algarvePLUS - August'21 by Martin

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C T I VE LY S E E K I N G

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Everybody deserves a little luxury...

So when it comes to pergolas

We have it covered

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START OFF PLUS

SUSI ROGOL GOODKIND, EDITOR

+351 965 581 831 | susi@algarveplusmagazine.com

C O N T A C T S MARTIN GOODKIND

KIM COLLEY

Publisher +351 963 146 398 martin@algarveplusmagazine.com

Art Director +44 (0)7973 426196 dk.colley@btinternet.com

APT 1093, EC Olivas de St Ant (Loulé) 8101-904. Printed by Gráficas Piquer, Almeria Algarve Plus is published monthly. 6,000 copies are made available through a hand-picked distribution network from Faro to Paderne, Almancil, the Golden Triangle, Loulé, São Bras and Santa Barbara. Copyright 2021. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any written material or illustration in any form for any purpose other than short extracts for agreed review purposes, is strictly forbidden. Algarve Plus does not accept liability for loss or damage to any materials submitted for publication. Or claims made by advertisers. The views expressed by interviewees or contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or Algarve Plus. algarveplusmagazine.com

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l ALGARVE P L U S

Here’s to our biggest issue yet. Sixteen pages more than our very first edition, and that means something like five more features, created with your lifestyle, and your taste, in mind, and influenced by your opinions and wish lists. Made to order, so to speak. We’re basking, not just in the gorgeous Algarvian sunshine, but also in the praise that comes our way, and makes it all so worthwhile. Thank you for your support and for taking the time to comment, and importantly, to share your finds. Our distribution is on the increase again, too, and we are doing our best to keep up with demand. We promised that issues would be out on the 1st of each month and topped up on the 15th, but they are being snapped up super-fast, so bear those dates in mind and grab a copy early. And, of course, you can always get the digital version online at algarveplusmagazine.com – it goes up right at the start of each cycle and is there 24/7, along with back issues. This issue, we introduce some great talents who contribute so much to life here – the artists and sculptors, the property experts and the interior designers, the retailers who shop around and, of course, those all-important adventurous travellers who uncover history and pave the way to new places and special experiences.

Welcome

www.taviradartes.com Visit us: Travessa Jacques Pessoa 8,Tavira, 8800-374 Call us: 962 012 111 Email us: taviradartes@gmail.com Follow us:

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NEWS PLUS

Home cooking

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Zeca’s Street Food – you know, bright yellow food truck and amazing Mexican burritos – is now offering a private home catering service. He’ll impress your guests with Portuguese specialities such as fish cataplana, or a spectacular paella Valenciana cooked from scratch in front of them. 962 587 683 zecasstreetfood@gmail.com

F R O N T COV E R What's your flavour of the month? So long as it an artisan ice cream, made with love, it's fine with us.

Home and dry Beach towel from Belgium, made from recycled plastic, (each towel contains approximately 20 plastic bottles that have been recycled to create this innovative fabric). Fast drying and super absorbent, there’s a choice of 20 gorgeous designs to choose from, €49, including free shopping to Portugal. tropesa.com IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE

wish list

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The beautiful Casa Fuzetta in Olhão, featured in our April issue, and applauded by Travel&Leisure US not once, but twice, as one of the Best Yoga Retreat Venues in the world, will welcome a number of retreats this autumn. Most are sold out, but if you’re quick, some still have a few places open. Check out: casafuzetta.com/2021-retreats for full details. Casa Fuzetta also has one last window of availability: six nights from 26 October 2021. Email: casafuzetta@gmail.com

TA B L E S C A P E Dressing the wedding table is becoming almost as important as the dress itself, and Portuguese specialist, Vista Alegre, known for its cutting edge design, and twists on the traditional, will do the party proud. This pattern is Blue Ming; we love it. vistaalegre.com

let the sunshine in Jimmy Choo sunspecs put others in the shade. From the new collection at Loja 13, Quinta Shopping, €350. 962 144 231

Why settle for the simple when you can make a style statement? This black teak root coffee table with iron legs is from Oliveira in Tavira, and measures 120cm x 60cm x 37cm high, €1,150. While you’re in this treasure trove of decorating ideas, check out the handmade silk rugs. byoliveira.

Time to retreat

NEWS PLUS

Jessica Dunn Art

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During August, you can visit Jessica Dunn’s private gallery, the Dunn Studio, by appointment. In the rural village of Boliqueime, the gallery showcases Jessica’s impressive portfolio of works – original oil paintings, abstracts inspired by nature and the beautiful seascapes and landscapes of the Algarve, and limited-edition prints. Call 962 544 650, email info@jessicadunnart.com and visit jessicadunnart.com

IN THE GARDEN

COVER UPS

Studio Bongard is a muststop-and-see attraction for visitors to Monchique. Wind your way up from the little town square, follow the signs and discover a wonderland of one-off sculptures, made by Sylvain and Tara Bongard in their atelier. Everywhere you look in the garden gallery, there is something exotic, exciting, surprising and wantable. Open 10:00-19:00 in August, Tuesday to Sunday, and by appointment on Mondays. 968 362 930.

Think sustainable. These bowl hoods replace plastics like cling film, are vegan, and can be used over and over again – wipe them out and wash by hand or in the machine. Handsewn in Germany, in rehab workshops, they are made in upcycled fabrics or remnants, 100% cotton, and lined in ProCare® waterproof and foodsafe fabric, free of BPA, lead, and phthalates. Set of three 13cm, 18cm and 23cm, from everagain.com, €30

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE

S O L E M AT E S Oh la la. High-fashion French shoe maker, Freelance Paris, has created a new identity for itself, and with it a big range of shoes that are, well, very different to the usual, like this bright boot, Billi. We have five things to say: zip-a-dee-doo-dah. €1,150, online in September.€ freelance.fr

C A P I TA L CHOICES

In the bag Natty little pochette bag in tweed. By Evesome, €89, evesome.com

If you are in Lisbon and in the mood for a great eastern spread in gorgeous surroundings, visit JNcQUOI Asian in Av. Liberdade. And when you’ve had your fill, pop downstairs to shop – there’s a branch of Fashion Clinic, and a wonderful home store, JNcQUOI Maison, where you’ll find tableware, textiles, books and decorative pieces, including international brands represented for the first time in Portugal. Check out the menu and shopping possibilities at jncquoi.com/avenida/

PLANNING PLUS

P A D E R N E

pa st , present and future V I R T U A L LY O N T H E C E N T R A L A L G A R V E D O O R S T E P I S T H E S M A L L H I L L S I D E V I L L AG E O F PA D E R N E W IT H IT S P R O U D Y E S T E R D AY, O F T E N D E S E R T E D B A C K S T R E E T S O F T O D AY, A N D H U G E LY A M B I T I O U S P L A N S F O R A N E W T O M O R R O W

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BRIAN REDMOND

Above: Paderne today; This page top: the pink building destined to become a contemporary hotel; above: Paderne castle; right: Vanessa Barragão's first outdoor textile art installation, made of recycled materials, at Paderne's medieval bridge, until 2 September, commissioned by the Municipality of Albufeira to celebrate the aspiring Geoparque Algarvensis

Ready for change But plans are now being put in place to halt and ultimately reverse the trend. The Freguesia de Paderne, and the Câmara Municipal de Albufeira, have collaborated on an ambitious initiative to breathe new life into the village and the surrounding countryside. The three central Algarve municipalities of Loulé, Silves and Albufeira, cover approximately one third of the region and together are aspiring to create a Unesco World Geopark under the name of Geoparque Algarvensis. The aim is to identify, manage and promote in a sustainable way, the geological heritage of the area, and to protect and promote the economic wellbeing of the local people in these parts of the Serra do Barrocal. The region is rich in geodiversity, from the Mina de Sal Gema in Loulé, the natural clear spring waters at Benémola and Alte, and the soaring rock formation that is Rocha de Pena. Those are the rocks, fossils, and geological phenomena that shaped how humans lived and worked this land, and can be dated back to prehistory and to the dinosaurs.

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One of these castles is said to sits on a hill overlooking an often overlooked village in the municipality of Albufeira. It is the village of Paderne. Paderne as a settlement has existed since pre-Roman times. The Romans would eventually inhabit the area, followed by the Moors who brought with them their sophisticated agricultural methods and irrigation systems. It is located on the Ribeira de Quarteira, one of the rivers that is an important component of the Algarve’s ecosystem, the Querença-Silves Aquifer System. The river passes the village and loops around the hill that is topped by the castle built by the Moors. Like many rural villages up and down the country, Paderne has suffered from a regular decline in population, and it is now an area of low density with just 63 people per square kilometre.

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T WOULD be fair to say that the national flag of Portugal is quite ornate. It is made up of five complex elements. Known as Bandeira das Quinas or ‘Flag of the Groups of Five’, the two colours represent the hope of the nation (green) and the blood of those who died defending it (red). The armillary sphere, which is a navigational instrument, honours Portugal’s golden age of discovery. The five small blue shields each with five bezants or coins, representing the wounds of Christ, are associated with the ‘Miracle of Ourique’, when Afonso I was believed to have had an apparition from Christ prior to his conquest over the five Moorish kings of the Badajoz, Elvas, Évora, Beja and Seville taifas. And finally, there are the seven castles that symbolise the capture of seven enemy fortresses by Afonso III during the conquest of the Algarve that concluded in 1249.

PLANNING PLUS

The proposed Geopark title, Algarvensis, comes from the name given to a species of giant salamander that was discovered here, and was over two metres long. It is thought to be around 227 million years old and is named Metoposauras Algarvensis. Paderne would be a gateway to the proposed Geopark and the planned improvements to the village have taken cognisance of this potential. As someone who lives distant, and to the east of Paderne, it is a complicated trip to get there. It’s a little less so from Silves and from Albufeira. A solution to attract visitors from all directions would be to use the IC1. It passes a stone’s throw away from the village, but for whatever reason, an exit was never built to the area. It should be given serious consideration to allow people ease of access to the village, which is a very attractive place to visit.

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New directions Years of apathy on the part of the authorities have led to a lack of interest in the heart of the town. Fine old buildings have fallen into disrepair, the narrow streets around the parish church are used for parking. The market building, traditionally the heart of every small town as a weekly meeting place for the local community, is in a bad state and needs renovation and rejuvenation as a matter of urgency. The local freguesia and the Câmara de Albufeira have identified these points and they are in their action plan. The streets around the church would be pedestrianised, and historical buildings in this area have been signposted for renovation. Although they are in private ownership, various incentives are being proposed, some with carrot, some by stick. Tax breaks on renovations are on the cards. One building in particular has been earmarked. It is a grand old house, coloured pink, on Rua Miguel Bombarda. Its ground floor has been at times a grocery store, a pharmacy, a hat factory and a tailor’s shop. There are ambitions to transform the building into a quality hotel, not boutique, but special and accessible to the average guest. The building once served

Now, the Freguesia de Paderne and the Câmara Municipal de Albufeira have collaborated on an ambitious plan to breath new life into the village and the surrounding countryside.

as a masonic lodge, and a space used by one of the oldest philharmonic bands in the country, so there is a lot of history wrapped up in it. A statue commemorating 150 years of the philharmonic band can be seen on a landscaped area of the municipal car park. It was designed by sculptress Teresa Paulino (creator of The Observers at Faro airport roundabout). This car park is also under scrutiny in the new plan. Perhaps the biggest draw to Paderne in recent times is the Côrte Real art gallery, situated away from the village in an area called Ameijoafas – that sounds like a name for a vegetable, but is an old Moorish word for arches. On a recent visit there, I spoke with Pedro, one of the owners of the gallery, who told me about his enthusiasm for the future and the plans that are being generated for the renaissance of Paderne. “It is vital that younger people are encouraged to come to live here and to become part of the wider community,” he said, adding: “In order for that to happen, the village’s infrastructure must be greatly improved and incentives given for new start up businesses”. A co-working centre is in the plan, plus an upgrade to fibre optic broadband. There is even talk of a third-level college specialising in marine sciences close by in Mem Moniz.

Enjoy it now It goes without saying that Paderne has its fair share of eateries and one of those is Restaurant Garrafeira Veneza, on the road into Paderne from Ferreiras. It offers the best of both worlds – dining on great value local cuisine in a wine shop! In the village, on the same street as the grand old pink house, is Snack Bar A Banda, which serves excellent restaurante-style food at snack bar-style prices. There are many more options to choose from, but one worth mentioning is O Alagar on the road to Boliqueime, for an experience of Portuguese cuisine with subtle modern twists. When times are normal, Paderne hosts three festivals – the annual Carnaval in February, Noite Branca in August and Paderne Medieval which runs from 29 December to 1 January. These festivals are part of the reason why the village is earmarked for pedestrianisation and easier access. ‘Sustainability’ is an important concept and its definition is often misused. It seems to me that Paderne’s plan for its survival, renaissance and future is sustainable, as it takes into account its current needs, without compromising the natural and economic needs of future generations. It will follow along ancient natural paths and not brutally carve new ones as a short-term solution. And there are absolutely no plans for a golf course. Plans for the redevelopment of the region, and Paderne itself, are explained at youtube.com/ watch?v=JJITVQXmqts – absolutely worth a watch.

DAY T R I P P I N G 3 MORE THINGS TO MAKE TIME FOR WHILE THE SUMMER IS IN FULL S W I N G . A N D I F YO U H AV E V I S I TO R S , G E T T H E M O U T T H E R E TO

OUTINGS PLUS

EXPERIENCE THOSE SPECIAL EXTRAS THE ALGARVE HAS TO OFFER

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DEBBIE REYNOLDS

ISEA CATAMARAN TRIP Who doesn’t daydream about living the lifestyles of the rich and famous, cruising azure waters on a luxurious Catamaran? Well, with Isea, you get to do just that, on your personal charter in the beautiful Ria Formosa Natural Park, along channels and islands where you get to anchor in bays next to pristine beaches. Here you can relax on board, soaking up the sun and sea, or go ashore for an island walk. The more adventurous guests can snorkel or paddleboard. Your journey starts in the Faro Marina and takes you to the famed islands of Deserta and Culatra. Choose to lunch onboard (bring your own or ask for the catering service) or at a restaurant on the islands.

OUTINGS PLUS

If you’re looking for a truly authentic culinary experience, then this is the cherry on top. Sisters Mariana, Rosário and Ines have blended their skills to create a fun, informative and very tasty treat. Be it a cooking course, a culinary retreat, a gastronomic tour or a meal at their beautiful Monte do Álamo working farm and B&B in Tavira, you will be sure to go home knowing a little more about the unique tastes of this southern region of Portugal. I lapped up the two-and-a-half hour cooking course, learning how to make Seasoned Carrots à Algarvia, Chicken Cataplana, and Arroz Doce (sweet rice, convent style). It was all very hands-on and packed with information, such as where to buy the best free-range chicken, how to stop your eyes watering when cutting onions, and why Algarvian desserts are so egg-yolk based (because back in the day, puds were made by nuns,

C O S T: € 4 0 f o r d o i n g i t a l l , or € 20 for spectators E : booking@parasailing.pt T: 9 1 9 2 4 4 4 9 9

Isea offers a full day tour (10:00 to 17:30) or half-day (10:30 to 14:00, or 15:00 to 18:30). With current restrictions, the catamaran can accommodate up to 11 people and the price includes fuel, skipper, hostess, snorkelling equipment, two paddleboards and a welcome drink. Isea Charter’s Bruno says that they offer a flexible itinerary so you can explore the area at your own pace and get an insider’s view of the region with an informed local guide and skipper.

C O S T: € 1 , 3 5 0 f o r f u l l d a y o r € 8 0 0 f o r h a l f d ay. E : b r u n o @ i s e a c h a r t e r. c o m T: 9 6 7 0 4 1 7 6 4

and they used egg whites to starch their habits, meaning they had to find a use for the yolks!). Then – the best part – was being joined under the stars by my hubby and the B&B guests to sample the results of our efforts in the kitchen. Paired with local wines, the simple food was delicious – I’ll definitely be making it at home. The Taste Algarve programmes are flexible, seasonal, and can include visits to local markets and producers or you can enjoy the experience in your own home or villa with family and friends.

C O S T: C o o k i n g c o u r s e f r o m € 8 0 ; dinner €35 and home cooking c o u r s e ( y o u b u y t h e i n g r e d i e n t s) f r o m € 4 0 (a l l p e r p e r s o n) . E : mariana @tastealgar ve.com T: 9 1 7 5 9 3 3 3 9

What a great way to spend time – combining a visit to Vilamoura and its award-winning marina with the thrill of a boat ride and parasail experience. The custom-built boat will whisk you off into the Atlantic Ocean where you get to spend an hour cruising and eight to ten minutes in the air with a bird’s eye view of the beautiful coastline of Vilamoura and Quarteira. It’s as simple as being locked into your parasail and then gently lifted off the boat deck up to 200m into the air. The experience can accommodate one to three people and you get to choose if you would like to be ‘dipped’ into the ocean, before landing back on the boat. The reviews, which range from “adrenaline-pumping” and “I want to do it all over again” to “I wish it was longer” say it all. The operators assure that it is safe for all ages and no experience is required.

TASTE ALGARVE

ALGARVE P L U S

PARASAILING VILAMOURA

OUTINGS PLUS

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ALGARVE TREASURES SALT PANS EXPERIENCE There’s no doubt that salt is one of the lifebloods of the eastern Algarve where the ever-changing vistas of its salt pans are an enduring memory. To fully appreciate the magic of this process, a guided tour is a must. Algarve Treasures promises a memorable experience in the Ria Formosa Natural Park, where you get to take a walk through the salt pans near Olhão, to a salt pyramid that you can climb to enjoy the views and prolific birdlife that make this area so unique. They offer three different programmes, depending on group size and interests, and promise a “100% contact with nature”. The first (minimum of two adults) includes a guided tour

of the production area and salt pyramid with detailed explanation. The second option (minimum ten adults) adds a snack tasting with different varieties of traditional salt. The third choice (minimum of two adults) is the guided tour plus the spa addon, where guests can bathe in a salty lake (similar to the Dead Sea) for a different and healthy experience. What makes their tours unique, says owner Vanda, is that they share more than

just a guided tour, but rather the importance of salt to the region’s economy. “Remember in the old times, it was the reward for work, hence the word sálario. It’s about getting involved with the locals to see how they skillfully and delicately harvest the salt and salt flower. We don’t only tour people, our mission is to share the traditional Algarve with our guests.”

C O S T: T O U R 1 : € 1 2 . 5 0 a d u l t s , € 7. 5 0 c h i l d r e n 4 t o 1 2 TOU R 2 : € 20 adult s , € 1 1 . 5 0 children 4 to 12 T O U R 3 : € 1 5 a d u l t s , € 7. 5 0 c h i l d r e n 4 t o 1 2 Children under 3 are free E : comercial @algar vetreasures .pt T: 9 1 0 0 6 0 5 1 5

ALGARVE WINE TOURS Fábio is quick to admit that while he calls himself a wine expert, he doesn’t have any formal training, except for his passion that started after he worked on his father-in-law’s Portimão wine farm. Now, he’s the man when it comes to sharing in-depth knowledge. He offers an exclusive tour of two Algarve wine estates, including three tastings at each estate, and then a meal (choice of starters, main course, dessert, house wine, water and coffee) at a choice of two restaurants – Luar da Fóia or Paraíso da Montanha in the picturesque mountain town of Monchique. Fábio assures that his tours are private, with no more than

six people per tour, so everyone gets the full experience, from how the grapes are grown and harvested, to the cellar-aging process and tasting techniques. “I love showing guests a different Algarve, away from the beaches, so that they get to see how we live on the other side, where it’s not just about the sea and seafood,” says Fábio. A highlight is the visit to Fóia, the highest point of the southern Algarve, where you can experience uninterrupted views for up to 100km of the Algarve coast. Fábio operates from Portimão, but at extra cost will collect clients in and around the area.

C O S T: € 9 0 t o € 1 0 0 d e p e n d i n g o n restaurant choice. E : algar vewinexperience @gmail.com T: 9 6 5 2 7 7 1 4 0

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ART E

GREAT WORKS PLUS

MUSEUMS ARE ONCE AGAIN ON THE LIST FOR THOSE SEEKING T I M E AWAY W I T H G O O D A R T. HERE ARE THE TOP FOUR TO D I S C O V E R : A N O I L M A G N AT E ’ S EXTENSIVE COLLECTION, CHERISHED THROUGHOUT HIS LIFE; THE MAIN ART MUSEUM H O U S I N G P O R T U G A L’ S N AT I O N A L TREASURES; A CENTRAL INSTITUTION OF A UNIVERSITY TOWN SHAPED AS MUCH BY THE ART AS BY ITS OWN HISTORY; A N D A M O D E R N F O U N D AT I O N HOSTING CONTEMPORARY EXHIBITIONS

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IGOR ROCHA

Opposite page, top, clockwise: Great Balls, from a temporary exhibit at the Serralves, Porto; Deposition of Christ by Jean de Rouen, at Machado de Castro National Museum, Coimbra; the past São Paulo Bienal installation, at Serralves. This page: Diana by JeanAntoine Houdon, Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, Lisbon

Serralves, Porto

Walking down the main path to the Serralves Museum in Porto, our first stop, you see many solid walls and not a lot of windows. The project is linear but not square, and besides the main gallery, it includes a library, auditorium, restaurant, and a bookshop. Once inside, it’s all about the light: it was a particular desire of the architect to add direct soft light, making much use of natural sources. While Serralves does have a collection, there is no permanent display in the museum; exhibitions come and go, while those from the collection are displayed on rotation every couple of years. Instead, the museum itself is perennial, and the art a changing stream of thought, always trying to define and redefine our times. Currently, visitors will find Nalini Malani’s Utopia!?, a series of video displays focusing on her animation work, its most interesting one being Memory: Record/Erase, the celebrated Indian artist’s first erasure animation. From the Serralves collection is Romi Horn’s Some Thames, a series of images showing the river waters in different states of agitation; and Jorge Molder’s mostly self-representational series of black-and-whites. The main exhibition is Louise Bourgeois’s To Unravel a Torment, on until 19 September. On display are works from various stages of the artist’s long career, which are often dark, grotesque representations of tortured emotions, at times organic, at others industrial. Most disturbing are Destruction of Father, with its particular rendering of human skin, and Lady in Waiting, a ragdoll bound to a chair enclosed in a wooden chamber, with metallic spidery legs sprouting from its body, under focus of a warm light spot. Bourgeois’s work also spills into the estate grounds where Maman, a giant spider – egg sac and all – stalks the Villa’s courtyard. A museum ticket grants access to the external areas of the estate as well, and visitors should make time for a walk around the park after their visit. The woods, farm and herb garden can be found down the path from Maman. Serralves is truly an idyll.

S TAT E O F I N T R O S P E C T I O N ,

EMERGES FROM ITS FORCED

THE EVER-CHANGING PRESENT

ALGARVE P L U S

A S T H E C O U N T R Y S L O W LY

GREAT WORKS PLUS

CURATED BY ONE

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Calouste Gulbenkian’s Collection, Lisbon When Calouste Gulbenkian died on 20 July 1955, his private collection still did not have a permanent home. It nearly went to Washington, London, and Paris, yet it ended up in Lisbon, the city of his passing. Now, the 6,440-piece collection resides in the Calouste Gulbenkian Museum, belonging to the foundation of the same name. The building is part of the 1960’s architectural complex located in the heart of Lisbon, boasting a charming park surrounding the area where birds chirp and ducks dive in their artificial pond. Gulbenkian’s permanent exhibition is arranged in geographical and chronological order, lending a sense of alignment and fitting in with the horizontals and verticals of the building. There are occasional large windows promoting nature vistas throughout, dimmed by the semi-transparent curtains to protect the art. The light design is exceptional and especially powerful on works of importance, the greatest example being Houndon’s Diana display, featured prominently, where even the shadows cast on the walls carry an artistic flair. Also worthy of longer contemplation are Rembrandt’s large Palas Athena, a sprawling tapestry work after Giulio Romano, Manet’s Boy Blowing Bubbles, Dagnan-Bouveret’s Les Bretonnes au Pardon, and Renoir’s Portrait of Madame Claude Monet. The temporary exhibits room is down on the lower level of the building, where the brilliant exhibition of René Lalique’s work closed in April. Gulbenkian, however, was a friend of Lalique’s and purchased many of his items, and today his jewellery and glass works live in a dedicated room as part of the permanent collection. Calouste Gulbenkian was a man of fine taste, and the foundation has been of huge benefit to Portugal’s cultural development.

ROMAN GROUND

Machado de Castro National Museum, Coimbra Back in Roman times, Central Portugal was the meeting place of two important road systems. The city they intersected was known as Aeminium, and today, some 2,000 years later, the city has come to be known as Coimbra, where Machado de Castro National Museum now stands on top of the ancient forum ruins. First conceived as a municipal museum of art and industry back in 1887, subsequent administrations kept on improving the facilities and adding to its collection. At present, the items range from ancient tablets and portraits to ceramics, paintings, gold and silver objects, furniture, and religious clothing. The works are overwhelmingly religious in subject matter, and there’s even a preserved church chancel inside, together with excavation layers of the foundation all the way to pre-Roman times. However, the museum truly shines through its sculpture collection. An unmissable piece is the Deposition of Christ altar

Left: The sumptuous entrance to Coimbra's Machado de Castro National Museum; below: The Virgin of Sorrows, by Quentin Metsys, at The Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon

sculpture and its intimate details, which, combined, make it come alive. Another famous resident is the Black Christ, made famous by early restoration work that tinged the wood darker. Other works of note are the Roman portraits down in the cryptoport and Hodart’s Last Supper, and its individual pieces that still manage to tell a story.

NATIONAL TREASURES Museum of Ancient Art, Lisbon

Located in a relatively quiet area of Lisbon, with views over the docks on the Tagus and the bridge, the National Museum of Ancient Art is the most important historical art museum in the country. There, spread over four levels of a traditional palatial building, the visitor will find European painting and tapestry work, an area dedicated to treasures acquired through Portuguese expansionism, ceramics, a lavish collection of silverware, furniture and sculpture work. Several works were donated to the museum by Calouste Gulbenkian. The top level is reserved exclusively for Portuguese painting and sculpture work. If the weather permits, a pleasant recharge session in the garden does wonders, where there is a restaurant, too. On display until May 2022 is the public restoration work of the famous St Vincent Panels. Painted around 1470 by Nuno Gonçalves, the panels feature 58 people gathered around St. Vincent, who is depicted twice. The museum’s showstopper resident, however, is Bosch’s Temptation of St Anthony triptych. This infernal procession is based on the oftendepicted supernatural torments the saint is reported to have suffered during his turbulent time in the desert. The bizarre demonic spawn, so characteristic of Bosch, have even inspired their own line of collectibles, sold at the museum’s gift shop. Other notable pieces include Dürer’s Portrait of St Jerome, with its brilliant technique used to render the saint’s beard; the small but full-ofcuriosity Virgin With Child; a large Virgin of Sorrows by Quentin Metsys, from Madre de Deus church it is worth spending several minutes inspecting its effects in detail; Hell, by an unknown Portuguese master; and the sense of magical wonder that is Domingos António Sequeira’s eye-watery surprise Adoration of the Magi, with its incredible use of light and colour.

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border, Vilarinho da Furna was probably founded by Romans in the 1st century. For years, the town developed and grew as important Roman tracks passed by. According to some beliefs, the people who lived there created a strong community. The first written reference to the village was in a book of baptisms in 1623. The village was ruled by a small group. According to beliefs, the local Junta dates back to Visigoth times, when a member of each family would have had their say in the most important decisions. Topics such as building new roads, managing cattle, irrigating the fields, hunting, and harvesting were discussed by the Junta. As Vilarinho da Furna was a self-sustaining community, there was no place for mistakes or leaving things undone. The Junta was also protecting people from various kinds of injustice. The communal meeting was so important that unjustified absence was punished by community work. For the biggest crime, a

villager could be excluded from the community. As no one would help an excluded villager with harvesting or herding their cattle, they were basically exiled. But while the Junta was able to sustain itself for centuries, protecting its citizens from hunger, fire, and different armies, it couldn’t protect itself from the flood that resulted not from the angry power of nature, but because of supposed progress.

The flood As Vilarinho da Furna was a self-sustaining village and unwelcome to outsiders, villagers led a hard, yet calm life. But everything started to change in the 1950s. The bad news reached the ears of the over 300 villagers who lived in the region at that time: the Portuguese Electricity Company decided to build a dam on the nearby Homem River to create hydroelectricity. In 1967, when construction started despite the protests of the inhabitants, the villagers knew that there was no longer a place for their community lifestyle, and that they would have to leave their homeland. Fifty-seven families left in 1969 after

T H E H I S T O R Y O F A P L A C E I S O F T E N S H R O U D E D U N D E R T H E L AY E R S O F C H A N G E T H AT C O M E W I T H T H E Y E A R S . H O W E V E R , T H E V I L L A G E O F V I L A R I N H O D A F U R N A K E E P S I T S S E C R E T S U N D E R T H E WAT E R . W H I L E IT MIGHT SOUND MAGICAL , IT'S NOT A STORY ABOUT THE PROMISED L A N D O F AT L A N T I S , B U T O N E O F D E S T R U C T I V E I N E Q U I T Y

Wo rd s:

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HIDDEN from VIEW

A LESSON PLUS

Just ten years after the village disappeared under the water, a museum was created in the nearby municipality of Terras de Bouro. Its goal is to commemorate the history of the community of Vilarinho da Furna. Agricultural tools, old clothes, and paintings are artefacts that show us the previous lives of the villagers. The museum building was created with stones from the original houses from the submerged village. The memory of the village didn’t disappear, and lives on in

When the story reappears For most of the year, the village is invisible from the surface. Local guides offer trips on glass bottoms boats so you can see the old houses from above. However, sometimes, when the reservoir’s water drops, Vilarinho da Furna appears before the eyes of the visitors. Even though some houses date back to Roman times, there is not much splendour here. Ruined buildings remind one of the sad story of the people who had to leave their homeland.

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Just remember

the hearts of the people who were the last ones to leave. The project Valorização do Espaço Natural da Serra da Amarela (Serra da Amarela Natural Space Appreciation), created in 2008, allows people to appreciate the wildlife of this area, and also learn about the culture and history of the area. There is no doubt that former citizens of Vilarinho da Furna inspired this move. In 1985, they came together and created the Association of Former Inhabitants of S PA I N Vilarinho da Furna. Even though their heritage is covered with water, they decided to keep it alive in the consciousness of the people. They not only want to share the idea of the collective lifestyle, but also to take care of nature, by reforestation, creating animal reserves and more.

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receiving indemnity from the electricity company. The price they received for leaving their family homes seemed like a joke. For each square metre, they were paid 0.5 escudos for just the land: the price of half a sardine. Land with a building was evaluated at five escudos per square metre: ten sardines for a piece of long-lasting heritage. Most of the roads near the village were constructed by the community of Vilarinho da Furna. Despite the promises of the dam construction company, the villagers were pressured to build a new road on their own. That way, they could be evacuated, and take their belongings from their houses. The desperation of those people can be seen now in the destroyed houses. The last person left Vilarinho da Furna in 1971, and the village was covered with water the next year. More than 344 hectares were submerged.

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L A S T M O N T H IT WA S C A K E T I M E ; T H I S M O N T H I T ’ S T H E I D E A L AC C O M PA N I M E N T, C O F F E E . W E ’ R E Y E A R S , A N D A M E N U O F O P T I O N S , AWAY F R O M T H E ‘ I N S TA N T O R R E G U L A R ’ O F F E R I N G , W I T H O U R B A R I S TA S S E R V I N G U P T H E B E S T

Wo rd s :

C A R O LY N K A I N

FU LL of

B E ANS

S Opposite page, top left clockwise: the lavish Majestic café in Porto; coffee served with love and a pastel de nata at Bean17 in Loulé; coffee plantation in Manizales, Colombia

O DEVOTED are the Portuguese to the taste of coffee, you might think that they invented it. In fact, it reached these shores much later than most other places and today it is as if the nation is trying to catch up on the centuries it missed. Indoors, outdoors, throughout the day but rarely in the evening, coffee is served in a variety of ways, often with sugar but never with cream. Probably most popular with the natives is a small size bica (spout) or a bica cheia – sometimes called a carioca – when the coffee is topped up with an extra shot of water. A garoto (little boy) is similar in size with milk, whereas a garoto escuro (dark little boy) contains only a splash. A galão or a galão forte (strong gallon) is a coffee made with foaming milk, but unlike meia de leite (milky coffee), it is served in a tall glass rather than a cup. Nowadays, these traditional names are interchangeable with cappuccinos, macchiatos, Americanos, lattes, frappuccinos, espressos and the rest.

Bet you didn’t know this Depending on the variety of beans and brew, a true coffee aficionado will appreciate the boost provided by the caffeine. In a long line ofWo caffeine a high today as rd s:junkies, BRIA N RisEasDpopular MOND it was when first experienced 600 years ago. Unlikely as it may sound, the first to come across such a ‘hit’ was a flock of goats in the Abyssinian mountains. The goatherd noticed that, sampling ripe red berries from a nearby bush, his flock was more frolicsome than usual, and deduced the reason for their behavior. Exactly as happens with human beings, the caffeine was activating chemistry inside the goats’ brains, stimulating the production of adrenaline and energising colonic muscles to bring about bowel movements. It’s no wonder that the goats were frisky! The story continues with the same goatherd showing a monk the berries, and telling him what he’d witnessed. Perhaps to avoid further colonic episodes, the offending berries were thrown onto a fire. The potent and pleasant aroma caused other monks to gather round, scrape the beans out of the embers, boil them with water and drink

cafés attracted ladies, providing lemonade, tea and sorbet made with ice brought by mules from the mountains in the north. When the coffee revolution happened, it was unexpected and inadvertent. It was launched by a Portuguese entrepreneur, Adriano Telles, whose ambition it was to run a grocery shop importing unusual foodstuffs from Brazil. Selling a range of items including guava jam, tapioca, pimentos and manioc flour, at first he had little success with his roasted coffee beans. Despite providing leaflets to explain how they should be brewed, sales only grew when he began to offer his clients a free cup of coffee. His first shop in Porto transformed into a café that attracted a fashionable set of people who were happy to pay for their coffee and experience its undeniable effects. Two years later, in 1905, Telles opened another branch of A Brasileira in the Chiado district of Lisbon. Today the lavishly decorated premises are of historic and architectural interest as the forerunner of many similar establishments. Located in cities and provincial towns across the country, some of them retain their Art Nouveau and Deco interiors. As the craze for coffee increased and the associated café culture grew, so did the need for roasting and grinding machines. The first such equipment to arrive in Loulé was used until 1970 and is a historic artifact on display in a back street museum. Traditional methods have been refined and professional training introduced to become a qualified ‘barista’. In order to produce a perfect cup of coffee, filtered water must be carefully combined with Arabica or Robusta beans or a mixture of the two. Finally, a flourishing design of latte art must float upon the surface.

SIPPING PRETTY Try Ilona van Meegen’s take on Affogato at Bean 17 Coffee & More at the side of Loulé’s Municipal Market. A scoop of her homemade Madagascar vanilla bean ice cream topped by an espresso, is something else. She's there Tuesday to Friday 9:30 to 14:30, and on Saturday 8:30 to 14:00.

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the resulting beverage. Flavoursome and enlivening, word of these ‘magic beans’ travelled fast around the Arab world, as people identified the coffee bush and replicated the infusion. Taste buds, brains and bodily functions were aroused to such an extent that within half a century people were drinking coffee in Mecca. Another half a century, and the Turks in Constantinople were addicted, and inevitably, by the end of the 16th century, Venetian merchants introduced this so-called ‘Arabian wine’ into most of Europe. Initially, in Rome, it was condemned as a Muslim decoction, but when Pope Clement VII tasted it, he was impressed and provided his Christian seal of approval. By the middle of the 17th century, coffee was set to dominate the drinking world as cafés boomed and became places where intellectuals and artists gathered. Commercial success resulted in many European countries cultivating coffee plantations in their colonies, notably the Dutch in Java, Timor and Suriname. Meanwhile, in terms of drinking coffee, the Portuguese were lagging far behind; we know this because it is rarely mentioned in literature written at the time. Although Brazil was growing large quantities of coffee, like the Portuguese the country’s taste buds were not tickled, and most of it was exported elsewhere. By the end of the 19th century, Brazil no longer had colonial ties to Portugal, and unlike most of the rest of world neither country had developed the coffee habit. Instead, in Lisbon and across the country, people mostly socialised in botequins (taverns) and tavolagens (gambling houses) where alcohol was served. A few

Initially, in Rome, coffee was condemned as a Muslim decoction, but when Pope Clement VII tasted it, he was impressed and provided his Christian seal of approval.

TASTE PLUS

Courgette, cumin and lime fritters F O R A TA S T Y, F U S S - F R E E S U P P E R , Y O U R E A L LY C A N ’ T B E AT A F R I T T E R . H E R E , C U M I N , C O R I A N D E R A N D L I M E E M B E L L I S H A N O T H E R W I S E S T R A I G H T F O R WA R D B AT T E R G O O D F O R A N Y G R AT E D V E G , B U T D O E X P E R I M E N T W I T H O T H E R F L AVO U R I N G S – B A S I L A N D L E M O N O R S M O K E D PA P R I K A A N D C H I L L I – O R L E AV E O U T A LT O G E T H E R . YO U C O U L D S U B S T I T U T E T H E C O U R G E T T E S F O R G R AT E D C A R R O T, B E E T R O O T, PA R S N I P S O R C A U L I F L O W E R A N O T H E R D AY. T R Y THE FITTERS COLD FOR LUNCH, OR COOK THEM SMALL AND SERVE AS PRE-DINNER NIBBLES

RECIPE

60g self-raising flour 1tsp ground cumin  ½ tsp flaky sea salt  1 egg  40ml whole milk  250g courgettes, trimmed  3tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves  1 lime, zest and juice  200ml sunflower oil, for frying  200g natural yoghurt  

M ET HOD 1 Preheat the oven to 120°C/100°C fan/gas mark ½. 2 Whisk together the flour, ground cumin, measured salt and a few turns of pepper in a large bowl. 3 Beat the egg and milk together in a jug, then pour it gradually into the dry mix, whisking as you go, to create a smooth batter.

4 Grate the courgettes onto a chopping board using the coarse side of a box grater, then squeeze them between your hands to get rid of any excess liquid. Add the gratings to the batter with 1 tablespoon of the chopped coriander and the lime zest and stir through. 5 Pour the sunflower oil into a large, non-stick frying pan so it is, give or take, 2cm deep. Warm over a medium-high heat until a droplet of batter fizzes on contact with the oil. 6 Spoon heaped tablespoon-sized dollops of the batter into the pan and fry for 4–6 minutes on each side. They are ready when the outside is golden and the inside is fluffy and just cooked through. You may need to do this in batches, so transfer the cooked fritters to a plate lined with kitchen paper and pop them into the warmed oven while you do the rest. 6 Mix the yoghurt with the remaining coriander leaves, the lime juice and a pinch of salt, and serve it in a bowl alongside the pile of warm fritters.

GROWING YOUR OWN? THEN YOU’LL REALLY APPRECIATE FROM THE VEG PATCH BY KATHY SLACK, WHO ALSO TOOK THE LUSCIOUS PHOTOS. IT IS PUBLISHED BY EBURY PRESS AND AVAILABLE FROM AMAZON.DE, FNAC AND BERTRAND, FROM €25

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I NGR E DI E N TS

ALGARVE P L U S

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CAFEZIQUE A TR U E FAVO U R ITE , FI RS T R E VI E WED H ER E I N APR I L O F L A S T Y E AR , C LOS ED B EC AU S E O F TH E PAN D EM I C , AN D N OW O PEN AGAI N AN D B E T TER

T THE BEST of times, there

can be little that’s less scary than opening a brand new restaurant with a boldly adventurous concept in cuisine, in a town hitherto not known to be a culinary wonderland. At the worst of times, you do it, get hugely applauded and then, just as you start building up a following of consequence, disaster hits. And that is precisely what happened to Loulé’s Cafezique last year. But while many in the business locked their doors, dispensed with their staff and sat back and waited, the team, undaunted, planned for a new chapter when going out was returned to the menu.

With Chef Leandro Araujo, they focused on developing new dishes, experimenting with different taste combinations, and creating fresh experiences. And they remained constant to the style they had been getting known for, using the best of Portuguese produce from local sources – shiitake mushrooms from Monte Cau, pork from Feito no Zambujal; vegetables from Quinta das Castelhanas; fish from the coast and from Ria Formosa. It is what they achieve with those ingredients that counts. The product comes first, Leandro will tell you. “All dishes have one thing in common, and that is retaining the original flavours of the ingredients.”

FOOD Sharing, from the sea and the land, that you'll want to keep to yourself

DECOR It has its own charm – relaxed, comfortable, like home from home

PRICE From €8.90 to €17.90; puds €6.90 to €7.90; a wonderful cheese plate €10.40

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Bread is baked daily in the kitchens; everything is made with meticulous attention to detail. Currently, the most popular dishes are deep fried pastries served with grilled octopus and green curry; black rice, shiitake, pork crackling and grilled squid; Abade de Priscos – a flan of blue cheese and roasted apple. The coastal prawn tartare with celery and kaffir lime is another favourite, especially with the speciality bread, a wheat sourdough. Worth sampling is the tasting menu, €75pp, of nine dishes that include a gazpacho with sea lettuce and a Ria Formosa oyster. The wine selection also takes in the best of Portugal, with specialities from 14 regions, but the Champagne, of course, comes from France. We said this last year and we’ll repeat it here – get inside, be charmed by the open kitchen, and the buttoned banquet seating piled high with cushions and dressed with pots of herbs. There are oval tables rather than round, which makes conversation flow. No thudding music – a delight in itself. Upstairs, there’s a small dining room – perfect for private parties – and at the top, a small roof terrace, overlooked by the floodlit castle turret on one side and with views to the square below. Cafezique is open from 19.00, Monday to Saturday.

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‘Surprising combinations that add up to something special’

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RATINGS PLUS

A LT E R N AT I V E H E A LT H A D V I C E I S R E A D I LY AVA I L A B L E O N L I N E . S TA C E Y B A R T L E T T R AT E D T H O S E SHE TRIED OUT OF TEN, BASED ON HOW EASY ROUTINES WERE TO F O L L O W, T H E I M PA C T T H AT T H E Y H A D A N D H O W L I K E LY S H E W O U L D PERSEVERE WITH THEM LONG TERM

It goes without saying that when it comes to health practices, you need to exercise caution, and if in doubt, stop and get some professional advice!

Cranialsacral therapy

Years ago I had some back pain that was not getting any better and someone recommended cranialsacral therapy to me. This practice aims to regain alignment around the bones and muscles of the head and spine and bring relief in these areas. I was expecting something similar to chiropractic treatment, but in reality, it was completely different; the practitioner barely touched me and there were certainly no cracks or pops! Afterwards, I was unsure as to whether anything had actually happened, until I got in my car and found that all of my mirrors needed to be re-adjusted, so

presumably I had been too! With this in mind, I found a self-treatment video for relieving anxiety, stress and pain. Explaining that the pressure you need to exert is less than the pressure a small coin exerts on the back of your hand, you are taken through some very simple exercises around the face and ears. I felt a calming sensation while doing it, but to be honest, whether this was from the treatment or just from taking time out to sit, breathe and move gently and slowly, I am not quite sure. youtube.com/ watch?v=1D09zFVfaYs

My score: 5/10

ALGARVE P L U S

SELF CARE

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A bit of

RATINGS PLUS

Meditation - Headspace

ALGARVE P L U S

I have meditated only in short bursts at yoga classes before now, but I have several friends who swear by it. Headspace is one of the most popular meditation and sleep improvement apps available. It is designed for beginners as well as experienced meditators, with guided breathing and meditation exercises of varying lengths. I do tend to get distracted easily but, helpfully, it is acknowledged early on that the techniques take practice and that losing focus is normal.

In the app are semi-guided and unguided meditation sessions – you choose the session you like and then alter the length according to how much time you have available. Headspace also aims to improve the quality of your sleep. ‘Falling back to sleep’ is for use when you wake in the night and encourages you to count backwards from 1,000 – it’s the guided meditation version of counting sheep... and it works! Available on iPhone and Android, the app is free to download with limited content; annual subscription is €57.99 Headspace.com

My score: 8/10

Feng Shui do’s and don’ts for the bedroom

In simple terms, Feng Shui is an ancient practice of looking at the arrangement of items in your home. It is believed that you can affect balance and your ability to harness natural energy (chi) through the layout, colour scheme and items you have around you. The bedroom is a good room to tackle first. If you make relatively simple changes, it is said that you will sleep better and this in turn will have a positive impact on all aspects of your life. This video shows you some simple changes that you can make, such as ensuring that your bed is in the ‘command’ position, and that mirrors do

not affect the energy in the room. There are some good diagrams and explanations as well as a little quiz at the end to test your understanding of the principles. Whether you are a believer or not, it seems silly not to at least give this a go if you have the time and motivation to make a change. At the very least, change is good, and sometimes you can get a new perspective just by rearranging furniture, regardless of the impact on your chi. youtube.com/ watch?v=FCXxbBrbkls

My score: 7/10

Face yoga

A friend of mine has trained in face yoga and is about to start classes in the Algarve, but in the meantime you can find lots of instructional videos on the internet. Face yoga is about exercising your face like you exercise your body and practitioners state that it can prevent wrinkles and lines and ultimately be an alternative to cosmetic surgery. The first thing to say about face yoga is that some of the poses look and sound a bit ridiculous so you might want to give this a go when you are by yourself. With nearly three million views, this video is a good starting point demonstrating five of the most effective face yoga moves. Simple

to follow and quick to do, it involves sticking your tongue out, raising your eyebrows, moving your head from side to side and other easy moves. You should practise every day, but a basic routine takes only five minutes. Having only just started, I have not noticed any difference yet (apart from my husband laughing at me when he caught me in the act!) but seeing as it is free and easy and many people swear by it, there is no reason not to give it a go and just wait and see what happens. youtube.com/ watch?v=17KgzVklTmo

My score: 7/10

Headache and migraine relief with reflexology

I am fascinated by reflexology and the concept that by applying pressure on your feet, in the right way and in the right place, you can treat a whole host of ailments throughout your whole body. I thought I would start with this video as headaches are something that most people suffer with from time to time. The explanation of the points on the foot that are connected to the head and the spine and how to apply pressure correctly, are easy to follow. I attempted the technique on my husband – apparently

it is easier initially to treat someone other than yourself – and he said that he thought it provided some headache relief and was quite relaxing. Reflexology is a vast subject and I just touched on one very small part of it. To understand it completely requires study and practice, but knowing just a few simple pressure points to help alleviate a headache may well come in handy! youtube.com/ watch?v=k4Ro6vOke8E

My score: 7/10

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T he science of

S A N D

D U N E S

GALERIA CÔRTE- REAL is signposted from Boliqueime, Ferreiras and Paderne O P E N : T H U R S D AY t o S U N D AY, 1 1 : 0 0 - 1 7 : 0 0

T: 9 1 2 7 3 7 7 6 2 / c o r t e r e a l a r t e . c o m

CREATIVITY PLUS

SAND MOVES AND CHANGES AND DANCES WITH THE WIND, SET TLING IN ONE PL ACE , OF TEN FOR SECONDS , THEN STIRRING A N D S H I F T I N G T O C R E AT E A D I F F E R E N T I M P R E S S I O N . A R T I S T J U A N VA S Q U E Z C A P T U R E S E V E R Y M OV E M E N T

growing out of the sand as roots and rhizomes hold the grains in place. Like any natural scientist, Juan’s observation of the plant life is precise, taking note of more species that begin to colonise the dunes. His paintings feature sea-spurrey, spiny thrift, beach stock, sea holly, varieties of thyme, and swathes of purple sea lavender. Noticeably, where the dunes are healthy, organic plant material has broken down and humus has been created. As seen in Juan’s paintings, the sand has turned yellow-grey in colour, and is inhabited by different plants such as henbane, catchfly and candy tuft. It is in this region that the blue flowers of the pimpernel prostrate themselves on long thread-like stalks. This little creeper has been called ‘the glory of the sand dunes of the Atlantic coast of South Portugal’. Plant life on these fixed dunes changes with the seasons. Throughout the summer, the lovely white flowers of the sea daffodil grow from large bulbs and add exoticism to the dunes. Weird parasitic plants – cistanche phelypaea – throw up spikes of brilliant yellow flowers. Later in the year, the glasswort turns red, and beneath two papery spathes, large rounded seed heads appear on the sea daffodils. All of this year-round activity is observed by Juan’s watchful eye and recreated with painstaking care in his work. Currently, an exhibition of his latest paintings is on display at Galeria Côrte-Real on the outskirts of the village of Paderne.

UAN VASQUEZ is a noted Spanish artist living close to the Costa de la Luz. Regularly crossing the border into Portugal, he concedes that the coastal scenery of the eastern Algarve is more diverse and interesting than the beaches seen in Spain. Although the coastlines are a continuation of each other, in Portugal it is the tides, currents and the barrier islands of the Ria Formosa that create a different and more harmonious scene. Particularly inspired by the Algarve’s sand dunes, Juan’s handsome paintings recreate nature in action. The forever-changing landscape of the lower beach presents him with endless possibilities, as ridges of sand turn into embryo dunes. Blown by the wind, the individual grains pile up forming a gentle slope on the windward side, and a steeper gradient behind. These formations can be transient, washed away by the waves, but where the sand is above the tideline, foredunes are created. As an artist, Juan carefully observes developmental stages, from the sea-wrinkled shoreline to sand ridges, then embryo and foredunes. Each stage is demarcated in his paintings by colours and tones that replicate the scene. Further up the beach, vegetation comes into play, beginning to stabilise the sand and create fixed dunes. Couch or lime grass is followed by tough maram grass, and sedges with underground stems – all of them miraculously

C A R O LY N K A I N

ALGARVE P L U S

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ARTIST’S CHOICE

Best-loved hue Ultramarine blue Preferred sounds Those of Mozart, and Bach Favourite time to paint Without question, in the afternoons Walking choices Along the shore And tastes… Paella, of course, and real Portuguese cuisine The greatest loves Animals… and my two daughters

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ANSWERS PLUS

answer the membership questions and I can’t see where they live, they don’t get accepted. I’d rather protect the group’s integrity than just build on numbers. 13 Why are they signing up? Friendship, curiosity, to promote themselves, and to meet others.

1 Where are you from and when did you land here? I am from South Africa and first came to the Algarve, via the UK, in 1999 and settled permanently in 2004. 2 What was your chosen place to live and why? Albufeira – we already had an apartment there and a property management business. 3 Are you still there now? We moved to Loulé in December 2019. It was time to downsize and we wanted to live in the countryside, away from the seagulls. 4 So what attracted you to Loulé? The excellent range of amenities, a peaceful environment, and a welcoming community. 5 Have you always been in the communications business? I have a hotel management background and was in property rentals and management for years. 6 So what was the thinking behind Women of Loulé? I wanted to create a group for women that was local and

community-focused, where we could make friends, discover similar interests and ask for advice and recommendations. 7 Once you had the idea, what was the strategy to make it reality? I simply created the group and invited a few friends. 8 When did you start? In May 2021. We already have over 220 members. 9 Are you an avid social media user anyway? No, not at all. I think many women shy away from it because of internet trolls, so I wanted to create a safe haven for them. 10 How fast did word get out? Quite quickly, considering I didn’t know many people in the area! 11 Any restrictions? The group is restricted to women living and working in the Loulé municipal area and near surrounds. 12 So how many applications have you had so far? Many, but if they don’t

16 What about friends of friends – are they accepted? They are very welcome, if they meet the group’s criteria. 17 Is there any special help/support, you give those in the group? We are creating a Community Support file with information on accessing local resources. 18 How frequently are there posts? Several times a day. Members are encouraged to post, and to interact within the group. 19 Can one promote themselves or their business to others in the group? New members introduce themselves and tell us about their business, but after that we have a strict no-advertising policy. New members... policy. We have also created a Women of Loulé Business & Services public group, where all members can freely advertise their business and services, as well as local events. 20 What has been your greatest achievement so far? I am inspired by the talents of the women in the group – artists, dance and yoga instructors, designers, teachers. The achievements are not mine; I just created the platform.

BARBARA DERBER E : b a r b a r a @ a l g a r ve g e t a w ays . co m / F: f a c e b o o k . co m /g r o u p s /wo m e n o f l o u l e

I N M AY , B A R B A R A D E R B E R F O R M E D A F A C E B O O K G R O U P I N V ITI N G WO M EN O F LO U L É TO J O I N , C O M M U N I C AT E , S H A R E T H O U G H T S A N D I N T E R E S T S , A N D B U I L D F R I E N D S H I P S . H U N D R E D S H AV E S I G N E D U P

15 Are you are all socialising – where and when and how many of you? Some are meeting for a walk or coffee, but most prefer to wait until the current situation is under control.

questions...

ALGARVE P L U S

14 What would you say are the three key objectives of the group? Community, connection , support.

OUR DOORS ARE OPEN AGAIN... WE LOOK FORWARD TO CELEBRATING A NEW YOU.

Jim

H A I R A RT I S TS

Pho ne or em a i l for t h at s pec i a l a pp oi n tm e n t. T: +351 914 452 315 E : j i m h a i r a rt i st s @ gm a i l .c om E stra da Va l e d o Lob o 9 47 A | 81 3 5 - 016 A lm a n c i l

Building a

T R I B U T E

IRST, THE background: On 30 November

1943, following a navigational error and lack of fuel, the US Liberator bomber crashed into the sea south of Faro. Five of the crew of 11 were killed in the crash; six survived. The wreck itself was not discovered until 2007. The crash occurred close to a fivemetre open fishing boat, manned by Jaime Nunes, José Mascarenhas and the latter’s 13-year-old son, Manuel. The three immediately set about rescuing the six remaining crew members, two of whom were badly injured. It was a moonless night, making conditions poor. Nunes and Mascarenhas provided what help they could to the men they rescued, giving them the limited provisions and clothing that they had on board. Forced to wait for the incoming tide that would allow them to row their heavily-laden craft back to shore, they reached the fishing harbour at 3.15am on 1 December. Once on land, the airmen were taken to the nearby hospice for medical treatment. Subsequently, they were evacuated to their home base in Morocco. It is both tragic and shocking that the valiant efforts by Jaime Nunes and José Mascarenhas were overlooked by the authorities at the time. Much later, in July 1999, due to the persistence of a Faro journalist, Carlos Guerreiro, Jaime Nunes was honoured for his actions. He was presented with a plaque at Gambelas

I N FA R O, A M AG N I F I C E N T P U B L I C M E M O R I A L I S T O B E I N S TA L L E D , R E C O G N I S I N G T H E I N V O LV E M E N T O F B R AV E L O C A L F I S H E R M E N WHO, IN 1943, ABANDONED THEIR NETS TO SET ABOUT RESCUING SURVIVORS OF THE U S L I B E R AT O R B O M B E R T H AT C R A S H E D I N T O THE SE A . SCULPTOR TOIN ADAMS AND THE I M AG I N A R Y B E I N G S H AV E B E E N W O R K I N G T I R E L E S S LY O N T H I S M O N U M E N TA L P I E C E

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SUSI ROGOL-GOODKIND

University, at an event attended by dignitaries from the United States and Portuguese governments. Sadly, Jose Mascarenhas and his son were no longer alive. What happened then? Over to Englishman, Michael Pease, a long-time resident of the Algarve. Inspired by the findings of Carlos Guerreiro, Michael took it upon himself to research – painstakingly – Portugal’s role in the War, a mission to which he devoted close to 12 years, as more findings came to light.

ALGARVE P L U S

PEOPLE PLUS

THE IMAGINARY BEINGS Toin explains: “As an arts association, we want to involve non-artists and people of all ages in the making of large-scale public art. “We intend to give mini apprenticeships to kids who want to learn, and set up workshops for people of all ages that cover many disciplines. Our members are diverse – poets, writers, ceramicists, videographers, photographers, engineers, sculptors, painters, dancers, musicians and more. And we want to tie up with other arts associations to share our knowledge and skills with their members." Visit imaginarybeings.org to see the work of these amazing talents.

PEOPLE PLUS

PHOTOGRAPHY AFONSO ROCHETA

Every section tells another part of the story. Right now, the work is being carried out up in the hills of São Faustino; soon it will be moved, section by section, to its home in Faro

and reworked them again. We met with councillors and presidents, all of whom were very positive and loved the story, but nothing actually happened. Then Michael met Humberto Lopes of Faro Câmara, whose wife is the daughter of José Mascarenhas, and things started moving in the right direction.” In 2019, having developed and discarded countless creative approaches, Toin, inspired by the Mandela monument in South Africa, came up with a new concept. “I made and presented a model and that was immediately understood – achieving something words alone never would,” she recalls. “At our next meeting with the Camâra, there was an offer of €30,000 to supplement the €10,000 Michael had already raised through private donatorship.” And so the work began for a massive structure, eight metres long and five metres high, made up of individual sections that come together to tell the story and deliver respect to the past. “Four months work has been spread over two years,” Toin explains. “Covid happened. There were huge, unavoidable delays. We had problems with the weather, problems within the team, problems with the actual workspace, which is way too small for such a gigantic project, and problems with my equipment and tools dying because the process is so arduous. The challenge has been substantial. On the flip side, however, amazing people stepped in to fill the gaps, even non-making members of Imaginary Beings joined in to help. Also, outsiders, from 15-year-olds to seniors of 76; their enthusiasm and desire to be part of this has been overwhelming. "It is still a work in progress, but soon it will be complete, in situ, and unveiled – hopefully in September. It has been a labour of love for so many people.”

l ALGARVE P L U S

It is a massive structure, eight metres long and five metres high, made up of individual sections that come together to tell the story and deliver respect to the past.

The concept of bringing history to life became a mission of passion, one that saw Michael gather information, and approach officialdom with the idea of mounting a memorial that was also a celebration of past actions. His plan was this: that a monument be erected overlooking the marina in Faro that captured not only the heroism of Jaime Nunes and José and Manuel Mascarenhas, but also that of the many Portuguese fishermen from the mainland and the Atlantic Islands who rescued combatants and non-combatants from the sea during the Second World War. He envisaged a massive structure in bronze or steel that incorporated water and lighting features, and would become an integral part of Faro’s personality. He took his vision to the Mayor of Faro, and to the directors of regional tourism and culture, in a bid to gain approval for his ambitious scheme, and what had become Michael’s dream started moving towards reality. Nine years ago, he approached Toin Adams (toinadams.com) known for her big, brave works. “We went through many design concepts,” she says. “We struggled with different budgets, we reworked ideas

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眀漀爀氀搀

一愀琀甀爀愀氀洀愀琀攀爀椀愀氀猀一漀爀搀椀挀 DES I GNED HE A LT H Y & 圀攀ᤠ爀攀栀攀爀攀琀漀栀攀氀瀀昀爀漀洀倀䔀䘀䌀䐀攀猀椀最渀攀搀昀漀爀礀漀甀伀甀爀最漀愀氀椀猀琀漀挀爀攀愀琀攀戀攀愀甀琀椀昀甀氀愀渀搀昀甀渀挀琀椀漀渀愀氀栀漀洀攀猀椀渀洀愀琀攀爀椀愀氀猀 FO R YO U Q U ALI昀爀漀洀倀䔀䘀䌀ⴀ TY 䘀爀漀洀爀愀眀 O RGA伀甀爀最漀愀氀椀猀琀漀挀爀攀愀琀攀戀攀愀甀琀椀昀甀氀愀渀搀昀甀渀挀琀椀漀渀愀氀栀漀洀攀猀椀渀 NIC H OM ES 䌀攀爀琀椀ǻ攀搀䌀漀渀琀愀挀琀礀漀甀爀氀漀挀愀氀䠀漀渀欀愀愀最攀渀琀䌀攀爀琀椀ǻ攀搀琀椀洀攀氀攀猀猀匀挀愀渀搀椀渀愀瘀椀愀渀搀攀猀椀最渀⸀ 䄀䠀漀渀欀愀栀漀甀猀攀椀猀琀椀洀攀氀攀猀猀匀挀愀渀搀椀渀愀瘀椀愀渀搀攀猀椀最渀⸀ 䄀䠀漀渀欀愀栀漀甀猀攀椀猀昀漀爀攀猀琀猀昀漀爀攀猀琀猀昀漀爀栀椀最栀焀甀愀氀眀愀礀猀洀愀搀攀琀漀猀甀椀琀礀漀甀爀渀攀攀搀猀愀渀搀氀椀昀攀猀琀礀氀攀⸀ 圀栀攀琀栀攀爀 Our goal is to create beautiful, From raw material to finished 䐀攀渀椀猀伀ᤠ䰀攀愀爀礀 A Honka log house is a healthy 愀氀眀愀礀猀洀愀搀攀琀漀猀甀椀琀礀漀甀爀渀攀攀搀猀愀渀搀氀椀昀攀猀琀礀氀攀⸀ 圀栀攀琀栀攀爀䠀漀愀爀攀搀攀猀椀最渀礀漀甀搀爀攀愀洀漀昀愀洀椀渀椀洀愀氀椀猀琀椀挀氀漀最栀漀洀攀Ⰰ 愀爀甀猀琀椀挀 functional homes in timeless 㜀㤀㈀㐀㜀㘀㈀㈀㈀ product, Honka stands for high living environment with organic ㄀㈀䄀最氀漀戀愀氀挀漀甀渀琀爀礀栀漀甀猀攀漀爀愀氀漀最挀愀戀椀渀椀渀琀栀攀眀漀漀搀猀Ⰰ 猀漀氀椀搀眀漀漀搀瀀椀漀渀攀攀爀昀漀爀 Scandinavian style. A Honka 挀漀渀搀椀琀椀漀渀猀 quality and no compromises. 攀挀漀氀漀最栀漀洀攀猀䀀漀甀琀氀漀漀欀⸀挀漀洀 building materials, high indoor 礀漀甀搀爀攀愀洀漀昀愀洀椀渀椀洀愀氀椀猀琀椀挀氀漀最栀漀洀攀Ⰰ 愀爀甀猀琀椀挀甀欀猀䄀最氀漀戀愀氀渀愀琀甀爀愀氀氀礀挀爀攀愀琀攀猀愀眀愀爀洀愀渀搀椀渀瘀椀琀椀渀最攀渀瘀椀爀漀渀洀攀渀琀⸀ 漀瘀攀爀㘀 house is made to suit your Our log homes are designed air quality and a warm, stress- 挀漀甀渀琀爀礀栀漀甀猀攀漀爀愀氀漀最挀愀戀椀渀椀渀琀栀攀眀漀漀搀猀Ⰰ 猀漀氀椀搀眀漀漀搀礀攀愀爀猀瀀椀漀渀攀攀爀昀漀挀椀爀挀甀洀猀琀愀 need and lifestyle. Whether a and built to endure even the reducing一漀爀搀椀挀儀甀愀氀椀琀礀 atmosphere. It’s an 渀愀琀甀爀愀氀氀礀挀爀攀愀琀攀猀愀眀愀爀洀愀渀搀椀渀瘀椀琀椀渀最攀渀瘀椀爀漀渀洀攀渀琀⸀ minimalistic log home, or a rustic 漀瘀攀爀琀栀攀瀀攀漀瀀氀攀眀椀琀栀椀渀椀琀猀眀愀氀氀猀

䐀攀猀椀最渀攀搀昀漀爀礀漀甀 NO RDI 一愀琀甀爀愀氀 C

倀氀攀愀猀攀挀愀氀氀琀漀 ǻ渀搀漀甀琀洀漀爀攀

harshest conditions, in all ecological home that quite 䘀爀漀洀爀愀眀洀愀琀攀爀椀愀氀琀漀 ǻ渀椀猀栀攀搀瀀爀漀搀甀挀琀Ⰰ 䠀漀渀欀愀猀琀愀渀搀猀䐀攀猀椀最渀攀搀 climates and geographical literally takes good care of the 昀漀爀栀椀最栀焀甀愀氀椀琀礀愀渀搀渀漀挀漀洀瀀爀漀洀椀猀攀猀⸀ 伀甀爀氀漀最栀漀洀攀猀椀渀琀栀攀唀䬀愀爀攀搀攀猀椀最渀攀搀愀渀搀戀甀椀氀琀琀漀攀渀搀甀爀攀攀瘀攀渀琀栀攀栀愀爀猀栀攀猀琀 circumstances. people within its walls. 最爀漀眀渀椀渀

一漀爀搀椀挀儀甀愀氀椀琀礀

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栀漀渀欀愀⸀挀漀⸀甀欀 county house, solid wood creates an inviting environment.

䘀椀渀氀愀渀搀挀漀渀搀椀琀椀漀渀猀Ⰰ 椀渀愀氀氀挀氀椀洀愀琀攀猀愀渀搀最攀漀最爀愀瀀栀椀挀愀氀挀椀爀挀甀洀猀琀愀渀挀攀猀⸀ 䘀爀漀洀爀愀眀洀愀琀攀爀椀愀氀琀漀 ǻ渀椀猀栀攀搀瀀爀漀搀甀挀琀Ⰰ 䠀漀渀欀愀猀琀愀渀搀猀

倀氀攀愀猀攀挀愀氀氀琀漀 ǻ渀搀漀甀琀洀漀爀攀

礀攀愀爀猀

圀攀ᤠ爀攀栀

䐀攀猀椀最渀攀搀昀漀爀栀椀最栀焀甀愀氀椀琀礀愀渀搀渀漀挀漀洀瀀爀漀洀椀猀攀猀⸀ 伀甀爀氀漀最栀漀洀攀猀䌀漀渀琀愀挀琀礀椀渀琀栀攀唀䬀 D E SI G N E D IN OVER 85,000 A G LO B A L NAT URA L M AT E R I A L S 䐀攀渀椀猀伀ᤠ䰀愀爀攀搀攀猀椀最渀攀搀愀渀搀戀甀椀氀琀琀漀攀渀搀甀爀攀攀瘀攀渀琀栀攀栀愀爀猀栀攀猀琀最爀漀眀渀椀渀圀攀ᤠ爀攀栀攀爀攀琀漀栀攀氀瀀 P O R TU GA L , HOUSES BUILT A ROUND P I O N E E R FO R OV E R FROM PEFC - C ER TI F I E D 㜀㤀㈀㐀㜀䌀漀渀琀愀挀琀礀漀甀爀氀漀挀愀氀䠀漀渀欀愀愀最攀渀琀 G R OWN I N F I NL AN D 䘀椀渀氀愀渀搀 LD 60 YEARS 挀漀渀搀椀琀椀漀渀猀Ⰰ 椀渀愀氀氀挀氀椀洀愀琀攀猀愀渀搀最攀漀最爀愀瀀栀椀挀愀氀 FORES T S 倀氀攀愀猀攀 THE WOR 攀挀漀氀漀最栀漀䐀攀渀椀猀伀ᤠ䰀攀愀爀礀䠀漀渀欀愀唀䬀䰀琀搀䠀攀愀搀伀ϻ挀攀挀愀氀氀琀漀㜀㤀㈀㐀㜀㘀㈀㈀㈀挀椀爀挀甀洀猀琀愀渀挀攀猀⸀ ㄀㈀㜀㄀㌀㈀㔀㔀㄀㘀

ǻ渀搀漀甀琀洀漀爀攀

攀挀漀氀漀最栀漀洀攀猀䀀漀甀琀氀漀漀欀⸀挀漀洀

甀欀猀愀氀攀猀䀀栀漀渀欀愀⸀挀漀洀

栀漀渀欀愀⸀挀漀⸀甀欀

倀氀攀愀猀攀挀愀氀氀琀漀 ǻ渀搀漀甀琀洀漀爀攀

圀攀ᤠ爀攀栀攀爀攀琀漀栀攀氀瀀 WE’RE HERE TO HELP

栀漀渀

C ontact䌀漀渀琀愀挀琀礀漀甀爀氀漀挀愀氀䠀漀渀欀愀愀最攀渀琀 the agent for Portugal: Denis O’Leary EMAIL: ecologhomes@outlook.com

䐀攀渀椀猀伀ᤠ䰀攀愀爀礀㜀㤀㈀㐀㜀㘀㈀㈀㈀ honka.com 攀挀漀氀漀最栀漀洀攀猀䀀漀甀琀氀漀漀欀⸀挀漀洀

䠀漀渀欀愀唀䬀䰀琀搀䠀攀愀搀伀ϻ挀攀㄀㈀㜀㄀㌀㈀㔀㔀㄀㘀甀欀猀愀氀攀猀䀀栀漀渀欀愀⸀挀漀洀

栀漀甀猀攀猀戀甀椀氀琀攀猀最漀漀搀挀愀爀攀漀昀愀爀漀甀渀搀琀栀攀眀漀爀氀搀匀䔀匀䘀伀刀䴀伀刀䔀伀刀䜀䄀一䤀䌀Ⰰ 䠀䔀䄀䰀吀䠀夀 ☀ 䔀䌀伀䰀伀䜀䤀䌀䄀䰀䰀䤀嘀䤀一䜀

椀渀猀瀀椀爀攀搀戀礀一漀爀搀椀挀渀愀琀甀爀攀

NEW LIFE PLUS

一愀琀甀爀愀氀

洀愀琀攀爀椀愀氀猀栀礀 ☀ 漀爀最愀渀椀挀䠀漀洀攀猀

昀爀漀洀倀䔀䘀䌀ⴀ 挀琀椀漀渀愀氀栀漀洀攀猀椀渀氀漀最栀漀甀猀攀椀猀愀栀攀愀氀琀栀礀氀椀瘀椀渀最攀渀瘀椀爀漀渀洀攀渀琀䌀攀爀琀椀ǻ攀搀欀愀栀漀甀猀攀椀猀昀漀爀攀猀琀猀伀瘀攀爀渀椀挀戀甀椀氀搀椀渀最洀愀琀攀爀椀愀氀猀Ⰰ 栀椀最栀椀渀搀漀漀爀愀椀爀焀甀愀氀椀琀礀㠀㔀Ⰰ 攀猀琀礀氀攀⸀ 圀栀攀琀栀攀爀爀洀Ⰰ 猀琀爀攀猀猀ⴀ爀攀搀甀挀椀渀最愀琀洀漀猀瀀栀攀爀攀⸀ 䤀琀ᤠ猀愀渀栀漀甀猀攀猀戀甀椀氀琀愀爀甀猀琀椀挀愀爀漀甀渀搀琀栀攀愀氀栀漀洀攀琀栀愀琀焀甀椀琀攀氀椀琀攀爀愀氀氀礀琀愀欀攀猀最漀漀搀挀愀爀攀漀昀䄀最氀漀戀愀氀眀漀爀氀搀漀搀猀Ⰰ 猀漀氀椀搀眀漀漀搀攀眀椀琀栀椀渀椀琀猀眀愀氀氀猀瀀椀漀渀攀攀爀昀漀爀一䜀渀瘀椀爀漀渀洀攀渀琀⸀ 漀瘀攀爀礀攀愀爀猀

爀攀

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一愀琀甀爀愀氀洀愀琀攀爀椀愀氀猀昀爀漀洀倀䔀䘀䌀ⴀ 椀猀琀漀挀爀攀愀琀攀戀攀愀甀琀椀昀甀氀愀渀搀昀甀渀挀琀椀漀渀愀氀栀漀洀攀猀椀渀䠀漀渀欀愀猀琀愀渀搀猀䌀攀爀琀椀ǻ攀搀伀甀爀氀漀最栀漀洀攀猀䐀攀猀椀最渀攀搀匀挀愀渀搀椀渀愀瘀椀愀渀搀攀猀椀最渀⸀ 䄀䠀漀渀欀愀栀漀甀猀攀椀猀昀漀爀攀猀琀猀椀渀琀栀攀唀䬀渀琀栀攀栀愀爀猀栀攀猀琀愀搀攀琀漀猀甀椀琀礀漀甀爀渀攀攀搀猀愀渀搀氀椀昀攀猀琀礀氀攀⸀ 圀栀攀琀栀攀爀最爀漀眀渀椀渀椀氀琀䘀椀渀氀愀渀搀瀀栀椀挀愀氀洀漀昀愀洀椀渀椀洀愀氀椀猀琀椀挀氀漀最栀漀洀攀Ⰰ 愀爀甀猀琀椀挀攀䄀最氀漀戀愀氀漀甀猀攀漀爀愀氀漀最挀愀戀椀渀椀渀琀栀攀眀漀漀搀猀Ⰰ 猀漀氀椀搀眀漀漀搀瀀椀漀渀攀攀爀昀漀爀挀爀攀愀琀攀猀愀眀愀爀洀愀渀搀椀渀瘀椀琀椀渀最攀渀瘀椀爀漀渀洀攀渀琀⸀ 漀瘀攀爀

猀䌀ⴀ 搀洀愀琀攀爀椀愀氀琀漀 ǻ渀椀猀栀攀搀瀀爀漀搀甀挀琀Ⰰ 䠀漀渀欀愀猀琀愀渀搀猀甀愀氀椀琀礀愀渀搀渀漀挀漀洀瀀爀漀洀椀猀攀猀⸀ 伀甀爀氀漀最栀漀洀攀猀䐀攀猀椀最渀攀搀椀渀琀栀攀唀䬀漀渀欀愀唀䬀䰀琀搀䠀攀愀搀伀ϻ挀攀 S O U T H A F R I C A N C H E R Y L S M I T H A N D H E R F A M I LY 渀攀搀愀渀搀戀甀椀氀琀琀漀攀渀搀甀爀攀攀瘀攀渀琀栀攀栀愀爀猀栀攀猀琀最爀漀眀渀椀渀㈀㜀㄀㌀㈀㔀㔀㄀㘀 F I R S T B O U G H T A H O L I D AY H O M E H E R E , A N D T H E N A 䘀椀渀氀愀渀搀猀Ⰰ 椀渀愀氀氀挀氀椀洀愀琀攀猀愀渀搀最攀漀最爀愀瀀栀椀挀愀氀猀愀氀攀猀䀀栀漀渀欀愀⸀挀漀洀 F O R E V E R - A F T E R P R O P E R T Y T H AT T H E Y T U R N E D I N T O 漀爀愀渀挀攀猀⸀ A R E N TA L B U S I N E S S W I T H A S P E C I A L C H A R A C T E R . H E R

S T O R Y F E AT U R E S I N A LY S O N S H E L D R A K E ’ S L AT E S T A N T H O L O G Y, A N E W L I F E I N T H E A LG A R V E , P O R T U G A L

栀攀爀攀琀漀栀攀氀瀀

搀礀漀甀爀氀漀挀愀氀䠀漀渀欀愀愀最攀渀琀 E PURCHASED our first most importantly – relaxing under the carob trees. Winding 䬀 coastal property in 2005. It was pathways were created in the garden to the water’s edge for 䰀攀愀爀礀 ideal for our family holidays, easy waterside access for canoeing, stand-up paddleboarding, 䠀漀渀欀愀唀䬀䰀琀搀䠀攀愀搀伀ϻ挀攀渀 with a huge array of facilities and and fishing enthusiasts. 㜀㘀㈀㈀㈀㄀㈀㜀㄀㌀㈀㔀㔀㄀㘀 activities to hand. Our children We were not living in the Algarve then, so it was an obvious 漀洀攀猀䀀漀甀琀氀漀漀欀⸀挀漀洀甀欀猀愀氀攀猀䀀栀漀渀欀愀⸀挀漀洀 have some fabulous memories of choice for us to offer both properties as holiday rentals

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holidaying there. My daughter, Lara-Ann, and I enjoyed the beach life, while my husband Graham escaped to the golf course to play with our son, Robert. With a view to purchasing a home where we’d like to live in the future, we found a waterfront property in 2007 that had two buildings: a 100-year-old farmhouse with stables on either side, and a barn with adjacent pigsties. Both buildings offered complete privacy with a 365-degree view of the countryside. The farmhouse, now known as The River House, was restored into a modern, stylish, and spacious villa with five double bedrooms. We added an infinity pool overlooking the river, and decking areas designed for dining, entertaining, and

渀欀愀⸀挀漀⸀甀欀

when we weren’t using them. The self-catering villa became a popular choice for families looking for privacy and peace, allowing the guests to disconnect from their hectic lifestyle. We have now started renovating The River Barn, and when complete it will accommodate an additional eight guests, making the location well suited for small group activity holidays. The two dwellings, The River House, and The River Barn, are referred to as Figs on the Funcho, as this is the name we gave the location. The river Funcho flows past the property and there are several fig trees on our land, hence the name. Spring begins in February, when the almond blossom appears and it is a gorgeous time to be outdoors in the fresh

礀攀愀爀猀

ALGARVE P L U S

F I G S o n t h㘀 e 挀儀甀愀氀椀琀礀 FUNCHO

渀攀搀昀漀爀礀漀甀

l 48 ALGARVE P L U S

Our location is on the banks of a river, set in a protected nature reserve and attracts a wide range of bird species. Locals refer to our villa as the villa with the two ducks. We have one black and one white duck, which have been residents since the beginning of 2020. air, exploring the countryside with its abundance of wild flowers, creating a feeling of renewal and energy. The hills surrounding us are filled with nature’s bounty – the fragrant wild lavender, the white rock rose with its floppy large white petals, aromatic rosemary, and sweet-smelling almond blossoms. Our riverside property nestles in the hills overlooking the Barragem do Funcho, the local river dam. The outdoor views are an absolute gem, and it is this countryside location’s peaceful and timeless characteristics that shaped our decisions in making Figs on the Funcho what it is today.

Creating the traveller ’s dream Many travellers now are seeking holidays that include a special interest. Portugal is not just a summer haven, but an all-year-round destination, and there are countless activities beyond the Algarve’s sun, surf and sand to explore. The Algarve tourist board is now actively promoting particular opportunities, such as walking and birdwatching, and the Algarve’s traditional arts and crafts, including pottery classes, basket weaving, and tile painting. Having now settled in the Algarve, it seemed right for us to move from a business model offering exclusively self-catering breaks, to a framework that promotes special-interest holidays. We also recognised that we have the opportunity to be environmentally friendly by

introducing ecotourism and sustainable tourism practices. Our intention is to employ local walking guides, support environmental sustainability projects, educate travellers to be environmentally aware when exploring the countryside, and ensure our visitors are sensitive to the Algarve’s longstanding water problem; a dilemma that is only expected to worsen in the future because of climate change. Our location is not only on the banks of a river, but is set in a protected nature reserve and attracts a wide range of bird species. Many nearby locals refer to our villa as the villa with the two ducks. We have one black and one white duck, which have been residents on our waterside since the beginning of 2020. We have named them Whitney and Winston, to the amusement of the locals. There is nothing more relaxing than having the opportunity to enjoy birdwatching from the comfort of our outdoor lounge. Other than keeping up to date with the activities of Whitney and Winston, we have a good view of the heron that spends hours wading in the soft mud picking up juicy bits to eat, and the exotic hoopoe and Iberian azure-winged magpie birds that fly around the garden. We would like to leave the world a bit better than we found it, and in doing so we are working towards implementing simple policies and procedures to help us gain recognition as a responsible travel destination, and in turn educate others to be environmentally aware.

Birds of a feather We identified several possible solutions, and to start off we partnered with Vita Nativa, an association whose aim is to develop conservation, and environmentally sustainable projects that will help us play a part in conserving our surrounding natural area. Vita Nativa’s project, ‘Local Accommodation for Birds’, aims to encourage nesting sites for birds in the Algarve region. It also promotes the important role birds have in the biological control of the pests the farmers have to endure, without having to resort to the use of poisonous products. They installed several nesting boxes on our site for the little owls, blue tits, hoopoes, and starlings. Whilst the team were fixing the nesting boxes to our carob and cork oak trees, they identified 41 different bird species in less than two hours! This is a very creditable bird-spotting total for an inland site. The Iberian magpie and Iberian green woodpecker are of particular interest, as their habitat is limited to the Iberian Peninsula. Other species sighted that are not present in much of Northern Europe were the white stork, Eurasian hoopoe, Thekla’s larks and crested larks, Sardinian and Dartford warblers, spotless starlings, and European serins. This bodes well for bird enthusiasts interested in visiting us. The Algarve is a popular destination for guided birding and bird photography tours, and is a major fly-way for thousands of birds migrating to Africa. One of the most important events in the world’s birdwatching October calendar is the annual Sagres Bird Watching Festival. You can visit several bird hotspots with extensive bird lists without having to travel long distances.

Of particular interest are the Ria Formosa, Salgados, Castro Marim, the Vila Real de Santo António marshland nature reserve, and Alvor’s nature reserve. The popular birdwatching town of Castro Verde in the Alentejo is only a 45-minute drive away for us. Moving to a new country can be challenging, but the Portuguese are lovely, gentle, genuine people and they are particularly welcoming. We moved for the lifestyle, the sunshine, the gorgeous beaches, outdoor living, excellent food, and award-winning wines. In those respects, the Algarve actually reminds us a little of South Africa. Combined with the friendly welcome and relaxed style of the Portuguese, it’s not hard to imagine why we spent so many holidays here and eventually made it our home.

FIND OUT MORE 10%of the revenue from the sales of Alyson Sheldrake’s A New Life in the Algarve, Portugal, a collection of life stories from people who have made the Algarve their home, will be donated to the Alerta Charity, which raises funds to support the Bombeiros. Details of Alyson’s other books

F i g s o n t h e F u n c h o / W: f i g s o n t h e f u n c h o . c o m

can be found at: alysonsheldrake.com

ALGARVE P L U S

Opposite page: Increasingly, holidaymakers are looking for more than the beach, and prefer options such as those offered by Cheryl Smith's Figs on the Funcho. Art classes, cookery courses and bird watching, as well as yoga sessions, water activities and even fishing, attract those looking for something different

NEW LIFE PLUS

IN A MAGICAL SETTING S T U N N I N G L A N DSC A P ED GA R D EN S WITH T WI S TS A N D T U R N S A N D D E S I G N S U R P R I S E S S U R RO U N D TH I S WO N D ER F U L V I LL A C R E ATED TO B E D I FFER ENT, A DV ENT U RO U S A N D I N D IV I D UA L , I N TH E P E AC EF U L H I LL S A B OV E LO U LÉ , I N VA LE TELH EI RO

PROPERTY

GROUNDS

10,000m2, with stunning features, including art installations

POOL

Large and luxurious with roll-out cover to retain heat

PHOTOGRAPHY BY 360 PHOTOGRAPHY

of th e month ...

BEDROOMS

6 bedrooms between main house, annex and chalets

PAR KI N G

For three cars

FIVE STAR VILAMOURA Old Village Largo da Igreja 7A Vilamoura 8125-429 Quarteira 289 302 762 / 965 392 755 info@fivestar-vilamoura.com fivestar-vilamoura.com AMI: 10185 APEMIP: 5032

ALGARVE P L U S

PROPERTY PLUS



10,000m2 plot



Impressive gated entrance



Main house with two beautifully decorated bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms, study, big open-plan living and dining area, spacious kitchen in the traditional style. Enchanting nooks and crannies add to the personality of this property.



Separate annex house with ground floor apartment with two bedrooms and a shower room, living area and open-plan kitchen. First floor one-bedroom apartment with private sunfilled terrace.



And there’s more for your guests! Nestled in the wonderful gardens are two chalets – the first a one-bedroom apartment, and second currently used as an art studio.



There are spacious terraces, that are perfect for big-scale entertaining, as well as secluded areas for calm and privacy, and balconies positioned to capture the sun.



Close to the beautiful pool is a wellness room (spoil yourself and get an expert in to deliver your chosen treatments) with the added luxury of a fourperson sauna.



Amazing views across the valley and over the hillside, and grounds which are home to fantastic artworks.



Price €1,350,000



Ref FS1001

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Air conditioning, central heating, double glazed PVC windows, and security shutters throughout.

T O V I E W : T : 289 302 762/965 392 755 / E : info@fivestar-vilamoura.com / W : fivestar-vilamoura.com

toldolanda.com 914609517

Toldolanda

the awning specialist

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Book of the month

LORE

By Pip Williams Publisher: Penguin Genre: Historical fiction

By Alexandra Bracken Publisher: Hachette Genre: Fantasy

I adore this book simply because it embraces words and meanings from such a unique angle. This is the story of Esme, whose father and a team of lexicographers are collecting words for the very first Oxford English Dictionary. Young Esme’s place is beneath the sorting table, unseen and unheard. One day, a slip of paper containing the word ‘bondmaid’ flutters beneath the table. She rescues the slip, and when she learns that the word means ‘slave girl’, she begins to collect other words that have been discarded or neglected by the dictionary men. As she grows up, Esme realises that words and meanings relating to women’s and common folk’s experiences often go unrecorded. She decides to rectify this omission and compile her own Dictionary of Lost Words. As Esme continues her quest, time passes and the women’s suffrage movement gains credibility and finally becomes a reality. The Great War brings about massive change for women who are, through necessity, recognised as capable of working in professions formerly reserved for men. This delightful celebration of words shows the power of language to shape the world.

Despite my love of the ancient classics, I was in conflict about this book; all the reviews suggest it’s a case of the Greek gods meet The Hunger Games! Lore is a 16-year-old girl whose family were murdered by a rival bloodline. For centuries, Zeus has punished the gods with a game called the Agon, which turns them mortal for one week and at the mercy of being hunted by those with godly ambitions. Only a handful of the original Greek gods remain, the rest replaced by the mortals who killed them and ascended. When Lore comes home on the first night of the Agon to find the goddess Athena seriously wounded, Athena and Lore hook up and decide to fight the baddies together. The world trembles under the force of Wrath, a god with the power to destroy all of humanity and maybe Athena isn’t quite the ally Lore had anticipated? I loved the book by the end, and was fascinated by the merging of the two worlds. It is part of a series and I am definitely going to read the next one!

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THE DICTIONARY OF LOST WORDS

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W H I L E C E L E B R AT I N G T H E P U B L I C AT I O N O F H E R OW N B O O K , T H E LO C K D OW N D I A R I E S , DAW N A N N A N DA L E C O N T I N U E S TO WA D E T H R O U G H A S H E L F LOA D (O R K I N D L E - F U L L) OF NEW RELEASES AND PICKS THE ONES SHE WA N T S TO S H A R E T H I S M O N T H

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THE PLAYDATE

By Sophie Ranald Publisher: Bookouture Genre: Romantic Comedy

By Victoria Jenkins Publisher: Bookouture Genre: Psychological Thriller

Girls, have you ever drunk-texted your ex? If yes, this book is for you and you will absolutely empathise with Gemma. Gemma has a rubbish life – she’s job hunting, still lives at home, and her mum tells her off for leaving crumbs in the butter. Gemma is one of us, a girl from our circle we all know. Her boyfriend dumps her, she eventually finds a ghastly job, and meets another chap who is just like Mary Poppins – perfect in every way. But then, her ex, Jack, turns up, and proves to be a changed man. Gemma, understandably, is totally confused. This is pure escapism… a beach read that will make you laugh. It is funny and silly and touching. I liked the innocence of the main protagonist who just wants to love and be loved, which isn’t really too much to ask, is it?

It’s really hard to review this book without giving the plot away. Firstly, the story is excellent – with twists and secrets, deceptions and lies that cannot fail to intrigue. In a quiet London suburb, a group of mothers rely on each other for friendship, favours, and gossip. But, some of them simply shouldn’t be trusted, while others have dark secrets. This is a glorious thriller based around honesty, clear-thinking, and the ability to recognise those tell-tale traits. Surely it’s okay to let your children go home to tea with a friend from school? Hmm... glad mine are all grown up!

ALGARVE P L U S

OUT WITH THE EX, IN WITH THE NEW

OPERATION CERTAIN DEATH By Damien Lewis Publisher: Arrow Books Genre: Miltary history This is edge of your seat stuff! So exciting, especially when you know it’s what really happened. The SAS are brave beyond reason, and this book is a testament to their ongoing commitment to protect and serve. Damien Lewis details the single most daring Special Forces operation since the Second World War. Known as Operation Barras, it was the attempted rescue by the SAS of the British Forces who were being held captive by the guerrilla gang, the West Side Boys, in the Sierra Leone jungle. Operation Barras was a combined force of 100 Paras, 12 members of the Special Boat Squadron, helicopters from the Navy and RAF and, spearheading the operation, 40-strong D squadron of the SAS. Against amazing odds the hostages were rescued and over 150 of the enemy were killed. Truly incredible in so many ways. This is a fascinating book and highly recommended. Originally, I thought that it might be a bit ‘blokey’ for me but I found it truly absorbing reading, discovering these remarkable, awesome heroes.

CAN YOU MAKE THIS THING GO FASTER? By Jeremy Clarkson Publisher: Penguin Genre: Take on life You know the drill with a JC book – expect the funny, the sarcastic, the pertinent and always the irreverent. Having just watched his new TV series on Amazon Prime, Clarkson’s Farm, I have to – rather reluctantly, I must say – admit to warming to Clarkson because believe it or not, he is actually a real softy underneath that tough, brash exterior. This is another volume of his observations and musings, his solution to every problem known to man, and how to solve literally everything. He is very witty, and his sense of humour isn’t just dry, but positively arid. A daft collection of silly stuff that I left in the loo and every chap who popped in there remarked that they had picked it up!

THE LITTLE MOUSE, THE RED RIPE STRAWBERRY, AND THE BIG HUNGRY BEAR By Don and Audrey Wood Publisher: Childsplay Library Genre: Childrens A delightful story with beautiful illustrations. I read this to a little boy who adored the mouse, wanted to eat all the strawberries, asked questions and commented all the way through as he was so captivated and involved. Share with children up to around four years.

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F A M I L Y

H I S T O R Y

M E E T T H E B O L D F O U R T H - G E N E R AT I O N S I B L I N G S W H O A R E R E C L A I M I N G

Wo rd s:

HE ALGRAVE is a place where vine

cultivation has a little-known yet clear and concise history, for this is where the Tartessians, an ancient civilization based in Tartessos, modern-day Andalusia, are believed to have been the first to plant vines on the Iberian Peninsula, around 2000 BC. Later, the Phoenicians introduced grape varieties and winemaking techniques, many of which the owners of Morgado do Quintão, the Vasconcellos family, Filipe and his sister Teresa, are attempting to protect and understand the region’s history and their ancestral heritage, so that a new era for Algarvian wine may thrive. Founded in the early 1800s by the Count of Silves, the estate has remained with the Vasconcellos family ever since. “Passing through the hands of over four generations in just over 200 years, I am proud that our legacy is one of innovation, support and cultural cultivation,” says Filipe. “For more than two centuries of industrial and agricultural evolution, the estate has provided jobs and employment for hundreds of people, many of whom were a part of it for decades.”

EMMA CAMPUS

The family has played a significant role in forming the economics of the Algarve, through its entrepreneurial spirit in wine and agriculture, as well as in the cork, fishing and canning industries. They have used their influence to sponsor philanthropic and social initiatives, and provide funding for hospitals and schools to help to shape Algarvian communities.

A new generation Bequeathed to Filipe and Teresa in 2017 by their mother, Teresa Pereira Caldas de Vasconcellos, the two inherited not only the estate, but also her sense of creative exploration and a deep connection to the land. Together, the siblings set about making their own mark, using their unerring and resilient passion for food, adventure and entertaining, and merging it with a love of local heritage, beauty, conservation and creativity. Working with award-winning winemaker Joana Macanita, Filipe resisted advice to plant better-known international varieties, instead deciding to rescue ancient Algarve grapes grown at the property. “By championing centuries-old grape blends like Palhete and Clarete, we are working to preserve some of the oldest

T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y T O S TAY I N M A G I C A L S U R R O U N D I N G S

ALGARVE P L U S

W H E R E T H E Y P R O D U C E AWA R D -W I N N I N G W I N E S , A N D O F F E R V I S I TO R S

T H E S O I L O N W H I C H T H E I R 2 0 0 -Y E A R - O L D V I N E YA R D E S TAT E S TA N D S ,

SHARING PLUS

The estate, the land, the lovingly re-worked properties that can be rented out – everything is an act of caring and also appreciation

tell and have found new purpose in their revival.” By act of renovation, it is clear that the cottages are an exercise of preservation as opposed to transformation, and with that mindful ethos lies a sense of timeless, unique and personal touches. By inviting likeminded people from around the world to visit this Algarvian home, to understand its history and be a part of its new story, the family hopes to create a more meaningful stay in the Algarve.

ALGARVE P L U S

The farmers table Filipe is keen to cultivate Morgado do Quintão as a meeting point for visitors and locals alike, a place for the community to connect both with nature and each other. Nowhere is this more inviting than at the estate’s farmers’ table, an experience that takes place each day at lunchtime. “When the estate came to us, we also inherited a diary of culinary musings and methods from our mother. This book is filled with vines in the Algarve with a renewed sense of awe and adventure, recipes learned from our family’s kitchen and new ones conjured up to create wines that are idiosyncratically authentic,” he says. “By and penned by the various ancestors. These dishes are ones we grew reviving these old vines whose roots are deeply embedded into the up feasting on around our ‘farmers table’, where we ate as a family, soil, we can be inspired by our history yet also open up opportunities under our 2,000-year-old olive tree at the heart of the estate.” to experiment and cultivate our grapes with low intervention, Today, at this same table, Filipe and his family invite those who chemical-free organic methods that bring both a contemporary spirit choose to walk through their gates to join their story, to our project, and attempt to protect our rich and tasting their wine with those same dishes, embracing diverse environment.” his family’s real-food philosophy. Morgado do Quintão is one of the first vineyards in S TAY T H E R E Supporting local agriculture beyond the estate is the region to place a strong emphasis on exporting LOVE IT something that continues here too. Filipe explains: to global markets and has been awarded ‘Best Wine “Through our commitment to supporting the in Portugal – Algarve’ title in the Revista de Vinhos Algarve’s rich gastronomic heritage, we look to our award for two years running. “It’s an exciting time,” Take time out and stay community for ingredients – fishermen, farmers, says Filipe. at one of the enchanting harvesters and producers in sourcing the staples of Morgado do Quintão our simple Algarvian diet. We bring their stories to Commitment to creativity properties on the estate. our table along with our own – stories of our region’s The team are also working on an artists-inEach has a fully-equipped unique biodynamic bounty, transforming traditions residence initiative, backed by collectors and art kitchen, a private pool, passed down through generations, into slow food for philanthropists, inspired by Filipe’s mother who was and caters for eight to our communal table.” an experimental contemporary artist and professor, 12 people. Prices start and whose sculpture, paintings and photography can at €300 per night for a be found dotted around the estate. Looking to the future minimum three-night stay. The commitment to standing for a more creative Morgado do Quintão is a place built with many Wine tastings and farmers’ and authentic experience in the Algarve, is reflected hands, all of whom share in a like-minded spirit, as lunches are served Monday in each of its vineyard cottages nestled amongst the well as a combination of love for what’s beautiful, to Saturday and dinner vines, olive, fig and almond orchards, with views over and respect for what’s imperfect, all at once. Filipe on the estate is served the Monchique mountain. and his family work with a deep sense of humility regularly. The grape harvest Each has its own story, as the family slowly in understanding that theirs is a journey of neverstarts 18 August and you converted their old houses, caretaker’s lodgings, and ending discovery and one that never ceases to reflect can book to participate. See cereal stores into individual, familiar environments on the past while consistently learning and looking morgadodoquintao.pt inspired by their memories of growing up on the towards a joyful future. for details. estate. The estate has stood the test of time. While “Through opening up our cottages to guests from today it belongs to Filipe and his family, they don’t around the globe, we felt a responsibility to tell the story not only think of it as their own. “It is here for all who share our appreciation of what is ours, but also of the rich heritage and craft of our region. of the opportunity we have been given; from our winemakers to our We renovated and decorated each property ourselves with local vine cultivators, our staff, our contributors, our guests, and our wine craftsmen, and placed artwork by our mother Teresa and other artists, drinkers around the world. As the keepers for the next generation, our curiosities, objects and furniture collected by our family, as well as guardianship is focused on preserving the story of the estate, through pieces sourced from around the Algarve that have their own stories to sharing it with many.”

A Landscaper for All Your Gardening Needs...

E ST. 1994

Photos: www.azul-properties.com

ALGARVE P L U S

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Say yes to

T H E D R E S S T H E A LG A RV E WA S O N E O F T H E TO P E U R O P E A N D E S T I N AT I O N S F O R W E D D I N G S AWAY, P R E T H E PA N D E M I C T H AT P U T A L L P L A N S O N H O L D . N O W , W I T H R E S T R I C T I O N S E A S I N G U P S L I G H T LY, C O U P L E S A R E L O O K I N G TO T R AV E L O N C E AGAIN TO TIE THE KNOT IN THE SUNSHINE . T H E W E D D I N G S E A S O N M AY B E L AT E B U T I T LOOKS LIKE IT’S HAPPENING, AND BRIDES ARE S P E N D I N G B I G O N T H AT W O W - FA C T O R F R O C K

Spain’s always sensational J ESUS PE IRO, making a style statement

split skirt. WOW

POLLARDI, one shoulder and

Myste r y, by U krain e’s

Appolin, red carpet dressing by GAB BIANO, a G erman star

Tu l l e l a y e r s a n d 3 D l a c e a p p l i q u e s ,

Brit designer SHARON BOWEN, with her own bridal twist

Suri by Italy ’s E DDY K

Stetch lace and sexy curves, from the Enchanting Collection by MON CHERI

Ta k e t h e p l u n g e w i t h P o r t u g a l ’ s w i n n i n g designer label, SUSANA RIVIERI J a n ua r y, f ro m th e Tim e le ss colle c tio n Of Ukraine's trend-setting ARMONIA

BRIDAL PLUS

B U T W H AT A B O U T THE REST? Maria Farrajota of Os Agostos, the luxury family-run estate in the hills above Santa Bárbara, would normally host 50 or so weddings between May and October. From now to the end of this year, she expects to run eight to ten. Despite current restrictions, Maria can still cater for 108 guests – which makes for a good-sized party – but previously it would have been more than double that. Small, intimate events are becoming increasingly fashionable, however, especially for those planning a destination wedding, and Os Agostos, working direct with clients, or via wedding planners, not only provides stunning accommodation, but also inhouse designers and floristry and links to photograhers, celebrants, entertainment and more. osagostos.com osagostos@osagostos.com

THE CAKE Louise Hayes of A Taste of Decadence by Louise, has orders on the books for around 23 wedding cakes between now and the year end, although, she says, numbers go up and down according to changes in restrictions. She created 70 cakes in 2019 – her first year in business here. References come in via planners or from clients direct. Most in demand is her round semi-naked wedding cake, accented with flowers and touches of edible 24 carat gold leaf, generally two to three tiers, but we love the tile effect above. Popular flavours include Salted Caramel, Red Velvet, Zesty Lemon, Passion Fruit & Raspberry and Decadent Chocolate. atasteofdecadencebylouise.com

info@atasteofdecadence bylouise.com

THE CARS VIP Chauffeurs in Loulé has an exceptional fleet of elegant, expensive, luxury cars. The most popular cars for weddings are their Mercedes Vintage Classic 220SEB and the Tesla Model X, the first the choice of couples who go for the traditional, the second appealing to a clientele who wants the cool and contempoarary. And, often, its not only the bridal couple who want to travel in style, but their guests, too. VIP, whose business encompasses everything from corporate transfers to bespoke tours, and airport transfers, has seen a downturn in wedding bookings – with cancellations relating directly to the latest restrictions. That said, as vaccination numbers increase and freedom to travel returns, it is expected that the Algarve will be up there in the popularity polls for destination weddings. vipchauffeurs-algarve.com bookings@vipchauffeurs-algarve. com

T H E TA B L E G I F T S When it’s time to spoil the guests and give them something extra to mark the occasion, the Algave Candle Company has come up with the perfect solution – a heavenlyscented little candle in a linen pouch. Candles to dress the tables can also be created and specially personalised.

GARRETT WALSH

ALGARVE P L U S

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THE VENUE

algarvecandlecompany.com

asymmetrical bouquet, really wild and natural in style, in soft pastel shades. Others are looking for vibrant colours like fuchsia, purple, orange, a Frida Kahlo inspiration, with brilliant bougainvillea and big lush flowers.”

info@algarvecandlecompany. com

osagostos.com floweraude@gmail.com

THE FLOWERS Aude Touly is the famous French florist who works out of Os Agostos. We asked her about trends for wedding flowers. She reports: “In demand is a palette of white, beige, champagne, terracotta, hazelnut and sand colours in pampas grasses and dried flowers. Then there’s a move toward the unstructured and

THE PHOTOGRAPHERS A memory creator like Dan of Birch Photography, includes weddings in his portfolio. This year his clients are from France, Canada, and a few from England, with the rustic country setting growing in popularity. birchphotography.com info@birchphotography.com Garrett Walsh, originally from Ireland, has been shooting weddings here for close to 20 years. Unsurprisingly, the Irish are his biggest clients and he sees beach weddings on the increase, along with private villas. algarvephotography.com / garrett@algarvephotography.com Travel in style, wedding day or not, in the vintage Merc that's part of VIP Chauffeurs' goodlooking fleet

FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR COMPANY

GET CLUED IN. If you think design work involves a clever headline, well taken pictures and some pretty graphics, think again. Most of the time our clients know what they want to promote but have no idea how to get it out there. It’s like starting a job with a blindfold. So our job begins with the strategy behind the objective, we drill down into the heart of what you want to achieve and ﬁnd the best way to get there. And then we craft the clever stuff around that! If you want to remove the blindfold and get a clear idea of how to make your promotions succeed call us on 917 203 850 and we’ll start by getting clued in.

t. +351917 203 850 . design@suzisteinhofel.com . www.designworks.com.pt

TRACEY SMITH SWIRLS OF LIGHT W H E R E São Brás Museum, at an APG workshop called 'Keeping it Light'. W H E N November 2018 W H AT ’ S S P E C I A L The pattern and the variety of colour that was produced from one source of light that was suspended from the ceiling and swung. A DV I C E TO OT H E R S Experiment with torches, gel colours and simple objects around the house. You will be amazed at some of the creative images that can be produced. C A M E R A Panasonic Lumix ~G2

GARRETT’S VIEW “It was the intriguing effect and pattern of light that attracted my attention in this photo.”

G a r r e t t Wa l s h (a l g a r v e p h o t o g r a p h y. c o m) w h o s e o w n w o r k i s f e a t u r e d o n p a g e 24 o f t h i s i s s u e , s t u d i e d o u r b r i e f f o r t h e m o n t h – Tr a v e l l i n g L i g h t – an d ma d e his ch oice f rom th e submissions in th e latest A P G colle c tive . View more online at algar vephotographersgroup.org/travelling - light /

I N T E R P R E TAT I O N S VEIT MUELLER B O E I N G TA K I N G O F F W H E R E Near Faro Airport W H E N 2016 W H AT ’ S S P E C I A L I went there to take a night shot; while I was experimenting with the camera, I achieved this result. A DV I C E TO OT H E R S It's amazing how you can get unexpected views by playing with the equipment. C A M E R A Nikon D90 3sec. f 3.5 ISO 200

GARRETT’S VIEW “Boeing Taking Off – being a direct take from the theme ‘Travelling Light’ and an interesting photograph in terms of technicality, composition and colour.”

PHOTOGRAPHY PLUS

GARRETT’S VIEW “With this strong beam of light, almost alien, it’s as if it travelled from another world.”

FRED BOS R E L O C AT I O N R E L O C AT I O N W H E R E In the garden W H E N September 2015 W H AT ’ S S P E C I A L A relaxing scene and no need to hurry. A DV I C E TO OT H E R S Always take care always when dealing with highlights. C A M E R A Nikon P7800

GARRETT’S VIEW “Great macro shot of a snail in movement with all his belongings on his back.”

l ALGARVE P L U S

L I G H T E N T E R S I N TO C A N YO N W H E R E Back Antilope Canyon, Arizona W H E N June 2019 W H AT ’ S S P E C I A L The dramatic contrast between the powerful beam of light and the darkened, almost monochrome structured rock face. A DV I C E TO OT H E R S Pay attention to minimalist composition with contrasting concepts with dominating light and darkened surroundings. C A M E R A Panasonic Lumix FZ 1000

HUBERT FLASCH

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.

NURSING CARE

Here when you need us

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 E: mdpnursinghome@amesburyabbey.com Monte da Palhagueira, Gorjôes, 8005-488 Santa Barbara de Nexe, Algarve www.retirementvillageportugal.co.uk

TECHNO PLUS

TAKE A TABLET Y E S , S I Z E M AT T E R S , C E R TA I N LY WH EN IT COM ES TO TH E N E W E S T TA B S . A N D T H E L AT E S T MODELS OFFER BRILLIANT A C C E S S O R I E S , F R O M N AT T Y KE YBOARDS TO PENS AN D NEW-ER A MICE, AS WELL AS L I F E S T Y L E A DA PA B I L I T Y

NEW GENERATION of tablets with the power to do real work, as well as showing videos, has revived flagging tablet sales. The arrival of huge smartphones dubbed ‘phablets’ with screens well over six inches on the diagonal had squeezed tablet sales, especially the smaller one such as the iPad Mini. Cheap laptops, mainly Chromebooks, put pressure on the bigger ‘Pro’ tablets. But with so many working from home, people are rediscovering the flexibility of the large tablet, and the ease and pleasure of reading documents on the sofa, creating artworks on the kitchen table and, with a Bluetooth keyboard, writing reports at a desk. Plus, of course, watching Netflix in bed. The revival has been driven by tablets with 13in screens, which make even the largest smartphones look cramped for space, but are still much lighter and handier

CH R I S PAR TR I DG E

than a laptop. And significantly, all the makers now offer stylish and ergonomic keyboards, mice and styluses that enable real work to be done on their tablets; in addition, all-new third-party keyboards and other accessories are arriving soon. The choice of operating system has widened, too, with iPadOS, Android and Windows now all credible options for mobile working.

Get ready Major new releases of all three operating systems are due to launch in the autumn, aimed at improving the tablet experience. They all focus on making tablets easier to use, with the ability to run several apps at the same time and swap seamlessly between them. Apple’s iPadOS 15 will be automatically pushed to all suitable devices, and Microsoft’s Windows 11 will be offered as a free update to Surface users. Android 12, on the other hand, will be supplied at the whim of the tablet

The choice of operating system has widened, too, with iPadOS, Android and Windows now all credible systems for mobile working.

ALGARVE P L U S

Wo rd s:

TECHNO PLUS

ALGARVE P L U S

The newest tablets introduce what to many will be a better way of working, especially for those staying home. Right: the iPad Pro; far right: Microsoft Surface

maker and many have not been prompt on this front. The arrival of the new OS versions will stimulate demand for large tablets still further. Here’s where I have to declare an interest. My ageing, out-of-warranty iPad Pro has developed a nasty white patch on the screen, which makes reading a continual annoyance so I need to replace it, and I can’t decide whether to stay with Apple or jump ship to Android or Windows. I have been an iPad addict since they were launched, the only Apple products I have ever bought. They do all I need – email, social media, writing, surfing the web, playing videos and music and lots of other things. In my work I don’t have to analyse enormous spreadsheets (thank heavens) so the tablet’s relatively small screen is not a problem. Bluetooth keyboards enable touch-typing.

Expect to spend… But... the latest iPad Pro is horribly expensive. The base 12.9in screen model is an eye-watering €1,300 and I will want an Apple Pencil as well, an added €135. And if you fall for the temptation to buy Apple’s oh-sostylish Magic Keyboard, which makes the tablet seem to float above the keys, that is an extra, circa €300. Microsoft’s Surface Pro 7 comes in at just over €1,000 – prices, as always here, depend on where you choose to shop. Check around to cost-compare and the pick up the best deal. The Surface Pro 7 has more ports for adding an extra monitor, and a handy kickstand. If you are an Office 365 subscriber already, it will give you instant access to all your stuff. The Surface Pen costs €82.82 in FNAC. Samsung’s highly-regarded Galaxy Tab S7 Plus is officially priced at €869 but an S-pen is included, and prices online are considerably less, making the S7 Plus a very attractive and cheaper alternative to the iPad. The picture is further complicated by a couple of interesting new models. One is Samsung’s Galaxy Tab S7

Plus FE, an S7 Plus with a slightly lower quality screen and a slightly less powerful processor, but at €676.90 offering a useful saving. Interestingly, it also has 5G mobile data, something normally associated with high-end tablets, but this is because it features a new Qualcomm chip intended for use in mobile phones, where the trend is for the phone circuits to be built-in to the processor to save money overall. I personally have no use for this – 5G has yet to arrive where I live. The other interesting device is from a maker that seemed to have lost all interest in tablets – Lenovo. Lenovo has gone years without launching a new model, so the Yoga 13 is a bit of a surprise. The slab has a thickened lower edge which is handy for gripping, and also provides lots of room for some really beefy loudspeakers. The Yoga 13 also features a neat folding stand that allows you to prop it up at an angle or even hang it on a wall. It costs €799. For the sake of completeness, I feel I should mention the lovely Huawei MatePad Pro, which is a superb tablet but lacks access to Google’s Play Store, so apps you really need might well be unavailable.

Making the decision So, which is it to be? I am still undecided. A new iPad Pro would make transferring all my stuff easy, and it is a powerful and lovely machine. On the other hand, a Galaxy Tab S7 Plus would be quite a bit cheaper and would work much better with my Android smartphone. The Lenovo Yoga 13 is attractive, too, with that stand and the better sound. Rather than order online, it is worth going into a store – Worten or FNAC or perhaps El Corte Inglés – not only to compare prices and check out promotions, but to play with all the machines side by side. In the last analysis, choosing something that you will be holding in your hands for hours every day has to be done the old-fashioned way.

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WHERE NOW PLUS

In the late Fifties and early Sixties, Connie Francis was one of the biggest names in entertainment. After her massive worldwide hit Who’s Sorry Now? in 1958, she was receiving 5,000 fan letters a week. She sang everything from country and standards to pop and rock and is credited with being the first woman to have a rock’n‘roll hit with Stupid Cupid, which was written by the then 19-year-old Neil Sedaka and Howard Greenfield. Connie came from a traditional Italian-American family. She had a strict father who, it’s said, broke up her romance with fellow singer Bobby Darin, whom she later described as the love of her life. In addition to her singing successes, she also starred in teen-appeal movies like Where the Boys Are in 1960. Sadly, her career success was not matched by happiness in her personal life. Her four marriages all ended in divorce. “I could pick hit records but not hit husbands,” she said wryly. In the mid-70s she was raped in a motel room by an intruder, and in 1981 her brother was murdered by gangsters. She did resume her career, as well as campaigning for changes in the law, and for veterans’ causes after entertaining US troops in Vietnam. She had her own US TV show and toured worldwide, singing in five languages, and saying she loved to see the audience’s reaction to her old hits. She is now based in Florida.

W H AT E V E R H A P P E N E D T O … T H I S L O T B R O U G H T B A C K S O M E M E M O R I E S ! T H E H O S T E S S T R O L L E Y – T H E B A R E LY USED WEDDING GIFT OF THE 70S . ROCK AND ROLLERS , MOVIE QUEENS , AND R O G E R TAY L O R ’ S T E N N I S C L U B I N T H E T H E N - D E V E L O P I N G VA L E D O L O B O

Wo rd s:

30s - 90s

ALGARVE P L U S

50s

CONNIE FRANCIS

JILL ECKERSLEY

GLYNIS JOHNS Not many entertainers have a stage and screen career spanning more than 60 years. One who has done just that is Glynis Johns – actress, dancer and singer – for whom Stephen Sondheim’s classic song Send in the Clowns was written when she starred in the musical A Little Night Music on Broadway. Although born in Pretoria, South Africa when her parents were working there – her father was an actor and her mother a concert pianist – she was always proud of her Welsh roots. She began her career as a child ballerina, and later qualified to teach ballet. Glynis made her screen debut in 1938 in the film South Riding but was later better known for light comedy roles, such as her starring role alongside Danny Kaye in The Court Jester. Her film career sustained her throughout the ‘40s, ‘50s and later, including roles in Around the World in 80 Days and Mary Poppins. She was also seen on TV and appeared in the first-ever series of the popular US sitcom Cheers. In 1998, she was awarded a Disney Legend title and made her last film the following year. One of her most unlikely achievements was appearing on the sleeve of Led Zeppelin II, released by the hard-rock band in 1969. She was married four times and has one son, also an actor. On the death of Olivia de Havilland in 2020, Glynis became the oldest surviving Oscar nominee. She currently lives in a retirement village in California

70s Sheffield-born Roger Taylor was Britain’s top male tennis hope in the 1970s. He reached the Wimbledon semi-finals in 1967, 1970 and 1973, beating the defending champion and World Number One, Australian Rod Laver, in 1970. A left-hander, he was taught to play tennis by his mother, and practised by hitting a ball against a wall. After winning six singles and ten doubles titles during his career, he retired from tennis in 1980 and spent the next few years running tennis holidays; the Roger Taylor Tennis Centre opened in Vale do Lobo in 1980. He was awarded an MBE in 1977, and it’s said he was invited to take over the role of James Bond from Sean Connery – but declined. He captained Britain’s Davis Cup team between 2000 and 2004, and is active on the ITF Seniors tour. He still plays regularly at the age of 79 and his wife Alison is the Head Coach at Westside Tennis Club in Wimbledon. The Club, unlike many others, has managed to stay open during the Covid pandemic, because they used individually marked balls and insisted on social distancing and the use of hand sanitiser, as well as allowing a tenminute break in between all court bookings. In 2018, he was a welcome visitor at the Algarve Tennis and Fitness Club, maintaining his links with the area.

Roger Taylor was awarded an MBE in 1977 and it’s said he was invited to take over the role of James Bond from Sean Connery, but declined

71 l

ROGER TAYLOR

It must have seemed like a good idea at the time. The 1956 Ideal Home Exhibition included a ‘House of the Future’, where the kitchen featured something later referred to as a “plug-in sideboard on wheels” but was better known as a Hostess Trolley. The idea was that the housewife could prepare a full-scale meal for her guests in the daytime, and pop it into the heated Hostess Trolley for a few hours, only bringing it out to serve. It made entertaining seem effortless and saved the hostess having to run in and out of the kitchen at the last moment providing the final elegant touches to the meal. Hostess trolleys – or something very like them – were actually invented in Manchester in 1930 by a man called Bertram Thomas, but only really came into their own in the post-war ‘consumer society’. Early models cost about £100 – around two weeks’ wages for a working man – and were much envied among those aspiring to sophistication, although some complained that over-use resulted in dried out meat and mushy vegetables. Hostess trolleys gradually fell out of use, when the microwave and take-aways took over. There is Hostess Trolley World in Essex in the UK, where trolleys and spares parts can be obtained, along with products like Rustic Stone Raclettes and Milk Frothers. The trolleys do remain popular with Orthodox Jewish families who are forbidden to cook on the Sabbath, and to Muslims who can prepare a meal to be eaten when Ramadan fasting is over. They can also be used to keep takeaways warm.. Hostess Trolley owners were satirised by playwright Mike Leigh in his 1970s hit play Abigail’s Party.

ALGARVE P L U S

70s

THE HOSTESS TROLLEY

“Where is the men’s section?” – I was asked so many times in the last few weeks. Apologies to all the men who have visited my new shop and after looking in every corner asked this question. Most of the time, my product range of straw hats, leather bracelets, sunglasses or socks was not enough for them. So I have been scouting around to discover menswear which is not only stylish but also sustainable and made in Portugal. The most essential item to a man’s wardrobe is a shirt. The one I have introduced comes in six discreet colours, is collar or collarless, short or long sleeved, and in environmentally friendly certified linen, which is wonderfully cool - essential in our hot summers. The shirts are made by hand in small numbers and

of patterns and styles. The brand is family owned and produces a range of 300 models of which I chose a selection that can be worn on the beach, but are also smart enough to go for lunch. As sustainability is one of the designers’ main concerns, some board shorts are made of hemp which is one of the most durable and versatile of natural fibres. A linen shirt, a pair of shorts, a jute sandal and a hat might not yet be an enormous menswear section, but for my male customers I now have an answer, and it is a good one.

under fair working conditions, which adds to their appeal. They are so new that we have no photographs yet - pop in to see them! Another essential for the Portuguese summer months is a good looking and comfortable pair of board shorts. I found swim shorts that are designed and produced here in a great and also growing number

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EXPAT INFO PLUS

MOVING TO PORTUGAL? Seven tax-saving considerations P O R T U G A L I S N O T O N LY A B E A U T I F U L P L A C E T O L I V E , B U T I T A L S O O F F E R S M A N Y A D V A N TA G E S F R O M A F I N A N C I A L P O I N T O F V I E W. DA N H E N D E R S O N , PA R T N E R , B L E V I N S F R A N K S , E X P L A I N S H O W Y O U C A N TA K E A D V A N TA G E O F T H E O P P O R T U N I T I E S

2 Yo u r P o r t u g u e s e t a x b i l l New residents can enjoy significant tax benefits for their first ten years through Portugal’s ‘Non-Habitual Residence’ (NHR) regime. To qualify, you cannot have been resident within the last five tax years and should apply soon after arrival. Besides offering a fixed 20% income tax rate to those employed in ‘high value-added’ professions, NHR lets you receive some foreign income tax-free or, in the case of pensions, at a reduced rate. Even outside of NHR, Portugal can be highly tax-efficient for expatriates. While income is taxable at progressive income tax rates up to 48%, there are often ways to lower taxes on your investment and pension income. 3 Structures for savings and i n v e s t m e n t s A potentially costly mistake for expatriates is assuming what was tax-efficient back home is the same in Portugal. UK ISAs, for example, are taxable for Portuguese residents. Once you are resident here, you gain access to opportunities to enjoy extremely favourable tax treatment on capital investments. Take a fresh look at your financial planning to ensure you are suitably diversified and everything is set up in the best way for your new circumstances. Talk to a locally-based adviser who understands the Portuguese tax regime and who can recommend tax-efficient solutions for your assets. 4 T h e r i g h t c u r r e n c y m i x f o r y o u Once your daily expenses are in euros, keeping savings in another currency (eg sterling) makes your income vulnerable to exchange rate fluctuations. Look for structures that let you diversify by holding investments in multiple currencies,

with flexibility to choose the currency of your withdrawals and convert when rates are favourable.

6 W h a t t o d o w i t h y o u r p e n s i o n s Research and understand your pension options and tax implications before making any decisions. If you have a non-government UK pension, you may be able to benefit from a flat 10% tax rate on pension income and withdrawals for ten years as a Non-Habitual Resident. Many British expatriates benefit from transferring UK pension funds into a Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS), or reinvesting a lump sum in more tax-efficient arrangements for Portugal. There is no one-size-fits-all solution so personalised advice is essential. 7 P a s s i n g o n y o u r l e g a c y Portuguese succession law and tax can disadvantage certain heirs if you are not suitably prepared. Unless you take action, ‘forced heirship’ rules could automatically pass a proportion of your worldwide estate to your immediate family, whatever your intentions. Spouses and ascendants/descendants are exempt from Portugal’s inheritance tax (‘stamp duty’), but other heirs – including stepchildren and siblings – could be liable for 10% when receiving Portuguese assets. UK expatriates often remain UK-domiciled, putting your estate in the firing line for 40% UK inheritance tax. Good estate planning can ensure your legacy goes to your chosen heirs without attracting more tax than necessary. With early careful planning, you can significantly reduce your tax bill and have financial peace of mind. Cross-border taxation is complicated, so take personalised, professional advice. Tax rates, scope and reliefs may change. Any statements concerning taxation are based upon our understanding of current taxation laws and practices, which are subject to change. Tax information has been summarised; individuals should seek personalised advice.

T: 2 8 9 3 5 0 1 5 0 / E : p o r t u g a l @ b l e v i n s f r a n k s . c o m / W : b l e v i n s f r a n k s . c o m

5 B u y i n g a n d s e l l i n g p r o p e r t y Another issue to consider early is the tax implications of buying and selling property. When is the best time to sell your current property and buy a Portuguese home to limit capital gains tax and stamp duties? Will you have to pay Portuguese ‘wealth tax’? How can you make the most of reliefs and allowances? Take the time to establish your best approach.

ALGARVE P L U S

1 W h e r e y o u a r e t a x r e s i d e n t Once you become resident here, you are liable to Portuguese tax on worldwide income and certain capital gains, so you need to prepare for this. You are usually considered tax resident after 183 days in Portugal, but it can be earlier if you relocate with the intention of making it your home. Note that under the UK’s residency rules, you could unintentionally trigger tax residency and come back in line for British taxes again after just 16 days’ there. If you plan ahead and have flexibility, you could time your change of residency to minimise tax liabilities in both countries.

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authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority as an Electronic Money Institution under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011. Our FCA Firm Reference number is 900669. Our EU services are provided by Currencies Direct Spain. © Currencies Direct Spain, E.D.E., S.L., Avenida del Mediterráneo, 341, 04638 Mojácar, Almería, Spain. Registered in the Commercial Registry of Almería under the Spanish tax ID number B04897930. Currencies Direct Spain, E.D.E., S.L. is authorised by the Bank of Spain as an Electronic Money Institution under Law 21/2011 of 26 July and Royal Decree 778/2012 of 4 May. Our registration number with the Bank of Spain is 6716.

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ADVICE PLUS

YOUR money

I have had a holiday home here for many years, visiting many times a year and often for long stretches. Someone has told me that post-Brexit rulings limit the amount of time I can spend outside of the UK. Is that correct and what steps do I need to take? If you are from the UK, there are new rules for long-term travel in Europe. You are allowed 90 days in any 180-day period inside the Schengen area – that is the Schengen area as a whole, not 90 days in each country. The 180 day period is rolling; for instance you could spend January, February and March here in Portugal, and during that time you could visit other countries such France or Spain. But you would have to leave on

I have a mentally handicapped son of 24 who lives with us. We are all NHR. Is he entitled to any financial or practical support? Your son is entitled to support in Portugal – do check this website: inr.pt. If you contact them, they will guide you through the process and explain what benefits he may be entitled to. The first step is to contact the family doctor at the nearest health centre to your home address. The doctor should be able to write a report, detailing the situation regarding your son. He or she will also be able to book an appointment with a medical board for an evaluation, the result of which will enable your son to have multidisability certificate (Certificado de Multideficiência). This certificate will detail the degree of disability your son has, evaluated as a percentage, and it is this percentage that will determine the tax benefits that he will be entitled to, and also the pension. If your son is shown to have over 60% incapacity, then he should be entitled to a social-inclusion pension (PSI). This pension has several levels, but the minimum amount a claimant will receive monthly is €137.65 if they are a minor, and €275.30 if they are older than 18.

Email your finance questions for Ricardo to martin@algar veplusmagazine.com for inclusion in the f ir st available is sue of A lgar ve P LU S . To c o n s u l t d i r e c t l y w i t h R i c a r d o C h a v e s , e m a i l r i c a r d o @ a l l f i n a n c e . p t

31 March and return to the UK, or go to a non-Schengen country like Croatia, until 30 June. You could then come back into the Schengen area for July, August and most of September, but again you would have to leave on 28 September for a non-Schengen country, like Ireland, until 28 December. You can split up your 90 days into months, weeks or days, but make sure you understand the rules first. You cannot just leave the Schengen area for a day and come back in to reset the 90-day clock. It is your responsibility to have your passport stamped at the border when entering or exiting the Schengen area. This is how the authorities check whether you have complied with the 90/180 day rule. You do not need a visa to travel within the Schengen area. If you feel that you are spending most of your time in Portugal, then the best way forward is to apply for residency in Portugal (done via SEF) and then you don’t need to worry about the days you spend here or in the Schengen area.

ALGARVE P L U S

I have property in three countries – an apartment in the UK, another in Ireland, and a family home here. Prior to the pandemic I was spending equal working time in the three places, but for the past two years with travel complications, I have rented out the UK and Ireland properties. I also have bank accounts in all three countries. I need advice on the tax situation if things remain as the status quo. From your description, it seems that you are spending most of your time in Portugal. If that is the case, you should apply for the residency permit and change your tax status in Portugal, to the address you have here. This way the tax authorities will deem you as a Portuguese tax resident. You will have to declare here your worldwide income, but the rental income for the properties in Ireland and UK, will still be taxed in the countries where these properties are located. Under the DTA agreement with those countries, the country where the property is located has the priority for taxation. However in Portugal, you may also be taxed, if the tax paid in the source country is lower than the tax in Portugal. I suggest that after you become Portuguese tax resident, you also apply for NHR status. With this status, you will be able to declare the rental income in Portugal, but be tax exempt here, irrespective of the tax paid in the foreign countries. You may also have additional benefits as NHR, depending on your other sources of income.

R I C A R D O C H AV E S O F A L L F I N A N C E M AT T E R S I S O N T H E P L U S TE A M A N D H ER E TO A N SWER YO U R Q U ESTI O N S O N TH E I S S U ES T H AT A F F E C T Y O U R L I F E S T Y L E I N T H E A L G A R V E . T H I S M O N T H , TA X AT I O N , T R AV E L A N D S P E C I A L P E N S I O N S

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EXC HANGE PLUS

RETIRING IN PORTUGAL

of cover. But before buying an expensive policy, check what’s already covered by household contents insurance or a policy taken out through your bank. It may also be worth considering specialist mobile phone/gadget insurers. Travel insurance is not intended for permanent residence overseas, but if your move is temporary, you may want to subscribe to a ‘long-term’ policy.

The visa: The Residency Visa is the standard option, requiring proof of identity and reason for moving. You apply for it at the Consulate General of Portugal in London or Manchester, and will need to apply for a residency permit with the Immigration and Border Services (SEF) within four months of your arrival. A more exclusive option is the Golden Visa. Generally granting a one-year residency permit and access to permanent residence and citizenship, it is designed for non-EU citizens, making it a popular choice for eligible Brits. However, it requires a considerable investment in the Portuguese economy – upwards of €250,000. Notification of departure: Without letting HMRC know of your intention to move abroad, you won’t have access to your pension. Apply at the International Pensions Centre to have the funds sent on to Portugal. National identity number: Essential to buy property, open a Portuguese bank account and pay tax, if you’re eligible, these can be obtained easily once in Portugal, from an assistance office of the Tax and Customs Authority; from certain ‘Citizen Shops’ and from institutions that make the Citizen Card available on request. Healthcare: Once you’ve got your residency permit, you’ll be able to access the Portuguese National Health Service (SNS), with access to subsidised or low cost medical services. Alternatively, if you receive a UK state pension, you can apply for the UK to cover the costs of your healthcare abroad. Insurance: If you’re a European citizen with an EHIC card from your country of origin, it will no longer be accepted unless you’re a student or detached (posted) worker. You may be eligible for a new, UK-issued EHIC or GHIC if you’re an ‘S1’ State-healthcare recipient, or a Portuguese-issued EHIC/GHIC if you do not have healthcare cover from the UK. Comprehensive travel insurance is also advised for international journeys, including your move. Policies are supplied by third parties and vary in price and extent

Finances Pensions: As mentioned, HMRC (or your country’s relevant tax body) will need to be notified of your departure in order to process your state pension. This will also give you access to any personal or private pensions. As a UK citizen, you’re encouraged to use the Qualifying Recognised Overseas Pension Scheme (QROPS) in order to avoid double taxation. And the Non-Habitual Residency Scheme allows a tax exemption on all income received from abroad, including pensions and lump-sum withdrawals, for up to ten years. Taxes: It’s likely your NIF Card will make you liable for Portuguese taxes, exempting you from additional taxation at your home country’s rates. You must declare all income to the Portuguese authorities, no matter which country it’s from. Moving Money: While you could transfer your money through a high-street bank, you may find it is more cost-effective to use a leading currency specialist like Currencies Direct. This will not only help you to avoid any extra transfer fees, but it also allows you to secure a more competitive exchange rate. Once you’ve considered everything here, you’re set to relax and enjoy your Portuguese adventure. It may seem like a lot of administration, but once these tasks are completed, the peace of mind will be worth it. And as always, Currencies Direct are on hand to provide financial support and guidance regarding any currency concerns you may have. Currencies Direct has helped over 325,000 individuals and businesses move money abroad since 1996. It has an ‘Excellent’ Trustscore on Trustpilot, over 20 global offices and a team of more than 500 currency experts. See below for full contact details.

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ALGARVE P L U S

Essential Checklist

P O R T U G A L O F F E R S A N AT T R A C T I V E L I F E S T Y L E – O N E T H AT ’ S E N J OY E D B Y 2 2 , 4 3 0 B R I T I S H E X PAT S . O N C E YO U ’ V E M A D E T H E D E C I S I O N TO M O V E , T H E R E A R E S E V E R A L P R A C T I C A L I T I E S TO C O N S I D E R S AY S J OS E ALM E I DA , WH O O FFERS TH I S S T E P - B Y- S T E P G U I D E

DATELINE PLUS

THE agenda T H I S M O N T H ’ S S P E C I A L S E L E C T I O N O F T H I N G S WO R T H S E E I N G

A R T

MEINKE FLESSEMAN Solo Exhibition Fresco Gallery Almancil

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Off Guard in the Algarve Opening 19 August, 7pm On until end October

MARIE EMANUEL BULLARD Galeria Côrte-Real Paderne, 961 737 762

Handmade and hand-painted platter, 49cm diameter.

Andreas Moreno TAV I R A D ’A R T E S , TAV I R A , 9 6 2 0 1 2 1 1 1

Mixed media to capture feelings and emotions on canvas. Small framed canvases to large wall hangings available Mark Evans A R TC AT TO AT T H E C O N R A D Q U I N TA D O L AG O 912 267 351

JESSICA DUNN Boliquieme 962 554 650

Blue Lights, oil on canvas, 100x100cm To book a studio tour, see page 9

O N N OW

Levity, hand-etched in leather, 130x192cm IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE

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THE agenda D O I N G

T H I N G S

MOVIES IN THE PARK

ALAALGARVE P L U S

Quinta do Lago 289 390 700

N E W O P E N I N G

A R T S

C R A F T S

ARTS AND CRAFTS CENTRE

A choice here, not just of movies, but of venues. At the Campus, you can hire a golf buggy for two – the €50 price includes drinks and popcorn – or you can book a green space for four on the pitch for €70 with picnic blankets part of the deal. At the Magnolia Hotel, this month, indulge in a dive-in movie, Tuesdays and Thursdays, by the pool.

ALBUFEIRA

Due to be inaugurated towards the end of this month, this new centre promises to dazzle, after big investment and the conversion of the 19th century Old Court Building. An exhibition area, teaching rooms and a shop will be part of the complex. Expect to see work by Vanessa Barragão.

Quinta Art Collective While the five are getting prepared for their next exhibition, at the Hotel Vale d’ei Rei in Carvoeiro, curated by Vale do Lobo’s Aderita Artistic Space, they are offering one lucky collector the chance to win a €100 voucher towards any artwork by the Collective. Just subscribe to their newsletter at quintaartcollective. com. The winner will be announced on 31 August.

DISCOVER LOULÉ Loulé Criativo 289 400 829

loulecriativo@cm-loule.pt Local residents have the chance to learn more about the city of Loulé on a guided tour through its narrow streets full of history, its monuments and museums, and its new projects designed to keep traditions alive but with a modern twist.

DATELINE PLUS

Be a baker

M U S I C

Pão com Manteiga Workshop Estrada da Fraqueada 21, Loulé 21 August, 14:30-18:00 916 483 151 Pao-comanteiga@hotmail.com

CLASSICAL ORCHESTRA OF THE SOUTH Teatro Lethes, Faro 289 878 908 26 August, 19:00 Tickets €7

Loulé Specials

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SATURDAY JAZZ

Convento do Espirito Santo, Praça de Republica, Loulé, Every Saturday, 11:00 The Arts Association, Mákina de Cena, organises a free jazz concert every Saturday in the cloisters of the Convent. Sounds brilliant; brilliant sounds. makinadecena.com

POETRY IN THE PARK

8100 Café, Parque Municipal, Loulé, 5 August, 19:00 Organised by The Imaginary Beings, this poetry event unites Poemacto (Lisbon) with Poeta qu’Pariu (Loulé) to deliver a mash up of styles and poetical randomness. Feel free to bring your words. facebook.com/poetaqupariu / instagram.com/poetaqupariu

EVENING SOUND CEREMONY Vale Real Vale do Lobo 21 August 19:00-20:30 experience@vdl.pt Find out more at carly-grace.com

FIRST CLASS ART

917 081 893, a2zdesign@mac.com, first-class-art.com, €25 per class

Art Classes

Learn to make a perfect sourdough loaf from master baker Luiz Silva, who supplies all good restaurants and patisseries. His workshops, max ten people, start with theory, kneading the bread, and end with a taster, accompanied by a glass of wine. Leave inspired, with a loaf, and a fermentation basket that includes a step-by-step notebook.

Artist Karen Wride, known for her impressionistic style, vibrant colours and confident brushstrokes, runs classes at her Guia studio, each of two hours, starting at 10:00 and recommends a course of four. Most students take one a week, and classes are restricted to three participants. Each new student begins with learning how to prepare a canvas and then how to make objects look 3D using light and shade. This can be done in one lesson so after that they are free to choose what subject and painting style (photo realism, expressionism, modern art etc) they would like to proceed with. Karen is there at their side throughout, teaching technical skills such as how to mix and match colours, brushwork skills, composition, and drawing. The gallery attached to the studio houses some 30 pieces of Karen’s work, and that of her two daughters, both professional artists.

Relax, lie down and be bathed in the healing sounds of the Alchemy Bowls that Carly works with, made from crystal, gold, platinum, emerald and precious gemstone metals. The pure sound supports optimum healing benefits to the body and mind, calming the mind and bringing support to the nervous system. Visit valedolobo.com for details of this month’s classes, coaching, dancing and golf events.

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE

LAST WORD PLUS

AND finally E V E R Y M O N T H , A N T H O N Y M A R T I N G E N E R AT E S L I V E LY R ES P O N S E TO H I S VI E WS – SO M E EN J OY I N G H I S TO N G U E- I N C H EEK H U M O U R , OTH ERS O U TR AG ED BY H I S O PI N I O N S . C A N ’ T WA I T T O S E E T H E R E A C T I O N S T O H I S L AT E S T O F F E R I N G !

D ALGARVE P L U S

O YOU BELIEVE in form over function

or function over form? I ask this because I think I have reached, if not a crossroad, then certainly a fork in the road of life. This was brought home to me last week when I set off to buy a pair of shoes. I’m quite rigid when it comes to clothes; if I like a particular brand, I stay with it. I have been buying the same make and style of trousers, shirts, shoes, and even underwear, for years. It makes shopping, so much easier. Need some trousers, look at X company and if they don’t have them, wait until they do. In my early twenties, it was sharp shiny suits and a particular make of loafers with a green and red ribbon under a brass motif. Five years on, it was skin-tight shirts, suede trousers and Chelsea boots. The following 30 years found my wardrobe full of identically cut suits, jackets and shoes. Then I came here, and it was primary and pastel-coloured trousers, all of the same make and cut, and worn with boat-shoes. But last week, when looking for shoes, I realised that a decision had to be made. My favourite boat-shoe manufacturer had been taken over, the shoes were no longer comfortable, and the competition’s offering was worse. I had to rethink my allegiances and that’s when form or function came into the equation. I agonised for a while, and then opted for function, and bought what are possibly the ugliest shoes imaginable. Ugly, but oh-so comfortable. And that’s when I had no choice but the accept that it’s all downhill from here, sartoriallyspeaking. How long is it before I’m in elasticated trousers and woolly cardies, rubber-soled Velcro-fastened slippers, plastic gizmos to help you put your socks on, hot cocoa and water-bottles at 7pm, and people speaking to me in a loud voice? Definitely not long enough, but God help the person who stands up and offers me a seat. I’d rather watch my own knees disintegrating; I might end up wearing velcro-fastened shoes, but I’ll still have my pride.

And that leads me to pride of a different type... Nanny Google has given us warning that she will soon be telling us, via pop-up messages, that we must not use words such as ‘chairman’, as this is gender specific. She will also instruct us not to use ‘problematic ableist language’ , and that we have to change words such as ‘crazy’ to ‘baffling’, and ‘cripples the service’ to ‘slows down the service’. And I have just committed the cardinal sin of referring to Nanny as ‘she’. For the European Institute for Gender Equality has decreed that all personal pronouns must change to reflect how the person being discussed views themself. ABC News has identified 58 gender options. So now you know, that while some of us have dangly bits and some of us don’t, we will be discouraged from verbally differentiating between the two. He and she will disappear, as must him and her, and himself and herself. And this is where it becomes complicated, for many of the countless gender identifiers have different personal pronoun preferences. But in its simplest form he/him/his and her/she/hers becomes ze/hir/hirs, depending on how you see yourself. And furthermore, we will need to ask before speaking how someone wishes to be addressed. I find it absolutely amazing that someone, anyone, can leave their Little Puddleton on the Tees expolytechnic with a 2:2 degree in woodworking, put on a turquoise jumpsuit and Doc Martens, hang a picture of Jeremy Corbyn on the wall and get a job in a community centre advising pre-pubescent children on their sexuality. And as I write this, the Supreme Court is debating whether or not to allow an X to be placed in the gender section of a passport It’s this bloody wave of wokeism that’s the problem. When did mankind, sorry humankind, become so delicate, so needy, so “Look at me I don’t conform to your boring bourgeois lives, I’m different, I’m an individual, I’m my own person and I’ll think and do as I please”?. Thank God I’m a country bumpkin.

I might end up wearing velcro-fastened shoes one day, but I’ll still have my pride