algarvePLUS magazine. June issue by Martin

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MERCEDES S-CLASS, E-CLASS, V-CLASS AND SPRINTER, TESLA MODEL S & MODEL X, RANGE ROVER, MERCEDES CLASSIC 220 E

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Melissa Jane

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W W W. M E L I S S A J A N E I N T E R I O R S . C O M

START OFF PLUS

Welcome We’re back in print! Back in full distribution. Back to the start of lazy, hazy summer days with just a bit more freedom than in previous months. The past few weeks have been all about soft openings, slowly, slowly and with great care. And rightly so. Look at other countries whose COVID-19 figures continue to soar, while people are protesting, placards in hand, loud-speakers at the ready, trying to take matters into their own hands and defying the restrictions that have been set up to protect them and their families. Here in Portugal, our homeland of choice, it has actually been super calm. We’ve stayed home, learned new skills, enjoyed our privileged surroundings and shared conversations and companionship, ideas and inspirations with friends and family, sometimes discovering things we didn’t kmow about each before. So it has been a learning curve all round, and that is a good thing. With shops and restaurants and art galleries opening their doors, decorators and designers meeting new clients, the season will start to gather momentum. Of course we don’t as yet have the weight of tourists on our doorstep, but we are fired up with renewed interest and the readiness to go adventuring and discover more about this country. This issue of AlgarvePLUS brings plenty to whet your appetite: people, places, tastes and treats. Enjoy it all.

SUSI ROGOL GOODKIND

Editor, +351 965 581 831 | susi@algarveplusmagazine.com

C O N T A C T S MARTIN GOODKIND

KIM COLLEY

Publisher +351 963 146 398 martin@algarveplusmagazine.com

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

APT 1093, EC Olivas de St Ant (Loulé) 8101-904. Printed by Gráficas Piquer, Almeria Algarve Plus is published monthly. 6000 copies are made available through a hand-picked distribution network from Faro to Paderne, Almancil, the Golden Triangle, Loulé, Sao Bras and Santa Barbara. Copyright 2020. All rights reserved. Reproduction of any written material or illustration in any form for any purpose other than short extracts for agreed review purposes, is strictly forbidden. Algarve Plus does not accept liability for loss or damage to any materials submitted for publication. The views expressed by interviewees or contributors do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or Algarve Plus. algarveplusmagazine.com

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NEWS PLUS

In black and white

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Dishes in every size and every combination of black and white – fine lines, bold stripes, starbursts and geometrics introduce a thoroughly modern look to traditional glazed pottery. Hard to choose - have it all! Côrte Real in Paderne – call now for opening hours. 912 737 762

E AT I N G O U T F R O N T COV E R : Here’s comes summer. Beautiful landscapes all around us and that wonderful ocean that shimmers

Restaurants are now open but are required to comply with regulations that have been established in order to minimise the spread of Covid-19. Customers will be required to use santiser or soap and water when arriving and leaving a restaurant; seating arrangements have necessarily been reconfigured to maintain that minimum two-metre distance, although this does not apply to groups from the same household. Staff have been trained to meet rigid health and hygiene standards and that includes sanitising dishes, glass and cutlery and using high temperatures (80-90°) in dishwashers. Menus should have been replaced by handwritten boards, or online menus, or laminated menus that can be disinfected after each use. These are just a few of the rulings. Because restaurants will only be able to serve around 50% of their usual numbers, it is important to book early and also to double-check opening hours, which may be different to the previous ‘norm’.

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NEW FROM COLECTIVO 28 A SLICE OF THE WEDDING ACTION Many a wedding has had to be postponed because of Covid 19, which means that when lockdown is finally lifted, there will be a rush of celebrations, even if party numbers have to be smaller, and visitors from abroad might attend via Zoom. Cake-maker Louise Hayes of A Taste of Decadence in Boliquieme is getting enquiries for 2021 weddings now, and one couple who cancelled their nuptials here want to fly her to the UK next year to create a cake decorated with handmade sugar flowers and lace to replicate the bride’s dress. It promises to be Louise’s most lavish yet, and possibly most expensive. (Mind you, Priyank Chopra and Nick Jones spent around £15,000 on their cake – but that’s celebs for you – while Harry and Meghan’s was under £3,000). The cake shown here was created by Louise for Ricky Van Wolfswinkle’s wedding. Want to talk cakes? Call Louise on 934 841 119.

Sigues is an ecological jewellery collection made from newsprint, handmade by designer Sílvia Rodrigues. No two pieces are alike and all are waterproofed. In 2019 the brand launched its first prestige collection, Amar Cássima, at the Municipal Museum of Loulé and was one of the five finalists in the National Handicraft Awards; earlier this year, it was shown at Seville Fashion Week. Do your specs need a treat? Our favourite eco-print designer Manoli Ortiz de la Torre has created a range of great-looking glasses cases in leathers from the Algarve, printed with wild flowers. There is a range of colours and every piece is individual. €48. At the gallery. Take a look at her new scarves, bags and little dresses with her distinctive handwriting.

Another special name is Jose Machado Pires the ceramicist. His latest collection – and it is ever-changing –includes decoratve pots of unusual textures and shapes within shapes, colours upon colour. Look out. too. at the Loulé gallery for the work of Poeta Azul.

NEWS PLUS

HELPING HELPERS

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The Holiday Inn Algarve, Armação de Pêra is very proud to be a part of the growing #MyTravelPledge campaign to offer free short breaks to healthcare workers giving them something to look forward to and to boost morale at this hugely difficult time. Ian Rutter and Andrew Watson, owners of Casa Higueras in Andalucia, have reached out to a growing number of accommodation providers across the world who are all pledging to offer free short-breaks to healthcare workers once the coronavirus outbreak subsides. And closer to home, the boutique Magnolia Hotel, in Quinta do Lago, has offered 100 free rooms to healthcare workers to show appreciation and thanks.

BOOST HOME-SCHOOLING WITH AN ONLINE STUDY BUDDY Education start-up, Student Nannies, has come up with an ingenious solution to help children stay on top of their homelearning during school closures. Using their unique database of young, inspiring students, all of whom are studying at top universites, they will find the perfect match for every child and provide them with an expert, online Study Buddy to help with key subjects. As well as providing fun 1-2-1 sessions, the Study Buddy can also help boost self-belief and encourage children to ask questions and get more involved in their learning. Good pressie for grandchildren in the UK. And the service is not just for the young ‘uns; if you’ve always wanted to play a musical instrument or learn a new language, this could be for you. Visit studentnannies.com or email hello@studentnannies.com

SITTING PRETTY No, not a rug. This is a beach towel that is far removed from the striped ones you’ll find in the markets. Teselate is an Australian label that has collected fans the world over, and media coverage that other brands can only dream of. It’s not just the designs that are sensational – and we’re only showing one here – but the actual material, too. Lightweight, AbsorLiteTM, is sand repellent and dries rapidly. The towel shown here is €49. Check out eu.teselate.com

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T I M E AT H O M E H A S G I V E N U S T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y T O P L A N F O R T H E F U T U R E A N D I N V E S T I G AT E T R AV E L O P P O R T U N I T I E S A M O N G O T H E R T H I N G S . R E A DY FOR A DREAM JOURNEY? PORTUGAL BY TRAIN SHOULD BE A TOP PRIORIT Y

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BRIAN REDMOND

HERE IS a moment of drama, an intake of breath and

then a hushed â&#x20AC;&#x2DC;wowâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; comes from the passengers on the train journey to Lisbon. It happens when the train leaves Almada on the south side of the River Tagus, enters a long dark tunnel and minutes later bursts into the bright sunlight. And there you are, 70 meters above the sparkling blue estuary upon the magnificent bridge, Ponte 25 de Abril, with the beautiful Lisbon cityscape beckoning from two kilometres across the water. The bridge which is not unlike the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco, was inaugurated in 1966 but the train deck was only added in 1999.

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Early start The first railway in Portugal was built in 1856 and was 35 kilometres long. It ran between Lisbon and Carregado north east of the capital and was the first stage of a line that would eventually reach the southern bank of the River Douro at Porto in 1864.This was to become Portugal’s premier route. It would not be until 1877 when the Ponte de D. Maria Pia, which is upriver of the iconic Ponte Luís I, would bring the train to Porto proper. Incidentally, both bridges were designed by Gustav Eiffel.

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Meanwhile, rail access to the south of the country had begun but it would not be until 1899 that it would finally reach Faro – but not by the route we currently use. From North to South passengers and goods from Lisbon would cross the Tagus by ferry to Barreiro and then by rail to Vendas Novas on to Casa Branca south west of Évora and on to Beja. From Beja, the line would go to Almodôvar and then west to Funcheira where it would head south to Tunes and finally reach Faro. There were commercial and geographical reasons for this route: it would enable smaller branch lines to reach the centre of the country to places like Portalegre and Elvas that would subsequently join the Spanish rail network and it would extend economic reach into the agricultural heartlands of the Alentejo. Geographically, there was no short cut to Faro from Almodôvar because the Serra do Caldeirão was in the way and, as anyone who has driven the N2 from São Brás de Alportel north will testify, its hostile twists and turns would make railway building a very expensive prospect. The line reached Faro in 1889, Vila Real de Santo António in the east in 1906 and finally Lagos in the west in 1922. The line from Funcheira to Setúbal a little south of Lisbon, the Linha do Sado that we use today, was not completed until 1925. The entire project began in 1861. The branch line that runs from Faro east towards the Spanish border was an important stretch as it served the fishery towns of Olhão, Tavira and the former blue-fin tuna fishing base at Praia de Barril. The narrow gauge line that once served the former fishing community is now used to run visitors to the beach, the Cemitério das Âncoras or ‘Anchor Cemetery’ and also to the restaurants and cafés there. The junction is at Pedras del Rei. The railway ends at Vila Real de Santo António on the Rio Guadiana where there is now a bridge access to Ayamonte in Spain, but prior to 1991 it relied on a ferry service – that still exists, and never fails to delight – to carry goods to and from the Spanish market.

Opposite page top: Dom Luís Bridge, bottom: Porto, Ponte 25 de Abril, Lisbon, This page top: Gourmet cuisine on the Presidential, bottom: Tavira Station

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Stations to explore There are 2,650 kilometres of railway in Portugal, approximately 234 train stations and a greater number of apeadeiros or ‘halts’. While most of the stations are pleasant and functional there are a great number that are masterpieces of design and decoration. One of the most intriguing in southern Portugal is on the Linha do Sul that runs from Faro to Lisboa and it is at Funcheira. This station was built on an important junction that serviced Moura, Beja, Castro Verde and Aljustrel to the east and the Atlantic coastal towns to the west. The designs on the building

reflect the goods and produce that passed through; agriculture and cork production from central Alentejo, while the Algarve is represented on the wall tiles of the building. But it is the roof that is remarkable; brown ceramic tiles are fashioned in the shape of scallop shells, thousands of them, that represents the ocean out to the west. In Lisbon, the train station at Rossio – once the central station – is an example of Neo Manueline design, reminiscent of the Torre de Belém on the river, with two huge horseshoe-shaped portals to the front. The cast iron

work on the platforms and ramps within is spectacular. But perhaps the best known train station in the entire country is Estação de São Bento in Porto. It is a UNESCO world heritage site and the entrance halls explain why. Inaugurated in 1916, the walls are covered in panels of azulejo tiles in monochrome executed in blue on white depicting scenes from Portuguese history – the Battle of Valedevez (1140) and Henry the Navigator’s conquest of the Moors in Ceuta. Higher up at roof level

the tiles are polychromatic (multicoloured) azulejos depicting forms of transport used by people in various parts of the country. The artist was Jorge Colaço and he made use of 20,000 tiles in the realisation of the work which took 11 years to complete. Other stations that use azulejo murals as decoration include Aveiro, Évora, Caldas da Rainha, to name a very few. One notable example worthy of special mention is a small station out on the historical Douro line at Pinhão.

In Lisbon, the train station at Rossio, once the central station, is an example of Neo Manueline design, reminiscent of the Torre de Belém on the river, with two huge horse shoe shaped portals to the front. The cast iron work on the platforms and ramps within is spectacular.

Kings and Queens of Portugal in splendour. After the reinstatement of the Republic in the early part of the 20th century, the train was renamed The Presidential and was used on state business. It fell into disrepair, but in 2017 was restored and it now takes passengers on a lavish day trip to the Vesuvio wine estate. It doesn’t come cheap – tickets for the 12hour journey cost €750. Along the way the guests are treated to gourmet cuisine prepared by Michelin Star chefs. The train looks splendid in its vivid blue livery and the experience has won a number of prestigious awards.

The Linha do Douro is a very popular line for visitors who want to experience the vineyards of the region. The line hugs the bank of the Rio Douro for 160kms.

Going the distance Faro and Ho Chi Minh City, two cities worlds apart but linked by the longest uninterrupted train journey on Earth. Separated by 17,000kms the journey takes 14 days. For those willing to take on this epic journey the route is laid out as follows: Faro to Lisbon and then to Hendaye in the south of France via Spain on the Sud Express overnight train. Next, Hendaye to Paris, Paris to Cologne via Brussels, Cologne to Warsaw and from there to Moscow. Moscow to Beijing via Mongolia aboard the Trans Siberian Express. Beijing to Hanoi. Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City. And you’re there!

Opposite page top: São Bento station, Porto; bottom: Rossio Station, Lisbon. This page top: The Presidential; bottom left: Leaving Faro; right: arriving Ho Chi Minh City

The Linha do Douro is a very popular line for visitors who want to experience the vineyards of the region. The line hugs the bank of the Rio Douro for 160kms. In the summer months from June to October, an historical train pulled by a steam locomotive takes passengers who have been transferred from Porto to a station at Régua and then on upriver for 30kms to Tua stopping at Pinhão along the way. This is both a sightseeing and a gastronomy tour complete with local entertainment. On a higher scale there is another train that runs along this line. It is called The Presidential. The carriages were built in Paris 130 years ago and were used to transport the

Train travel is about to undergo a resurgence in popularity because of its low environmental impact and its ease of use. Unlike air travel, there is no need to turn up at a train station three hours in advance of departure. The sleeper trains across Europe offer the opportunity to have a good night’s rest and arrival at your destination refreshed. Another advantage is that most train stations are in city centres, unlike airports, and the pace is slower, less frantic; there are no major luggage restrictions and the views are better. Take a trip on a Portuguese train, it could be the start of beautiful friendship. As the author Paulo Coelho wrote, “Sometimes the wrong train can take you to the right place”.

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Do it is style

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FOOD PLUS

TA S T E S

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Florian Restaurant TH E S U N I S O U T TH E TA B LE S A R E S E T. . . TI M E TO G E T R E A DY FO R A C U LI N A RY FE A S T

F YOU are into seriously good food with the sort of taste touches that only a master chef can produce, then you will certainly have been to Florian in the past. A bit off the beaten track, tucked behind Vale Verde at the entrance of Quinta do Lago, it has been under the ownership of Piet Warink, master chef, and his wife Karin, front of house, since 2000, when they took it over from fellow Dutchman, Frank. Now the restaurant is open again after lockdown, and rigidly following goverment guidelines, those hankering after fantastics cuts of meat served in style, will be back. And it is meat that Florian is

known for. Piet, from a family of snack-bar owners, left school at 14 and worked in a butcher's shop for five years while attending butchery classes one day a week. He then trained as a chef. What this man doesn't know about quality, cut and flavour simply isn't worth knowing. During lockdown, under the 'Chef At Home' banner, Piet was producing a dazzling array of dishes and having them delivered across the Algarve. Today, rather than continue offering that much-appreciated service, Piet will be available to cook for clients in their own home – creating that perfect private lunch or dinner party. Meanwhile he and Karin have opened their restaurant doors for

FOOD Wonderful meat dishes, fish and vegetarian

DECOR Sunfilled relaxed terraces, elegant interior

PRICE Starters from €13.50; mains from €27.50; puds all €9

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dinner, with carefully arranged seating that observes social distancing but still, because of the design of the restaurant itself, has an ambience of elegance and intimacy. Only 50% capacity is permitted currently, so you need to get your reservation in early. Ingredients are sourced locally and from suppliers with whom Piet has long-standing relationships. His beef, however, comes of the same butchery in Ireland who have been delivering dry aged black Angus fillet steak to him weekly for more than 17 years, and long before it became the foodies' thing. And fillet steak is, unsurprising, one of the stars on Piet's very varied menu, served with triple-fried chips and Bernaise sauce. Home-smoked hams, a perfectly-spiced pastrami and sausages are all produced in-house, as is everything from the breads at the start of a meal to the ice creams at the end. Fish-lovers will leave well-satisfied too, after a prawn risotto or turbot with beurre blanc served with asparagus and mashed potatoes. Puds include – again all made under Piet's watchful eye in the Florian kitchens – some great classics such as creme brulée, New York-style cheesecake, and an exemplary coffee mousse. The wine list is dazzling, with a choice of more than 300 varieties, mainly from Portugal.

‘Everything from start to finish is home made’

S TAYC AT I O N F O R G E T P L A N E J O U R N E Y S T O FA R AWAY P L A C E S A N D Q U A R A N T I N E R E S T R I C T I O N S , PA S S P O R T R E N E WA L S A N D LU G G AG E A L LOWA N C E S , AIRPORT QUEUES AND JETL AG . CHOOSE INSTEAD TO SPEND TIME IN ONE OF P O R T U G A Lâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; S M A G I C A L B O U T I Q U E H O T E L S

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This page: Casa Mae, Lagos. Opposite page top: Areais do Seixo, Lisbon; centre and bottom: Quinta da Pacheca, Cambres, in the Douro Valley

time to reflect and embrace the concept of slow living. Willingly, as part of our civic duty we have stayed home. We have dreamed online and scrolled through myriads of photos saved on our digital devices, depicting life BC – before Covid. For summer 2020, there is a new perspective. Our pristine beaches will not be crowded; in restaurants we will not be packed like sardines. For those based here in Portugal, our summer plans will be geared towards the Staycation, holidaying in our own country, supporting the local economy, reducing our carbon footprint. Sounds good. We have put together some of our favourite boutique hotels and home-tels, whittling down our list based on positive client experiences and personal site inspections.

Algarve

Villa Alegria located in the traditional fishing village of Salema, not only offers an exquisite location just steps from the sand, but is primarily an oasis of privacy with attention to the smallest details. Just pack your bag and let the staff take care of your needs. Start your morning with a dip in your private infinity pool overlooking the coastline. With daily housekeeping services, and option of a private chef, this luxury 4-bedroom villa, part of the Vila Vita Parc collection, ensures you are treated to a well-deserved staycation. Salema 8600-074 282 310 151 Villavitacollection.com

Casa Mae For those who romanticize farm-to-table living by the ocean (think 5,000sqm orchard and farm) and freerange eggs (think 200 hens), then Casa Mae may indeed be the place for a weekend getaway. Their environmentallyfriendly estate house, located in the heart of the charming town of Lagos, has been lovingly renovated and filled with Portuguese vintage furniture. If lazing in a hammock on your private patio is a must, then the boho-chic cabanas are for you. From €220 per night. Rua do Jogo da Bola 41, 8600 – 712, Lagos 968 369 732 casa-mae.com

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HE PAST TWO MONTHS have given us a

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prepared from their organic garden. Rooms are designed around four themes – Gold, Land, Tree or Love with the use of upcycled materials, geothermal energy and solar power ensuring nature is its prime focus. From €495 per night. Povoa de Penafirme, 2560-046 A dos Cunhados 261 936 355 areiasdoseixo.com

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Casa Chafariz, a beautifully preserved 18th century Pombaline building located in the historical neighbourhood of Santos has been tastefully renovated by Parisians Katarina and Antonine Monnier. Their aesthetic echoes simplicity and warmth – walls are adorned with Katarina’s paintings or photographs of Lisbon taken by Antoine and their son, Jules. Considering a city pied-a-terre? Then take this opportunity to reserve one of the five apartments. Fully serviced with equipped kitchens, Casa Chafariz is located a ten-minute walk from Chiado. Good to know that the first floor is accessible by a staircase only where an elevator serves the upper floors. From €162 per night. Rua da Esperança 4, 1200-815 Lisbon 963 772 783 hermitagecastelo.com

Areais do Seixo, located along Portugal’s Costa de Prata (Silver Coast) is set romantically atop a cliff overlooking the Atlantic. For hippie chic guests, who after weeks of lockdown are ready to detox and disconnect (no air-conditioning and no wifi). We recommend the two-night natural rebalancing programme of body, mind and spirit at this ecofriendly haven. A one-hour’s drive north of Lisbon will have you kicking off your shoes and embracing yoga, picking sprigs of herbs for tea and tickling your taste buds with vegan meals

This page above: 1872 River House, Porto; below: Vila Alegria, Salema. Opposite page top: Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, Douro Valley, bottom: Douro 41, Porto

1872 River House One of Porto’s most beautiful neighbourhoods is Praça da Ribeira. This area filled with cobblestone alleyways will whisk you back to medieval times. The 1872 River House, has been lovingly restored by a local family. Situated in front of the Douro, each room is uniquely furnished with a strong focus on upcycled Portuguese furniture. With only eight rooms, this could be an ideal place to gather with friends. We love the beer on tap which is available to guests. From €175 per night. Rua do Infante Dom Henrique 133, 4050-080 Porto 961 172 805 1872riverhouse.com

Douro 41 is a contemporary design hotel, situated 41 km from the mouth of the Douro River (hence its name). Floor-to-ceiling windows highlight the breathtaking panoramic vistas. With cosy indoor nooks, lush green spaces and two terraced pools, the choices for relaxation are plentiful. Splurge and reserve the full view room with terrace and its accompanying 360 degree vistas. You will not be disappointed in your haven of space and privacy. For those who wish to explore, this area is famed for its vinho verde, and for serious hikers, the 8km Passadiços do Paiva will lead you on a journey through pristine landscapes via wooden staircases. An easy onehour drive from Porto, this is a great option to explore with family and friends. From €145 per night. Estrada Nacional 222 km 41, 4550-631 Castelo de Paiva 255 690 160 douro41.com

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Douro valley Quinta Nova de Nossa Senhora do Carmo, a luxury wine house 129km east of Porto, with 11 rooms, has spectacular views over the surrounding vineyards and terraced landscapes. Set on a hillside along the Douro River, guests will feel the ambiance of a large Portuguese family home. Next to the barrels cellar, enjoy a wine tasting paired with traditional tapas. Conceitus, the Winery Restaurant is an elegant space within the Manor House which extends to the outdoors during the warmer months. Wander the vineyards at leisure, go fruit picking in the surrounding orchards, spend time hiking the marked trails around the Quinta or sail on the Douro River aboard the Senhora do Carmo, their wine boat. From €260 per night.

novices and wine connoisseurs. Designed by owners Paulo Pereira and Maria do Céu Gonçalves, and made of simple pine, these barrels contain elegant bedrooms furnished with a round bed and a star-gazing skylight, private terrace, walk-in shower and even wi-fi and air-conditioning. A unique concept paired with well-rated wines, traditional cuisine and harvesting experiences. Sleeping in a wine barrel…add it to your bucket list. From €310 per night. Rua do Relógio do Sol 261, Cambres 5100-424 254 331 229 quintadapacheca.com

5085-222 Covas do Douro

U P TO 15% OF F

254 730 430

Quinta da Pacheca lies in the village of Cambres, Lamego county among the valleys of the Douro River. Here vines have grown on this fertile land since the XVl century. Like most wineries you will find native Portuguese grapes maturing in French oak, yet there are ten barrels amongst the 75 hectares that are quite extraordinary for both

Offer

quintanova.com

Take advantage of this special discounted offer from Vila Vita Parc to readers of AlgarvePLUS. 15% off Vila Vita Collection and 10% off Vila Vita Resort Villas Stay dates: Until 31 March 2021, subject to availability. Call Reservations Manager, Mrs Célia Fernandes on 282 310 151 (Monday to Friday 9am-6pm) or email info@ vilavitacollection.com for booking information and conditions, and mention AlgarvePLUS to secure your discount.

LO O MA HAN D MAK E S L AM P S LI K E YO U H AV E N E V E R S E E N B E F O R E , U S I N G T H E V E R Y B E S T O F P O R T U G A L’ S N AT U R A L R E S O U R C E S A N D T H E C R E AT I V E TA L E N T S A N D O V E R W H E L M I N G PA S S I O N O F T H E T WOS O M E B E H I N D THIS EXCLUSIVE L ABEL

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SUSI ROGOL-GOODKIND

S H A D E

OL MUNIAIN is a Spanish/English artist fascinated

by natural colours and dyes; Amori Borman is a South African creative, passionate about wool and art. Both have adopted the Algarve as their home, and have used Portugal as inspiration for their beautiful hand-made lamps. Sol was born in Madrid of a Spanish father and English mother) but spent her formative years and early career in the UK. While her background is in publishing and e-commerce, she is a hugely talented artist with a special interest in semi-abstract landscapes. Sol and husband Michael and their three children moved to Portugal three years ago, and live in the heart of the Silves countryside. “The landscapes around Silves are a huge inspiration to me – the russets of the soil, the myriad of wild flowers, the delicate almond blossom, the heady scent of jasmine… it is heaven,” she says.

l ALGARVE P L U S

Amori joined her husband in his fine art gallery business. Two children later, and then a full-time mother, she started an educational fund to help boys living on the streets of Cape Town to resettle back in their communities or be moved to a residential care facility. A few years ago the family decide to adventure and came to the Algarve. “We all fell in love with the country and its people. This is a magical place to raise children and we feel blessed to be able to call Portugal home now,” she says. Sol and Amori share a fascination for the traditional crafts of Portugal, so soon after they met, they signed up to a Palma Algarvia (palm weaving) class at the Lagoa School of Art. “Palma is one of the oldest crafts in this part of Portugal, and it is incredibly sad that the art form is slowly disappearing,” says Sol. “But, thankfully, some really forward-thinking designers are bringing it back to life. I love following the beautiful work of Palmas Douradas, a Portuguese designer based in São Bras de Alportel who makes the most beautiful items from palma. Her work is simply stunning.” It was in that class, with the two of them embracing a wonderfully meditative activity, that the seed for their future business, Looma, was sown. One weekend, the duo took the train up to Lisbon, and popped into two shops that had a tremendous impact on them: the first was the Retrosaria Rosa Pomar wool shop in the Chiado neighbourhood, which celebrates the native sheep breeds of Portugal, and creates its own beautiful ranges of wool from Portuguese fleeces. The second was the Burel shop; the Burel Factory, based in the Serra da Estrela, creates an exquisite range of fabrics and items made from Portuguese wool. Sol and Amori dug deeper into the wonders of wool and have never looked back. They took part in some “lifechanging” wool workshops in Porto, at the Saber Fazer headquarters, run by Alice Bernardo, another passionate ambassador of all things wool-related. “We learnt about feltmanipulation where you can achieve all kinds of sculptural effects using felt made from wool, from felt artist Ana Rita de Albuquerque,” says Sol. “We also learnt about wool as

DÉCOR PLUS

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“The first time we experimented with wool and light, we were bowled over by the effect. I have the first lamp we made in my lounge. a fibre – and how to process a fleece from the point of shearing, to the spinning.” At around the same time, Sol became interested in natural dyeing processes, and began experimenting; the Looma concept evolved from there. “It has been a wonderful journey of discovery, with many disappointments along the way, but a huge number of fabulous surprises. One of the high points was the discovery of the beautiful golden hues that you can achieve from the twigs (not the leaves!) of a laurel tree. It was such an unexpected joy! “I am passionate about the synergy between man and the natural world – and I feel an almost spiritual connection with the land around us, and the need to protect it. I feel that for too long we have exploited the earth and lost that wonderful connection, and it is time we return to a simpler, more mindful way of living. The land provides everything we need. “We want Looma to communicate this. The Looma brand stands for a different, more sustainable way of working and we think that the unique lamps speak for themselves.” Integrity is a word that features large in their description of Looma, and their working principles. “We believe strongly in creating a product with its heart firmly rooted in Portugal, and we are very proud of what we have done so far, starting with the frames – which are made for us in a small workshop in the outskirts of Lisbon. The wool is Portuguese, an homage to the centuries-old wool industry here which sadly has been dwindling in recent years. At one of the Saber Fazer workshops in Porto I was shocked to discover that farmers practically give away the fleeces from their sheep – some even burn it as they have no use for it. This is shocking to me – it is such a beautiful, precious material.” The girls are now looking to spin their own wool from Churra Algarvia sheep and have been promised the first fleeces when the flock is sheared at Cebolas do Campinho, in the Alentejo. This means they will be able to control the exact thickness they want want, and can add interesting textures. “The Portuguese landscape around us creates many of the colours in our lamps: laurel, carob, onion skin, pomegranate… plus indigo, chamomile and woad from the Looma garden. I am constantly boiling up random items to see if I can extract any colour – from avocados to rosemary, from hibiscus to basil. My children think I’m secretly a

witch!” laughs Sol. “Each lamp has soul and tells a story of the land it emerged from.” “Every piece we make is created and influenced by our surroundings,” agrees Amori. “The old tiles are amazing, the history, the stories they tell are all part of the soul of Portugal. The proud manufacturer of our frames and the Portuguese wool company that has been around for generations are all part of the story: our friendship is also integral of the soul of every lampshade. “The first time we experimented with wool and light, we were bowled over by the effect. I have the first lamp we made in my lounge. The frame was made by hand by Manuel, the metalworker who made the traditional wrought-iron bannister in my home. I drew a metre-high cylindrical shape design for him and he made it for me. “When I started to weave around it, the tension of the wool created a beautiful natural curve, and the resulting subtly-rounded shape was amazing. The natural colours glow when the lamp is on – it looks like stained glass. I am very proud of it, and I love the way the natural colours have evolved over time – they have faded very slightly – to create even more beautiful tones. And I love the fact that it feels like it is alive, constantly evolving. We make pieces that we absolutely love, not pieces that we think will sell. It’s a very fulfilling and expressive process.” Working in harmony – Sol brings abstract creativity to the equation and develops colours “I am constantly amazed to see how similar the lamps are to some of my paintings – it’s bizarre!” while Amori’s speciality is texture; she uses different weaving techniques that create beautiful patterns and add dimension to every shade. The duo’s dream commission would be to create the lighting for a high-end, beautiful Algarve restaurant or hotel with a similar ethic to theirs, and that celebrates the wonderful ingredients the Algarve has to offer. “We would love to be involved in creating a wonderful atmosphere, with added soul. We love the idea of working with likeminded individuals who share our values. It would be wonderful to create oversize lamps for big spaces that a client absolutely loves.” Prices for Looma lamps range from €575 to €795. The girls are currently in the process of creating some smaller pieces, including kitchen island downlights, bedside lamps and wall lamps. LOOMA .PT

A reference of good taste

Casavostra Mediterranean food

www.pizzeriacasavostra.com

Alquatro Interior Design & Lifestyle www.alquatro.pt

Av. 5 Outubro 302, Almancil (Opposite Apolรณnia Supermarket)

G A L E R I A D E A R T E

Art for all tastes VISIT US Travessa Jacques Pessoa 8 Tavira 8800-374 CALL US 962 012 111 FIND US taviradartes@gmail.com www.taviradartes.com

Savings to smile about If you’re making currency transfers to or from Portugal, we’ll help you save time and money with great exchange rates, no transfer fees and expert support.

Let’s talk currency Algarve office Ave 5 de Outubro, No 246, Almancil, 8135-103 +351 289 395 739 algarve@currenciesdirect.com

Find out more at currenciesdirect.com/portugal © Currencies Direct Ltd, One Canada Square, Canary Wharf, London E14 5AA, United Kingdom. Registered in England & Wales, No.: 03041197. Currencies Direct Ltd is authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority as an Electronic Money Institution under the Electronic Money Regulations 2011. Our FCA Firm Reference number is 900669.

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READS PLUS

FULLY

booked

ONCE A PILGRIM

HOME TRUTHS

By James Deegan Publisher: HarperCollins Genre: Military Action Thriller

By Susan Lewis Publisher: HarperCollins Genre: Chick-lit

WOW! What an absolutely marvellous humdinger of a story! James Deegan writes from his own experiences in this, the first of a series featuring hero protagonist, John Carr. In my humble opinion, not only is this book plausible and totally thrilling, but, it really feels as if you are there – in the thick of the bullets and the pulsating action. I found the story entertaining, emotional, meticulously detailed and gripping. Obviously I won’t give the plot away but be prepared for the murky and tragic world of the IRA, the Russians and close protection operatives. John Carr comes across as a savvy, working class James Bond with a handle on the bad guys and a huge desire to save the world. I absolutely loved this book for its excellent plot, believable characters and the gritty realism. The author must have been in some heart-stopping situations during his own military career and his ability to write from such a clearly defined perspective makes for a thoroughly good read.

I’m in two minds about this one, mainly because the key character is just a bit too nice and wholesome... but I did like her. I can’t help feeling the author is a cardcarrying member of the Socialist Workers Party but in a good way. She introduces 21st century homelessness, hunger, PTSD (PostTraumatic Stress Disorder) poverty and, sadly, sexual exploitation of children. Emma, a widow, and her sister Angela who is separated, manage a hostel for the homeless. Home Truths follows them in their attempt to hold on to their jobs, their children and their sanity, while explaining the disastrous effect that changes to the benefits system in the UK have brought. It’s easy to see how people lose faith and give up when they feel that every way they turn is a barrier. I’m not sure how much sympathy I really have for Angela as I found her character a little too naive in the environment. Susan Lewis’s book made me think and also made me feel a little uncomfortable.

ALGARVE P L U S

I T ’ S A LWAY S I N T E R E S T I N G TA L K I N G T O P E O P L E ABOUT THEIR READING HABITS – LIKE HOW MUCH, HOW OFTEN–AND THEIR CHOICES OF SUBJECT M AT T E R B U T E S P E C I A L LY N O W , W I T H M O R E Q U I E T T I M E O N O U R H A N D S . DAW N A N N A N DA L E , H E R S E L F A PUBLISHED AUTHOR , RUNS A COURSE FOR BU DDING WRITERS AND HOSTS A BOOK CLU B FOR KEEN READERS. FIND OUT MORE BY EMAILING HER AT A N N A N D A L E . D AW N @ G M A I L . C O M

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Book of the month

READS PLUS

STEP BY STEP

THE LABYRINTH OF THE SPIRITS

By Simon Reeve Publisher: Hachette Genre: Biography

By Carlos Ruiz Zafon Publisher: Orion Genre: Fantasy

Simon Reeve is one of my modern day heroes. He’s a cross between David Attenborough and Louis Theroux with a liberal sprinkling of Ricky Jervais’ sarcasm/humour. He has travelled to over 120 countries – his television programmes are fantastic voyages of interest and unique situations. His career as a travel documentary maker has rocketed him to stardom in recent years but he retains his humility and never loses that ability to make you feel like you are having a chat with the guy next door about his latest adventure. His biography shows us the huge empathy Reeve has for the common man when his tells of his travels across Russia, Somalia and the Democratic Republic of Congo; all countries which present their own challenges to his film crew and in attempting to find the real voice of the people. Reeve has visited many countries which we, the vast majority, would not dream of considering for any kind of holiday. He brings to life incredible least-travelled routes, wonderful moments with the inhabitants of remote tribes, of endangered indigenous people and dying lifestyles. The book is fascinating as Reeve’s own personal story is interwoven with the plight of the people and places he visits.

Zafon wrote the international sensation The Shadow of the Wind several years ago and Labyrinth continues the story of Daniel Sempere, a bookshop keeper, in Barcelona in the 1950s. Daniel is happily married with a young son but has always felt that the mystery surrounding the death of his mother needs to be resolved. The tale is graphic in its descriptions of murder, injustice, and torture. Zafon’s previous novels have been much gentler than this and certainly less political; post Civil War Spain under Franco was a complex and often dangerous place to live – the book recounts amazing stories of survival and struggle. Labyrinth is also a love story, an outstanding social commentary of the 1950s as well as a complicated whodunnit murder mystery. It’s the fourth and final book of the series and neatly ties up loose ends and concludes the story. However, if you haven’t read the previous books the enjoyment of this book will not be affected although I do heartily recommend this series.

THE PICTURE ON THE FRIDGE By Ian W. Sainsbury Publisher: Independently published Genre: Psychological thriller Ooooo – this is creepy! Serial killer meets weird kid meets chilling twists! It’s gripping, insightful and thoroughly compelling. And it left me feeling like I wanted to look hard at every fact I thought I knew and re-examine every single relationship I’ve ever formed. It’s roughly this: a young girl, Tamara had a twin who died at birth, but that’s all OK now and everyone is happy and well-adjusted until – and this is the first crunch – Tam draws a picture in an art class at school and has no recollection of doing so. The picture is incredibly detailed – almost photographic – and Tam’s mum, Mags, discovers it is actually the scene of an horrific murder. Tam’s dad is a geneticist working on neurological conditions but this latest art hobby that his apparently normal young daughter is engrossed in has him by the seat of his pants.

THE LAST DAY By Andrew Hunter Murray Publisher: Penguin Genre: Science fiction The year is 2059 and the world has suddenly stopped turning. The detail is all rather far-fetched and you need to take some of the locations and the political situation with a pinch of salt as, geographically, the raping of the earth is quite inaccurate as is the lack of farming and food production. If you just go with the world the author has created, you will enjoy the story and appreciate the twist at the end – it’s all a bit of fun and interesting to read as I suppose, with human nature being what it is, people are greedy, tribal and selfish. Obviously, those are sweeping generalisations but considering the way people behaved at the beginning of the current pandemic... I am not generally a fan of sci-fi, but this one made me think about the possibilities, the ‘what ifs’ of the collapse of society or perhaps, conversely, the formation of a police state where power and corruption control society. The message I got from this is that if we fail to learn to be more decent than we have been, then we really are doomed.

FASHION PLUS

T O P M A R K S T H E S U N I S O U T. L E A N W H I T E T- S H I R T S A R E G R E AT. B U T H I G H - S T Y L E D T O P S T H AT G E T Y O U N O T I C E D M A K E A W H O L E D I F F E R E N T FA S H I O N S TAT E M E N T

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1 . White t-shir t with a ver y big dif ference , f rom cut and fabric to cur ves without cling . From the new collection at MASSIMO DUTTI 2. An exotic colour palette, tropical florals and dramatic silhouettes with layer upon layer by Johanna Ortis for H&M

2 R EPU DAME T OFFICIAM Q U E COR AUT MIN E TU R MA D E VELL AM Q U E NOST AB IU SCIIS S EQ U IB U S , CON S EQ U I OCC U S ATU R , E T, OFFICID I

in the sun

FASHION PLUS

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3 . S i m p l e , b u t o h - s o s p e c i a l , t y p i c a l o f H e i d i K l e i n , a t T H E D U N A S R E S O R T S H O P, Q u i n t a S h o p p i n g 4. Pretty in pink, delicately embroidered, fringe-edged caftan top, by Melissa Oderbach at T H E D U N A S R E S O R T S H O P, Q u i n t a S h o p p i n g 5. A subtle wave of colours. By Mes Demoiselles Paris, from XANADU in Quinta Shopping 6 . C o l o u r, c u r ve a n d p a t te r n s w i t h i n p a t te r n .

F r o m t h e n e w I n d i g o c o l l e c t i o n a t F L O R E N T I N TA , Ta v i r a

When I opened my shop in 2012 the initial idea was to collaborate with local artists. This has worked well as there are many talented artisans in the Algarve, especially when it comes to ceramics. One of my first contacts was Ben and Nadrali, who arrived in my shop to present their works. I was enchanted by their young and fresh approach with clay. Now, some years down the line, their range of ceramics has widened and their pieces are becoming bigger and bolder each season. Another artistic couple creating ceramics are Tara and Sylvain from Studio Bongard. Their stoneware seahorses and fish come with their own character and expression while the sardines on a plate look as though they are straight from the barbecue. But what I can’t find locally is tableware – what is here is too traditional and ornamental for my taste. Therefore I go up north to handpick the best from a few workshops I know and trust for their fair and environmentally

friendly production. A successful trip is when the car is packed with boxes of plates, mugs, jugs and bowls in all shades of blue, green, grey and turquoise. This was the case very recently, so if you are ready for something new and something special, there’s much to choose from.

Rua 5 de Outubro nº 68 . Loulé +351 964 222 612 Instagram: www.instagram.com/martina.loule/ Facebook: www.facebook.com/martina.loule/

N ALGARVE P L U S

INETY YEARS ago, in parallel with

modernism in literature and music, abstract art began to gather a small group of enthusiastic followers. Avant-garde in outlook, they found meaning and expression in these distinctive paintings, the like of which had not been seen before. At the same time canvases covered in splurges, splashes and brushstrokes left the general public baffled. By the 1950s in Europe and America, the appeal of non-representational paintings began to gather momentum. Considered to be more reflective of the modern age, many critics praised the use of way-out techniques calling them futuristic and creative. Mere illustrations could not as well express an artist’s feelings. Jackson Pollock – fondly known as Jack the Dripper – became a favourite of art collectors, producing canvases covered in trails of paint with dotted, straight and curved lines. In the art world many experts regarded him as the

greatest living artist and his compositions were judged to be a fine balance between randomness and control. Talking about her own abstract paintings, present-day artist Francine Scrignac explains this strange phenomenon: “Chance and spontaneity are an important part of my work. My head is filled with colours, features, appearances, accidents. Once these marks are on the canvas I choose to keep some and delete others. I will cover over some colours so that they are just suggestions or shadows. In this manner I reveal much more about myself than if I launched into painting a preconceived idea. I do not wish to represent, transmit or explain. Painting is self-sufficient, every day for hours”. Francine, based in Villenes sur Seine, exhibits her work frequently in Paris, last year at the Grand Palais and the Bastille Design Center. Galeria Côrte-Real in Paderne is her sole representative in Portugal.

A B S T R A C T I O N C R É A T I O N

a m ove m e nt i n n on-f i g u rat i ve a r t T H E W O R K O F F R A N C I N E S C R I G N A C R E P R E S E N T S A M O D E R N - D AY I N T E R P R E TAT I O N O F A B S T R A C T A R T, A M O V E M E N T T H AT S TA R T E D CLOSE TO A CENTURY AGO AND ASTONISHED THE WORLD WITH I T S S H E E R B R AVA D O A N D I N G E N U I T Y

Wo rd s:

C A R O LY N K A I N

ALGARVE P L U S

COLLECTIONS PLUS

GALERIA CÃ&#x201D;RTE- REAL is signposted from Boliqueime, Ferreiras and Paderne T H E G A L L E R Y O P E N S F R O M 2 1 M AY B Y A P P O I N T M E N T. 9 6 1 5 2 8 6 7 9 / 9 1 2 7 3 7 7 6 2 . C O R T E R E A L A R T E . C O M

TASTE PLUS

Dough balls and garlic butter T H E R E I S A W E L L - K N O W N H I G H S T R E E T P I Z Z A C H A I N T H AT I S A L M O S T A S FA M O U S FO R T H E I R D O U G H B A L L S A S T H E Y A R E F O R T H E I R P I Z Z A . T H E S E M A K E A G R E AT S TA R T E R O R A R E A P E R F E C T WAY T O U S E U P S O M E P I Z Z A D O U G H . C H R I S B AV I N ’ S

RECIPE

SERVES 4-5

325g strong white flour 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast 2tbsp olive oil, plus extra for greasing 2tsp salt 250ml warm water

GA R L IC BU T TER 125g butter, softened 3 garlic cloves, crushed sea salt Handful of flat leaf parsley, finely chopped (optional) Baking tray, greased

WORTH KNOWING You can make double the garlic butter, roll it into a log, wrap it and freeze it for up to one month.

HERE’S ONE OF THE 100+ RECIPES INSPIRED BY POPULAR TAKE-AWAY DISHES, BUT WITH CHEF CHRIS BAVIN’S SPECIAL SIGNATURE. FAKEAWAY IS PUBLISHED BY DK

I NGR E DI E N TS

1 Place the flour in a large mixing bowl, then add the yeast to one side of the bowl and the olive oil and salt to the other side. Stir in the warm water, a little bit at a time, until a soft dough is formed. Turn it out onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for five minutes until smooth and elastic. 2 Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl and cover with clingfilm. Leave in a warm place for 30–60 minutes, until double in size. 3 Meanwhile, mix the butter, garlic, salt to taste and parsley in a small bowl until well combined. Keep as a firm butter for dipping your dough balls into or melt the garlic butter for brushing over them. 4 Once your dough has doubled in size, punch the air out of it. On a lightly floured surface, knead it a couple of times. Divide into 20 balls, each roughly the size of a 50p coin. Place them onto the greased baking tray. Cover with clingfilm and leave to prove in a warm place for 30 minutes. 5 Preheat the oven to 220°C (200°C fan/425°F/Gas 7). 6 Bake the dough balls for 15–18 minutes until risen and golden brown. Serve hot.

M ET HOD

Prep 30 minutes Cook 18 minutes

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of th e month ...

KIDS MAKE MINI SANDWICHES FOR PICNICS WITH THEM, TOO

of the month

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PROPERTY

State of the art... U N D ER CO N S T U C TI O N , A P R EM I U M Q UA LIT Y, LU X U R I O U S U LTR A- M O D ER N D E S I G N ER H O M E WITH M AG N I FI C ENT S E A V I E WS N E A R LO U LÉ , FI N I S H ED TO P ER FEC TI O N 



Located

on a most desirable elevated lot near to local amenities and the beach Breath-taking views in all directions

Open-plan

living areas designed to open onto the terrace and blending together the superb indoor outdoor spaces Superbly-designed internal garden that allows light to flood through the entire building

Four-bedroom

suites all opening onto an expansive pergolacovered terrace

Fully

equipped designer kitchen

Semi shaded terraces and infinity swimming pool



Heavily insulated walls

 

Solar

controlling toughened ceiling-to-floor glass doors



Electrical



Robust



Availability:



Construction:

and home management systems designed to monitor and operate the home remotely End 2020 300sqm

Plot: 7,200sqm

 

steel framed structure

Price:

€2.5m

T O V I E W : T: +3 5 1 2 8 9 3 0 1 2 9 4 / E : i n f o @ y e l l o w h o m e s . c o m / W : y e l l o w h o m e s . c o m

A truly magnificent marriage of contemporary design and exemplary craftmanship with the finest attention to detail

PROPERTY PLUS

BEDROOMS

Four suites opening onto the terrace

B AT H R O O M S

Four immaculate ensuites

LIVING ROOM

A vast space that continues outside

POOL

ALGARVE P L U S

Feature infinity pool that becomes part of the landscape

Vilamoura Office EN125 Benfarras Boliqueime 8100-068 Boliqueime T: +351 289 301 294 Tavira Office Rua Dr. Jose Padinha 178 8800-354 Tavira T: +351 281 320 281 AMI: 6232

WINE PLUS

Now that is the wisdom of a man, in every instance of his labour, to hitch his wagon to a star, and see his chore done by the gods themselves. That is the way we are strong, by borrowing the might of the elements. Ralph Waldo Emerson

S ALGARVE P L U S

UCH PROGRESSIVE leaps, such unlikely

bounds and all the while the world sits idly by and fails to mark their passing. Perhaps, perchance, it simply hasn’t noticed. Not so for us, the lucky few, poised and patient, waiting, glass in hand, palate at the ready, nose forever tuned to the aromatic, flavoursome offerings of the next chapter in this life-long library of wine: Ours first to decant and discover. Portugal offers so much to this explorative adventure. Dynamic, avant-garde production, creative young wine makers, nonconforming mavericks yet to be discovered. In my limited time here very few fit this bill in quite so snug a fashion as the focus of this feature.

The past forms the present Quinta Varzea da Pedra is a fourthgeneration property situated in Bombarral on Lisbon’s north western Atlantic coastline, nestled but not sheltered in that perfect triangle between the Atlantic Ocean, the Obidas lagoon and Montejunto mountain that creates its own very unique microclimate. Cool prevailing winds from the Atlantic, the shield of the eastern rocky outcrop and influences from the salty Obidas lagoon all play vital roles in the winery’s complex cast of climatic characters.

‘’Earth, music, passion – here we listen to the vineyard and let it dance at its own pace,’’ says Tomás Emidio. Co-owner, winemaker and inspiration behind Quinta Varzea da Pedra today, he did not start out as fruit farmer. Though much of his up-bringing revolved around the family farm, harvests of rock pear and foot-treading table wine, Tomás once marched to a different drum, focusing instead on studies in graphic design, and involving himself in event management, as well as the local music scene. A close familial relationship bound him to the Quinta, his grandfather’s legacy, to which he returned in 2015. Although Tomás had worked for many years alongside his avô during harvest, it was the sad passing of his two grandparents within a threeyear period that drew him back to the Quinta and his heritage. Quinta Varzea in its current form, is much more than the sum of its experiences. Whole lifetimes have formed the relationship between the family and the land. An intrinsic appreciation for the terroir, the climatic influences, the living, breathing nature of the landscape, all help to shape the modern face of this young and energetic production. Extensive replanting of vineyards since 2010, modernisation of the winery and vinification techniques are all milestones on this progressive march into the future of Portuguese wine making.

ACCORDING TO J USTIN O’ HALON , ONE OF THE BRIGHTEST LIGHTS A M O N G P O R T U G A L’ S R I S I N G S TA R S I N W I N E M A K I N G I S T O M Á S E M I D I O W H O R E T U R N E D H O M E T O H I S F A M I LY ’ S Q U I N TA VA R Z E A D A P A D R A F I V E Y E A R S A G O T O D O T H I N G S D I F F E R E N T LY

T A S T E

FOR THE SPECIAL

CHEERS PLUS

Jim

H A I R A RT I S TS

Jim is doing home visits on A Monday. Call to make a date.

QUINTA VARZEA ARINTO/FERNÁO PIRES – Two single

varietal productions but also an entry level ‘field blend’, these fabulously terroir-driven whites scream older vines and carefully integrated oak to my palate. Yet despite what my nose, palate and experience tell me, I am wrong. After a deeply informative, very enjoyable social distancing conversation 326km apart, with Tomás the wine maker and Carlos, Jorge and Justo my long-suffering liaisons from Sovipral, I discovered things are not always what they seem. All the experience in the world can’t help us from jumping to conclusions. In fact, although my senses cry out “you are mistaken”, the field blend, single varietal Fernáo Pires or Arinto don’t see the inside of a barrel at all. Deliberately oxidative oenology is responsible for what first appears to be sophisticated winemaking, with wellintegrated oak, and mature vines. Along with many other misfiring wine enthusiasts, I got it wrong. No harm in that though, as long as the juice is good. So, from the beguiling entry-level whites we progress to the more adventurous stage of the modern lifecycle. Single varietal Sauvignon Blanc being grown on naturally-fountaining mineral springs, skin maceration white blends, reserve barrel-aged whites and higher altitude reds from young vines. The sky is the limit but it’s the land and the imagination of what you can do with it that offers the only boundaries to what this production can achieve. Q U I N TA VA R Z E A B R A N C O R E S E R VA All the hallmarks,

flavour sets, and complexity of quality Burgundy productions but at a fraction of the price. Nutty, leesy, weighty with fresh balancing acidity. The deliberate oxidation in a focused fashion adds years of bottle and barrel age. William Tell would struggle to put the arrow closer to the centre of the core. The whites pair well with seafood dishes as well as poultry, pork and cured cheeses. Q U I N TA VA R Z E A T I N TO R E S E R VA The single red offering

from the stable is a 50/50 blend of Syrah and Touriga Nacional. These relatively new vines grown on the Vinha de Adão Lobo site offer far more depth and complexity than vines this young have any right to do. Mature before their time, wiser than their years, the new ethos and approach is firmly rooted in their ancestry. Tinta Reserva, released is February this year, is the perfect companion to red meats, grills and stews.

T: +351 914 452 315 W: Jimhairartists.com E: jimhairartists@gmail.com Estrada Vale do Lobo 947A | 8135-016 Almancil

As Tomás points out: “It was from our ancestors that we inherited the calluses and the pleasure that manual work has to offer to those who seek it, then you can learn to treat the land by its first name.” How many of us have had such a personal introduction? The quality and complexity of wines being produced at Quinta Varzea da Pedra, on vines no more than ten years of age, can only get better. If you want my genuine, heartfelt advice I’d say buy shares, take an interest, do whatever Tomás and his affiliates will let you do to cosy up to the brand, because in years to come these wines will not be readily available to the public, nor will their international demand have any chance of being met. To f i n d o u t a b o u t J u s t i n ’ s c h o i c e s , speak to No Contact C atering T: 2 8 9 3 97 7 8 4 / E : n o c o n t a c t c a t e r i n g @ g m a i l . c o m / FB: facebook .com/nocontactcatering/ instagram - @no_contactcatering

HOME FURNISHINGS TURN YOUR PLACE TO LIVE INTO YOUR PLACE TO LOVE

ALGARVE ELEGANCE IS A FURNITURE SHOP WITH A DIFFERENCE OFFERING UNIQUE PIECES THAT WILL TRANSFORM YOUR HOME. WITH HER PASSION FOR INTERIOR DESIGN, OWNER DONNA WILL WORK WITH YOU AND SOURCE WHAT YOU ARE LOOKING FOR. AND YOUR ORDER WILL BE DELIVERED TO YOUR DOOR.

Estrada Vale Formoso, Almancil 8100-267 T +351 960 116 396 | E donna@algarveelegance.com | W algarveelegance.com Algarve-elegance Algarve Elegance Open: Monday-Friday 11am to 6pm | Saturday 10am-1.00pm

THREE-FLOOR apartment in the beautiful Old Village, Vilamoura

€360,000

A delightful three-bedroom apartment, set over three floors in the popular Old Village in Vilamoura. Within walking distance of the bustling marina with its shops, restaurants, bars, cafés and supermarket, it is the perfect home in a wonderful setting, overlooking the exclusive development’s swimming pool. A sun-filled roof terrace adds to the appeal. Three good-sized bedrooms | Master bedroom with en-suite bathroom | Family bathroom | Guest cloakroom | Bright, airy lounge/dining area | Open-plan kitchen | On three floors and withthe bonus of two terraces | Overlooking the main swimming pool | 144sqm For more information, do not hesitate to contact us. 7A Church Square, Old Village, Vilamoura, 8125-429 Quarteira T: +351 289 302 762 M: +351 965 392 755 / +351 969 190 361 E: info@fivestar-vilamoura.com W: www.fivestar-vilamoura.com AMI 10185

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GETTING THERE GOING SOMEWHERE? BY B I K E B Y B O AT O R O N F O O T ? TRADITIONAL APPS CAN G E T Y O U S E R I O U S LY L O S T , E S P E C I A L LY W H E N Y O U ’ R E O F F T H E B E AT E N T R A C K . A N D T H AT ’ S E A S Y H E R E , W I T H S O M U C H U N C H A R T E D T E R R I T O R Y. F E A R N OT, W E ’ L L S E T YO U I N THE RIGHT DIRECTION 43

CH R I S PAR TR I DG E

VERYONE LOVES paper maps, except

when you are lost (sorry, misplaced!) and the fog has come down. That is when you need electronic assistance. Walkers, cyclists and boaters now have a huge choice of navigational aids that do everything from just giving you GPS coordinates to providing full colour maps and charts with everything needed to set a course, add waypoints and get you home. So is it time to leave the paper map at home? The obvious map-replacement technology is the smartphone that is probably already in your pocket. Apple Maps and Google Maps are great for touring cyclists but not much use to anyone leaving the road network such as ramblers or boaters, except to plan the drive to the start point. In Britain, serious ramblers are blessed with the wonderful maps of the Ordnance Survey, and today the Ordnance Survey app brings all the benefits of computerisation to its legendary maps. In Portugal, maps are much more basic and official military maps are not available in electronic form. For hikers, the best option is probably the free OsmAnd app (available on both iOS and Android), an open source mapping project based in the Netherlands. The maps are not nearly as detailed as OS but are updated regularly by the community of users.

On a wave Boaters in Portuguese waters are much better served by the excellent free Navionics smartphone and tablet

Apple Maps and Google Maps are great for touring cyclists but not much use to anyone leaving the road network such as ramblers or boaters, except to plan the drive to the start point app, available for both iOS and Android. The basic Navionics app provides all the yachtsman or dinghy sailor needs including navigation marks, lights and so on. Pinching in and out changes the scale, and voyages can be planned with waypoints. The only missing requirement is the tide times. With the map on the screen of a GPS-enabled smartphone or tablet, your position is always correct to within a few metres and you are never right at the edge of the map or on a fold. Again, pinching in or out is the way to go for scale enhancement. Set a few waypoints and the app will plot the route in a trice. Smartphones are also touted as great for safety, enabling you to call mountain rescue or the coastguard and give them your GPS position, but this depends on having a mobile phone signal. There is also the fear that the battery will die, but carrying a separate battery

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pack is valuable insurance against power failure. Touchscreens can also be difficult to see in direct sunlight and operating them with wet fingers can be nigh on impossible. These concerns are addressed by the Satmap Active 20, a British-made electronic map system specifically designed for walkers. The unit is robust and waterproof, with buttons down the side of the touch screen so it can be operated with gloved hands. The screen is superbright to be visible even in direct sunlight or in snow. And it has Bluetooth so data can be exchanged with other Satmap units in the party, and the unit can be paired with heart rate monitors and various cycling accessories. A hikers map of Portugal is available on a memory card from satmap.com. Another good option is Garmin’s rugged GPS touchscreen devices that display the company’s TOPO range of maps. The Portugal map is TOPO Light, which is based on open source mapping with much less detail than Brits are used to with OS.

The Garmin InReach Mini satellite communicator is small in size but big on delivery and the way to play it safe out in the wilds

Playing tough Another problem with smartphones is their fragility. Drop them on the rocks or in the water and they are likely to die. That is the problem addressed by the new Nokia 800 Tough. And it really is tough, designed to withstand a drop of 1.8m onto concrete and immersion for up to 30 minutes. But the really interesting feature for both walkers and sailors is the keypad with proper mechanical keys, so you can operate even when the screen is wet and you are wearing gloves, something that is very often impossible with a touch screen. The 800 Touch also features an incredible battery life – a single charge can keep the phone on standby for over four days. And it has a proper torch instead of using the camera’s flash. The downsides are that the screen is tiddly and the camera is not inspiring (just 2MP). And the phone uses a new operating system specially for non-touchscreen phones called KaiOS, so the range of apps available is very limited. You get the usual messaging apps, plus WhatsApp, and Google Maps. There are a couple of useful apps that gives you your GPS coordinates and compass bearing so the phone could be used in combination with a printed map, ensuring you always know exactly where you are. Despite its limitations, the Nokia 800 Tough is good value at around €129.99 and available from Worten and FNAC. At that sort of price, it is worth investing in one just to ensure you can stay in touch whatever happens. If you are planning on hiking through really remote regions with dodgy cellular coverage, satellite communication is a reassuring thing to have. The Garmin InReach Mini is a very compact satellite communicator with GPS, so you can send texts via the Iridium satellite constellation. In emergency, the system alerts people at GEOS who get help to you wherever you are. The InReach Mini is just over €300 but getting on the satellite network involves a subscription that will top up your monthly outgoings.

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L I T T L E B R O T H E R S T H E C H R I S T S TAT U E O V E R L O O K I N G R I O D E J A N E I R O I S T R U LY M A G N I F I C E N T , T O W E R I N G U P T O W A R D S T H E H E AV E N S A N D S E E M I N G LY PROTECTING ALL AROUND. LISBON’S FOLLOW UP TOOK DECADES FROM V I S I O N T O A C T U A L I T Y, I S S L I G H T LY S M A L L E R B U T E Q U A L LY I M P R E S S I V E

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L O C AT E D Corcovado Mountain at a height of 700 metres P E D E S TA L 8 metres S TAT U E 30 metres, made from reinforced concrete and soapstone tiles ARCHITECT Heitor da Silva R E AC H E D The foot of the pedestal by Corcovado Rack Railway; the foot of statue by lifts, escalators and walkways

stating that “Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery”. Visualizing the Cardinal’s concept, the Apostles movement went on to conceive Portugal’s Christ the King elevated on a cliff top overlooking the city of Lisbon. A site on the left bank of the River Tagus was earmarked and they set about fund raising. It took them 15 years – and God knows how many prayers – before the initial cornerstone of the pedestal was laid. Formed by four enormous arches and a flat platform on which Christ the King would stand, the figure was designed by Francisco Franco de Sousa. He is slightly smaller than his older brother in Rio and has a sacred heart emblazoned on his chest. The monument was inaugurated in May 1959 giving special thanks to God for sparing the country from entering World War II.

Brazil in 1934 the Cardinal Patriarch of Lisbon heaped praises on the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Completed just two years before his visit, it stood impressively on top of Rio de Janeiro’s Sugar Loaf Mountain. His mission to build a similar monument in Lisbon turned out to be an epic project. There were those who ridiculed the copy-catcardinal for coming up with such an unoriginal idea. Didn’t Portuguese Catholics have a more innovative project of their own to support? Some Brazilian’s did not approve. After all the Art Deco figure of Christ with arms outstretched in a gesture of peace was their design. In Portugal an influential group, the Apostleship of Prayer supported the Cardinal’s project. They countered the Brazilian’s criticism

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL

ETURNING FROM a visit to

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VISION PLUS

CHRIST THE KING

LISBON, PORTUGAL L O C AT E D Almada at a height of 133 metres P E D E S TA L 82 metres S TAT U E 29.5 metres, made from reinforced concrete ARCHITECT Francisco Franco de Sousa

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R E AC H E D The foot of pedestal by a lift from the riverside; the foot of statue by lifts inside the pedestal

In a Mass in Rio dedicated to front-line healthcare workers, the Christ statue was illuminated to look like a doctor To Westerners a less well-known statue is that of Christ the King of Dili. He stands on a globe, atop the summit of the Fatucama Peninsula in East Timor. Like Christ the Redeemer, his country became a Portuguese colony in the 16th century. In 1975 – nine days after Portugal relinquished its control – the country was invaded by Indonesian military under the direction of President Suharto. Terrible conflict ensued which East Timor was unable to resist, becoming the 27th province of Indonesia. To symbolise this status, in 1996 the Indonesian government erected Christ the King of Dili, 27 metres high made from 27 copper sections.

CHRIST THE KING OF DILI

EAST TIMOR L O C AT E D Fatucama Peninsula at a height of 235 metres P E D E S TA L (globe) 10 metres S TAT U E 17 metres, made from copper sections ARCHITECT Mochamad Bolil R E AC H E D The globe by an outdoor staircase of 597 steps

For the majority of the population wanting independence for their country, the statue was regarded as an unwelcome gift. But three years later, under the United Nations act of self-determination, Indonesia was forced to withdraw its troops allowing East Timor to become a sovereign nation. It would have been understandable if the people had destroyed the statue but this being a figure of Christ they decided not to do so. Ninety-nine percent of the country’s citizens were Christian and the statue was a reminder of their Portuguese Catholic roots. Similarly religious in their outlook, in Brazil on Easter Sunday 2020, the Archbishop of Rio de Janeiro conducted a Mass beneath the statue of Christ the Redeemer. Dedicated to front-line healthcare workers fighting the coronavirus, the statue was illuminated to look like a doctor. Images of medical professionals were also projected showing them in scrubs and putting on face masks. A slogan on the statues arms read Fique em Casa – ‘Stay at Home’. This moving tribute was in stark contrast to the dismissal of the country’s health minister that happened two days before. Complaining about his minister’s strong endorsement of social distancing, Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro, referred to coronavirus as nothing more than a ‘measly cold’. Called by his opponents Trump of the Tropics, both Presidents share a similar distrust of the World Health Organisation. In order to discredit its advice on coronavirus, Bolsonaro falsely claimed that it promotes homosexuality and encourages toddlers to masturbate. Despite the attention grabbing event in Rio on Easter Sunday and the powerful image of Christ the Redeemer, due to propaganda promoted by the government, Brazil has become a serious hot spot for coronavirus. Meanwhile in Portugal and East Timor there has been a better outcome as both countries have religiously followed WHO’s international guidelines.

PROPERTY UPDATE PLUS

TO BUILD OR NOT TO BUILD

algarvepropertysearch.com / algarve-portugal-immobilien.de VILAMOURA OFFICE , EN 125, Benfarras Boliqueime, 8100 - 068 Boliqueime / T: 2 8 9 3 0 1 2 9 4 TA V I R A O F F I C E , R u a D r . J o s é P i r e s P a d i n h a 1 7 8 , 8 8 0 0 - 3 5 4 Ta v i r a / T : 2 8 1 3 2 0 2 8 1 ( A M I - 6 2 3 2 )

ALGARVE P L U S

HERE are many people who dream of building their own perfect home. Last week a client who is interested in purchasing a plot of land asked us about the average cost of construction per square metre, a question that was asked frequently before the COVID 19 pandemic started. Few people are brave enough to construct their own home. In Portugal this can officially only be done in cooperation with a licensed builder. At the moment there are various resale properties on the market ready to move into without delay at reduced prices. Purely from an investment point of view, purchasing an existing home in the current economic climate can make more sense than starting from scratch. There are other considerations too, such as your preference for location and design. A brand new property has the advantage of having a five year warranty on the construction and two years warranty on the equipment. However, building is not for everyone and it can cause a lot of stress. First, there is no such thing as an average price per square metre to build a house. It depends on many variables, such as the quality of construction materials and specifications, the location and the soil. Imagine you want to build a house on a location with rocks or inclination of the land. The rocks need to be removed and you may need to excavate first before the foundation is put in place. This has an effect on costs. A quotation from a builder includes a number of things, for example, a kitchen, and floor and wall tiles. If you decide on more expensive items, you will need to settle the balance with the builder. Also, bathroom fittings and fixtures are often not included. You need to budget for an additional 5% to 8% of the construction costs for extras.

As a guideline, be prepared to pay €950-€1,050 per square metre, excluding VAT, for good quality construction. This price indication easily moves up to €1,500-€2,000 for tradition style homes and €2,500€4,000 for contemporary style villas in the Quinta do Lago and Vale de Lobo areas in the central Algarve. As the construction sector is buoyant, it can be difficult to negotiate a better price with builders. Having said that, if you drive a hard bargain you may end up with a property of lower quality. For instance, not all double glazing is of the same standard; the same is true for electric under-floor heating where a cheaper option has a shorter lifespan. When comparing quotes from builders, you should never base your judgement on price alone. In our experience builders with a quote below average are less well organised than others. Depending on your requirements, this may not necessarily be a problem. There are other expenses such as the architect, the building license and the connection of the utilities. In case there is no mains water connection you may want to drill a borehole. The depth you need to drill to can easily add another €15,000 to your costs, including the water pump, equipment, electric cables etc. This is not a comprehensive cost overview as the space here is limited. Lastly, if you are thinking of buying a project or a plot of land with a ruin in rural areas to build your dream home, be aware that rules and regulations can change – in a few years’ time (or longer) you could run the risk that planning laws have changed. One recent example is that properties in areas prone to wildfires are no longer allowed to be extended and ruins do not get planning permission for the construction of a new property. This may be reversed in the future, but it is a risk. In case you would like to make an investment now to build a house in five or ten years’ time, you are probably better off buying a plot of land in an urbanisation. But all in all, if your dream of building a new property doesn’t scare you, then go for it.

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T H E I D E A O F C R E AT I N G Y O U R D R E A M H O M E F R O M S C R AT C H I S H U G E LY A P P E A L I N G B U T I T I S V I TA L Y O U L O O K AT T H E P R O S A N D C O N S F I R S T S AY S RO B E RT B IJ K E R O F Y ELLOW H O M ES – L AN D & H O US ES ALGARVE

GOING TO

P R I N T

DURING LOCKDOWN, AMONG THE M A N Y I N T E R E S T S P E O P L E TO O K U P, P E N N I N G T H E I R A U T O B I O G R A P H Y, O R G E T T I N G T H AT N O V E L W R I T T E N , S C O R E D H I G H . S O N OW YO U H AV E I T, T H E A L M O S T- C O M P L E T E D M A N U S C R I P T…

IS SELF-PUBLISHING THE NEXT STEP? DAW N A N N A N DA L E

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IY-ING YOUR BOOK is a modern-

day option. Established publishing houses are choosy; they want a proof-read, tight manuscript, beautifully copy-edited and they’d even quite like you to design the jacket too! And of course their editors will be fast to point out what can be improved. There are so many alternatives out there it’s all a bit of a minefield. I’m hoping to help any would-be authors by wading through the process and giving you clear directions. Traditionally, an author writes a book then approaches a publishing house direct – or finds an agent who will hopefully recognise what a marvellous work you have produced, hooks you up with a publisher who then recognises your incredible talent, gives you a humongous advance and you go on to become a world famous author/ millionaire. Dream on. In reality that would be a rarity. Self-publishing, aka vanity publishing, is a viable alternative and more and more people are choosing this method to get into print. It’s not that complicated – a little more time-consuming perhaps should you wish to take care of the whole process yourself – but, there are many companies out there to give you a helping hand.

Chapter one Where do you start? First, write your book. Done that? Great… that’s the hard bit over. Next you have to prepare your masterpiece for the platform you wish to use. You don’t want your work to be littered with typos or inconsistencies, spelling mistakes or grammatical errors so you have to be honest with yourself and fess-up to the bits you aren’t good at. Personally, I’m rubbish at proof-reading

as I read, write, and type quickly and don’t see typos even when they are jumping out of the page and screaming at me. If you are pedantic, thorough and fastidious, then go for it and proof the manuscript yourself. If, like me, you are lacking on those fronts, then either engage a professional proof-reader or, if you need this to be as cheap and cheerful an exercise as possible, ask someone who is capable of doing the proofing, to do it for you. Don’t confuse proof-reading with editing – it is completely different. A copy editor is there to say useful things like: “That’s dreadful – you need to change it,” or “Repetition – use a different word or phrase”. Engaging a professional copy editor is a sensible step because even a

WORDS PLUS

ALGARVE P L U S

Self-publishing, aka vanity publishing, is a viable alternative and more and more people are choosing this method to get into print

short story can be improved by a fresh pair of eyes. The typical editing cost for the average 60,000 word manuscript will include proof-reading and is likely to be around €1,500. And formatting is important – your masterpiece has to read properly and the pages need to be uniform, the chapters aligned and the numbering correct. A little bit of technical know-how will go a long way at this stage.

Chapter two Right, you now have this wonderful manuscript which is ready to be unleashed upon the world. Think about the cover of the book, or jacket as we literary types like to call it. Again, be honest with yourself – do you have the skills to

design a jacket and the blurb that goes on the back cover? If not ask someone who does! Graphic design companies will work with your ideas or come up with alternatives. Costs vary but one interesting and inexpensive way of doing it is to approach a local college and ask the art teachers if their students might be interested in designing a book jacket and offer a prize! The jacket needs to be spot on if you are planning to produce hard copies – it has to engage immediate interest. You are nearly there! The next step is to decide which platform you want to use. The one that will spring to mind instantly is Amazon but, beware! Amazon takes roughly half of the cover price as commission.

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There are other costs, too: printing for starters. A book selling at €10.99 will leave you with the princely sum of about €1.50. However, Amazon offers a print-on-demand service which means that anyone wanting to buy a copy of your book can buy it either in e-reader format or a real life book with pages. Again, there are agencies able to make this process easy but, there is a fee. For around €500 your book will be formatted, listed on Amazon, a sample made available to prospective purchasers and basic marketing. There are many reputable companies around who can take care of the process of uploading your manuscript and actually listing it with Amazon for sale. If you decide to do it yourself, do your research – every book needs an ISBN – the number which identifies it against all others around the world, and you need to spend time arranging this. Let’s talk marketing. Are you adept at writing a press release? Do you have any contacts in the publishing/ media world? Consider the time you have available to dedicate to your book and whether you feel confident about handling this aspect yourself. You can, of course, relinquish all responsibility and

hand over to a company who will look after absolutely everything for you including registering for Public Lending Rights (PLR), through which you, the author, receives a royalty every time your book is borrowed from a library. Are you confident about managing this yourself or would you like a company to do it for you?

Addendum Having toured the websites of the many companies offering every service imaginable, I think a mish-mash of you and them would probably be the answer to all of this. Write the book, have it proofed and copy edited then think about the jacket. The photograph you fancy may be subject to copyright, in which case you will have to buy the permission. How you handle the whole process is your call. You can self publish quietly and do most of the work yourself; you can invest and remain in control but have the marketing tools and professionalism of an established company behind you; or you can approach an agent or a publisher and hope for the best. But, whatever you do, write that book! Because, you never know!

Graphic design companies will work with your ideas or come up with alternatives. Costs vary but one interesting and inexpensive way of doing it is to approach a local college

DESIGN . ENTERPRISE

C O M M U N I C AT I O N

Branding Brand Strategy Naming Logo design Brand Identity

Digital Web Design Web Development Social Media Online Advertising Newsletters emailings

Brief: to update branding in line with company evolution

Brief: produce a be tting catalogue for art gallery event

Brief: to create a calling card that will be remembered

Brief: Create a hardwearing but luxurious room directory

Graphic Brochures Catalogues Lea ets Advertising Stationery Outdoor billboards Stands Signage

Production Copywriting emailings Photography Printing Merchandising

Brief: create upmarket brochure to case study projects

Brief: create an of ce interior to meet client expectations

Brief: create a harmonious sign system to locate villas

Brief: create an upmarket magazine for members in Quinta do Lago resort

designworks . t. +351 917 203 850 . design@suzisteinhofel.com . www.designworks.com.pt

PAST PLUS

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It’s hard to believe that it’s 50 years since a sweetvoiced Irish girl perched on a stool won the 1970 Eurovision Song Contest – the first of Ireland’s many wins – in front of an audience of 200 million people. Her song All Kinds of Everything was a worldwide hit and propelled the shy schoolgirl to international stardom. Dana was born Rosemary Brown in London to parents from Derry, who returned with their family when she was five. She entered and won many local talent contests as a child but had planned to be a ballet teacher, before she was persuaded to sign a record contract when she was 15. Her Eurovision success made her a superstar in Ireland but she had mixed success in the UK. She married hotelier Damien Scallon in 1978 and the family lived in the USA where they had four children and began working for Catholic radio stations. Returning to Ireland in the early 90s Dana became involved in Irish politics. She stood twice as an Independent candidate for the Irish presidency, and although she did not win she did later become MEP for ConnachtUlster in the European Parliament. She served there until 2004, an experience she described as “amazing but hard work”. She recently returned to showbusiness, releasing an album, My Time, in late 2019.

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DANA

W H AT E V E R H A P P E N E D T O … W E A L L G E T T H O S E S U D D E N F L A S H E S – A FAC E O R N A M E O R FA D F R O M T H E PA S T T H AT W E R E M E M B E R … S O R T O F. T H E Y M I G H T H AV E D R O P P E D O U T O F T H E P U B L I C E Y E O R C H A N G E D D I R E C T I O N S – Y O U O N LY K N O W W H E N Y O U S TA R T L O O K I N G

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FRANK IFIELD

60s

Although he is always remembered as the ‘Australian yodeller’, Frank Ifield was actually born in Coventry, UK, one of the seven sons of Australian parents. The family returned to Australia in 1948 and Frank’s rural upbringing awoke his interest in country music. The first instrument he learned to play was a ukulele and he took up the guitar as a teenager. There was never any question of what he would do for a living – as he says now: “I always knew what I wanted to do and just followed my heart!” He had considerable success on Australian radio and television in the late 1950s, but only really made it onto the world stage in 1962. His huge hit record I Remember You stayed at the top of the British pop charts for a massive seven weeks, and was the first single to sell a million copies in Britain alone. A string of countryflavoured hits followed, including one called She Taught Me to Yodel which apparently featured on the bill at the Royal Variety Performance in 1965 at the request of HM the Queen Mother. He continued to record and tour with success until in 1986 a bout of pneumonia led to an operation to remove part of a lung. He returned to Australia where he became the host of several radio and TV shows and still retained his interest in country music. He founded, and is still presenting, the Frank Ifield International Spur Award for the best new Australian country artist every year.

60s

DAVID GINOLA

50s Ginola says his success on TV is down to viewers getting what they see

Before the days of automatic washing machines and tumbledryers, housewives used a ‘mangle’ to remove as much water as possible from washed items before hanging them out to dry on a washing-line. A mangle consisted of two wooden rollers and a hand crank (plus a yell of “Mind your fingers!”) as you fed sheets, towels and the rest of your laundry through the bulky machine, with the water pouring into a tub or bowl underneath. Originally, devices resembling mangles were used to smooth cloth rather than wring out water. The earliest known example is now in a Norwegian folk museum and is dated 1444. Mangle ‘boards’ consisted of a roller, a wooden cylinder, and a flat length of wood. Later versions were so huge and heavy they needed two people to turn the handles. Gas-heated home mangles were introduced in the early 20th century. Electric versions, sometimes incorporated into a washing machine, began to appear in the 1930s, often from familiar names like Miele. Few of today’s homes use mangles, although similar devices are used in large commercial laundries. With the increased interest in green technology and eco-friendly appliances, rather than energy-consuming tumble dryers, perhaps it could be time for the mangle to make a comeback?

THE MANGLE

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Flamboyant French football star Ginola spent ten seasons playing in his native country before transferring from Paris Saint-Germain to Newcastle United in 1995. He made his mark in his first year with the new club as Newcastle finished second in the Premiership. Hugely popular with the fans – especially the female ones – his British experience included spells with Spurs, Aston Villa and Everton before he retired from football in 2002. He subsequently attended acting classes at RADA and had parts in films including Operation Matchbox in 2005 and television dramas for BBC, ITV and Channel Four. In 2015 he ran for the presidency of FIFA but withdrew as a candidate after he was unable to obtain enough backing from national football associations. Then, while playing in a ‘friendly’ charity match in 2016, he collapsed with a cardiac arrest. His life was saved by a fellow player who applied CPR but he lapsed into a coma and was airlifted to hospital where he was given a quadruple heart bypass in an operation lasting six hours. However, he made a good recovery and returned to his most recent career on French TV as presenter of La France a un Incroyable Talent (the French ‘Got Talent’ competitions.) He says that appearing on an entertainment show is totally different from being a football pundit and that he has made it work by being completely himself, so that what viewers see when he operates his golden buzzer is just what they get!

I N T E R P R E TAT I O N S

ALGARVE P L U S

T H I S M O N T H ’ S B R I E F S TA R T E D O F F A S ‘A B S T R AC T ’ A N D T H AT ’ S W H E R E T H E T E R M I N T E R P R E TAT I O N C A M E I N TO P L AY, A S DA Z Z L I N G A N D H U G E LY D I F F E R E N T S U B M I S S I O N S A R R I V E D I N F R O M T H E A LG A R V E P H OTO G R A P H E R S ’ G R O U P

ANTHONY MARTIN ALGARVE ROOF TILES WHERE Architectural spares yard WHEN 2018 WHY I liked the stacked pattern. TIPS FOR OTHERS Keep an eye out for unusual shapes and patterns and choose your angle carefully. CAMERA Sony RX 10

DARYL GABIN COOL STEEL WHERE My living room with mock up studio WHEN January 2020

WHY Experimenting with coloured gels and unusual items that I have never used before. TIPS FOR OTHERS Eliminate as much, if not all natural light. Experiment with various light colours or light gels. A tripod and remote trigger are beneficial. CAMERA Canon 5D mk3 with Canon 100mm 2.8L macro lens

MEMBERS OF THE ALGARVE PHOTOGRAPHERS GROUP m e e t , u n d e r n o r m a l c i r c u m s t a n c e s , a t t h e M u s e u d o Tr a j e i n S a o B r a s a n d stage regular exhbitions . The new website – algar vephotographersgroup. org – will keep you updated on activities and members’ works and, when lo ckd own is lif te d , e a ch n ew sh ow, wh e re yo u c a n m e et th e gro up, se e their submissions, and vote for your chosen three favourite works . C h e ck with th e M use u on 9 6 6 32 9 07 3 to se e wh e n it is re op e ning

PHOTOGRAPHY PLUS

GOVERT SAKKERS ROOF WHERE Ferragudo beach WHEN January 2018 WHY I was intriged by the pattern of this bamboo roof. I gave the lines a twist through my photo developing system. TIPS FOR OTHERS Special effect tools help get abstract images. CAMERA Canon 80D with Tamron 16-300 lens

ERNST NEIDHARDT SHELLS

VIET MUELLER TOYS

WHERE Ilha Deserta

WHERE Christmas market in Frankfurt

WHEN December 2018

WHY Background picture

WHY The little wooden toys in a sales box had a charm of their own.

TIPS FOR OTHERS The best camera is the one that you always have with you... The motif falls at your feetâ&#x20AC;¦ then you see it. CAMERA Nikon D90

TIPS FOR OTHERS Watch out for small objects that together tell a big story. CAMERA Nikon D90

ALGARVE P L U S

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A BRIEF HISTORY OF FOREX TRADING I T ’ S A LW AY S G O O D T O G AT H E R K N O W L E D G E , E S P E C I A L LY O N S U B J E C T S T H AT T O U C H O U R L I V E S E V E R Y D AY H O W E V E R C H A L L E N G I N G T H E C L I M AT E . T H I S M O N T H , W E TA L K M O N E Y W I T H J O S E A L M E I D A

HE ORIGIN of Forex trading traces its history to centuries ago. Different currencies and the need to exchange them had existed since the Babylonians who are credited with the first use of paper notes and receipts. In those days, the value of goods was expressed in terms of other goods (the Barter System), the obvious limitations of which encouraged establishing more generally-accepted mediums of exchange. It was important that a common base of value could be established – in some economies, items such as teeth, feathers even stones served this purpose, but soon various metals, in particular gold and silver, became an accepted means of payment as well as a reliable storage of value. Trade was carried out among people from Africa to Asia through this system. Coins were initially minted from the preferred metal and in stable political regimes. The introduction of a paper form of governmental I.O.U. during the Middle Ages also gained acceptance. This type of I.O.U. was

introduced more successfully through force than through persuasion and is now the basis of today’s modern currencies. 1875 marks the most essential event in the history of currency trading, when the Gold Standard Monetary System was created. Before that, countries commonly used gold and silver as means of international payment. However, the gold standard monetary system eventually broke down, during World War I due to its weaknesses of boom-bust patterns. Near the end of World War II, the Bretton Woods agreement was reached on the initiative of the USA in July 1944. The conference held in Bretton Woods rejected the suggestion for a new world reserve currency in favour of a system built on the US Dollar. International institutions such as the IMF, The World Bank and GATT were created in the same period as the emerging victors of WWII searched for a way to avoid the destabilizing monetary crises leading to the war. The Bretton Woods agreement resulted in a system of

CURRENCY PLUS

How can I transfer my money? We’ve made your overseas money transfers quick and simple. We give you the option to transfer through our online system, our mobile app or over the phone. Once you’ve agreed your contract, you can send us the money via a UK debit card or a bank transfer.

Currencies What are the currencies I can transfer? We offer fee-free transfers on over 60 currencies. If you can’t find the currency pairing of your choice online or would like more information about it, contact us. 

Rates How is my exchange rate calculated? The exchange rate that you see on the news is called the ‘interbank rate’ – it’s the wholesale rate at which banks (and only banks) buy and sell currency between each other. This rate is not available to companies or individuals. At Currencies Direct, we are able to buy currency at a wholesale rate and we pass the savings we receive from buying in bulk to our customers. You will always be quoted a price for the currency you want to buy or sell whether you trade online or over the phone. The exchange rate changes every few seconds but once we agree a rate with you – that’s the rate you’ll get.

Registration Why do I need to register? There is no catch to registering with us; it’s free and you don’t have to transfer if you don’t want to. However by registering with us, you will not only access our online system 24/7 to send and receive currencies at all-time but you will also obtain expert guidance on the markets from our team of specialists. They will give you live market quote and assist you in the choice of the transfer services that best suit your needs.

At which point is my rate confirmed? Will it continue fluctuating until I receive my transfer? The exchange rate of your transfer is the rate you’ll agree with your currency expert over the phone or online when you book your transfer. Once the transfer has been confirmed, you rate will be remain the same, independently of what is happening on the markets. We offer tools and services, such as Rate Alerts and market updates, to help you follow the rate movements and decide the best moment to transfer.

Payments

What are your charges?

Why should I trust you with my money? We’re committed to the highest standards to ensure that your funds are safe at all times. Indeed, we’re authorised by the Financial Conduct Authority as an Electronic Money Institution and we have the highest possible Dun & Bradstreet credit rating. We also keep your money in a segregated account so we’re not using your money to run our business.

There are no charges for our transactions and no hidden fees or commissions.

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Currencies Direct has helped over 325.000 individuals and businesses move money abroad since 1996. The company has an ‘Excellent’ Trustscore on Trustpilot, over 20 global offices and a team of more than 500 currency experts.

For more detailed information, please contact the local of fice on 2 8 9 3 9 5 7 3 9 or register at currenciesdirect .com/portugal

to get regular updates on the currency markets .

( U s e A l g a r ve P LU S m a g a z i n e a s t h e re f e re n c e .) .

Currency trading rose from $70 billion a day in the 1980s to $1.5 trillion daily only 20 years later.

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fixed exchange rates that reinstated The Gold Standard partly, fixing the USD at $35.00 per ounce of Gold and fixing the other main currencies to the dollar, initially intended to be on a permanent basis. The Bretton Woods Agreement provided changes in exchange rates. In 1947 as the IMF began operating, the U.S. dollar served as the price of gold, fixed at $35 per ounce. The Bretton Woods system came under increasing pressure as national economies moved in different directions during the 1960’s. A number of realignments held the system alive for a long time but eventually Bretton Woods collapsed in the early 1970’s following President Nixon’s suspension of the gold convertibility in August 1971. The dollar was not any longer suited as the sole international currency at a time when it was under severe pressure from increasing US budget and trade deficits. In 1971 the Bretton Woods Agreement broke down and the modern foreign currency exchange was born. From there began the history of Forex market, as we know it today. Currency trading rose from $70 billion a day in the 1980s to $1.5 trillion daily only 20 years later. Currencies Direct was founded in 1996 as one of the first private Forex companies in the UK and we have helped more than 325,000 customers save time and money with excellent exchange rates, no fees and expert support. Over this time the following have been some of the more frequent FAQ’s from our clients:

HUMAN R E S P I R AT O R Y SYSTEM EO

ALGARVE P L U S

A LV

HELPING EV ERYONE

O N E H E A R D A B O U T â&#x20AC;&#x2DC; U N D E R LY I N G C O N D I T I O N S â&#x20AC;&#x2122; M A N Y T I M E S O V E R R E L AT I N G T O D E AT H S F R O M C O V I D 1 9 , W I T H I D I O PAT H I C P U L M O N A R Y F I B R O S I S ( I P F ) M E N T I O N E D F R E Q U E N T LY. I A N J A R R O L D , H E A D O F R E S E A R C H AT T H E B R I T I S H L U N G F O U N D AT I O N ( B L F ) , E X P L A I N S H O W I P F A F F E C T S T H E L U N G S , T H E T R E AT M E N T S AVA I L A B L E A N D H O W CUTTING- EDGE RESEARCH IS SEEKING A CURE

What is IPF and what happens when someone gets it?

IPF causes changes to the lining of the air sacs which transfer oxygen into our bodies. When the lungs are working normally, they need to expand to force air into the deepest parts of the lung, where oxygen can then pass into the bloodstream. However, when someone develops IPF, the disease triggers a process called fibrosis, which causes thick scar tissue to form within the air sacs in the lungs.

The build-up of scar tissue makes the lungs stiff and they lose their natural ability to inflate like a balloon, which makes normal breathing difficult. The scar tissue that builds up within the lung also blocks the interstitium (the space between the air sac and the blood vessels), which disrupts the normal flow of oxygen from the lung and into the bloodstream. IPF is a progressive disease, which

means the scar tissue continues to build and spread throughout the lung over time. As a result, people with IPF become increasingly breathless. And normal everyday tasks become much more difficult, as the body is less and less able to take in and process oxygen, which is crucial in generating the energy it needs for everyday activities.

HEALTH PLUS

What treatments are available?

A I R TO A N D F R O M MOUTH OR NOSE SCARRING

BLOOD VESSEL INTERSTITIUM

BLOOD VESSEL

I N F L A M M AT I O N

What causes IPF and how is it diagnosed?

In medicine, the word idiopathic means the cause of a disease is not understood, so we don’t know exactly what causes someone to develop IPF. Research has indicated IPF may occur as the result of repeated damage to the lung, which triggers the production of excess scar tissue in the lung. However, we don’t yet have definitive proof of what causes this regular damage to occur, and what factors affect someone’s likelihood of getting IPF. New studies are being carried out all the time to find out what genes and proteins are involved in IPF, so new treatments can be

found which directly target and stop the build-up of scar tissue in the lung. The most common methods used to diagnose IPF are a breath test with a spirometer (which measures how effectively the lungs can take in and breathe out air) and a CT scan, which can show a distinctive ‘honeycomb’ pattern in the lung, which helps doctors to diagnose IPF. Results from these diagnostic methods are sometimes confirmed through a biopsy by taking a sample of lung tissue to see if the scar tissue is present.

Sophisticated new techniques are available to scientists which enable them to look at the full range of genes expressed in patients with IPF. Our understanding of the role genes play in the cellular processes which cause scar tissue to form and spread continues to grow, thanks to British Lung Foundation-funded research. Professor Louise Wain, GSK/ British Lung Foundation Chair in Respiratory Research at the University of Leicester, analysed the genomes of patients with IPF in the UK and found a protein called A-Kinase Anchoring Protein 13 (AKAP13), which is involved in the body’s normal process of tissue repair. The AKAP13 gene produces more of this protein in patients with IPF, which might explain why abnormal levels of scar tissue are forming in the lungs. This protein could be the key to unlocking our understanding of how IPF develops and it offers a possible target for new medicines to treat IPF. It has also been identified that people who have IPF have more harmful bacteria in their lungs, which may explain why the air sacs become damaged with scar tissue as the body tries to fight off infection. Professor Toby Maher, British Lung Foundation Chair at Imperial College London, has extensively studied the presence and variety of bacteria inside the lungs of people with IPF. People with IPF have much greater numbers of harmful bacteria in their lungs. These bacteria can cause damage to the lining of the lungs, which results in more scar tissue being produced and results in IPF spreading throughout the lungs. Although the prospects for patients with IPF have been bleak over many years, by investing in research we can bring forward the day where no-one is left breathless by IPF.

exercise and support sessions which usually lasts about two-to-three months. Exercises are pitched appropriately to a person’s level of physical fitness and breathlessness, to ensure they get the most out of this form of treatment. While these treatments cannot slow down the rate at which IPF progresses, they can improve quality of life by improving breathing technique and enabling people to live independently for as long as possible. There are two drugs available to treat IPF – nintedanib and pirfenidone. These drugs are known as anti-fibrotic drugs, as they slow down the rate at which scar tissue builds up in the lung. These drugs are usually given to patients whose lung function has declined up to a certain point, so not everyone who is diagnosed with IPF is able to have these drugs. That’s why research into IPF in vital, so that its causes can be fully understood. Gathering that important knowledge offers huge potential for new preventions and treatments for IPF.

Currently, the damage to the lungs from IPF is irreversible. Treating IPF is therefore focused on managing the symptoms and slowing the worsening and spread of the disease in the lung. The average survival time after diagnosis of IPF is three years, however some people can live longer if IPF is diagnosed quickly and anti-fibrotic treatment started early. To help manage the feelings of breathlessness and loss of lung function, people with IPF can be given oxygen therapy or pulmonary rehabilitation, or in some cases both treatments are prescribed. Oxygen is delivered via an oxygen concentrator, which extracts oxygen from the air and delivers it in higher levels than normal air to the lungs, or from a cylinder which contains pure oxygen gas. Different options are available for the delivery of oxygen therapy, including portable concentrators. Pulmonary rehabilitation helps people with lung conditions to manage their breathing, through a set programme of

What research is being done to find out what causes IPF and how it might be cured? Q

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ORKING AWAY

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ADVICE PLUS

YOUR money

I rent out my home in the key summer months – from July to September – and either travel for that

I plan to start up as a sole trader, selling my services as marketing consultant. Can I buy whatever equipment and services I need and charge the costs to the business as set up costs – I am talking a new laptop, printed stationery etc. In most cases, especially if your yearly income is below €27,360, the purchase of the equipment you refer to may have no impact in your IRS (Personal Income Tax) liability. However, if in fact you are liable for VAT, the VAT included in these expenses will be deducted from the VAT from your services. If your services are provided to foreign companies, you will be invoicing without VAT, which means that all the VAT from the purchase of equipment etc, plus accountancy and other services associated with your activity, can be refunded to you after a certain period.

Email your finance questions for Ricardo to martin@algar veplusmagazine.com for inclusion in the first available issue of Algar ve Plus . To c o n s u l t d i r e c t l y w i t h R i c a r d o C h a v e s e m a i l r i c a r d o @ a l l f i n a n c e . p t

period, or visit my daughter in the Netherlands. If I want to do work on the house – interior and exterior painting for starters – can this be tax deductible and if so, what documentation is necessary for the authorities. Can I also charge three months of the maid’s salary and also the gardener’s to tax? Landlords who carry out works on a house whose investment exceeds the income received from rents can deduct the entire expense from the IRS (category F), for a period of six years. However, to be able to do this, they should choose the taxation method of ‘englobamento’. This means that instead of being taxed at the autonomous rate of 28%, they need to add the rental income to their overall income and be taxed accordingly. As the rental income will be added to other income, such as employment salary, pensions etc, the tax rate is likely to be higher than 28% as you would be taxed according to the progressive IRS rates. If a landlord choses to be taxed at the autonomous rate of 28%, the allowable expenses are condominium fees, council taxes, and rehabilitation works, but the amounts in question are only deductible for the year being declared. Please note that in case you rent your property directly through AirBnB or similar, you should have a rental license. In this case, you should also be registered in the tax office as sole trader (category B), but you can chose in this specific year to be taxed according to the sames rules as normal landlords (category F).

ALGARVE P L U S

How does one set about taking out a mortgage here? I have no idea of the steps involved, or the repayment options. My wife and I am in our mid 50s and have an apartment here that is fully paid for. But I want a big beautiful house now. My apartment is worth, I guess, around €450,000. The houses I have seen and liked are all circa double that. First, what you need to understand is that in Portugal the main mortgage criteria for approval is affordability. If you are purchasing a property and asking for half of the amount from the bank, it does not mean that a mortgage will be approved. The bank will always check your personal circumstances, to verify that you can repay the amount of the loan. The way the bank calculates this by dividing the amount of all your credits (including the new mortgage installment) by the net amount you receive each month. The effort rate shouldn’t be higher than 30-35%. If, for instance, you have a huge portfolio of investments, but don’t receive a great income each month (salaries, pensions, rents, dividends, etc) the bank will take longer to process the application and may refuse it. When assessing your a credit score, the bank looks at your age (normally the maximum age at term of the mortgage is 70 years), financial situation (whether or not you have any debts), earnings and regular expenditure. They will also ask for the credit report from your country. They normally look to lend 70-80% of the property purchase or the valuation (whichever is lower). The first step is to contact a mortgage broker or the bank directly. Then it’s advisable that you only submit the mortgage request once you have all the documents, normally: ID, fiscal numbers, proof of address, salary slips, tax declarations, bank statements, credit report. In addition, the property documents such as tax registration, land registration, habitation license and permits in case you are building. Some banks may accept the mortgage of your current property, when looking into the mortgage of a new property., but this is normally more expensive and shouldn’t be necessary, as the mortgage of one property, should be enough to meet the credit check requirements.

R I C A R D O C H AV E S O F A L L F I N A N C E M AT T E R S I S O N T H E PLU S TE A M A N D H ER E TO A N SWER YO U R Q U ESTI O N S O N TH E I S S U E S T H AT A F F E C T Y O U R L I F E S T Y L E O N T H E A L G A R V E , E S P E C I A L LY N O W D U R I N G T H I S D I F F I C U LT P E R I O D

HUMPH PLUS

AND finally G O O D LO R D, TH E M A N W H O C L AI M S TO B E A N O N T O U C H E R I S S U D D E N T LY M I S S I N G T H E O P P O R T U N I T Y T O H U G A N D K I S S H I S F R I E N D S , O R AT L E A S T T O S H A K E H A N D S . A N T H O N Y M A R T I N H A S H A D A WA K E - U P C A L L

A ALGARVE P L U S

RE YOU a touchy-feely person, a gregarious,

clubbable, manly clap-on-the-back type of person? A person who wears their heart on their sleeve type of person? A hugger, an arm linker, a do let’s have lunch-er? Well, are you? I only ask because I’m not. I’d like to be but it’s just… well… not me. For not only do I not touch inappropriately, but I hardly touch at all. I had never given this much thought before, but in these days of social distancing I have found that even I, who am none of the aforementioned and also in isolation with my family, still miss the physical contact of others. A handshake, a kiss on the cheek or a hand on the arm when making a point. Those gestures that affirm a bond, a friendship, a belonging to society, and if I’m missing this, what of those of you who are of a gregarious nature, who are naturally tactile, or who have a greater need of self-affirmation? There has been a lot of talk regarding the effect of lockdown isolation on mental health, particularly in children and the elderly but what about us ordinary folk (elderly to me is ten years greater than my age)? It’s difficult to express or receive body language at a distance of two meters and you can’t see a smile through a mask, so even when we are outside of our homes we are still in isolation and cut off from reality, the only link to the outside world being our Zoom meetings where conversation is forced, or the ever-depressing television news with the ever-depressing repetitive three-word mantras – stay at home -wash your hands – wear a mask. However, considering everything, we are fortunate to be in the right place at the right time. The government here were quicker on their feet than many other countries. Okay, the airports could have been closed earlier but our cases per-capita have been better than most and Portugal’s reaction is regarded by many as exemplary, particularly compared with the figures from the UK, which are, at the time of writing, the highest in Europe. And that is where my family live. Daughter, grandchildren, sister, nieces, nephews-in-law and cousins galore. When will lockdown stop for them? When will they be

comfortably settled in the ‘new normal’, that wonderful phrase that as yet has no meaning? No one knows, for the dates for the lifting of this or that, keep changing. It’s a continuous argument between science and politics and today I read that the models used in calculations are made up from the ‘what if’’ law of probabilities – so it’s all damned guesswork anyway. And to those who insist on going out and mixing with others, when are they going to get it into their thick heads that it is not the virus that is killing people – Covid-19 is just doing what all living organisms do, trying to survive. It’s those people who ignore social distancing – they are doing the killing. But a healthy lifestyle demands that people get out. When will it be allowable to visit ailing parents, go out for a meal with friends, visit the cinema and generally continue living lives with a semblance of normality? Oh, it’s going to be next Wednesday, we are told, possibly Thursday, or perhaps Tuesday a fortnight – it depends on the R number, which really means, how many die, for this is the number that must be balanced with the output of a widget factory in Lancashire. Yes, lives are a trade-off: long live the economy. But returning to where I came in, friends popped over yesterday to say hello. As they appeared, our involuntary instincts kicked in and we all moved towards each other for the pre-requisite greetings. Then, almost automatically, we came to a sudden stop, with the final tableau showing four be-gloved and be-masked people standing in the drive, each hesitantly wondering what to do next before shuffling around trying to keep two metres away from each other. When one moved, the other three had to move in unison in order to maintain distance. To an onlooker it must have appeared that we were performing a weird ritual dance. Perhaps this will become one of the constituents of the ‘new normal’. And as I sit here watching the word counter bringing me closer to the end of the column, I remember being a kid in London’s Oxford Street, watching the man with an attached sandwich board that read ‘The End of the World is Nigh’. Did he know something we didn’t.

It must have appeared that we were performing a weird ritual dance

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