight.” Then a friend mentioned a group called Corridas a Sexta Feira (Running on a Friday) on Facebook. “Every Friday they have a meeting and it was coming to Loulé so we

wondered if we would be able to do the 10km run. That is how it started and every other week I would try to meet the group. At the start, I was literally walking and would look at the fast ones at the front. With time I moved up to the fastest group on these runs and started hearing about races.” Alexandra was very nervous on the day of her first race but despite her doubts, she found that she was keeping up. At one of the races she heard about people doing the half marathon in Lisbon and she saw people signing up who were running at the same pace as she did. Remarkably only four months after she started running she completed the Lisbon half marathon, running alongside Sr. Cabral over the 25 de Abril Bridge “I felt super proud. On the starting line, I did not know if I could finish. In my head, there was always doubt.” She aimed to do it in two hours but she did 1:50 hr - something she puts down to her running partner, Sr. Cabral, who paced her. From there she met more people who were doing trail running races and joined ATR, (Algarve Trail Running Association) which organises the high endurance Rocha da Pena race, described by organisers as taking place; “in the dry weather and heat of August in the Algarve, which creates the greatest difficulties for athletes.”

Last year she did the Trail Ultra with the ATR which range between 43-65 km. Her latest adventure is to train for a 111 km endurance race. To prepare she runs between 50 and 70 km a week, mixing a long run at the weekend with 12 or 15 km during the week mixed in with some high-intensity strength, uphill or speed training. The ALUT (Algarviana Ultra Trail) is 300 km from Alcoutim to Sagres and the baby of the ATR association. The first race was in 2017 and 70 people took part in the second in 2018. The 2019 edition will start at 4.30pm on November 28th in Alcoutim. Alexandra says: “It shows that the Algarve is not just golf and beach and it gives the local economy a boost in November which is a quiet month for tourism.” Despite all the training Alexandra also find time for a day job! After experiencing personal and professional difficulties in 2015 she came across an opportunity for training in image consultancy, despite being unsure at first she soon discovered; “I had found my passion, there was no return. Here I am now, happy and in love with what I do!” She can help clients find the colours that suit them, give body language coaching and quite regularly goes into their wardrobes to help them find their best look. This modern day superwoman looks set to continue to trend-set and trail-set for the foreseeable future!

+INFO:  byvanstalle.com  atr.co.pt You can listen to a podcast with Alexandra Vanstalle at:  www.algarveaddicts.com

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BREXIT AND YOU BY TIG JAMES As time ticks on, governments across the EU27 countries look on in bewilderment at the chaos within the walls of Westminster. How do they respond, make decisions about UK nationals, when the UK Government cannot make decisions themselves as to what their own nationals need or want? How does an EU Member State respond to such confusion knowing the rights of their own citizens within the UK are also at stake? The answer? They do the best they can. As EU27 Governments looked on, the Portuguese Government, placed a draft Amendment to the European Nationalities Act 2006 before Parliament, giving the rights of UK nationals, in a no deal scenario. On first glance the draft appeared to be reasonable until an anomaly was noticed with UK citizens with less than three years residency not receiving parity with the offer to Portuguese citizens in the UK. Negotiations commenced with the Portuguese Government involving the British Embassy, the EU Commission and British in Portugal. As co-president of British in Portugal, I was invited to speak to the Portuguese Parliament’s EU Parliamentary Brexit Committee giving the current situation UK citizens faced, not only in Portugal but in the EU. It became apparent the extent of the uncertainty UK nationals in Portugal and Portuguese nationals in the UK faced was largely unknown. Assurances were given by the Portuguese Parliament as to their wish to help ease that uncertainty. On March 27th 2019, the Amendment was ratified as legislation within the Portuguese Parliament - but with changes. No longer were those UK nationals with less than three years residency to be treated differently. UK nationals were now protected in the Withdrawal Agreement and a no deal Brexit. This Amendment, however, is dependant upon reciprocity of Portuguese nationals living in the UK. If reciprocity is not given, the Amendment can be partially or wholly suspended. So what does the Amendment say? UK nationals, legally resident in Portugal, with temporary or permanent residency, will remain legally resident when Brexit occurs. For those living in Portugal PRIOR to the Brexit date, if they can provide evidence that they were in Portugal up to and including the Brexit date they have until 31st December 2020 to apply for residency. UK nationals arriving AFTER the Brexit date will be third country nationals and have to fulfil the conditions of residing, as such, in Portugal.

After Brexit, temporary and permanent EU residency documents will need to be exchanged for residency permits. These permits are the norm for third country nationals. There is a cost attached to this but it is not known what that will be. Camara and Conservatorias will be used for this exchange but where exactly is not yet known. Those UK citizens entitled to vote, on Brexit day, will be removed from Portuguese electoral rolls and can no longer vote. Students in higher education, prior to the 31 December 2020 will not have international student fees applied until that course has finished. Therefore, those students who have enrolled in a degree course, prior to 31 December 2020, will pay the same fees as EU nationals. Commencement of courses post 31 December 2020 will incur international student fees. Social security, the exchange of information, will continue between Portugal and the UK. The recognition of professional qualifications, come Brexit, will continue for those UK nationals already carrying out a professional activity in Portugal. This also applies to pending applications. UK nationals who are legally resident in Portugal prior to the Brexit date, can exchange their UK driving licence for a Portuguese licence up until 31 December 2020. Any UK national who arrives to live in Portugal after the Brexit date will be considered a third country national. This means they will have 90 days to exchange their driving licence or they have to take a Portuguese driving test.

"UK nationals, legally resident in Portugal, with temporary or permanent residency, will remain legally resident when Brexit occurs."

Health care for UK citizens is not dependant on reciprocity only residency. If UK nationals are legally resident in Portugal they can, come Brexit, continue to receive medical care. UK nationals visiting Portugal, can continue to access public health care until 31 December 2020 on showing a UK passport. Although reciprocity is key, given the circumstances, Portugal has done us proud. Tig James is part of the core group teams of Brexpats Hear our Voice, British in Portugal and a representative of British in Europe

+INFO:  www.brexpatshov.com  British in Portugal  Brexpats Hear Our Voice  In Limbo - Our Brexit testimonies

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TRAVEL BY TRAM Roman Markov is a popular Faro-based painter. He has a series of pictures on display at the Côrte Real Gallery including paintings of trams. Carolyn Kain explains the history and significance of trams in Portugal. In Lisbon and Porto trams have been retained for practical purposes carrying residents through the oldest parts of towns where streets are too steep and narrow for buses. Quaint and quirky, in recent years this method of getting around has become a tourist attraction. It was late in the 19th century when in many places horse-car networks were replaced by trams. The technology was developed in America and it has hardly changed at all so that a tramcar built more than a century ago can run on modern tram lines. The first Portuguese ‘electricos’ appeared in the bustling city of Porto in 1895 and they proved to be such a success that six years later they were introduced to Lisbon. Some trams - built by the British in the 1920’s - still grind their weary way up and down Lisbon’s seven hills. A total of 57 vehicles – 39 of them historical – operate on five lines and cover a total distance of 48 km. Famously Tram #28 is the city’s white-knuckle ride with extreme gradients and panoramic views. For locals it is

an essential mode of transport and their patience must be tried by the large numbers of visitors – equipped with guidebooks and cameras - using the service to site-see on the cheap! In Porto most visitors agree that ‘electricos’ add authenticity to the olde-worlde cityscape. The journey on Line 18 includes historic downtown buildings, the area classified by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. Trams are environmentally far preferable to local buses and tourist coaches. It is a matter of regret that during the 1960’s and 70’s in Coimbra and Braga, politicians – complaining that trams were noisy and uncomfortable – gradually wound down well-established lines. Galeria Côrte-Real is in Paderne. The gallery is signposted from Boliqueime, Ferreiras and Paderne.

+INFO:  +351 912 737 762

Two sixth form students who set their sights on working in the fashion industry have secured coveted places at the Amsterdam Fashion Institute.

STUDENTS À LA MODE! 16

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Robin Last, 17, and Eloise Anthony, 16, both students at Nobel International School since pre-school and primary school at Almancil, beat off hundreds of other aspiring fashionistas and fashion entrepreneurs to win places on this popular four-year Bachelor of Arts course, taught in English, and offering opportunities to collaborate with students from the London College of Fashion. Robin, fluent in Dutch, has AS French and this year has taken Maths and Design Technology, and Eloise, originally from England, takes Design Technology and Business Studies. The girls explained that part of the application process was to pass a rigorous final selection day

and various tasks including presenting a project to a theme such as sustainability trends, an examination and an interview. Robin said: “Preparing for the selection day demanded a lot of work on top of our A level studies but I knew this was where I really wanted to go. Fashion is a global industry and coming from an international school, I wanted to continue my studies in an international environment. As I am still not sure whether or not I am interested in pursuing fashion design or management, this course allows me to keep my studies broad at this point.” Eloise added: “It was important for me to feel in safe hands when it comes to the way the course and institute will prepare me for my career and the future – and it's good to know that students from AMFI have gone on to work with brands such as Vogue, H&M, Nike and Tommy Hilfiger.”

Solar, wind & biomass energy systems Visky offers high quality SOLAR PUMPS designed for use in residential and commercial swimming pools and spas Lagos: Rua Vasco da Gama 38 Lj A, (by the new city council building) Tel: 916 391 304 Almancil: Rua Vale de Éguas Tel: 910 263 358 Email: visky.lagos@gmail.com visky.pt

LIFE

ORD

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WHAT’S ON

TAKE THE LOULÉ TRAIL This year the Rota da Água walk and trail takes place on May 12st at 8.30am at Querença, Loulé. There will be a 10km walk and a 20km trail. Registration costs €5, lunch is €10 for runners and €15 for non-runners.

+INFO:  www.acorrer.pt/eventos/info/2257

What's on in May BE MAD ABOUT US A new popup market is taking place in Faro on May 4th between 11am and 7pm. The Mad Popup Market is the first lifestyle market in the Algarve and represents brands and creators that sell exclusively online. This provides a unique opportunity to contact the public directly and above all to test new markets.

much more at the market. The place is already chosen and will be in the historic area of the city of Faro, but you will need to go to their facebook page to find out the exact location of the market.

You will be able to find brands and designers of fashion for women, men and children, beachwear, suitcases, hats, jewellery, shoes, handbags, crafts, and

+INFO:  madpopupmarket.pt  www.madpopupmarket.pt  mad@madpopupmarket.pt

Entrance is free.

MOONLIT FLIT Explore Vale do Lobo by moonlight during the fifth 10km walk or run which is taking place on May 17th from 7.30pm. The venue will be Vale do Lobo Parque do Golfe. Take part for free in the Let’s Go Run Vale do Lobo and join hundreds of participants. The event takes people on a unique trail around the resort, including sections on the beach, over the golf courses and through the woodland and there is a special accessible route for those who require assistance. This

initiative is organised by Let’s Go Run in partnership with the not for profit Corridas à 6ª Feira running group, Loulé Council, Infralobo E.M. and Vale do Lobo. The run has been designed to encourage everyone to slip on their trainers and follow a unique trail around the resort. Registration for this free event is recommended for insurance purposes.

+INFO:  www.valedolobo.com

SPRING MARKET The first ever Vale do Lobo Spring Market takes place this year. You will find family fun and entertainment, food and drink and some of the best regional handicrafts and products at the Vale do Lobo Spring Market. The event is being held at the Vale do Lobo Auditorium on Saturday May 4th from 10am until 6pm.

and continued interest from both visitors and exhibitors. Visitors to the Vale do Lobo Spring Market will be pleased to see some of their favourite local businesses at the event alongside a huge selection of exhibitors presenting exciting and interesting products including handicrafts, wines, flowers, cookies, cakes, gourmet products, toys, jewellery and much more! Entrance is free.

The spring event follows the success of the annual Vale do Lobo Christmas market

+INFO:  events/2055305288095259

PORTUGAL GRAND PRIX The UIM F1H2O World Championship is the 'flagship' international series of single-seater inshore circuit powerboat racing and takes place in Portimão between May 17th and 19th. Highly competitive, intensely challenging, risky and entertaining, the F1H2O World Championship is the ultimate adrenaline rush and regarded as one of the most

spectacular and exciting sports in the world. The series attracts up to 20 of the world's leading drivers and is a sport that has to be seen to be believed as these catamarans enter hairpin turns at over 90 mph and top 140 mph on the straights.

+INFO:  events/1178870715605706/  www.f1h2o.com/events/2019/grand-prix-of-portugal

WHAT’S ON

IT’S MURDER IN THE CHOIR A choir is a bit like a swan swimming: calm and beautiful on the surface, but kicking like mad underneath. Sopranos know they are the most important element in a choir, as they carry the melody. There are always lots of sopranos. Altos despise sopranos because they know that their part is much more difficult. Tenors are always the smallest group in a choir because few men can reach the high notes, so tenors believe they are the elite. Basses despise tenors because it is much more macho to sing bass. The Maestro despises them all because he is in charge but they never watch him. It is almost surprising that in Aperitivo’s Murder in the Choir there is only one corpse.

The evolution of man

On Tuesday May 7th, the Algarve Archaeological Association (AAA) will be presenting two lectures, in English, by Pedro Horta. The first lecture will be at 2.30pm at the Museu do Traje in São Brás, the second lecture will be at 6pm at the Convento de São José in Lagoa. The lecture is entitled 'Denisovans, Modern Humans and Neanderthals: what we know so far and is being given by Pedro Horta. Pedro from the University of the Algarve (Ualg), will be presenting his

research into what is known so far about Denisovans, Modern Humans and Neanderthals.

Non-members are welcome to attend AAA lectures for a €5 admission fee, with all money raised by the AAA being used for archaeological grants and speakers.

+INFO:  algarvearchass@gmail.com  arquealgarve.weebly.com  Algarve Archaeological Association

In this latest, possibly the funniest definitely the bitchiest - presentation by Aperitivo, once again we are back in the library of the little village of Thraxton, with the polished Miss Prunes, aided (whether she wants it or not) by perky Miss Prodnose, helping Sergeant Singer and his new sidekick Constable Snuff to discover the murderer. Only this time, Miss Prunes herself is one of the suspects! Performances: June 1st at the Casa do Povo, Moncarapacho; June 14th and 15th at the Museum, São Brás.

+INFO:  info@gmail.com  aperitivotheatregroup  aperitivoperformancegroup.net

WWW.TOMORROWALGARVE.COM

HEALTH & BEAUTY What is dry needling? Dry Needling involves the insertion of a thin filament needle to stimulate the healing process of soft tissues (muscle "trigger points", fascia, tendons and ligaments, etc.). The result of dry needling is pain relief and restoration of healthy physiology in the affected area. The basic idea is to open a previous closed muscle/ fascial trigger point of pain.

DRY NEEDLING Physical therapist David Murphy has just set up a clinic in Mexilhoeira Grande. Before moving he worked in Ireland for 10 years at a very busy clinic treating all kinds of musclo-skeletal issues with different state of the art techniques. One of those very effective treatments is dry needling so what’s it all about? Here he explains.

What is a ‘trigger point’? A "trigger point" is a hyperirritable point in a muscle that is associated with a hypersensitive palpable nodule, or “knot." This area becomes painful at the site and can also “radiate” in predictable patterns. Does it hurt? A healthy muscle feels very little discomfort with insertion of this needle. However if the muscle is sensitive and shortened or has active trigger points within it, the subject will feel a sensation like a muscle cramp (the "twitch" response). What is the difference between dry needling and acupuncture? The objectives and philosophy behind the use of dry needling by physical therapists is not based on ancient theories or tenets of traditional Chinese medicine. The performance of modern dry needling by

physical therapists is based on Western Neuroanatomy and modern scientific study of the musculoskeletal and nervous systems. Both dry needling and acupuncture do, however, use the same tool; a solid needle filament. Who can benefit from dry needling? Almost anyone experiencing a variety of pain problems including, but not limited to: Acute/Chronic joint injuries, Headaches, Neck/Back pain, Knee pain and Tendinitis, Muscle Spasm, Frozen Shoulder, Sciatica & Hip Bursitis, Hip/ Knee pain, Muscle strains, Fibromyalgia, Tennis/Golfer's Elbow and Overuse injuries. Are there any side effects to dry needling? Side effects are rare but may vary among individuals. Typically, only mild muscle soreness or skin bruising is apparent for about 2 days after treatment. Consensus is generally worth any discomfort short term for the long term gains you get out of the technique. Curious to try? Contact us below at the clinic.

+INFO:  +351 928 022 494  largodamaso@hotmail.com

Speak Life BY WADE ENGELBRECHT (B.MIN THEOLOGY/PHILOSOPHY)

Remember playing a game called sticks and stones will break your bones but words will never harm you. This is not true! Words have great power that can sink a life or save a life! Over the past 10 years of being a life coach to people from all walks of life there is a common thread. People will always automatically voice the negative, their problems, challenges and fears. But did you know that it takes the same amount of effort to speak positively over a situation than it does to vomit out everything that is negative and self destructive. It’s just programming of our minds! Changing our minds, changing our choices and therefore, changing our lives. It sounds like I’m trying to brainwash you, I am! Most of us need our brains washed, we let so much junk into our minds through the gate of our eyes and ears by watching and listening to product that is

detrimental to our state of mind. Words are powerful, words shape our future, when words and thoughts align they transform into believing and what you believe about yourself and others causes us to make certain choices and choices determine the status of our lives. Forming new habitual positive speech patterns and responses is the key! Speak life into your situation, over your marriage, your business, your family and over your children. Do it repetitively until you believe what you are saying and watch your world respond around you.

+INFO:  thelifecoach777@gmail.com

Yo u r S p e c a l i s t f o r H o t Tu b s i n t h e A l g a r v e

BUSINESS

Learn the lingo

Olá!

Tudo bem?

BY AMANDA GLEAVES

After trying every app known to mankind, and painfully sifting through those Brazilian ones, do you feel like you are getting nowhere and that you will never become fluent in Portuguese? Don’t give up! Becoming fluent in a language does not mean you have to learn every word in the dictionary and become a national poet. Just a few essential verbs and a bit of grammar will take you far. Verbs are our friends and not the monsters people think they are - they are fun (yay!) and make up a great percentage of the language - once you have learned a few, you will be well away! Learn the days of the week, numbers and months and a few phrases that you need to know to get you out of your shell, like greetings and asking for a coffee...before you know it you will be fluent.

Watch TV, listen to the radio, the jingles are catchy and you will not be able to get them out of your head after a while, songs are great too. Mix with Portuguese people! You have native speakers all around you! Better than any online app! Associate words with things that are familiar to you. For me the Portuguese word for train: Comboio - sounded like a Welsh train (you get it?) Get yourself a decent size dictionary - don’t go online to find the meaning of every word - you will get sidetracked. When we build a house we don’t start with the windows and the roof - we start with the foundation and build upon that. If the foundation is solid - the house will stand. If not, it might not hold up in

a strong wind. If you have the right language tools and the right foundation you can only improve! Are you ready to learn Portuguese? I can help!

+INFO:  +351 917 332 068  algart9@gmail.com (Amanda)  www.portugueseinsixweeks.com

FRESH HERBS FROM LAGOA Danish entrepreneur, Brian Knudsen, who pioneered Lagoa vegetable production for export to northern Europe in 2016, is now concentrating entirely on various kinds of herbs. As director of the company Schroll Flavours, he has shifted emphasis in the type of crops he grows because of the supply and demand requirements in his usual markets in the Scandinavian countries, Belgium, Germany and the United Kingdom. Brexit doesn’t bother Schroll Flavours, as not much of its output has been going to the UK. The climate and soil in the Algarve are ideal for the all-year-round growing of herbs. The biggest demand is for coriander and Moroccan mint. Knudsen is growing plenty of thyme and chives, too. Rosemary and sage give significant though lower yields. The growing season lasts all year round, though less abundant in January and February and at the height of summer. This year, he expects to cultivate 80,000 kg of herbs, only 25% of which will remain for sale in Portugal. Some of his output is being grown in polytunnels, huge plastic-covered greenhouses, on leased government land between the centre of Lagoa and Sesmarias that had lain fallow for

BY LEN PORT

decades. Schroll Flavours has taken a long lease on another large tract of land just north of the town on the back road to Silves. Increasingly, Knudsen is growing the herbs organically and aims to go totally organic from 2020. Vital for production is a plentiful and inexpensive supply of good quality fresh water supplied directly from the Arade Reservoir near Silves. After a formal education in agriculture in his home country, Knudsen concentrated mainly on growing sweet peas, onions and rhubarb. He spent some years growing these and employing large numbers of pickers in both Denmark and the Alentejo. Now aged 42, and living with his wife and two children permanently in the Algarve, he has sold his business interests in Denmark to set up his operation exporting solely from the Lagoa area. His first Lagoa harvest of 15 tonnes of peas in March 2017 was followed by a huge crop of pumpkins and butternut squash, truckloads of which went off to northern Europe. At present, he’s leasing 19 hectares but is looking to lease more abandoned land in the Lagoa area. He’d be happy with a total of 40 hectares of suitable terrain, provided irrigation can be arranged from boreholes or directly from reservoir channels.

THE LONG-TERM APPROACH TO INHERITANCE PLANNING

BY MANUELA ROBINSON

For many retirement savers, leaving a legacy represents the ultimate, long-term goal. So, it is understandable that inheritance planning should require a great deal of organisation and forethought because successful inheritance planning cannot be done overnight. If you've worked hard and invested prudently over the course of your life, it's very likely that the UK’s Inheritance Tax (IHT) system can be a disconcerting and foreboding spectre on the horizon. And it is little wonder; it is estimated that HM Treasury will take £6.9bn in IHT receipts by 2024, and no one wants to add unnecessarily to this already leviathan figure. Fortunately, there are ways you can structure your wealth to pass it on tax-efficiently. However, this process needs to begin many years before death so that you have plenty of time to decide upon the identity of your beneficiaries and to make gifts, create trusts, and plan your tax liability. There is no short-term solution As an expat in Portugal, inheritance planning that relies on a simple fix-all strategy or single product is unlikely to reflect the complexity of your cross-border inheritance planning needs. Instead, you should seek out the advice of an experienced, local wealth manager who can listen to your goals and circumstances in order to develop a bespoke solution which considers all the jurisdictional issues that may affect your estate when you die. Your plan should be about much more than simply ring-fencing wealth, it should also be about considering the needs of your beneficiaries and finding a strategy that

ensures a smooth transition of wealth. In most cases, this will involve informing your beneficiaries of your plans so that they can ready their own finances to make the best use of your generosity. You may also want to introduce them to your adviser as this can greatly assist the whole process, both now and in the future. Be clear about the present but be ready to be flexible in the future Although you will inevitably have to account for the inheritance planning regulatory and legal burdens currently in place, you will also have to build flexibility into your plans so they are capable of responding effectively to any changes which might occur in the future. Tax rules rarely become simpler or less onerous over time, but by making the most of existing exemptions and gifting rules, while also retaining some flexibility, you increase your chances of passing on your estate with the minimum of tax liability. A good independent financial adviser can help make you aware of potential legal and regulatory traps as well as the many opportunities in this regard – for cross-border individuals this can be especially complex. Look after yourself first and foremost Whether your beneficiaries are going to be children, grandchildren, other family members or indeed charitable organisations, your inheritance plan should begin by ensuring that you have made adequate provision for your own security and cashflow needs.

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you want to give away; it can be dangerous to gift too much when there is a reasonable possibility that you might live to a ripe old age and perhaps require medical or nursing care in later life. It's all very well making substantial gifts to keep your hard-earned money out of the hands of HM Revenue and Customs, but if you end up selling yourself short, your sunset years could easily become frugal and difficult. Gifting is not the answer to all IHT issues No matter how generous your intentions, if you cannot make gifts with confidence, you should reconsider your plans – your loved ones are unlikely to want you to gift them your assets if doing so precipitates your financial demise. Ask yourself the following questions as they will help you determine whether you have the capacity to give. • Have you analysed your cashflow needs? • What is your time horizon? (How long are you likely to live?) • How much money should you put aside for care costs? • How will any gift you make eat into your assets’ ability to generate interest/dividends? • Would a loan be a better option than a gift? Blacktower in Portugal Blacktower is an experienced wealth manager with offices in Lisbon and the Algarve. Speak with us today so that we can help you assess your wealth and its future.

Blacktower Financial Management (International) Limited is licensed in

This should involve finding the right balance between what you will need to live on and what

Gibraltar by the Financial Services Commission. Licence No: 00805B. Blacktower Financial Management Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registry No: 3500648.

BUSINESS

MOVING TO PORTUGAL Becoming an Algarve resident Are you thinking of moving to the Algarve? In the second part of this series we asked Susanna Gross from Togofor Homes to look at some of the practicalities of upping sticks. The cost of Algarve living Overall, expats who are not dependent on finding local employment will find that the Algarve is very reasonable. The cost of living in the Algarve is at present still lower than many other European destinations. Ask the locals – they have a great nose for quality and bargains and will gladly point you in the right direction. Prices in the Algarve can fluctuate during the peak holiday season, availability of foreign consumables and items can be much costlier than their Portuguese counterparts, (or not be available at all), however there are many large supermarket and European business chains now in the Algarve. Algarve education and healthcare There are top-class private hospitals and international schools scattered around the Algarve, and state options exist too. Whether or not an expat qualifies for these facilities depends on their personal situation and where they are moving from, so thorough research is always required. Private hospitals, doctors and schools may be a distance to travel in more remote areas, so bear this in mind. Whilst the quality of private facilities is high, the waiting list for an appointment or place can be long – almost as much as state run facilities. Work and starting a business Expats moving to the Algarve to work, should be cautioned that many jobs in the Algarve are seasonal, (dependent on tourism) and if one does not speak Portuguese, the chances of finding full time employment is much more difficult. If you have a business or investment plan in place and have done the research, then with hard work and patience you can be successful. Getting started can be a minefield of confusing, foreign paperwork with some cost, so seek professional advice, to make sure you are following all tax and legal regulations. Portugal citizenship and residency Since Brexit, there has been a sharp increase in the number of people interested in obtaining Portuguese citizenship (prior to this, most British people hadn’t really considered applying for another citizenship) so you may find that this has affected the length of time the process takes. The red tape of bureaucracy can be frustrating at times however, if you plan to live in Portugal, it could be worth pursuing. The most common way to obtain citizenship in any country is to live there for long enough. In Portugal, that length of time is six years. You can apply for permanent residence after five years and, although it’s not quite the

same as citizenship, that’s good enough for most people. If you’re not an EU citizen, the biggest challenge will be staying in Portugal for 5-6 years. Portugal issues long-term visas for several different groups of people including students, volunteers, those with a job offer in Portugal, and those who have enough funds to support themselves (€50,000) or/as well as a passive income (including a pension). The Golden Visa Scheme (investing in Portugal) Portugal is one of several European countries that offers a fully-valid residency permit to those who invest in Portugal. Investment can take many forms, such as creating a business and jobs, or it can be as simple as purchasing a property in Portugal. The Golden Visa scheme allows investors to stay in Portugal (and to travel within the Schengen Area) for 5 years. After 5 years, investors can obtain permanent Portuguese residency. After 6 years, investors can apply for Portuguese citizenship. Anyone considering a permanent move to Portugal, from any country should carefully research and consult with experts in financial, tax, pension/retirement, legal and medical matters – preparation is key. If you are already in Portugal and wishing to make your stay permanent, please consult with a Portuguese lawyer – ideally one that specialises in Portuguese citizenship law. Purchasing your Algarve Home Whatever your reason for deciding to move permanently to the Algarve; business, retirement or investment, Togofor Homes has a large portfolio of properties to offer you. Our experienced and friendly team will help you find your dream Algarve home or business opportunity and take you step-by-step through the process, give you guidance and advice. We work with many, experienced, legal and financial experts who we can recommend at any time. Visit one of our 3 Algarve offices – Lagos, Vilamoura or Tavira, and we will be happy to help.

+INFO:  www.togofor-homes.com  +351 289 322 134

FOOD & DRINK

FOODIE EVENTS

Quintessentially lovely BY SIMON MOULSON

So, if you find yourself in Almancil in need of some traditional fayre that won’t have the bank manager on at you, then Quinta das Borboletas will provide a great new option. The restaurant is situated at the top end of the main road through Almancil, just past the railway station so it’s easy to find. The outside terrace is very deceptive and will be an absolutely wonderful sun terrace. For the cooler evenings they have large log burners strategically placed in the covered snug-area of the terrace which look beautiful and provides warmth in equal measure. The tables are adorned with glass bottles and the whole place is covered in twinkling fairy lights that create a lovely welcoming atmosphere. The walls are decorated with wine presentation boxes with perfect lighting to set them off and to create a distinct quirky feel. Front of house the service is both friendly and exacting. You can’t help but feel at ease with the ambience and warm hospitality that is on offer.

The main courses we ordered were lamb cutlets and pork schnitzel which were accompanied by chips and salad. We really liked the attention to detail including the basket of condiments which included black pepper, balsamic glaze, both malt and normal vinegar. The service we received which was both attentive and charming. The lamb cutlets were served with a homemade mint sauce which was divine and perfectly complemented the meat. Each mouthful was a sheer delight. The schnitzel was another crowd pleaser and all our plates were perfectly clean with the satisfaction of three delighted diners. Pudding was a raspberry and lemon cheesecake, oversized goodness with a caramel sauce which was utterly heavenly and devoured by my wife and son. So, all in all, a lovely inexpensive evening dinner with owners that truly go the extra mile in ensuring your requirements are well and truly catered for.

The starters we ordered included prawn cocktail, chicken satay skewers and garlic prawns, which we polished off with gusto. Their house wines are very pleasant indeed and at €2 per glass are incredibly reasonable.

+INFO:  Quinta das Borboletas Restaurante  +351 918 050 085

Algarve Chefs Week The ninth Algarve Chefs Week will get cooking this month with 14 executive chefs from luxury hotel restaurants taking part. The launch will take place in Portimão on May 13th and will end on May 19th. Entitled ‘À Raiz do Sabor’, the challenge this year will be the creation of menus inspired by the importance of authentic products from the Algarve and respecting the regional richness and gastronomic wealth. In the restaurants of the 14 participating hotels, gastronomy lovers can enjoy a gastronomic experience with a themed menu for a week. Go to the facebook page to find out what restaurants will be participating.

+INFO:  www.algarvechefsweek.com  AlgarveChefsWeek

Rota do Petisco Don’t forget there is still time to take the tapas trail until May 26th. The 277 restaurants and cafes that are taking part across 13 counties will offer two types of menu: traditional ‘petisco’ and regional sweets. From Odeceixe to Odeleite, there will always be a “petisco” waiting for you. You can take part by buying the passport (€1). The presentation of the passport will allow you to taste the special menus selected for the event at a special price: menu tappa €3 and menu dessert €2.

+INFO:  rotadopetisco  rotadopetisco.com

ENVIRONMENT

ATTAINABLE SUSTAINABLE Eco babies BY LISA LOFTHOUSE AND ZOË LENKIEWICZ The impending arrival of a new baby can be overwhelming and all the necessary preparations can leave little headspace for exploring an eco-approach. But beyond the aisles of beautiful baby clothes and youtube videos on 'my top 100 baby must haves', it is surprisingly easy and instinctive to strip back and choose a different route. Clothes – an acquaintance recently said “baby clothes are so cheap nowadays, there is no excuse to dress them badly”. The fact of the matter is that clothes are cheap because of the horrendous working conditions and environmental damage of the fast fashion industry. Baby clothes get so little use: we bought second hand for our first baby (now 18 months) but with our second due I have asked people not to buy us anything new as gifts either. Mostly, they are understanding.

Nappies! An average baby uses 6,000 nappies and they take up 2.5% of all landfill – added this fact to the list of chemicals they contain (polyacrylate, polypropylene, bleach) means that parents who make the switch really do make a difference. Modern cloth nappies look the same as disposables, and the variety available means you can find one that suits – there is even swimwear with an integrated nappy. Even switching one a day could avoid 700-1,000 plastic nappies ending up in landfill. Cloth nappies can be rented from Lagos for €30 per month, and in the Algarve they air-dry quickly even on most winter days. Second hand cloth nappies were our top baby gift, and we will pass them on again after our second baby. I cannot imagine the money that gift will have saved us. Wet wipes – I hear so many mums say 'I use a pack of wet wipes a day,' though I’m not sure what they do with them all! They are mostly made from plastic covered in chemicals, can't break down and should not be flushed. Re-usable wipes are available or cut old towels into strips and wash with your nappies. I carry a little spray bottle of water in my nappy bag. Breast pads – breastfeeding itself obviously has zero packaging but I believe the decision to breastfeed will always be based on so many factors, and the health of mother and baby are the priority. If you are breastfeeding, re-usable breast pads are perfect. Baby gifts – try think need, not whim. Maybe a massage for mum, or a month’s trial of washable nappies, or a second hand toy – your money can go a lot further when shopping second hand. Toy libraries and toy swaps with friends are also great ways to rotate and hold your child’s interest – of course saving pennies too. Bottles, cups and plates, toys – BPA (a known endocrine disruptor) is now largely banned from baby bottles and sippy cups, though the effect of the replacement chemicals is not yet known, and phthalates are still prominent in many other plastic products and even baby creams and lotions. A recent study found phthalate levels in infants and toddlers to be far higher than in adults, with their young metabolisms and their constant mouthing behaviour making them particularly susceptible to chemicals in the products we choose for them. Heating fatty foods such as milk can encourage certain chemicals to leach from plastics. Glass baby bottles with silicone lids are a good alternative and are easy to sterilise with hot water or in the oven. Try getting creative! For instance, instead of the common plastic teether rings, try a washcloth soaked in cold chamomile tea. Baby food – The rise of baby-led weaning is fantastic – simply handing chunks of real food to hold and eat as they wish. Organic local and seasonal veg will only need slicing or perhaps lightly blanching. This can mean eating the same foods as mum and dad very quickly (if you’re happy to lower the salt), reducing waste, time and money. Whatever is left can be composted. I started off with fingers of avocado as it is so soft for baby to mush, or you can puree and store in glass jars. Deciding what to do with products we don’t want any more will be the topic for next edition. Remember to join us on the facebook group Attainable Sustainable, Algarve for more discussion, hints and tips. This series is in support of WasteAid. To help reduce plastic pollution around the world, please visit wasteaid.org

OUTDOOR Top to Bottom: Self sown Euphorbia myrsintes on steps to my pool room; Close up of Euphorbia Black Pearl cyathia; Euphorbia dendroides (right) with Euphorbia rigida (left)

GET EUPHORIC WITH EUPHORBIAS BY TAMSIN VARLEY

The Euphorbia or Spurge family is one of the largest and most diverse of plant families with over 7500 species. It derives its name from Euphorbos who was the Greek physician of King Juba II of Numidia and married the daughter of Anthony and Cleopatra. He discovered that the sap of one Euphorbia species had a strong laxative effect hence the common name of Spurge which derives from the old French ‘espurge’ meaning to purge. Within the Euphorbia family is the genus Euphorbia which accounts for about 2100 species. There are many herbaceous spurges, especially in temperate zones worldwide, but the genus is best known for its many succulent species, some of which appear very similar to cacti, as they occupy the same ecological niche. Succulent Euphorbias are most diverse in southern and eastern Africa and Madagascar, but they also occur in tropical Asia and the Americas. A lot of Euphorbias are highly tolerant of both drought and heat, so are very useful in the Algarve garden.

Top to Bottom: Euphorbia milii; Euphorbia Diamond Frost

The plants all share the same characteristics of exuding a very irritating and caustic milky white sap when damaged and unusual floral structures. If you get any of the sap on your skin, make sure you wash it off straight away or wear gloves when handling them. The unique flower head of the Euphorbia is called a cyathium. The male and female flowers are stripped down to the essential sexual parts, so that there are no petals, sepals or nectar producing structures to attract pollinators. Instead, the cyathium sits

within a supporting cup which produces nectar and that is then supported by bract-like modified leaf structures which superficially look like petals and can be brightly coloured. Most of you will be familiar with the Poinsettia at Christmas time which is in fact Euphorbia pulcherrima and originates from Mexico. Other commercial plants in the Euphorbia family include the castor oil plant (Ricinus communis) and Cassava (Manihot esculenta). In Africa, Euphorbia tirucalli is used as a hedging plant and the fiery pink version of it, known as ‘Sticks on Fire’ is often planted in succulent gardens to bring a splash of colour. Having just had a quick wander around my garden I counted 10 different Euphorbias planted in the ground and about 15 in pots. I find them ideal plants for my drought tolerant garden as they thrive in areas with little to no soil and require very little supplemental water in the summer. They’re at their peak right now as are in full flower, but in the heat of the summer can look straggly as the flower heads die and indeed, some such as Euphorbia dendroides lose their leaves to cope with the hot conditions. One of my favourite Euphorbias is called ‘Black Pearl’ which self seeds rampantly around my garden. A single plant can have up to 20 flowering stems which really creates a ‘wow’ factor. Also highly recommended are Euphorbia rigida and Euphorbia myrsinites which both end up trailing and have bright yellow bracts from spring to summer. I also love the tree Euphorbias including E. lambii from Tenerife and E. dendroides native to the Mediterranean. In pots, I have a small collection of Euphorbias with cacti-like characteristics including E. horrida, E. globosa, E. obesa, E. pentagona and E. enopla. I also recommend E. milii or “Crown of Thorns” which is common in local garden centres and easy to grow and E. ‘Diamond Frost’ a little beauty with clouds of airy white bracts throughout the year. If you’re looking for bullet proof plants that require little care and attention and will thrive in hot, dry conditions, then give Euphorbias a go! Tamsin is Chairman of Clube Dos Bons Jardins, a small, friendly multi-national garden club that meets at different location around the Alga on the second Tuesday every month except over the summer with an optional lunch afterwards.

+INFO:  Clube Dos Bons Jardins  algarvecbj@gmail.com

Edifício Sol, Rua Cristóvão Pires Norte Almancil 8135-117 Algarve, Portugal +351 289 393 378 info@ellis-avt.com www.ellis-avt.com

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