algarvePLUS - July '23

MORE TO SEA THAN YOU EVER IMAGINED

Welcome

July. It’s all happening. A people month, with holiday-makers arriving in full force, second-home owners settling in for a long, hot summer, shoppers delighting in the artisan markets, water enthusiasts heading out on boat trips, and wine aficionados taking tours and tastings in the key regions of Portugal. And there’s plenty of dancing in the streets late at night during the various summer festivals that serve up great music, as well as exceptional eats. Into art? The Algarve’s galleries will be showing striking painting and sculpture collections from local talents as well as international names.

Has your personal visitor season started? Freezer full of ice cream, barbecue in mint condition, pool towels at the ready? Once schools break up for the holidays, the Algarve becomes a kid’s paradise with so much on offer from horse riding experiences (check out Pinetrees’ programme) to painting and pottery workshops, to sporting events –and coaching (Vale do Lobo is a source, and course, to be reckoned with). There are concerts galore, too, ensuring every taste in music is satisfied – whether modern jazz is your thing, rock is first choice, or Fado is a favourite. Check out our Agenda pages for a bite-sized taster of summer events. And enjoy our July issue... the biggest AlgarvePLUS yet!

CONTACTS

963 146 398

Director

Don’t miss out! Shop the summer sale at the Algarve Candle Company, on until end of this month. There’s up to 30% off many of the bestloved candles and wax melts with great scents, like bergamot and truffle, fig and cassis, and English pear and freesia. algarvecandleco.com

wish list

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

FRONT COVER:

Gone fishing – or maybe just looking for a great read. It’s all here for you

Wrap-around cotton and burlap oversized coat with a delicate handmade macrame belt. By Mes Demoiselles, €625, from Xanadu in Quinta Shopping. Instagram.com/ xanadu_boutique

SAYING YES TO THE DRESS

Great news for those starting the search... one of the UK’s most successful designer bridal stores has opened a branch in the heart of Tavira, and is carrying many of the top-name collections that star in its London Bride Couture shop. Names like MiaMia by Alan Hannah, Lillian West, Mikaella Bridal. Read the full story in our next issue. londonbridecouture.pt

Ceramics from Itsajook at Côrte-Real in Paderne are inspired by the sea, the beach and nature, so couldn’t be a better choice for the Algarve. Each piece is handmade and usually part of a series. They look wonderful and – hurray – are dishwasher proof. corterealarte.com

The Faro-Loulé Delegation of the Portuguese Red Cross needs help to buy new ambulances, not only to transport urgent patients who may be dying, but also those who need transport to medical treatments such as chemotherapy, and also for victims of domestic violence and others at social risk. For information about how you can help, email dfaroloule.presidente@ cruzvermelha.org.pt

FARO-LOULÉ

Vroom service. Dirtebikes has introduced the 2023 Special Edition, with the message ‘go electric, get adventure’. It is accessorised and ready to go, whether you are running essential errands or heading out into the wild. The special introductory offer of €6,999 runs until the end of this month; after that the Special Edition will be €7,999. Book a test ride with the Dirtebikers on 914 026 035 dirtebikes.com

Shabby chic from Portuguese brand Paez, the Classic Combi, that comes in dozens of colours. You will want them all. €44.90, paez.com

Founded 15 years ago with the objective of creating brands inspired by Portuguese traditions, the two biggest projects in the 100ml portfolio are the men’s brand Antiga Barbearia de Bairro and Leme Perfumes. Just introduced by Leme is 1434, a tribute to the Portuguese navigators who successfully rounded Cape Bojador that year. A citrus floral fragrance with the intoxicating aroma of orange and almond trees in bloom, it’s a goodie. Find it at Casa da Bli, Quinta Shopping. €44.90

Brazilian jewellery designer Betty Brun, based in the Algarve, gathers together fine natural stones from her homeland and handcrafts necklaces and bracelets combining bold colours and different textures. Check out her lovely pieces on Instagram at the_bijoux_maker

Vera Manzoni never settles for the simple when she can make an extraordinary style statement. Whether you are off to a formal party, or lunch on the beach, get noticed in Gehrey, a metallic headband with a ruffle of orange acrylic net. €80. veramanzoni.com

TAVIRA - LAGOS - OLHÃO - P. VERDE KOZIISHOP.COM

BREAKING

THE RULES

THIS MONTH, LOULÉ IS HOME TO THE FIRST EXHIBITION IN PORTUGAL OF THE WORK OF INTERNATIONALLY-RENOWNED PHOTOGRAPHER, RANKIN, WHICH FOCUSES ON A LITTLEKNOWN SIDE OF HIS ICONIC PORTFOLIO

Words: SALLY DIXON

Opposite page: Highly Flammable, Dazed & Confused, Issue 31, 1997 © Rankin. This page: Birdseye, Hunger TV, 2019 © Rankin

BRITISH PHOTOGRAPHER John Rankin Wadell has been on my radar since the mid 90s when I was a student of the London College of Fashion. Rankin, as he’s more famously known, was a student at sister college, The London College of Printing, before going on to start a career in photography in the early 90s. The parallels get even more interesting in that he moved to Yorkshire with his family in 1976. I am from Yorkshire. But that’s about where the parallels end I’m afraid, as he became super famous, and I didn’t!

Then, and later when I was a magazine fashion editor, Dazed & Confused was at the cutting edge of all things cool in my world – a magazine that was started by Rankin and his college buddy Jefferson Hack (who went on to date and have a child with Kate Moss).

In London, I bought the magazine religiously in the hope that I, too, could become part of the uber cool scene. I became a sponge for everything to do with fashion, photography, and the creative arts, an industry I went on to become part of for the next two decades.

Rankin was known for being a rule breaker. Thank goodness he dropped out of accounting at the Brighton Polytechnic Institute and went on to study photography, otherwise we might not have some of the daring, thoughtprovoking work that has been his signature for the past 30 or so years. He set the bar for gritty, emotional and playful imagery.

As a freelance photographer, Rankin became synonymous with popular culture via his ability to capture raw emotion in his subjects – subjects that included the likes of Kate Moss, Helena Bonham Carter, Leonardo DiCaprio, Hugh Grant, Debbie Harry, Madonna, Tony Blair and Queen Elizabeth. The list of celebrities that have been in front of his lens is extensive. Rankin’s tendency towards the unexpected in his photography is what makes him recognisable. The bold use of colour, dramatic lighting and unusual

compositions have become his identity.

Since the introduction of Dazed & Confused in 1991, Rankin has gone on to launch further fashion publications and books, including his own fashion magazine, Rank, and publishing the popular AnOther Magazine and AnOther Man. Not content with photography alone, he has directed films and worked with his production company, Rankin Creative, on advertising commercials for the likes of Aston Martin, BMW, Coca Cola, L’Oreal, Nike and Marks and Spencer.

Not to be missed

If you’ve never seen his work up close before, In The Pink gallery in Loulé, specialists in fine art photography, are currently hosting their first ever collaboration with Rankin, the PURE: RANKIN exhibition, a carefully curated edit of images, showcasing an aesthetic dialogue through the juxtaposition of light and darkness, life and death.

Far from the polished images of social media and advertising he’s famed for, the exhibition explores the idea of natural imperfection. Rankin says: “This exhibition is a new realisation of my fascination with life and death, and for the real versus the unreal. These are themes that have fascinated me most throughout my career.”

In The Pink is a wonderfully restored, century-old building in a prime position in the

Above left: Flower Power, Less is More Make-up, Kunsthalle Rostock, 2015 © Rankin

Right: A Handful of Rejection, #NSFW, 2016 © Rankin

historic centre of Loulé, with three floors of beautiful gallery space, a daring restoration of a delapidated building, lovingly brought back to life by owners Philip and Anja Burks. I was excited to discover the gallery on a trip to Loulé last year, viewing the mesmerising fashion photography of Albert Watson, a regular Vogue cover contributor. The owners share a common passion for photography, which is evident from the striking exhibitions that have already graced the walls of this magnificent building. The gallery stages three to four exhibitions a year from renowned worldwide photographic artists, as well as featuring the work of exceptional Portuguese photographers.

Back to Rankin, and this exhibition that promises to be a showcase of his vision and work in its purest form. He says: “As I get older, all these ideas become more intertwined in my imagination. They are not mutually exclusive to me, and I am able to find one within another. To showcase my new floral works alongside archival beauty and portraiture is to draw a line in theme and intent. I always strive to find the reality in beauty. The real person behind any image I take. This is the purest my photography can be.”

The Loulé exhibition features images from his An Exploding World series, in which he explores the aesthetic of destruction and regrowth via the igniting of dandelions.

Gallery owner Philip says: “We met Rankin a couple of years ago at Photo London where he had an Open Studio day. We were impressed by everything that was going on and whilst he was well known to us, we loved

his new work produced during lockdown, when Rankin turned to nature during this period finding comfort in times of great stress. It was very different from his portraiture and the personal interaction he had become famous for.

“The exhibition we are holding is really in three parts – Embrace and Breeding, An Exploding World, and some of his well-known portfolio works from the past. The show is an exploration of personality, performance, and in certain cases natural imperfection. The show should be considered in its entirety rather than standout pieces.”

The PURE: RANKIN exhibition will be the first Rankin photo exhibition in Portugal, and if you’re keen to have one of his works on your wall at home, all pieces on display will be for sale. The exhibition runs until the end of August 2023. A must-see to discover the charming building, restored to vibrant good health and spirit (the meaning of In the Pink, if you didn’t know!), which houses this intriguing exhibition.

THE PINK. Praça da República 69-75, 8100-270 Loulé

Above left: Half Aflame, An Exploding World, Rankin Publishing, 2021 © Rankin Right: Heart Face, #NoFilter, Hunger, Issue 13, 2017 © Rankin

Tablewear

TABLEWEAR. NOT A TYPO. VISTA ALEGRE,A NATIONAL TREASURE THAT MORE THAN JUST SETTING TABLES BEAUTIFULLY, HAS THE POWER TO DRESS UP A DINING ROOM WITH SHOW-STOPPING CERAMIC AND GLASS PIECES

Words: SANDRA GATO

S

AA WAY OF OF keeping

you

interested in what

follows, I will start with a number: Vista Alegre will be 200 years old next year and many surprises are being prepared to celebrate this glorious birthday of the famous Portuguese tableware brand.

And it is not just famous here and mentioned on every wedding list of the past two centuries. But it is known and recognised for its unique personality throughout the world.

In 2001, the name of the brand changed to Vista Alegre Atlantis Group, when a fusion with the well-known glass brand occurred.

So, when you say Vista Alegre today you can be talking about tablewear, glass, crystal, cutlery and textiles. And recently, the house launched a home fragrance line with the most wonderful candles...

If you were a child growing up in Portugal, Vista Alegre is, most probably, the brand you’ll have in your adult home. All the major national hotels use it (the brand also does its own hotelware), and its main collections are easily spotted because of the bold imaginative designs.

Bordallo Pinheiro, on the other hand, is creativity in the form of the most incredible – and sometimes provocative – ceramic pieces. We all have some favourites and, in the past decade, what used to be such Portuguese icons – the sardine, the cabbage, the swallow – flew to other countries and gained an international status.

Lucky enough to be able to visit the three factories recently, my already enormous respect for the brands that form the group was taken to an even higher level once I saw the craftsmanship and talent that is so evident throughout the collections coming together.

Vista alegre: the vision

If you want to submerge yourself in the Vista Alegre world – something I highly recommend – you have to head off to Ílhavo, just three kilometres from the beautiful city of Aveiro in the centre of Portugal, where the Vista Alegre compound is located.

I say compound because it’s much more than just a factory or a museum; it’s a village – a ‘bairro’.

There’s so much to absorb that I advise you to stay at least one night in the Montebelo Vista Alegre Ílhavo Hotel (montebelohotels.com) – yes, they even have a hotel!

The place is divided in three different areas (and moods), all of them at walking distance to the Vista Alegre centre. There you will realise the thinking and planning process of José Ferreira Pinto Basto – the man who founded Vista Alegre in 1824. More than building a ceramics factory, he created a village where his employees could live (some of them still do). So much vision and social conscience two centuries ago!

So, there’s the ‘bairro operário’ – part of it now accomodation belonging to the hotel – where you can still visit the barber shop, the kindergarten, the beautiful theatre, the Nossa Senhora da Penha de França church, the football club... all built thinking about the worker’s needs and wellfare.

Then, of course, there’s the factory, the first in Portugal dedicated to porcelain, where all the

Every piece in the Vista Alegre collections is an explosion of colour, of profile and of design direction. And the more exotic, the greater the demand

magic happens. Many pieces are still handmade and painted by skilfull artists (there’s a painting workshop available so you can test your talent). It really is possible to understand the whole process, from the preparation of the clay to the finishing of the pieces in the oven, and realise why the price cannot be small.

When you see how Amazonia (present in many restaurants) and Futurismo (very recent, with bold colours and exquisite design), to name just two, come to life, you gain a new admiration for the brand. And when visiting the store, where infinite temptations await you, take a look at the Claudia Schiffer butterfly collection: delicate and feminine. The former top model fell in love with Vista Alegre and now is a regular collaborator designer.

You can start or close your visit at the museum. It first opened to the public in 1964 and concentrates on the history and evolution of the brand. There you can observe the giant ovens where hard work took place to create such fragile plates and bowls and cups. Also interesting are the special orders, the bespoke pieces fulfilling demands from all over the world and set at many royal tables.

Atlantis: the craftsmanship

Now, down to Alcobaça, to the Atlantis factory. Once again, the marvel of watching up close how common objects – like drinking glasses – come to life. The thing is, they are not common at all! I am sure anyone who has been living in Portugal for a while has already been to an event or dinner party where the drinks were served in those iconic spiky colour glasses. They are a true classic and have the power to dress up any table setting.

But a crystal factory is as hard – hot, heavy machinery, mostly operated by men – as it is magical. Watching the glass being blown and how the soft paste turns into cristaline pieces is enchanting. In Atlantis all the processes are still manual and that’s what makes it so special. It is a place of craftsmanship and ancient techniques where know-how is valued – they call the main glass blower master...

Besides the many collections and decoration pieces that Atlantis produces, is quite astonishing how many orders –

some of which confidential – are placed by ‘special’ clients. A recognition of the pureness of the materials being used, the expertise of the workers, the collaboration of many famous designers and the traditional ways of glass making, these attributes are what makes Atlantis so important.

Bordallo Pinheiro: the provocative fantasy

And last but not at all least: Caldas da Rainha. Since my mother is from this beautiful city, now only a 40-minute drive from Lisbon, I grew up with Raphael Bordallo Pinheiro works. He was born in the 19th century but his provocative creations, some addressing the political system, still feel fresh today. That’s the case of Zé Povinho, a symbol to this day of how we must confront the powers that be.

But he also drew nature, sometimes in an extremely realistic or over the top manner: like the frightened black cat or the bright green frogs.

Before it became a worldwide trend – a brand that you can buy in London or New York’s most exclusive stores – I would dare say all Portuguese children in the 70s and 80s grew up with some of his pieces at home, especially in their grandmother’s houses, where the cabbage collection (still the bestseller) was a must. For us kids at the time, in the verge of entering The New Age, it was just, well yes, ugly. But then we grew up, got tired of all the new millenium minimalism and, validated by decorators from everywhere, we went to fetch our granny’s old Bordallo cabbages from the attic.

Following the needs and likes of the market, many different lines came to life, all colour blasts that we want to eat from.

As the love brand that it is, the question is not if you like it or not but what fruit/vegetable you’re going to choose to take to your table. I was always a strawberry fan but now I am torn between the watermelon and the avocado.

This all sounds a lot of fun – and it is! – but it’s also born of ancient sculpture and painting techniques. And the talent that follows Bordallo’s footsetps and takes it to this century.

There are Vista Alegre stores across the country. Closest to home find them in Algarve Shopping Guia, Portimão, and in the Designer Outlet area of Mar Shopping.

The Bordallo Pinheiro signature is one of friendliness, charm and familiarity; Atlantis, the glassware range, goes from simple to elegantly elaborate

’ M NICK. 30 years old and working a great corporate job in Cape Town. It’s hard work, rewarding but mentally taxing. I’m lusting for adventure, for a break and for something completely different! I realise that South Africa is not where it’s at for many reasons, so I decide to take up my cousin on his offer of a job in the Algarve.

I felt a mixture of excitement and trepidation. Scratch that, I was 30-years-old, all I remember is positive excitement! I remember going down to the local travel agency and picking up a brochure. I took it home and pored over the beautiful images of these glorious cliffs, golden coves highlighting the setting sun and little fishing boats meandering through the bays. A few short weeks later, I was considering my €600 per month, which was nothing compared to the money I earned in South Africa. Had I really done the right thing?

I bought a bicycle and set out on a voyage of discovery, cruising the cliffs and marveling at the natural beauty. I embraced my solitude and I delved deep into the new career move I was planning. I studied hard into the night after my work shift was over. I created free websites for whoever I could and learned the art and science of web design. During the day I roamed the coast, explored the villages and relaxed on the beaches. I learned to embrace solitude and found strength in my own company. It felt good.

I met a wonderful girl but sadly she was only over for the week from the UK. We explored together, heading down to Praia Paraíso just west of Carvoeiro and Praia de Marinha just east of Carvoeiro. It was a magical time, but she had to return to London and her job. I had to go back to my solo routine in paradise.

In the nick of time

SO HOW DID IT ALL START? WE ASKED NICK ROBINSON TO TAKE US BACK TO THE VERY BEGINNING OF HIS LIFE HERE IN THE ALGARVE, AND HIS MOVE INTO A NEW CAREER

I befriended the chef at my cousin’s restaurant and he opened up his heart and his family to me and invited me over for lunch. It was a fantastic day, experiencing a true Portuguese family. They taught me the importance of fresh food and we headed over to the Lagoa market on our day off, picking up tons of fish. It felt like a proper family festival with granny, mommy and daughters all there as I helped my friend the chef to polish off beer after beer before rows of plump sardines came off the barbecue. The old granny must have had at least 15 sardines and I clearly recall being amazed at her capacity. Jugs of wines flowed.

Through the local website I started meeting expats and struck up a few friendships which we solidified by heading out to the local jazz club on Monday nights. I was starting to build a community of friends and it really made me feel at home. However, the end of this glorious summer was looming.

The nights were drawing in and my contract was only for six months. The last thing I wanted was to return to South Africa and corporate life, but the honeymoon was ending. I had a foothold in Europe and I was determined to make it work, so I canvassed my new network of expat friends. Cheryl was one who came through for me in a big way. She drove me out to the orange groves of Algoz. She had organized a meeting with the owner of Krazy World as he was looking for a person to build him a website. He had some staff apartments on the property and I jumped at the chance. It wasn’t a lot of money but it was an opportunity to perfect my new skills in web designing and development. I was now on my new path and I realised that true fulfillment lies in embracing change, immersing oneself in new environments, and forging connections with both people and nature.

My €600 per month was nothing compared to the money I earned in South Africa. Had I done the right thing?

The boutique w i ner ies

PORTUGAL IS HOME TO SOME OF THE WORLD’S MOST RENOWNED WINES, BUT OUTSIDE OF THE BIG FAMOUS BRANDS, THERE ARE SOME EXCITING OFFERINGS FROM THE SMALL, OFTEN FAMILY-OWNED VINEYARDS

Words: LÍVIA MOKRI

WINEMAKERS, viticulturists and wine enthusiasts all have a different slant on what constitutes a boutique winery. What the wine community generally agrees on is that a boutiqueclass winery is one with a production of between 2,500 to 5,000 cases per year, and occasionally up to 10,000. The boutique wineries are typically owned by wine-passionate couples or business partners who have decided to try their hand at winemaking. Sometimes celebrities and sports figures venture into this very specialised business.

One key characteristic that sets boutique wineries apart is the size of the vineyard. A boutique wine is usually one of a small-run or limited-production, where personal attention is paid to each and every vine, and soil is minimally tilled to preserve the micro-organisms active underground.

And while many big wine companies use chemicals to produce larger quantities of wine and preserve them longer, the boutique wineries use fewer additives and chemicals.

Meet two of Portugal’s talented artisanal makers.

A trip to Burgundy combined with an enormous passion for wine awoke the long-held dream of brothers Pedro and Rui Patrício. Returning from France, Pedro planted a one-hectare vineyard with 36 lines near Estremoz, in the Alentejo wine region, with a view to producing limited edition boutique wines in that replicate the greatness of Burgundy wines.

The tapered bottle has a distinct personality and the labels are designed by the great architect Siza Vieira, and feature the star of the brand, Já Te Disse, grandfather Ramiro’s mongrel dog who has always had a strong connection to the family. Since they are committed to the protection of the environment, the winery uses Amorim cork stoppers, which are produced in a sustainable manner.

The harvest is completely manual and carried out at dawn so that the grapes arrive at the cellar with all their freshness preserved.

The first wines were launched in 2021 and each bottle of wine is numbered and hand-labelled. jatedisse.com/en

Já Te Disse Alicante Bouschet The brothers’ special edition of red wine was made from 100% Alicante Bouschet grapes in 2020. It has intense smoky-sweet aromas on the nose with very ripe black fruits, and notes of sweet tobacco and black pepper mixed with black plum, black cherry and blackberry. Dense and silky on the palate, this is a young and contained wine with enormous potential. It has an excellent structure, strong acidity, and robust but somewhat raw tannins. The persistent finish reveals its ageing potential. The wine should be served at a temperature of 16-18°C. It pairs well with barbecued foods, grilled vegetables, or roast beef. jatedisse.com/en/products/tinto-alicante-bouschet

Já Te Disse Rosé The winery’s first limited-edition rosé from the vintage of 2021 is a blend of the Aragonez (40%), Touriga Nacional (30%) and Syrah (30%) grape varieties.

A beautiful salmon colour, its fine and lively aromas reveal a complex profile of forest fruits – raspberry, blueberry and strawberry – on the nose, with a hint of tobacco and green peppercorn.

On the palate, it is an elegant fruity wine, with notes of aromatic herbs; it has an elevated acidity and an easy-drinking character with a medium persistent finish.

Best served at a temperature of 10-12°C, it partners successfully with white and cured meat, harvested vegetables, or dishes with aromatic green herbs. This excellent rosé with its freshness and lightness is highly recommended summertime drinking. jatedisse.com/en/products/rose

AZAMOR WINES

This journey started in 1998 when the estate that had belonged to the Luiz Gomes family was acquired. The first wine, Azamor 2003, was produced from the oldest sectors of the vineyard. The owners’ aim is to improve the wines every vintage, year after year. And every season, their unique fruity, complex, beautifully balanced and elegant wines continue to please clients across the world.

Azamor has a total of 260 hectares, 25 hectares of which are planted with vines, 30 hectares with cork oaks and pines, 140 hectares with 50-year-old olive groves, and 62 hectares of Portuguese oak trees, home to some Lusitano Horses.

There are four types of Portuguese grape varieties planted – Touriga Nacional, Touriga Franca, Trincadeira and Alicante Bouschet – and three international varieties, Syrah, Merlot and Petit Verdot.

azamor.com/theestate

Azamor Petit Verdot The Petit Verdot grape originates from France where it is traditionally used in blended wines. With a wonderfully vibrant colour, this is an elegant red wine with a beautifully delicate fruit aroma, soft fresh fruit flavours, and a classic French oak barrel lift with soft ripe tannins.

Pairing perfectly with game dishes, venison, partridge, pheasant, rabbit and steak, it is also a great compliment to the typical Portuguese desserts filled with egg cream. store.azamor.com/shop/petit-verdot-2015

Icon d'Azamor This is an exceptional red blend of Alicante Bouschet (40%), Touriga Franca (40%) and Petit Verdot (20%) grape varieties. Handpicked at harvest, the skin of the grapes left before pressing and malolactic fermentation started. The wine is aged for 24 months in the cellar in French and American oak barrels.

It is an elegant and smooth wine, full of fruity aromas with a dense plum flavour that give way to a velvety finish. Enjoy this one with friends on special occasions, and pair it with all meat dishes.

store.azamor.com/shop/icon-2015

inside out STORY

Words: JOANA COSTA

NEW PLACE TO FURNISH FROM SCRATCH? OR STAYING PUT AND WANTING A COMPLETE REVAMP? OR LOOKING FOR THOSE LITTLE EXTRAS THAT WILL INTRODUCE A NEW STYLE PERSONALITY TO YOUR HOME? A TRIP TO TAVIRA IS DEFINITELY IN ORDER

Cool and modern, or traditional and classic, the furniture choice covers all tastes, and all styles of home

REMEMBER what it was like shopping in a big, beautiful department store? In the homewares department, often taking up an entire level, or maybe even two, there would be vast choices whether you were looking for bedroom sweets (pun intended), swish seating for the living room, lights with sparkle, or contemporary minimalism for the home office. Well, up until now, finding that sort of choice, and the top-quality luxury products that went with it, has been nigh on impossible here, unless you headed up to Lisbon or Porto and Corte Inglés, went west into Spain and the branch in Huelva, or opted to stay closer to home and pop into Ikea.

But all that is changing, and changing fast, as in midJuly the beautiful town of Tavira welcomes a huge and dazzling new destination home and decoration store, opening this month. Oliveira Décor is the name, and it is one that people are talking about.

You may have previously read of and visited the petite shop in the centre of town, and bought some lovely pieces. That shop, tucked away across the bridge, was the beginnings of what now promises to be one of the region’s most desirable home stores, as Oliveira Décor expands its reach in a spectacular fashion.

Owned by Lloyd Booker (Managing Director) and Karen D’Oliveira, the new flagship store, opening this month, totals more than 3,000m² of indoor and outdoor retail space together with parking, in a location that’s the envy of even the most successful businesses in the area.

Making it happen

So who are the twosome behind Oliveira Décor? Lloyd is a fairly new resident in the Algarve, having upped roots in the UK and made the permanent move to Portugal in January 2020. Having launched and developed several businesses in the past, and in collaboration with Karen, he is now spearheading the next stage of Oliveira Décor and has big plans for its success.

Karen, in contrast, has lived in the Algarve for nearly 40 years. She launched Tavira D’Artes in December 2015 and has built it into one of the most successful, respected galleries in the Algarve, carrying the work of a range of in-demand artists and sculptors, and her own collaborations in oils.

The two met by chance through a mutual friend and began working together on building Karen’s gallery profile. That they shared a mutual understanding and forwardthinking vision became evident at the start and the idea of forming a new business together emerged. During their creative discussions about what that business might be, they identified the need for a quality home furniture store in the East Algarve. To test out and evaluate this concept, the duo

moved forward and opened their first shop in Tavira, a small design-driven boutique.

Oliveira Décor proved successful, attracting not just local customers looking for special products and interior design advice, but those from the central and west areas. However, its tiny size and difficult location – a small side street and virtually zero parking –proved frustrating to the extreme, making it difficult to broaden the scope of the products and services that could be offered.

Twelve months after opening, Lloyd and Karen started to look for suitable premises to expand into, a search that took nearly two years. But, the wait was worth it and had a surprising conclusion. Lloyd explains…

The vision

“Our first shop, just 100m² in size, was always going to be something of a challenge. However, our search for a new location that would give us around 500m² was unsuccessful – there just isn’t that much prime retail space in Tavira.

“Then, an opportunity came our way which changed everything. A huge, independent retail space in the best location possible became available at short notice. At nearly

3,500m, it was seven times the space we had been looking for, and an astonishing 35 times greater than our existing shop.

“We recognised that the possibilities it afforded us were extraordinary. With that sort of space there were no barriers to what we could achieve. We decided to go for it, skipping what we always thought of as our second stage in the development of Oliveira Décor and rocketed straight into what had only been a dream for the future.

“Clearly this was out of our financial ability but, through the belief and generosity of two of our wonderful clients, we raised the money and now, everything is turning into reality!

“The building had previously been used as a warehouse, so the renovation works have been extensive, to say the least. Everything within the walls has been changed, designed and developed to form a highly individual environment. Looking at photographs of how the premises were when we took them over, it is amazing to see it emerging, on a daily basis, into what I believe will be a hugely attractive super-sized store, divided into specific departments.

“Oliveira Décor will be a destination home furnishing store, offering exceptional

Oliveira is now ready to work with professional clients such as constructors, architects, real estate agencies and hotels, as well as customers looking to create their own dream home.

The tiny first store, right, in the back streets of Tavira, was just 100m². The new Oliveira, below, next to Gran Plaza, is a vast 3,500m²

products and accessories to discerning customers. Our style has always been a mix of the contemporary and the classic so that all tastes can be accommodated. But this new venture allows us incredible freedom to expand our portfolio even further. We believe we have a style for everyone, from modern to rustic, industrial to chic, and we have spent a great deal of time listening to our customers and predicting trends, and through that we have the perfect mix of styles and price points.

Awaiting to be discovered

“Our furniture is sourced from all over the world with a larger percentage from key makers in Europe. Style is important, of course, but we are fanatical about quality as we want our customers, who are investing hard-earned money in their homes here, to feel content with their purchases with us for many years to come.”

Says Karen: “The sheer size of the property also allows us to change the way we sell. It gives us the ability to showcase all of the products in our portfolio, so that customers can look, touch and feel everything before they buy – so many shops and designers sell from catalogues and, however beautifully presented they are, they simply can’t compete with seeing the real thing. Our new store has also allowed us to greatly increase our product categories; we have added outdoor furniture, lighting, a large range of luxury seating, beds, ceramics, tableware, soft furnishings and, of course, art!”

“Most exciting of all,” says Lloyd, “is the addition of our commercial services. We are now ready to work with professional clients such as constructors, architects, real estate agencies, hotels and many other businesses, offering design, property staging and of course, a huge range of super stylish furniture, accessories and decoration.

“Completing the renovation has been exhausting but we all see the potential and quite frankly, Tavira – no, the East Algarve –no, the whole Algarve, needs a store like this!

“And it doesn’t stop there,” says Lloyd.” With an inhouse interior designer we will be able to help every customer turn their property into their dream homes.”

This is not just about furniture: Oliveira Décor will offer a huge and carefully-considered range of accessories, the finishing touches that complete each design story

Jim’s

Casa

CASA AMOR WILL OPEN IN THE AUTUMN, A FEW MONTHS FROM NOW. JACK AND WALTER DESCRIBE WHAT LIFE WILL BE LIKE WHEN THEIR VISION IS FINALLY REALISED FOR WHAT PROMISES TO BE THE MOST WONDERFUL BOUTIQUE HOTEL

Words: ELAINE JOYCE

RIGHT NOW, Casa Amor is something of a UFO! It’s not a hotel; it’s not a restaurant; it’s not an art gallery; it’s not a coffee shop; it’s not a French pastry shop; it’s not a delicatessen. But then what is it?

“It’s a combination of all of those things,” says Jack. “A glorious mix of so many elements – a place of rest, of quiet beauty, of change, of discovery, of life itself. It’s also a place of calm that will respect the privacy of guests staying at the boutique hotel, while it is also open to the outside.”

A somewhat complicated exercise, without question, but that is precisely what Jack and Walter wanted. “Too often places start off with a vision, but then turn in on themselves,” Walter explains. “We wanted our neighbours, locals and Olhão visitors alike to be able to join us for a coffee with a croissant, and for lunch.” And everyone, unsurprisingly, is requesting a date for the return of Walter’s veggie quiche and Jack’s chicken and fig club sandwich.

The partners have invested the same degree of thought into the decoration of the place. The coffee shop is incredibly bright, with a polished concrete floor, a counter dressed with green tiles showing the remarkable craftsmanship of the young Portuguese company Azulcer, the wonderful old crystal chandeliers of the Pensão Helena, the Portuguese

white chairs, called cod tail, a reproduction of the tables of one of the oldest cafés in Portugal, with beautiful yellow marble. And there’ll always be good music adding to the atmosphere.

The tiny Casa Amor gallery will host exhibitions of local artists – Olhão is known for the creativity that reigns there – and also international artists that Jack and Walter love. Cleverly, this space will be transformed into a meeting place or work base when Casa Amor hosts business seminars.

The restaurant, which is scheduled to open in 2024, will also welcome non-guests. “It is a small space, seating around 20 guests,” says Walter. “The atmosphere will be intimate, reservations will be essential. We want to fight against the excessive food waste, common in so many restaurants. Our focus will be on developing exclusive dishes using local seasonal products, and incorporating luxury ingredients, too, and on a cellar of French and Portuguese organic wines from sustainable productions – we confess to a weakness for the wines of Burgundy and those of Bairrada.” It is also here in the charming restaurant that breakfasts will be served, a serene and quiet place open to the patio and yes, Walter’s pastries will be served.

The Casa Amor guests will have a choice of rooms –standard, superior, premium and deluxe. Some have a large balcony overlooking the patio or even a private terrace of 71m². “We will not welcome our guests from behind a

counter,” Jack tells us, “but in the patio or the winter lounge –two areas that are reserved for them. Here they can enjoy the tranquility and the wisdom of the century-old olive tree, or the freshness of the lounge in summer and its pretty fireplace in winter.”

There is a large bookcase designed by Tatiana Bento and made by Silvio Lopes, beautiful books, vinyl records, a chess board, playing cards; a large white sofa, the old Cordoba leather bridges of the old pension, armchairs signed by Burel Factory, a huge painting by Marie-Anne Briskmann from Poitiers in France – we call it “the yellow pot” – that will set the tone of the winter living room, which will necessarily be sunny,” says Jack.

Guests can also enjoy the huge roof terrace. There is the shaded pergola, the white and denim blue sunbeds, the large benches painted with white lime, covered with blue and ochre cushions; there is space… a luxury in the historic district. They will be able to enjoy the view of the old white town and the Ria Formosa, and to dive into the pool, facing the church. But when do reservations open? Soon. The landing page is open, and the site is a few weeks away. casaamor-olhao.com is the place to go to plan your visit.

So life at Casa Amor goes on, between impatience and serenity, between artists and craftsmen, between arches of the 19th century and landing page of the 21st…

The finishing touches are what will turn this vision into a reality. The red doors, the green tiles, the sunshine yellow of the winter lounge, the patio where the calçadas are being laid

Rebuilding a f utu re

YOU COULD SAY THAT REBECCA MOODY AND MICHAEL LEACH ARE SERIAL MOVERS (THEIR FAMILY AND FRIENDS CERTAINLY THINK SO). THEY ’ VE TOTTED UP EIGHT HOUSE MOVES IN THE TEN YEARS THEY’VE BEEN TOGETHER. BUT THIS NEXT MOVE IS THE BIGGEST YET AND SHOULD (IN THEORY) BE THE PLACE THEY REALLY START TO PUT DOWN ROOTS

DURING THE four years we’ve been living in Portugal, we’ve lived in four houses. Ironically, we’ve never been more settled. But let’s start with why we chose Portugal in the first place.

Even though we did it for all the clichéd reasons – the food, climate, people, quality of life, etc – this is also the place we feel most at home (so much so, I keep threatening to take one of those DNA tests to see if I have Portuguese ancestors). It just felt ‘right’ and the more we came here, the harder it became to return to the UK.

So, after a couple of years of planning, we finally made the move here in 2019. Looking back, this ‘planning’ involved viewing a few houses, buying the second one we saw, getting a Portuguese mortgage, selling all of our stuff in the UK and booking a ferry to bring us, our cat and car across. We hadn’t got a clue about Portugal’s high tax rates, mindboggling bureaucracy and other such challenges… but even if we had, we wouldn’t have batted an eyelid.

Our first home was a renovated farmhouse in the foothills of Monchique. It was idyllic (minus the fact the land had been gutted in the 2018 fire – but that’s another story for another time). We were opposite the Odelouca River and the only traffic we saw was the cows coming home.

But we’d never ventured outside of the Algarve before, and when we did, we realised Portugal had so much more to offer us and the way we wanted to live. You see, we’re not your typical ‘ex-pats’. Being 35 and 49, we’re some way off retirement (although Michael gleefully likes to claim he’s ‘reformado’ if anyone asks!) and we didn’t move here to live amongst the British. No offense.

After two years in the Algarve, we began searching further afield, making our way through the Alentejo and into Central Portugal.

The search begins

Our first trip was to the area in and around Castanheira de Pêra. It’s breathtakingly beautiful. We viewed a couple of houses near Pedrógão Grande on the first day; one (‘blue shutters’ as it was affectionately known) was a definite contender, while the other, an off-grid farm, had an incredible amount of potential but the 20-minute drive down a track surrounded by

The house Rebecca and Michael fell in love with that is now their project – from start to finish. What a glorious challenge, and every change will be of their own making

eucalyptus trees was a firm no-no. We’d seen what the fires can do, and there was no way I wanted to be that far away from a main road.

On the second day, we headed up to just outside Lousã to a smaller location called Braçal. As I punched it into the sat-nav, I couldn’t understand how the 26-mile journey was going to take over an hour. But if you’ve ever driven along the N236 here, you’ll understand why. It twists and turns its way past schist villages with stunning mountain views around every corner. Completely impractical if you want to get anywhere quickly, but an absolute must if you fancy a ride out one day. The property itself was schist stone but felt slightly out on a limb and more like a holiday home. The estate agent was also delighted to tell us that it was in fact one of our fellow countrymen who owned the properly directly opposite…

A month later, and having missed out on ‘blue shutters’, we were heading up to Zimbreira to explore this area, including Marvão. Marvão is another must-visit. It’s a bit like Monsaraz but less touristy and the entire area has a slightly medieval feel to it. The standout property of this visit was an old water mill by a secluded river. It ticked a lot of boxes externally but the mill itself wasn’t very big and the only other accommodation was a new block building that had no kitchen.

We came back feeling incredibly overwhelmed and decided the only way to find the ideal spot was to sell up and move into the centre of Portugal so everything was within a day’s drive for viewings. We knew we wanted to be above Lisbon but no further than Coimbra.

Our Monchique house sold quickly – to a German family who only ever viewed it online – so the frantic search for a rental was on. There must be loads, right? Wrong.

Discovering the place

Unless you’re looking for a holiday let or a one- or two-year lease, and you’ve got no pets (we’d now got a cat and a dog), you’re incredibly limited when it comes to rentals. But as luck would have it, we ended up in a small village near Tomar in a three-month let. We hadn’t specifically chosen Tomar, but I think, unbeknownst to us, it had chosen us.

The entire area is so steeped in history that we actually spent an entire week with some friends going from castle to castle. And the fact that we were closer to bigger cities like Lisbon and Caldas da Rainha, where we could pick up our favourite hobby again (buying antiques), was another huge plus.

Don’t be fooled into thinking it’s colder ‘up North’, either. The climate in and around Tomar seems to be one of the hottest in the country. Our friends in the Algarve (English, no less) seemed to think we’d perish over winter living up here.

In between visiting castles and bragging about the heatwaves, we were viewing properties. And we didn’t need to look at many before we stumbled upon a renovated sandstone property in a small hamlet about 20 minutes above Tomar. It had all of the dreamy character of the French properties

we loved to drool over on A Place in the Sun, but it was in, well, Portugal. And as it was still in the process of being finished, we could have a say on some of the finishing touches. It was idyllic. Until...

No matter how well-finished a property may be, there’s always going to be something you’d have done differently if you’d done it yourself. And while we could have happily lived with the modern bathrooms, the PVC windows and the slightly orange woodwork, both of us had started to envision doing our own project (without the other knowing). We’d not been living in the property long and both of us were trawling through Idealista looking at potential doer uppers.

One night, we finally came clean with one another.

We decided that it could take a long time to find the right project, especially as we wanted to stay within this area, so we weren’t going to sell the house until we found something. We wanted to make sure this next move was right (!) and we definitely didn’t want to go through the rigmarole of renting again. Our favourites list in Idealista was a treasure trove for would-be renovators. There was everything from run-down olive mills to old factories in secluded valleys.

Then, one day, a property popped up. Something just drew me to it. It wasn’t a tumbling down mill or ruin on the river, but it just had something and I wasn’t quite sure what it was. That night, I showed Michael, and half expected him to question why I was even showing it to him. But he agreed – it did look interesting. So that weekend we drove past the property and decided we had to book a viewing.

It’s an old schist stone house a few kilometres from the Rio Zêzere in Figueiros dos Vinhos. The house itself is a typical Portuguese farm/manor house with a living space (albeit without a kitchen or bathroom) upstairs and wine cellars and storage downstairs. But with it also comes two schist stone outbuildings that are crying out to be annexes. It’s in a valley with a stream across the road and it’s unbelievably tranquil (turns out village life – no matter how small a village – is still too busy for this antisocial pair).

Now, let’s take off the rose-tinted spectacles. There’s a hell of a lot of work to do. Everything needs ripping out and restoring and we’re effectively going to have to camp out there while we make part of it habitable. According to the council, the outbuildings don’t exist, and because they’re in protected forest land, we can’t register them – even though they’re as old as the house, if not older. So we’ve no doubt got a headache of a time involved in trying to get them registered – but, we’ve got time.

The sale on our current home is due to complete this month. It sold within a week to a Belgian couple who viewed it via a phone call with their friends on WhatsApp. Lucky? Maybe. Fate? I’d like to think so.

It feels like for the past ten years we’ve been building up to this. This is the part where we pull together everything we’ve got to create a home that’s exactly as we want it. We will be doing most of the work ourselves and will be salvaging, restoring, upcycling and remaking as much as possible along the way. We can’t wait. It’s idyllic…

Tomar is a city with a glorious history, a beautiful present and to Rebecca and Michael, close enough to their new home to be enjoyed and appreciated... at a distance

Take a seat

FITNESS DOESN’T ALL HAVE TO BE ABOUT SWEATING IT OUT AND PUMPING IRON. SALLY DIXON LOOKS AT SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF MUCHUNDERRATED CHAIR STRETCHING

HEN IT COMES to excuses as to why you can’t work out, there just aren’t many when it comes to chair stretching. Everyone has a chair, right? Whether you’re a student chained to your desk in full study flow or a senior citizen with reduced mobility, a simple seated routine can help improve blood circulation, ease tight muscles and back pain, plus help with strength and mobility in those unable to do more vigorous exercise. Regular exercise can improve the quality of your life as you age – being sedentary for too long is bad for your health, but I’ll allow it when it comes to chair stretching. A focused session of seated exercises can help improve your posture, strengthen your core, reduce pain and help with coordination skills.

Chair exercises are a great low-impact discipline, and you have the option to up the ante by adding weights and resistance bands. You can even do seated jumping jacks

and seated skaters (Google it!).

For best results, pick a good sturdy chair in which you can sit with your feet flat to the floor and knees bent at 90 degrees. A chair without arms is best so you have freedom of movement to do rotational exercises. Just make sure you’re not doing your workout on a chair with wheels!

Ayse Karaoglu, owner of local Gyrotonic® studio Happy Movements Algarve in Boliqueime – check out aysekaraoglu.com – is no stranger to the benefits of seated exercise.

Unlike traditional exercise methods that often involve repetitive linear motions, Gyrokinesis focuses on continuous, flowing, wave-like movements that stimulate the spine and joints, improve circulation and enhance the body’s natural range of motion.

The practice includes both seated/stool and standing exercises, and Ayse hosts inperson and online classes. She comments: “Although the intensity and level of difficulty can vary based on how the instructor designs the class, in general Gyrokinesis stool exercises provide a sanctuary for those who may find more intense exercises challenging. It offers a safe and supportive environment to enhance strength, flexibility and body awareness. Whether you’re recovering from an injury, managing chronic pain, or simply seeking a mindful approach to exercise, Gyrokinesis stool exercises offer a gentle pathway to wellness.”

If you’ve lost confidence after an injury or illness, then chair stretching is a great way to boost self-esteem and encourage gentle movement back into your routine. A 2021 systematic review and meta-analysis into the benefits of chair-based exercises in older adults found that “any activity is better than none” and that chair-based exercises had benefits in terms of improved “balance, gait speed and grip strength.”

Younger people take note, too. We have all become increasingly sedentary in modern life – even more so since COVID-19 – and a little chair stretching every now and again will do a lot of people the world of good.

So, grab a chair, get stretching, and if you need some direction, go and see Ayse, she’ll put you through your seated paces!

6 easy sitting down exercises 1 Shoulder Rolls

Sit upright on your chair or stool with a tall back, crown of the head reaching towards the ceiling, being mindful of your posture. Feet are flat on the floor hip distance apart, knees bent at 90 degrees. Roll the shoulders up towards your ears and forwards four times. Reverse the movement and roll the shoulders up towards the ears and backwards, repeat four times also.

2 Neck Rolls

Sit upright on your chair or stool with a tall, straight back, shoulders relaxed. Gently drop your chin to your chest then take your right ear to your right shoulder, roll your head back only as far as it feels comfortable so you’re looking towards the ceiling, and then take your left ear over to your left shoulder, then come back to centre (almost like you’re drawing circles with the tip of your nose). Complete three full circles then alternate to the other side for three more repetitions. Hold on to the sides of the chair with straight arms if you need some stability. Try not to lean forward or back.

3Side Stretch

Start in the seated upright position on your chair, as before. Place your left hand on the side of the chair and raise your right arm up overhead, reaching for the ceiling. Inhale as you bend to your left side, reaching the right arm up and over to the left. Be careful not to lean forward or backward. Exhale as you come back to the start position. Repeat to the same side four times then repeat the same exercise on the opposite side.

4 Seated Twist

Sit on your chair, feet flat hip distance apart and knees bent at 90 degrees. Sit up straight and place your hands behind the head, one hand over the other and elbows reaching out to the sides. Keeping the upper arms parallel to the floor and elbows bent. Inhale and rotate your torso to the right (keeping both bum cheeks on the chair!), exhale and come back to the start position. Rotate to the right eight times then switch to the opposite side. Try to keep the knees facing forward.

5Hamstring Stretch

Sit on your chair, feet flat and knees bent at 90 degrees. Extend one leg straight in front of you with toes flexed towards you. Inhale and hinge at the hips with a straight back, arms outstretched and fingertips reaching towards your toes. Don’t worry if you can’t touch your toes! Refrain from rounding your back too much. Come up to the start position as you exhale. Repeat four times before switching to the other leg.

6 Sit to Stand

Start in the seated position, feet flat shoulder-width apart, knees bent and with a straight back. On an exhale, press the feet into the floor, activate through your glutes and come up to standing with your arms by your side. Inhale then go to sit back in the chair, weight through the heels and raising your arms parallel to the floor as you sit. Exhale to stand back up and arms go back down to your sides. Repeat ten times.

Here’s an added challenge –don’t actually sit back down on the chair, instead hover over the seat then come back up to standing.

Words:

THE REDEVELOPMENT –

rebirth in fact – of the capital, after the 1755 earthquake, an extensive system of town planning included neoclassical buildings lining wide streets laid out in grid formation. Each building was uniform in its design and built as an earthquake-proof structure. Never, in all of Europe, had anywhere so grand been seen before.

Aida Mauri is an artist and architect who can fully appreciate the exceptional quality of the city’s design and construction. Her paintings reflect the beauty of Lisbon’s architecture, earning her an unrivaled reputation. She uses a distinctive style that relies upon spontaneity and perspective.

Her portrayal of the Arco da Rua Augusta, built to commemorate the earthquake of 1755 and the city’s rebirth, is wonderfully triumphal. Working with almost abstract brushstrokes, her impression of the arch is powerful and handsome. Beyond it is the waterfront and the magnificent Terreiro do Paço – the Terrace of the Palace, including a huge equestrian statue of Dom João I.

When the first shops and apartments were completed and ready for occupation, few

What made you fall in love with Lisbon?

I love historical architecture and there is so much that makes Lisbon special..

The colour, the light, the grandiosity of the buildings, for me, they are poetry . I am very lucky to be able to paint these themes. I feel I am painting art.

Do you have a favourite building there?

There are so many that have

people showed any enthusiasm for moving into the square. Preferring to live rent free in shanty towns that had grown up in the ruins around the city, their lives were soon to be disrupted. Soldiers arrived, destroyed their shacks and obliged them to move into the new buildings.

In order to promote business, the Terreiro do Paço was renamed Praça do Comércio – Commerce Square. Today it is one of the most impressive squares in all of Europe. Remarkably one of the first restaurants to open in 1782 is still there – Martinho da Arcada.

Even older is the Casa do Alentejo, one of the few buildings to survive the earthquake. Aida’s painting portrays its palatial Moorish style and captures the atmosphere of a grand mansion built in the 1600’s for the Viscount of Alverca.

At the heart of Lisbon is the Praça of Dom Pedro IV. Painted from a unique angle, the dominating statue of the king is the focal point of Aida’s composition and the subject of an intriguing legend. Standing at a height of 23 metres (75 foot) it is impossible to study the statue in detail, but according to the story it was originally designed as a statue of Emperor Maximillian I of Mexico, who was shot before it was completed. After a few adjustments it was cast in bronze, sold at a reduced price and is said to be a representation of the Portuguese king. Perhaps this explains why locals dropped the square’s official title and continue to call it by its much older name Rossio, meaning common land.

Aida Mauri is a young Spanish artist from Catalonia who was first awarded a prize for her painting at 13. At age 15 she entered and won a competition for adults and subsequently went onto university, qualifying with an MA in Architecture. Her paintings have been celebrated in exhibitions all over Spain. Crossing the border into Portugal, this is her first opportunity to share her paintings with a new audience.

a unique character, but It has to be the wonderful Rua Augusta Arch on Praça do Comércio.

Have you been a regular visitor to Lisbon?

I would love to spend more time in the city than I can right now – my work schedule is packed.

Best time of day to paint?I

I love direct light, strong tones, the golden hour, and

also the light on rainy days is a favourite of mine. I think these are all very romantic and can enhance the volumes of the buildings, making them magnificent.

Your preferred medium?

I have loved oils since I discovered them. However, in some of my work, I start with acrylics, and then finish very carefully with the oils, avoiding disrupting the colours.

PARADISE FOUND

IF YOU HAVE WANDERED ALONG THE WALKWAY ABOVE THE BEAUTIFUL BEACHES OF ARMA ÇÃ O DE P Ê RA, YOU WILL CERTAINLY HAVE BEEN DAZZLED BY THE SIGHT OF A SUMPTUOUS GRAND HOUSE – MORE OF A CHATEAU THAN A HOUSE, ACTUALLY – THAT AFTER YEARS OF RE-DEVELOPMENT IS THE NEWEST JEWEL IN THE VILA VITA COLLECTION CROWN

Words: SUSI ROGOL-GOODKIND Photography: KATHRYN BARNARD

BUILT IN THE centre of Armação de Pêra at the turn of the 20th century, what was then known as the Caldas e Vasconcelos Chalet remained the family’s summer residence for over 100 years.

Inspired by the opulent design style of the Belle Epoque, and the period’s creative influences that saw the emergence of the impressionism and the art nouveau movements, this is a building that was designed to combine grace and beauty, elegance and tradition, where every detail is meticulously planned and outstanding in its character.

Vila Vita Parc, the luxurious resort a little further along the coast in Porches, understands and values fine architecture, and also the importance of quality surroundings. And the Red House, known now as the Red Chalet, could not be a better representative of the portfolio… one that is driven by a passion for perfection.

Four painstaking years were invested in recreating the building and its interiors to produce an immaculate contemporary interpretation of the historic listed landmark. Teams of highly-skilled craftsmen, and the company’s own interior design experts, worked tirelessly to achieve an end result that can only be described as remarkable. Together they have produced a palatial environment that those looking for a very different break – one that is utterly glamorous – will be hard pressed to find elsewhere.

Renovation has been key to the equation, with original features retained but given a fresh lease of life, a twist on the classics, so to speak.

The wooden floors, the sparkling chandeliers and a magnificent staircase have been treated with respect for their origins. The intricate geometric design in the shutters and ceilings and the Moorish influences in the architecture, serve as a reminder of the historical and cultural richness of the region.

The main house of 260m² balances the comfort of today with the romanticism of yesterday. There are two bedrooms with ensuite bathrooms and dressing rooms and a living room with a terrace stretching out towards the incredibly blue sea. It has an expansive kitchen open to the dining area and stunning living room, where intricate ceiling carvings evoke the vineyards that once thrived on the same stretch of coast.

Another surprise is on the first floor, where a secret door leads to a further terrace at the top of the house. It is said that the owner built it, many years before, to better hear the prayers being sung in the Church of Our Lady of the Navigators for the safety of the fishermen out at sea.

The property’s emergence into the 21st century cannot fail to impress. Its 1,100m² includes beautifully laid-out terraces and ocean-facing gardens with direct access to the beach below.

Unsurprisingly, the Vila Vita Collection is seeing exceptional interest and a flood of enquiries from potential guests from across Europe, the USA and the UK. The average booking for the entire property is for five nights – in low season the minimum stay is four nights and in the high season seven nights. Prices range from €2,250 per night to €4,300. Many guests, as has already been seen, have a desire to sample local, traditional gastronomy, and this is mirrored in the repeated requests for a Vila Vita Parc private chef and also a team of sommeliers.

So what else can guests expect during their stay in this unique venue? A villa manager is on site eight hours a day; splendid continental breakfasts are served; there is daily maid service, on-site parking, the supply of essential goods including a welcome hamper of drinks and fresh fruit. A chef, personal assistant, private driver and security guards can be made available at an extra cost, as can DJs for those planning to stage their own events at the Red Chalet.

Residents at the Red Chalet have easy access to the services of the Vila Vita Parc resort, including the restaurants (the Michelin-starred Ocean Restaurant, the Moorish décor Aladin Grill, Mizu Teppanyaki that offers a zen atmosphere overlooking the Atlantic Ocean, Adega for its signature celebration of traditional Portuguese and the new Italian eaterie, Giardino, which opened in June to rave reports), bars and the Spa. And there are boat trips and excursions that can be specifically tailored to meet individual tastes and wants.

And there is a small guest house, the affectionately-named White House, which while replicating some of the distinctive character of the main building – whitewashed, wooden floors and decorative details –features a more modern aesthetic. A duplex suite offers a stylish ensuite bathroom and a terrace on the upper floor, and a living room downstairs, along with a studio room. The style here is relaxed and laid-back, ideal for those in the group – perhaps the youngsters – who prefer to have their own space.

The furnishings and accessories throughout the property have been sourced from the finest collections available – both names and talents of importance in the Portuguese and international markets – and many pieces are bespoke, designed and made expressly for the Red Chalet.

That said, however, it has been noticed that Red Chalet guests tend to spend most of their time at the property itself, enjoying the comfort and facilities and privacy that are theirs for the duration of their stay. Many enjoy relaxing on the beach that is a few steps down from the terrace, which, as part of the sea wall, gives the impression of being on the ocean itself.

Despite its central location and the luxurious modern amenities that are integral to its special personality, the chalet – chateau – if you prefer – offers a refuge… a chance to travel back to a time when life was simpler.

Without question, it is an irresistible alternative to the modern hotel experience, and that might be the main reason why the guests choose to stay in their holiday home rather than take time away from it. And why they plan to return at a later date, for another visit.

Find out more at vilavitacollection.com/en/red-chalet

Inspired by the opulent style of the Belle Epoque, the Red Chalet was designed to combine grace and beauty, elegance and tradition, where every detail is outstanding in its character.

Winning wines

WINNERS OF THE 15TH EDITION OF THE ALGARVE WINE COMMISSION ’ S ANNUAL WINE CONTEST HAVE BEEN ANNOUNCED.

LÍVIA MOKRI REPORTS

THE AIM of the Algarve Wine Contest programme is to award bottled wines from the Algarve, and encourage the production of quality wines across the region. The judging panel of 26 highly-respected experts tasted more than 100 wines produced from 26 producers. From those, 32 wines were recognised – 11 were awarded gold medals, and 20 silver medals, while the outstanding overall winner was the recipient of the coveted Great Gold Medal.

GOLD MEDAL WINNERS

Paxá Reserva 2021 Red, by Paxá Wines, Lda

Sete Cavaleiros do Castelo 2021 Red, by Casa Santos Lima

Alagoa Velha - Lábios Nus 2021 White, by Jacinto

Palma Dias

Foral de Portimão Premium 2021 Red, by A.A.C., Lda

Despedida 2021 Red, by Casa Santos Lima

Cabrita - Reserva 2019 White, by José Manuel Cabrita

Al-Ria 2021 Red, by Casa Santos Lima

Portas da Luz 2021 Red, by Casa Santos Lima

Esquerdino 2022 Red, by Mosqueira AgrícolaQuinta do Canhoto, Lda

Vale de Almadena 2021 Red, by Sussurro d’Oceano, Lda

Herdade Barranco do Vale Reserva 2018 Red, by Herdade Barranco do Vale

SILVER MEDAL WINNERS

Quinta da Tôr - Grande Reserva Algibre 2018 Red, by Turinox, Lda

MDS 2021 Red, by Soc. Agroturística Monte de Salicos, Lda

Marquês dos Vales Grace Vineyard 2015 Red, by Quinta dos Vales

Vinhas de Nexe 2022 White, by Norberto Mealha Herdeiro

Rabo de Galo Reserva 2021 Red, by Casa Santos Lima

Rabo de Galo 2021 Red, by Casa Santos Lima

Marquês dos Vales Grace Vineyard 2017 Red, by Quinta dos Vales

Convento do Paraíso 2022 Rosé, by Adega do Convento do Paraíso, Lda

Onda Nova 2018 Red, by Adega do Cantor, Lda

Villa Alvor 2022 White, by Aveleda, S.A.

Arvad 2022 Red, by Agropecuária Rio Arade, Unipessoal, Lda

Monte da Ria - Estate Blend 2022 Red, by Artemis, Lda

Solar da Ria 2020 Red, by Artemis, Lda

Villa Alvor - Singular 2022 Rosé, by Aveleda, S.A.

Quinta dos Capinhas 2020 Red, by Lieberwirth, Soc.

Agrícola e Turismo, S.A.

Villa Alvor – Singular 2022 Red, by Aveleda, S.A.

Herdade Barranco do Vale Reserva 2021 White, by Herdade Barranco do Vale

Megafone 2021 White, by Abegoaria Comercial, S.A.

Cabrita 2021 Red, by José Manuel Cabrita

Talabira do Algarve, by Casa Santos Lima Premium 2021

Red, by Casa Santos Lima

This year’s the big winner is Quinta da Tôr Grande Reserva Algibre Red 2017

CARVING a name

LUCAS HAMANN was born in Luebeck, Germany, but has lived here in the Algarve since he was just one month old. His nature and upbringing may be German, but his heart, without question, is 100% Portuguese. His second career, as a wood sculptor, began with his love of nature – he was always happiest, he says, adventuring in the mountains, or the dense forestland, or just observing animals roaming free in the wild.

This is not an arts-educated young man – in fact, he was never interested in learning the classics; he is self-taught, experimenting from an early age with textures, form, and achieving an often surprising end result.

“When I was a small boy, around six or seven, I would make gifts for my parents or my brother – a spoon, perhaps, or a cutting board or a wooden pot, whatever came into my mind at that time,” he recalls. “My hands do show the scars from those early days and the results of my work were not always good then. But as I got older I learned through repeated practice how to work confidently with wood to achieve the very best results.

LUCAS HAMANN, 25, IS A DOCTOR HERE IN THE ALGARVE. BUT WHEN HE IS NOT TENDING TO HIS PATIENTS, HE IS ENGROSSED IN HIS SECOND PASSION, THAT OF BRINGING OLD WOOD TO NEW LIFE. HIS STUNNING WORK WILL GO ON SHOW AT ARTCATTO’S SUMMER EXHIBITION AT THE CONRAD, STARTING THIS MONTH

Words: SUSI ROGOL-GOODKIND

Pendulum of Presence: Made out of a 900-yearold olive tree, whose grain itself is a calendar of time.

110x110x 280cm

The Blossom: Carved out of one single almond trunk, this sculpture takes the tree back to what it once was. A blossoming flower in the winter of Portugal. The petal is made out of 24k gold-coated almond wood. 45x45x200cm

“In my teenage and young adult years, I distanced myself from the practical work and focused more on my studies to follow my parents’ footsteps and become a doctor – a long-held dream for me. It was while I was at University that I rediscovered my passion for working with wood.”

Lucas’s first ‘official’ piece was not a sculpture at all, but an abstract table made out of a pine root. “I loved it at the time,” he says, “but looking back now I recognise that I wouldn’t do it the same way again. People found it “attractive” and “interesting” but I was not able to sell it, so in the end I gifted it to the person who supported me in my early work.

“And the more I created practical pieces like tables, the less fun I had working on them. I felt caged in by objectivity, something, quite frankly, I have enough of in my day job. That is what awakened my love for contemporary abstract sculptures that allow my mind to run free. I found joy in embracing and preserving the natural beauty of a long dead tree, keeping and respecting its essence, and then diving into a world of imagination to create something that feels alive and youthful, where death and decay were its story for decades.”

Lucas, the proud father of a son of nearly three, is an Intern at the Hospital of Faro, and plans to specialise in psychiatry or rheumatology at the end of this year. For his chosen creative passion, he works in an open but covered workshop at his home in Paderne, surrounded by nature. Currently, he has a 40-hour-week at the hospital and a further 30-35 hours working with wood, sometimes until midnight after a full day with his patients.

The Finish. It may be some natural oil, or beeswax or varnish… the grain suddenly explodes and begins to look alive, giving the sculpture, in a matter of an hour, a totally new expression.

100x70x280cm

Fragile Elegance: This tall sculpture honours the fragility of this old and rotten tree and gives it a new youthful personality, creating an equilibrium between old age and youth.

40x40x300cm

Seeing is believing

The largest work-in-progress piece is close to completion now, having taken an intense four months and 450 hours thus far. It is his proudest project to date – an eye – measuring 2.5m x 2m x 1.30m, made out of a 1,000-yearold olive tree-root, that was rotting for more than 30 years.

“It is my biggest challenge yet, since the degrading process had taken all over the root and I had to find and preserve nature’s beauty in the chaos,” he says. “Normally, I need to manipulate the wood until I get the result I want, but in this case, nature itself has created the most beautiful work of art. It is my job to make it understandable, and finding a balance between art and nature. It’s a humbling and thrilling experience.

“The piece, called Nature’s Eye, will have a 24k gold pupil in the midst of the iris. I will leave the interpretation of this piece open to the public, but there is quite a direct message in this sculpture.”

Lucas’s work is extraordinary, and unsurprisingly has been sold through some of the top interior designers in the Algarve. But now new doors are opening as some of his important pieces – six large works and one of gigantic proportions – will be part of ArtCatto’s summer collective at the Conrad Algarve, which opens this month. The opportunity guarantees valuable exposure and will certainly pave the way for Lucas to become part of the Lisbon art scene, and then an international name.

As well as being deeply inventive, Lucas has one great advantage over other creatives in that he derives his income from his job in the hospital and therefore has the freedom to adventure and experiment when it comes to his artistic interests.

Inspired thinking

“My inspiration comes from the beauty and calmness of nature that I can find in every hike or bike trail. But stressful days give me inspiration, too,” he says. “When I find ways to come back to a steady, quieter mindset, new ideas are formulated.”

All his pieces come from local found wood, from trees that have been dead long before he found them. And he finds them by his second love after sculpting… hiking in nature.

Once he has found a tree that interests him and shows promise – it could be as few as one out of 50 – he often spends two hours observing it, imagining forms, curves, potential, threats and impossibilities.

“I take a mental picture of it and continue the thinking process until I have found a purpose for the wood. Then comes the hard part of finding the owner and then transporting it to my workshop. Usually, by the time it is there, with me, and I can finally get my hands working on it, I have a vivid picture of what I want to create and how best to achieve it. Inevitably, problems will arise with the wood itself, turning what was a seemingly easy project into a mental and physical challenge.”

The Female Flame: This three-piece sculpture, carved out of one single Algarvian almond tree, represents the elegant and dancing curves of the female body. The centre piece is 24k gold-coated almond wood.

Rings of Time: Made from a 900-yearold olive tree, where the horizontal ring demonstrates the Past and the vertical the Future, always connected but still independent from each other, in a continuous dance of time.

160x110x170cm

Some sculptures can take him less than two weeks from start to finish, when he has time away from the hospital and the freedom to work every day and into the night. Sometimes he works on two or three pieces at the same time. “I would say my dream commission is being able to do what I want or see fit without external influences. I love creating pieces at my own pace.”

The second material Lucas works with is metal – every sculpture needs a personalized base to hold and stabilise it precisely where the artist wants and needs it. He mostly goes it alone, having learned the basics of metal work, but when complexities arise, a friend who is a professional welder helps.

“My most valued tool is my hands,” he says, “and next an angle grinder for wood, because of its multi-utility purpose and high power output. That said, I still start every project with a hammer and chisel. The most rewarding moment is when a sculpture is almost ready and awaits the last process – the Finish. It may be some natural oil, or beeswax or varnish… the grain suddenly explodes and begins to look alive, giving the sculpture, in a matter of an hour, a totally new expression.”

ArtCatto’s summer collective at the Conrad Algarve opens on 14 July. In addition to sculptures by Lucas Hamann, will be artworks by figurative painter Silvio Porzionato and landscapes by Erika Toliusis.

Once he has found a tree that shows promise – it could be as few as one out of 50 – he often spends two hours observing it, imagining forms, curves, potential, threats and impossibilities.

The Rooting Flame: one of my first sculptures, it is made out of a pine root and measures 100x40x280cm

Donna V I nall - a lgar V e e legance

Soft shell crab salad

BEEN TO JULIA’S? OF COURSE YOU HAVE. THE RESTAURANT, WHICH STARTED LIFE IN 1978 AS A TREE TRUNK TABLE IN THE SAND HAS, UNDER SHELLEY PORTON’S DIRECTION SINCE 1992, AND RUI ANJOS’ MANAGEMENT, BECOME THE ESSENTIAL DESTINATION FOR THOSE HUNGRY FOR GREAT FOOD AND WITH A LOVE FOR LIVE MUSIC AND BEING AS CLOSE TO THE OCEAN AS IT GETS. WE ASKED CHEF FILIPE TO SHARE A FAVOURITE RECIPE FROM HIS REPERTOIRE

Photography: KATHRYN BARNARD

SERVES 1 PREP 1 ½ HOURS

INGREDIENTS

 2 soft shell crabs

 oil for frying

 100g self-raising flour

 1g salt

 1g pepper

 25ml fizzy water

SPICY MANGO SAUCE

 1 egg yolk

 5g Dijon mustard

 50ml olive oil

 20ml mango purée

 3g chilli purée

PICKLED ONIONS

 100ml water

 50ml red wine vinegar

 90g sugar

 50g red onion, finely sliced

NOW THE SALAD BIT

 100g chicory lettuce, finely shredded

 50g mango cubes, cut from a fresh mango

 50g avocado, cut into cubes

 5g red chilies, chopped finely

 25g sliced pickled onions, made earlier

 20g cherry tomatoes, quartered

METHOD

1 First, make the pickles, and you can do this well in advance. In a medium-sized saucepan, mix the water, red wine vinegar and sugar together, bring to a gentle boil, then immediately reduce the heat, add the sliced red onions and simmer for one minute. Remove from the heat and set on one side for an hour to cool. Drain off the pickling liquid.

2 In the meantime, make the tempura batter by mixing together the flour, salt and pepper in a bowl and stir in the fizzy water till smooth.

3 In another small bowl, whisk the egg yolk with the mustard and add the oil slowly but steadily, beating all the time. You need to achieve a mayonnaise-like consistency. Stir in the mango and chilli purées.

4 Heat the oil. Dip the soft shell crabs in the tempura batter and fry until crispy – around two minutes.

5 Carefully mix together the salad ingredients and centre on a serving dish and top with the crispy crabs. Dress with a few lines of spicy mango sauce.

Filipe Mendonça, who joined the Julia’s team at the end of last year, takes pride is producing great dishes from locally-sourced ingredients. He’s worked in the UK for eight years, in Spain, Angola and Mozambique, and has a particular passion for seafood. Tiger prawns in a spicy sauce with African rice, and crab tartar are among Julia’s most in-demand dishes.

Words: KARIN BARNHOORN

ALGARVE

THE FIRST COFFEE TABLE BOOK ABOUT THE ALGARVE JUST SAW THE (SUN) LIGHT. IN MORE THAN 240 PAGES, FOUNDING EDITOR AND LONG-TIME ALGARVE RESIDENT, ANNELIES REUGEBRINK, SHARES HER HIDDEN GEMS A ND THE STORIES OF THE PEOPLE BEHIND THEM

ROCKS

HIS BOOK, Algarve Rocks, is about my love for the wild and wonderful ventures of the Algarve and its people, captured in pictures and words.” Annelies says.

The combination of wise words and glorious photography makes this stunning book the ideal memento after a cherished holiday, the perfect gift for fans of travel photojournalism and a fascinating read for visitors, locals and residents alike.

Annelies’ home is well and truly the Algarve, despite being a Dutch national. She left the Netherlands and settled here in the early 80s. She noticed that, in many ways, a lot has changed since she first moved here. She grew along with the Algarve, watching and marvelling at its development first-hand – more resorts, more tourists, motorways and shopping centres. But on the other hand, she says, there is still the same unchanged

Algarvian spirit, found away from the mustvisit attractions. Hidden gems to experience and creative people to meet that makes this place so very special.

Annelies has long had the heart-felt desire to share her hand-picked selection with the world and give them and the Algarve the attention it deserves. That intrinsic desire was the seed that grew into this beautiful book.

When asked how long it took between the idea and the launch of Algarve Rocks, she smiles: “I am forever sharing my Algarve knowledge with all who ask, with love. For years the idea of gathering those special venues and people together simmered in the back of my mind. I was literally dividing them into different categories. When I finally had the peace of mind and time on my hands to seriously think about how to share it, a book was the obvious answer”. This book is truly a joint-passion project with a team of dynamic local writers, designers and photographers to uncover lesser-known locations. Once the team got started, the book lead an energetic life of its own, evolving into an enchanting reflection of the wonders of the place they (and we!) love.

You won’t find typical travel destinations or maps in this book, and the choice of topics might seem eclectic. But, according to Annelies, they all offer different stories of Algarvian creativity and innovation, sparking our imagination with intriguing insights to places few people know about.

Opposite page: Annelies Reugebrink. Those featured in the book include this page top: Gillian Gatto and Freddie Ponte of ArtCatto. Left: Maria João Gomes of Palmas Douradas. Buy the book in Almancil at Dunas, The Hut and Alquatro, and in Loulé at In-the-Pink Gallery and Martina, or online at algarverocks.com

favourite things

Going to a classical concert given by exceptional international musicians at Os Agostos, the lovingly-restored quinta of Maria and Tó-Zé Varajota. I am so grateful that the chairman of Amigos de Música, Helga Hampton, enables our small group of Amigos to listen to gifted musicians at such a beautiful venue so close to home. You would have to travel to major European cities and renowned music venues to hear this quality of pianists or violinists. I cherish these evenings and often, we even get to speak to the musicians ourselves. amigosdemusica.org

Late lunch with friends and family at Retiro do Camponês, sat at wooden tables in the garden, under the old trees. This is just magical. I adore the fragrant rice with razor clams and coriander, their fresh salad with grilled goat’s cheese and their homemade desserts. It feels like you are at a friend’s house, with the whole family doing everything to make your stay memorable. retirodocampones.pt

Grazing on tapas, al fresco, at Quinta dos Santos, a beautiful, recently-established farm estate. Here you can sample craft beers or their Quinta dos Santos wines accompanied by delicious tapas, made with fresh herbs, local cheese or mushrooms – the choice is varied with vegetarians well catered for. Lingering on their beautiful terrace, soaking up the view of the vineyard towards Carvoeiro, is pure joy. quintadossantos.com

Strolling through art galleries in Loulé. Art Catto has matured into such a landmark in the Algarve’s art scene. Each vernissage is a huge success, skilfully put together by owner Gillian Catto, whom I admire for being the very first lady to bring international artists to Loulé. Her roof terrace parties and art shows are epic and so much fun. artcatto.com

AND…

– Love walking my dog

– Love yoga sessions with Rola

Love painting

The In the Pink gallery boldly displays the glorious work of famous fine art photographic artists and I adore wandering through this exceptional building, with its spiralling black iron staircase. On every floor I discover exciting pieces of art and always leave these beautiful premises with a huge smile and happy feelings. in-the-pink.com

Visiting my friends at Côrte-Real Gallery for a fresh herb tea or just a chat at their beautiful and lovinglyrestored old country house near Paderne, is always delightful. I never tire of listening to the stories about how it was rebuilt and reborn, how it is cherished, and how Pedro and Michael search for just the right paintings and art pieces. Their lush and cozy garden surrounding the gallery is always a joy. corterealarte.com

– Love cooking, and exploring Lebanese cuisine right now

– Love hiking through the hills of Loulé

Love bric à brac and brocante and car boot sales

Far left, clockwise: The glorious Côrte-Real Gallery in Paderne; Quinta dos Santos, Estômbar; Loulé’s fine photographic gallery, In the Pink; the dedicated concert hall at Os Agostos in the hills of Sta. Bárbara de Nexe

Change the course of your life in 3 months

Do you recognise yourself in this: A year with a psychologist, psychotherapist or coach helped you a little, but nothing really changed in your life. The course was pricey and gave you some information, but you still don’t really know what to do with it?

What if I told you that your situation could be changed and resolved within 3 months? as I have done for hundreds of others...

I will teach you how to gain inner peace, solve problems, take control and make the best of everything! I use tools that are proven to work, give you specific advice and procedures which give demonstrable, fast results.

My personal goal is that every client who goes through this leadership course will know exactly how to handle their own psyche and how to lead a fulfilling life.

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

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

FULLY booked

DAWN ANNANDALE IS DOUBTLESS ON HER SUNBED, UNDER THE SHADE OF AN OUTSIZE UMBRELLA, A PILE OF READS BESIDE HER AND A COOL DRINK AT HAND. WHAT A WAY TO DISCOVER THE BOOKS THAT ARE CERTAIN TO BECOME ALL-ROUND FAVOURITES, AND TO REREAD SOME THAT MADE A BIG IMPRESSION IN THE PAST. IF YOU WANT DAWN TO REVIEW ONE OF YOUR BEST READS, EMAIL ANNANDALE.DAWN@GMAIL.COM

Book of the month

THE DOCTOR FROM BOMBAY

By Gos Jilani

Publisher: Independently published

Genre: Based on experience

This book is wonderful! Rich and vibrant, completely believable and real, depicting a clash of cultures. There’s drama, romance, heartbreak, passion, lust, friendship, loyalty, betrayal, and life changing decisions to be made by a young Indian doctor, Saj, who comes to work for the National Health Service in the UK.

When he arrives in England from Bombay in the late 80s, Saj is full of hopes and dreams. But, the cultural differences mean that he struggles to adapt to western life. His experiences of long working hours in the NHS and racial abuse from a few of his colleagues truly shock him.

Conversely, Saj is pleasantly surprised by the freedom of western society, compared to India, which leads him to explore his sexuality from his first-time experiences through to his more passionate and confident encounters with women.

When Saj falls in love with Lea, an English nurse, he finds himself in the middle of two worlds, and must decide where his heart belongs; with his family back in Bombay, or in England, with the woman he loves.

I can’t begin to imagine the challenges a young, newly-qualified doctor would face having moved continents for work. I loved this book, which is full of situations the bravest of us would struggle with. An absolutely marvellous read.

HERESY

By S J Parris

Publisher: Harper Collins

Genre: Historical fiction

I do love a good murder mystery and this one certainly ticks all the boxes. Add a historical setting, a soggy old romance, politics, goodies and baddies and bingo! What a recipe for success. The only thing I wasn’t particularly keen on was the audio narration, which was a bit tricky as the main protagonist is Italian and therefore the accent was a little difficult to follow at times.

The body of the story is set in 1583 during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Our hero, Giordano Bruno, has travelled to Oxford on behalf of Sir Francis Walsingham, the principal secretary to Queen Elizabeth I. Walsingham is also Elizabeth’s spymaster; the equivalent of a modern day chief of MI5 and MI6 combined.

Giordano has a mission to root out the Catholic Fellows who could possibly influence the impressionable Oxford Scholars. He is also on a personal mission; to discover the whereabouts of a precious book written in the times of the ancient Egyptians, which is heretical, but which will help him prove his theory that the Earth revolves around the sun.

The savage murder on the first night Giordano stays at Oxford, the smouldering forbidden passion between Giordano and Sophia, the Rector’s daughter, coupled with oodles of Elizabethan intrigue all add up to an absolutely brilliant read.

THE SPY AND THE TRAITOR

By Ben Macintyre

Publisher: Penguin

Genre: War

The Spy and the Traitor is a thrilling Cold War story about a KGB double agent, by one of Britain’s greatest historians, and set far too recently to be comfortable. On a warm July evening in 1985, a middle-aged man stood on the pavement of a busy avenue in the heart of Moscow, holding a plastic carrier bag. In his grey suit and tie, he looked like any other Soviet citizen. The bag alone was mildly conspicuous, printed with the red logo of Safeway, the British supermarket.

The man was a spy. A senior KGB officer, for more than a decade, he had supplied his British spymasters with a stream of priceless secrets from deep within the Soviet intelligence machine. No spy had done more to damage the KGB. The Safeway bag was a signal: to activate his escape plan to be smuggled out of Soviet Russia. So began one of the boldest and most extraordinary episodes in the history of spying. Ben Macintyre reveals a tale of espionage, betrayal and raw courage that changed the course of the Cold War forever.

Ben Macintyre is a wonderful story-teller. This book reads like a novel when it is a factual account of the beginning of the end of the Soviet Union.

BEHIND CLOSED DOORS

By Catherine Alliott

Publisher: Penguin

Genre: Chicklit

Escapism, easy reading and a generous helping of romance. A delightful holiday read which will eventually make you happy.

From the outside, anyone would think that Lucy Palmer has it all: loving children, a dashing husband and a gorgeous home. But when her marriage to Michael comes to an abrupt and unexpected end, her life is turned upside down in a flash.

As the truth of her marriage threatens to surface, Lucy seizes the opportunity to swap her house in London – and the stories it hides – for a rural escape to her parents’ farmhouse in the Chilterns. But, Lucy gets more than she bargained for when she moves back to her childhood home. With her parents growing older disgracefully, she can hardly keep up with their social life – especially when it throws her into the path of an old flame. Coming face-to-face with her mistakes, Lucy is forced to confront the secrets she’s been keeping from herself and those she loves.

THE FERRYMAN

By Justin Cronin

Publisher: Orion

Genre: Science fiction

Whilst this does feel like a trip to the underworld and one might expect to see Hades and Persephone, the story is really quite interesting, and introduces a different take on the whole afterworld question.

Proctor Bennett is a ferryman, whose duty is to guide unhappy citizens from the utopian Prospersa to the Nursery, where they retire their old selves before returning in younger bodies with no memories of their former lives. But, when Proctor is assigned to retire his own father, the troubling encounter sends him careening off the path of conformity. He begins questioning prescribed truths and confronting the darker side of Prospera, which runs off the work of a disenfranchised support staff whose discontent is building towards a revolution that pulls Proctor into its orbit.

This tightly-wound, atmospheric thriller weaves together layers of knotted mystery with Proctor’s haunting ideas as he grapples with his relationship to grief, happiness, family and identity. It’s a sharply complex mystery with a cinematic quality to it. I could imagine this being made into a blockbuster movie with fabulous special effects. Different, it held my interest and I will definitely look out for more by this author.

GARDENS OF THE WORLD

Publisher: DK Eyewitness

Genre: Gardening

A truly beautiful large coffee-table book which, although fairly pricy, is worth every penny. It is split into five chapters, each of which focus on a different theme.

From the intricately-planned and carefullycurated French formal gardens of Versailles to the surrealist jungle dreamland of Mexico’s Las Pozas, these gardens prove that greenfingered ingenuity comes in many forms and thrives in even the most unlikely of locations.

I particularly liked the expert tips and, despite my love of gardening, I’m still a raw beginner keen to learn. I could envisage planning a holiday to various destnations, taking in the incredible gardens and green spaces depicted in this book. And what makes it particularly special is that the focus is not just on formal gardens but on wild gardens, too.

The history and development of each garden is interesting and, whilst this is not a gardening book per se, it would be a great gift for anyone looking for inspiration.

BIG DAY BONANZA

AN INCREASING NUMBER OF COUPLES ARE OPTING TO TIE THE KNOT AWAY FROM HOME, AND UNSURPRISINGLY THE ALGARVE IS AMONG THE TOP CHOICES. THE SUN, THE SAND, THE SEA AND THE LAID BACK ENVIRONMENT MAKE IT THE PERFECT “I DO” DESTINATION

Words: AFONSO FERREIRA

ILLIAM BURLET, from Montpelier, taught French as a second language in France, in China, in Australia, in England, in Ireland and in Portugal. But when he and his Brazilian partner visited the Algarve a few years ago, they fell in love with Tavira and took the decision to settle there, and William moved into a new career, becoming one of the region’s very best and most adventurous wedding planners. Okay, so teaching is a long throw from wedding planning… but is it? Not if you are here, and a French-speaker, William explains.

“When I arrived, my plan was to continue teaching online – something I had started during Covid. But in new surroundings and all that dazzling year-round sunshine, I felt a distinct lack of enthusiasm for sitting in front of a screen in my kitchen! I am the kind of person who enjoys getting up in the morning and meeting other people.

“An Irish friend of mine was at a destination wedding near Loulé and when he

told me about it, I had an epiphany! I was going to organise weddings, make people happy and be happy in return! I went to Paris to do a course, came back and began my big trip. And I am so glad I did.

“I had aways enjoyed planning events in the private sector and I had a sharp eye for detail and, more generally, beauty. Aren’t weddings about beauty, despite all the subjectivity this implies?

“I fast learned that there was a lack of French speakers in the wedding industry in the Algarve. Many second-generation Portuguese, living in France, want to get married in the country their parents were born in. And they usually marry a fellow French citizen who speaks no Portuguese.

Therefore, they look for someone able to speak both languages. I found a niche, not just in planning but in writing and performing symbolic ceremonies in French and Portuguese.”

Wedding planning is a profession in its own right, invaluable to those looking to have the perfect big day, free of concerns about anything technical. After all, the party givers and party goers are there to have fun, live the moment, make a style statement and of course, look amazing.

And that is exactly what a great wedding planner is focused on. They are there, on the spot, with all the right contacts, the best vision, a direct line to trusted suppliers, clever ideas and a respect for a client’s ideas and their budget.

One of the first questions posed by potential clients is “how does it all work?” Well, here’s how…

From the first video call to establish a picture of what is wanted, from the style of wedding to guest numbers to spend, William will start framing a concept that meets those requirements.

“It is very important to make sure we are on the same wavelength from the start,” says William. “I often ask clients to send me photographs of what they imagine for their theme – the decoration, bouquet, tables, etc. The internet offers plenty of images and they are often a better way to present a concept than a written description. Unless, of course, a couple is looking for something absolutely new and original that will become their special signature.

“With every wedding event, I need first to concentrate on the venue itself and where the ceremony will be held; once that is incorporated into the planning, we can focus on the menu, the entertainment, the atmosphere to be created.

“When I have all of the elements of the proposition, I talk to clients on the phone, by email and via video meetings so we have a shared vision. We talk on the phone, email each other, have video meetings, make joint decisions. This whole preparation process may take two months, or 14 months! There is no rule, really.

“The days before the wedding day, I’ll need to make sure the bride and groom are enjoying themselves and don’t have to deal with the organisation of their wedding. After all, that’s why they hired me!

Part of my role is to produce a strict timeline for the Big Day and make sure everyone, including the couple themselves,

Many of William’s clients want a sense of informality, a shabby chic atmosphere with a special charm. Getting the equation right is as complex as planning the most formal of functions

are aware of it. I’ll be there to coordinate, I’ll be the one making sure everything goes according to plan. Most clients are looking for A-to-Z organisation.”

With clients mainly from the UK and France, and an indepth knowledge of what is available here, in all areas and all price brackets, William is perfectly positioned to deliver custom-made packages. And he is there throughout each event to ensure that everything runs smoothly.

“Once the party is in full swing, usually after the cake is cut and shared, I’ll go home and try to sleep... not always easy with the excitement of a successful party! The following day, I might be coordinating the brunch.”

William’s clients come to him by word of mouth – a happy couple want to share – and through recommendations on Facebook, Google and his website. They may all start off with different ideas but the one thing they have in common is an early decision about destination. “Portugal is Europe, and close to home,” he explains, “it is considered trendy, which attracts many people. Add to that the weather, the food, the choice of rustic and sophisticated locations and last but by no means least, the accessible prices, and it is understandable why the wedding market here is booming.”

Ceremonies here can be civil or Catholic. Those of other religious denominations have to have a civil ceremony before the religious one can be held. And same sex marriages have been allowed since 2010. If requested, and as an additional service, William will create the entire content of the ceremony, in French, and he will officiate, too. If a celebrant in another language is required, he will introduce the best person.

Used to planning photoshoots, he will also pass on recommendations for local design shops and ateliers and also advise on accommodation for the bridal party and guests. “I don’t make bookings on their behalf – it is far easier for them to investigate

Planning all those little extras, including flowers and entertainment, is where using an expert is essential.Opposite page: Hotel Colégio Charm House

what is available and to book it online. If, however, it is a villa wedding, I will check out the proposed venue in detail and get trusted suppliers involved if it needs special dressing for the big day.

“I organised a private Christmas party in a house under reconstruction and the result was amazing. I’d like to develop the idea of turning somewhere into a venue just for a wedding... !”

The oddest request he has ever had? “The night before the wedding, I was asked to start the ceremony an hour later and move everything –someone was going to land later than planned and the bride wanted to make sure he wouldn’t rush! That, and to organise a treasure hunt on a cliff for the guests to find the wedding rings before the ceremony!”

And the average spend today? “We are talking basics here, nothing extravagant. For 60 people, I’d say the average is €15,000. That would cover wedding planning, venue, catering from cocktail to dessert, photographer, video maker, ceremony, flowers, but not accommodation or transport.

“My dream is to bring magic into people’s lives. I adore seeing the happiness that is visible on the guests’ faces. It’s what the magic is all about.”

William suggests

PHOTOGRAPHERS

Bamboo Photography bamboo-fotografia.com

Dan Birch birchphotography.com

Garrett Walsh algarvephotography.com

Rui Serra Ribeira serraribeiro.com

VENUES

Os Agostos In the hills of Santa Barbara, it is beautiful, refined, elegant and creative, a family-run estate with wonderful rooms and outdoor spaces. The in-house florist, Aude, is brilliantly inventive. Parties at Os Agostas must end at 2am but this is hardly a problem. osagostos.com

Quinta dos Eventos in Santo Estevao, Tavira, offers different spaces, a huge garden and orchard. There

are a few farm animals, among them a lady pig which believes it is a dog!. Their kitchens work with local, seasonal products. Perfect for people looking for authenticity, it is a true Algarvian experience – very rustic yet elegant and adjustable to personnal tastes. quintaeventos.pt

As Fontes in Alte: Built many years ago originally to stage tourist events such as lunches with folkloric shows, As Fontes feels quite medieval. The village of Alte is stunning and around the venue there are fountains with azulejos, a river – which actually splits the venue into two parts, accessible via a little bridge. Civil or symbolic ceremonies can be held beneath a magnificent old tree, and the local church is also a beautiful option.

asfontesalte@gmail.com

Hotel Colégio Charm House, once a school, has a chapel, and is located in the centre of Tavira. Perfect for small weddings, its bedrooms are beautiful, decorated with taste, refinement and creativity. Details matter and there are plenty here. colegio-charmhouse.com

Forte Sao Joao da Barra in Cabanas de Tavira is an amazing fort overlooking the Ria Formosa, within walkable distance of most accommodation in the fishing town of Cabanas. A particular charm emanates from its simple character, where history is omnipresent and reminds us that what makes Portugal so special is not only its European culture, but also the presence of the ocean.

fortesaojoadabarra.com

Açoteia das Estrelas in Castro

Marim is very different and quirky. There you feel far from civilization, deeply immerged in nature. There are ten newly built little wooden houses for the bride and groom and probably their closest friends to spend the night. It’s a great place for a cowboy-themed wedding! facebook.com/acoteiadasestrelas/ MY

FAVOURITE CAKES

Rita of Adocar Atelier I like that her cakes are sophisticated but in a simple way. adocar-anaritacadete.com

A Taste of Decadence is the most refined cake designer in the Algarve. Louise’s cakes are elaborate and chic, more like works of art than eats. atasteofdecadencebylouise.com

William suggests a cake covering of Chantilly rather than sugar paste – after the main meal it is a lighter option, he says.

GROOM WITH A VIEW

Beige is popular right now, as are floral prints. The look is definately more casual – sometimes no jacket at all. Cropped trousers are popular, as are shorts, and it’s no to socks.

THEMES

Boho chic leads the way, but naturerelated themes, like ocean or forest, are in demand right now.

CHOURIÇO

Fully cured and ready to eat, Chouriço is a rich smoky sausage, heavily flavoured with paprika and red wine. Hugely popular, it can be found in virtually every supermarket and street market. Often served at restaurants in a clay dish filled with alcohol that is lit at the table to warm the sausages and bring out the flavours, chouriço assado makes a great starter, especially with fresh, crusty bread that will soak up the natural oils. At home, slice it and add to soups and stews to up the heat, or add to rice dishes to increase the intensity of flavour. Or be adventurous and chop it up, fry with some onion and then serve alongside creamy scrambled eggs and toast – for a tasty weekend brunch.

FARINHEIRA & ALHEIRA

Created by the Jewish communities to avoid religious persecution in the 16th century, these sausages traditionally did not contain pork but look like any typical sausage. Farinheira gets its name from the addition of flour to the

ingredients, while alheira gives a clue to the garlic that is added as a flavouring.

Today, farinheira contains pork fat and wheat flour which gives it a soft texture and less meaty taste when compared to chouriço. You will often find it on restaurant lunch menus, grilled and served with chips, rice and a fried egg.

At home, cook it whole (not sliced, as the doughy inside will expand and leak). Due to the light and sweet flavour, farinheira is ideal at breakfast time – grill or dry fry the sausage, then slice and spread inside a tortilla wrap and top with scrambled eggs and hot sauce. Alternatively, chop roughly and serve piled high on toast with roasted tomatoes and baked beans.

Alheira is a great option and something completely different, made from poultry seasoned with garlic and bulked out with bread. Often containing chili, this is a smoky and spicy sausage that brings big flavours to the table. For a fun and novel nibble at your next gathering, fry the alheira in

Get to know your sausages and the different flavours of each and you'll soon be adding them to dish after dish

The Querença Sausage Festival

The annual Festa das Chouriças, the smoked sausage festival, takes place in the tiny hilltop village of Querença, north of Loulé, every January and attracts many thousands of visitors keen to experience the tastes and atmosphere on offer. The two-day event includes music, and usually demonstrations of the centuries-old traditions from pig rearing to sausage making and, of course, there are stalls aplenty selling locally-made sausages right off the barbecue. It is said that St Louis, the patron saint of animals, looked after the pigs of the countryfolk, ensuring the latter had enough to eat, so thanks go to him at a Mass, which is followed by a procession through the village and surrounding lanes.

chilli-infused oil with some sliced onions over a low heat to crisp up the skin before cutting into chunks. Whip up a creamy mint yoghurt dip and serve with big hunks of crusty bread and watch your guests devour the lot! If catering for pescatarians, you can also source alheira which is made from bacalhau (check the casing material is made from cellulose to be completely pescatarianfriendly) and various spices, which can be served in the same way as the meat options.

MORCELA

Perhaps one for those with a slightly stronger constitution, morcela is a typical blood sausage. This does tend to put many people off immediately, but if you are a fan of English black pudding, then give this one a go as it will not disappoint.

Ranging in colour from a chestnut brown to deep black, every region has a slight variation on the ingredient mix. Soft textures and an almost crumbly inside is guaranteed, which makes this sausage a wonderful addition to many dishes – the ingredients of pork blood and fat pair well with big flavours. A classic dish is blood sausage and scallops, so slice the meat and fry lightly before topping with some pan-seared scallops and a fresh mango and chilli salsa. Alternatively, and for a personal favourite of mine, why not try replacing the traditional sliced ham in your Eggs Benedict with some of this sausage? The combination of rich hollandaise and poached eggs with this soft, salty meat is an absolute winner.

PAIO

Paio is a delicious option for sausage fans, and is often found sold ready-sliced in packs. Made with pork loin, it is flavoured with garlic and red pepper and can be purchased smoked and ready to consume. Hailing from the Alentejo, it has a solid feel to it, and is first choice to many as part of a charcuterie board or served with a chunk of fresh bread. Try it at home by having a build-your-own-pizza night and include thinly sliced paio instead of pepperoni. Another great idea would be to make a traditional bean stew (feijoada) and include thick chunks of paio rather than chouriço whilst cooking. It will add a delicate sweetness to the stew, and takes on a pleasant texture when cooked. Paio Porco Preto is considered the best.

SALPICÃO

A ready-to-eat sausage, salpicão will often be included in charcuterie boards as it compliments a huge range of cheeses. Coming from Northern Portugal, salpicão is flavoured with wine, bay and sweet paprika. Consisting of beef and pork loin, this is a firm sausage with a subtle flavour, and is delicious served with fresh bread and olive oil. For an addictive appetizer when having friends over, slice the salpicão and wrap the slices around a piece of hard goat’s cheese before securing with a toothpick. Dip lightly in to chilli flakes and serve on a plate with a bowl of sweet chilli jam. If you want to serve a fun selection of bite-size treats, top your sausage-wrapped cheese with a cornichon and knock up a spicy mustard mayo as a dip. The classic pairing of cheese and cured meats is always popular, and compliments all wines.

July is the sunniest month of the year in the Algarve so now is the perfect time to set your outside table to celebrate friendship and family gatherings. A beautifully-styled table setting is just as important as food, drinks and company.

We don’t buy a new set of tableware every year so will have a range of crockery selected some time ago, which hopefully we still like to see and eat from. In the best case scenario it is a neutral colour and can be matched easily with a new salad bowl, serving dish or charger plate.

A simple idea and a great addition to table settings are napkin rings. Napkin rings, also called serviette rings, first appeared in France in the 19th century and quickly became fashionable amongst the bourgeoisie. Different people and families soon developed their own unique designs for showing off their wealth and prestige to friends and guests. The most common rings were made out of silver, but others were made of bone, wood, pearls, porcelain, glass, and other materials.

I have a batch of rings made out of palm leaves, which are the most eyecatching and cutest things you can imagine for your table theme. These rings are made by crafts people in Columbia where a deep

tradition in palm weaving is established. Needless to say, there is a bond between the artisan and the entrepreneur and a stable and respectful income in areas where work has historically been limited, is provided.

Your guests will certainly be entertained with a dragonfly, seahorse, lobster, crab, fish or parakeet on your outside table.

Heroics

in Olhão

MUCH HAS BEEN MADE OF THE FISHERMEN FROM OLHÃO, WHO CROSSED THE ATLANTIC IN A SAILING BOAT, BUT THAT IS THE END OF A MUCH BIGGER AND BRAVER STORY. IT FOLLOWED AN AMAZING SERIES OF EVENTS, WELL DOCUMENTED AT THE TIME BUT RARELY REFERRED TO NOWADAYS

Words: CAROLYN KAIN

TO UNDERSTAND what happened all those years ago, picture Olhão early in the 1800s. It was an established settlement of fishermen and their families, relying on the sea for their existence. The only substantial buildings there at the time were the Compromisso Marítimo, providing health and administrative services, and nearby Olhão’s parish church.

February 1st: It was 1808 and across the country Napoleon’s victory was to bring about enormous changes. The Portuguese royal family fled to Brazil, the army was defeated and most Portuguese people in authority were under the control of the French.

Once the main French forces left, 700 troops remained in the Algarve to subdue any possible uprisings. Keeping the population in order, they issued decrees, levied new taxes and , unsurprisingly, were universally disliked. The

soldiers were mostly billeted along the border by the river Guadiana and in barracks in the east of the region, in Vila Real de Santo António, Tavira and Faro.

In Olhão, the collection of taxes from fishermen who lived a subsistence lifestyle caused a great deal of hardship. Officials were diligent in their duties, threatening anyone found guilty of smuggling or failing to pay their taxes with the death penalty.

April 14th: Worse still was when a group of 20 soldiers entered Olhão and proceeded to loot people’s homes and steal silver from the church. This generated feelings of hatred as never before.

Word reached the people of Olhão that across the border in Andalucía, the Spanish were revolting against their French oppressors. Two fishing boats arrived from Porto bringing news that the population there was doing the same thing.

June 12th: Perhaps inspired by this information – and

defying an edict laid down by the French – the coat of arms belonging to the Portuguese royal family was put on display inside Olhão’s church. Despite it being forbidden, several bold fishermen followed the church’s lead and hoisted the Portuguese flag on their boats.

June 16th: Prepared for a confrontation, the fishermen were not surprised when a French Captain arrived outside the church with a detachment of soldiers. Trying to deescalate the situation he posted a notice that flattered the Portuguese and invited them to join forces to subdue the Spanish. The reaction was not what he expected.

The notice was torn down and a crowd of fishermen, armed with a wide variety of homemade weapons –slingshots, pitchforks, crossbows – began to riot. The church bells rang continuously summoning others in the surrounding area to come to the church square. Taken completely by surprise, the Captain and his men were overwhelmed. Fifty soldiers were captured and imprisoned, and of those who escaped, some headed to Faro while others ventured to Tavira where reinforcements could be summoned.

June 17th: Simultaneously, a group of fishermen from Olhão sailed to Ayamonte to ask the rebel leaders there for their assistance. The Spanish, delighted to hear of their revolt, supplied them with 130 shotguns.

June 18th: The following day, the same weapons were used by the fishermen in a battle out on the Ria Formosa. In an unexpected attack, three vessels coming from Tavira and containing the French reinforcements were overpowered. Eighty-one soldiers were captured and all their arms and ammunition confiscated. On land – and hearing that more French soldiers from Faro were heading for Olhão – the people went out to ambush them on the bridge at Quelfes. Once more using surprise as a weapon, they held the upper hand and killed 25 soldiers. Pursuing others as they tried to run away, 18 more were killed and 12 were wounded.

June 19th: A small group of injured and bedraggled soldiers returned to Faro, where the consensus was that the people of Olhão should be pacified at all costs. At least until more reinforcements arrived from Mértola in the Alentejo.

A message was sent to Olhão’s priest offering the people a pardon and certain benefits, but with a single voice they were determined to carry on. The return message stated as follows: “We do not recognise Bonaparte as King. We are ready in the field to go to war for Prince D. João of Portugal and the entire royal family.”

The resolve of this reply caused the French to wonder. Had a British warship landed in Olhão to lend the people their assistance? Rumors started by some women from Olhão circulated in Faro that this was the case. Anxiety amongst the French was running high.

That night, although a few armed men stood on duty in Olhão, the rest of the population judged it to be safer to put out to sea.

June 20th: In the half light of morning the line of fishing boats was spotted by the French and thought to be the English fleet. Adding to the illusion the red shawls worn by the women on board were mistaken for the jackets of English soldiers.

Panic set in as the French realised that reinforcements from Mértola must still be a long distance away. Spotting their weakness, the people of Faro used this moment to rebel, ringing the bells of the Carmo church, rioting in the streets, assaulting the French and successfully capturing and imprisoning 170, including a General.

Severely weakened and afraid, many of the French fled the Algarve and over the next few days, as word spread around the province, more and more of them took flight.

July 7th: Certain that the Algarve was now in the safe hands of the Portuguese people, the brave fishermen of Olhão set off for Brazil. There they would find their beloved royal family and encourage them to return home. They didn’t… but that’s another story!

HILDEGARD BORKENT OF SEVEN QUINTAS PROPERTY SEARCH IN ALMANCIL REALLY LOOKS AFTER HER CLIENTS – SELLERS AND BUYERS –ENSURING THAT THEY GET THE BEST POSSIBLE SERVICE... AND PRICES

1 When was Seven Quintas formed? In January 2007. The name comes from the Portuguese saying: “Estar nas suas Sete Quintas” – to be in your seven farmhouses, meaning: to be in seventh heaven.

2 Were you in real estate before? I was in customer relationships and sales in a B2B market for an American company in Amsterdam. When I moved to the Algarve I worked in real estate in Quinta do Lago and studied to get my own license.

3 So when did you move here and what attracted you? My first trip was in 1995. I fell in love with a Portuguese man and with the Algarve and I moved here in 2000.

4 Is the market booming as much as reported in the media? We have seen prices rocket since 2014. This is a great place to raise a family and not just a golf destination for the retired!

5 What type of property is most in demand? It really depends on what the client is looking for. We specialise in “handpicked properties”.

6 Do buyers want ‘projects’ or the finished thing? It varies. Some are looking

for property to develop or refurbish for investment, others want something ready to move into.

7 How important is ‘dressing’ for selling? If ‘staged’ one has a better perception of room sizes. If the house is lived in, it is more about getting rid of the 'clutter'.

8 What nationalities are your key audience? We have all nationalities. We saw an increase of French nationals buying from 2014 and since 2020 the Americans are flocking here. This year we have quite a few Dutch, too, as well as Portuguese clients.

9 Is it all about location, location, location? Everyone has their preferences and their own idea of the perfect place.

10 Where is your most expensive property currently? It’s a very exclusive villa in the countryside.

11 Is there a big value difference between coastal resorts and the hills? Resorts like Quinta do Lago and Vale do Lobo top the list, followed by Vilamoura. In the hills one can still find value for money and privacy, although some country properties are getting close to QdL and VdL prices.

12 Advice to owners looking to sell, and sell fast? Make sure the house and garden are looking their very best. And price your property realistically!

13 Do some clients buy without viewing? During covid we did viewings by video call and did sell that way.

14 Do you have lawyers to help with the formalities? Yes, we work with various lawyers to make the buying process a safe, secure and smooth one.

15 Can you help a buyer who wants a ruin to develop? Yes, we can advise them – the rules are getting stricter by the day, and one has to have quite some stamina to sit through the process.

16 If an interior is a bit tired, what then? We can help owners find the right team to handle interior decoration and refurbishing, within their style and budget.

17 How many properties do you have on your books right now? 29 on our website, and many more ‘silent’ listings, which many owners prefer.

18 What price range do they cover? €250,000 to €4,000,000.

19 What if a house does not match the plans held the Câmara? We ask owners for the ‘telas finais’, the plans held at the municipality and against which the habitation license has been granted. If the owners don’t have them, we ask at the council, so we can see if the existing property matches the official plans. A purchaser buys what is on the plans, anything else is an ‘extra’. A carport is not a big deal, but an illegal pool is. We inform the potential purchaser about the situation and they decide if they wish to buy the property.

20 How do you reach out to potential buyers/sellers? Via our website, property portals, social media, in print and on billboards. Also, many listings come through our network of clients who bought their property with us and want to sell after ten or 15 years! You will find our advertising, starring our iconic Sardine key hanger, in our preferred magazine: AlgarvePlus!

RURAL LIFE

Taken: Moncarapacho, 2022

Camera: Nikon D850

“Little old ladies can walk their dogs in safety in the evening; the only sound comes from the birds and the cicadas.”

Keyword: Tranquillity

After a career in international health research, Robert Pool and his partner settled in the eastern Algarve in 2021, attracted by the quiet rural lifestyle, the flat coastline with its sandbanks and wetlands, the local history, the unpretentious but delicious food and, above all, the warm and friendly people

Portfolio

ALWAYS MAGICAL

Taken: Fuseta, 2023

Camera: Nikon D850

“Iconic lifeguard house in Fuseta breaking the flat line of the coastal horizon. Photographed by many, but always worth another shot.”

Keyword: Coastline

To apply for membership or check exhibition dates at the Museu do Traje, São Brás, visit algarvephotographersgroup.org

SUNSET

Taken: São Brás de Alportel, 2023

Camera: Nikon D850

“The Bengado windmills

– it was well worth waiting for the sun to set between these two old representatives of a longgone local economy.”

Keyword: local history

WORKING HARD

Taken: Moncarapacho, 2022

Camera: Nikon D850

“I saw this old tractor, and being new to the Algarve I thought: long out of use so no hurry to photograph it. But I took the photo anyway. The next day it was out in the field ploughing. I didn’t realise that these old workhorses are the backbone of local family agriculture.”

Keyword: Local agriculture

EATING WELL

Taken: Olhão waterfront, 2023

Camera: Nikon D850

“One of our favourite places to eat. This photo represents both the wonderful people of the Algarve and their great food (just look at that grilled fish).”

Keyword: Friendly food

Algarve

Artificial intelligence it’s a reality

LIFE IS CHANGING, AND AI IS TAKING OVER FAST. YOUNGSTERS TAKE IT FOR GRANTED, TRAVELLERS ARE APPRECIATING THE NEW DOORS IT IS OPENING, MUSIC LOVERS ARE GETTING THE SOUNDS THEY WANT. CUSTOMISATION... THAT’S WHAT IT IS ALL ABOUT TODAY

Words: CHRIS PARTRIDGE

ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE is in all the news right now, but few realise just how it has already transformed our lives. Even the humble smartphone is now an AI platform.

Take music streaming giant Spotify, for example, which has launched a personal DJ called Xavier (or X for short) who plays your sort of music, with occasional comments with information on the track and a bit of chat. According to Spotify, X is ‘more like a music-loving friend giving you little bits of additional information between tracks, rather than a full on DJ.’

The really clever part is that X chooses the music based on your recent Spotify plays, fleshes the choices out with similar music and visiting what you were listening to in the past to revive old enthusiasms. It is really slick and X himself does not sound at all robotic (the voice is based on Spotify’s real life Head of Cultural Partnerships, Xavier Jernigan).

Spotify DJ has taken off like a rocket, especially with Gen Z and the Millenials, all thanks to the power of AI. Which is suddenly popping up in smartphone and tablet apps all over the place, from personalisation, photo enhancement and voice assistants to enhanced security systems.

Spotify DJ epitomises the way AI-powered mobile apps are enabling highly personalised user experiences. With advanced algorithms analysing vast amounts of user data, apps can understand user preferences, behaviours and patterns. This enables apps to deliver tailored content, recommendations and notifications. Social media platforms are beginning to use AI to create customised news feeds, displaying content that aligns with users’ interests. AI also powers voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant, providing personalised recommendations, reminders, and voice-controlled app interactions. Through AI-driven personalisation, mobile apps are becoming intuitive, anticipating your needs in a sometimes rather discombobulating way.

So where are you going?

AI is also behind Google’s latest upgrade to Google Maps - Immersive View. AI takes the maps and all the Street View images to create a 3D image of an area, so you can really see what is going on when you plan a visit. It also incorporates all the information you need, including such things as the traffic conditions, the weather forecast and air quality.

And Google is making Immersive View available to other app developers so soon it will be in all sorts of unexpected but useful apps. A property rental agent in the US is already developing an app that will enable clients to examine the area round a property

they are interested in, to look at everything from local bars and coffee shops to info about taxes and even crime rates. London will be covered in the initial phase and it will eventually cover metropolises around the world.

An area that has been using AI in a major way for some time is photography. Algorithms improve image processing, enabling devices to capture stunning photos with enhanced clarity, colour accuracy and dynamic range. Features like scene recognition and object detection allow apps to automatically optimise settings for different scenarios, such as landscapes, portraits, or food photography. AI-powered apps also offer intelligent editing tools that automatically enhance images, remove unwanted elements, or apply artistic effects. Furthermore, AI-driven computational photography techniques, like Google’s Night Sight or Apple’s Deep Fusion, deliver impressive low-light photography capabilities. With AI, mobile apps empower users to capture professional-grade photographs effortlessly, making every user a skilled photographer.

AI is behind one of my favourite apps, Google Lens, which enables you to identify almost anything simply by taking a photo of it. Its most impressive achievement for me was to scan a Latin inscription carved in stone on Arundel bridge and translate it into English. In microseconds.

What did you say?

AI is also the driver in voice recognition and generation, essential for digital assistants such as Google Assistant, Alexa, Siri and Cortana. Nowadays you can just talk and it will do your bidding. They are becoming more intelligent and versatile, enabling users to perform tasks, gather information and control their devices just by speech, answering questions, providing weather updates, scheduling appointments, sending messages, and even making phone calls on behalf of the user (okay, that one has high creepiness potential).

AI is also making us suffer by strengthening security measures in mobile apps, protecting user data and combating fraud. AI algorithms can analyse user behaviour patterns and identify anomalous activities, detecting potential security threats such as unauthorised access or account takeovers. Facial recognition and fingerprint scanning, powered by AI, provide secure authentication methods for unlocking devices and accessing apps. AIbased fraud detection systems can also recognise phishing attempts and provide real-time warnings to users. By leveraging AI’s ability to process vast amounts of data quickly, mobile apps are becoming safer and more resilient against security breaches, ensuring user privacy and data protection.

AI also powers voice assistants like Siri and Google Assistant, providing personalised recommendations, reminders, and voice-controlled app interactions.

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

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

Our team spend a lot of time getting to know each resident as an individual, learning their preferences and understanding their concerns, working hand in hand with GPs and other associated care professionals to provide outstanding personalised nursing care.

Our exceptional care team treat all our residents with respect, dignity and friendship, and our nursing home has a warm, family atmosphere. Each individual aspect of our nursing care is designed to give our residents the best possible quality of life and the highest standards of 24-hour care.

please contact

Dora Guerreiro

ELIZABETH HURLEY

Actress and model Elizabeth Hurley first hit the headlines back in 1994 when she appeared with her then-boyfriend Hugh Grant at the premiere of Four Weddings and a Funeral wearing a Versace dress split to the thigh and held together with gold safety pins. Since then, the Hampshire-born star has rarely been out of the newspapers. The ‘face’ of the Estee Lauder cosmetics company since 1995, she has come a long way since she was a teenage punk in Basingstoke with pink hair and a nose stud. The daughter of an Army captain, she studied theatre and dance after school. TV and film work followed, with Elizabeth starring as writer Christabel Bielenberg in Christabel on TV in 1988 and appearing in Austin Powers, Man of Mystery in 1997. She appeared on the cover of Vogue three times and developed her own beachwear line but was as well-known for her romances as for her career. She and Hugh Grant split up after 13 years but remain good friends – he is godfather to her son Damien, whose father is American businessman Steve Bing. She later married Arun Nayar, and after their divorce was engaged to Australian cricketer Shane Warne. She was devastated by his sudden death in 2022, saying: “... the sun has gone behind a cloud forever.” A supporter of breast cancer charities and the Elton John AIDS Foundation, she keeps fit by gardening and walking her dogs. Her latest film project is an erotic thriller Strictly Confidential directed by her son.

Whatever happened to…

MANY OF THOSE WHO WERE ONCE SO FAMILIAR HAVE DROPPED FROM THE PUBLIC LANDSCAPE OVER THE YEARS, BUT CHANGES IN CAREERS HAVE OPENED NEW DOORS AND A REWARDING LIFESTYLE TO THOSE LOOKING TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE

Words: JILL ECKERSLEY

PAUL HOGAN

Paul Hogan achieved worldwide fame in 1986 with his performance as the archetypal Aussie in the smashhit film, Crocodile Dundee. He had been successful in his native country before that, having appeared on the New Faces, claiming to be a tap-dancing knife-thrower! After that, he got his own TV show. He also appeared in many television ads, becoming a familiar face on British TV advertising Foster’s lager and giving beer-lovers a whole new vocabulary including “the amber nectar”. He co-wrote the script Crocodile Dundee and its tremendous success took him to the USA where he has lived since 2005. He continued to work in films, including the 1988 and 2001 sequels to Crocodile but became concerned at the level of violence, saying that “Mick (Dundee) was a good role model…he’s not a wimp just because he doesn't kill people!”

In the past few years Paul has had increasing health problems, having a heart pacemaker fitted and also kidney issues. He often says he would like to return to Australia. His country gave him a special award in 2016 for services to the Australian screen. So far, however, he has stayed in the States to be close to his son Chance by his second marriage to co-star Linda Kozlowski. Although he agrees he has had a gifted life, he admits that he still feels homesick for the friendly and laid-back lifestyle Down Under.

New York-born singer and songwriter Billy Joel will always be “Mr Piano Man”, named for his major international hit from 1973. He had piano lessons from the age of four, and dropped out of High School after watching the Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show in 1964 – apparently he decided then and there that he wanted to be in a rock ‘n’ roll band. He played in several local groups in the sixties but it was really when he began writing his own songs –like Always a Woman and Still Rock ’n’ Roll To Me – that the hits started coming. And they have never stopped. He has now sold more than 160 million records worldwide and toured everywhere, including a visit to the Soviet Union in 1987.

In the nineties he played several worldwide ‘tandem tours’ alongside fellow ‘piano man’ Elton John. The pair are firm friends and Billy says that their joint concerts are always fun. He continued to tour and make records in the new century until Covid put a temporary end to them, but he now has dates booked in the USA for this year.

He owns two homes in New York where he lives with his fourth wife and two young daughters; he also has a daughter by his second wife, model Christie Brinkley. He was recently planning to write an autobiography but decided against it, claiming that: “the best expression of my life is in my music!”

1800s

THE TELEGRAM

Inventors began experimenting with sending messages via electric wires in the mid-18th century. However, it is the American Samuel Morse who is usually credited with the invention of the first telegram. He sent the message “WHAT GOD HATH WROUGHT” from Washington to a colleague in Baltimore in 1844. It wasn’t long before this quick way of transmitting information replaced the previous method – Pony Express – across the USA. The US company Western Union dominated the market from 1856 until it sent its last telegram in 2006.

In the early part of the 20th century, telegrams were used to announce major news developments, from the first-ever flight in 1903 to the outbreak of World War One in 1914. The telegram hit peak popularity in the 1920s and ‘30s, when sending a telegram was much cheaper than making a long-distance phone call. The word ‘stop’ was generally used to indicate a break in the message, rather than a full stop, because punctuation cost extra, whereas an extra word was often free!

During wartime, families dreaded the sight of a telegram messenger on his bicycle in case he was delivering the heartbreaking news that a loved one had been killed, captured or was missing in action. The introduction of email, text-messaging and WhatsApp in the new century meant that the telegram became obsolete and the last one in Britain was sent in 2008. The world’s final telegram is believed to have been sent in 2013 but it’s likely that few of today’s youngsters will ever have heard the word at all…

BILLY JOEL

He has now sold more than 160 million records and toured everywhere, including the Soviet Union in 1987.

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STORAGE

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Investment options

JUST BECAUSE YOUR INVESTMENTS ARE TAX EFFICIENT IN ONE COUNTRY DOES NOT MEAN THAT THE TAX ADVANTAGES WILL TRANSFER TO ANOTHER. MARK QUINN AND DEBRAH BROADFIELD LOOK AT WHAT OPTIONS ARE OPEN TO RESIDENTS LOOKING TO LEGALLY SHELTER FROM TAXATION

BANK ACCOUNTS All bank interest is reportable and potentially taxable in Portugal, irrespective of where the account is located or if you use it or not.

If you have Non-Habitual Residence (NHR), interest earned on foreign accounts is tax-exempt, unless located in a blacklisted jurisdiction such as the Channel Islands, when it is taxed at 35%. So, if you are still holding large sums in these ‘tax havens’ you should consider restructuring.

For non-NHRs, all interest earned on foreign accounts is taxed at 28%. Interest from Portuguese accounts is always taxed at 28%, irrespective of your NHR status.

DIVIDENDS Dividends are a great source of income if you are a NHR as these are tax-free in Portugal during the 10-year period.

It is worth thinking about what you are doing with the income once received. You may want to consider investing this in a tax-efficient manner.

For normal residents, dividends are taxed at 28% but there is the potential for tax savings if you can restructure.

PROPERTY Foreign-sourced property income is reportable in Portugal but is tax-exempt during NHR. PostNHR, this income is taxed at scale rates (up to 48% plus solidarity tax at 2.5%/5%) with a credit given for tax paid in the country where the property is located (if there is a double tax treaty).

NHR does provide a unique tax-saving opportunity when selling a foreign property. Usually, 50% of any gain on sale is taxed in Portugal at scale rates, but if sold during the NHR period there is no tax to pay. However, tax may still be due in the country where the property is located.

CAPITAL GAINS TRAP One thing NHR does not protect investors from is capital gains tax (except for foreign property above). So, if you have an investment portfolio, company shares or direct holdings, any capital gains (realised when investments are sold/switched) are taxable on an arising basis. It does not matter if you have not taken anything out, it is still reportable and taxable at 28%.

STRIVING FOR TAX EFFICIENCY One of the most common and tax-efficient ways to save is within an ‘offshore investment bond’. Such structures are recognised throughout most of the EU and in the UK.

Unlike a standard investment portfolio, that attracts capital gains and income tax as it arises, gains within an investment bond grow free of both income and capital gains tax. This is also known as ‘gross roll up’ and works in a similar way to a pension or a UK ISA. The other main advantages over directly held investments are:

– You can control the timing of taxation. With standard investment holdings, when income or dividends are produced, they are deemed paid (whether actually paid out to you or not) and are taxable on an annual basis. With a tax-sheltered structure, income and gains are only taxable when a withdrawal is made.

– Withdrawals are very tax efficient. Withdrawals are split into capital and growth and tax is only payable on the growth. Although the tax rate on the growth element starts at 28%, you enjoy a 20% tax reduction after five years and a 60% tax reduction after eight years.

It is worth knowing that this preferential tax treatment is enjoyed by both NHRs and standard Portuguese tax residents. It can also coincide nicely with the end of NHR, so for those who intend to stay permanently you can maintain low rates of tax.

These structures offer a unique tax planning opportunity for those who might return to the UK. Under UK rules, only investment growth generated whilst resident in the UK is taxable. So, for those who have spent many years abroad in Portugal, this can create the opportunity for very advantageous tax planning on a return to the UK.

Lastly, choosing the right jurisdiction and provider is essential to ensure compliance in Portugal. You will also want to avoid jurisdictions with withholding taxes and bonds in tax havens, as these are punitively taxed at 35%.

ASK THE EXPERTS

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

Fill up your cart, and click deliver!

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 and request delivery.

The delivery charges are cheaper and easier than arranging your own transport and it’s a one-off fee regardless of how many items you buy. For Loulé to Faro postcodes the delivery is just €25. Albufeira, Olhão, São Brás €34 and even far away places such as Alcoutim, and Vila do Bispo it’s still only €95!

Don’t need the delivery service? you can collect from our Almancil warehouse. What are you waiting for? get ordering!

YOUR money

RICARDO CHAVES IS A MAN IN DEMAND – EVERYONE, UNDERSTANDABLY, WANTS THE BEST ADVICE WHEN IT COMES TO PERSONAL AND BUSINESS FINANCIAL MATTERS. THIS MONTH’S INBOX IS FULL OF QUESTIONS ABOUT WHAT YOU CAN, AND SHOULD, CHARGE TO TAX

I am just starting up as a consultant here, specialising in Social Media. I am NHR now and will be working from home and charging clients by the hour. Do I invoice as I would have done in the UK – simply generating and sending out a numbered invoice each month, with details of my bank account for payments to be made?

The first thing you need to know, before you start issuing invoices is that you must register your business activity with the Portuguese Tax Authorities.

If your income is above the VAT threshold of €13,500 per year, you will also be required to submit quarterly VAT returns. In case your customers are international clients, you will still be required to submit VAT returns, even though your invoices do not charge VAT (reverse charge is applicable when invoicing B2B).

All the invoices need to be issued within five days of providing the service or receiving the payment, whatever occurs first. The invoices need to be done through a tax certified software or through the tax portal.

The bank account must be the same as that used when you registered the business with the tax authorities.

I think that the time has come for me to invest in new computers for my wife and me and also a member of staff, in addition to new telephones. Is there a limit if the expenditure is a genuine business expense?

It’s normal to invest in computers and mobiles as these are almost essential for any business. The only limitation I can see in this case is not the amount, but the number of items. If the company only has three staff members, it should only need to buy three computers to use in the office, and maybe a couple of others if they are working from home.

If I go to Spain for the day, can I use petrol and lunch receipts as business expenses here in Portugal?

There is no limitation for the use of these business expenses, based on the country of source. You may need to justify why you were doing business in Spain but besides that, and providing the invoices and receipts have your name (if possible also the fiscal number), you are able to use them in your Portuguese business. Please note that in Spain the

invoices and receipts may not have the same requirements as in Portugal, but you would still need to ask for an invoice with as many details as possible to be able to use it here. As you may be aware, some of these petrol and lunch expenses are normally taxed in Portugal at autonomous rate, to avoid any tax abuse.

My car, now 15 years old, has had it and is starting to cost real money, regularly. What is the most sensible way to buy a new car. I am NHR. Should I lease, buy secondhand, or take out a loan? Also, isn’t it more sensible to buy in another European country – prices here are so much higher?

Car prices in Portugal are very high compared to other countries, especially if you consider the cost of living and the salaries here. This is mainly due to the high taxes and the VAT that is added on, and also because of transportation costs (it’s a long way down to Portugal from most factories).

If you are moving to Portugal and have had a car in your own country that you wish to import, there are tax exemptions, providing that:

– The car must have been in your name for at least six months before moving to Portugal

– You must have lived in the country the car is from for at least six months

– You register the car in the first 12 months after becoming a resident here

If you have already moved and are thinking of importing a car, be aware that you will still be liable for taxes when registering the car here. As some of the taxes are based on the emissions of the car, it is very important to choose a more efficient car.

Last but not least, with the increase in interest rates, you should avoid credit, and perhaps use the leasing or renting options. Leasing means the car belongs to the bank until you make the last payment and the renting normally includes other services such as insurance, maintenance, etc, but the ownership of the car will never be yours. For business purposes, in most cases renting is more tax efficient. Both leasing and renting options are normally available at your bank or specialised institutions.

STAND OUT FROM THE COMPETITION...

When it comes to presenting your company, you only have one chance to make the best first impression. So whether it’s your website, a sign, branding, advertising or your company brochure make sure it’s your company that attracts the new client first.

Designworks offer efficient design services, solid design solutions and targerted strategies. If you’d like to stand out, call 917 203 850.

design@suzisteinhofel.com

www.designworks.com.pt

Silvio Porzionato

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

RANKIN

In The Pink

Praça da República 69-75

8100-270 Loulé 289 462 320 info@in-the-pink.com in-the-pink.com

Open Tuesday to Friday 11:00–19:00, Saturday 10:00–14:00

Rankin, above, in an exhibition that demonstrates his fascination with life and death, and the real vs unreal.

MARIA JOÃO GOMES

Museu do Traje

São Brás

914 843 784 palmasdouradas@gmail.com

July and August

TOMÁS DE CASTRO NEVES

Gama Rama Gallery

Rua do Prior 13, Faro

Open Tuesday to Saturday 11:00–18:00 961 371 891

Artist and architect from Lisbon, Neves focuses on the naked body, exploring perspectives on sensuality, sexuality and emotion, and celebrates Pride.

A special exhibition that creates a bridge between the past and the present, mixing the ancient practice of weaving with palms with modern art through abstract handmade sculptures.

GINA DALE

R. Manuel Teixeira Gomes

Almancil 8135-016 thedales@sapo.pt

View by appointment only 916 939 878

Free to Wander, multi-textures. 50-50cm Call to make an appointment to visit this delightful collection.

Opens 14 July Conrad Algarve Quinta do Lago

La Consapevole Fierezza, oil on canvas, 190x190cm

The dazzling new group exhibition includes paintings by Erika Toliusis and wood sculptures by Lucas Hamann.

JUAN GALAN

Côrte-Real Gallery

Paderne 961 528 679 algarvegallery@gmail.com corterealarte.com

Open Thursday to Sunday, 11:30–16:30

A bunch of the best. Flores Bonitas, 125x125cm

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

PIA MRŠEK & SOPHIA VIGNE WELSH

Galeria Augustine, Rua Leite de Vasconcelos, 3A 1150-303 Lisbon, 910 771 918 ba@galeria-augustine.com, galeria-augustine.com

Open Tuesday–Friday: 10:00–18:00;

Saturday: 14:00–19:00, Open 15 July

A dynamic exploration of colour and form, a testament to the power of abstraction. Here, Sophie’s Back Stroke 2022, acrylic, oil pastel and Sakura paint stick on stretched canvas, 100x120cm

República 14, Olhão

Reservas@re-criativarepublica14.pt Email for ticket prices, and to book.

8 July, 21:00

Bela Gisela – Rock ‘n’ Roll is alive – with some of the most experienced players in Portugal playing original music from their second album produced by Steve Lyon, sound engineer who worked with Depeche Mode and The Cure, among others.

15 July, 21:00

LST with Sofia Vitória: The Lisbon String Trio presents Canções Concretas e Outras Histórias, with José Peixoto, guitar and Carlos Barretto, double bass. They are joined by Catalan musician Marc Planells, lutes, sitar and

percussion, and guest Sofia Vitória, vocals.

22 July, 21:00

Nani Medeiros in a tribute concert to renowned Brazilian singer Gal Costa, applauded by Rolling Stone magazine, and Time magazine.

29 July, 21:00

Orca could fit into both 25 April and 14 February playlists. Based on the songs by Leonor Cabrita, Orca is made of Love and Resistance, which, more than being the central theme of the songs, is a collective construction modus operandi.

THE COLOUR RED PHOTOGRAPHIC SHOW

Algarve Photographers Group

Museu do Traje, São Brás

Opening night

28 July, 19:00

966 329 073

The newest works submitted by members. Vote for your choice of winning image. Finger food, bar available.

FESTIVAL MED

festivalmed.cm-loule.pt, ends 2 July

The final two days of the much-loved Loulé event, which delivered 90 talents from across the world. Absolutely worth catching those amazing performances.

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

BELA GISELA

THE MONTHLY MUST

2 July, Farmers’ Market in Quinta Shopping, 10:00–13:00

MUSIC

LOTA COOL MARKET

Portimão waterfront lotacoolmarket@gmail.com teiadimpulsos.pt/

5-9 July, 18:00

After a memorable eCOOLogical vibe in 2022, the 8th edition of the event intends to raise the bar, extending it for another day and expanding into the surrounding area. Alongside handicrafts, design and regional producers, the Lota COOL Market once again has a large space for gastronomy with the most original foodtrucks.

PIANO CONCERT FESTIVAL

Teatro das Figuras, Faro teatrodasfiguras.pt

7 and 8 July, 19:00

To book tickets online: teatrodasfiguras.bol.pt

Tickets are €10

After an action-packed week in which young talents are offered the opportunity to perform as soloists, and with the Orquestra do Algarve, there are two concerts that bring this ambitious gala event to a close.

NEW ORLEANS

JAZZ BAND

Amigos do Museu

Museu do Traje

São Brás

16 July, 17:00

Tickets €12 (€10 for Amigos)

Great music, great atmosphere, and a great place to make new friends.

HOTEL VILA

GAL É , LAGOS

22 July, 21:30

A Tribute to Queen that includes Bohemian Rhapsody. The July concerts promise the same experience, with local musicians and thousands of candles. Feet will be stomping, and arms waving.

CANDLELIGHT CONCERTS

Tickets €15–€35 from feverup.com

Hilton, Vilamoura, 21 July, 19.30 and 21:00 Classics of rock, a programme which includes music from David Bowie, Pink Floyd, The Stones and more.

EXPERIENCES

LEARNING NEW SKILLS

Centro De Artes E Ofícios

R. Dr. Victorino J. Rodrigues

Passos Pinto 3

8150-149 São Brás

289 840 210

It’s always worth checking out the events at the town’s Centre of Arts – there are painting and drawing classes, ceramics sessions, and lots on offer for the youngsters.

FESTA DE SERRA

Recinto da Escola EB 2 3 Poeta

Bernardo de Passos

São Brás

27-30 July

There’s something on every day and well into the night, with stage performances, demonstrations by local artisans, things to buy and lots of special local tastes in this festival of colours, sounds and flavours

ALENTEJO WINE TOUR

24-27 July, 964 210 475 winetraveler.livinhos.com/ alentejo-wine-tour/ Four-days/three nights private tour for six guests to explore the local culture and wines of Alentejo. The tour includes accommodation with breakfast, transfers, three winery visits with tastings, two lunches at wineries, one jeep tour on a vineyard, a Vasco da Gama mansion visit, Évora guided tour, and the opportunity to make your own wine. Tour guide is Lívia Mokri, the Algarve PLUS sommelier.

GUIDED WALKING TOURS OF OLHÃO WITH LÍVIA

Every Saturday, 09:00, tour lasts two hours, English language. Meet at the Music Template in Jardim Pescador Olhanense 964 210 475 €25pp, plus entrance fees liviagemalgarve.com/olhaowalking-tour/

Please wear flat shoes as the cobbles are uneven and a bit slippery. There are some stairs involved to access the main church. Dogs and pets are denied access to the monuments.

Pinetrees riding birthday

Corgo da Zorra,, 8135-160 Almancil

289 394 369 bevpinetrees@gmail.com, pinetrees.pt

29 July, 16:00

Expect the popular Horse and Hound competition where dogs, horses and partners make a team to ride their respective course against the clock and collect a rosette from sponsors Sandy Blue, the Villa Rental Specialists. This fund-raising event, which will include a raffle, will benefit the Bombeiros Voluntários (the voluntary fire brigade), and the funds will be managed by Association Alerta and the São Francisco dogs home in Loulé. Stewart Lindsey will be serving up hot dogs and nosebag food, and drinks will be available. At the end of the afternoon there will be birthday cake. For more info and if you fancy competing, email Bev.

CASA VIDA QIGONG

Group classes at Casa Vida, near Loulé +44 7941264621 moorwellbeing@gmail.com moorwellbeing.com/qigong-free-flow

Tuesdays and Fridays 09:30

Not exercised for a long time? Feeling the need to get back into it? There’s a kinder way to ease your body back and rekindle your energy and purpose. Qigong, pronounced ‘Chee Gung’, promotes vital energy, strength and flexibility. Gentle exercises combine slow, considered movements, with meditation

and breathing. It’s proven to reduce stress, depression and anxiety, induce sleep, boost the immune system, lower blood pressure and cholesterol levels and lessen chances of heart disease. Time to get started.

LOUL É CRIATIVO WORKSHOPS

289 400 829 loulecriativo@cm-loule.pt loulecriato.pt

Loulé Criativo promotes the revitalization of cultural heritage, traditional handicraft, art and design. Visit the website for dates and details – there’s so much more than we have room to list! These two new ones promise to fascinate: COOKING

CATAPLANA WITH VITOR VELOSO

By Appointment. Loulé

Partner: Restaurante Aurora by Vitor Veloso

To register: aurora.restaurant. info@gmail.com

FROM SEA TO FISHING EXPERIENCE QUARTEIRA FISHING DOCK

12 July, To register: loulecriativo@cm-loule.pt

The programme includes a visit to the fishing dock; demonstration of the various fishing arts; demonstration of the sale of fish at the lota and a session on how to repair fishing nets (like in the old days).

AND f inally

THERE ’ LL BE NO STOPPING HIM NOW! ANTHONY MARTIN BELIEVES HE IS DUE TO HAVE ‘ HIS PEOPLE ’ DEAL WITH THINGS FOR HIM, WHILE THE EDITOR BELIEVES HE IS DUE TO DELIVER COPY ON THE AGREED DATE AND TIME. NO EXCUSES

IHAVE GIVEN a lot of thought as to what I plan to write this month. It was going to be on The Gender Issue, but the editor said no. The beginning of the tourist season, but the editor again said no. Possibly weather forecasting, as we had to cancel a long-planned break-away because of those forecasters who seemingly don’t have the faintest idea, or the right equipment, predicted solid rain, thunder-storms, lightning and a bit of a chill. Out went four days in the upper Alentejo. As it happens, it did rain on one of the four days in question – for around a whole 45 minutes in the early hours of the morning.

Just how do they get it so wrong, and so wrong so often? But yet again, the editor’s blue pencil has been busy.

However, I must write something because I now have a fan. Yes really, someone who picks up the magazine and reads this page first. And, as they wrote specifically to tell me so, I cannot let them down, otherwise they will open the magazine, turn to the back page and fail to find me there.

I must admit that I am seriously chuffed at having said fan. I feel a foot taller and walk with, dare I say it, a slight swagger in my step. All that agonising what to say and the constantly sharpening of my HBs have paid off, as I now have a reader who has justified my scribbling of the past three years, four months and some weeks. To you, I give my sincere thanks.

Occasionally I receive an email from my wife (by conversing in this manner we avoid the “I didn’t say that” scenario) telling me that the irrigation isn’t working, or the garage is a mess, or a goat is chewing the pool cover.

I reply immediately with the excuse that I can’t do anything about it as I am writing my column for Algarve Plus. This, coupled with the fact that she is a fervent follower of this magazine, immediately

allows it to take precedence, which is great for me as it gets me off the hook, allowing me to keep my hands clean and negates my later necessary usage of antiinflammatories. But perhaps it’s not great for the house.

However, be that as it may, I am now majorly puzzled, for I, never having been a die-hard fan of anyone – okay perhaps I had a geriatric crush on Michelle Pfeiffer –nor the recipient of admiration, am now in a quandary.

What am I supposed to do? Do I have postcard-sized photographs made up ready for my signature, or is this a little premature, as I presently only need one?

Do I keep a huge man at my shoulder, to fend off others when picking up my chicken and chips? Do I need an agent, a manager, a diary person and a gofer?

As I understand it, all the above bods are collectively referred to as ‘my people’ and are vital to the well-being of we persons in the public eye, as occasionally it may be necessary, when asked to unveil a statue, or open a village fête or launch a ship, for one to be able to say: “I will get my people to speak to your people.”

And do not, please, equate fans with social media followers. Fans will choose to queue in the pouring rain for a glimpse of their favourite hero or heroine. They would not sit back in the comfort of their home clicking ‘like’ on their mobile phones.

Fans are to be revered, and if we are lucky enough to be the chosen subject and followed by fans (or in my case, a fan) then we have a responsibility not to let them down.

We must behave in the proper fashion. Their names can’t be bought by the thousand (as social media followers sometimes are). Fans are grown organically, over time, over many years, just look at yours truly... three years, four months and some weeks to get a foot on the ladder and obtain one fan.

That said, however, I think I’ll be holding back on ordering the photographs. At least for now.

Fans (or in my case, a fan) are to be revered, and we have a responsibility not to let them down.