algarvePLUS - October '23

MORE FUN THAN YOU EVER IMAGINED

This is our biggest issue yet – one third bigger than when we first launched AlgarvePLUS. It’s thanks to our supporters – our advertisers, our distributors, our award-winning art director Kim, proofreader Adriana (she who spots a missing accent at a hundred paces) and of course our wonderful team of contributors, who never fail to amaze us with their enthusiasm and their willingness to take on another brief – that this growth has been possible; every month as we go to press, we say our thanks ten times over... and every issue, we believe, is the best one yet!

Feedback from readers makes the real difference and helps steer our content; and with our focus 100% on Portugal – its people, its places, its history, its delights – we seem to be delivering just what is wanted. And incredibly, we believe we are now reaching an audience of 50,000+ every single month. So thank you, readers, for your support – and your comments – they make our work so worthwhile.

This month – this bigger-than-ever month – we bring you fresh talents, companies that set new standards, irresistible eats, trendsetting style, places you have to visit, a special charity to support, and more of what’s on in the Algarve in the coming weeks. So much to enjoy – that’s the pleasure of living here. SUSI ROGOL-GOODKIND, EDITOR +351 965 581 831 | susi@rogol-goodkind.com

CONTACTS

Vintage panel known as Kaavadi, originally one of a pair that were interconnected with a bamboo pole and decorated with appliqué cloth and carried on the shoulders of devotees taking their offering to Karthikeya’s temple. A rare find at Alamaya in Moncarapacho. 50cm high. alamayadeco.com

TABLE TALK

This stunning coffee table is finished by hand with a unique blend of mineral powders, water, earth, natural colour pigments and metallic powders, its design striking a balance to complement both modern and traditional interiors and everything in between. 105cmW x 94cmD x 33cmH. €1,100. If you haven’t yet visited the new By Oliveira store in Tavira, make it your next port of call for all things stylish for the home. byoliveira.com

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE EMAIL susi@rogol-goodkind.com

FRONT COVER:

Getting plastered. Check out the stunning work of plaster sculptress Iva Viana on page 10

A VERY SPECIAL SCENT... AND A VERY SPECIAL OFFER

The hand-crafted ceramic bottle is just one special feature of the White Crane Aroma Diffuser, from Quinta Style. The fragrance – a gorgeous fusion of the citrus freshness of Yuzu, the earthy, green notes of Vetiver and a juicy touch of Mandarin – is the perfect complement to your favourite space. And AlgarvePLUS readers can claim a 25% discount off the regular €65 price at the Almancil store, (while stocks are available). quintastyle.com

The limited-edition Sand Dollars collection

Inspired by the rare and protected sea urchins known as Sand Dollars, fine jewellery designer Tamara Comolli, whose exclusive boutique is in Vila Vita Parc’s V-Life Shops, has introduced a limited-edition of just ten yellow gold pendants and ten rose gold pendants, all numbered and decorated with blue and yellow sapphires, as well as green tsavorites. The colours were carefully selected by Vila Vita Parc to be characteristic of the Algarve region, the sea, the blue sky, the sand, or the greens of the mountains. This is a celebration of luxury and elegance, coupled with a passion for preserving the ocean’s treasures. Each timeless piece is €3,300. tamaracomolli.com

SOLE MATES

Farewell to summer sandals and welcome to trendsetting loafers; animal-print leather makes a real settle statement. Pablo Fuster’s great new collection will have heads turning and toes tapping. 100% bovine leather and blissfully comfortable. €190. From the same house comes this roomy leather bag with lots of detail and bamboo handles, €240. pablofuster.com

In the Pando ceramic project at Loulé Criativo, artist Gonçalo Gama has based his ceramic work on the look and style of Algarve basketry techniques. View his charming collection at the Loulé Criativo shop in Palácio Gama Lobo. instagram @goncalo_ gama_jeremias

Fancy going green? Head down to the new Zé e Maria store in Olhão (in the walking street behind the church, at R. do Comércio 81) and take your pick of some gorgeous glassware, ceramics, cosy cushions and more. Insta: zeemariaolhao

PILE ON THE STYLE

Kozii’s newest collection, named MERAKI (meaning the act of putting a bit of your soul into everything you do) is a dream of warm and bright tones and graphic simplicity. The use of millennial tissue stamping techniques – such as woodblock printing, the oldest, simplest and slowest of all printing methods – not only reflects the eclectic richnesses of Rajasthan, where the collection is created, but also helps us travel to a place where history reveals heritages that long to be revived. Go get dressed in the Kozii stores in Tavira, Olhão, Lagos and P. Verde. koziishop.com

JUST GRAND

There’s a new culinary gem in Vila Real de Santo António. Nestled within the historic customs house known as ‘Alfândega’ (the town’s oldest building), the 5-star Relais & Chateaux Boutique hotel, Grand House, has opened the Grand Café. More than just a place for delicious treats, and signature homemade pastries, the Grand Café invites you to connect with the local community, as well as visitors, while basking in the ambiance of the waterfront promenade.

CANDLELIGHT

Luz Editions’ candles are not just another decorative accessory – they include essential oils extracted and transported directly from Grasse, in the great tradition of perfumery. The new range comes in matte porcelain pots, handcrafted in Aveiro and offers five fragrances: Alegria

- Orange blossom; Esperança

- Yuzu; Fé - Amber; SaudadeFig tree; and Terra - Patchouli. €42. luzeditions.com

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE EMAIL susi@rogol-goodkind.com

PLASTER CAST

IVA VIANA’S PIECES LOOK DELICATE AND STURDY AT THE SAME TIME. HER BIRDS, FLOWERS AND LEAVES IN BOLD COLOURS CAPTURE THE EYE AND MAKE US WANT TO TAKE THEM HOME TO BRIGHTEN UP OUR LIVES

Words: SANDRA GATO

IT IS NOT an easy job, being an artist in Portugal. And it can be even more difficult when you have the audacity to work away from the main city centres of Lisbon or Porto, with all that implies.

Iva Viana does it. And she wouldn’t have it any other way. She lives and works in the beautiful city of Viana do Castelo, but her art has no fixed address. Big in size or smaller and as part of a set, it is almost impossible not to feel drawn to the beautiful objects that Iva sculpts in plaster. Their simplicity feels organic and approachable, like nature itself.

Who doesn’t enjoy the agreeable presence of one of her large flowers or leaves, the colour depending on the mood or preference of the buyer, or chosen according to the overall decoration of the room in question.

Easy to live with, this is ‘comfortable’ art.

Iva’s pieces are not meant to shock or trigger deep reactions. They represent natural shapes, often in brilliant hues. And that is what gives them a kind of universal appeal.

In her own words, Iva Viana tells us about inspiration, method and creation, transporting us to her magical – yet simple – world.

AP How do you define yourself artistically? IV I am a plaster sculptor.

AP And how did you arrive at the style you have become known for? IV It has been a process and a long one – I’ve been working with this material for some 16 years now. I must say that I fell totally in love with plaster and its possibilities. After finishing a sculpture degree at the university of Fine Arts in Porto, I started working with a French company based in Lisbon that specialised in decorative plaster. That was my first real contact with plaster and my opportunity of learning (a lot) with Portuguese plaster masters.

AP Are you able to pinpoint a favourite material, shape, colour within your portfolio? IV My chosen material is plaster, for sure. In terms of colour I would actually say white, and when it comes to shape I would go for cut-out volumes that allow me to create shadows.

AP Talk us through the creative process –how is a plan born and developed?

IV If it is a special commission, I start by visiting the location where my piece will feature, and, of course, talking to the client themself. I like to hear their stories, listen to what they have to tell me. I consider myself a storyteller. Through my art I tell other people’s stories but always according to my own interpretation of them. After several sketches I arrive at the final drawing – the one I present to the client. The next phase is making the model itself and focusing on the sculpting. Then there is the final stage and assembling the individual pieces where necessary.

AP What are the criteria you have in place before accepting a commission for a bespoke piece? IV To me, the most important thing is that the client undertands that regardless of anything else, including the work involved, it is my design. I never compromise the creativity or quality.

AP What truly inspires you; what motivates your thinking? IV Everyone wants to know that, and I always give the same answer: what truly inspires me is the plaster itself, the material, and all the modelling and sculpting possibilities that it gives me. Even after 16 years – six with the French company and ten in Iva Viana Atelier – I am still in love with plaster and motivated to create more and more with it. There are no bounds.

AP Do you divide your work into different periods of your career? IV I have to say that over the past ten years my path has evolved into something that wasn’t planned. A decade ago I never thought I would have an atelier with a team of seven people. But it was that growth that allows us to have a commercial line, manufactured by several Viana do Castelo’s inmates. It’s a very successful project that's been running for three years now. Today we have a catalogue, featuring mainly panels, and we create exclusive commissions, unique pieces, to order. Adding to all that, I still manage to design and sculpt my own works that are not special orders from others.

AP You live and work in Viana do Castelo. Is that because you think it’s time to make art happen away from the great city centres? IV Viana do Castelo is my city, I am a proud ‘minhota’. Living in Viana allows me a great quality of life and that includes my nice atelier, perfectly located near the A28 motorway, just a 40-minute drive from Porto. Some people think that everything happens in Lisbon and that the north of the country ends in Porto, the second city. But I assure you that there is a small but very real paradise above it.

AP Are you working on any particular projects right now that you can tell us about? IV Since 2020 I have a huge project on my hands: doing four façades for four buildings in Viana do Castelo. It’s called Lima Meu and it comprises four eight-meter-high panels that reflect my connection with the river Lima, that passes through Viana do Castelo.

I am a rower myself, and the panels translate what I see and feel every time I go into the river. This is an incredibly special project for me and the first exterior one I have ever done. But in this case the final material is not plaster because it is not suited for the outdoors.

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From LEGENDS to LEGACY

THE STORY OF THE ENCHANTED MURALHAS DE FARO (CITY WALLS OF FARO) FINDS ITS ROOTS INTERTWINED WITH THE HISTORY OF THE CITY ITSELF. UNWAVERING IN ITS UNPRETENTIOUS CHARM, THE CAPITAL HARBOURS A REMARKABLY RICH AND UNIQUE HISTORY – A TREASURE TRUNK OF LEGENDS AND STORIES UNKNOWN TO MANY

Words: CHRISTINA MORENO

WAt the heart

Nestled within this womb of Faro is where we can find the hidden archaeological gem, the Muralhas de Faro. This enchanting space has witnessed the human presence and passage of Phoenicians, Romans and Moors along with their many legends that remain fossilized in its history.

HILE FARO today may be perceived by many merely as a transit hub, those who pause to immerse themselves in its authentic Portuguese essence can discover its intangible wealth that extends far beyond its winding cobbled pathways, charming historical buildings, iconic stork nests and allure of al fresco cafes or eateries.

If you haven’t had the chance to explore it yet, consider venturing through one of the three medieval gates leading to the picturesque Vila Adentro, the Inner Town. Still predominantly encircled by the castle wall from the Moorish era, this area is the city’s birthplace – now a mosaic of historical monuments, private residences, cafés, well-known restaurants, museums, galleries and the old beer factory.

Its main square, Largo da Sé, framed around classic orange trees, hosts the town hall, the seminary and the 13th century Santa Maria Cathedral, offering stunning views of the old-town, the Ria Formosa and beyond. Many events continue to take place in and around Vila Adentro each year, such as the ten-day Feira de Santa Iria (Fair of Saint Iria), which is held just outside the castle walls in the big Largo de São Francisco.

Old Town Faro is known for having many legends of enchanted Moorish princesses and hidden treasures. Some of these tales are believed to have originated right within this privately-owned property, which isn’t always open to the public. Many of these stories revolve around a wandering and elusive spellbound princess waiting to be found and freed. In the spirit of these Portuguese legends, the venue itself is worthy of being found and within it, our creativity and imagination set free.

The first time I entered through its tall green gatedoors, I had no idea that the Arco do Repouso, through which I had just passed, and the adjacent towers and old chapel belonged to the same hidden gem. Despite my numerous wanderings through the vicinity, I could never have imagined that a place like this – a vast and stoneencircled oasis graced with a giant bouquet of trees –could be hidden within the bustling Vila Adentro.

Not long after, I had the privilege of delving into its captivating narrative with Architect João Meneses de Oliveira, the current owner-guardian of the largest and

MICHELLE HENDERSON

the longest only walkable section of the 9th-century castle wall. Enthusiastically, João recounted how the canvas woven from the venue’s rich history and personal anecdotes offer an exclusive setting for hosting cultural feasts of food, arts and interconnection.

A bit of history of Vila Adentro

Archaeological evidence dating back to the 4th century BC suggests that Faro was first named Ossónoba, when the Phoenicians established a trading post in the Largo da Sé, where Faro’s cathedral (once a mosque) still stands today. Growing from a commercial tradepost to an urban centre, Ossónoba thrived throughout Roman and Moorish rule (from 713) thanks to its strategic location, secure harbour and the profitable commerce of fishing and salt. In the 9th century, the city was renamed Santa Maria do Ocidente and fortified with a new wall, a substantial portion of which now belongs to the Muralhas de Faro.

Two noteworthy historical facts from the period before Faro was part of the Portuguese Kingdom: the first is that the old town’s castle wall stood as the sole unconquerable fortress among all other city fortresses in the Algarve region. This was thanks to its strategic positioning –perched on a lofty hill and 80% encircled by the Ria Formosa – rendering it virtually inaccessible to both war machinery and boats due to shallow water levels.

The second noteworthy fact, now widely accepted among scholars, is that Faro was handed over, not seized, by the Portuguese in 1249. The old town was signed over peacefully to the Portuguese King Afonso III – perhaps a relevant reminder that diplomacy holds the power to grow forward, and swords are not the sole shapers of history.

The devastating earthquake in 1755, followed by a

massive hurricane two years later, largely demolished the castle wall that nevertheless continued to enclose the city until the late 19th century. The area had been mostly abandoned, sold by the state, and integrated into various private properties. The old town eventually expanded well beyond the Vila Adentro, out to the Bairro Ribeirinho near the marina and the old ‘mouraria’ – now the shopping area –where the Moors were permitted to settle following the Portuguese conquest.

The unique Muralhas de Faro

Owning this property must feel like having, and being part of, your own living storybook. Once a storage lot for war machines, the estate spans 6,625M² and represents 12% of all of Vila Adentro (8% if you count the public streets). The venue is the largest privately-owned space within medieval walls in all of the Mediterranean. It includes the walkable 9th-century Moorish wall, the old cross street Travesa das Freiras, the Bizantine tower, the two albarrana (defensive) towers, the arch and old city door Arco do Repouso, and the chapel of Nossa Senhora do Repouso. Additionally, there are 26 habitable houses within its confines. João’s main private residence and office were constructed against the castle wall itself and there’s even a small ancient well inside, a testament to the depths of its heritage.

A tale of guardianship

The Muralhas holds a personal history that’s as enchanting as its storied past. A tradition was born once the fortress passed into private hands – a tradition steeped in honour, heritage, and destiny. The esteemed privilege of ownership was never to simply be sold, but rather to be bestowed upon for sale to those deemed worthy.

Some of the past owners have included: Canon Francisco Jaques da Fonseca, Manuel Vaz Velhos Sanchez, Francisco Lázaro Cortes (Civil Governor of Faro), Captain-Mor José Ferreira de Sousa Junior, and

Faro awaits. Its history fascinates and its modern-day offering never fails to delight. The old town is the place to visit to satisfy your curiosity and sense of adventure

Colonel José Cortes Ferreira de Sousa. It was the latter who offered the property for sale to the current family in 1978.

The Menezes de Oliveira family was chosen in tribute to João’s late father, Hermínio do Beato Oliveira, a distinguished architect, artist and poet, whose dream it was to establish a cultural and events space in the form of an art school and galleries.

A cultural space

Since the early 2000s, the Muralhas de Faro has hosted countless private and exclusive dinner-concert parties, high-profile weddings, corporate/incentive gatherings, musical performances and celebrations for renowned international brands like General Motors and Isuzu.

Living forward past the global pandemic, this charming venue continues to offer a dream setting for events that deserve a unique mystical atmosphere. One of the recent private cultural experiences was a re-imagined medieval-style ‘feasting table’, inspired by the combined grandeur, hospitality and camaraderie of medieval feasts and modern day grazing/charcuterie tables.

The venue will continue offering a variety of private custom experiences, featuring curated regional Mediterranean diet ‘tasting plates’ showcasing the bounties of the land and sea. These can be tailored to groups or more intimate experiences, such as private

romantic sunset dinners atop one of the towers or the Arco de Repouso itself. And the Muralhas de Faro recently hosted some popular public events, including the city’s Festa do Caracol, and the medieval Mercado das Alcaçarias.

A Living Legacy

The essence of Hermínio’s dream continues to permeate in the exquisite innovative building plans for the Muralhas de Faro, which are currently in the process of preapproval with the city. His son’s mission moving forward remains clear: to offer an exclusive enchanting setting for hosting cultural feasts of food, arts and interconnection. His aspiration is to unite diverse cultural expressions, especially musical performances and the culinary arts.

João continues to envision family-friendly sunset dinner-concerts with multiple stages, eventually catering to two to three generations, complete with a playground where kids can run freely and safely within the enclosure.

In much the same way the old town expanded outward, João hopes to expand some of his cultural events into the three public squares within the Vila Adentro.

The Menezes de Oliveira family look forward to welcoming more exclusive events, clubs and social events as their contribution to the city’s inspiring theme ‘Faro, Cidade Velha, Cidade Viva’ (Faro, Old City, Alive City) and there is every indication they will realise their dream.

I asked João about the legends of the ‘mouras encantadas’: he said there were way too many to tell. In a way, the Muralhas de Faro is like an enchanted moor herself, or like one of those hidden treasures gracefully waiting to be found. She isn’t just another venue; she’s a mystical setting for a continuing historical narrative being created forward in that cultural ambience centered on food, arts and human interconnection.

Last but not least… If you pass by on a Friday or Saturday after 21:00, take a peek to see if the big green gates are open... and if they are, you might be lucky to find its little terrace bar open upstairs. The service is friendly and the barman knows what he is talking about. You could get a drink and have a wander around...keeping your eyes open for the next hidden treasures.

ECENTLY, my wife and I took a trip up to Central Portugal. It was a nostalgic one, as the village we bunked down in is the village that gave birth to both her parents. As a result, there are a multitude of family connections, lifelong family friends and a rich tapestry of relationships interwoven throughout the village.

In my father-in-law ’s day, there were 2,000 inhabitants, now there are roughly 400. Many homes lie abandoned, many others are for sale, but the countryside is still as spectacular as it always was, albeit even more inviting now that the challenges of the past are a little easier to overcome.

In the 40s and 50s, life was based on subsistence farming and the family worked the fields, picking olives, cultivating potatoes and other crops and using everything they harvested. Occasionally, an animal was slaughtered and preserved in large granite containers filled with olive oil. Naturally, when the weather didn’t play ball, crops were spoiled and a life in the city afforded more security. Many people urbanized, including my in-laws.

I’m always on the lookout for a great video opportunity, so before sunrise (after four hours of sleep), I set off for Monsanto, a neighbouring hilltop village. It rises like a large pimple 300 metres above the surrounding plateau and is famous for its rock dwellings. Massive granite boulders have created spaces underneath where locals have built homes sheltering them from harsh variances in weather.

This most Portuguese of Portuguese villages hosted the television series Game of Thrones, and I hiked up to the very top to see what all the fuss was about.

In the nick of time

It exceeded all my expectations and I sat on one of the highest rocks, gazing pensively as the sun slowly lit a magnificent landscape all around. I sat there. Thinking. Watching. Observing. Sun beams reached their slow fingers into the valleys.

I rose and strolled around the pinnacle. Castle walls stood firm from the time of the Templar Knights, and I came across an old brass plaque. It announced that a revered author had documented 50 or so castles that held the Portuguese nation together. Fifty!

I did some research and found a list of 62 castles covering the entire border of Portugal. An idea started percolating in my early morning brain. Imagine going on a journey to film all 62 of them...

In-between evading the scorching heat of the day and attending the obligatory town festival late at night, I ventured out on some more early morning missions.

I notched up a few additional castles, including those in the nearby villages of Sabugal, Penamacor and Penha Garcia; all beautiful, silent icons of history. I hiked around the Meimoa dam, dipping in for a refreshing swim and we lunched in Castelo Branco: shockingly cheap prices and fantastic food.

I visited Alpedrinha and interviewed some of the new locals: a large contingent of British expats have moved into this paradise over the years and are taking advantage of the cheap property prices and great lifestyle. It’s wonderful to see how well accepted they are into the local community.

Life up there is surprisingly liveable; my kneejerk reaction was to wonder how people can settle for such a remote environment, but in reality everything you need is nearby. Have a squiz at my YouTube channel to see if I can actually make the dream come true: filming 62 castles all around Portugal!

I’m always on the lookout for a great video opportunity, so before sunrise I set off for Monsanto, a neighbouring hilltop village.

NICK ROBINSON FINDS VISITING HIS IN-LAWS IN CENTRAL PORTUGAL BECOMES MORE THAN JUST A FAMILY OUTING, BUT RATHER OPENS THE DOORS TO NEW OPPORTUNITIES

personal trainers

PORTUGAL COULD RUN RINGS AROUND SUSTAINABLE SHOE BRANDS. THE FOOTWEAR INDUSTRY HERE WILL INVEST €140 MILLION OVER THE NEXT THREE YEARS TO BECOME “ THE INTERNATIONAL REFERENCE IN THE DEVELOPMENT OF SUSTAINABLE SOLUTIONS”. TRAINERS IN PARTICULAR ARE HAVING A REAL MOMENT

Words: PIPPA O'KEEFE

THIS FOOTWEAR powernation is youthful, modern, forwardfacing and one that unites the best in craft and tradition, cuttingedge technology and a heightened sense of design and creativity.

China currently accounts for over 60% of total footwear production worldwide, so it’s a pretty welcome change to see ‘made in Portugal’.

Continuing our bid to rid fast fashion, this month we are exploring Portuguese trainer brands (another Algarvian Autumnal wardrobe staple).

Portuguese responsibly-made kicks come in a variety of silhouettes, colours, and materials – here are the brands that will get your feet, and your style sense, up and running:

1. DIVERGE Founded by a group of friends, Diverge delivers original, handmade and customizable trainers. They also get a big green tick for being B Corp certified. Nothing says unique footwear like wearing something custom made. The Smiles / €220 diverge-sneakers.com

2. AMBITIOUS Ambitious by name, ambitious by nature, this is a fashion-forward brand, evolved out of a family business based on the values of quality, tradition and manufacturing excellence. These retro runners celebrate the heritage of the Olympic Games and are made using vegan certified and recycled materials. And nothing turns heads like a pop of colour!

RHOME W Retro Runner / €159 ambitious-brand.com

3. 0X ESC Esc packs a punch as a small brand with big attitude. They favour slow fashion instead of fast fashion and all their footwear is sustainably produced. They design their shoes to look exclusive and make a statement. These chunky men’s trainers do just that!

Alrick Sneakers / €69 esc---store.com

4. NEW.VE Consciously designed, created and produced in Portugal, New.ve is a company that focuses on using components that, in some way, are eco friendly and alternative to materials from animal origin. These super comfortable unisex trainers are ideal for everyday wear.

Arctic Beach Sand / €129 newve.pt

5. SANJO Sanjo are the cool kids on the block. They make trainers

for both adults and children and their kicks are 100% produced in Portugal, with a focus on quality, comfort and exclusivity, and have been doing so for over 85 years. Sanjo Kids V100 / €69.50 sanjo.pt

6. ALGORI Algori is a brand born and raised in the northern region of Portugal and inspired by retro urban and sporty vibes. These 90s-inspired gender-neutral trainers have been created with a strict ethical code, making sure that raw materials have the least environmental impact possible, and that the people who work with them are fairly treated.

Boston Soul Blue Sneaker / €140 algoribrand.com

7. APPLE OF EDEN Apple of Eden is the trendy brainchild of its Portuguese and German founders.

The movers and shakers from Hamburg combine their extensive experience in the shoe business and their unfailing feel for trends, colours, and styles with traditional Portuguese production knowhow to produce a range with real personality. These metallic trainers add chic to jeans or a dress. Sansa Metallic Gold / €199.95 appleofedenshoes.com

8. GLADZ Gladz is a 100% animal-friendly shoe line, inspired by the evolution of the feminist movement and the revolutionary figure of Simone de Beauvoir, thus the brand responds to the desires for affirmation, sophistication and distinction of the contemporary woman. These white cotton trainers are timeless and feminine, a new-season must-have.

Core Vegan Sneakers / €198 gladz.pt

See pages 41–42 for the benefits of running, plus lots of tips

distinguishes itself from all the other workforce shoe collections by matching the latest fashion trends with the most innovative technology of comfort and safety. These Portuguese-made trainers are built to last with eco-design methodologies. Work smarter not harder, you might say.

X-101 / €162 toworkfor.pt

Cloud is a brand rooted in the desire to evoke freedom, lightness and playfulness. Their shoes are designed to be so comfortable that they are like walking on clouds! These Vanessa women’s shoes zip up so are ideal for the lazy lacers. Vanessa / €156 cloud-footwear.com

Friendly Fire is a footwear brand that values quality, exclusivity and detail in each product. They set out to create shoes that invite women to express their personalities and have since evolved to give children that same opportunity. These young ladies’ shoes certainly have charm.

Gala Children Crystal / €190 friendlyfire.pt

11. FRIENDLY FIRE

10. CLOUD FOOTWEAR

sweet talk

LATE HARVEST BOTRYTISED WINES HAVE A PARTICULAR PERSONALITY WITH A NATURAL SWEETNESS PRODUCED FROM CAREFULLY-TREATED WITHERED, SHRIVELED GRAPES. HERE IN PORTUGAL, THERE ARE MANY PARTICULARLY FINE EXAMPLES

Words: LÍVIA MOKRI

SWEET WINES have been highly appreciated across the centuries, dating back in popularity to ancient Rome. But the beginning of botrytised wines is associated with the Tokaj region of Hungary, where the first records register 1560. The wines gathered notice in the 17th and 18th centuries and today Tokaji Aszú is one of the most famous sweet wines in the world.

Germany also contributed to the development of botrytised wines in the 18th century, when the owner of an estate in the Rheingau failed to give the order for the harvest and the grapes became affected by ‘noble rot’.

The Sauternes region of Bordeaux is another example, where, as the story goes, the first botrytised wine was made by chance in 1815. After this, the late harvest process conquered the world, and here in Portugal, ‘Colheita Tardia’ was the result. There is no exact date for the production of the country’s first late harvest – the only certainty is that Colheita Tardia is the most recently-produced sweet wine in this country, after Port Wine, Moscatel de Setúbal, Moscatel do Douro, Madeira Wine, Carcavelos, and Licoroso dos Açores.

And today more and more producers are

focusing on this market sector and on a wine that goes through an extremely rigorous production process that starts in November or early December to give the white grapes time to take on Botrytis cinerea, ‘noble rot’. This is a type of fungus that covers the skin of the grapes, allowing them to concentrate the flavour, which develops in humid environments resulting in the dehydration of the berries, and a chemical reaction that affect the acidity and sugar. In an ideal situation, humid nights and morning fog allow the development of the fungus, while sunny and dry days slow its evolution and help the evaporation of water and dehydration of the berries.

Botrytis cinerea penetrates the berry through microcracks in the skin and so begins the battle between the plant and the fungus. The skin becomes macerated and thinner, and like a sponge, facilitates the evaporation of water. The berry decreases in size up to five times, which explains the concentration of sugars.

The presence of the fungus significantly alters the composition of the berry with a strong impact on winemaking and, above all, on the organoleptic characteristics of the wine, since the noble rot induces greater aromatic complexity.

The fungus eventually dies. And the harvest has to take place at the right time.

Grapes and winemaking

In Portugal, it is not easy to find a place where the right conditions are met for the development of noble rot. Here, the Sémillon grape variety (the synonym Boal) is used a lot, especially in the Douro; Arinto and Fernão Pires are also options. In Dão, the Encruzado is in partnership with Malvasia Fina, sometimes with Furmint and Viognier. Vinho Verde relies on Avesso, which gives a very particular character to the late-harvest wines. Although European legislation establishes 45g/L of sugar as the minimum limit for a wine to be considered sweet, the sugar content of Colheita Tardia in Portugal varies between 80 and 160g/L. And the result is a sweet wine, with a very peculiar bitterness, aromatic and long, which provides an excellent gastronomic experience. These wines, despite being known for their longevity, should be enjoyed fresh, at a temperature of 10-12ºC.

Take your pick

GRANDJÓ LATE HARVEST, FROM DOURO

Real Companhia Velha in the Douro owns a beautiful Quinta located in the small village of Granja de Alijó. The brand Grandjó was created through a fusion of both words: Granja and Alijó, and became the company’s oldest active brand. On this vineyard, the morning fog is followed by hot and humid afternoons – ideal conditions for the development of the Botrytis Cinerea fungus.The result is a sweet and unctuous wine that can last 15-20 years. realcompanhiavelha.pt/en/ wines/douro/grandjo/late-/ late-harvest €61.40

DONA ERMELINDA LATE HARVEST, FROM SETÚBAL

Casa Ermelinda Freitas has been dedicated to wine production since 1920; its vineyards are located in Fernando Pó, a privileged area of the Palmela region.

Made from the Sauvignon Blanc grape, it presents a golden-yellow colour and an earthy aroma with notes of honey on the nose. On the palate, it is full and sweet, with a balance between acidity and sugars, making it a fresh wine, with a persistent and pleasant ending.

garrafinhas.pt/produto/ casa-ermelinda-freitascolheita-tardia €14.75

Pairing suggestions

One of the classic pairings for these wines is foie gras, where the intense flavour and high fat content are perfectly complimented by the wine when it is served chilled. And desserts with cream, like creme brûlée, or fruit, like apple pie, pair well with late-harvest wines. From the world of cheeses, Roquefort is another classic combination. Goat’s cheese can also be an option; try it with a side dish of apricot jam for a special combination of flavours. Another partner for lateharvest wines is a cured cheese, such a Portugal’s famous São Jorge, where its saltiness and spiciness are delicious with the smooth creamy character of the wine.

KO - LATE HARVEST, FROM THE ALGARVE

Quinta do Barranco Longo was founded in 2001 in the Algarve. Dedicated to the production of still and sparkling wines, the producer takes advantage of the good local terroir, the Mediterranean climate, and the sun. This sweet white wine, a blend of Moscatel, Viognier, and Chardonnay grapes offers the fruitness of fig and a hint of orange on the palate. The name KO refers to ‘Knockout’ – that winning punch for the perfect end to a meal. quintadobarrancolongo. com €25.50

VINHA D’ERVIDEIRA, FROM THE ALENTEJO

Ervideira is a family project in the Alentejo region that since 1880 has focused on creating truly exclusive wines. One of them is this lateharvest wine made from the Antão Vaz grape variety. Intense aroma of dried and tropical fruits, figs, marmalade and honey, with some citrus notes on the nose. And on the palate, it reveals a pleasant sweetness and an interesting volume and a vibrant acidity in a long finish.

ervideira.pt/produto/ vinhos/vinhadervideira/vinhadervideira-vindimatardia-branco €18

JOÃO CLARA LATE HARVEST, FROM THE ALGARVE

As the fruit of the dream of the eldest daughter of the producer, João Clara’s late harvest was born, where the white grape turned to gold, giving rise to their first late-harvest wine in the Algarve. This golden-coloured drink, made from a mixture of Algarvian grape varieties, shows floral aromas on the nose. On the palate, a sweet start and a very refreshing finish. Wine to start or end a meal and great to accompany desserts. gotaagotawinehouse. pt/joao-clara-lateharvest €17.80

ORTIGÃO LATE HARVEST 2009, FROM BAIRRADA

At the end of the 19th century, the Alegre family, with deep roots in Bairrada, started producing sparkling wine. Ortigão was produced from the manuallyharvested and carefully-selected Arinto and Cercial grapes, in their advanced stage of ripeness, but without rot.

The crystalline goldencoloured wine presents aromas of candied fruits, with crunchy acidity on the palate. portugalvineyards.com/ en/bairrada/13447ortigao-lateharvest-2009.html €31.85

Jim’s

Beautifully styled turbans, and an amazing collection of lightweight and affordable wigs. Used as part of your cancer treatment or simply for aesthetic well-being.

Private salon with complete discretion and care.

Getting there

TIME FLIES. THE SUMMER IS AT AN END AND FOR MANY IT ’ S THE TIDYING UP AFTER A BUSY SEASON. FOR JACK AND WALTER, IT ’ S COMING TO THE GRAND FINALE OF YEARS OF WORK TO CREATE THE CASA AMOR OF THEIR DREAMS, AND SOON THEIR BOUTIQUE HOTEL WILL BE OPEN FOR BUSINESS

Words: ELAINE JOYCE

TURBANS

LAST MONTH, we left Jack and Walter nervous but excited, enthusiastic but anxious, as they waited for the completion date of the Casa Amor development, which they’d hoped would be ready to welcome guests in the autumn.

When we met them early that month to talk about our October issue, they didn’t know if their time goal would be achieved. So, while getting ready for the big opening, we asked them about the ten places they particularly like in the Algarve... the ones that they will share with their future guests.

“Our ten favourite places? Not to mention Olhão, its beautiful islands or the Ria Formosa? Okay, I’m going for it,” said Jack. “I’m thinking of Pedro and Michael’s Côrte Real Gallery. It’s a wonderful discovery, in Paderne.

“The gallery itself, tucked up a hill above the village, is a very special place, an old farmhouse, where we like to get lost, while never forgetting to lower our heads going from room to room and up the stairs to yet another area. We appreciate their artistic choices and it is here that we

HAIR ARTIST | HAIR PIECES | PRIVATE GYM

discovered Juan Galan whose creation will join Casa Amor. He usually paints plants and patios like no one else; you can hear the water flowing and feel the freshness...”

And Walter? “Right next to Olhão, in Moncarapacho, I like to venture into the Monterosa grove and mill. They produce olive oil there – very special olive oils, each with its own taste personality. The Maçanilha is perhaps my favourite – it’s fresh and elegant, perfect on toasted bread from Pão com Manteiga. We will have both at Casa Amor. At Monterosa, you can participate in tastings or take a walk in the splendid grove, with the scent of orange blossoms, the view of olive trees. The drive in is beautiful, lined with palm trees”.

On the Algarve you can’t escape the beach conversation, and you just have to take the boat from Olhão to the islands. The beach of Cacela Velha is another real love of the duo’s.

“First there’s the charming little village and the view of the Ria Formosa and the ocean... there is an air of the Caribbean here,” says Jack. “We take the path that descends to the ocean and we cross on foot or by small boat – the tide makes the decision for us – and we walk a little. Even in August there are wide open spaces, and out of season it’s a real pleasure.”

Above left, clockwise: The costume museum in São Brás; Painting by Juan Galan; Côrte Real Gallery; the cloisters of the Faro Museum; Silves castle; the beach at Cacela Velha

“And if you like walking, just wander along the beaches, but also look at them from above: the 7 Hanging Valleys offer a magical hike from Algar Seco and the cave of Boneca to the Praia de Marinha, a 10-kilometre walk that will clear your head and let you see beautiful hearts. Amor, Amor,” Walter smiles.

Next, it’s to São Brás de Alportel, where Jack and Walter discovered the Museu do Traje. “The historic house itself that is home to various collections is exceptional,” Jack reports. “As a costume museum, it is rich in content that tells a story of the past. The collection is not focused purely on the folkloric, but also tells the lightness of the Roaring Twenties and the harshness of war.”

For Walter, the Faro Museum deserves a visit: “It is housed in the former convent Nossa Senhora da Assunção, which dates from the XVI century. I love its cloister – so soothing – and the huge mosaic of the ocean of the 3rd century, so delicate.

“In a radically different style is the sardine museum of Portimão, that tells through photographs, sculptures and displays how this little fish has carried an entire country.”

And when a change of scenery is called for? “Olhão is ideally located to discover the region – you could say that from here you are far from nothing,” muses Jack. “For surfing, Aljezur and the Vicentine coast are only an hour and a half away, and on a heatfilled day in Olhão, escaping to Monchique is always a good idea: you discover another Algarve. Mount Fóia is the highest point in the region, and if you are short of breath, you can just enjoy the thermal baths, forget the worries and de-stress.”

A destination is missing to conclude the top ten of Casa Amor: “It’s difficult to limit yourself to ten,” sighs Walter, “but let’s go to Silves and its red sandstone castle. During the medieval festival in August you are transported back in time. It is an amazing experience that is fun for the whole family.”

So life goes on for the Casa Amor supremos as they ready themselves for the big day. When will that be? Jack and Walter don’t want to give a definite date right now as they don’t want to disappoint those who are waiting patiently and looking forward to what will be the grand event of the autumn.

Time spent at Monterosa is a learning experience and a chance to sample the best in olive oils

a question of charity ...making a real difference

WE ARE FREQUENTLY ASKED BY ALGARVEPLUS READERS WHO HAVE CHOSEN TO MAKE THE ALGARVE THEIR HOME, HOW THEY CAN HELP THE LESS FORTUNATE HERE. WE TALKED TO ONE PARTICULAR CHARITY BASED IN OLH Ã O ABOUT ITS WORK AND ITS NEEDS AND HOW OTHERS CAN GET INVOLVED

Let’s start with the name, Somos Esperança. What does it mean?

Somos Esperança means We Are Hope because when times are tough, usually it’s hope that dissolves away first: without it, life is (literally) hopeless. Mind you, we’re also known by our Instagram name – Love For All. Both names mean everything to us and, hopefully, to our clients, too.

When did you start your programme?

The Charity was born at the very beginning of the Covid pandemic.

And who and what was involved when you launched?

For some years previously, Patricia (the charity’s President) had been heroically running an amazing private support network for needy local people and families out of the

front room of her family home. Kevin runs a small tasca in Olhão called Chá Chá Chá; when the Pandemic hit, many local casually employed fishermen could no longer afford to feed their families, so Chá Chá Chá started offering around 35 free lunches a day for those in need.

Patricia and Kevin joined forces, initially using Kevin’s small lock-up from where they started a food box scheme that provided for all a family’s food needs for the week. They took in donations of food, clothes and furniture from kind members of the local community and from Chá Chá Chá’s suppliers. Any shortfall was made up by Chá Chá Chá .

What sets Love for All apart from other local charities?

Patricia was (and remains!) insistent that the

Charity’s clients be treated first and foremost with dignity; many clients are working people fallen on hard times, often through no fault of their own, whilst the mental or physical health of other clients renders them unfit for work or unsuited to social society.

Are you still operating informally?

We very quickly outgrew our premises and in July 2021 rented privately a run-down house at Rua Almirante Reis 145, near the railway line in Olhão. We spent money and hundreds of hours renovating it to become the multipurpose centre it is today. The Charity was formally incorporated on 16 July 2021.

And how many people do you help?

Today, the Charity has 42 registered clients.

What services do you offer?

A freshly-made, nutritious lunch is offered six days a week, with filling, tasty main courses plus salads, fresh fruit and drinks. A food box is offered for the Sundays that we are closed.

Is it only food?

The house features a clothes ‘shop’ with separate departments for women, children and men. Donated clothes are washed, mended and pressed. They are free to take, but donations in return of, say, a half dozen eggs or a morning’s help in the kitchen, are encouraged.

Food and clothes – what about for those people you’re helping to get back on their feet?

We also have a furniture ‘shop’ three doors down to help those clients recently relocated to set up a new home.

Often people in need, especially the elderly, have health issues that need addressing. The charity provides wheelchairs and crutches, plus adult diapers and simple medicaments. Patricia also helps clients get

registered at the Centro de Saúde – even if they lack their Cartão de Cidadão – takes them to their consultations, and advocates for them.

What about Olhão’s homeless population?

A few of our clients are street people. They visit us for a hot shower and a shave, then leave with clean clothes, a full tummy, and their heads held higher. We also have a fortnightly visit from a hairdresser, and in the winter evenings we do a hot food run for them.

Do you have permanent staff?

We rely entirely on volunteers – there are a few kind-hearted expats who volunteer (and polish up their Portuguese language skills in the process), as well as various clients and local community members. We always need more volunteers!

How are you funded?

The Charity receives no state or Municipal help (though not for want of asking). We are funded by donations of money, mostly from clients of Chá Chá Chá, donations of goods from the local Portuguese and the expat community, and donations of food from the local community and, occasionally, Chá Chá Chá’s suppliers. A fundraiser run by three wonderful members of the expat community put on a dinner at Chá Chá Chá. Another dear friend has designed a Friends of the Charity scheme with various levels of annual donations called the Cegonhas. There’s a Golf Day at Benamor being organised for January 26th but the truth is, we’re always desperate for funds. The substantial shortfall each year is met by Chá Chá Chá.

What percentage of the charity’s income goes towards its administration?

A FINAL THOUGHT… WHAT ARE YOUR AMBITIONS FOR THE CHARITY?

Zero. 100% of all donations are translated into direct tangible help for our clients.

How has the Cost of Living crisis affected you?

It’s a struggle. The landlord has recently raised our rent by 50%; donations are down and all costs are up.

What about the future?

We have just rented previously disused premises three doors down from us as a larger furniture ‘store’. There we will also be able to offer emergency (max three nights) housing for those families or individuals who find themselves temporarily homeless.

How can I help?

Thank you! You can donate money via www.paypal.me/foodbankolhao or via www.gofundme.com/fundraiser-loveforall Contact us please for Cegonha membership and for our bank details if you’d like to set up a transfer or Standing Order. Oh, and donations in person at Chá Chá Chá are always welcome, too!

Is there a Tax Scheme?

Yes. If you’re a Portuguese taxpayer you can nominate us as your Charity of choice and we’ll receive up to 0.5% of the tax you pay.

What about food, clothes and home stuff?

We’re always delighted to receive fresh and packaged food, clean clothes, and furniture, homewares and kitchen equipment in good condition. We’re generally unable to arrange pick-ups; please contact Patricia to receive deliveries.

And how can I volunteer?

We’ll welcome you with open arms! Please contact Patricia or Kevin to become part of our loving, happy family.

We have three. The first is financial stability so that we are not constantly living hand to mouth and always having to beg for favours. Next is to open a local lunch diner (we’re eyeing up some premises as we speak). This will both allow us to create a modest income stream for the Charity whilst also offering training, employment and growth opportunities for some of our clients. And lastly, it would be absolutely wonderful if the work that we’re doing was successful enough that it made the Charity’s work redundant! Our aim is not to keep people dependent upon our services but wherever possible and practical to help lift them to realise their potential to live in a better, sustainable state within the tough-but-tolerant Olhão community. A big thank you to AlgarvePLUS for featuring our work.

Somos Esperança Associação de Solidariedade Rua Almirante Reis 145, 8700-365 Olhão / President Patrícia Guerreiro Treasurer Kevin Gould / NIF

soap story

IF YOU ’ RE IN SEARCH OF A BUNCH OF THE BEST, YOU SHOULD LOOK AT THE WORK OF ILONA MATIKO, AN ALGARVE-BASED ARTISAN WHO SCULPTS WONDEROUS PIECES FROM A SURPRISING MATERIAL

Words: REBECCA MOODY

WHEN YOU think of art, you’ll no doubt think of paintbrushes, watercolours, pottery or other such things. Soap, however, would be one of the last things you’d expect to find an artist working with. Time to meet Ilona, and her bouquet of sculpted flowers.

For the past few years, Ilona Matiko has been crafting the most exquisite blooms out of soap. And, just like many of the best artists, she still struggles to comprehend how beautiful her creations are – and how talented she really is!

Surprisingly, her journey into soap making is quite a simple one. As a creative who enjoys exploring different DIY projects, she’d stumbled upon a video on how to make soap, which both intrigued and excited her… and prompted her to order 2kg of soap. When it arrived it took no time for her to start molding it into small heart shapes. “Something just clicked,” she explains.

Thrilled with the results, she started experimenting with different colours, adding sparkles and trying out various scents.

What started as a spare-time hobby has become a full-time profession for Ilona Matiko, who sculpts fine pieces in soap

Blossoming out

Soon, she was delving deeper into the art of soap making. And she discovered a plethora of YouTube channels on how to make show-stopping soap flowers. The rest, they say, is history – and what had once been an experiment and a fun pastime became an obsession and, eventually, a business.

Ilona ordered 100kg of soap and a number of molds and fed her newfound passion, each day inspired to do more, to create more, to learn from each piece she fashioned.

She started to share her creations with friends and colleagues, gifting everything to them, and they, understandably, loved what she was producing.

It took no time at all before people –having seen one of her pieces – began enquiring how and where they could find one to purchase, little knowing what material she was working with. When they discovered that the bouquets and flower arrangements were crafted entirely from soap, they were astonished.

Ilona explains: “Their reactions puzzled me at first, as I failed to recognise the uniqueness of my creations, but I learned fast to appreciate their comments. I can honestly say that Portugal allowed me to feed what had become my passion.”

Why here?

Born in Ukraine, Ilona had worked for nine years in London as the duty manager of a hotel before she recently relocated to the Algarve, and Portimão. She said she had always dreamed of living by the sea. “Perhaps the universe granted me my wish because it sent me a Portuguese boyfriend,” she laughs.

Luckily, and minus the often headacheinducing bureaucracy here, Ilona is fascinated with her new life.

As we residents – some of us for many a decade now – know, our world here is less stressful than it would be in a big city, but it was not only that which appealed to Ilona; it was also an appreciation of the strong family values held by the Portuguese themselves, which remind her of Ukraine.

Moving here has also allowed her to dedicate her time to her soap-making hobby

while learning Portuguese. At present, her kitchen is her workshop, but that hasn’t dampened her creativity.

If anything, Portugal has served to fuel her imagination. She explains: “There are times when I spend hours contemplating how to craft a specific flower, what colour scheme to go for, or how to bring an idea to life. But I only begin working on it in the middle of the night when my muse chooses to visit me.”

The sky’s the limit. In the future, Ilona hopes to have her own workshop where visitors can come by and see her in action. Until then, you can find all of her latest designs on her Instagram page where you can also connect with her and place an order.

While she can’t promise she’ll replicate an exact design, Ilona can craft orders to specific requirements including preferred flower types, colours, sizes and pots.

Using these, Ilona then allows her muse to guide her as she crafts a piece that embodies her creative vision, while bringing the individual’s order to life.

She can then hand-deliver these orders within an hour of Portimão, although some orders may be posted if they’re not too fragile.

A lasting beauty

And the real beauty of these flowers? They won’t wither away after a few weeks! Ilona explains that, to preserve the flowers, they simply need keeping out of direct sunlight, especially during the summer when the melting temperature is quite low (around 60 degrees).

During autumn and winter, it is recommended to keep your flower arrangements in dry places because high humidity can lead to condensation. However, in some cases, this only adds to the beauty of the bouquets.

Imagine the roses with dew drops on them! That’s why several of Ilona’s friends keep their soaps in the bathroom as they just love this natural effect.

With Christmas fast approaching, Ilona’s soap flowers are the perfect alternative to the ‘real deal’. Not only will they last longer but thanks to their stunning hand-crafted design, they’re a truly unique gift. Great for friends, loved ones, colleagues or the person who has everything, Get in touch with Ilona to order your one-of-a-kind gift today.

When people discovered that the bouquets and flower arrangements they were buying were crafted entirely from soap, they were astonished.

(Next door to the Gran Plaza

JOG ON

BORN TO RUN OR RUNNING SCARED? WELL-PLANNED PACES MAY BE JUST THE TICKET TO INCREASED HEALTH AND LONGEVITY.

NO GYM NEEDED, ONLY A BIT OF DETERMINATION

Words: SALLY DIXON

HAVING LOATHED cross country running as a child, I’ll never forget my first foray back into proper running as an adult. The feelings hadn’t changed. Wanting to impress a new boyfriend who was very much into running, I agreed to go for a run with him around Regent’s Park Outer Circle (it’s 4.45km in case you’re wondering) in London.

Twenty minutes in I started to cry: that distinct memory of feeling like I couldn’t breathe, let alone take another step forward. Yep, still hated running.

I persevered though, and what started as a hatred for pounding the pavements soon turned into a love affair (not with him I might add).

The inner peace created from putting one foot in front of the other, and not thinking about much else, was indescribable. A crappy day at work just seemed to melt into those London pavements as I officially became a runner.

Fast forward to one of those nights out where, fuelled by a couple of drinks, you agree to do something stupid, and I soon found myself signed up for the 2006 Venice marathon. Having

missed two flights to get there (that’s another story) I crossed the finish line in just over four hours, and again the feeling was indescribable. The atmosphere, the buzz, the sense of achievement, I loved it!

My days of running took me to places I probably wouldn’t have gone, exploring new areas on training runs; eagerly lacing up my trainers and heading out to explore new cities on my travels. My peak training run for the Berlin marathon (oh yes, I signed up for another one!) coincided with a work trip to Hawaii and took me 20 miles through beautiful tropical scenery I might not have otherwise seen (yes, the heat was intense!).

But enough of my running reminiscing, let’s get down to fitness facts. Love it or hate it, running has some great benefits. An article published in the November 2012 issue of Heart Journal, aptly titled “Run for your life... at a comfortable speed and not too far”, looked at how we don’t need to be running marathons to reap the benefits of running. It seems slow and steady really does win the race.

The long-running (no pun intended!) Copenhagen City Heart Study started in 1975 as a cardiovascular population study of 20,000 women and men aged 20-93 years old.

Aside from looking into coronary heart disease and stroke, the study randomly selected 1,878 joggers (followed for 35 years) compared to 16,827 non-joggers and found that those who jogged three times a week, at a slow to average pace for up to 2.5 hours a week, experienced increased longevity. Interestingly though, more was not necessarily better, those jogging at an increased pace and for more than four hours a week didn’t reap the same longevity benefits.

The gist of it is that if you’re jogging at a low to moderate pace, not more than three days a week and for not more than 2.5 hours total for the week then you could be in line for some positive health benefits and adding precious years to your life.

So, how to get started?

If the thought of lacing up your trainers fills you with dread, as it did me in the beginning, then a little help from technology might be what’s needed.

The Couch to 5K app was created in 2016 through a collaboration with Public Health England and the BBC. The app has been downloaded a whopping 6.5 million times since it was launched, helping millions of people ease their way into running with a beginner’s plan that starts with a mix of walking and running.

Regular low intensity running may help with cardiovascular health, bone density, lung capacity, reduced risk of long-term illness, better sleep quality, immune system health, cognitive function, and self-esteem. Aside from using an app to stoke your running motivation, one of the best ways to get in to running is with a group.

Back when I started my love affair with running, Nike would do a weekly run from their shop at Oxford Circus and into the park. Even though it gave me cross country vibes due to having to wear a numbered illuminous vest, it was a great way to meet people and an effortless way to run without dwelling on how many miles I’d done/how long I’d been running for.

Teaming regular runs with strength training, stretching and mobility work is a great way to add life to your years and years to your life.

5 tips before you start

1Take time to warm-up and cool down

Once you’ve made the decision to actually get outdoors, don’t go straight into a run. Your body will thank you later for doing some simple, dynamic warm-up exercises and cool down stretches post-run.

2

Don’t run in excessive heat

If you’re new to running, don’t think about heading out in your lunch break unless we’re in the cooler months of the year. Yes, it’s good to sweat to help the body release toxins but overdoing it in high temperatures and midday sun may stress the body too much.

3

Invest in a good pair of running trainers

Absolutely no popping on your Converse and going for a run! Running trainers provide essential support where needed – the last thing you want is to come back with a load of blisters and uncomfortable feet and ankles.

4 Watch your terrain

If hills aren’t your thing, don’t tackle them. Don’t push yourself beyond your limits before you’re ready. Likewise, if you know you’re a little unsteady on your feet then avoid off-road running. One misstep on rocky terrain and your running days may be curtailed with a sprained ankle or worse

5 Have fun!

Exercise should have an element of fun. Walk if you need to and don’t berate yourself if you don’t make a certain number of miles. Just go with the flow and remember that some days you’ll have a shocker of a run where you didn’t manage much at all, and others you’ll be flying like Mo Farah.

Check out the running options in the Algarve: -portugalist.com/running-algarve/ - komoot.com/guide/102021/running-trails-atthe-algarve

- greatruns.com/location/algarve-portugal - thecampusqdl.com/en/events

ist & ism

IMPRESSIONIST, CUBIST OR POINTILLIST – THE BEGINNING OF EACH WORD ENABLES A COMPLETE ART-ILLITERATE TO UNDERSTAND THE TERM. SURREALISM AND REALISM ARE ALSO SELF-EXPLANATORY. BUT WHEN IT COMES TO FAUVISM THERE IS NO OBVIOUS CLUE

Words: CAROLYN KAIN

THE WORD ‘fauve’ was used to suggest that the artists were wild beasts. Intended as an insult, one French art critic went so far as to say the Fauves “had hurled a paint pot in the face of the public.”

It was the first artistic revolution of the 20th century and it caused critics to question the impulsive artwork and to abuse the artists who produced it. They ridiculed the intense colours, the sweeping brushstrokes and unconventional perspectives.

Other artists, most of them French, joined the movement despite being dubbed in the press as ‘Cage aux Fauves’–members of the wild beasts den! More prominent members such as Matisse and Cezanne were referred to as ‘incoherents’ and ‘invertebrates’.

The public were more receptive and between 1905 and 1910 three salons were held in Paris to display the group’s work. Fellow artists appreciated that the Fauves had been influenced by the wonderful bright colours used by Gauguin and van Gogh. Further down the line Edvard Munch, Degas, Manet and Monet acknowledged their own work had been stimulated by the Fauves. Although these extreme works of art were disparaged by

about the artist

How old were you when you decided on a career in art?

I do not remember exactly, but I think it was when I was around 27. Once I finished my art studies, and after doing solo or art exhibitions, it fascinated me, the fact that I could transmit and express myself through my work. Art has been present in my family; my maternal grandfather, Prudencio Navarro, was known for his drawings, paintings and sculptures which can be seen throughout the region.

the critics, the paintings have stood the test of time.

Today the style is represented by Andrés Moreno, one of Andalucía’s most important living Fauvist artists. Examples of his remarkable contemporary paintings are currently displayed in the Algarve at Galeria Côrte Real in Paderne. The artist presents us with an expressive force, even at times bordering on abstraction. His wide colour palette and the way each canvas develops is an expression of his emotions. The predominant use of line creates space and perspective.

He has combined his studies – a Fine Art degree awarded in 2007 by the Universities of Tenerife and Granada –with his preferred and simple lifestyle in the border town of Ayamonte. His artistic evolution is always on the move and currently it has guided him towards painting sea and landscapes.

He chooses locations on Spain’s Costa de la Luz where he can immerse himself in the surroundings. The provinces of Cadiz and Huelva have a variety of beaches; wild and occasionally windswept but in many places calm and people-free. Like Matisse, who completed a number of landscapes in Corsica and Toulouse, the signature of a fauvist is to interpret the overall mood of the environment. This is an exhibition that is really worth seeing.

Your favourite medium – and why?

The majority of my work is mixed technique. I work with acrylic, oil and collage, but acrylic is the base of my work... it is easier to manipulate and less time to dry.

What would be your dream to paint? Actually, I’ve never thought about it, but we artists are constantly creating, and sometimes we can do what we really want. However, for a long time, my dream has been to express myself through a painting of big dimensions.

Do you listen to music while you work and if so what’s top choice?

Always. First thing I do when I arrive to my studio is to play music. It is a ritual. I cannot imagine painting without music. I even have some percussion instruments, which I play on my breaks.

Is there a particular theme to the works that you showed with CôrteReal at the Art Expo Algarve in Portimão just a few weeks ago?

My work is mainly of the beaches of the Algarve and South of Spain. They are the source of my inspiration.

Home from home

A CRAVING FOR A MORE SIMPLE, AUTHENTIC LIFE BROUGHT INTERIOR DESIGNER JOURNALIST, STYLIST AND AUTHOR SERGIO DA SILVA FULL CIRCLE FROM PARIS AND LISBON BACK TO HIS ROOTS IN OLH Ă O

Words: DEBBIE REYNOLDS

DURING THE summer holidays in the Algarve, when almost everyone was on the beach or hiding from the sun, the backstreets of Olhão were almost deserted the afternoon I discovered Casa Sergio, an unassuming little store nestled somewhere between a chicken snack bar and Kozii on Rua Teofilo Braga. If it wasn’t for the man striding up to meet me, I might easily have missed it. Dressed in the typical southern Algarve summer ‘uniform’ of shorts and T-shirt, Sergio da Silva seems to have easily slotted back into the laid-back lifestyle of his youth.

He was just four years old when his parents moved the family to Paris in the early 1970s to escape the authoritarian Salazar regime. “They wanted a better life for our family – my two sisters, brother and me,” he explains with a clear French accent. “Of course,” he laughs, “I went to school in Paris, so all my studies were in French, but there was a rule that we had to speak Portuguese with our parents, and we studied Portuguese twice a week at a private school.”

After finishing school, Sergio’s first choice was to study accounting, but a summer job in an interior design shop put paid to that notion.

“I realised that, no, accounting definitely wasn’t for me, so when the owner of the shop said I

could stay, my mind was made up.” The 18-year-old gobbled up the experience, moving on to work in various interior design and fashion shops, including the famed Le Bon Marche department store.

“One day the manager of the interior design shop I was working at told me that Elle France magazine was looking for a lifestyle and styling assistant and I should give it a try,” explains Sergio. “The deal was originally for one year, but I ended up staying for 21 years, working mostly in the areas of design, food, travel and styling. It was a wonderful time, meeting so many amazing people – photographers, handcrafters, designers, architects and visionaries.

“I travelled a lot in France and Europe, reporting on new hotels and restaurants, tracking trends, interviewing top designers, going to fairs and exhibitions – I loved everything about it.

“But being a weekly magazine, the job was very pressurized and demanding, and while I loved my job, it came time for me to reconnect with my roots.”

The next steps

At the end of 2018, Sergio moved to Lisbon and found a fresh, exciting city of mixed cultures, renewal and regeneration. He worked there for three years with two interior designer friends, while also consulting for the acclaimed Maison & Objet Paris fair.

Then came one of his crowning moments, researching and writing a book about Portugal’s new design ethos. Portugal Art de Vivre et Creations (Portugal Art of Living and Creations) showcases beautiful interiors and unique artisans from the North to the South. There are interviews with cork, carpet and ceramic designers, visits to farmhouses, villas, rural getaways and even a peek into the opulent Lisbon pieda-terre of famous shoe designer Christian Louboutin.

“I have been proud of all my life, but I love this book, because I met so many interesting and lovely Portuguese people doing beautiful things – it’s a new vision about Portugal now, including the contemporary shift but also celebrating our heritage.”

It was this experience that confirmed his desire to escape the big city life. “The pandemic changed a lot of things, including my urge to go home to Olhão, where my parents live. So, in 2022 I bought myself a little house near the church, renovated it and then thought about what I was going to do with my life.”

SERGIO’ S FAVOURITE THINGS

BEACHES: Barril and Ilha da Culatra

PLACES: Santa Luzia and Pinheiro

RESTAURANTS: Ta Pronto (a little traditional tasca in the market), A Do Fernando (for traditional Portuguese and good fish) and Cha Cha Cha (for the little twist) – all in Olhão, and Os Fialhos for great seafood in Pinheiro.

ICE CREAM: São Gelados – I love it!

SHOPPING: The Olhão market

He considered trying something in the tourism industry or maybe even interior design, but it was seeing the little empty store for rent in Olhão’s old town that cemented his future.

“I loved the place, which had once been a bakery and then an office, and I could see myself there, opening my own design store,” explains Sergio. Six months later, on 1 June 2023, Casa Sergio opened its doors.

“My inspiration was doing the store like I would do my own home, with pieces that I would want in my house. It’s not possible for me to sell things I don’t like,” he laughs. “I like a more modern simple, minimal styling and natural, pure materials mixed with vintage pieces –like traditional ceramics, textiles and carpets.

“I try to have mostly Portuguese design and produce, but I am also open to the world. For example, I have ecological handmade soap from Sicily, traditional walnut wood décor from Morocco and French linen napkins.”

“I’m not a true A Vida Portuguesa (three stores in Lisbon showcasing only quality Portuguese products), but I do want to capture the traditional Portuguese craftsmanship and preserve the basic culture that is fast disappearing in the Algarve.”

Personally, browsing the store, I’m enchanted by the wicker lampshades from the Azores, the beautifully handcrafted carpets from the north, the traditional pine Portuguese dining chairs and the vintage ceramic basins.

“I am still a baby at this, but I hope that this reflection of me will make people happy. I know that it’s just a little shop in a little town, but through my previous work I have a good network of people in Portugal and France, so I hope the word will spread.”

Besides sharing his innate style, Sergio is also passionate about promoting Olhão as the Algarve town that is still truly authentic, offering a more natural simple lifestyle.

“Coming from the big cities where you could be anywhere in the world, being in Olhão has helped me recharge and appreciate the simple things in life. Here we have great restaurants, a traditional food market, which is open all year, and two magical islands a ferry ride away.

“I have found my happy place and I hope that this is just the beginning. I hope I will continue to be lucky to find products that are different and reflect my unique identity. I’m also here to help people with ideas for interior design, from private homes to hotels or restaurants.”

Talking about the future, he laughs, saying his new journey has just started and a lot depends on what the universe brings, but that one day opening a Casa Sergio in Lisbon “would be a lovely idea”.

“It’s all another adventure, and I can’t wait to see where it takes me.”

of the month...

Roast chicken rillettes

IN FRANCE, RILLETTES HAVE REGIONAL VARIANCES WITH A WIDE RANGE OF INGREDIENTS AND TEXTURES. SOME HAVE A FINE TEXTURE, WHILE OTHERS ARE COARSER, AND SOMEWHAT RUSTIC. THIS RECIPE FROM AUSTRALIANS ANDREW MCCONNELL AND TROY WHEELER USES A MIXTURE OF BOTH. AND NOT ONLY IS ITS TASTE AS IMPRESSIVE AS IT LOOKS, BUT GREAT NEWS IS THAT IT CAN BE MADE IN ADVANCE. WOE YOUR GUESTS

SERVES 4

INGREDIENTS

 1.6kg chicken

 4 tbsp olive oil

 1 large onion, finely diced

 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped

 1 celery stalk, finely diced

 2 carrots, finely diced

 250ml white wine

 1.5 litres chicken stock

 80g flat-leaf parsley

 4 sprigs tarragon

 4 bay leaves

 8 sprigs thyme

 100g duck fat

 30g chives

 salt and pepper, to season

 toasted bread crisps, to serve

METHOD

1 Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).

2 Drizzle with half the olive oil over the chicken and season with salt and pepper. Place the prepared chicken in a roasting tray and cook for 50 minutes. Set aside to cool.

3 Meanwhile, prepare the base liquid. Heat a large heavy-based saucepan over a medium heat. Add the remaining olive oil, onion, garlic, celery and carrot and sauté for five minutes, or until soft and aromatic. Season lightly with salt.

4 Add the wine to the pan and continue to cook until the liquid is reduced by half. Add the chicken stock, parsley, half the tarragon, the bay leaves and two sprigs of the thyme. Increase heat to medium-high and cook until the liquid has reduced by three-quarters (or until you have approximately 500ml /two cups of liquid remaining).

Strain the liquid into another saucepan and add the duck fat, stirring until it is dissolved. Set aside to cool.

5 While the liquid is cooling, remove the skin from the chicken, trying to keep it in the largest pieces possible. Pull the meat off the carcass, shred and place in a large bowl.

6 Place the skin in one layer on a baking tray and roast for 10 minutes at 200°C (390°F), or until it is dry and crispy. Take care not to burn or overcook the skin. Set aside to drain on paper towel.

7 Season the meat with salt and pepper and finely chop the chives and remaining tarragon and thyme. Add the herbs to the meat and mix to combine. Add stock mixture and mix until combined.

8 Place the roasted chicken skin in a mortar and pestle and grind until it forms a rough crumb. Fold it through the mixture and season to taste.

9 Line a loaf tin or medium-sized ramekin with baking paper, leaving enough to overhang the edges. Place the mixture in the tin and fold baking paper edges in to cover. Refrigerate for at least six hours or overnight until set.

10 To remove the rillettes from the mould, pull the sides of the baking paper and turn the rillettes out onto a cutting board. It can be enjoyed immediately (otherwise, place in a sealed container and refrigerate for up to one week). The rillettes are best served at room temperature.

Meatsmith: Home Cooking for Friends and Family by Andrew McConnell and Troy Wheeler (published by Hardie Grant, €38.92 from amazon.de) introduces 80 glorious and elegant recipes that include classics like beef wellington and glazed roast duck with a magical touch.

GOING

WEST

PORTIMÃO WELCOMES YOU WITH OPEN ARMS, INVITING YOU TO DISCOVER ITS TIMELESS APPEAL. THIS BUZZING CITY OFFERS AN IRRESISTIBLE BLEND OF NATURAL BEAUTY, CULTURE, ENTERTAINMENT, AND A LAID-BACK ATMOSPHERE THAT ’ S HARD TO RESIST

Words: KAYLA MEIRINHO

PORTIMÃO’S HISTORY

is a tapestry woven over millennia. Evidence of prehistoric settlements mingles with the footprints of Phoenicians, Carthaginians, and Romans. The Moors, during their rule, shaped Portimão’s culture, architecture, and agriculture, leaving behind winding streets and historic edifices that stand as a testament to their legacy.

Portimão then flourished as a crucial port for maritime trade and exploration, playing a pivotal role in Portugal’s golden era during the Age of Discovery in the 15th and 16th centuries.

Today, Portimão blends history with modernity, welcoming visitors to explore its charming old town, narrow streets, and the historic Church of Our Lady of the Conception. This fusion of old-world charm and contemporary appeal makes Portimão an inviting place to experience the Algarve’s magic. And as the sun sets, Portimão’s Praia da Rocha area transforms into a vibrant nightlife hub, with a plethora of bars, nightclubs, and live music venues.

Portimão in a day

Those with just a day to savour Portimão’s delights, should embark on a journey that combines history with relaxation. Here are some must-visit spots that offer a taste of the city’s heritage and the perfect prelude to your beach escapade in Praia da Rocha.

Portimão Market: Start your day with a sensory delight at the traditional market. It’s a feast of fresh seafood, colourful produce, and an array of local products – even if you don’t plan to shop, soaking in the vibrant atmosphere is a must.

Portimão Boardwalk: Take a leisurely stroll along the riverfront boardwalk, where numerous restaurants and cafés await. This area is ideal for a relaxing evening, offering stunning views of the Arade River. It’s also a hub for booking day trips and other local experiences.

Portimão Marina: Wander along the marina’s promenade and admire the luxurious yachts and boats. Many boat tours set sail from here, offering various maritime adventures. The marina is dotted with waterfront restaurants and bars, making it a delightful place for a meal with a view.

Portimão Museum: Housed in a former sardine canning factory, the Museu de Portimão pays homage to the city’s maritime heritage. Engage with interactive exhibits and multimedia displays that captivate visitors of all ages.

Church of Nossa Senhora da Conceição: Discover tranquility and panoramic vistas at this charming hilltop church. Adorned with blue and white Portuguese azulejos, it narrates the city’s history through its tiles.

3D Fun Art Museum: Immerse yourself in the world of optical illusions and artistic wonders at this interactive museum.

Fort of Santa Catarina: Travel back to the 17th century with a visit to this fortress, nestled at the eastern end of Praia da Rocha. Although it no longer serves its defensive purpose, it offers a stunning vantage point for appreciating the coastline’s beauty.

Beaches to check out

Praia da Rocha: One of the most famous beaches in the Algarve, its name translates to ‘Rock Beach’, a nod to the dramatic limestone cliffs that frame its shores. Portimão offers golden sand beaches, crystal-clear waters, and dramatic rock formations that beckon sunbathers, swimmers, and water sports enthusiasts from across the globe. As the sun sets, the cliffs cast long shadows on the beach, creating a truly magical atmosphere.

Praia dos Três Irmãos: If you’re in search of more secluded shores, Praia dos Três Irmãos, or ‘Three Brothers Beach’ is your answer. It gets its name from the three large sea stacks that punctuate the coastline. You can explore hidden caves and grottoes when the tide is low, adding an element of adventure to your day.

Praia de Alvor: Not far from Portimão, this is a haven for those seeking tranquility. It’s a wide expanse of sand that stretches for miles, making it perfect for long thoughtful beach walks. The estuary of the Alvor River, which flows into the sea here, creates a unique blend of saltwater and freshwater ecosystems, attracting a diverse array of birdlife.

Opposite page: Church of Our Lady of the Conception; Forte São João do Arade. Right: Street art in the city; Portimão's beautiful stretches of beach

Boat Cave Tours: Departing from Portimão Marina, these tours offer captivating journeys through coastal caves and grottoes. Choose from short trips or full-day adventures, complete with a beachfront BBQ. Ophelia Cruises offers an enticing day trip with a beachside feast. opheliacatamaran.pt

Wildwatch Algarve: Embark on an unforgettable oceanic voyage to witness majestic whales and dolphins in their natural habitat and discover the wonders of marine life. wildwatch.pt

Jeep Safari Tours: Venture into the Algarve’s rugged terrain with exciting Jeep safari excursions. Go off-the-beaten-path and take in the gorgeous landscapes, hidden treasures, and enjoy this adventure. algarvejipesafari.com

Autódromo do Algarve: For adrenaline junkies, here’s the ultimate thrill. Test your mettle on this renowned racing circuit, where speed and precision converge. autodromodoalgarve.com

Skydive Algarve: If you dare, experience the ultimate adventure with a skydiving escapade. Feel the rush of freefall, and savour breathtaking views as you descend over the Algarve. skydivealgarve.com

Benagil Caves: Popular on boat tours, but good swimmers can rent a paddle board and swim to the east side around the cliff edge.

Bowling: In Praia da Rocha unwind with a competitive game of bowling. Perfect for a leisurely evening with family or friends. facebook.com/bowlingpdr/?locale=pt_PT

Slide & Splash Water Park: Perfect for a family trip or to go with a group of friends! Take a dip and enjoy thrilling water slides, lazy rivers, and aquatic adventures for all ages. slidesplash.com

Visit Lagos: Just a short drive west, this coastal town is known for its stunning beaches and historic charm. Don’t miss the iconic Ponta da Piedade, a series of sea caves and grottoes that you can explore by boat or kayak.

See Silves: Head inland to discover this historical town and its well-preserved Moorish castle and quaint streets. Expect to find a splash of colour thanks to orange groves across the landscape.

Above, clockwise: dolphin-watching; Benagil caves; jeep safari tours; sky diving. Opposite page top: The Bela Vista Hotel; below: NH Marina Resort

need-to-knows

WHERE TO STAY...

There’s a great choice of hotels in all price categories, but here are some of our favourites:

NH Marina Portimão Resort, 4-star

With family-friendly amenities and stunning waterfront views, this one is a top choice for a memorable stay.

Portimão Marina

282 460 200 nh-hotels.com/en/hotel/nh-marinaportimao-resort

Bela Vista Hotel & Spa, 5-star

This luxurious adult-only resort, part of the prestigious Relais & Chateaux collection, provides an exquisite and romantic escape for couples seeking a serene retreat.

Av. Tomás Cabreira

282 460 280 hotelbelavista.net

Turim Presidente Hotel, 4-star

An affordable and family-friendly option, providing a comfortable base for travellers exploring the region.

Av. das Comunidades Lusíadas

282 460 030 turim-hotels.com/turim-presidentehotel-pt

Tivoli Alvor Algarve, 5-star

If you’re seeking luxury and travelling with family, this all-inclusive resort will satisfy your needs. It’s a destination for relaxation and leisure.

Av. José Saramago, Amora 282 248 700 tivolihotels.com/en/tivoli-alvor

WHERE TO EAT...

Restaurante Squash

While it leans towards the pricey, Restaurante Squash offers impeccable service and delectable cuisine. With a bounty of fresh options, I recommend placing your trust in the chef for a delightful surprise. And, if you have room, don’t skip indulging in one of their desserts.

R. Eng. Francisco Bívar 282 148 507 instagram.com/restaurantesquash/

Casa da Rocha

For a memorable experience, consider dining at Casa da Rocha around 19:00 pm to secure a table with a beachfront view and a front-row seat to the captivating sunset. The fish dishes are delicious. You might want to try the fondue for

two, a uniquely enjoyable choice.

Rua da Falésia Praia da Rocha Praia da Rocha 222 222 222

Mira

Mira is a wallet-friendly option that serves up traditional Portuguese fare. While they offer sardines (a favourite among locals, but maybe not for everyone), you’ll find a variety of other tasty selections that cater to different palates.

R. Eng. Francisco Bívar 282 413 274

PimPamPum

If you’ve had your fill of fish and seek a delightful change, PimPamPum offers scrumptious and affordable burgers. With both indoor and outdoor seating available just off the boardwalk, it’s a pleasant choice for a meal.

Residências Portas da Rocha Lt.11 Loja J 964 150 923 pimpampum.eatbu.com

Merendeira

Experience the heart of Portuguese cuisine at Merendeira, where simple and affordable traditional dishes await. Here, you can savour a comforting meal of soup, bread paired with sausage, rice pudding, and a refreshing beverage.

Av. Tomás Cabreira 282 040 906 amerendeira.com

Le French Cookie

Make a daytime stop here, for freshlybaked treats tempt your taste buds. Vegan options are also on the menu.

R. Direita 8

DIARY DATES...

SPORTING EVENTS

Portimão hosts a range of sports events, from international powerboat races and sailing regattas to beach volleyball tournaments. These competitions draw athletes and spectators from around the world.

Feira de São Martinho Also known as St. Martin’s Fair, this November event marks the close of the agricultural year. Experience a vast market brimming with local products, handicrafts, and traditional cuisine. Savour roasted chestnuts, sample regional cheeses, and find unique souvenirs.

New Year’s Eve Celebrations

Expect a spectacular fireworks display over the Arade River. The riverfront promenade and Praia da Rocha beach area transform into lively centre for live music, entertainment and a jubilant atmosphere.

Know it all

COMMERCIAL SERVICES

ECO-FRIENDLY. SUSTAINABILITY. RECYCLED. GREEN CREDENTIALS. REDUCED CARBON FOOTPRINT. THERE ARE DOZENS OF TERMS APPLIED TO LIFESTYLE TRENDS AND PRODUCT MAKE UP, ALL TO HELP SAFEGUARD THE FUTURE OF OUR PLANET. BUT HOW MANY OF THEM DO YOU TRULY UNDERSTAND?

Words: LAURA SHEA

Plaza Shopping Centre)

THE MESSAGE is simple and impossible to ignore. The steps we take today are vital if we are to protect and conserve our world for tomorrow, but we need to know exactly what we should be doing and understand the advertising slogans, buzzwords and product claims that have become part of everyday conversation.

Easily one of the best-known expressions that we encounter on a daily basis is recycled. I thought I knew exactly what the term encompasses, but found that I had underestimated the range of possibilities when it comes to recycled goods. At the heart, it means to turn a waste product into something that is usable again, or to regenerate a material that can be reused in manufacturing – this is of environmental and financial benefit, of course. But it only scratches the surface of recycling today.

Zero waste initiatives are prevalent now, and you may have seen ‘recycled content’ listed on labels, an indication that producers are reusing materials that weren’t sufficiently top notch for sale, ensuring that they would be returned to the production line to be re-formulated and reused where possible.

Doing our bit and focusing on not only purchasing recycled goods, but also on recycling ourselves, means that we are all a part of the chain. It is a tough ask to cut any non-recyclable goods from our lives, but we can each make small changes. Keep recycling everything that you can at home, as it really does make a difference.

Glass bottles and jars form new items in a never-ending process, which still results in good quality products; paper and cardboard go on to make newspapers or greetings cards; and household plastics can even become polyester fabric.

To really up your green credentials (more on that later) try to switch over from any single use plastic and find a better alternative. This means less demand, and less items to possibly end up floating in our oceans and destroying the eco-system.

Something which I see as an innovative offshoot of recycling is the recent trend of ‘upcycling’ which means, in basic terms, improving an item which would otherwise be discarded. Upcycling knows no bounds. Sometimes termed ‘creative reuse’, this is a lifestyle for many people who have a flair for the arts and can always see the value in an object.

A great DIY project to take on could be to upcycle a piece of furniture that no longer suits your style into an item that you adore, (check out paints available and techniques at Kit & Caboodle in Almancil, Scarlleta Rose in Paderne-ish, or Algarve Elegance in Vale Formosa). Or how about sprucing up a denim jacket with patches and paints, and a bit of hand embroidery?

If getting your hands dirty isn’t your thing, then just keep an eye out for shops selling salvaged bits, or head to your local flea market for some unique treasures. Saving things from landfill is a huge bonus, and you can save money this way, too. Don’t overlook pre-loved fashion either, as many charity shops and second hand stores have vintage pieces and designer labels that you won’t find elsewhere.

Mentioning pre-loved fashion brings me nicely to another heavily-used word – ‘sustainable’. I often see descriptions like ‘sustainable cotton’ on clothing labels, and assumed this meant an item was a better choice to buy.

Worth knowing, however, is that in the fashion world, sustainability covers a range of environmentally-focused objectives and is most definitely a positive. To reduce any negative impact on our world, many fashion brands now try to use, where possible, materials that are made using renewable resources (cotton is a prime example) and therefore reducing their carbon footprint.

Creating goods that do not damage the environment when produced (Tencel comes to mind) has been a huge step forward in the battle against fast fashion. Sustainability in fashion is combatting environmental issues, and you may also notice ethical brands becoming more prolific now, focusing on the moral side of production and looking after the people involved.

Reducing the carbon footprint, or going carbon neutral, is another way in which we can all try to take a positive step towards protecting the environment. Many years ago, we were bombarded with the term greenhouse gases, and how they were destroying our atmosphere at an alarming rate. A carbon footprint is actually the amount of these gases that a person or activity creates, and being aware of the dangers can allow people to make changes and reduce the impact.

Many companies are working towards being carbon neutral in the fight against climate change, and this can be achieved in a number of ways. If you find a product for sale that says carbon zero or neutral, then the company almost certainly concentrates on reducing its rate of emission and also, by planting trees to remove excess carbon from the air, improving the natural world. You can reduce your own carbon footprint, too, by increasing your energy efficiency at home and by walking or using public transport instead of your car when possible.

Already mentioned several times, ecofriendly and environmentally-friendly do need a breakdown in terms of meaning and importance. Anything that has minimal or zero harmful impact to the environment is basically eco-friendly, or green!

The internet is filled with tips on how to live a more ‘green’ life, and if you look around at local shops and restaurants, you will see that a lot of the work has already been done for us and it is just a matter of making informed choices.

On a menu, if you see food described as locally sourced, it means that ingredients haven’t had to make a long journey from point of origin and due to this, it would be a low carbon footprint choice. Buying your fruit and veg from a farmers’ market (Try Loulé on Saturdays, Olhão daily, and Quinta Shopping on the first Sunday each month) will have the same positive impact, and these foods are likely to be free from pesticides. Reducing food waste at home means less going to landfill, and home improvements can also make a real difference, ranging from switching to long life LED bulbs to installing solar panels or using ecosafe cleaning products, which are labelled accordingly.

And never be afraid to get others involved. Organise a beach clean-up day and enjoy time with friends and family whilst saving sealife. By making a few small, well informed choices and changes, we can all create a hugely positive impact on our world, and therefore live a more eco-friendly life!

If you see ‘locally sourced’, this means that ingredients haven’t had to make a long journey, and due to this would be a low carbon footprint choice.

Counting

Sheep

AS BRANDS GO, YOU CAN’T GET MUCH MORE AUTHENTIC PORTUGUESE THAN ECOLÃ, A COMPANY THAT WAS STARTED IN 1925 AND HAS CONTINUED AS A FAMILY TRADITION THROUGH THREE GENERATIONS. MUCH MORE THAN A FABRIC FACTORY, IT CARRIES A LEGACY AS THE OLDEST FAMILYCERTIFIED ARTISANAL PRODUCTION UNIT OF PORTUGUESE ORIGIN. THAT GIVES IT SOME PRETTY SOLID ROOTS

Words: SALLY DIXON

THE HEART of Ecolã lies in a fourlegged animal – white, brown and beige in colour, found in the Serra da Estrela and renowned for having a particularly cosy appeal.

The Bordaleira sheep that frequent the highest mountain range in mainland Portugal provide the raw material for Ecolã’s portfolio of products that draw on ancestral tradition and promote a natural, sustainable lifestyle. In case you’re wondering, each sheep yields around three to four kilograms of fine wool in the spring, come shearing time (giving them a fresh new haircut with which to face the intense summer heat).

Ecolã means ecological wool, paying homage to their 100% product and respect for the natural elements that surround the factory based in the mountainous village of Manteigas.

From shepherds to chic

The first and second generations of the family ran the company under the family name and focused solely on making clothes using traditional Burel.

“What’s Burel?”, I hear you ask. Burel is a highly resistant, high strength, waterproof fabric that involves 100% sheep’s wool going through a specific sequence of processes to give it these supercharged properties.

It’s wool but not as you know it. Burel is the favoured

Breathtaking views and wonderful comfort in

attire of shepherds and monks due to its hard-wearing properties. Synonymous with the Serra da Estrela Mountain range, Burel is also commonly used in interior design projects.

In the early years, Ecolã focused on three types of products – traditional blankets/throws, clothes for shepherds, and the Burel fabric.

Then along comes the third generation, and the decision to launch a collection for urban clients based on the success of the ethnographic production of shepherds clothing in 1995, innovation being the key to the brand’s growth.

Staying true to their roots and 100% wool origins, sales expanded from the domestic arena to exploring new ground in international markets. A move which paid off, given that Japan and Germany are now their biggest markets, with pure wool gaining something of a luxury status across the globe, as sustainability became the new buzzword.

Accessories soon followed, with demand from customers around the world, and hats, slippers, bags, and scarves joined the Ecolã range in their three stores in Lisbon, Porto, and Manteigas.

Sharing as well as caring

The late nineties were big for Ecolã in that they also expanded into hospitality, opening their first guest house. Today they have two guest houses, Casa de São Marcos Alojamento and Alojamento Santa Clara, and a hotel, Hotel da Fábrica, all located in Mantegias. Guided tours of the factory enable visitors to see first-hand the wooden looms from the first generation of wool production and understand the different techniques of weaving.

Post-tour, you can immerse yourself in the world of Ecolã with a stay at Hotel da Fábrica, where you’ll find Burel Tartan on the headboard and lamps of your hotel room and remnants of traditional production processes as interior features. Louis Vuitton featured Ecolã in their respected 2020 travel guides; say no more.

Future plans to open an e-shop might just see an exciting new launch this month. Look out online for their bestsellers, the Hood Coat and Vest, both made using the Burel fabric. You could just be saving the planet one piece of natural, renewable, biodegradable clothing at a time.

As Ecolã wisely say, “Buy better, keep forever.” You’ll be keeping the sheep happy come summertime, that’s for sure.

ECOLÃ’S GUIDED TOURS

Monday to Friday: 9:00-11:30 or 14:00-16:30

Saturday and Sunday: booking in advance

Duration: 45 minutes

Available in Portuguese, English and Spanish. French and Italian by request. Private parking available.

Hotel da Fábrica, where Burel Tartan is a decor feature. Left below: Alojamento Santa Clara

This page: Great fish and chips at Roosters, complete with mushy peas. Opposite page: You’ll find fresh crab at many eateries

Messines

SÃO BARTOLOME U DE MESSINES IN THE ALGARVE COUNTRYSIDE MAY NOT BOAST FANCY RESTAURANTS OR WIDESPREAD TOURIST FAME LIKE ITS NEIGHBOURS, BUT IT HOLDS ITS OWN CHARM AND ATTRACTIONS. THE EMPHASIS HERE IS ON HOME-COOKED FOOD – FROM AUTHENTIC ALGARVIAN EXPERIENCES TO TYPICAL BRITISH FARE.

WHATEVER THE STYLE, IT ’ S ALL DELICIOUS

Words: CHERYL SMITH

MIDST picturesque countryside, this village beckons outdoor enthusiasts to explore its hills, vineyards, and orange groves through scenic hikes, cycling or on horseback. When visiting local restaurants, expect to find the day’s offerings artfully displayed on blackboards, and as dishes run out, they’re promptly crossed out. To savour your favourite flavours, arrive early and avoid any disappointment. Plate of the Day options vary from €7 to €16.

Bar, Café, Seafood

In the heart of the Messines village, Café Académico boasts not one, but three charming eating areas. The wooden outdoor terrace at the front exudes a relaxed and informal atmosphere, while the middle indoor area is perfect if you want to catch up on the daily news whilst eating. For those seeking a more formal setting, the rear indoor area caters to evening dinners, but fear not – the excellent menu remains consistent across all the restaurant areas.

My visits to Café Académico have been a gastronomic journey, from savouring light and delightful luncheon meals chosen from their ever-changing blackboard, to indulging in exquisite seafood dishes showcased during the annual Messines Gastronomic Week.

The plate of the day dishes, priced at just €7, offer an array of delectable choices such as succulent roast chicken, tender calamari, flavourful sardines. And there’s a comforting chicken soup for a mere €1.50.

However, if you’re in for a shared culinary experience with a loved one or a dear friend, the options do not disappoint. Delight in the heart-warming taste of two typical Algarvian dishes – the seafood rice at €40 or the cataplana at €45.

Come late spring and summer, Café Académico adds another charm to its repertoire – serving caracóis (snails), a cherished culinary tradition in the Algarve countryside and across Portugal. Prepared with a flavourful broth enriched with olive oil, garlic, herbs, and spices, the snails are tenderly boiled or stewed to perfection. Served hot with fresh bread, these delightful morsels invite you to soak up every drop of their scrumptious sauce, while a glass of wine or a cold beer elevates the experience to new heights.

As with any countryside spot, parking can be a slight challenge in front of the restaurant. However, a mere couple of minutes’ walk from the village parking lot will lead you to this culinary haven, a place where flavours and warm ambiance intertwine, offering an unforgettable dining experience.

Café Académico

R. Cândido dos Reis 40, 8375-105 São Bartolomeu de Messines

T: 282 339 253

E: cafeacademicomessines@gmail.com

Bar, Pub, British

At Roosters, the heart of British culinary culture comes alive with their delightful offerings of fish and chips with mushy peas and the classic English breakfast. A true taste of tradition awaits as you indulge in their full fry-up, €6, complete with eggs, sausages, beans, tomatoes, toast, and a steaming hot drink of your choice. For those with a hearty appetite, the Extra-Large breakfast, €8, beckons with double portions to satisfy every craving. Vegetarians need not miss out, as Roosters swaps sausages for a meat-free alternative.

The fish and chips, €10.50, left me thoroughly satisfied – the fish coated in a light, crispy batter, offering a perfect blend of flavours and textures. But the delights don’t end there; the menu boasts a selection of other tempting meals, from comforting cottage pie to tasty lasagne, and a range of fish and meat dishes to cater to every palate.

Beyond the great cuisine, Roosters is a place with a heart for the community. A unique touch awaits on the premises – a charity shop that plays a meaningful role in supporting the needy. Funds raised from the charity shop and quiz nights contribute to making a difference in the lives of others, adding to the warmth of the dining experience.

After savouring a leisurely meal at Roosters, I couldn’t resist perusing the wide selection of English reading books. The establishment truly offers more than just a good dining experience; it’s a place to connect with the essence of British culture and embrace a sense of community.

Roosters

N270, São Bartolomeu de Messines

T: 910 489 837

All time favourite

Our family’s summer vacations were never complete without a cherished meal at Casa da Vinha, and now that the Algarve is our chosen home, we still find ourselves drawn to its familiar charm. Conveniently located along one of the many scenic hiking routes, it serves as the perfect lunch stop after a long country walk.

Their grilled fish dishes hold a special place in my heart – the simplicity of tenderly grilled fish, accompanied by perfectly crispy fries and a refreshing salad of tomatoes, onions, and lettuce, sprinkled with dried oregano is perfect.

Embodying the essence of a true countryside restaurant, Casa da Vinha follows a beloved formula shared by other rural eateries, offering an array of mouthwatering main dishes at similar prices. Yet, each restaurant has its own specialty, and here at Casa da Vinha, the star of the show is undoubtedly the pork cheeks. These culinary treasures boast a richness and flavour like no other, thanks to the beautiful marbling of fat and connective tissue within the meat. Slow-cooked to perfection on low heat, the tough fibres are transformed into a melt-inyour-mouth tenderness that is nothing short of extraordinary.

Casa da Vinha

Vale Fuzeiros, São Bartolomeu de Messines

T: 282 330 263

F: cafe-restaurante-casa-da-vinha.blogspot.com

Countrywide treats

A charming rural restaurant, O Caixeiro is a true gem, so popular that reservations are a must. Our long-standing taxi driver, a trusted connoisseur, recommended this place, and for good reason – it’s a much-loved favourite of his family. They even embark on trips from Albufeira just to indulge in the culinary delights it offers.

While the menu caters to various tastes, it’s worth checking if you have specific dietary requirements, as meat options far outweigh the fish selection. However, for those craving traditional Portuguese flavours, you’re in for a treat! The menu boasts popular dishes like javali (wild boar) a wonderful option to tantalize your taste buds.

On my visit, I had the pleasure of savouring Bacalhau com Nata, a celebration of cod, baked with a medley of onions, garlic, and a creamy béchamel sauce. Among the many Portuguese ways to cook cod, this preparation stood out as my favourite.

O Caixeiro

R. de Fonte João Luís 204L, São Bartolomeu de Messines

T: 282 339 440

E: restaurantecaixeiro@sapo.pt

Typical Portuguese

Nestled on the outskirts of S.B. Messines, Tasca da Zabel is a true rural Algarve restaurant. From the moment I stepped in, friendly English-speaking Portuguese waiters made me feel right at home. The unassuming exterior belies the grandeur within – passing through a couple of doors, the restaurant opens into a spacious room with picturesque views of the hills through magnificent large windows. The stunning surroundings add a touch of tranquillity and truly feels like an escape from the everyday hustle.

Although the tuna steak was already crossed off the blackboard, the grilled Dourada I chose turned out to be a delightful surprise. Tender, perfectly grilled, and bursting with flavour, it was complemented by crispy fries and a refreshing salad, creating a delightful symphony that left my taste buds dancing with joy.

What sets Tasca da Zabel apart is their outdoor double grill, where skilled chefs work their magic on fish and meat dishes. The sight is a feast for the eyes, adding to the overall dining experience.

The menu offers an array of mouthwatering choices, from salmon to mackerel and sea bass for fish lovers, to grilled chops, turkey stew with beans and kale, and roast chicken for meat enthusiasts. The main dishes are priced between €10 and €16, offering excellent value.

Tasca da Zabel

Sítio do Cano, 8375-022 São Bartolomeu de Messines

T: 962 377 824

F: facebook.com/p/Tasca-daZabel-100063494655073

Left: Hearty meals with all the extras – crunchy salads with wild herbs, toasted dipping bread and handcut chips are found in every restaurant that specialises in local dishes. Below: O Caixeiro offers a feast of flavours – javali (wild boar) is a real favourite

Gastronomic Week

São Bartolomeu de Messines

Over the past 15 years, the annual Gastronomic Week in November has truly become a delightful spectacle, drawing in food lovers from all around to revel in the village’s culinary treats.

For an entire week, this event weaves together several local restaurants, each crafting a unique dining experience that takes you on a journey through the full spectrum of flavours – embracing both timehonoured Algarvian classics and innovative culinary creations.

In the past, the event buzzed with excitement, featuring thrilling show cooking and culinary decoration demonstrations at the vibrant Messines market. Meanwhile, Casa do Povo played host to a tantalizing wine tasting course, inviting participants to savour the finest vintages of the region. With the old Messines market undergoing renovations, we’re eagerly hoping they’ll be completed in time to accommodate this year’s engaging festivities.

You will find that menu offerings can lean toward meat options, reflecting the inland farming location of this charming village. From succulent roasted meats to hearty stews, the flavours pay homage to the local agricultural heritage. But fear not, for fish specialities are also present at some participating restaurants for the seafood enthusiast to savour.

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A walk on the quiet side

EARLY MORNING, WHEN DAYLIGHT IS BREAKING AND THE WORLD AROUND YOU IS CALM AND PEACEFUL BEFORE THE START OF A NEW DAY, IS THE BEST TIME TO TAKE IN YOUR SURROUNDINGS AND BREATHE IN THE FRESH AIR

Words: BURFORD HURRY Images: JAN M TROMP

IN THE ALGARVE, every day should start with an early morning walk down a country road. After all, the simple wooden arrowed posts put up by the Loulé câmara are there to encourage us. Of course, my dog helps. I am up every morning pretty early and on the road by 05:45. It’s a dusty road at the moment as the Loulé câmara is putting in new sewerage pipes. The dog knows that a walk is imminent, even more so when I grab a handful of dog biscuits, and reaches a fever pitch of circles and barking when I slip on my reflective safety vest. Then out onto the road and a gulp of fresh morning air, and above me a sky full of stars and sometimes a moon. I don’t look up for too long as I have always been nervous and anxious about what those stars tell me... or worse, what they don’t. They tend to remind me of the fragility of life.

The road under foot is crunchy and irregular. My dog is far ahead of me, galloping or stopping to lift a leg or two. On my left the Cadoiço river flows in the summer heat silently between its banks. It’s quiet now but when it rains it roars and is red with soil and foam.

At the start of my walk I have a towering cement and earth wall on the right of me. Sadly, this year the grey-leafed and pink-flowered bind weed (Convolu-lus arvensis) that spills down casually from a tiny hole in the wall is not there. It’s been too dry and hot for her. However, in the field above her the 11 symmetrical carob trees ruthlessly pruned back a couple years ago are now green and growing and perfectly well behaved, showing there is still life despite the drought. Further along, there are buildings and

Right: Out onto the road. Below: The entrance to Horta do Alamo

Old walls, still strong. The bee hotel tucked behind an information board

a fig tree, which this year was laden with plump and delicious sweet and succulent fruit for me to pick and split open so I could eat their sticky sweet red flesh. Previously, the banks of the river on this side of the ‘Roman’ bridge were grassy and filled with tall and wildly delirious daisies and grasses, but a couple of years ago more serious indigenous trees and bushes were planted by Almargem and are already making a leafy statement.

There is a wooden board explaining the advantages of the river habitat with some of the names of the native trees that have been planted (Fraxinus angustifolia, Salixatro-cinerea, Nerium oleander, Crataegus monogyna, Arbutus unedo) but strangely no mention of the mastic stalwart Pistacia lentiscus or the Tamarisk, which are also looking very good. All worth considering for our own gardens. For some time now there has also been a very smart bee hotel next to the board; however, I haven’t noticed any residents as yet.

In the spring, it’s at the bridge that I catch a glimpse of the resident mallard duck with her excited offspring paddling along together upstream. Later, there is a gallinule with bright red beak and nervous black and white twitching under-carriage, looking nervously over her shoulder with her chicks. Once over the bridge I leave the calçadas behind and there is a smooth tar surface underfoot.

On my left are the rough stone walls of the quinta of the Fonte da Pipa. They stretch for a couple of hundred metres and I think of Robert Frost’s Mending Wall – there is something there that doesn’t love a wall, and the way walls both simplify and complicate our lives.

This wall is hand-built and irregular and is held together partly by earth and clay but with patches of cement at times. I wonder about the builders. How many years or even generations did it take for them to built it? What tools did the builders use or was it just their

Something different with

calloused and often bleeding hands that lifted the stones into position and adjusted them?

At times I can see the profiles of the rocks and stones and at other times they are hidden by warm sweeps of polished terracotta plaster and I think of the walls of ancient Pompeian villas. Am I walking on the road used by the Romans a couple of millennia ago?

On the right side of the road there is a wall, too, but this is strictly utilitarian. Built with cement it is uniformly grey, neat and upright, and topped with a strong fence. Years back, I chatted to the owners as they were putting the fence in place and admired their strength and patience as the fence inched its way down the hill.

The wall now has a few graffiti obscenities, a phallus and a couple of signatures as if the painters are determined not be forgotten. Below the wall at one stage there is a large pond and very occasionally there are mallards on it, and only once I saw an iridescent blue kingfisher sitting on a branch overlooking the water.

Ironically, it’s on the tarmac that I become aware that I am in the country. On still mornings an occasional gossamer drifts across my face and if there is some moisture in the air I can smell the curry bush (Helichrysum italicum). There is fennel (Foeniculum vulgare) spilling untidily over the top of the wall into the road and occasionally brushing my face, reminding me of ouzo sipped ice-cold on a Skiathos waterfront.

There are a couple of very old almond trees, one in particular is really lovely but she is pink so her almonds are the poisonous variety. The blossoms of her neighbours are white and their almonds being edible, are collected and eaten, suitable sized stones balanced on the cement wall with a cluster of empty shells next to them testify to this fact. A few sprigs of wild olive

cascade over the stone wall. Like a Japanese water colour, their neat symmetrical polished leaves hang in drops of bottle green on their thin ivory sprays.

In the crevice, where the tar meets the wall on both sides of the road, there is a deepening carpet of both carob and almond leaves, deep enough now for a spade to collect. I remember when I first arrived in the Algarve getting good compost for the pot plants on my small terrace from the side of the road. Carob leaves make the best compost.

At the bottom of the hill, following the instructions on the wooden direction pole, my walk swings to the right and there is a sweep of orange trees up to the road that leads to Faro and a neat scatter of white houses along it. Beyond that there are hillsides of distant early morning greens and grey. A solitary giant fennel (Ferula communis) has been left on the edge of the road by a considerate road worker and she towers over me. I nod respectfully as I pass.

Further on there are groves of carobs. The grassy edge of the road has wild orchids in March and further along just past Silva, who has hives and produces treacle-thick carob honey, there is a hillside of wild thyme perfumed when it is hot or wet and a lilac haze in summer when it is in full flower.

Then it is under high tension wires sometimes strung with swallows or martins, particularly when they are together to migrate and over the Cadoiço river and past ETAR. Last year there was a Mirabalis jalapa opposite the gate Mexican coloured with brilliant reds and yellows. Sadly, it is no longer there.

It is along this stretch of my morning walk that I take caper seeds to plant along the tops of the untidy stone wall on either side of me, one side a morning. Hoping like the graffiti painters that one day there will be a living memory of someone who planted them.

The sun is touching the tops of the town buildings when I am finally at my front door again, grateful for having been for a walk in an Algarvian morning.

Why grateful? My daily ritual prepares me for the day ahead. Shouldn’t we all be enriched by something like that?

Top: Smilax aspera berries. Above: a sweep of orange trees. Right: gateway to a field

OKAY, YOU HAVE A MEETING ON ZOOM THIS AFTERNOON, A NUMBER OF EMAILS TO GET OUT TO COLLEAGUES AT HEAD OFFICE A GOOD FEW THOUSAND MILES AWAY, CALLS TO MAKE REGARDING A NEW PROJECT... AND ALL THAT FROM A TABLE ON THE TERRACE BY THE POOL. WHAT DOES THAT MAKE YOU (APART FROM LUCKY)?

Words: CAROLYN KAIN

Home work S

ITTING IN A SHADY garden in Loulé, I have my iPad on my lap doing some paid work for my boss in London. This is my usual lifestyle but does the fact that I’m working while abroad make me a digital nomad or a remote worker? According to a recent study carried out by Dave Cook and a team of anthropologists at University College London I am in the second category.

In order to qualify as a true Digital Nomad:

1 You must have a continuous flow of digital tasks to complete on your laptop. You will be working freelance, salaried or for your own business. Almost certainly you will write a regular blog but that is not compulsory.

2 You must have the desire and ability to work and travel simultaneously.

3 You must make your own free choices about destinations without any external work pressures guiding your selections.

4 You must travel to at least three destinations per year. (Generally, staying with friends and relatives doesn’t count.)

Right here

One of the most popular destinations in Europe is Lisbon: a Digital Nomad Visa has been established in Portugal since October 2022 and the country is ranked fifth best in the world for digital nomads.

Lisbon has a lower cost of living than most other large European cities, enabling people to avoid the worst of inflation at home.

Worth knowing is that there are suitable places for digital nomads to stay in temporary Co-living / Co-working accommodation. Many apartment blocks in Lisbon are becoming de facto hotels, which unfortunately is driving up the cost of rental accommodation for the locals; there are well-known areas for digital nomads to congregate where social life revolves around advice and recommendations about other suitable destinations.

Cook’s observations (& anomalies)

In 2023, monthly arrivals of digital nomads in Lisbon, population of half a million, amounted to 11,000. In the same year, monthly arrivals in Mexico City, population of nine million, amounted to 8,000. Popular destinations in South East Asia where the cost of living is low are Bangkok and Chiang Mai in Thailand and Canggu in Indonesia.

Following the pandemic, the arrival of digital nomads has boosted economies without creating the backlash that has happened in Lisbon.

Report compiled by European workers

This report questioned digital nomads on subjects such as happiness, cost of visas, cost of living and healthcare. Internet speeds were also taken into consideration.

The top three countries were Norway, Germany and Hungary. The score out of ten for Norway was 7.79 with an internet speed of 114 Mbps. Portugal scored 6.70 despite having a faster internet score of 132Mbps. Russia, Ukraine and Brexit Britain were excluded from the survey due to lack of data.

The European Workers survey summed up Portugal like this: “Portugal scores consistently well across all categories. It’s one of the safest countries on the list, with good internet and a cheap cost of living. Portugal is known for its fantastic weather with over 300 hours of sunshine each year. It’s also well known for the warm welcome given to Expats living in Portugal.”

NUMBERS INCREASING

The 9 to 5 workstyle of yesteryear has gone forever, mostly shaped by the pandemic, which encouraged people to work more flexibly from home, a trend that for many has continued. Currently in smaller numbers, a niche group of digital nomads do their work while travelling abroad. Who are they? It is estimated that by 2035 there could be as many as a billion people working in this way.

Top bloggers

Successful blogs are likely to be monetised, bringing in a monthly income. They are creative, resourceful and inspiring. Other digital skills that are helpful include website creation, video editing, photography, graphic design and social media

The

Broke Backpacker

Will Hatton helps the uninitiated to get started. His goal is to offer practical advice to travel enthusiasts. He explains how to ‘ditch their desks’ and start an itinerant business of their own. He works completely online and is no longer a broke backpacker, earning five figures a month. He is one of the top travel bloggers in the world! thebrokebackpacker.com/author/wthatton/

Legal Nomads

Jodi Ettenberg is a former lawyer from Canada. She took a year off to go traveling but never returned to her job. Her blog focuses on health issues and delicious gluten free food. Her writing and photography are so exceptional they have been published in magazines and have won numerous awards. legalnomads.com

Lifestyle Hunter

Pilar Noriega Garcia is Mexican currently on her travels through South Africa. Originally she created a blog followed by a website. Her followers are introduced to volunteering, studying and obtaining scholarships that enable them to travel abroad. facebook.com/pilarnoriegaa/

Top bloggers’ warnings

It’s not enough to be a great freelance writer bubbling with ideas. Look firstly at the section entitled ‘About Me’ featured in any digital nomad blog. They confirm that it’s a hard life to get started and not much easier when you’ve reached the top.

But oh the joys of being part of the big wide world.

A Digital Nomad Visa has been established in Portugal since October 2022 and the country is ranked fifth best in the world for digital nomads.

Portugal is the 11th largest home textile exporter in the world. Towels, tablecloths and sheets are produced here. And blankets! A whole world of Portuguese blankets.

The most famous is the Burel blanket. Burel is a resistant and durable fabric made from 100% sheeps wool and was traditionally used to make warm blankets and shepherds capes.

A road trip through Portugal brought us to the heart of the country and the Serra da Estrela Mountain Range - the birthplace of the Burel. Here the grass is greener and the air is crisper and vast numbers of sheep are grazing.

At the beginning of this century the knowledge and culture of making the Burel blanket was almost forgotten, the weaving factories abandoned and most of the old machines were standing still as the world had been spinning too fast for handcrafted textiles.

Then in 2006, a Portuguese couple from Lisbon fell in love with the breath-taking scenery of the Serra. They bought and revived one of the old weaving factories, keeping the old machines from the nineteenth century, and installed a new generation of weavers who had been taught by the elder loom masters. Together with a generation of young designers, a whole world of blankets with

fresh colours and new designs was born.

My selection of Burels include colourful variations of old patterns called vintage 1956 or vintage 1968 alongside those in plain subtle colours.

But if it’s still too warm to consider a woollen blanket, my summer version is a lightweight cotton which comes in two patterns, two sizes and about twenty different colours. The choice is yours.

HOMES: Rua das Lojas, Rua 5 de Outubro nº 68 .

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OPEN: Monday - Friday 10.00-13.00; 15.00-18.00; Saturday: 10.00-14.00

T: +351 964 222 612 INSTA: martina.loule / martina-loule.com

BACK TO THE FOLD

Taken: May 2011, Peneda-Geres

National Park

Camera: Panasonic FZ8

“Nowadays, there are few wolves left in this area to worry the livestock but these Castro Laboreiro, known for their ferocity, are still used as guard dogs.”

Keyword: Rustic

Fred Bos was born in Holland and after many years in IT, he and his partner took to sailing the European waters. After several years he exchanged the boat for a campervan and travelled across Europe to Portugal where he has photographed the interesting places he has visited. “After every bend in the road, new interesting views appear,” he says.

Portfolio

EBB TIDE

Taken: May 2012, Carrasqueira, Comporta

Camera: Panasonic FZ8

“Located on the banks of the River Sado, this port on stilts, built originally by migrant workers, is still used today by the boats fishing in the estuary."

Keyword: Fragile

A LONE FISHERMAN

Taken: March 2019; south west coast, Algarve

Camera: Nikon P7800

“Not for the faint hearted! And how do you ‘land’ such a catch, should you get one? Fresh fish is very important in Portugal.”

Keyword: Vertigo

PENA PALACE

Taken: October 2018, Sintra

Camera: Nikon D80

“Old monasteries and castles can be found all over Europe; this colourful palace, looking like a Disney creation – but built in the 19th century – was commissioned by a Portuguese King. There are many more in that area, all very elaborate.”

Keyword: Stunning

CORK OAKS

Taken: April 2012, Alentejo

Camera: Panasonic FZ8

“These trees, native to Portugal, are at least 25 years old. They are said to be ‘blushing at their bare legs’. It takes about nine years for the bark to regrow."

Keyword: Scenic

The family-run Amesbury Abbey Group offers an elegant retirement in country house style at Monte da Palhagueira.

For those who are looking for the reassurance of constant professional care, our nursing care may be the way forward. Alongside all the benefits of residential care, our nursing care adds the additional security of 24-hour care provision from qualified nursing professionals.

Our team spend a lot of time getting to know each resident as an individual, learning their preferences and understanding their concerns, working hand in hand with GPs and other associated care professionals to provide outstanding personalised nursing care. Our exceptional care team treat all our residents with respect, dignity and friendship, and our nursing home has a warm, family atmosphere. Each individual aspect of our nursing care is designed to give our residents the best possible quality of life and the highest standards of 24-hour care.

For further information, please contact Senior Sister Hazel Gordon at T: +351 289 990 900

by Dora Guerreiro

Droning on

NOW THAT WE TAKE PICTURES ALMOST EXCLUSIVELY WITH OUR SMARTPHONES, IT ’ S EASY TO MISS THE WAYS THAT TECHNOLOGY HAS MADE IT POSSIBLE TO TAKE PHOTOGRAPHS AND VIDEO IN TOTALLY NEW WAYS. AND, INEVITABLY, THE MOST EXCITING NEW DEVELOPMENTS ARE BEING DRIVEN BY ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Words: CHRIS PARTRIDGE

AFFORDABLE DRONES equipped with stills and video cameras have revolutionised the way we capture aerial footage, making previously inaccessible perspectives accessible to hobbyists, enthusiasts, and professionals alike. These versatile devices have democratised aerial photography and videography, opening up a world of creative possibilities for people of all skill levels.

One of the primary driving forces behind the affordability of camera-equipped drones is the rapid improvement in the components needed, such as gyroscopes, GPS modules, and lithium-polymer batteries, which have become more cost-effective and readily available. Drones now have advanced features, including stabilised camera gimbals and high-resolution sensors, at lower price points.

Affordable drones with video cameras come in various shapes and sizes, catering to different needs and skill levels. Entry-level drones are perfect for beginners looking to explore aerial photography and videography. These drones typically feature lowerresolution cameras but still offer decent image and video quality for recreational use.

Mid-range drones, priced between €200 and €700, provide a step up in camera

DARACLE PHOTOGRAPHY

HOVERAIR X2

America’s Skydio 2+ – built for photography rather than flight – will be pricey, but it produces real results

quality and additional features like obstacle avoidance systems and longer flight times.

These drones are ideal for enthusiasts who want to capture stunning aerial shots and videos without breaking the bank.

For those who demand professional-level performance, there are even more affordable options than ever before. Drones in the €700 to €1,500 range often boast advanced camera systems with high-resolution sensors, advanced video recording capabilities, and a host of intelligent flight modes. These drones are suitable for serious photographers and videographers who require exceptional image quality and precision in their work.

Taking flight

Such is the popularity of drone photography, a new category of drone has emerged to cater for it specifically – the ‘flying camera’. And it is this category that is embracing artificial intelligence.

AI offers enormous benefits to flying cameras. For a start, they more or less fly themselves, so the user can concentrate on getting the shots they want rather than keeping the drone airborne.

The latest AI systems can effortlessly perform manoeuvres such as circling or following the subject, even doing ‘dolly shots’ in which the drone runs alongside the subject in exactly the same way that Hollywood movies have done using little railway tracks and cameras on wheels.

Another huge benefit of AI is that it can navigate, avoid obstacles and look for landing spots by analysing the camera images, just as a human pilot does looking out of the cockpit window. This means the drone no longer needs expensive, weighty and power-hungry components such as GPS and gyros, making them better and cheaper.

Two of the most popular flying cameras on the market are the Skydio 2+ and the new HoverAir X2.

Skydio was designed by MIT graduates to be pretty much autonomous and is currently being certified for sale in Europe. The cheapest version doesn’t even come with a radio controller, relying instead on a smartphone app and wi-fi. This limits it to a 200m range, but that is plenty for most purposes, though a traditional radio controller is also available. With the smartphone app, complex flight plans can be put into operation automatically. It is very much built for photography rather than flight as such, and it’s even smart enough to remember to press the record button should you forget.

One limitation of the Skydio is its weight, which at 800g means it must be registered to be used legally, and its price, which will be hefty.

An easy-going option

For those of us who take pictures for fun, the other AI-driven flying camera, the HoverAir X1 is a shoe-in. Affordable, easy to use and absolutely tiny at just 125g. The rotors are totally encased in folding cages so you can slip it in your pocket.

The HoverAir X1 was designed by Stanford graduates to use the AI system for almost all control functions, using the camera rather than sensors.

It is spookily smart. You can just put it on your hand, press some buttons for the flight plan you want, and it will take off and do it. When finished, you can put out your hand and it will land on it. A bit like a dog that actually does what it is told. You don’t even need a smartphone, though later you will need a device to download and edit the images and videos. Image quality is 1080p HD, which is perfectly fine even for most professional uses.

Because the navigation does not depend on GPS you can even shoot indoors, though the AI system apparently gets confused over water so no fishing trip vids, sadly.

The AI system keeps the drone remarkably steady even in light breezes, and it avoids obstacles with remarkable agility. At €448 it is remarkably good value.

Speaking of water, under the sea is the one no-go area for flying cameras. Here, action cameras score.

The latest Insta 360 camera, the Go 3, has a waterproof, dustproof and shockproof camera module that weighs just 35g, so can be easily manipulated at the end of a selfie stick for all the usual ‘chat to the camera’ stuff and dunked in the river or lake for stunning underwater shots. Video stabilisation is highly effective, making it easy to shoot great action footage. Prices start at €435 at Worten for the unit alone, and a wide range of accessories and mountings is available.

Another huge benefit of AI is that it can navigate, avoid obstacles and look for landing spots by analysing the camera images

ALI MCGRAW

By 1972, Ali McGraw was the top female box-office movie star in the world. Her first hit film, Goodbye Columbus, won her a Most Promising Newcomer award in 1969, and the sky seemed to be the limit for the New York-born actress. A starring role alongside Ryan O’Neal in Love Story in 1970 saw her nominated for an Oscar.

After a troubled upbringing – she has admitted her father was violent – she began working as a photographer’s assistant on Harper’s Bazaar magazine, and later as a fashion model and stylist. TV commercials followed, and then the film business. After starring alongside Steve McQueen in The Getaway in 1972 she married her co-star and effectively gave up acting at his request. When McQueen died at only 50 years old, she was quoted as saying: “I wish we had both grown old sober!”

She had previously been married to film producer Robert Evans, the father of her son who is also in the movie business. During the 1980s she returned to TV work, including an appearance in Dynasty, but confessed she only did so “ for the money ”. Since then, she has become more interested in activism. Her yoga video is credited with helping to popularise yoga in the USA and she is also a supporter of animal charities all over the world. Sadly, she lost her California home in a wildfire in 1993 and is now based in New Mexico.

Whatever happened to…

WHEN YOU THINK BACK TO THE NAMES THAT IMPRESSED YOU IN YOUR GROWING UP YEARS, THE STARS THAT MADE YOUR HEART BEAT THAT LITTLE BIT FASTER, THE SPORTS PERSONALITIES YOU WANTED TO EMULATE... YOU WONDER HOW THE DECADES HAVE TREATED THEM

Words: JILL ECKERSLEY

BOB GELDOF

Bob Geldof’s first claim to fame was as the outspoken lead singer and songwriter for the Irish punk band The Boomtown Rats, who had huge hits like I don’t like Mondays that song – based, as it was, on a school shooting by a young girl in the USA who made that her excuse – caused controversy. Bob Geldof said, much later: “It’s not in my nature to shut up!” and he wasn’t joking!

In 1984, his then-girlfriend Paula Yates (they married in 1986) drew his attention to the horrifying BBC TV reports on the famine in Ethiopia. With his friend Midge Ure of Ultravox, Bob penned the worldwide hit single Do They Know It’s Christmas – sung by every pop singer who was anyone in 80s Britain. All proceeds went to help Ethiopia and Geldof topped that by organising two vast pop concerts in 1985 – Live Aid – at Wembley Stadium in London and Philadelphia USA, which raised £150 million for famine relief in Africa.

Ever since then, he has worked to support charities in the developing world and argued in favour of debt relief for poorer countries. He was awarded an honorary knighthood by the late Queen Elizabeth in 1986. His wife Paula, the mother of his three daughters, died in 2000 and his daughter Peaches in 2014. The following year he married his French girlfriend Jeanne Marine and they currently live in South London where he continues to campaign for the causes he believes in.

1800s

Most of us leave finding the love of our lives in the hands of fate... but it has long been realised that fate sometimes needs a helping hand! As long ago as the 17th century, local vicars were sometimes roped in to introduce parishioners to suitable partners – of the same social class, naturally. More formally ‘Matrimonial Plans’ began to be introduced in the late 18th century, with men and women who “desired to enter into a treaty of marriage” being asked to pay to appear on a list, describing themselves and their requirements. One gentleman claimed to be “ a little corpulent, but reasonably well-tempered, with £750 in funds”.

In 1825, an actual agency opened in London where, three days a week, those looking for love could come and register. Matrimonial advertisements also often appeared in local newspapers.

Then, at the beginning of 1939, two enterprising young women called Heather Jenner and Mary Oliver (both of whom had experience of what was known as the ‘fishing fleet’, where young Englishwomen were shipped to colonial India to find husbands among the ex-pats there) opened the Heather Jenner Bureau on Bond Street, London. Being ‘steady, employed and kind’ were among the qualities required by their clients and the matchmakers were said to have been responsible for introducing 15,000 happy couples.

Computer dating was launched in the 1960s – were computers better at ‘matching’ humans than experienced staff? In today’s world, meeting through dating apps is commonplace. Although the fact that marriage bureaux still exist shows that for some, the ‘human touch’ is still needed. And there are, of course, professional matchmakers ready to put interested parties together.

80s

Once described as “determined, aggressive and daring”, Formula One champion racing driver Nigel Mansell is one of only four sportsmen to have won the BBC accolade ‘Sports Personality of the Year’ twice – in 1986 and 1992.

He was not an instant success as a driver, though, having begun his career in kart racing as a youngster and later working as an aerospace engineer.

An accident at Brands Hatch in 1977 left him with a broken neck but he returned to racing, driving for the Lotus team in the early 80s, then for Williams, and having been personally selected by Enzo Ferrari, he drove for the Ferrari team in the late 80s and early 90s. In total he spent 15 seasons driving for Formula One and the wins came thick and fast – he won 31 F1 titles in all.

In 1992 he was Formula One World Champion, and he also won the Indy Car World Series the following year, with his final triumph at the Australian Grand Prix in 1994.

In the new century he has taken part in the Race of Legends exhibition events and also written several books on his career and racing generally.

Nigel is married with two sons, both of whom are also involved in the racing world, and one daughter. He currently lives in Jersey where he runs a car dealership with his family. He is known to be a keen golfer and helped to develop a golf course in Devon. He is President of the UK Youth charity and was awarded a CBE in 2012 in recognition of his services to young people.

Being steady, employed and kind were the qualities matchmakers required of their clients

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Manuela, the highly experienced beautician from Germany employs the latest technology at her salon in Almancil.

After the EMS BodyCult which sculptures & tones Body Parts there is also now the 9D HIFU with the HIFU360 & LipoHIFU feature exclusive in her salon which gives amazing lasting results. Book your complimentary consultation now!

Tax planning re property

EVEN IF YOU ARE A NON HABITUAL RESIDENT (NHR) WITH PREFERENTIAL TAX STATUS, UK AND PORTUGUESE PROPERTY WILL REMAIN TAXABLE ON BOTH INCOME AND CAPITAL GAINS. MARK QUINN AND DEBRAH BROADFIELD LOOK AT THE PLANNING OPPORTUNITIES YOU CAN TAKE ADVANTAGE OF IN BOTH COUNTRIES

UK PROPERTY PLANNING When selling UK property, you can deduct expenses associated with buying and selling the property, including professional fees and fees incurred on the transfer of property, such as stamp duty. You can also add any expenses incurred in enhancing the property to your base cost.

If the property has ever been your principal private residence (PPR) you can reduce or even eliminate the capital gains tax with Private Residence Relief. This ensures that any period during which the property was your PPR is exempt from tax. For example, if you lived in the property for five years out of a total ownership period of ten, then only 50% of any gain would be subject to tax.

The property is also considered your PPR for nine months after leaving it, so you can increase your tax-free ownership period.

UK ALLOWANCES AVAILABLE Even if you have left the UK, as a UK/EEA national you can retain your annual capital gains tax (CGT) allowance to offset any taxable gain – the current allowance is £6k but falling to £3k from the 2024/25 tax year. If you hold property jointly with your spouse/civil partner, you can combine your CGT allowances (and income tax allowances if letting).

TIMING IS IMPORTANT If possible, selling when you have not sold other assets will ensure your full CGT allowance can be set against the property gain.

If you are still UK tax resident you can also:

Time the sale when your income level is low, as your overall income level determines which CGT band will apply (18% for basic rate tax payers and 28% for higher and additional rate).

And/or higher rate tax payers can potentially lower their tax bands via a pension contribution or donation to charity.

NON-RESIDENT CAPITAL GAINS TAX (NRCGT)

If you are a Portuguese tax resident, you are able to benefit from NRCGT, a UK tax concession which states that only the increase in value of property after April 2015 is taxable, eg if you purchased a property in 2000, any increase in value between 2000 and 2015 is not taxed. This can substantially reduce your tax bill and as stated earlier, you can still retain your annual CGT allowance.

If you also qualify for NHR there would be no tax in Portugal, which under normal circumstances would

otherwise be taxed at progressive rates. A further planning angle for those with NHR is that, if properties are held within a company, any dividend taken would be free of tax.

You may find the HMRC link useful when calculating your likely liability https://www.gov.uk/tax-sell-property/ work-out-your-gain

PORTUGAL PROPERTY PLANNING Other properties purchased after January 1989 are subject to capital gains tax on 50% of the gain. Property purchased before this date is not subject to CGT. Do note, NHR does not have any effect on the taxation of Portuguese property. Some expenses are deductible, such as the buying and selling costs. In addition, inflation relief is available in Portugal if the property is held for more than two years.

It is possible to mitigate or even eliminate the taxable gain on a Portuguese main home by:

Reinvesting in another property within the EU

Reinvesting in an approved investment structure

Or, a combination of the two e.g. if you sell a property for €1m, you can downsize into a smaller property for €500k and put the balance of €500k into an approved investment structure. This investment structure can then provide a tax-efficient income for life.

The amount that must be reinvested is the net sale proceeds, not just the gain. Any amount not reinvested is taxable under the normal rules.

There are nuances around these rules so please always seek professional advice. There are also complicated scenarios when selling property held by companies and specialist advice and calculations are required.

ASK THE EXPERTS

Debrah Broadfield and Mark Quinn are Chartered Financial Planners (level 6 CII) and Tax Advisers (UK ATT) with 20 years of combined experience advising expatriates in Portugal on cross-border financial and tax planning issues.

YOUR money

RICARDO CHAVES IS HERE TO HELP PEOPLE UNDERSTAND AND DEAL WITH WHAT IS ALLOWABLE –AND NOT – WHEN IT COMES TO PERSONAL AND BUSINESS

FINANCIAL MATTERS HERE IN PORTUGAL. THIS MONTH THE QUESTIONS RELATE TO POSSIBLE TAX DEDUCTIONS

I’m sure you’ve been asked this before but what is allowable it the way of expenses against taxes? I do want to take clients out for a meal regularly, and also my two members of staff (they are both freelancers). Also, If I buy petrol in Spain, where it is cheaper, and also only a 15-minute journey from my office/home, is that allowable and what do I need to get on the receipt from the garage?

As with most of the questions I receive, the answer should be “It depends”. You are allowed to deduct those expenses if you are on the normal accountancy regime, where you are taxed on the profit of the business. If you are on the simplified accountancy regime, most likely those expenses will not be required, as you are taxed on a percentage of your gross income.

Please note that as far as entertainment expenses, petrol, and meals, these are normally taxed, which means that although you deduct them from your income, there is an autonomous tax that will be due, to avoid misuse of this kind of expenses.

My office is in my home, in a dedicated room which previously was a bedroom. I would like to redecorate it from scratch and also include a couple of artworks purchased locally. What do I need for the taxman to claim all the expenditure back?

If you are doing business from your home, you need to be very careful. If you can prove that you only use this specific room for your business, you could deduct it, but if you also live in the same building it would be very difficult to justify the costs, especially of artwork and decoration.

My advice is to make sure that if you have a company and work from home, you either make a rental contract of that part of the property and pay tax on that rental income, or simply do not deduct any costs that relate to the property; there would be a very thin line separating what is personal and what is your business. Also, renting part of the property to your business in order to deduct some expenses incurred can prevent you in the future from reinvesting in another property when you sell your home. The tax authorities could claim

that if you are renting it to your business, then it is not your main residency. As some would say: you cannot have the cake and eat it.

I am thinking of arranging a get together for friends and customers in December – a holiday celebration. What is allowable cost-wise as far as tax is concerned? Can the entire event, which I am estimating will cost around €4k, be charged to tax and what can I expect to get back?

The invoice for this event can be deducted as a business cost, if this is something that will help you to generate income to your business. If you are inviting friends, perhaps this is not just a business cost.

Again, you or your company will only benefit from this if you are in the normal accountancy regime and pay tax based on your profit.

The total amount to consider spending depends on what is a reasonable figure. While there is no strict limit as to the total cost to allow for the event, bear in mind that it needs to be sensible and in proportion to your income.

As a social media consultant, can I charge any travel expenses to my business, such as hotels and restaurant bills, and apart from receipts what documentation/notes do I need to verify the outgoings?

If you are spending money and incurring travel expenses on behalf of a client, you should have all those invoices in the name of the client and then to get a refund of those expenses, you raise an invoice of those expenses, mentioning the Article 16 number 6 c) of the VAT code.

This way, the refund of these expenses will not be taxed either in terms of income tax or VAT. If you have those expenses billed directly to your business with your fiscal number, then you will still deduct them from your profit but you may end up paying an autonomous tax, to avoid the misuse of this kind of expenses.

That means that when you bill the client for expenses, these will be taxed under the normal VAT rules and you will pay tax on them.

QI have been told that I cannot have the branches from a neighbour’s trees that spill over his wall and shade my pool cut back without his permission. Is this correct?

A If there are branches from a neighbour’s tree spill over your wall you must send a registered letter that must be signed for to the owner of the property where the tree is planted in order to provide proof of the complaint.

In this letter, you must request that the owner cuts those branches down, or finds someone to take on the task for them.

However, if after three days of being notified, they do not act accordingly, you are entitled to proceed with arrangements to have those branches cut down, according to the article 1366º, nº1 of the Portuguese Civil Code.

QI offer marketing consultancy services to a range of clients. One has refused to settle my invoice, saying he does not agree with the advice given. We are talking about many hours of work and expertise on my part – in all my years in business

I have never had a problem. Next stage, please.

A In this specific case and based on Decree-Law no. 269/98 of 1 September, since there are invoices issued for the work performed, it is possible to initiate an Injunction procedure. This allows the recognition of an amount owed, which will subsequently be given an Executive Title provided for in article 703, paragraph 1, al. d of the Portuguese Code of Civil Procedure. The Executive Title will make it possible to

GOING LEGAL

IN THE FIRST OF OUR NEW SERIES, LEGAL EXPERTS NELSON RAMOS AND ROBERTA RAMOS, TOGETHER WITH THEIR SPECIALIST TEAM AT RAMOS & ASSOCIADOS IN ALMANCIL, ANSWER QUESTIONS POSED BY ALGARVEPLUS READERS. IN THE PAST MONTH, WE HAVE HAD REQUESTS FOR ADVICE RELATING TO PROPERTY OWNERSHIP

resort to an executive judicial process in order to recover the amounts owed.

The Injunction procedure is the fastest way to have your credit right recognised because here in Portugal we have the National Injunction Desk in several locations in the country and also online.

The entire process will be electronic, quick and efficient. But beware, the Injunction procedures will only be an option when the debt to be recognised does not exceed the amount of €15,000.

QThe electrical work I recently had done in my house is substandard but that was not apparent for several weeks. I have the firm’s invoice and proof of payment but cannot raise a response from the contractor. Do I need to ‘go legal’ and how will that work? I am not asking for return of payment, but rather repeat of work, done correctly.

A In general, if someone takes your money and does not perform the promised service, they may be liable for breach of contract or fraud. You may be able to file a civil lawsuit against the person or business to recover your money, or seek damages for any harm you suffered as a result of their actions.

If you paid for a job to be done and the job was not completed as agreed upon, you may have legal options to recover your money or seek damages. Firstly, notification to the contractor should be done in writing, by registered letter needing acknowledgement of receipt, in order to provide proof of the complaint. Once the issue is communicated, if the contractor doesn’t fix it, and the conflict cannot be resolved out of court,

you can file a claim in the court. If it can be fixed, you are entitled to their correction.

QI am thinking of selling my property, which I had built many years ago. I have the Certificate of Habitation but in getting a copy of my plans from the local Câmara, there are distinct differences. I have not have any alterations or additions since the house was built. What is my position regarding selling?

A In order to proceed with the sale of the property, the Habitation License must be in compliance with the construction of the property. If for any reason there are differences between the project approved by the Municipality and the Habitation License, you must first prove to the Municipal Authorities that you have not made any changes to the Project approved by them and request the issuance of a new Habitation License accordingly.

In order to prove that there have been no modifications to the structure of the house, a change in the initial plans of the project or a new construction on your property, you must present to the City Council documents such as Location Plans, Descriptive or Justifying Memory, previously submitted architectural projects, as well as the previous Habitation License, that is, all the elements that you have of an architectural and registry nature of the property.

Only when the license has been amended will you be able to proceed with the sale of the property safely.

Email questions for Ramos Associados to martin@algarveplusmagazine.com

ALGARVE PHOTOGRAPHERS GROUP

Museu do Traje, São Brás 966 329 073 admin@amigos-museu-sbras.pt algarvephotographersgroup.org

On until 23 November People Portraiture. An exhibition of members’ work.

ATRA LUX

Aderita Artistic Space

Av. do Mar, Vale do Lobo 912 186 868, artisticspace.pt 13 October to 18 November

Exceptional works by Pedro Cruz, Miguel Duarte, Marc Musso and Jacques Delterre. Below: Marc Musso, recycled metals including beer cans and soft drinks,42x42cm; left: Pedro Cruz, acrylic on paper, 105x75cm

COLIN FRASER

ArtCatto 289 419 447 info@artcatto.com artcatto.com

Airflow, egg tempera, 100x122cm. Part of the recently-opened exhibition at the Loulé gallery also featuring artworks by Thomas Bossard and Annalú Boeretto.

GUIDA VAZ & BEN HALMINK

Museu do Traje, São Brás 966 329 073 admin@amigosdomuseu.com

Opens 28 October, 17:00, on until 11 December

NAculTURA Colorida

This collective exhibition promises some entrancing work from these two talented artists inspired by different approaches.

ANA ANTONIO GILL

República 14, Olhão republica14.pt

Opening 13 October, 17:30, until 19 November

The View. acrylic on canvas, 70x70cm. Ana António

Gill unveils 30 works – her largest collection to date –exploring the complexities and pure beauty of the world around us.

KAREN WRIDE

917 081 893, a2zdesign@mac.com, karenwride.com Hotel Vila Gale Albacora, 14-31 October Sunbathers 3, oils, 120x50cm, from the exhibition of the artist’s landscape and figurative works, on show at the hotel in the Rio Formosa National Park.

ANDR É S MORENO

Tavira d’Artes, Tavira 962 012 111 taviradartes@gmail.com taviradartes.com

Mixed media on wood, 60x60cm. This young Spanish artist is inspired by his experiences, travels, emotions, and the environment that surrounds him in his day-to-day life.

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE EMAIL susi@rogol-goodkind.com

MUSIC

República 14, Olhão

republica14.pt, reservas@republica14.pt, Email for ticket prices, and to book. Concert times, 19:00 and 21:30

7 October

ROUGE MANOUCHE

This Algarve-based jazz quartet draws inspiration from vintage American songbook standards and the Gypsy Jazz of the iconic 30s and 40s, with compositions by such legendary figures as Django Reinhardt, Charles Trenet, and Cole Porter, as well as more contemporary Gypsy Jazz. Betty Martins, vocals and viola; João Campos Palma, accordion; Luis Fialho, guitar; and José Vieira, double bass.

14 October

JEAN CHRISTIAN ET LE

QUATUOR DES RÊVES

ENFOUIS A blend of traditional folk and classical, showcasing the talents of each member of the ensemble. String solos of Sara Cymbron, João Castro (violins), Nuno Soares (viola), Ana Luisa (cello), enriched with wind instruments.

28 October

FERNANDO BARROSO and MIGUEL VERAS Barroso is a Galician multi-instrumentalist musician, composer, and producer who has been involved in numerous projects within the folk/world-music scene. From Galicia and Portugal, he has been a part of bands such as Riobó, Budiño, Os Cempés, and has collaborated with artists like Júlio Pereira, Xabier Díaz, Celina da Piedade, Sebastião Antunes, among others. Miguel Veras is a Portuguese guitarist from Coimbra and a companion of Júlio Pereira.

Amigos de Música

Os Agostos, Sta. Bárbara de Nexe, reservasconcertos@gmail.com to book amigosdemusica.org, 24 and 26 October, 19:00

Two concerts with two exceptional pianists playing solo or with four hands: multi-faceted Irina Chkourindina from Geneva and Aleksandr Shaikin, winner of many international contests, who just recently left Russia behind.

On the 24th the two pianists will play solo or duo works by Brahms, Schubert, Debussy and Ravel, and on the 26th, works by Rachmaninoff, Debussy and Piazzolla.

Doors open at 18:00 and wine, fruit juices and canapés will be served. There will also be a short interval. Entry donation including refreshments is €30 per person for guests and non-members.

GIOTTO ROUSSIES TRIO

Museu do Traje São Brás 966 329 073 to book admin@amigosdomuseu.com

15 October, 17:00

€12 (Amigos €10)

Giotto Roussies, piano; Hugo Santos, double bass and Marcelo Araújo, drums. Music from their latest CD.

TAREJA BLUES BAND

Museu do Traje São Brás 966 329 073 to book admin@amigosdomuseu.com

7 October, 17:00 €10 (Amigos €8)

Blues Night in the Museum Garden. Take a sweater, and enjoy.

FARMERS MARKET

Get your fresh fruit, veg, homemade breads and jams, and your Algarve Candle Company’s latest scented treats.

Quinta Shopping

1 October, 10:00–13:00

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE EMAIL susi@rogol-goodkind.com

EXPERIENCES

NEW HAPPENINGS AT AUSTA

eat@austa.pt 7 October

Farm-to-table restaurant ‘austa’ in Almancil will host its first-ever pop-up supper ‘austa + friends’, with guest chef Joshua Plunkett (Momofuko, Chapter 1, Atera, Saison).

An eight-plate four-hands menu with their own head chef David Barata will explore the late summer harvest – sourced from their combined roster of small, local and independent suppliers from the South of Portugal. Tickets: €100. And now a late breakfast and lunch has been added to the menu Tuesday to Saturday. Expect dishes such as organic eggs and daily pressed tostas with cheese from Monchique, homemade yogurt and warm banana bread baked with fruit from continental Portugal's only organic banana farm. Through the winter months, dinner will be served on Friday and Saturday. Can't wait!

Harvest party

Now this promises to be an unforgettable end to the day in the breathtaking setting of the vineyards of Morgado do Quintão, marking the end of the harvest. Wonderful music and the best pork on a spit in the world, washed down with great wine from the estate. This is how to party, under the ancient olive trees. €40 per person. €20 Residents of the Lagoa area.

MEDITERRANEAN GARDEN ASSOCIATION OF PORTUGAL

289 791 869

mgapsec@gmail.com mgaportugal.org

Fissul Halls, Silves 28-29 October

Native plants and seeds from specialised suppliers will be on sale, as well as ornamental and potted plants and fruit and aromatic trees, and a wonderful range of succulents. This is an opportunity to buy the most suitable plants for your garden and benefit from the advice and guidance of experienced nursery owners, speakers and MGAP members, and to meet like-minded people. Talks will include Rewilding your Garden, Using Native Plants, and there will be a workshop on Making a Dry Garden. In order to reduce waste, visitors are asked to bring their own bags and boxes.

VALE DO LOBO WINE CONNECTIONS

Vale do Lobo Auditorium 289 353 322, events@vdl.pt 21 and 22 October, 14:00–22:00

ASTRONOMICAL OBSERVATION: THE MOON AND THE GAS GIANTS

Vale do Lobo, Parque do Golfe valedolobo.com/en/events/astronomical-observation-october-2023 28 October, 19:00–21:00

After a short lecture, it’s onto the street and, through a big motorised telescope to observe our beautiful natural satellite, the moon and the planets Jupiter and Saturn.

Tickets €20 (resort members €16; children under 12 €8)

The experience is back once again bringing together wines, spirits and regional specialties in one unique event. Learn more about the winemaking process, the latest trends and taste reds, whites, greens, pinks and sparkling wines from a variety of producers over the two days. Catering services will be available on the foodcourt area.

Two-day tickets are €20 and include a commemorative glass and glass holder.

Morgado do Quintão, Silves, info@morgadodoquintao.pt, 7 October

EXPERIENCES

HEALTH & WELLNESS DAY

Figs of the Funcho São Bartolomeu de Messines 912 595 539 cheryl@figsonthefuncho.com figsonthefuncho.com

26 October, 11:00–16:15

Even if you are experiencing a health crisis, detoxing and supporting your body in the right way can make all the difference to your recovery. This workshop will teach you how – Elaine Godley will delve into the significance of detoxification for achieving optimal health. Meet your hosts, Cheryl and Graham, and indulge in a detox smoothie tasting. Then, after a flavoursome vegan raw food lunch, discover the FIGS Juice Club Detox Programme and learn how to create a healthier living space. Finally, wind down with a restorative walk in the countryside led by Cheryl.

AFPOP BLIP EXPO 2023

282 458 509, info@afpop.com afpop.com

Portimão Arena

14-15 October

AFPOP is a non-profit organisation, founded in 1987, with the objective of assisting members from all nationalities to make the most of out of living and working here. Its Blip Expo is the biggest fair for Portugal’s foreign residents and aims to forge a bond between expats and the various service providers and traders in the region. It’s worth going to meet companies that might be new to you whose services or products could be of benefit.

Loulé criativo workshops

NEW WOODEN CART BUILDING WORKSHOP

7 October, Palácio Gama Lobo

Coordination: Wesley Sacardi

To register: loulecriativo@ cm-loule.pt

NEW INTRODUCTION TO HANDMADE SOAP

14 October

Palácio Gama Lobo

Partner: Sofia Mendes

To register: saboariadaldeia@gmail.com

NEW & EXCLUSIVE BELT WEAVING WORKSHOP WITH MEXICAN AMUZGO

28 and 29 October, Palácio Gama Lobo

Coordination: Gabina Valentín López

To register: anitasportugueselessons@ gmail.com | 964 071 997

BOTANICAL PRINTING WITH GADJODILO

8 October, Alte

Partner: GadjoDilo: Vanessa Vinhais

To register: casadoartesao. alte@gmail.com | 910 084 192

INTRODUCTION TO THE POTTER ’ S WHEEL

7 October, Oficina do Barro

Trainer: Catarina Gonçalves

To register: catarinagoncalves. ceramics@gmail.com

TAX AND FINANCE ESSENTIAL SEMINAR

The Spectrum IFA Group Magnolia Hotel, Estr. Quinta do Lago

10 October, 10:00–13:00 Boavista Golf & Spa

Quinta da Boavista, Lagos

11 October, 10:00–13:00

For more information and to book: 289 355 316 portugal@spectrum-ifa.com

FURNITURE PAINTING & CERAMICS WORKSHOP

Kit & Caboodle Almancil, 289 394 257 various dates kitandcaboodle.pt

MAMAMARATONA 23

15 October, 10:00

Raising awareness of cancer, and in particuar breast cancer, the Associação Oncológica do Algarve with the Parish Council of Quarteira is staging the 23rd edition of this 5km or 7km march at Passeio das Dunas, between Quarteira and Vilamoura. Included in this initiative, through which it is hoped funds with be raised for the work of Associação Oncológica do Algarve, are a 10km mini-marathon, 21km half-marathon. More detailed information can be found at mama.maratona@aoa.pt

AND f inally

OH DEAR. ANTHONY MARTIN CAN ’ T GET INTO HIS BRIGHT ORANGE STRIPED LINEN TROUSERS. MAYBE IF HE EXERCISED A LITTLE INSTEAD OF COMPLAINING, HE ’ D LOSE THAT TUM AND BE FAR MORE ATTRACTIVE TO THE LADIES

Y FRIENDS and I are of a certain age, and being that age we tend to slow down, creak a little and even feel the occasional twinge, but we need to accept it or do something about it; either way we have to stop continuously talking about it; right now when we sit at a table and eat together, it’s the only topic of conversation. We talk of our symptoms, the operations we have had, the ones we might need now, and those we will probably need in the future.

It’s only the golfing friends who appear fit. Never mind an apple-a-day keeping the doctor away, it’s obviously all that clomping over fairways, greens and bunkers while swinging the arms around that does it.

Not so long-ago, we men discussed all manner of things: women, sport, women, travel, family matters, women. So when, and more importantly how, did we seamlessly shift from sex, drugs and rock ‘n’roll to artificial hips? If this is the consequence of retirement – I want out.

That’s the problem, we need to keep interests and activities alive. We need subjects to discuss, argue and dissect; vibrant subjects. That way, my eyes will stop glazing over as the table conversation switches to a monologue on the technique of mitral valve replacement.

This preoccupation with declining health is decidedly not healthy. So, needing to redress my personal balance, halt the decline and regain my vitality, to say nothing of my waistline, I bought a treadmill, which now takes pride of place in the guest bedroom standing next to the static bike, the free weights and the yoga mat, all waiting to be used.

Discipline, being the most important part of an exercise regime, means that at precisely 8:30 each Monday, Wednesday and Friday you will find me wearing my pristine trainers and polishing my pristine

machines whilst coming up with yet another reason not to get all sweaty and breathless.

I’m doing well at this, even the serried ranks of trousers in the wardrobe have yet to galvanise me into action. There they hang, carefully arranged in order of size, smallest to the left and going up incrementally to three sizes larger on the right, while I resolve that one day I shall be able to pick from the left. The trousers of days gone by. The skinny ones, the baggy ones, even the bright orange striped linen ones. But most importantly, they were all one size.

That, in a nutshell, is my present problem – my waist. I had a working one for years. It was there a while ago, but now it’s gone. How did this happen? How is this possible? How can a waist that, for so many years held up countless pairs of trousers – from drainpipes to flares –suddenly renege on its duties? Not only is it unfair, but it’s also embarrassing.

When approaching an attractive woman, I feel it necessary to pull my shoulders back, push my chest out and hold my stomach in. This, however, produces an unfortunate side effect as it makes my face go purple. Said attractive woman is then confronted with an apparition that is not far removed from walking rigor mortis, coupled with a voice that is an amalgamation of Donald Duck and an inebriated Marlon Brando in his Godfather role. Could this be considered counterproductive to the founding of a new friendship?

But, those of us so afflicted have been granted a temporary lifeline. The present trend for men to wear their shirts outside their trousers is a boon, especially as the only trousers that appear to be available in the shops are slim-fit and skinny-legged.

Do retailers think that no-one over the age of 50 could possibly be a customer? Why can’t designers take a man’s shape, age, etc, into account? And if they don’t want our custom, could they at least sell braces?

When and how did men’s conversations shift from sex, drugs and rock ‘n’ roll to artificial hips?