AlgarvePLUS - February '22

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M O R E L O V E D T H A N Y O U E V E R I M A G I N E D

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F E B R U A R Y 2 0 2 2

Home is where the

is And your home is where our

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Office + 351 289 355 697

Mobile + 351 919 136 146

Centro O Tradicional - Almancil

hildegard@sevenquintas.com

www.sevenquintas.com

Seven Quintas Property Search Mediação Imobilaria Lda. - AMI 7490

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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 AlgarvePLUS is published monthly. 6,000 copies are made available through a hand-picked distribution network from Tavira to Guia, Almancil, the Golden Triangle, Loulé, São Brás and Santa Bárbara.

Copyright 2022. 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.

AlgarvePLUS 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 AlgarvePLUS. algarveplusmagazine.com

facebook.com/algarveplusmag

instagram.com/algarveplusmagazine

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Yes, this is the biggest issue yet of AlgarvePLUS. And that means more people and places, more trips away and tastes that are special, more about the emerging artisans who are putting Portugal firmly on the international map. Discovering new names and adventurous makers, especially those who are adopting and adapting yesterday’s techniques to meet modern-day requirements, is one of our great joys, and bringing them to you through our pages is our focus. Every day on the Algarve is a new experience; sharing those experiences is our mission.

Another very special mission is that of Debby Burton, who runs the Alerta Association, the charity that looks after the needs of the wonderful teams of bombeiros who do everything in their power to protect us, and our homes, and the land, from the devastation of fire.

Debby is organising a fundraising on-line auction that will run from 12–19 March via the Alerta Facebook page. She is currently gathering items that will attract bids – everything from furniture to fashion items, jewellery to artworks, kitchenwares to home-cooked foods, and more.

If you have something that will help this very worthy venture, please email Debby at bombeirosalgarve@gmail.com. With the cost of fuel escalating, Alerta is asking donors to send a photograph of the item(s) they are giving, and the location for collection. Then, once a bidder has paid for the item, they will be put in touch with the donor to arrange pick-up.

Let’s work together on this, and other volunteering opportunities ongoing, so that we can all help make a difference.

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Welcome

The finest art in the Algarve. Tavira d’artes Art Gallery www.taviradartes.com Visit us: Travessa Jacques Pessoa 8,Tavira, 8800-374 Call us: 962 012 111 Email us: taviradartes@gmail.com www.facebook.com/taviradartes

www.instagram.com/tavira.dartes

NEWS PLUS

A great relaxed sense of style from Fluyt, made in Portugal and meant for the world. 100% 220g cotton flannel, perfect for cold weather dressing. €79. Fluyt.pt

Bean there

F R O N T COV E R : Say it with flowers and from the heart! Happy Valentine's Day

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Freshly roasted in Loulé, coffee beans from Peru with hints of dark chocolate, orange zest and molasses, and from Ethiopia with a touch of raspberry jam.

Bean17 by the side of the market is where to enjoy it, and also to buy beans to take home.

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COOL LOOKS TO KEEP YOU WARM

LOVE AT FIRST BITE Tribulum’s Jonnie Pratt has created a special meal for the 14th that starts off with seared ginger-cured salmon and goes on to a choice of honeyglazed cherry-spiced duck breast, or truffled mushroom and asparagus risotto, or pan-roasted fillet of turbot.

There are in-between dishes, and a yummy pudding to share.

Book as fast as you can. € €50 pp. tribulumalgarve.com

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE EMAIL susi@algarveplusmagazine.com

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Limited edition candles, the perfect gift, scented with bergamot and truffle. €20, from the Algarve Candle Company. 289 092 711 algarvecandlecompany.com

HEADS UP

Hair maestros Jim van Hek and Philippe Stablile with his wife Natalie, will be working out of the salon on Estrada Vale do Lobo, focusing on their individual clients. To make an appointment, you can reach Jim on 914 452 315, and Phillipe and Natalie on 912 344 890.

A SIGN OF LOVE Red roses, luscious and romantic, to love year round. Hand moulded by Tara Bongard of Studio Bongard in Monchique.

Each one is an individual, made in stoneware, fired at 1300°C. 8cm, 10cm, 12cm, or made to your specification. From €30. studiobongardonlineshop.com

SWEETS FOR YOUR SWEET Liliana and Stéphane of L’Atelier Gourmet in Loulé have put their heart into made-to-order cakes of different sizes. Choose from vanilla with fruit or chocolates, or praline.

Call 962 535 826 to order or email lateliergourmetloule@gmail.com

LOVE THE SOAP Made in Portugal, sold in Ange Boutik in Sao Bras.

Heart soap, €6.70.

289 042 466 angeboutik.com

GONE FISHING Bordallo Pinheiros plays an essential role in the revitalisation of Portuguese ceramics, and the artistic heritage of its factory. This handsome fish is available at Côrte-Real Gallery in Paderne. POA. corterealarte.com

NEWS PLUS

NEWS PLUS

THAT OUTSIDE SPACE

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Now is the time to buy the best in designer outdoor furniture, and to take advantage of special price savings at Dunas Lifestyle in Almancil. San Diego, by Manutti, is an absolute dream, luxury wow factor. dunas-style.com

SWEET SMELL OF SUCCESS Ach.Brito is one of the oldest and most cherished companies in Portugal, dating back to 1918. Its beautifully packaged soap and fragrance products are exported to more than 50 countries. You can buy its famous Eau de Cologne Lavanda online, or on the Algarve in Apolónia. Sizes from 100ml to a big 750ml.

Read the companies fascinating story at achbrito.com/pt/achbrito-about-us

LIGHT WORK Fish design lamp base, 25cm high. Made by Olaria Pequena in Porches. €300.

282 381 213 olariapequena.com

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE EMAIL susi@algarveplusmagazine.com

A passion for

ADVENTURE T H E R E I S N O T H I N G Q U I T E L I K E A TA L E O F L O V E A N D T R A G E DY T O C A P T U R E T H E I M A G I N AT I O N I N T H I S M O N T H O F F E B R U A R Y. O N E S T O R Y T H AT F U L F I L S A L L T H E E L E M E N T S W A S P L AY E D O U T N E A R LY 700 YEARS AGO IN CENTR AL PORTUGAL

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BRIAN REDMOND

Opposite page: Peniche Fort on Berlenga island. This page top left, clockwise: Tiles and artwork in Obidos's old town wall; fish drying on the beach in Peniche; Bacalhôa Buddha Eden; the tomb of Inês faces that of her beloved, Pedro

DISCOVERING PLUS

Now the adventure

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HIS PARTICULAR story has long captured the collective imagination, and is still remembered and celebrated to this day.

It is the story of Pedro, son of King Afonso IV, who at the age of 19, in order to cement a political aliance, was forced into an arranged marriage with D. Constança of Castille, despite being smitten by her young lady-in-waiting , Inês de Castro.

Their affair began almost immediately after the marriage. It was a well-known ‘secret’, and after the birth of her first child, Constança made Inês godmother to the baby, thinking that it would make the relationship between her husband and young Inês “incestuous in the eyes of God”.

Constança died in 1349, and the couple’s relationship continued – indeed they produced four children of their own. The king demanded that Pedro should remarry, but not to Inês. His order was refused and the couple moved to Coimbra to be together, an arrangement that angered the locals because of their proximity to the convent of Santa Clara, so Pedro and Inês would meet secretly at a place called Quinta das Lágrimas.

A brutal murder The king grew increasingly angry at his son’s behaviour, believing that he was being unduly influenced by Inês’ brothers, and he ordered that she should be executed. Three mercenaries killed her, in front of her children, at a spring fountain in the grounds of the Quinta, where legend has it that her spilled blood marked the stones at the fountain and can still be seen today.

Pedro was heartbroken and sought out the assassins, whereupon he killed them and ripped out their hearts. After the death of his father, Pedro ascended the throne and declared that he and Inês had been married before her murder, and he had crowned her as Queen.

Here the story takes on the status of popular legend; it is said that he had Inês’ body exhumed and placed upon a throne, where he forced the court’s nobles to kiss her hand in deference.

Whether or not this is true, Pedro did order that his beloved was buried in an elaborate limestone tomb in the monastery of Alcobaça, and that upon his death he would be entombed beside her.

Today their resting places are situated facing each other across the transept of the church.

This region is rich in medieval history and a short distance south of Alcobaça lies the beautiful hilltop town of Óbidos. Founded by early tribes of Celts and subsequent habitation by Phoenicians and Romans, it owes its current form to the Moorish occupation and the later Christian reconquest. The retaking of the town was the final stage of the conquest of the Estramadura province. It was granted a foral, or charter, in 1195, and in 1210 King Afonso II gave the title to his wife Queen Urraca, who was the granddaughter of Henry II of England.

The town became patronised by subsequent queens, and became known informally as Vila das Rainhas. Despite being damaged during the peninsular wars, and the aftermath of the 1755 earthquake, the original Óbidos today is in great condition and is home to around 3,100 people.

A very popular destination for organised day tripper tours during the high season, it is nonetheless well worth visiting at any time of the year. The walled town is accessed through an archway with a spectacular azulejo motif on the walls and ceiling. Beyond the portal are narrow cobbled pedestrian streets with small artisan shops, cafés, restaurants, museums and churches.

One church, Igreja Paroquial de São Tiago, houses a bookshop; in fact, there are more than a dozen places that sell books in the town.The Livraria do Mercado sells fresh fruit, vegetables organic products and seeds. The walls are lined from floor to ceiling with bookshelves creaking with books – new and second hand – of all genres and languages. The Literary Man Hotel is a unique place to stay, as it houses more than 65,000 second hand books ranging in price from €5 to €15 for a rare or vintage edition. The Livraria da Adega is in an old wine cellar and Livraria dos Bons Malandros is also a wine shop selling vintage wines.

In 2015, Óbidos was named a UNESCO city of literature, joining the likes of Dublin, Barcelona and Granada. Pretty impressive for a small town.

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Go see Peniche

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Opposite page, top: Óbidos, and its proud castle. Below, top: Caldas da Rainha, bottom: Foz do Arelho Beach in Caldas da Rainha.

This page: Óbidos Livraria do Mercado, for fresh fruit and some great reads

West of Óbidos, on the Atlantic coast, lies one of the largest traditional fishing ports in the country. It is the town of Peniche. The town sits upon a rugged headland with broad sandy surfing beaches on each side of the isthmus leading to it. First impressions of the town are that it is a bit rough around the edges, or shabby even, but its authenticity as a working Portuguese maritime town overcomes that impression.

Fantastic seafood restaurants, interesting historical buildings and sites, great surfing beaches and the raw beauty of the Atlantic coast are what makes this town well worth visiting.

The lighthouse at Cabo Carvoeiro is spectacular.

The Fortaleza de Peniche was built to defend the town in the past, and more recently held political prisoners during the Salazar regime and played a pivotal role in the revolution. It is now a museum, Museu Nacional Resistência e Liberdade, that remembers those stark times.

The Berlengas Islands lie about 11 km offshore and are the most westerly point of the country. The archipelago is made up of the main island, Berlenga Grande, plus two small groups of rocky islets. The main island is 1.5 km long and approximately 900 metres wide and can be visited by regular boat trips from the harbour in Peniche.

Visitors can explore the flora and fauna of the island, which has two sandy beaches, the picturesque São João Baptista fort that is reached over a sea arch, and a small seasonal fishing community. An unusual geological feature of the island is that it consists of a type of pink granite that is common in America but very rare in Europe. Excursions by regular boat last about four hours.

Gardens with a difference You may be familiar with the Bacalhôa wine brand, producers of more than 30 different types of wine and one of the largest makers in the country, but did you know that at one of their wineries, Quinta dos

Loridos, 20 km east of Peniche, they have built and developed the largest oriental gardens in Europe?

Bacalhôa Buddha Eden is like no other park you will ever visit. It was conceived as a reaction to the cultural destruction by the Taliban of the Buddhas of Bamiyan in Afghanistan in 2001. More than 2,000 tons of stone and marble statues spread over 35 hectares depict the many types of Buddha, and there are hundreds of reproduced terracotta soldiers, lakes and ponds containing Koi carp, plus an entire section of stone statuary from the Shona tribes from Africa. Life-sized metal sculptures of African wild animals, elephants, giraffe and buffalo, form herds on a hillside; monkeys and meerkats gather in groups among the rocks, crocodiles stalk the banks of the lake alongside hippos. The whole enormous installation has a surprise around every turn.

Many of the sculptures were created by a Zimbabwean artist, Raymond Chataira, who specialises in using recycled metal parts from car breakers’ yards. But it is the sight of smiling golden Buddhas, a reclining Buddha and a limestone Buddha towering 20 metres over the park that makes this place so unique.

At only 80 km north of Lisbon this is an easy region to reach and well worth visiting.

W H E R E T O S TAY POUSADA CASTELO DE ÓBIDOS This romantic 4-star gem, with features dating back to the 9th century, is situated within one of the seven wonders of Portugal, the Castelo de Óbidos. The castle was given as a gift by King D. Dinis to Queen Santa Isabel during their wedding, which took place on the site. pousadas.pt/en/hotel/pousada-obidos

SAY CHEESE FOR THOSE OF US WHO JUST CAN’T IMAGINE LIFE WITHOUT CHEESE , K N OW I N G M O R E A B O U T E AC H VA R I E T Y AND HOW TO MAKE THE MOST OF IT IS A S P L E A S U R A B L E A S H AV I N G A C O O L S W I M O N A H O T D AY. F O R T H E OTHERS, THERE’S HOPE

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S A N D R A G AT O

EING a hopeless cheese lover for as long as I can remember, I am the kind of person who cannot conceive being on this planet without the presence of some kind of cheese around me. Yes, I know I cannot base a healthy existence on a blue or Serra da Estrela cheese-rich diet, but if necessary I gladly trade my daily allowance of sweets or other ‘sinful’ foods for a piece of cheese, even if it has to be a light version.

Cheese, a glass of wine, and fruit – grapes and berries – is one of my favourite dinners, and the cheese table is the spot that attracts me the most at parties and at events.

As an unabashed cheese adorer, I always thought that you either loved or hated it, and that the world was divided into two factions: the ‘extra cheese’, and the ‘everything but cheese’ people. And that it was kind of genetic, a specific taste bud you were born with... or not.

But what I realised recently, while talking with cheese experts and other cheese lovers, is that liking cheese is a learning process. Most of us are not born loving it, we have to educate our senses in order to obtain pleasure from its strong and unique taste.

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FLAVOUR PLUS

CHEESE IN LISBON

In the capital, you’ll find two cheese stores that are cult-like places for cheese lovers.

Q U E I JA R I A CHEESE SHOP

Opened in 2014, it was the first cheese-only store in Lisbon. They organise tastings and sell more than 60 types of cheese.

Rua do Monte Olivete, 40, Príncipe Real, 1200-280 Lisboa Tel: 213 460 474 Q U E I JA R I A D O A L M A DA

In the Baixa area, more than 50 varieties of cheese (Portuguese, Spanish, British. French, Dutch and Italian) to taste and take home.

Rua do Almada, 348, Porto Tel: 222 080 453

PHOTOGRAPHY: FERNANDO GUERRA

FLAVOUR PLUS

Tasting treats Learning to enjoy cheese or wine – or even perfume, in a completely different area – is similar. The first rule is to start with less intense and persistent varieties. In Portugal, we have Requeijão and Queijo Fresco, which are so innocuous that they are usually served with honey, jams or spices (cinnamon or chili paste in the Azores). That’s a good way to start, before moving to the wonderful ones with a pungent aroma. Another tested technique used in professional tasting places, is pairing cheese with drinks (wine or even water), dried fruits or toast. This helps cleanse the palate and tone the potential harshness of the cheese, making it more appealing for beginners.

It’s important to understand that everyone has their own timing and personal preferences. Sometimes you love a specific cheese because you grew up with it in your grandmother’s house, or because it reminds you the sandwiches you used to take to school. Cheese is made of memories. And history. All cheeses have their own story and some of them are incredible! Not letting these stories die is keeping culture and tradition alive.

Most Portuguese cheeses take us back to times when things were simpler and tasted real. But to make a statement and stand out in international markets – like French cheeses do so well – our producers and sellers have to be able to tell the story clearly but also to have the chance to innovate (in texture, flavour, presentation) when it makes sense. Fortunately there are many new projects being developed and provocative young producers showing that alternative approaches can, and should, cohabitate with tradition.

So, there’s hope even for those who haven’t discovered the pleasure of cheese yet. If you were not blessed with a genetic obessession for it, you can start educating your taste buds any day, just like you can with wine.

Then you will start having cheese ‘moments’. It may be ending a working day with a cheese and ham platter paired with the right wine, finding out that you prefer goat’s to sheep’s cheese after years of denial (or ignorance), or simply smiling during the ‘say cheese’ moment when taking photos!

cheesy need-to-knows

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It’s all a matter of educating your taste buds and finding the flavours you love. Pair them with fruit, and wine, of course

What is a cheesemonger?

A cheesemonger is a cheese connoisseur.

He can help with the buying and selling and also the tastings. He is like a sommelier is for wine, but more, because he has to choose what cheeses to buy to sell afterwards. It’s a job that's common in Britain and the USA. The first essential to being a cheesemonger is to really like cheese! Then you have to know how to communicate with people (partners and clients). Finally, you have to study, and learn the most you can about cheese culture.

What's the Academy of Cheese?

It defines itself as being a not-for-profit, impartial organisation that promotes cheese knowledge, cheese education and careers in cheese. It’s a cheese community that everyone can join in an informal way or, if interested, it’s possible to study with them. There are four levels of certification – if you go all the way, you’ll end up getting the Master of Cheese title. academyofcheese.org

Six favourite Portuguese cheeses and the best wine to go with them Serra da Estrela – Tawny Port, 30 years old Azeitão – Late Harvest Semillon Cabra Braz – Douro Tinto Veludo de Cabra – Antão Vaz Branco São Jorge – Madeira Malvasia São João – Ilha do Pico, Branco Vulcânico

Corte-Real

Follow signs from Paderne or Boliqueime

F i n e

A r t

Call us: 961 528 679 912 737 762

Algarve

Email us: algarvegallery@gmail.com www.corterealarte.com

F u r n i t u r e

Gallery Open Thurs. Fri. Sat. Sun.

L i g h t i n g

11.30am - 4.30pm

Gallery

Follow us on Instagram: corte_real_gallery

C e r a m i c s

Find us on Google Maps GPS: 37.170100,-8.18205

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New

Directions S U S TA I N A B I L I T Y I S A M U C H - O V E R U S E D W O R D T O D AY, A N D F R E Q U E N T LY U S E D

A C R O S S A H O T B E D O F D E S I G N TA L E N T TO WHOM THE WORD IS THE VERY ESSENCE OF THEIR WORK, IT IS SOMETHING TO APPLAUD

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CECILIA MELLO

PHOTOGRAPHY: ELISE BORSBOOM

I N C O R R E C T LY. S O W H E N O N E C O M E S

FASHION PLUS

ASHION DESIGNER Jessica Monteiro

Alves António was born in Portimão, and grew up in Sargaçal, Lagos, at her grandparents’ family house in the countryside. At age 12, she moved to The Netherlands, with her Portuguese mother whose boyfriend was Dutch.

She studied Fashion Design at HKU, University of The Arts in Utrecht, and came away with a Bachelor of Design with Honours degree, realising a long-held dream – one that had been there since childhood.

“I must have been around six years old when my grandmother taught me how to sew and crochet, techniques I never forgot and still use in my present work,” she says.

“The passion for fashion was always there. At high school, I graduated with an IB diploma. My end of year/final project for Visual Arts was a relief painting, a dress made from upcycled materials, mainly H&M plastic bags, ZARA paper bags and coffee capsules.

“Before I decided I was going to follow fashion design as a career, I had applied for university to study Fashion and Management in Amsterdam, and to earn some extra cash I was selling homemade maxi-skirts, and organising fashion vintage events, including swaps, styling and curated sales.”

Back to her roots Jessica returned to Portugal in 2019, and works today in her atelier in Lagos. Under her label, J-ANT., she produces one collection a year, adding to it as the seasons progress and new directions evolve.

Her look is adventurous, bold, exciting, and always individual; this designer is no follower of fashion, but rather an innovator who treads new paths.

Asked how she would describe the personality of her handwriting, there is no airy-fairy fluffy stuff. She just uses five words: organic, fashion-forward, versatile, creative, sustainable. The materials she employs are either upcycled, second-hand finds, discovered in collections held at home or found in thrift stores, or rolls of fabric, including linens, that are deadstock and come from a factory in Belgium.

Most of J-ANT.’s pieces are handmade and highly complex in terms of cut, shape and detail; fabric manipulation is core to the brand’s personality, where detail is a vital ingredient. Some 20 hours of skilled craftsmanship go into each garment. The work is intricate in every sense, every stitch.

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PHOTOGRAPHY: STUDIO ENBLANCO

PHOTOGRAPHY: ANNIEK SNOEIJS

Opposite page: Fresh rose petals smocked between two layers of breathable fabrics, dry with time and are durable, though delicate. Below: a jacket made of waste materials

FASHION PLUS

Design bravado, and a passion for rescuing and reworking trash, is Jessica’s passion, and her core brand message

Inspired thinking

PHOTOGRAPHY: LIZZY SCHROETER

The challenge is to be creative with ‘trash’, and to fight against fashion giants and greenwash campaigns.

PHOTOGRAPHY: LIZZY SCHROETER

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“I usually start my designing process inspired by something I see – perhaps a certain detail of a landscape – that I then develop in my mind. It could be a cliff, a stone, a shell, but often it’s the small and insignificant details that inspire me most,” she says.

“Texture is vital to me, so fabrics themselves are interwoven in the design story right from the start. I then sketch my ideas on paper and make samples that occasionally turn into something completely different than that I had originally envisaged. But most often the design of the finished piece is an interpretation of what I visualised at the start.”

Currently Jessica sells through her website, and creates bespoke pieces for her growing clientele who, she says, are women between 27 and 40 years old, with a creative personality and active lifestyle.

She has a following among the creative set – journalists, artists, art directors – many of whom have seen and reviewed and promoted her sense of quirky style through publications including Vogue UK and Vogue Italia, Flanelle magazine, and the influential Kaltblut.

Her audience are those who like to stand out from the crowd and have a preference for sustainable fashion.

J-ANT. prices range from €140 to €2,450, and there is a collection of accessories that come in at a lower level.

Making an impression It’s difficult to pick out a favourite piece from her latest collection, as each has a character of its own, expressing a different mood, a varied approach, a twist and turn that was deliberately planned or, perhaps, simply occurred.

The Sarah Santareno Smock Top, one of Jessica’s most basic pieces, is in the fact, the one she herself loves best today. “It is both luxurious and versatile, and can be worn over a blouse or on its own. It’s almost like an accessory that adds shine to any simple outfit,” she says.

Her plan now is to go global, and to sell in places that attract her very specific target audience. To get started on that particular road, she now plans to gain visibility and develop new partnerships by collaborating with other brands, artists, and corporations with a like-minded ethos and true respect for sustainability and zero-waste practices. “The challenge is to be creative with ‘trash’, and to fight against fashion giants and greenwash campaigns! That is my motivation.”

J - A N T. 911 844 448 / info@j-ant.com / j-ant.com / @jantdesign

The Finest Art Gallery in the Algarve

Looking forward to 2022 introducing 6 new talents alongside our international gallery artists

Dom Pattinson - Je suis toutes les couleurs Original Mixed Media on Canvas - 140cm x 140cm

www.artcatto.com Avenida José da Costa Mealha Nº43 | +351 289 419 447 | info@artcatto.com

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“Wonderful food matched by wonderful service!“ Source: Trip Advisor

Casa

AMOR L AST MONTH , WE LEFT JACK AND WA LT E R D E A L I N G W I T H T H E D I F F I C U LT A N D F R U S T R AT I N G E X E R C I S E O F BUDGET CUTS. BUT SINCE THEN, T H I N G S H AV E M OV E D F O R WA R D , W I T H N E W C O N T E N D E R S R E A DY T O TA K E O N THE CHALLENGING DEVELOPMENT OF THE OLD PENSION IN OLHÃO

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SUSI ROGOL-GOODKIND

W L Amara 5.0

www.amararestaurant.pt Reservas: T +351 289 357 579 @amarafairways Four Seasons Fairways | Avenida André Jordan 37 Quinta do Lago

IFE IS not a long quiet river... the file, or rather the contract, was in the hands of the lawyers. Jack and Walter would like to remind those who want to start a project that a lawyer’s involvement is never an additional cost; it is rather an insurance and a guarantee, especially when contracts are written in Portuguese.

The couple’s lawyer gave them the best advice in order to protect them and their interests, but the builder was not of the same opinion. Asking the construction company for a bank guarantee when you are expected to pay them 30% of the cost upfront, is in no way unreasonable; it is, in fact, basic business sense. As is questioning the building contract clause that provides for paying 90% of the total amount when only 60% of the work has been delivered.

Jack and Walter planned to examine and discuss the proposed terms with the builder – this is usually what one does before finalising a contract, with each party taking a step towards the other, or retreating a little, in order to reach a win-win agreement. Unfortunately, when the builder came back with: “it is not you who decides, it is me!”, or “it is not negotiable”, it appeared obvious to Jack

VISION PLUS

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The detrius of past decades, and the ravages of mistreatment. A hidden car, mushrooms growing on a mattress, but some fine pieces of wood, ready for a new life

and Walter that it would be entirely reasonable to bring a halt to any negotiations with said company.

Thankfully, when it comes to business development, there are always backup plans. Jack and Walter re-opened discussions with the other construction companies that had shown a desire to take on the Casa Amor proposition.

“This is the dream project of every builder,” wrote a Lisbon entrepreneur who was in the race. And an architect friend based in Portugal delivered one succinct message, that “the choice of the builder is 50% of the success of the project”.

With new discussions underway, and in order not to waste time, the intrepid duo began to prepare the place that will one day become a dream realised. First, they put the furniture from the old Pension Helena that will find a place in Casa Amor, into storage: charming dressing tables from the 50s, buffets from the 40s with bronze handles and black Portuguese marble tops for the future restaurant, delicate glassware in marshmallow colours that Jack and Walter could see in the coffee shop, and an astonishing carved wooden chest retracing a life in the countryside.

Then, with a team of helpers, they emptied the house of all the furniture destroyed by time and humidity –

dozens of sinks and bidets, some broken by squatters with fire extinguishers to resell the recovered metal; 67 mattresses and box springs where mushrooms had found a home; the floors of the old tobacco shop, eaten by worms; a cooler weighing some 200 kilos; dead fridges; washing machines that rust had attacked; a green formica kitchen – not very suitable for professional use; and the highlight of the show… a red Japanese car without keys, without documents, without wheels, abandoned in the Pension Helena at least 30 years ago (the legend of the neighbourhood says that it was stolen and hidden here, in this house full of surprises). Then down came the torn shower curtains, the sad dishes, the sheets, and 100% acrylic blankets from the 1970s. Unfortunately, also the wooden ceilings that Jack wanted to save, but time had taken its toll and they crumbled a little more every day. And then a whole heterogeneous mound of bric-a-brac found on the ground floor that served as an illustration of a frenzy to preserve everything.

The time had come to empty, sort, recycle. In 2022, the old house will be 152 years old – a reasonable age for a complete face lift.

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LOVE is in the air 1 4 F E B R U A R Y. A D AY W H E N P R O M I S E S A R E M A D E , C O M M I T M E N T S P L E D G E D , K I S S E S E X C H A N G E D , A N D C A R D S P R O M I S I N G F O R E V E R P A S S I O N S E N T AT TH E CLI CK O F A B UT TO N . B E I N G I N LOVE HA S N E VE R B E E N E A S I E R . B UT IT W A S N ’ T A LW AY S L I K E T H AT, E S P E C I A L LY H E R E I N P O R T U G A L

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DEBBIE REYNOLDS

ROMANCE PLUS

Below: an embroidered scarf, to attract a potential suitor.

Bottom: lovers' locks on the bridge in Tavira

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The jury’s out on the real origin of St Valentine’s Day, but the consensus seems to be that it originated as a Christian feast day honoring one or two early Christian martyrs called Saint Valentine.

According to Wikipedia, only much later and through folk traditions, did it become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of love and romance in many parts of the world.

One of the stories includes an account of the imprisonment of Saint Valentine of Rome for ministering to Christians persecuted under the Roman Empire in the third century.

The legend has it that Roman Emperor Claudius II was so obsessed with creating the greatest Empire ever that he banned marriages, in order that young soldiers would not be yearning for their wives and families.

Saint Valentine rebelled against the emperor and secretly performed marriages for the Christian soldiers, until he was caught, jailed and sentenced to death.

While waiting for his execution, the blind daughter of his jailer, Asterius, begged to meet the man who celebrated love.

Her wish was granted, and the story has it that Saint Valentine miraculously restored her eyesight. Before his execution on 14 February 268, he wrote her a letter signed “Your Valentine”.

Not much has changed, except cards are now likely to be of the electronic kind and gifts more sophisticated, thanks to globalisation and online shopping.

What’s love go to do with it?

Around the 14th century, the day became associated with romance, some say because it signified the arrival of early Spring’s ‘love birds’, the first day birds began mating in the northern hemisphere.

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It started way back

ALGARVE PLUS

S FOLK of a certain age will no doubt remember long-ago Valentine’s Days with tenderness but also trepidation. Back in your tween years, there was nothing quite so scarring as being one of the only kids in the class not to receive a muchanticipated anonymous “Be My Valentine” card.

But were you blessed enough to be the recipient of a card from Cupid, you were elevated to near popstar status as classmates clamoured to unveil your ‘secret’ Valentine.

In later years, glittered polystyrene hearts and kitschy stuffed toys were all the rage, and heaven help you if you didn’t have at least one of these gathering dust in your teenage bedroom.

Nothing said loser quite as much as the absence of a little teddy with ‘I love you’ emblazoned on its chest.

In our hugely over-commercialised world, nothing much has changed, except cards are now more likely to be of the electronic kind and gifts more on the sophisticated side, thanks to globalisation and online shopping.

While there will always be those who proclaim it all to be nothing but rampant consumerism to be avoided at all costs, I’m in the camp that believes there’s nothing wrong with a little smarmy romance dressed up in a bow offering (hopefully) a box of choccies, a special dinner out or even a shared chick flick and cuddle on the couch.

(Just don’t be like my husband who thought True Romance was a cheesy romcom rather than a typically violent Tarantino tale.)

By the 18th century, couples were exchanging gifts like flowers, confectionary and hand-made cards. Then came the mass consumerism of the 20th century and Valentine’s Day went global.

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In Portugal, however, where old and new mix in a charming cultural melting pot, some traditions still remain, like that in the northern city of Guimarães where a popular Valentine’s Day gift is a cantarinha dos namorados.

It is said that from the 13th century, when a man made an official marriage proposal, he gave his fiancée a clay jug (cantarinha). If the answer was yes – and the parents approved – the jug was used to store the bride’s wedding presents, usually pieces of gold jewellery. Today these beautiful clay jugs are not usually used to ask for a maiden’s hand in marriage, but are assumed to be “guardians of secrets and love stories”.

Another age-old homegrown tradition is Lenço dos Namorados dating back to the 16th and 17th centuries in the Minho region of northern Portugal, where women would wear a beautiful hand-embroidered scarf to attract a suitor. The scarf was offered to the suitor, and if he proudly wore it on his coat, neck or hat, the match was made. Sadly, if it was returned, the maiden’s love was unrequited.

One of the most famous of all Portuguese love stories, is that of Pedro and Inês – like Romeo and Juliet, a forbidden love that ended in betrayal and death (more about that on page 10).

Wandering along the river that slices the historic city of Tavira in half, you’ll find a plaque telling the story of another fateful liaison – that of Séqua, the daughter of a Moorish king, and Gilão, a handsome Christian knight, who had come to conquer the Algarve. The two met and fell madly in love, but because the union of a Moorish princess and a Christian knight was forbidden, they A cantarinha dos would meet secretly at night on the bridge namorados was the between the two banks of the river in clay jug presented along with the Tavira. The legend goes that one night marriage proposal, they were surprised by both sides – the and used to store the Christian army lined one bank and the bride’s jewellery Moorish army the other. Terrified of being accused of treason and being torn apart, Princess Séqua threw herself into the waters upstream, while Gilão leapt to his death downstream. Which all goes to explain why the Rio Gilão becomes Rio Séqua at the ancient Roman bridge in the centre of Tavira, although they are one and the same river.

There’s a statue in Porto, in front of the former prison (Cadeia da Relação) that symbolises the forbidden love of famous Portuguese writers Camilo Castelo Branco and Ana Plácido.

Branco met and fell in love with Plácido, who, unfortunately was already married to Manuel Pinheiro Alves. Outlawed in a country that then forbade adultery, the couple became fugitives, travelling around to hide from justice and Alves. In 1860, the cuckolded husband sued them for adultery. They were convicted and imprisoned at Cadeia da Relação, where Branco wrote one of the most renowned romances in Portuguese literature, Amor de Perdição (Doomed Love). Worth a read if you like that mix of history and a fair bit of passion.

W INE

hints and tips

J U S T F O U R D AY S A F T E R VA L E N T I N E ' S D AY, W I N E L O V E R S W I L L H AV E C A U S E T O C E L E B R AT E A N O T H E R S P E C I A L O C C A S I O N : G L O B A L D R I N K W I N E D AY. F O L L O W T H E S E E X P E R T T I P S , A N D YO U ’ L L B E R E A DY F O R T H E E V E N T

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LÍVIA MOKRI

WINE PLUS

The purpose of the annual Global Drink Wine Day is to spread the love and health benefits of wine.

Finding the right wine Shopping for wine is one of my favorite hobbies. I love perusing the shelves of a local wine shop in pursuit of the perfect bottle to have with dinner. Better yet, finding a bottle of wine that is quite new to me. As a wine geek, I thought I would share my tips for making the right choices: In a wine shop: Find a person there who you feel comfortable with, and have them guide you. These are the questions they’ll likely ask you to help you choose the right wine: is this wine for you, or is it a gift? Are you drinking this wine with food? What do you usually drink? What’s your budget? If you have these answers ready, they should be able to guide you to the right

Storing wine

If you bought some wine that you’re not planning on drinking right away, follow a few simple rules to keep them perfect until you are.

Keep it cool Regardless of the type, wine should never be kept below -4°C, which can cause it to freeze, or above 20°C, which can age wine more quickly than is desirable, resulting in flat aromas and flavours. Your wine storage temperature should be kept as stable as possible – temperature fluctuations can cause the cork to expand and contract, allowing the wine to seep out (or air to seep in). In general, the ideal temperature for long-term or short-term wine storage is around 13°C, but this can vary from wine to wine.

Store wine bottles horizontally Keeping wine on its side helps keep the cork moist, which is key for long-term storage, as a dried-out cork can cause seepage and premature aging.

If the bottles have alternative closures – screwcaps, glass or plastic corks – this is not necessary.

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HE OLDEST known winery was found in a cave in Armenia and is over 4,000 years old.

Barrels of wine have been found in the tombs of Egyptian Pharaohs, and the Ancient Greeks used wine in secret religious ceremonies. Although wine has taken all sorts of different forms throughout the ages, the process has changed very little in the thousands of years since its invention. Grapes are crushed, pressed, and fermented, and the mixture is sealed into barrels where it is aged and then bottled.

The official line is that the purpose of the annual Global Drink Wine Day is to spread the love and health benefits of wine, and there are plenty of the latter.

Red wines are enriched with powerful antioxidants, as darker grapes are higher in compounds such resveratrol, epicatechin, catechin, and proanthocyanidins. They are known to control cholesterol levels, reduce the bad cholesterol (LDL) and increase the good one (HDL) in your system. Polyphenol, a certain type of antioxidant present in red wines, is said to prevent unwanted clotting by keeping the blood vessels flexible, lowering the risk of heart attack and stroke, and also controlling the systolic blood pressure. And there has been considerable conjecture about the ability of red wine, drunk in moderation of course, to deal with certain cancers.

The positive effects have been much talked about recently, but there are negatives if you drink to excess; one glass a day for women and one to two glasses a day for men is recommended, with one to two days a week kept alcohol free.

In a supermarket: Occasionally you’ll find someone in the wine department, but most of the time you’re, alone, stuck looking at a daunting wall of bottles. Bear these tips in mind: - Your budget is usually the single biggest factor governing which wine you choose. Remember, always, cheap wine is cheap for a reason.

- Most buyers shop by grape variety.

- If you don’t recognise any of the wines, look at the label.

I don’t suggest you buy the wine with the cutest graphic on it, but there is a lot of valuable information on the label, like location or vintage. Check where the wine is from – the more specific the location is, the better quality it should be. Check the vintage – if you’re buying a bottle of white or rosé, doublecheck you’re buying a fresh wine; if you see a huge amount of white wine on sale, it may mean it is past its peak. Pull a bottle from the back of the shelf where it’s darker, and check what vintages are hiding back there.

You have to take risks or you’ll never find the wines you like. At the wine shop, don’t be afraid to ask questions. And don’t be shy to ask me questions, be they about food and wine pairing, or choosing a grape type before you shop. You can reach out to me at livinhosportugal@gmail.com

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wine for the occasion, and will gleefully introduce you to the latest and greatest wine in their shop.

DISCOVERING PLUS

TA S T E W I N E L I K E A P R O

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It's easy enough to pour yourself a glass of wine, take a sip and enjoy your drink. But it takes some practice and fine-tuning to develop a deeper understanding of a wine’s characteristics coming through as you taste it.

Store the wine at the proper humidity Humidity extremes in your wine cellar or storage area can also affect your wine’s longevity. At lower humidity levels, your corks can dry out, leaving the wine vulnerable to the effects of oxygen, while higher humidity can cause labels to peel off the bottles, and also can promote mold. In general, 50–80% humidity is considered safe (the ideal humidity level is about 70%). A dehumidifier in your storage area can improve conditions.

Protect the wine from light and vibration Keep your wine in the dark as much as possible. Light, especially sunlight, can pose a potential problem for long-term storage as the sun’s UV rays can damage flavours and aromas. This is one of the reasons why winemakers use coloured glass bottles. You should also keep wines away from sources of vibration, such as your washer and dryer, or stereo system. Significant vibrations could possibly disturb the sediment in older wines and keep them from settling. Consider investing in a small wine fridge that keeps wine between 10–15°C and at the proper humidity.

How to store open bottles of wine properly At air or room temperature, wines begin to deteriorate rapidly. It is therefore advisable to store open wines in the refrigerator or wine cooler.

Properly stored, sparkling wine can stand for one to three days.

White and rosé wines can be stored for at least three to five days and a maximum of one week, and red wines for three to five days. Portified wines, such as Port wine, can be stored for at least one month.

If recorking isn’t an option – for instance, if the cork is splintered or has been discarded – a rubber wine stopper can create a tight seal. Or, an upgrade option for recorking is a wine vacuum pump, which enables you to suck the air out of an open bottle, creating a nearly airtight seal.

Serve wine at the proper temperature When preparing to serve a stored bottle, allow time for it to come up (or down) to the proper serving temperature. A red wine should be served slightly below room temperature, somewhere between 13–20˚C. The exact temperature is determined by the age and type of wine; older or full-bodied wines with stronger tannins are served at 16–20°C and younger or light-bodied red ones at 13–16°C. White wines – full-bodied or fragrant type, as well as rosé wines, should be served at 7–13°C. Light-bodied white wines, sparkling wines, or Champagne should be served at the coldest temperatures of 3–7°C.

With practice, you can identifying specific notes of fruits and spices, and more.Here is a short handy guide on what the experts look for when tasting wine.

First things first, do your prep. Stay clear of pungent food and drink in the half-hour before your tasting.

And, overpowering perfumes or cleaning products can also interfere, so avoid these as well.

APPEARANCE Pour the wine into a glass and hold it against a plain, white surface, allowing you to assess the colour and clarity. By slightly tilting the glass at an angle, you can also see how intense the colour is. A hazy wine with hints of brown may indicate that it’s faulty, or has been corked. For instance, a ruby red may indicate a younger wine with vibrant red fruit flavours, while a garnet red will likely be much older with notes of toast, nut and leather.

NOSE Swirl the wine in the glass to encourage the aromas to jump out, and give it a quick sniff.

You’ll also be able to get an idea of the style of wine, and even where it’s from, by the notes you’re picking up in the glass. For instance, toasty aromas suggest the wine has been aged in oak, while tropical fruit notes imply that it is from a hot climate wine region.

The further away from your nose you can detect these aromas, the more intense and good quality the wine is.

PA L AT E Take a bigger sip and make a profile of it in your mind and try to identify as many flavours as possible.

Where do the main flavours appear in the mouth?

The sweetness appears at the beginning of your palate, the acidity triggers the formation of saliva, the tannin dries out your mouth like a wet tea filter, and the alcohol appears as heat in the back of the throat.

TASTE PLUS

Creamy Garlic Mushroom Tagliatelle M E E T T H E YO U N G C H E F W H O I S FA S T G A I N I N G A H U G E F O L L O W I N G ( C H E C K H I M O U T O N I N S TA G R A M , W H E R E H E H A S 1 5 8 , 0 0 0 F O L L OW E R S ) . I N H I S F I R S T B O O K , E A S Y, C H R I S B A B E R TR ANSFORMS THE H U MB LE GARLIC M USHROOM INTO A DELICIOUS C R E A M Y B O W L O F P A S TA . T H I S V E G G I E R E C I P E TA K E S J U S T 1 5 M I N U T E S T O C O O K A N D A LW AY S H I T S T H E S P O T.

SERVES 6

PREP TIME 15 MINS

RECIPE

         

6tbsp pine nuts 1tbsp olive oil 2tbsp butter 800g chestnut mushrooms, sliced 6 garlic cloves, finely chopped 6 sprigs of thyme 250ml vegetable or chicken stock 600g fresh tagliatelle 6tbsp crème fraîche 75g Parmesan cheese, grated Salt and pepper

Add the mushrooms, season, and fry for five to eight minutes until softened and most of the moisture has evaporated.

3 Fill a large saucepan with boiling water from the kettle to cook the pasta later.

4 When the mushrooms are soft, add the garlic and thyme. Fry for a further three minutes, then add the stock and simmer for one minute. Turn the heat down to low and stir in the crème fraîche.

5 Cook the pasta in the boiling water for three minutes. Drain, saving half a mug of the pasta cooking water.

M ET HOD 1 Heat a large non-stick frying pan over a medium heat. Add the pine nuts and toast for about one minute, stirring constantly, until lightly golden. Remove and set aside.

2 Put the pan back over the heat and turn it up to high. Add the olive oil and butter.

6 Add the pasta to the sauce along with half the Parmesan. Add a little of the pasta cooking water to loosen the sauce if needed. Toss together to coat the pasta in the sauce.

7 Divide between serving dishes. Scatter with the toasted pine nuts and remaining Parmesan. Serve with ground black pepper.

HOME COOKING AT ITS MOST STYLISH. DECEPTIVELY SIMPLE RECIPES FEATURE IN EASY, BY CHEF, CHRIS BABER (EBURY PRESS, €20.67), WHO WON THE BBC SHOW YES CHEF, FIGHTING OFF THOUSANDS OF OTHERS. EASY WILL BE OUT IN APRIL. ORDER IT NOW! AND START COOKING.

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

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TRAVEL PLUS

Signpost Sines FROM THE BEACHES OF PORTO COVO, AMONG THE MOST BEAUTIFUL IN PORTUGAL , TO E V E N T S O F I N T E R N AT I O N A L REFERENCE , THERE IS NO L ACK OF REASONS TO VISIT SINES

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LÍVIA MOKRI

HE CITY of Sines, one of the few seaports

on the Alentejan coast, is full of memories of a great navigator. Vasco da Gama was a Portuguese explorer, the commander of the first ships to India. His voyages across the sea – 1497–1499, 1502–1503, and 1524) opened up the route from western Europe to the East, via the Cape of Good Hope. Da Gama was made the Governor of Portuguese India in 1524, given the title of 1st Count of Vidigueira, and on his return to Portugal, was presented with feudal rights over Sines.

Son of Estêvão da Gama, a mayor of the town, the explorer’s dream was to become Count of Sines. Sadly, that dream was never realised and he was expelled by Dom Manuel, who had previously appointed him Admiral of the Seas of the Indies.

His history, his journeys, and the events that changed his life, are certainly worth reading about, and there are biographies aplenty covering his story.

His statue, in the grounds of the castle next to the west tower, looks out to sea. It was unveiled in 1970, on his 500th birthday.

Above: The church tower overlooking Sines castle.

Right: The remarkable painted ceiling of the Tesouro da Igreja de Nossa Senhora das Salas, the Church of Our Lady of Salas

Once you have taken a selfie beside the statue, the castle needs investigating. Built in the first half of the 15th century to defend the fleet and town against enemy naval forces and pirates, it sits on a hill settled since the Palaeolithic era, and was the one-time home of da Gama’s father.

Within the three-storey keep of the castle is the Sines Museum, and you should allow a good hour to visit its treasures.

Serving as an ode to the municipality, and to Vasco da Gama, this is the best place to discover the history of Sines, its ethnography and development, and to see what is stored in the vault – important pieces of the archaeological heritage of region, including Visigothic stonework and the famous Treasure of Gaio, which was unearthed in 1996, 13km from the town, during a dig at a burial mound. The Treasure is Phoenician – a necklace and

TRAVEL PLUS

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Far left: the statue of Vasco da Gama looks out to sea from the church in Sines. Above: The excavated remains of Miróbriga, dating back to the year 50 AD. Left: the local favours of the sea. Below: the city of Sines and its winding roads down to the sea

earrings buried with their wealthy owner in the 3rd century BC. At the Vasco da Gama House, which is part of the museum, you can watch a multimedia presentation about Vasco da Gama’s life and achievements, and visit the rooms where he allegedly spent his early years in the castle.

Originally built by the Greek princess Betaça at the beginning of the 14th century, the Church of Our Lady of Salas was later remodelled, enlarged, and made lavish, on the instruction of Vasco da Gama, to mark, it is thought, the success of his trip to India. An example of Manueline architecture, it is home to a collection of works – including jewellery and tools – dedicated to the image of the Virgin, and collected over the centuries.

Down the coast Fifteen or so kilometres to the south of Sines is Porto Covo, an endearing whitewashed fishing village with a uniform grid of single-storey houses converging on the central Praça Marquês de Pombal.

This little square has a charming parish church, iron gaslights, and palms bordered by terracotta roofed cottages.

Porto Covo features on many a tourist’s bucket list for its great views of the rocky coastline and bustling restaurants serving local fare in a laid-back environment.

And talking about food, the flavours of the sea meet the flavours of the land in this region of the Alentejo. Local dishes with a big reputation include rice with mussels, snails, limpets or clams, feijoada,(a warming stew of whelks and white beans simmered with chouriço, bacon, garlic and tomato), seafood açorda, migas with fried fish, and cuttlefish salads. Portions

here are always generous, so look at what being served to other diners, as you may want to order half-portions, or three dishes for four people. If you have room for something sweet, try Vasquinhos, a local almond-based speciality, or the Areias de Sines.

Worth a little detour Introduced to us by crazytourist.com, another short drive from Sines is Miróbriga, settled in the Iron Age almost 3,000 years ago and abandoned in the 3rd century AD. The Romans arrived in 50 AD and made their mark with a forum (of course!), a marketplace, a hippodrome for horse races, and baths that are reputed to be the best found in Portugal. There’s much to wander around – the first floors of many houses and temples have been excavated, and there’s a helpful information centre so you know what you are looking at.

Celebrations Every July, since 1999, Sines hosts a world music festival, FMM Sines, which brings together thousands of enthusiasts and musicians from across the world. The castle area and surroundings are buzzing with folk, jazz, alternative fusion and urban music. Visit fmmsines.pt for details of this year’s event.

There are also two big events in Sines, the Spring Fair and the Christmas Fair. The Spring Fair – in April or May – has street entertainment, handicrafts and local gastronomic products. The Christmas one, at the beginning of December, focuses, naturally, on the season’s festivities.

Reflections of

ARRÁBIDA

PROMOTION PLUS

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C A R O LY N K A I N

AC TI N G LI K E A M I R RO R , R E FLEC TI N G I MAG E S O F T H E H I G H L A N D S T H AT F O R M T H E P A R Q U E N AT U R A L D A A R R Á B I D A , T H E R E I S T R A N S L U C E N T W AT E R T H AT G E N T LY L A P S A L O N G T H E E D G E S O F T H E C L I F F S , S O D I F F E R E N T T O T H E W AV E S A N D

of white sand, the area is best enjoyed at this time of year when everywhere is quiet and winter turns into spring. Running parallel to the coast for 35km, it is a paradise location for ramblers and artists, 30 minutes south of Lisbon on the Setúbal Peninsula.

The visual harmony of nature is celebrated by artist Amedeo Cianci, who replicates the glass-like shadows, sharp light and contrasts of the sea. His oil on canvas paintings are currently displayed at Galeria Côrte-Real in Paderne. They echo a continuous, seemingly motionless flow when – without a single splash – the sea meets the land.

The surrounding landscape and an unusual microclimate have been created by the action of the ocean where it encounters the Serra Arrábida.

At its highest point, reaching more than 500 metres, the land forms a barrier for weather that is blowing from the sea. This humid air from the Atlantic turns into fog in summer and rainfall in November and December. The climate had an impact on the vegetation and over a thousand species of plants have been recorded.

The most common are myrtle, aloe, cistus and arbutus, but there are many

rare plants as well. Unlike the rest of the Atlantic coast, entire areas are referred to as Mediterranean maquis, a type of vegetation seen nowhere else in Portugal.

To preserve some of these ‘protected zones’, it is possible to visit them accompanied by an official guide.

Similarly, the Pedra da Anixa, a small island off the coast, is a zoological reserve, specially safeguarded owing to its marine wildlife.

Other areas are set aside for the protection of underwater flora and fauna.

The diversity of species and opaque quality of the water attracts divers; less intrepid visitors are encouraged to view the aquatic world from a boat with panoramic windows in its hull. Close by, near the mouth of the River Sado, a pod of bottlenose dolphins can regularly be seen.

Swimming alongside the cliffs that sweep into the estuary, it is a blissful existence.

Favouring a simple life that is close to nature, Amedeo rejects a world where profit stifles emotion and sentiment.

“Less selfishness and more sensitivity,” he says. “Using art as a mirror, I try to reflect and understand.”

Galeria Côrte-Real is the sole representative of Amedeo Cianci in Portugal. The stunning painting on the left measures 150x120cm.

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ARTIST’S CHOICE

Where do you live in Italy?

In Salentoa, in the province of Lecce. It is surrounded by two seas, the Adriatic to the east and the Ionian to the west, and boasts some of the most beautiful coasts in the Mediterranean.

So is the sea a major influence in your life and work?

I take inspiration from the natural elements – the limestone cliffs, the sea, the reflections, the iridescences, the emerald green and the blue that emerge from the darkness of the seabed.

Your preferred medium?

Oils, because they allow me to experiment more with colour, and capture the natural harmony of the sea.

Your favourite season?

Spring. It always inspires me.

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 : 3 0 - 1 6 : 3 0

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912 528 679 / corterealarte.com

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T U R B U L E N T S E A S O F T H E AT L A N T I C

CONSIDER IT DONE C O O L C L A S S I C S O R W O N D E R F U L LY Q U I R K Y ?

M A K I N G T H AT D É C O R D E C I S I O N I S E S P E C I A L LY C H A L L E N G I N G T O D AY W H E N T H E R E A R E S O M A N Y F I N E CHOICES . FINDING EXPERTS WHO WILL WORK WITH YO U TO R E A L I S E YO U R D R E A M I S T H E K E Y

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HETHER YOU are starting from scratch and personalising your new home, or shifting the design emphasis of a favourite room, or simply searching for those little additions that will make a big and beautiful difference, you need guidance and professional advice to take you through the multitude of options available. And you want to see it all, and touch it, and love it, right from the start.

This is where the specialists come into their own… and none are more specialist than the team at Quinta Style in Almancil. There is so much to see and touch and love right there, displayed to create atmosphere and introduce you to a multitude of possibilities. Hundreds of ideas from the best of Portuguese design houses, and the skilled makers to whom quality and innovation are top priority, stir the imagination and excite the senses, proving that almost anything is possible when it comes to making your personal environment a little piece of paradise.

The custom-built showroom – the Quinta Style studio shop – is staffed by a team of 14 who are passionate about their work, whether they are developing a creative concept for a new hotel, styling a show flat, or helping a customer choose a mirror for their bedroom. And that’s what makes a difference – their enthusiasm is simply inspiring.

From early days The business was founded here in the Algarve back in 2004, by Astrid Schep & Maarten Hesselink, who collected the accolades for their inventive approach, and their determination from the start to work with Portuguese suppliers. Outgrowing their original showroom fast, as their clientele grew and returned for more time and time again, they moved their operation to the vast big 600m² sun-filled building in 2019, and have never looked back.

While you and I might be in the store looking for new bedside tables or lamps, or going through the many hundreds of fabric swatches for new curtains or to cover a sofa, we’ll be made to feel as welcomed,

Piling on the style: Main picture: Home in Pinheiros Altos. Far left: the stunning studio shop in Almancil.

Left: home in Pinheiros Altos

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and as valued, as others who are there briefing in major productions, like the design for an entire home, when only the walls and windows currently exist, and maybe only on paper.

Full interior decoration services include everything from wallpaper to flooring, furnishings to artworks, bathrooms and kitchens – the entire makeup of a new home. Of special interest to those developing a property, is that budgets are treated with respect; the same degree of time and polished professionalism is given to each project, whether the proposed cost is standard, comfort, premium or deluxe.

Quinta Style’s most ambitious work to date was the design and execution of the interior renovation of Four Seasons Fairways in Quinta do Lago. They redeveloped no less than 130 apartments and villas, the main reception area, clubhouse, bar, exterior areas, Vivo car and bistro, the luxurious Amara restaurant, the kids club, and more recently, the supermarket. The end result is stunning, stylish, and a perfect example of what quality advice and a bold approach to colour can achieve.

Out shopping One of the great joys of shopping with QuintaStyle is that the space is beautifully laid out – there is something at every twist, turn and room set to satisfy the imagination and underpin the differences that make this business stand out, and its products and services in constant demand. And to know you can ask questions, be directed to the right choices, suggested alternatives, and take advantage of the knowledge and ideas of highly-qualified in-house interior designers is the biggest benefit of all. Even when it comes down to picking the perfect cushion, they’ll point you in the right direction.

To consider

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Whatever your style taste, or preferred colours and finishes, everything comes together beautifully at Quinta Style

New project: questions you’ll be asked What is the property going to be used for (ie rentals; holiday home; re-selling)?

Who’s going to live/stay there (ie young children; pets)?

What style are you looking for (classic; sophisticated; beachy; modern etc)?

How would you like to use each space (ie areas for entertainment/ lounging)?

Which areas would you like to spend more of your budget on?

FOUR SEASONS

Q U I N TA D O L A G O

5 Year club membership from €3500

S u n sh i n e h ol i d ay d e a l s f or Sp r i n g a n d W i n t er Luxury villas with private swimming pool or Jacuzzi Central clubhouse with heated indoor & outdoor pools, Lounge & pool bar and two restaurants Sports & Wellness . Gym & classes . Kids club & nursery . Golf shop . Mini M arket Discover how you can benefit from the 5 year club membership deals at our inform ation centre in Quinta do Lago.

FairwaysDirect.com Official Resale & Rental Representatives

Four Seasons Fairways Information Centre | Avenida André Jordan 37 | Quinta do Lago | Tel: +351 289 357 667 info@fairwaysdirect.com | www.fairwaysdirect.com | www.fourseasonsfairways.com | @fourseasonsfairways

W H I L E N E W B OA R DWA L K S S T R E TC H I N G ALONG THE COAST ARE PROTEC TING T H E V E G E TAT I O N F R O M D E S T R U C T I O N

BY THE TRAMPLING OF HUMAN FOOTSTEPS, AN AMBITIOUS SCHEME I N T H E C Ô A VA L L E Y I S U N D E R WAY T O REINTRODUCE PLANTS AND ANIMALS I N T O T H E I R N AT U R A L H A B I TAT

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over the sands are guardians of a fragile environment. Dunes are dynamic, constantly shifting with the wind, but the plants that they support decrease in diversity and density the more they are disturbed. Human activity compacts the soil, decreases organic matter and unsettles plant roots. Ad-hoc paths can alter the shape and height of the dunes; they are the best solution, offering visitors an alternative route and protecting what lies beneath.

The walkways will last for around 40 years and are elevated above the dunes allowing room for sand accumulation. Space is left between the boards so that sunlight is able to penetrate through to the plants below.

Visitors are able to gain access to the beaches, while the integrity of each sand dune is preserved. The recently completed work is a good example of making environmental adjustments before it is too late.

In the complex case of the Côa Valley – a vast area of

300,000 hectares in northern Portugal – there is considerably more to be done.

A remarkable story The Côa Valley has a chequered history that stretches back in time for more than 150,000 years. Subject to out-of-control fires, this account also retells how the valley was almost washed away. Today it is about to be reborn at the centre of an astonishing development plan.

Etched into the valley’s rocks, there are images of ibex, wild horses and ox-like aurochs. These pictures have been dated to the period of early hunter gatherers. Tools from the Stone, Copper, Bronze and Iron Ages confirm a continuous human presence when the Côa Valley would have consisted of grasslands and deciduous forests, chestnuts, holm and cork oaks, junipers, and other mostly fire-resistant vegetation. A variety of herbivores such as red and roe deer, rabbits and hares roamed the land and predators such as the Iberian lynx and wolves would have preyed upon them. In the skies above,

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PHOTOGRAPHY: MARKUS VARESVUO/ WILD WONDERS OF EUROPE

Left: Vultures make their home in the valley. Right top: Garrano Horses in Faia Brava nature reserve of Côa Valley; centre: the Iberian wolf, Canis lupus; bottom: ancient etchings in the rocks

The Côa Valley was declared a protected area, and a national park was opened in 1996 with a visitor and study centre that attracts enthusiastic anthropologists, archaeologists and a few curious tourists.

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other secondary consumers, such as Imperial eagles, and scavengers like griffon vultures, thrived.

Inevitably, the introduction of farming methods began to change this wild and natural landscape. Generation after generation, it was agriculture that supported rural communities. Surviving, despite searing temperatures in summer, and wildfires, it was a harsh way of life that began to collapse in the 1960s when young people were lured away to well-paid jobs in urban areas and abroad.

Only the older generation remained, and recognising that these rural communities were reaching an end, the Portuguese government stepped in. Attempting to stimulate the economy by producing timber, they introduced huge plantations of eucalyptus and pine.

What had not been taken into account, however, was that these trees are highly flammable, producing their own combustible oil. They evolved in different environments, and are unlike the indigenous trees that are fire retardant with thicker cambiums, the growthgiving section of the trunk.

As households and communities of people dwindled, there were fewer domestic animals to graze the land, and saplings shot up among untended vegetation. With few local people around to pressurise the municipalities, they failed to maintain effective firebreaks and clear areas near roads.

The Côa Valley had always suffered from thunder and lightning storms, but now the scale of the resulting wildfires was bigger and far more destructive. Hardly

PHOTOGRAPHY: NIGEL MOORE

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Above: The prehistoric rock-art site of the Côa Valley, now a Unesco World Heritage. Below: newly-installed boardwalks across the sands of the coast, designed to protect the dunes and indigenous plant life

any wonder that those who could moved on, and a ghost valley of mostly ruined farmhouses, neglected and burned land remained. By 1989, EDP (Portugal’s state electricity company) saw new potential, intending to flood the valley and build a hydroelectric power station.

The Côa Dam was half completed when prehistoric engravings and paintings were discovered in the area that was about to be flooded. A feud began between the EDP and a team of international archaeologists, but after six years of intense arguments, a new socialist government put a stop to it and saved the valley.

The valley was declared a protected area, and a national park was opened in 1996 with a visitor and study centre that attracts enthusiastic anthropologists, archaeologists and a few curious tourists.

More recently, the environment has become the focus of attention. Various NGOs have become involved, as well as departments from Aveiro and Lisbon University and organisations such as Rewilding Europe.

Starting at Faia Brava, a small nature reserve in the valley, the landscape is being restored to how it once was.

Wild Garrano horses have been introduced, and herds of tauros (related to the aurochs, Europe’s native wild cattle) have begun to graze and fertilise the land. The reintroduction of roe deer and ibex could to be next.

As the soil improves, the vegetation is likely to diversify and will attract more herbivores. More rabbits mean more food for Iberian lynx, and with more wild prey in the region, more predators can be supported. If all goes according to plan, these predators will be needed to keep the population of herbivores under control.

The EU’s LIFE WolFlux project recognises that these conditions will attract additional wolf packs into the area, some of them coming from across the border in Spain.

This is the most contentious issue, but to deter them from attacking livestock, the few farmers that remain will be provided with Serra da Estrela mountain dogs.

One of Portugal’s oldest breeds, these loyal and fierce animals, raised to protect their owners’ herds, really do discourage wolf attacks. The plan to reinstate them in their traditional role is a reminder of their previously important status.

Learning from the past is at the heart of the project known as Rewilding Portugal. Fittingly, it is the artwork of Paleolithic people that has saved the Côa Valley.

SHARP CARDS Y O U M AY N O T B E R E A D Y F O R A S E AT AT A TA B L E I N T H E C A S I N O, B U T YO U CO U L D D E F I N I T E LY I M P R O V E Y O U R POKER SKILL S VIA TUTORIAL S AND GUIDES ON THE WEB

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LAURA SHEA

F YOU ARE indulging in a swanky

night out at a casino, or having a relaxed evening in with friends playing games, would you feel confident to have a go at poker? When I think of this card game, a range of images flash through my mind, from a tense hand in an old western, to the glitz and glamour of James Bond.

Whether you want to play for fun, or would be willing to lay down some cash on your cards, you’ll want to know if it is a question of luck. Can you learn how to win, can you somehow improve that poker face, and can you read those of the players around you? Does it all rest on the cards you are dealt, or is there a way to change your hand?

Please remember that you don’t need to use money to enjoy this game, there doesn’t need to be the worry of ending up out of pocket. The beauty of poker is that it can be enjoyed by everyone and the thrill really is in laying down the best cards.

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The Beginner’s Guide

A very nice article giving a broad base of knowledge of the game itself, and how to play. I would recommend this as a read for anyone who is interested in learning about poker, before they actually have a go.

The easy-to-follow guide lays out the way a game progresses, with information on how to bet, if playing with money. The information can be used for casino visits, online playing, and games with friends and family. You can then go further into your tuition by selecting which version of poker you want to play; the detail for Texas Hold’em is in depth, but not difficult to understand.

Definitely click on the link for the hand ranking information, as this will prove invaluable

for your first few games until you can memorise everything!

I liked that the ranking page had visual representations of the cards, as I found it easy to get that set in my mind, and understand what I was looking for, and what I would need to complete my hand.

You can also download the cheat sheet as a PDF, which you could then leave on the table during a friendly game for practice. Just rope in a couple of friends and promise them good snacks and a little tipple or two! telegraph.co.uk/betting/casinoguides/poker/how-to-play-poker/

My rating: 9/10 For the beginner, a better guide would be hard to find for conciseness.

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If you like to learn through quick and handy videos, then this is one of the best that I found on YouTube. It’s only about four minutes long and shows how a game would play out, with various options depending on how the betting goes. I like the layout of the table showing the hands, and how a game can change depending on the bluffing from players. You will need to watch it a couple of times, and this is where memorising the hand rankings will come in useful as you should be able to spot the winner fairly early on.

I do have a couple of criticisms though: I wish the video was longer, and I would have liked to watch several different hands to see how a game could go. From reading the comments on the video,

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some people were confused by the tutorial, but I think if used in conjunction with the Telegraph article (point 1), you would have no issues improving your knowledge.

The combination of reading the details of how to play, and then watching this video, made me feel a bit more confident in myself and better prepared for my friendly practice match. youtube.com/ watch?v=NlFguTSypBQ

My rating: 8/10 Very quick and to the point, I just wish there was more!

The Confident Player Guide

Although this says it’s for beginners, don’t let it fool you.

This is written for someone with a basic understanding of the game, and is a good start for improving your skills. It does highlight the importance of knowing the hand values, and shows easy-to-recognise instructions.

The section on looking like a pro gives clear directions on how to follow the flow of the game. I also like the section on picking up on ‘tells’ from other players, as this is an aspect of poker, which I find the most interesting.

One thing to keep in mind when learning to play is that there are many hidden

benefits to honing your skills. The ability to read how others are feeling from their body language can actually be invaluable. Recognising people’s behaviour when they are stressed or worried can help you to diffuse situations at work and at home. Never forget that everyone has a ‘tell’ of some sort, so study your rivals across the table and try not to give yours away too soon!

wikihow.com/Play-Poker

My rating: 7/10 A great guide once you have played a couple of friendlies!

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The Poker Face Guide

This is a really handy little guide on how to perfect your poker face, which is key to gaining the upper hand in any game. By keeping in mind some of the tips listed, you should be able to maintain a neutral appearance most of the time, which will unnerve your opponents long enough to pick up on their ‘tells’.

Some of the tips I would avoid, however, unless you really want to look like a pro player, which can then get you into trouble if you were to go up against anyone seasoned in the game – if I was in a casino for a fun evening, I definitely would not wear sunglasses at the table! I also wouldn’t

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hold a stress ball if I was playing with friends, as it might come across as a bit too serious.

If playing with friends, I like the idea of practising being inconsistent and bluffing. It is a hard skill to manage, as you can come across as fake and give everything away, so you do need to be subtle. The beauty of using friends or family as guinea pigs means that they can give you honest feedback after a hand, and there really is no better way to learn this game than by playing.

wikihow.com/Have-a-GoodPoker-Face

My rating: 7/10 Perhaps a couple of things not to try, but have fun with this!

The Family Fun Night Guide

I really liked this article, as the thought of being able to play the game with friends and family of any age is appealing.

You can enjoy the chance to gather around a table to play cards and delight in the fact that poker can help children with numeracy skills and memory. It can also be a great lesson in being a gracious loser, and get the cognitive process flowing by trying to pick up on everyone’s ‘tell’. Since coming out of lockdowns, it has become easy to get lost in the hectic day to day grind, and even easier still to rely on screen time to keep kids entertained.

The great thing about having a family poker night is that everyone can get involved, and the game can be tailored for any

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skill level. As it says, you don’t need to use money for betting as other items can be substituted – I do like the idea of using things such as chore promises instead.

You could also use sweet treats like gummy candies or dried fruit.

Get a nice spread of snacks ready, and settle down for a couple of games, and if any of the kids don’t feel confident, give them the job of dealer, which will build their knowledge as you go. seethru.co.uk/2020/05/11/ quarantine-idea-hosting-apoker-night-with-your-family/

My rating: 8/10 Add your own personal twist to make this a favourite fun night in.

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SOLE MATES A S W E B E C O M E I N C R E A S I N G LY A W A R E OF THE NEEDS OF THIS PLANET OF OURS, A N D T H E V I TA L AT T E N T I O N R E Q U I R E D T O E N S U R E I T S H E A LT H A N D W E L L B E I N G I N T O TH E F U T U R E , A P O R T U G U E S E CO M PA N Y T H AT I S D E D I C AT E D T O C H A N G I N G AT T I T U D E S I S A S P E C I A L F I N D

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HE INITIALS NAE stand for No Animal Exploitation.

The name of this Portuguese brand is an expression of its makers’ mission statement: to propose an animal-friendly and ecological alternative to the human exploitation that has become, sadly, a part of modern-day life. NAE’s shoes and accessories are 100% vegan and manufactured in certified and ethical factories in Portugal.

Some materials used are gathered from the land here, others come from sustainable sources elsewhere.

When creating their business and developing its ethos, founders Paula and Alex Pérez were driven by a personal need – and a heartfelt duty – to reduce the impact on animal lives that has resulted from traditionally-conducted but commercially-driven business. They formed NAE in 2008, and from the beginning, their desire was to create and offer ethical products that would pave the way to a better world.

And they have succeeded in realising their goals.

Shoes and boots, sandals and sneakers, belts, braces, and wallets make up the big and very beautiful collection for those who care deeply about change.

“We not only focus on the natural and ecological materials, but also on the design, style and quality that Portuguese footwear is recognised for,” says Paula.

“We work daily to create a positive impact that meets our cause: to make the world a more sustainable, animal-friendly, and free place to be.”

With a head office in Amadora, a shop in Chiado, and an outlet in the young, creative hotspot that is Lisbon’s LXFactory, NAE products can be found at a number of retailers and purchased online. Styling is thoroughly contemporary and will satisfy those in search of cool.

So, if you have, until now, regarded vegan as quaint, or hippy, or anything but trend-setting and elegant, it is time to rethink, and put your best foot forward.

If you have thought of vegan footwear as somethng that suggests hippy tastes, you couldn’t be more wrong.

NAE’s shoes are fashion-forward and super cool

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THE MATERIALS NAE uses vegan materials with different levels of sustainability.

This is what they are all about:

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Piñatex Piñatex is a natural fabric made from pineapple leaf fibres. The leaves – which are normally discarded – are taken from pineapple harvests and processed to make this durable fabric, with any unused fibres then redistributed to the fields as fertiliser. This natural alternative to leather is produced in the Philippines by Ananas Anam, a company focused on social responsibility. They are a certified B Corporation, meaning they must meet the highest standards of environmental performance, and are legally accountable to balance purpose and profit. From white minimalistic sliders to cool black sneakers, Piñatex is a remarkably versatile material.

Cork NAE, being a Portuguese brand, and living with an abundance of cork so close to home, just had to make shoes from it. Cork is a natural material; it is 100% biodegradable and recyclable. It is incredibly durable and great for the environment.

It is harvested from cork oak (or quercus suber) trees and is completely sustainable.

Remarkably, cork farming also has a negative carbon footprint, meaning that it has an incredibly positive impact on the planet. Not only that, it is waterproof, hypoallergenic, and soft to the touch, making it virtually perfect for many different styles of shoes.

Recycled PET A material that had once likely been a single-use plastic, the use of Recycled PET as a material brings a solution to the neverending waste currently piling up on our beautiful planet. First synthesised in the 1940s, PET was popularised for its strong, lightweight nature, which is similarly true of RPET (Recycled PET). Transforming old plastic bottles and plastic collected from the ocean into gorgeous vegan shoes, helps to prevent pollution caused by decomposing or destroying plastic.

Vegan leather Organic cotton Unlike regular cotton, organic cotton is grown from natural (non-genetically modified) seeds and without the use of pesticides, meaning that it is much kinder to the earth and safer on your skin. It is harvested from fields that are regularly rotated rather than persistently re-sown, which means the soil is not degraded in the same way as with regular cotton.

Organic cotton is also irrigated using 80% rainwater, making it much less of a drain on energy and resources. With the world’s water supplies under threat, organic cotton is an essential, conscious choice within the fashion industry. Plus, it makes the most beautiful shoes.

Made from a mix of microfibres, including a mixture of cotton, polyester and nylon (which is recycled whenever possible), vegan leather helps to save billions of animals each year and means that you don’t need to compromise on style. Allowing you to look good, and feel even better, sustainable guilt-free vegan leather has been awarded the STANDARD 100 label, which ensures the material is completely harmless to human health.

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T: +351 289 397 165 E: info@cape-gardens.com W: cape-gardens.com

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TARTING A business page on Facebook

can take only a few minutes – upload a cover photo, fill in some details, write some posts, and invite friends to ‘like’ your page and it’s done! Well, not quite. That is the simple part, but how you manage your page will determine how successful it is. As with most things, if you want your Facebook marketing efforts to pay off, you should avoid a few common marketing mistakes that many businesses tend to make. So let us take a look at a few of these:

Not having a plan What would you like to achieve with your Facebook page? Increase sales, generate traffic to your website, improving your customer service or retention, or perhaps build awareness of your business? Put simply, you don’t know what options will help you arrive if you don’t know your destination!

Once you know where you are going, it is then far easier for you to work out the route. And once you have defined your goal, every post, every comment, every ad you create on Facebook should ultimately be in service of that objective.

The last thing you want to do is get your potential customers excited about arriving at your promised destination, and then disappear down an irrelevant diversion.

W I T H T H E A B I L I T Y T O S H A R E Y O U R C O N T E N T, C O M M U N I C AT E A N D E N G AG E W I T H P R O S P EC T I V E C U S TO M E R S A N D C L I E N T S , FAC E B O O K , I F U S E D E F F E C T I V E LY, C A N B E A M A R K E T I N G P O W E R H O U S E . K E Y I S EN S U R I N G YO U FO C U S O N Q UA LIT Y A N D CO N S I S TEN C Y

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Inconsistent posting of content However, consistency of direction is not the only thing you need to focus on, but consistency in both the type and frequency of messages you post. If you publish 30 posts over a month and then don’t publish for the next two weeks, people may stop looking out for your posts, or read a deeper meaning into your inconsistency, such as that your service may be inconsistent.

Building a following on any social media page takes time and effort, and once you have started the conversation, you want to keep it going. When you post fresh content, it tells the visitor that your Facebook page is active, which increases the likelihood of them following the page. And when you use a similar language in each post, they know what to expect.

Most studies agree that posting once a day is optimal and, as a minimum, you should post three times per week. A word of caution though: don’t post too often as your followers may get fed up with seeing your business name pop up in their news feed and unsubscribe. However, there are events when posting more often than normal is more acceptable; for instance, when you run a customer promotion, or when you share live updates from an event.

Obviously, we all get busy at times, and things like Facebook posting can fall through the cracks. That’s why I would suggest that creating a content calendar can be incredibly helpful for keeping you organised and on top of

your Facebook Page. You can create your own calendar or there are several free templates available online, including from Facebook.

Your calendar can be as simple or detailed as you feel comfortable with, and include upcoming industry and social events, promotions, weekly topics of interest, seasonal trends etc. Planning ahead can certainly make your postings more consistent and ensure you don’t start with a blank sheet of paper each time you need to draft your post.

Failing to provide value Your Facebook page is a great venue for updates on your business, but don’t get carried away, it is not another platform for blatant business promotion. Your target audience will follow your Facebook page or share a post only if they find the content to be engaging, relevant, informative, or empowering in some way.

Offer value by combining a timely mix of content about your business (product tips, sales events, behind-the-scenes items and photos) and blend in third-party posts that are relevant to your products or services. Don’t stray too far off your topic!

Regarding getting the right mix of posts, make sure there is a balance that keeps people engaged. After all, you want your followers to go all the way to your destination but also buy something when they arrive. Try publishing around 80% original and curated content that provides

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on their Facebook page, missing a huge opportunity communicate directly with potential or existing customers.

Respond to all comments and make sure your settings (under Manage Permissions) allow for people to post on your page, and your page ‘messages’ turned on so that people can send you private messages.

value to your followers, and no more than 20% promotional content. Promotional content includes selling your products or services, posting about how great your customers find your business (unless your clients post it directly on your page), showing your work or portfolio, promoting your accomplishments, etc.

Lack of variety What do most of your Facebook posts look like? Are they mainly text posts accompanied by stock photography images, or links to articles? Facebook posts that tend to be more popular contain videos, an element of humour, high-quality visuals, contest announcements, or informative infographics.

Publish a combination of these post types. Also, to keep your followers engaged in both the short and long term, you can create weekly content themes.

For instance, if you sell clothes your weekly content plan could be: Week 1 – Educate the customer about the latest fashion trends; Week 2 – Share details of an upcoming exhibition; Week 3 – Photos of customers wearing your garments; and Week 4 – Create a series of DIY fashion accessories.

Cross-promoting Using Facebook to relentlessly lead your followers to the destination is an effective way to make progress, but you also have a number of other tools at your disposal to make sure more people join the journey. To increase your Facebook Page visibility and give people the chance to join, you need to tell people about it.

Therefore, make sure you take every opportunity to promote your Facebook Page, link any other social media accounts, your website, and advertise your page on your business stationery, menus, marketing material, events, newsletters etc. You can also easily generate a QR code (those square barcodes you see everywhere) from the link address from your Facebook Page. A simple Google search for free QR code generator will bring up several alternatives.

Once you have your QR code, you can easily share it from your phone, print it in your menus, place stickers on your coffee shop tables etc.

Once you have defined your goal, every post, every comment, every ad you create on Facebook should ultimately meet that objective.

Not connecting with the audience Most people use Facebook to connect with friends and family. So, to create interest in your business page, you must communicate like a ‘person’ rather than a company. Instead of impersonal posts, write Facebook posts that show the human side of your business. For example, share employee stories, or upload photos/videos of your workplace and customers.

Also, engage with your followers like a person. Believe it or not, only around 30% of businesses respond to comments

Boost posts When you post content, Facebook doesn’t show it to your entire following. This is done so businesses are motivated to pay a small fee to boost their content. A word of caution though – use the paid-for approach to increase your follower count sparingly. Overusing this feature can provide poor returns, but you can use it selectively to benefit your business.

For example, by spending a few euros on boosting a well-crafted piece of content, you can end up growing your following and generating leads that might otherwise be lost.

However, ultimately, your content must do the job for you.

A small investment in time and money, used intelligently, can go a long way if implemented correctly. Finally, while creating a sponsored post, you can also specify the demographic features of your target viewer, the daily budget for promotion, and for how many days you want to run the post.

If you generally follow the above, you will certainly be on the right track. Happy posting!

JASON GR ANVILLE East Algar ve Digital T: 9 1 6 9 8 4 6 6 8 / E : j a s o n @ e a s t a l g a r v e d i g i t a l . c o m / W : e a s t a l g a r v e d i g i t a l . c o m

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 do Lob o 9 47 A | 81 3 5 - 016 A lm a n c i l

toldolanda.com 914609517

Toldolanda

the awning specialist Association of British Riding Schools

established 1985

PINETREES

M O U N T U P, F I R M U P, A N D G A L LO P O F F T H E E X T R A K I LO S I N T H E S U N S H I N E

CENTRO HÍPICO | RIDING CENTRE

Off road riding through the Ria Formosa Forest Training from beginners to experienced riders wishing to prepare for competition, horse ownership or exams Riding gear included in the prices.

Located between Vale de Lobo and Quinta do Lago Tel: + (351) 289 394 369 | + (351) 919 363 190 | bevpinetrees@gmail.com | www.pinetrees.pt | Bev Gibbons, BHS Int. Teaching Certi cate |

Jessica Dunn Art

Original oil paintings and limited edition prints

Visit Jessica Dunn´s private gallery, the Dunn Studio, in the rural village of Boliqueime.

The gallery showcases Jessica´s impressive portfolio of bold and colourful abstract landscapes, inspired by the Algarve.

Viewing by appointment.

Call 962 544 650, email info@jessicadunnart.com

Pinetrees Riding

READS PLUS

FULLY

booked

Book of the month

PUTIN’S PEOPLE

By Neville Shute Publisher: Vintage Classics Genre: Fiction

By Catherine Belton Publisher: Harper Collins Genre: Factual/political

Despite this book being originally published in 1953, and being a bit sci-fi fantasy-ish, it’s one of my top ten favourites. I’m including In the Wet as it was a recent read for my book club and, to their amazement, the members loved it. In addition to the chosen book for the month, we also select a classic to read, if desired, over a three-month period.

In the Wet is a speculative glance into the future of the British Empire. An elderly clergyman stationed in the Australian bush is called to the bedside of a dying, opiumaddicted drunk. In his delirium, Stevie tells a story of England in 1983, through the medium of a squadron air pilot in the service of Queen Elizabeth II. You have to remember this book was written in 1953 when attitudes were different. There is no doubt that Shute was snobbish, misogynistic, and it could be argued, slightly racist. However, for a man born in 1899 of upper middle class parents, these attitudes were considered the norm.

Shute introduces a fascinating concept regarding the entitlement to vote. I won’t ruin the story for you but read it with an open mind. I’d love to know what you think!

Fascinating and totally enthralling. That old quote “what a tangled web we weave…” springs to mind when reading this incredible and in-depth account of Vladimir Putin.

Beginning his career as an unknown KGB agent working in backwater Dresden during the Cold War, Putin carefully established a network that would be responsible for inserting him into the Kremlin’s halls of power. Perceiving him as a politician who would employ whatever means necessary to stay in power, members of the former KGB leadership identified him as the key to maintaining their control over Russia.

Putin built an intricate network involving politicians, members of ruthless organised crime organisations, sympathetic journalists, and the ever-hungry nouveau riche that are the oligarchs of today, which he successfully leveraged when it served his interests as well as pitting factions against, each other when required.

Drawing on an impressive list of primary sources, many of whom were victims of Putin’s machinations, as well as her own extensive knowledge, Belton paints a portrait of a man who will stop at nothing to attain the glory he has come to believe he is restoring to the Russian people.

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R E A D E R S H AV E B E E N T E L L I N G U S T H AT A S E A C H I S S U E C O M E S O U T, T H E Y A R E G O I N G O N LI N E TO K I N D LE , O R I NTO FN AC O R LIV R A R IA B ERTR A N D, TO PI C K U P D AW N A N N A N D A L E ’ S L AT E S T R E A D I N G R E C O M M E N D AT I O N S . T H I S T I M E R O U N D , I T ’ S A N O - C H O I C E S I T U AT I O N , A S W I T H O U T Q U E S T I O N YO U W I L L WA N T T H E LOT

READS PLUS

EVERYTHING IS BEAUTIFUL

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By Eleanor Ray Publisher: Piatkus Books Genre: Fiction I thought this would be a chick-lit, rom-com type of book and had a little groan when I received it. But, it’s not. Phew! The lead character, Amy, is quirky and rather prickly.

She’s a hoarder and her life has become so focused on her accumulation of things that she’s retreated into herself and her home, becoming an expert at pushing people away.

In the present, we meet Amy at home and Amy at work. The debilitating need to hold onto things at home isn’t an issue at work, although she keeps to herself and is somewhat rigid and obsessive. Amy has been with the company nearly two decades and is respected, but her world there is interrupted with a new arrival and potential romance.

At home she has new neighbours. She’s got a difficult relationship with another neighbour who knows about Amy’s hoarding. Her new neighbours quickly learn about Amy’s habits and history. No spoilers, but the mystery of why Amy hoards and exactly what happened in her life to cause her issues is delightfully dealt with. Sad, happy, emotional – I think we all know an Amy.

of the Atlantic empires, with territory in the Azores, Madeira, West Africa and Brazil, and it remained a major empire until the 1820s, retaining an African empire until the 1970s.

Its empire in Asia continued – in Malacca until 1641, Goa until 1961, Timor until 1975, and Macau until 1999. Black shows how Portugal had a global impact, but that the world, too, had an impact on Portugal.

Baroque Portugal, between 1640 and 1800, is explored through palaces in Mafra, Pombal and elsewhere, and the wealth of Brazil. The 19th century brought turmoil in the form of a French invasion, the Peninsular War, Brazilian independence, successive revolutions, economic issues and the end of the monarchy.

Republican Portugal brought further chaos in the early years of the 20th century, then the dictatorship of Salazar, and its end in the Carnation Revolution of 1974. Portugal’s role in both world wars is examined, and also its wars in Africa.

From the overthrow of autocracy to a new constitution and the leadership of Soares, contemporary, democratic Portugal is explored, as is the fiscal crisis of recent years.

Black introduces the history and character of the country’s principal regions, including the Azores, Madeira and the Cape Verde Islands.

He looks at key national sites, at food and wine and the arts, with special sections devoted to port, Portugal’s famous tiles and the university established at Coimbra in 1290.

A BRIEF HISTORY OF PORTUGAL

By Jeremy Black Publisher: Little & Brown Genre: Factual This is a fabulous, comprehensive history of Portugal that covers the whole span, from the Stone Age to today. I pick it up and put it down, have used it for reference, and read specific chapters when visiting a particular region. It is invaluable as a guide to this beautiful country we are privileged to live in.

An introduction provides an understanding of geographical and climatic issues, before an examination of Portugal from the Stone Age to the end of the Roman era. The country’s history from 420 AD to the 13th century takes in the Suevi, Visigoths and Moors. Then, there’s a look at medieval times, covering the development of Christian Portugal, culminating with the expulsion of the Moors, and a focus on key sites.

A subsequent section on Spanish rule, between 1580 and 1640, explains why Spain took over, and why its rule collapsed. There is a significant focus on Portugal’s global role, particularly during the age of exploration, or expansion, in the 15th century to 1580: Manueline Portugal, Henry the Navigator, Vasco da Gama and Belem. Portugal was the first

ONCE UPON A RIVER

By Diane Setterfield Publisher: Black Swan Genre: Historical fiction The book opens with an injured man entering the bar of the Swan Inn, an inn/tavern in the small town of Radcot situated along the Thames – carrying a young girl, who appears to be dead. The body is brought to the hospital to be inspected, but then a miracle happens and the young girl mysteriously reawakens.

Once Upon a River is about three families – the Vaughans, the Armstrongs and Lilly White – who have each lost a young girl. When the story of the ‘miracle’ begins to make its way from town to town, each of these families hope that this young girl is their own.

The story explores each of the claims, the motivations and histories of the claimants, and many of the townspeople who are drawn to the young girl and the mystery behind her apparent miracle. Set in 1887, the book is a Victorian gothic masterpiece and comes together beautifully at the end.

ADICO

BY IN-PETTO In order to see the outdoor collection of Adico, please arrange an appointment to visit us.

Rua dos Malhadais 126 8100-082 Boliqueime

www.adico.pt

groothandel@in-petto.nl

www.in-petto.nl

00 351 910 440 728 in_petto_groothandel

Photos by Ma Chaise

+351 289 397 784 tribulumalgarve.com

@thegreenzebrabar

@tribulumalgarve

IT’S A GREAT PLACE TO BE

PROMOTION PLUS

GET READY TO GO

GREAT TASTES When it comes to eating, you want the best. And the restaurants in Quinta do Lago each have a special personality, designed to cater to different appetites. A real favourite for breakfast and lunch is Pure, in the tranquil golf setting of Roundabout 2; it’s the home of healthy food that pops with flavour and dazzles with colour. You get to choose from a huge mix of wonderfully fresh ingredients to compose your madeto-order meal, or you can pick from a menu of delicious innovative compositions. There are fresh juices, a collection of teas, and fresh coffee made by Pure's expert baristas, with roasted free trade coffee beans and dairy or plant-based milk.

I N F O @ Q U I N TA D O L AG O . C O M

What’s your choice – golf, tennis, padel, running, cycling, swimming?

Or maybe you want to start the day with a workout planned specifically for you by one of the Quinta do Lago professionals, who will supervise your session and take you through your paces? The options are endless, and everything can be tailored to your exact needs and level of ability so you can maximise on the ALL benefits. It is that level THE RIGHT of delivery that has INGREDIENTS earned the Campus and Paul McGinley From farm to table – herbs and seasonal vegetables requested by the chefs in the Golf Academy the QdL eateries are home grown… at the reputation as a resort’s organic Q-Farm. Seeds are world-class facility. planted in the greenhouse, grown on the farm, harvested in the morning and on your plate for lunch.

Sustainability is key.

+351 289 390 700

Q U I N TA D O L AG O . C O M

@QDLRESORT

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W H E T H E R Y O U WA N T T O U P Y O U R G A M E , I M P R OV E YO U R T EC H N I Q U E , E N J O Y G R E AT E AT I N G , O R S I M P LY S I T B A C K A N D R E L A X , Q U I N TA D O L A G O OFFERS THE BEST OF EVERY THING FOR Y O U , F O R Y O U R FA M I LY, F O R A B E T T E R L I F E S T Y L E . W I T H A 5 0 -Y E A R P E D I G R E E O F E XC ELLEN C E , N O WO N D ER IT I S TH E L U X U R Y D E S T I N AT I O N

HOME GROWN PLUS

Seeing

INSPIRED BY PEOPLE AND TRADITIONS, LUZ EDITIONS IS BORN O U T O F T H E D E S I R E T O C R E AT E Q U A L I T Y G O O D S F O R E V E R Y D AY L I F E . M E E T PAU L A F R A N C O , W H O S E COLLEC TION B LENDS HISTORY WITH EXEMPL ARY CR AFTSMANSHIP

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AULA FRANCO grew up in Paris, spending every

summer with her grandparents in Nazaré, which served to underpin her Portuguese roots. Later, she quit her highly successful career with L’Oreal, and moved to Lisbon in search of a new life.

“My parents emigrated from Portugal a few years before I was born but always spoke to me in Portuguese,” she says.

“When I arrived in Lisbon, I felt I was home.” And home it is indeed, to her very special enterprise that blends printing on fine linen with images and messages from the heart.

Paula launched Luz Editions in 2020, but had been developing the project since 2019 when she discovered the wonderful work of photographer Artur Pastor – images that she felt conveyed the inherent emotion, and the history, of the Portuguese people.

“I looked for a way to use those images that was out of the ordinary, and screen printing on linen resulted,” she explains. “I started off with English text, which I envisioned would make my tea towels a perfect souvenir for tourists, but the Portuguese who bought them wanted their own version. Since then, the text has been in Portuguese and the message is an expression of the people here.

“Each product I introduce must represent something, and must be produced with the least consequence to our planet. Craftsmanship is crucial, quality is vital. Obviously, prices are affected, but manual labour has its own value. The craftsman is not a machine, he produces at his speed and with soul. It’s a journey in tradition, and in sustainability. The goal is to have pieces that are consistent with each other and that tell a story. The investment is in emotion, that’s the only way to make an acquired object last.”

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Her very special enterprise blends printing on fine linen with images and messages from the heart.

Making it happen In the 18 months since Luz Editions came onto the market, Paula has single-handedly dealt with every aspect of product development, from sourcing, to supervising production, to social media, and she has seen her message reach a growing audience.

“My clients were Portuguese at the beginning, but in the past year, things changed quite a bit, probably because Portugal has an increasing number of residents from elsewhere, and also because the internet banishes borders.”

Luz Editions has its own home-grown products: the tea towels (with new editions each year), the candles (which will have new fragrances each year), the knives, the collaborations with ceramicists. And everything is produced here, in Portugal, with the exception of the fragrances, which she buys from Grasse for her candles.

But it is the images she uses on linen that are the most distinctive. “They come from different archives in Portugal,” she explains. “I research databases in depth, and it takes a huge amount of time because the goal is to choose an image that conveys the emotion of the word I am going to use. I have probably viewed over 4,000 photographs now!

“When I make my choice, I buy the rights to use the image. Not every one results in screen printing, which is disappointing, but you have to appreciate the limitations of the medium you are using, and also to recognise when something is not going to work for you.”

And words are what it is all about, the very essence of each piece. “When I find an image that I like, I'll try everything to use it. For the word saudade (longing), it was difficult to find a photograph that could relate to a feeling that is so individual and heartfelt. My final choice was of two boys saddened and fascinated by the departure of the boat.

It was based on the feeling of loss, a recognition of my own saudade every summer when I had to say goodbye to my family here in Portugal.”

Paula believes that Portugal’s contemporary personality really started coming to the foreground when times got tough. “In its reinvention, through yet another crisis, a whole generation has emerged as entrepreneurs or craftsmen, and that is excellent news. Currently, I am part of a network called Portugal Manual, which identifies many of this new breed of craftsmen. The collective is a window towards the renewal of the country and a good way to source dedicated craftsmen.”

Right now, however, Paula continues to work solo. She had an intern in the summer of 2021 and will probably take on another in the months ahead, as soon as she feels that the brand needs, and can afford, one extra person. “To be honest,” she confesses, “there are days when you have to motivate yourself because human contact is everything in creativity. And coming from the corporate world, there are days when I really do feel lonely!”

Spreading her wings Today Luz Editions products are sold, in addition to within Portugal, in Belgium, France, Canada, USA and online; one of the markets that she doesn’t currently include in her network is the UK – “It’s a shame that Brexit has made trading between small businesses so difficult,” she says ruefully.

But she hopes to be selling in more European countries within the next few years, and to have developed her

online sales, and maybe even have her own store where she can sell her collections alongside others she adores.

Based in Lisbon, in an apartment in an Art Deco 1930s building, she respects the architecture and the original details and tries not to modify them, except to create a more comfortable lifestyle, knocking down a wall to introduce more light, or installing central heating for greater warmth. The style of her home is very French, with a touch of English cottage. “I try not to buy new furniture, so most of it is second-hand. And as I do with Luz Editions, I regard my home as a legacy, a piece of history that I will one day pass on to someone.” And she hopes that she will soon be ready to find a space that will become her workshop, and where she will be able to organise events and arts and crafts workshops as well. “For now, it’s only a dream, but one day it will come true,” she smiles.

Her favourite place? “Nazaré, the place of my summer childhood, is so dear to my heart. I would like to have known it in the 1950s and 60s. I really admire the people of this ancient village for the respect they have for the sea, for their traditions, and for the courage of their fishermen.

I love all the photographs of this period – the work of Artur Pastor, Henri Cartier-Bresson, Jean Dieuzaide, Stanley Kubrick and many many others.

And her favourite piece? “In Luz Editions, they are all my babies, but If I had to choose just one, it would be the tea towel Alegria. Alegria (happiness) is one of my favourite words in Portuguese. If I picked a general piece, it would be a bowl chipped and repaired by a staple, so typical of country object repairs in Portugal.

LUZ DESIGNS / l u z e d i t i o n s 2 02 0 @ g m a i l . co m / l u z e d i t i o n s . co m

Every piece in the Luz Editions collection has a special message, about the people and their emotions

PHOTOGRAPHY PLUS

GOVERT SAKKERS

Are you stable?

Where Aveiro When October 2015 What’s special Special because the man is acting as tripod for his wife.

Advice to others The choice of background helps to give balance.

Camera Canon 80D

Garrett’s view Nicely balanced colours and composition, the happy couple, portraying love but unaware of being photographed.

Love se emed like a logic al topic this month , but the variet y of subjec t mat ter submit te d by members of the Algar ve Photographers’ G r o u p c o v e r e d m a n y d i f f e r e n t r e l a t i o n s h i p s . 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) i s o u r g u e s t c o m m e n t a t o r

Interpretations TRACEY SMITH

Coffee lovers Where Café in São Brás When January 2022 What’s special The heart-shape design on top of the foamy milk. It was a special touch from the person who made it.

Advice to others

Think outside the box, don’t take the conventional route. In this case, ‘Love’ has a different interpretation.

Camera

iPhone

Garrett’s view The love of our morning coffee, in the local cafe, with warm sun, seized on here in this photo.

VEIT MUELLER

Just one kiss, please!

Where Opel Zoo, Germany When Summer 2017 What’s special The zebras were very shy, and I used a telelens.

Advice to others When animals are the subject, you have to be very patient.

Camera Nikon D800

Garrett’s view I’m liking how the zebras lines leads one’s eye through this image to the point of contact of the kiss.

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Love on the rocks

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Where Burgau When July 2014 What’s special Totally the location!

Advice to others The cliché ‘golden hour’ is what we waited for that afternoon. If you put in the hours, you get the results.

Camera Canon 7D

Garrett’s view The soft light of sunset, an isolated location, the love of a couple, nicely composed, makes this photo attractive.

TONY WOODS

Brotherly love Where On safari in Kenya When 2010 What’s special A magic moment captured as two male lion brothers awake from an afternoon sleep.

Advice to others If you are into wildlife photography, you will need a lot of patience and luck to catch these special images.

Camera Canon 5D MK2

Garrett’s view With a very long lens, a lovely moment captured of these wild animals displaying affection.

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

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.

Here when you need us

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

No 1 on the Algarve for Synthetic Grass Solutions.

We strive for perfection and only deliver the best.

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TECHNO PLUS

THE TECH INDUSTRY I N D U LG E S I N A FRENZY OF F O R E C A S T I N G AT T H E S TA R T O F E V E R Y Y E A R , WHEN THE CONSUMER ELEC TRONIC S SHOW TA K E S P L A C E I N L A S VEGAS. THE FUTURE I S G O I N G TO B E F A B U L O U S , T H E Y S AY. BUT IS IT?

T

HE PROMISE of a tomorrow full of dazzling new life-changing products was true back in the noughties when I used to go to the Consumer Electronics Show (CES).

It was a time when you could still revolutionise a product, when music went digital and discs vanished forever; when cameras went digital and destroyed Kodak, and when smartphones gave us an internet connection wherever we were.

But now it has all gone flat. Nobody seems to be able to come up with anything that is both innovative and useful. All we are getting is re-hashed ideas that have been around for years without impressing anyone.

Ultra high definition TV For most of us, bog-standard High Definition TV is fine, because we watch telly on reasonably-sized sets, up to about 40". Anything larger is a big black blot on the living room when it is switched off, which is most of the day. Who wants that?

It is true that at sizes bigger than around 75in, a regular HD set begins to look a bit ragged and UHD comes into its own – and an increasing minority of people like to drop over five grand on a monster TV that occupies an entire wall of their living room, forcing them to sit with their backs to the other wall to watch blockbuster movies and the footie on a screen that does them justice.

The latest version of UHD is called 8K because it has twice as many pixels as the previous 4K standard.

But the dirty secret of 8K is that there are no 8K programmes to show on it. Broadcasters are not planning 8K channels, although streaming services such as Netflix are set to offer 8K services at some point. The drawback with that is that you will need a very fast broadband link to eliminate glitches.

So if you want a really big TV, you might as well save yourself a few grand and get 4K. There is very little content for 4K either but it will make your ordinary digital telly look a bit better.

At CES, LG launched the world’s largest OLED TV, the 97in G2 Gallery, available later this year. No prices yet, but LG’s current 77in G1 TV costs over €5,000, so expect to pay a lot more.

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In a world when 'new' means more of the best, the latest offerings disappoint tech appreciators

TECHNO PLUS

Below: The Asus ZenBook 17 Fold is an exception in today's market in that it is actually useful

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The metaverse The immutable law of consumer tech is that dorky specs never work. 3D TV, Google Glass, MS Hololens and a hundred others have been hailed as the future of daily life, and have sunk without trace.

Now Mark Zuckerberg seems to have bet the farm on them.

He expects us to don dorky specs to access a new world of wonders called the Metaverse, a new name for virtual reality, which has been struggling to survive for decades. But the Metaverse, according to the Zuck, is where we will be able to tour the galaxy, go to work, enjoy events with friends and live life generally to the full, without getting out of bed.

The problem is that going on holiday involves getting out into the sun, which dorky specs don’t provide.

Meeting friends involves eating and drinking – difficult when dorky specs prevent you from getting your food to your face. And another negative is when wearing the things, you can’t even walk round your own home without banging your shins on the coffee table. So no, just no.

only for the Chinese market at the moment. They don’t solve the size and weight problems, though they do come in rather cheaper than Samsung’s pioneering Galaxy Z Fold3 brick, which costs a big €1,333.

Folding phones are popular with show-offs but their cost deters everyone else.

But there was a very interesting folding device at CES, which I think deserves to succeed – the Asus ZenBook 17 Fold, which is a 17in monitor that folds up to transform into a 12.5in laptop. A Bluetooth keyboard sits on the unused half of the display so you can use it exactly as a regular laptop. For transport, you just fold it right up and pop it in your briefcase as you would with a regular laptop.

This is very clever. The whole shebang is only slightly heavier than an ordinary laptop at under 2kg, so you can use it in the café as a laptop and in the office as a PC with a huge monitor.

The drawback may be the price, so far undisclosed, but if that is anywhere near the price of a regular laptop this thing could be a winner.

The Metaverse, according to the Zuck, is where we will be able to tour the galaxy, without getting out of bed.

Foldable smartphones Mobile phone screens are frustratingly tiddly, aren’t they, so we obviously want phones that fold out to unveil a gloriously huge, bright screen that transforms your phone into a tablet.

What the folder fans like to ignore, however, is that when folded the phone is twice as thick and nearly twice as heavy as a regular mobile.

And even when deployed, the screen is a lot smaller than the smallest tablets. And, my dear, the cost!

This has not stopped Chinese brands Oppo and Honor from launching new folding phones, albeit

Non-fungible tokens Everyone is piling into NFTs, which give buyers the exclusive right to display an artwork on their smartphone or telly to their arty friends. Even the venerable British Museum is getting in on the act, offering 20 Turner watercolours in digital form for up to €4,999 each, depending on how ‘rare’ the token is.

I predict this will last exactly as long as buyers can show their ‘Turners’ to cocktail party guests without everyone bursting out laughing.

FOR THE SAKE OF YOUR BUSINESS,

INSIST ON THE BEST. Who is currently designing your adverts? Are they running them in this publication and others? Have they suggested social media, billboards or radio spots? Is your branding aligned with your product or does it look better or worse than what you offer? This will severely impact on the number of contacts you get.

With so much to do every day, it’s easy to accept advice from people who you expect to know more than you. But what if they don’t, and you’re not getting the best outcome for your company?

Insist on the best - the best ideas, efficient services and solid strategies: successful companies don’t settle for average. If you’d like to experience better, call 917 203 850.

+351 917 203 850 . design@suzisteinhofel.com . www.designworks.com.pt BRANDING: BRAND STRATEGY, NAMING, LOGO DESIGN, CORPORATE IDENTITY, COPYWRITING, ADVERTISING DIGITAL: WEB DESIGN, WEB DEVELOPMENT, SOCIAL MEDIA, ONLINE ADVERTISING, NEWSLETTERS, EMAILINGS CREATIVE & PRODUCTION: BROCHURES, CATALOGUES, OUTDOOR BILLBOARDS, PHOTOGRAPHY, STATIONERY, STANDS, SIGNAGE

PAST PLUS

The expression ‘show-business legend’ might have been invented for Shirley Bassey, the girl from Cardiff’s Tiger Bay who is, to date, the only British woman to have had albums in the charts in each of the past seven decades. Coming from a modest background – she was one of seven – and leaving school at just 14, her powerful voice soon got her singing jobs in local pubs and clubs. As a teenager she was talent-spotted by impresario Jack Hylton, and made her West End debut in 1955. The hits started coming in – As I Love You, Kiss Me, Honey, Honey Kiss Me, and three James Bond themes among them.

Her concert appearances made her a star in the US, while in Britain she performed for royalty, including at the late Duke of Edinburgh’s 70th birthday and the Queen’s Golden Jubilee. Shirley was made a Dame Commander of the British Empire in 2000, and appeared in the ‘Legends’ slot at the Glastonbury Festival in 2007 to huge acclaim. The Royal Welsh College of Music now has a Shirley Bassey Studio, and she was awarded the Freedom of the City of Cardiff in 2019. Curretly, she lives in Monte Carlo and her latest album, I Owe It All To You, was released in 2020. Married and divorced twice, she has four grandsons and a greatgranddaughter… but says: “I still haven’t figured out how I should be playing Shirley Bassey!”

50s

DAME SHIRLEY BASSEY

Whatever happened to…

W I T H S O M E , FA M E R E M A I N S PA R T O F T H E I R S T O R Y, W H I L E O T H E R S M I G H T S L I P AWAY F R O M P U B L I C S C R U T I N Y, A N D M O V E O N T O A V E R Y D I F F E R E N T L I F E

Wo rd s:

JILL ECKERSLEY

LINDA KOZLOWSKI

80s

American actress Linda Kozlowski shot to fame in 1986 after the release of the highly successful Australian movie Crocodile Dundee in which she played the love interest of Aussie superstar Paul Hogan. She was nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Golden Globe for the role. Her background was in drama school and Broadway stage work, so the film was genuinely her first big break – and it changed her life. A romance developed between the two co-stars and father-of-five Hogan eventually divorced his wife and married Linda in a lavish celebration in Australia. Their son Chance was born in 1999.

There were two successful sequels to the original Crocodile Dundee film – the last one released in 2001. After that, Linda became increasingly dissatisfied with the roles she was offered, and gave up acting, describing the films she was making as “schlocky”. The couple shared their time between Australia and California before eventually divorcing in 2014.

Linda remained in Los Angeles before going on holiday to Morocco where she met a local tour guide, Moulay Hafid Baba, married him, and formed an upmarket tour company with him. The couple now spend their time in both North Africa and the USA and joined Paul Hogan and Chance to celebrate Hogan’s 80th birthday in 2019.

70s

JOSÉ CARRERAS

The marketing executive who came up with the idea of a ‘free gift’ in every packet of breakfast cereal clearly didn’t know what they were starting.

The first breakfast cereal, Kellogg's Corn Flakes, arrived in grocery stores in 1898. By the beginning of the 20th century, free gifts were included.

Some were ‘send-aways’ – you had to collect labels to win your prize – while others were actually in every box.

There was huge competition among children to collect a complete set.

As early as 1909, customers could collect a Funny Jungleland Moving Pictures booklet for two Corn Flakes packets. Sunny Jim, the famous mascot of Force's Wheat Flakes, was soon available as a doll. In the 1920s and 30s, Force also gave away a series of 36 cardboard records of popular songs ranging from Polly Wolly Doodle to the more rousing Marching Through Georgia and Men of Harlech, suggesting you placed the cardboard record on top of an ordinary one if you wanted to play it on your radiogram.

The rise of TV brought more characters to life and kids looked for their Tony the Tiger badges from Frosties or their Snap, Crackle, and Pop plastic figures from Rice Krispies.

A set of Thunderbirds-themed toys from 1960s Sugar Smacks are now highly collectable and other figures come up for sale on internet auctions.

The 1960s gave us Noddy’s Flip Flaps, and later decades introduced mini-Frisbees and sets of Spoon Toppers, as well as characters from shows like Wallace and Gromit.

In 1988, Kellogg's had to recall plastic flutes and binoculars as they were thought to be a choking hazard for small children, and the company stopped including plastic toys in their cereals in 2009. However, General Mills Cereals may be introducing them again… watch those cereal packets!

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BREAKFAST CEREAL FREEBIES

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He wants to say goodbye to every stage and concert hall where he has ever sung

1900s

ALGARVE P L U S

Spanish operatic tenor José Carreras was born in Barcelona, and his musical talent was evident from an early age. He had singing lessons, sang on local radio at eight, and gave his very first stage performance at the age of 11. As a young man, he performed in opera all over the world with some of the best-known artists and conductors of the day from Montserrat Caballé to Herbert von Karajan, specialising in the work of Verdi, Puccini and Donizetti. His whole career came to a halt in 1987 when he was in his early forties. After collapsing during a tour, he was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukaemia and given a one-in-ten chance of survival. However, after treatment in the USA, he recovered, and set up the José Carreras International Leukaemia Foundation to fund research and treatment the following year.

Two of the world’s other famous tenors, Luciano Pavarotti and Placido Domingo, then joined him for a fund-raising concert and the famous Three Tenors team was born. Their concerts and records are estimated to have reached two billion listeners worldwide since they began working together. José Carreras did announce that his 2017 world tour would be his last, but he has continued to perform, saying that he wants to say goodbye to every stage and concert hall where he has ever sung. He has also collaborated with nonclassical musicians over the years and has said he enjoys the chemistry created by working with completely different artists. Twice married, he has a son, a daughter and five grandchildren.

www.

ALGARVEPHOTOGRAPHY .com

R E A L

E S TAT E ,

W E D D I N G ,

FA M I LY,

P O R T R A I T

MENTE

P S Y C H O T H E R A P Y

Psychotherapy, Counselling & Coaching

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Going to therapy when you feel overwhelmed should be as normal as going to the doctor for a persistent cough or unexplained pain... gen@mentepsychotherapy.com mentepsychotherapy.com

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Walsh

+351 919 259 769

The Green Building | Room 9 | Loulé Zoom or in person

EXPAT INFO PLUS

Buying in Portugal the tax implications

Y O U N E E D T O U N D E R S TA N D T H E I M P L I C AT I O N S O F P R O P E R T Y O W N E R S H I P, A N D T H E TA X M AT T E R S T H AT C O U L D A F F E C T

2. Portugal charges a transfer tax as well as stamp duty On buying a Portuguese property, you are charged a transfer tax Imposto Municipal sobre Transmissôes Onerosas de Imóveis (IMT) of up to 8% plus 0.8% stamp duty (Imposto de Selo).

You are then subject to the Portuguese equivalent of UK council tax – Imposto Municipal sobre Imóveis (IMI) – of between 0.3% to 0.8% annually (10% where ownership is deemed to be based in a ‘tax haven’ jurisdiction).

5. Corporate-owned property may no longer be tax-efficient Buying a Portuguese property through an offshore corporate structure no longer provides the tax advantages it used to.

Since 2018, where a non-resident company’s value consists of 50% or more in Portuguese real estate, the gain on the transfer of shares may be subject to 25% Portuguese corporation tax (35% if from a ‘tax haven’).

Companies trading in properties do not qualify for the wealth tax allowance, so many ‘enveloped’ properties are liable for 0.4% on the property’s entire value each year.

3. Portugal charges an annual ‘wealth tax’ on property If your stake in Portuguese property is worth over €600,000, you would attract Adicional Imposto Municipal Sobre Imóveis (AIMI) of between 0.4% and 1.5% each year.

However, a €600,000 relief per person means couples with joint ownership only face AIMI on properties exceeding €1.2 million, and then only on the value above this.

4. You could face capital gains tax in both Portugal and the UK It is vital to review your estate planning when living in Portugal. Portugal’s version of inheritance tax is much more beneficial than the UK’s, but you need to familiarise yourself with its succession law and how it will affect your family and heirs.

Are you aware, for example, that Portugal’s ‘forced heirship’ rules could automatically pass a significant proportion of your worldwide estate to your direct family, whatever your intentions? You can specify in your Will for the EU regulation

6. Your heirs could face inheritance taxes in both countries Passing on Portuguese property to recipients other than your spouse, children or parents will incur a flat 10% Portuguese stamp duty, wherever they live. If you remain UK-domiciled, your Portuguese property and worldwide estate are also within firing range for 40% UK inheritance tax.

With careful planning, it is possible to significantly reduce the tax liability for you and your heirs – not only on your Portuguese home, but also on your worldwide assets, investments and pensions. Cross-border tax planning is complex, so take personalised, professional advice to secure peace of mind.

The 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

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‘Brussels IV’ to apply relevant British law to your estate instead, but first understand your options and any tax implications.

Your estate plan should be set up to achieve your wishes in the most tax-efficient way possible. If you remain UKdomiciled – as many British expatriates do – you continue to be liable for UK inheritance tax, so plan to reduce this liability for your heirs.

To bring all these complex elements together and ensure you have not missed out on any suitable opportunities, take expert, cross-border advice. Spending time on a financial health-check now can secure peace of mind that you and your family are in the best position to enjoy a prosperous 2022 and beyond.

ALGARVE P L U S

1. Spending time at your property could make you tax resident If you intend to use your Portuguese property only as a holiday home, follow the residence rules carefully. While you are usually considered tax resident after spending 183 days in Portugal a year, it can be earlier if you have a permanent home here – potentially the day you arrive.

Triggering residency makes you liable for Portuguese taxes on worldwide income and some capital gains. However, with Portugal’s non-habitual residence (NHR) regime offering a decade of tax benefits to new residents, it’s worth exploring whether a permanent move can actually prove more costeffective for your family.

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Y O U , S AY S D A N H E N D E R S O N , P A R T N E R , B L E V I N S F R A N K S

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A family-run business based in the Algarve.

Full/part house removals with or without pack and wrap service. Collection and delivery service from any shop in the Algarve to your house.

No job is too big or small. We cover the Algarve, Portugal, Spain, France and may consider other countries. enquiries@gomoves.eu 913 318 990 | 913 206 015

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Kit and Caboodle are making life easy for customers with our new on-line store and delivery service, simply choose the items that you want, add to your cart

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regardless of how many items you buy. For Loulé to Faro postcodes the delivery is just €15. Albufeira, Olhão, São Brás €20 and even far away places such as Alcoutim, and Vila do Bispo it’s still only €60!

Don’t need the delivery service? you can collect from

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ADVICE PLUS

YOUR money R I C A R D O C H AV E S I S O N T H E P LU S T E A M A N D A N S W E R S Y O U R Q U E S T I O N S O N T H E I S S U E S 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 , T H E TA X I M P L I C AT I O N S F O R N H R A F T E R T E N Y E A R S , A N D T H E P O S S I B I L I T Y O F PAY I N G TA X O W I N G S B Y I N S TA L M E N T S

Is a landlord allowed to change (ie increase) rent arbitrarily? I have told mine, in a casual conversation, that I was thinking of sub-letting part of my shop space to help my cash flow and he has come back with a demand for an additional 20%. Surely if I’m fulfilling my agreed rent obligation it is nothing to do with him if I share space?

To answer any questions concerning a rental contract, we would always advise that the services of a lawyer are introduced to ensure that all legalities are met. Please note that you can only sublet the shop space if this is allowed in the rental contract, otherwise you will always need to ask permission to do this from the landlord and make an addendum to the contract.

With reference to the rent increase, depending on the contract, this can be adjusted according to the legal year coefficients, set by the government; these are based on inflation rates.

If you are NHR and paying reduced tax for ten years, what happens in year 11?

The Non-Habitual Residency is valid for a period of ten years and it’s not renewable.

Once the NHR period ends, the taxpayer becomes a normal resident and is liable for the normal progressive tax rates, applicable to any other resident.

The main advantage of the NHR is the tax exemption on several foreign source income streams, the reduced 10% tax on foreign pension income, or the 20% flat rate for employment or self-employment of highly-skilled individuals.

None of these advantages will be available after the tenth year, as the individual will revert to the normal tax residency. It is therefore advisable to make some tax planning, if possible, to lower the tax to pay.

Please note that anyone registering as NHR in 2022 will be in this scheme until the end of 2031.

If you are looking to take advantage of the NHR benefits, we are happy to assist you.

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 m a t t e r s . p t

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My television services provider, to whom I pay a monthly fee, has altered his side of the agreement and I now cannot access all the channels in the original contract. Where do I stand?

Although it doesn’t happen very often, it is common for TV providers to change their package and your contract normally includes this possibility in one of the clauses.

Therefore, you won’t be able to cancel the contract without paying compensation to the operator.

Please note that if the provider changes the contractual terms – namely prices, services, payment terms, etc – and those changes are not to your advantage, the operator must inform you in writing, and at least 30 days in advance of the proposed change, that you have the right to cancel the contract within the contractually agreed period, free of charge, if you choose not to accept the new conditions.

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Other rent increases, different from the legal coefficients, should be allowed only if they are specifically mentioned in the contract.

ALGARVE P L U S

What happens if I cannot pay the tax I owe? It has been a bad few months for so many people and the Christmas restrictions haven’t helped. I am owed money by clients – they seem to think that professional people have unlimited funds! How do I deal with the tax situation?

The government has recently approved a new package of business aids that include the possibility of paying the VAT or IRS retention tax amounts in three or six instalments.

Under this new scheme, the VAT for the last quarter of 2021, which is due this month, can be paid in six monthly instalments with no interest or fees. The same will happen to the VAT of the first quarter 2022, normally due in May. If you have employees and normally pay their IRS retentions at source, you will also be able to pay these in instalments.

If your situation doesn’t improve and you cannot afford to settle your Personal income tax bill (IRS) in August, you can ask the tax authorities to pay in instalments, providing the tax bill is less than €5,000.

Here to help If you need to move money to or from Portugal we’ll help you save time and money with: Excellent exchange rates No transfer fees Personal account management Flexible transfer options Expert insights

Let’s talk currency

Find out more at currenciesdirect.com/portugal

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© Currencies Direct Ltd, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AA, United Kingdom. Registered in England & Wales, No.: 03041197. Currencies Direct Ltd is

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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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EXC HANGE PLUS

Omicron

and exchange rates A S G OV E R N M E N T S C O N T E M P L AT E ENFORCING FURTHER RESTRICTIONS , C AU TI O U S TR A D I N G S ENTI M ENT C O U L D C O N T I N U E TO I N F LU E N C E G B P/ E U R , S AY S J O S É A L M E I D A

S

Central Bank Policy

Lockdowns and other restrictions

Protecting your money from volatility

We know from last year the effect that lockdowns can have on currency exchange rates. With fewer people accessing leisure and hospitality facilities, service-sector activity goes down and manufacturing is inhibited: such blows to productivity reduce morale and stifle economic growth, which sends currencies plummeting.

Several things have changed since last year, however.

Vaccination rates are up, and preliminary data has shown that those infected with the Omicron variant are less likely to be hospitalised than with previous strains.

While some nations imposed a full lockdown in an effort to limit the spread of the Omicron variant, many countries have opted for light measures in an effort to avoid the economic damage caused by such draconican measures.

Most notably, the UK government has so far opted not to tighten restrictions in England since imposing its Plan B measures, in spite of a record surge in daily infections.

So far, this gamble appears to have paid off, with the GBP/ EUR exchange rate racing to a 22-month high at the end

The events of this year show that exchange rates are susceptible to external factors. Helpfully, by using a trusted foreign currency exchange service, there are several things you can do to minimise the impact on your finances.

Currencies Direct not only offer highly competitive exchange rates, but also a range of additional services that can help to limit your exposure to currency volatility.

A forward contract allows you to fix the current exchange rate for up to a year, in return for a small deposit. If you don’t need to make the transfer immediately, a limit order will allow you to hold out for a more favourable exchange rate. Either of these two products can help to save you money in situations like the present. To achieve the best possible GBP/EUR exchange rate, be sure to explore your currency options.

Currency Direct has helped over 325,000 individuals and businesses move money abroad since 1996. It has an ‘Excellent’ Trustscore on Trust Pilot, over 20 global offices, and a team of more than 500 currency experts.

For more detailed information , please contact the loc al of fice T: 2 8 9 3 9 5 7 3 9 or register at c u r r e n c i e s d i r e c t . c o m / p o r t u g a l to get regular updates on the currency markets , (u s e A l g a r v e P L U S m a g a z i n e a s t h e r e f e r e n c e) .

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The majority of central banks have declared that they will maintain flexible monetary policy as Covid developments remain uncertain. This uncertainty has not ruled out tightening measures, however.

The Bank of England surprised markets with an interest rate hike in early December, as policymakers deemed inflationary pressures sufficient to warrant action. Upbeat employment data also encouraged central bank officials, as 257,000 staff were added to payrolls in November.

Meanwhile, the ECB maintains a more accommodating monetary policy stance, increasing its Asset Purchase Programme (APP) to €40bn in Q2 next year to offset the winding down of its Pandemic Emergency Purchase Programme (PEPP).

The divergence in monetary policy between the two central banks is currently benefitting Sterling, and may continue to boost the pound in early 2022.

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of 2021 after the government confirmed no new restrictions would be imposed before the New Year.

ALGARVE P L U S

INCE OMICRON’S detection in November, governments and currency markets have been on high alert, ready to enforce new measures and retract optimistic forecasts.

Initially, both the pound and the euro found strength, as investors were drawn to perceived ‘safer’ currencies. The euro, which previously faced pressure due to the policy diversion between the European Central Bank (ECB) and other major central banks, firmed as this gap was seen as closing. However, Omicron concerns exerted pressure. Initially, the pound fell in value against the euro, extending its losses each week between 22 November and 8 December as Covid fears sparked the implementation of Plan B restrictions in the UK. The pound to euro exchange rate subsequently improved as the Bank of England (BoE) surprised markets by raising interest rates following its December policy meeting. These gains were then extended after the UK government held off from imposing stricter Covid restrictions in England.

It has been almost ten years since I opened my first shop and atelier in Loulé, and became engaged enthusiastically – if a little unskilled initially – in the field of jewellery design. I had plenty of ideas, and experimented with clay beads, driftwood, textile and leather shapes, and each necklace I created looked distinctive. I also studied silversmithing with a well-known Portuguese goldsmith in Faro, where I learned how to work with silver and also how long it takes before a piece of jewellery is designed, finished and ready to be sold.

As I often integrated gemstones and pearls when working with silver, I became increasingly fascinated with precious stones. I studied their origins, colours, hardness and meanings. I learned that diamond, sapphire, ruby, aquamarine, emerald, opal and topaz are the most common precious gemstones, while the rest are generally classified in the semi- precious category.

Since then, I have probably strung thousands of necklaces, long and short, with and without tassels, gold or silver plated pendants, heavy gemstone nuggets or tiny gemstone beads. Each piece is unique, either in its colour, its choice of gemstones, or its length, and the attention to detail on each gives the wearer exclusivity of the item they have chosen.

At my first jewellery fair, I was overwhelmed with the variety of gemstones

HOMEWARES: Rua das Lojas, Rua 5 de Outubro nº 68

and came home with a bag full of beads,

FASHiOn And AccESSORiES: Rua José Fernandes Guerreiro, nº39

pearls and stringing material... and a head bursting with ideas.

OPEn: Monday to Friday 10.00 -13.00; 15.00 -18.00; Saturday: 10.00 -14.00 cALL+351 964 222 612 inSTAGRAM:martina.loule/ WWW.martina-loule.com

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

SYLVIE PAULIC Tavira d’Artes, Tavira 962 012 111 taviradartes@gmail.com tarviradartes.com 'Choux Fleur aux Poivrons' Oil on canvas 70x100cm

DOM PATTINSON

MARISKA PISAM Museu do Traje São Brás 966 329 073 admin@amigos-museusbras.pt Until 28 February ‘It Takes Two to Tango’ Oil on canvas 80x60cm

BEN HELMINK Galeria de Arte Pintor Samora Barros, Albufeira 2-26 February, Monday-Friday, 09:30-12:30; 13:30-17:30 289 542 867 Works in oil and acrylic with sand, inspired by ancient Greek architecture and Roman Italy, and the ruins of Pompeii, Cuzco and prehistoric Stonehenge.

PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION Algarve Photographers Group Museu do Traje, São Brás 966 329 073 admin@amigos-museu-sbras.pt On until 23 March ‘Country Life’

IF YOU HAVE ANYTHING YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE EMAIL susi@algarveplusmagazine.com

ALGARVE P L U S

‘Valentine Special’ Mixed media on canvas 140x140cm

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

DATELINE PLUS

THE agenda RESORT DISCOVERY WALK 14 February, 10:30–11:30 Meeting point: Vale do Lobo reception This one-hour, low-impact group walk is the ideal way to get out and about, enjoy the sun and fresh air, meet others, and take in the beauty of the natural surroundings.

A DVA N C E N OTI C E

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AMIGOS DE MÚSICA THE RUSSIAN TRIO Evgeny Sinaisky, Valeria Zorina and Kirill Timofeev Os Agostos, Santa Bárbara 22 and 24 March Book your tickets now for this concert, and also for those planned by the Association in April, May and June. Details of the times and programme will be available at amigos-de-musica.org

CONCERTO DE CARNAVAL Orquestra Clássica do Sul Teatro Lethes, Faro 24 February, 19:00 Tickets: €7.50 Strauss, Bach and Spohr and a concert that promises irreverence and humour, taking in the festivities and fantasies of carnival masks.

AQUATHERAPY Wednesdays, 10:00–11:00 Vale do Lobo Royal Spa Aquatherapy is a safe and effective form of therapy that harnesses the physical properties of water to heal injuries, restore self-confidence, and increase mobility. Supervised by an experienced physiotherapist, the group exercises are performed in a pool, either standing in the water, holding onto the side, or using a flotation device. And you don’t even need to be a swimmer.

Check out the full programme of events at valedolobo.com/en/events

LATITUDE QUATRO Republica 14, Olhão, 910 513 614 reservas@re-criativapepublica14.pt re-criativarepublica14.pt 19 February, 19:00 and 21:30 Tickets: €10 (€8 for members)

The Campus, Quinta do Lago 5 February, 09:00–12:00

Alex Stewart, violin; Massimo Cavalli, double bass; Pedro Santos, accordion, Ramón Maschio, guitar and musical direction – four Musicians from four different latitudes: an Argentine, an Englishman, an Italian and a Portuguese. The music of this quartet speaks several dialects, including Tango and other port music, such as Fado.

Take up the challenge and join this sensational eastwardly ride to Tavira, via Loulé, São Brás and Santa Catarina da Fonte do Bispo. €15 per person. Book now at bikeshed@quintadolago.com or 289 381 220

100KM BIKE RIDE

AT HOME

ON THE ROUTE OF THE BLOSSOMING ALMOND TREES Associação Os Barões, (between Loulé and Salir) 20 February, 09:00–17:00 This initiative from Loulé Criativo, promises to be a real treat. A guided walking tour to see the blossoming almond trees orchard at Os Barões, followed by a traditional lunch of rooster with sweet potato and bean stew, dessert, coffee and medronho, and an afternoon almond cake pastry workshop. €25 for the full programme, €15 without the workshop. Details and prices for childen can be found at loulecriativo.pt/en/turismocriativo/ experiencias/89-na-rota-dasamendoeiras-em-flor

SPINNING WOOL ON A DROP SPINDLE Loulé Design Lab Loulé Criativo Gama Lobo Palace, Loulé 289 400 879 info@louledesignlab.pt 14 February, 10:00–13:00 21 February, 18:15–21:15 €30, maximum four participants Tutor Susan Sutherland teaches the ancient art of spinning wool on a drop spindle, resulting in your own, one of a kind, hank of hand-spun wool. Mindful, portable and accessible, the spindle is the perfect introduction to spinning.

Using Portuguese Merino wool, learn how to prepare your wool, get started, move on to more advanced techniques, and then plyi and finish your hand-spun yarn.

Valentine’s Day Special

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LAST WORD PLUS

AND

finally

ALGARVE P L U S l 8 6

F O R S O M E O N E W H O C L A I M S T O L O AT H E S H O P P I N G , A N T H O N Y M A R T I N H A D A G O O D T I M E I N H U E LV A , T R Y I N G O N R I T Z Y J A C K E T S T O S E E W H AT H E L O O K E D L I K E D R E S S E D U P, B U T R E J E C T I N G T H E M I N FAV O U R O F L E G W E A R

H

ERE IN THE VILLAGE of the man who builds walls from the top down, it was a beautiful morning, one I had set aside for my scribbling as all was quiet. Even the phones were silent, although on this particular morning any diversion would have been welcome, as I had been staring at a blank computer screen for over an hour.

Normally I would browse through the papers to see if there was something of interest that I could do a take on, but they were full of office parties that never happened, the fall and fall of the Blonde Bombshell and the trials (or non-trials) and tribulations of the ninth in line to the throne. So no luck there.

Of course there was the earlier discovery that Viagra can slow down Alzheimer’s, and this looked as if it might give me something to hang a piece on, but second thoughts told me that this was too sensitive an issue to treat lightheartedly. Therefore, with the sun shining and the phone having taken the day off, I thought I might follow suit.

Spain beckoned, and as we hadn’t been anywhere for almost two years, we thought we could enjoy a plate or two of tapas with an ice-cold fino sherry, buy a jamon and perhaps pop into El Corte Inglés. Not being sure whether the SEF had finally worked out the difference between their arses and their elbows, we grabbed our passports, vaccination certificates and residências, added a couple of birth certificates and a marriage licence (thanks so much, Boris), and armed with our credentials, we set off.

I had forgotten how nice it is to have the occasional change of scenery. Huelva is a great city, the streets were busy with shoppers and the shopfronts said: “come in and browse”. Wandering into El Corte Inglês we were like kids in a sweet shop. An actual department store with array upon array of luxury goods.

Mrs M couldn’t contain her excitement, and while she

walked up and down the aisles, through serried ranks of fashion goodies, stroking fabrics and stopping to chat with various handbags – rather like Her Maj at a palace garden party – I wandered off to find menswear.

Not that I wanted anything – I hate shopping – but I thought it might be nice to see what I would look like if I ever went anywhere that had a jacket-required dress code, as the ones I brought with me almost 12 years ago have inexplicably shrunk.

But as the only one I liked was €400, and I knew that that for the same amount I could buy a superior quality pig’s leg, it was therefore, a no brainer. Also, as my wife had run out of small talk with handbags, and before she could strike up conversations with shoes, we left and trotted off (pun intended) to the jamôn shop.

Now, you would think this was an easy task. “Olá Senhor Butcher – a pig leg please.” But no. Firstly, he’s not a butcher, he is a porcine sommelier, and his place of work is a jamón showroom, not a bloodand-guts shop full of carcasses, for said legs come from strictly demarcated regions, of which there are only five.

The animal’s diet and the diet of its parents and grandparents, is of prime importance. These are the aristocrats of the piggy world, with pedigrees based on their postcodes and the percentage of acorns in their food, and the length of time they have been hung. Then, when the genealogists have done their thing, each leg is granted a label – black at the top of the tree, descending to white, through red and green, depending on the boxes ticked.

Our sommelier, a jovial character, prodded, sniffed, held the leg up to the light and inserted a steel probe which he then removed and sniffed again declaring: “muy bien, perfecto”. And we walked out, me with a leg slung over my shoulder, caveman style, to find the kitchen shop that stocked the three incredibly sharp, high carbon content knives and a carving stand.

Buying the jacket would certainly have been less complicated... and I still have that piece to write.

With the sun shining, and the phone having taken the day off, I thought I might follow suit.