Tomorrow Algarve Magazine - January 2022 by Tomorrow Algarve Magazine

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JANUARY 2022 | EDITION 122

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Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a safe and prosperous 2022

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Editor's note 5,000 PRINTED COPIES EDITORIAL Sophie Sadler sophie@tomorrowalgarve.com +351 912 176 588 SALES Tom Henshaw tom@tomorrowalgarve.com +351 919 918 733

Happy New Year. Here we all are in 2022 – I think. Since we held Euro 2020 in 2021, I still get confused and have to check the calendar to make sure!

Rather than embarking upon a fad diet this January, why not consider taking up one of the wonderful activities our climate makes possible?

We have celebrated another Christmas, which was hopefully a little more celebratory than last year, but there was still a pesky elf called Omicron trying to ruin things! Despite this, we are now a stone heavier, never want to look at a glass of mulled wine again and are dreading the thought of getting the decorations put away for another year.

This month, we have featured cycling, walking, walking football, and even rugby. Our health section reminds us not to neglect our mental health and highlights the increasing wealth of experts in alternative therapies who have made the Algarve their home. We also have a fantastic interview with an inspiring lady who changed her life and mental health through outdoor pursuits and is now attempting to row the Atlantic to raise money to develop women’s sport.

We are all no doubt anxious to get some New Year cheer and you have come to the right place! As usual, our monthly homage to all that is good about life in the Algarve is delivered to your normal pick-up point, desktop or phone and is full of great content. You will notice we have a strong sports and leisure theme. Of course, everyone tries to focus on shedding those excess pounds in January, but that should not be your sole focus.

Janine Nieper janine@tomorrowalgarve.com +351 913 320 509 Helen Daniel helen@tomorrowalgarve.com +351 917 054 646

We hope you enjoy our latest edition and wish you all a happy and safe New Year. From Sophie, Tom and the Tomorrow team.

We live in, or visit, a place with an enviable climate, making it possible for us to spend more time outdoors than our Northern European counterparts. So, make the most of it.

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ON THE COVER: Eufemia, is a very proud member of the Mundão community. Her father was the founder of the Rancho Folclórico de Mundão, (the Folk Group of Mundão) whose members keep the traditions of song and dance alive. On the day that photo was taken, Eufemia and the Rancho were performing in Viseu (the tile wall is a landmark of ViseuMundão and is in Viseu's district). The photographer, Letitia, discovered that Eufemia is a distant cousin of her grandmother so they are cousins.

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SEDE: R. SENHORA LORETO LOTE 6 RC D PARIO CONVENTO 8600-683 LAGOS PERIODICIDADE: MENSAL . TIRAGEN: 6,500 TIPOGRAFIA: C/ AL MEDITERRÁNEO, 29, POLÍGONO DE SAN RAFAEL, 04230, HUÉRCAL DE ALMERÍA CIF: B04250056 Whilst we take every care to ensure details are correct the publisher will take no responsibility for errors or omissions. Where prices or dates are quoted they are correct at the time of publication and are subject to change. Links to third party websites are by no way an endorsement of the linked material and the publisher takes no responsibility for the content or security of any third party website. Unless specifically stated Tomorrow magazine does not endorse any product or service appearing in the directory, classified, editorial or display advertising featured on the website.

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Dear Ana

A Photographic Journey of Transgenerational Healing BY MEREDITH PRICE LEVITT

Ana, when she didn't recognise herself due to dementia

When renowned Brazilian photographer Leticia Valverdes received a Fuji Portugal Residency in 2017, she had no idea how much the artistic grant would change her life. As a child growing up in the vibrant, cosmopolitan city of São Paulo, Leticia Valverdes spent countless hours with her beloved Portuguese grandmother, Ana. On Saturdays, they shopped together at the local street market. Young Leticia was transfixed by the blood red tomatoes, the sunken eyes of cod fish on ice and the sweet, alluring smell of papaya and pineapple. She remembers her grandmother, touching different fabrics to her skin, explaining the differences in quality and texture between lace, satin and silk. “She wanted to be a pianist and an actress but the only thing her father would allow her to do was be a seamstress,” explains Leticia. She was also permitted to be a hair model as this didn’t show her face, but most of Ana’s dreams and desires were forbidden. She spent a lifetime telling Leticia, who was the apple of her eye and her first born grandchild, not to allow a patriarchal society to stand in her way. “My grandmother wanted a better life for me,” says Leticia. “She wanted me to have choices she never had, she wanted me to marry a man I

loved, and most of all she wanted me to follow my dreams.” One of the many dreams Ana never got to fulfil in her lifetime was returning to her beloved Portugal. By the time Leticia’s family could afford to send her, she suffered from poor health and dementia. Near the end of her life, she talked incessantly about Portugal, about her lost friends there, about the pungent smell of lemons and oranges, about the land she owned there, about her saudade – longing for her homeland – and about the tears on her own grandmother’s face as she watched her children and grandchildren depart in 1921. Although she was only one and a half years old when she emigrated to Brazil, Ana spent a lifetime dreaming of her return. With bittersweet serendipity, Leticia found a way to fulfil her dream posthumously. Already an accomplished photographer interested in the therapeutic and theatrical aspects of performance photography, Leticia received the Fujifilm Residency in 2017. Eleven years after her grandmother’s death, this grant allowed her to visit the tiny village of Mundão in northern Portugal. She wanted

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Now I’ve made this journey, this trip that you could never take, my grief has disappeared. Mundão has soothed it with a gentle, warm embrace, with the touch of hand spun Portuguese lace.

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Ana is the youngest holding hands with her mother having emigrated to Brazil to photograph the place and the people her grandmother had left behind. In 2020, she was awarded the prestigious Via Arts Prize for her work. “We are the guardians of the forgotten and excluded memories which we inherit in our wombs,” Ana writes in a fictional letter to her granddaughter Leticia in the photo poetry book, Dear Ana. “Do you know, Leti, that you were once a seed in my womb? We have always been connected.” This powerful physical connection led Leticia to her grandmother’s birthplace on a quest to fulfil old dreams, heal transgenerational wounds and discover lost roots. When Leticia first arrived from London with her fancy cameras and bags of equipment, the villagers in the small parish of Mundão were suspicious. Once she showed them her grandmother’s birth certificate from Mundão and explained why she was there, they began to tell their own stories.

read that Ana's godfather had also been her uncle and he was still alive. It was a huge shock to me as I never knew I still had family living there, and it connected me to cousins I never knew I had. It was a moving moment. Many of the villagers were there with me too.”

Sr Antonio Sebastião. At 98 the eldest man in Mundão, when this photo was taken. He was born in 1919 the year before Ana. He has since died.

Leticia also shared details about her grandmother’s life in Brazil, her family’s immigration borne from desperation and starvation in Portugal, her work as a seamstress and her loss of a son who died of cancer at the young age of 21. In their postcards, the villagers speak of their own losses, of their memories of Portugal, of playing in the orchards as children and attending church. “They knew you were gone, but they understood that a person never really disappears if we carry them in our heart,” writes Leticia in a letter to her grandmother.  All photos © Leticia Valverdes

“I shared my saudade and then I asked them to share their own,” says Leticia, who invited the villagers to be Ana’s fictitious friends and write postcards to her deceased grandmother, who they had never met. It was a project designed to instigate participation. “For me, photography has always been about inviting people to be photographed in a way they want to be seen,” says Leticia. “I have a passion for the internal landscape of people as fellow humans. I believe photography can help find our common denominators.” Indeed, these postcards connect Ana to the life she might have led. They fostered healing for Leticia, balm for the transgenerational wound of immigration. They offered Leticia a chance to connect her past with her present. “When I brought her birth certificate to the priest at the small local church, he opened the church books and found her christening certificate. In it, we www.facebook.com/tomorrowalgarve | www.instagram.com/tomorrowalgarve | www.tomorrowalgarve.com

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Eufemia after performing traditional dance in Viseu.

 Interspersed with small pearls of poetry, intimate letters between generations and beyond the grave, the stunning photographs immerse the reader in a journey that is at once deeply personal and profoundly universal. So many of us have left behind beloved family and friends to make new lives in different countries. So many of us long for those we love and cannot be with – especially in these trying times when travel has the added challenge of a never-ending global pandemic.

For those of you who are local, we will be hosting a book sale near Lagos on 22 January from 2 pm–5 pm so come and get yourself a signed copy and take advantage of no shipping fees. If you’d like to attend, please contact me at meredithmprice@gmail.com

This, insists Leticia, constitutes the foundation of her work. To find the human elements within photography that connect us all as people, the underlying and delicate filigree of our shared experiences. To focus on our differences is easy. But to find the common ground is often much harder – even when we know there is far more sameness than separation. We divide ourselves over politics, over religion, over race, over age, over gender, and over opinions. But at the end of the day, we are all human. We all have blood running through our veins and hearts pumping in our chests. Leticia endeavours to capture this common ground through artistic photographs that capture shared experiences. Beyond the healing power of human connection, Dear Ana also tells the story of a young child who

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emigrated and never made it into any history books. “My grandmother represents one of many,” says Leticia. “She is a symbol of unfulfilled dreams and the love that lives on and is also passed on in the very genes of the people who come after and carry it inside.” In yet another turn of magic realism, the participatory aspect of Dear Ana continued after Leticia and her family decided to move to Portugal. “I used the sunshine of Portugal to do a chemical process I put on paper then print with sun called Cyanotype,” says Leticia, who moved to Aljezur from the UK in 2020. “I continued to get the sun that she never felt and all the flowers are from Portugal so I intertwined those with her lace to create a devotive aspect.” In the spring of 2022, exactly 101 years after her grandmother left Portugal, Leticia’s exhibition near Trafalgar Square in London for the Via Arts Prize will open. "I am honoured to be living the life she wanted for me,” says Leticia. This accomplishment adds to the powerful catharsis in her work – for herself, for her grandmother, for anyone who has ever felt saudade and especially for all the unnamed women who have immigrated around the world.

 To buy the book, you can contact Leticia directly at: www.leticiavalverdes.com/contact-us

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A Sea of Change for Sport BY SOPHIE SADLER

Victoria Evans has just flown to Tenerife to prepare to set off on a world record attempt to become the fastest solo woman to row the Atlantic. However, she credits the Algarve with giving her the vital preparation for her endeavour. Victoria should have already completed this challenge as she was due to set out in February 2020, but she had to postpone at the last minute due to changes in Spain’s travel restrictions caused by the pandemic. She wants to make sure she doesn’t suffer another setback, so decided to head to her starting point before Christmas, in case any more travel restrictions are implemented. She hopes to find a good weather window at the end of January to begin her journey.

active and encouraged me to join in.” Through both her personal and professional experiences of sport, Victoria has seen the multitude of barriers that still exist for women entering the field.

The 34-year-old, London-based lawyer wants to give her epic voyage more significance than a record-breaking attempt. She is using it to establish her campaign Sea Change Sport. Her mission is to address gender inequality in sports, tackling the matter at an industry level by lobbying for changes in policy, culture and quotas to ensure that women’s voices help shape the future of sport, and that opportunities for women in sport vastly increase. She also aims to raise £50,000 for the charity Women In Sport in the process. This challenge comes from a very personal place, as it was Victoria's own experience with sport as a driver for positive change that inspired her to take on such a monumental challenge.

After returning to the UK in 2018, she wanted to continue her new active lifestyle, and to contribute to driving change. Fate led her to meet someone who was just about to row the Atlantic and that sparked her interest. She signed up to take on the same challenge, learning to row at a club in London before venturing into training in her ocean rowing boat.

She describes her childhood as "a touch turbulent", leading her to suffer from depression and an eating disorder. She certainly was not sporty, but in her mid-twenties, inspired by a friend, she started running. “I found it helpful in terms of managing stress, emotions and looking after myself.” She competed in several half marathons. “It is such an effective tool for self-management because you have a reason to look after yourself.” After qualifying as a lawyer, she has worked for a number of sports brands and federations, which led to a move to Switzerland. “It opened my eyes to a whole new world of being active in a way I hadn’t considered possible – going into the mountains, having adventures. I established a group of friends who were all very

Victoria talks of how sport has evolved in a historic cultural landscape that wasn’t always inclusive of women. “Sport is one of the most powerful vehicles for change,” she says, “but millions of women miss out because the industry is not designed by them, or marketed to them.” As part of the Sea Change Sport campaign, she has engaged with five schools across the UK as part of a project she’s calling Sea Change Schools. Each school's Key Stage 2 age children (eight to ten-year-olds) will collectively complete 3000 miles of activity in January, the same distance that Victoria will row. “I have tried to include state schools who may not normally have access to sporting role models to highlight to the children what is possible. I didn’t come from grand beginnings, but my definition of what is possible has dramatically expanded through the opportunities I’ve had. For younger people, discipline and a positive attitude and outlook are vital for both physical and mental health.” 

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ocean – I had to ensure I tracked the conditions and could get back to the marina each day; it forces you to overcome certain fears. And the Algarve is far sunnier than England!” Although the aim is to break the record, Victoria acknowledges it is weather dependent. The row is unsupported with no accompanying vessel. Victoria will survive on freeze-dried expedition food and a desalination unit will allow her to process the water she needs. She aims to row 12 to 14 hours a day. Her only luxury is a memory foam pillow and a massage device for her shoulder, which she previously injured. She will also take a few edible treats but keeping the weight of the boat to a minimum is essential. Victoria navigates using a chart and three autohelm devices to set her course. They need to be rotated every few hours as they can overheat. She uses a compass to check she is following the correct path. She will also have the expertise of the Team GB weather router, Simon Rowell, who she will be in touch with each day via satellite phone or by email in order to anticipate the weather and choose the correct route. All going well, she will finish in Barbados, where she will be met by her family and friends. “You are never fully ready for a challenge of this size, but I have done more on the water training than most. I started learning about the boat, then did overnights, then three days, building up to five days. In Portugal, I rowed most days. It’s about seamanship as much as it is physical effort.” She is not worried about being lonely as she states that she is comfortable in her own company, but she does worry about something going wrong with the boat. “I would be frustrated if I had to stop for technical issues. I also have to get into the water to clean the bottom of the boat, which is quite daunting; obviously, I will be tied on.”  The current world record stands at 49 days. The boat that Victoria will call home while at sea was built by Rannoch Adventure. Owned by Dawn Wood, who herself solo rowed the Atlantic, the boat has already seen some good sea miles. An R10 ocean rowing boat, it measures 6.5 m by 1.5 m. With a cabin to sleep in, VHF, satellite phones, charts, a water maker, etc, it has all you need to survive a transatlantic crossing. Having quit her job prior to postponement in order to train fulltime, Victoria took a fixed-term role as Director of Legal at World Sailing in February 2021. Through her connections at World Sailing, she was put in touch with Vilamoura Sailing, who, in conjunction with Vilamoura Marina, sponsored her to train in the Algarve during the summer of 2021. From July to September this year, Victoria enjoyed training rows between Vilamoura and Lagos. “I had such a good time in the Algarve and was so well looked after everywhere I went. There are strong winds from the west along the coast and you are in Atlantic waters, so it provides fantastic exposure to training conditions and a taste of what I can look forward to on the crossing. It simulates the conditions better than the east coast of the UK, where I had been training prior to that. There is something quite nerve-racking about rowing into the

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Victoria believes that the lure of the Atlantic will bring her back to the Algarve when she finishes her adventure, but for now, her sights are set on using her battle with the waves to battle gender inequality in sport. Tomorrow wishes her the best of luck.  You can follow the campaign via www.seachangesport.com and you can donate to Victoria’s fundraising here: www.gofundme.com/f/seachangesport

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D. Inês de Castro e D. Pedro I (Quinta da Regaleira) Câmara Municipal de Sintra Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

History Heroes Eternal love – with a Portuguese twist! BY SOPHIE SADLER

You may not be aware that the Portuguese have their very own Romeo and Juliet – Pedro and Inês. Their story is more romantic, tragic, and macabre than anything that Shakespeare could have imagined! I learnt of this real-life tragic love story when I visited Coimbra. A tour guide joked that only in Portugal could such a tale have evolved. It is a medieval drama including politics, family feuds, murder and a posthumous Queen – all taking place within Portugal's royal family. You couldn’t make it up, and their doomed union has inspired writers and poets and been the subject of myths and legends ever since. Born in 1320 to Afonso IV Portugal and Beatrice of Castile, Pedro was betrothed to Constança of Castile when he was 19. Afonso was driven to align their dynasty with a powerful Castilian aristocrat as a rebuke to Alfonso XI of Castile, who had abandoned his eldest daughter, Princess Maria, in favour of a mistress. Maria returned to her father in Portugal in 1335 after bearing a son, the future Pedro of Castile. Pedro's bride arrived in Portugal in 1340, but this new union was to prove no more successful. The arranged marriage hit rocky ground when the heir to the throne fell head over heels for Constança's lady-in-waiting, the beautiful Inês de Castro.

Nowadays, the former palace is a luxury hotel, but it was once the backdrop to Pedro and Inês’ affair. During the Romance period, a folly was built in the botanical gardens to mark a place where Pedro and Inês probably met in secret. It is believed they used a secret tunnel nearby to avoid discovery. Despite this precaution, their affair was an ill-kept secret that Constança was well aware of. She even made Inês godmother to one of her children so that the bond between her adulterous husband and her lady-in-waiting was deemed incestuous by the rules of the time. This could not quell their passion and Inês bore four children, three of whom survived her. The neglect of his lawful wife caused even more tension with Castile. Constança of Castile died in 1345, weeks after giving birth to a son, who eventually became the first of Pedro's sons to succeed him as king of Portugal. Despite Afonso IV attempting to arrange another marriage for his son, Pedro refused to marry anyone but Inês, who was not considered eligible to be queen. To add insult to injury, Pedro's legitimate son, the future King Ferdinand I of Portugal, was sickly and frail. 

Quinta das Lágrimas (Estate of Tears) in Coimbra is the setting for this story of star-crossed lovers.

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Who was Inês de Castro? Born in 1325, Inês was the daughter of Pedro Fernández de Castro, Lord of Lemos and Sarria, and his noble Portuguese mistress Aldonça Lourenço de Valadares. Her family descended both from the Galician and Portuguese nobilities. She was also well connected to the Castilian royal family (by illegitimate descent), which allowed Inês to move in the right circles. Inês came to Portugal in 1340 as a lady-in-waiting to Constança and had a connection to the country, being legitimately descended from Infanta Sancha Henriques of Portugal, the daughter of Henry, Count of Portugal. The love affair and fatherson conflict inspired more than twenty operas and many writers, including: the Portuguese national epic Os Lusíadas by Luís de Camões, the Spanish Nise Lastimosa and Nise laureada (1577) by Jerónimo Bermúdez, Reinar después de Morir by Luís Vélez de Guevara, as well as Inez de Castro by Mary Russell Mitford and Henry de Montherlant’s French drama La Reine morte.

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The Alcobaça Monastery The Mosteiro de Santa Maria de Alcobaça is located in central Portugal, 120 km north of Lisbon. The monastery was established in 1153 by the first Portuguese king, Afonso Henriques. It was favoured by the Portuguese monarchy throughout its sevencentury-long history and is now a World Heritage Site.

 On the other hand, Pedro and Inês’s illegitimate children were strong. Inês brothers were given more power, creating even more discomfort among the Portuguese nobles, who feared the increasing Castilian influence over Pedro. Despite this, it is reported that Pedro and Inês lived together at Santa Clara Palace, in Coimbra, with their three children for many years. If this all sounds quite romantic – wait for the next part! Maddened that his attempts to keep the lovers apart had been unsuccessful, Afonso IV ordered Inês’s death. Pêro Coelho, Álvaro Gonçalves and Diogo Lopes Pacheco were employed as the assassins. Inês was detained at the Monastery of Santa Clara-a-Velha in Coimbra and was killed by decapitation in front of her small child. Unsurprisingly, Pedro was distraught with grief and rage, and sought his revenge. He captured two of his love's killers and executed them publicly by ripping their hearts out, claiming they didn’t deserve one after having broken his own heart. Pedro never forgave his father and revolted against him. Afonso defeated his son within a year but died shortly after, and Pedro succeeded to the throne in 1357. He ruled for a decade, stating that he had secretly married Inês, who was consequently the lawful queen. His word was, and still is, the only proof of the marriage.

that he could rest next to his eternal love forever. Their children were also legitimised and became John, Duke of Valencia de Campos Denis, Lord of Cifuentes and Beatrice, Countess of Alburquerque.

 www.mosteiroalcobaca.gov.pt

Pedro ordered that Inês now be recognised as Queen of Portugal. Legend has it that he had her corpse adorned in royal robes and jewels and she was placed in a throne. According to this account, his courtiers were made to kiss the skeleton bride's hand, thus rendering her when dead the homage which she had not received in her life. This grisly post-mortem coronation has been disputed as being the stuff of legends since the story only appeared in 1577 in Jerónimo Bermúdez’ play Nise Laureada. Depending on your interpretation of the story, he is now known as Pedro the Just (o Justo) or the Cruel (o Cruel). Pedro ordered that Inês' coffin be built opposite his final resting place so that, at the Last Judgment, the two lovers could look at each other as they rose from their graves. The marble coffins are intricately sculpted with scenes from their lives and a promise by Pedro that they would be together até ao fim do mundo (until the end of the world). Thus, the most overwhelming Portuguese love story is immortalised in stone – the rest is the stuff of legend.

The new king ordered the body of Inês to be moved from Coimbra to the Royal Monastery of Alcobaça in April 1360. Two magnificent tombs were built so

It is unknown who created the tombs of Pedro and Inês in Alcobaça, but they are among the best works of Gothic sculpture in Portugal. The King’s Tomb is supported by lions and Inês' tomb with sculpted halfmen half-beasts, which lift the recumbent figures of the deceased assisted by a group of angels.

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Jardins da Quinta das Lágrimas According to legend, this beautiful parkland in the centre of the city is where Dona Inês de Castro (aka Portugal’s Juliet to the Infante Pedro’s Romeo) was murdered on the orders of King Afonso IV. Nowadays, it’s home to a five-star hotel, but anyone can take a turn about the romantic grounds and track down the Fonte dos Amores (Lovers’ Fountain), which reputedly marks the spot where Inês was struck down. Look also for a sequoia tree planted by the Duke of Wellington. You can even stay at Quinta das Lágrimas Hotel in five-star luxury (www.quintadaslagrimas.pt).

Interesting fact: Pedro's second son to succeed him was King John, who was the result of an affair with Teresa Lourenço after the death of Inês. She is believed to have been a commoner from Lisbon. After the birth of John, nothing further is known about Teresa.

Fonte das Lágrimas Carlos Luis M C da Cruz, via Wikimedia Commons

Pedro and Inês' coffin at Mosteiro de Santa Maria, Alcobaça - Art Library Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, via Wikimedia Commons

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A Dying Controversy BY JAMES PLASKITT In one of its final actions before being dissolved ahead of next year’s general election, the National Assembly passed a law providing for doctor-assisted dying. This was the second attempt of the year, after the Constitutional Court rejected the first draft. But this second attempt still faces obstacles before making it into statute.

At the next stage, the applicant’s physician must present the patient with a full list of their medical options, including palliative care. After studying the list, the applicant must again affirm in writing that they wish to proceed. If the physician disagrees, the application will fail.

The outgoing National Assembly, with its centre-left majority, first passed a measure permitting doctorassisted dying last January. But the President – a Catholic with reservations about the initial drafting – referred it to the Constitutional Court. By a narrow majority, they agreed with the President, and accepted that the law was too vague, and so required the Assembly to redraft sections.

If the patient’s physician agrees, the application is referred to a second independent physician, who must issue an opinion in writing. This physician can again cancel the process if they do not support the application or refer it for psychiatric assessment if they are concerned about the applicant’s competence.

The result was a substantially revised law, passed in November, just before the Assembly was dissolved. If the measure eventually makes it onto the statute books, it would make Portugal the fifth EU country – after Belgium, Luxembourg, Netherlands and Spain – to make this provision. The measure is contentious, with the Catholic church and some medical groups expressing concerns about the proposed measure. Opinion polling suggests the measure is supported by around 60% of the population, a smaller majority than in those countries that have already made the provision. The new proposed law is also more widely drawn than in other countries. It envisages that doctor-assisted dying may be accessed in any of three circumstances, in the case of:  Serious or incurable disease which is deemed to be in a progressive stage and which is incurable or irreversible and which is causing intense suffering  Injury of extreme severity, which is definitively and widely disabling and where there is no prospect of cure or significant improvement  Physical, psychological or spiritual suffering arising from serious or incurable disease The proposed law is very detailed on the process that would have to be used to access doctor-assisted dying.

If the application clears all the first stages, it is then referred to a medical committee, who can approve the application, cancel it, or order it to restart. If the committee agrees with the application, patient assent is again required. At the final stage, the law requires that the administration of lethal drugs must be done in the presence of independent witnesses. Portugal’s draft law is thus potentially wider in its scope of application but arguably tougher in its safeguards than those in other countries. Under Portugal’s constitution, the law has to go to the President of the Republic for approval. He can either promulgate it, veto it, or refer it to the Constitutional Court. President Marcelo de Sousa has already used the last device, and the decision of the Court to ask for alterations passed only narrowly. The Assembly sent the revised law to the President at the end of November. The President announced on November 30 that he had also decided to veto the revised law, arguing that there were still inconsistencies in its wording. This, in effect, pushes the whole debate over to the new Parliament, to be elected on January 30. It will be some time before we know whether Portugal will be joining the list of EU countries providing for doctorassisted dying. James Plaskitt was an MP in Tony Blair’s government in the UK. He is now retired in the Algarve.

The process must begin with a written request from the applicant, or from their representative.

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COMMUNITY couple set about a new challenge of “shaking up the golfing world” with a brand of colourful, practical and affordable sportswear. Within a short time, Esterl Golf was born, servicing the needs of male and female golfers alike. The couple divide their time between Portugal and Germany, but it is in Portugal that they source their materials and produce and distribute their clothing range. I was intrigued to know why, given the many tales of how difficult it can be to do business in Portugal. Neil describes it differently however, saying, “It was a relatively straightforward decision because having researched so many options it quickly became clear that the quality of clothing manufacturing in northern Portugal was so much better than we could find elsewhere.” It has also helped that they know Portugal so well, with Elisabeth first visiting Tavira over 15 years ago. She explains, “The Algarve has always been a fantastic place to practise during the winter. I was doing this so often that it made sense to buy a property here – and of course, golf is such a popular sport in this region it gives us a great shop window for our business.”

Ex-professional leading the way Vaughan Willmore tells of how former professional golfers Elisabeth Esterl and Neil Webb are ‘shaking up the golfing world’ and helping to improve animal welfare in the Algarve. There are people who dream of representing their country in a sport they love. Others dream of running their own business and of helping people less fortunate than themselves. Then there’s Elisabeth Esterl who, together with her partner Neil Webb, has done all these things and is now helping to train and feed cats and dogs in the Algarve and raise awareness of the plight of the many associations that look after neglected and abandoned animals. Elisabeth was once ranked Germany’s number one female golfer. She’s the winner of two Ladies European Tour tournaments and has competed in the Solheim Cup, the prestigious tournament for professional women golfers, which is contested every two years between teams from Europe and the USA. Elisabeth Esterl and Neil Webb

Elisabeth and Neil met in Dubai when Elisabeth was on tour and Neil was working as a golf professional, helping top players improve their game. They shared a passion for golf, travel, clothing, and animals. With Neil looking for a new challenge and Elisabeth retiring from the professional circuit, this likeable

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Esterl Golf is going from strength to strength, but their lives in Portugal have not all been plain sailing. In late 2018, while wintering in Tavira, they adopted a lovable rescue kitten named Frankie, who quickly became a much-loved family member. Tragically just a year later, Frankie was killed in a road accident. Elisabeth and Neil were heartbroken. Determined to provide Frankie with a lasting legacy and create something positive from such a dreadful event, they founded the Frankie Foundation. In the two years since its establishment, the Frankie Foundation has sponsored various initiatives and has worked particularly closely with Cacela Dog Haven, near Vila Nova de Cacela. With the help of local dog trainer Nuno Nunes from Incríveis Tavira, the Frankie Foundation has paid for the training of dogs with the aim of helping them to become calmer and, therefore, more suitable for adoption. The foundation has also paid for the sterilisation and feeding of dogs and cats from throughout the Algarve. They were able to fund much of this work by donating 20% of sales from their animal print polo shirt range to the Frankie Foundation. As for the future, Elisabeth and Neil will be drawing on their contacts in the golfing world to help promote their sportswear and they will be leading the way in terms of animal welfare by funding whatever initiatives they can and raising awareness of the excellent work of local shelters. Many shelters, such as Cacela Dog Haven, appreciate anyone who can spare a few hours a week to take their dogs for a walk. Closer to home, Elisabeth and Neil will be looking after their ever-growing family, which currently comprises five cats and one dog, all of whom are named after famous golfers! If you would like to know more about the Frankie Foundation or Esterl Golf, you can contact Elisabeth and Neil via their website.  www.elisabethesterl.com www.caceladoghaven.wixsite.com/caceladoghaven www.incriveisdogschooltavira.com

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The Solar Cats BY JULIAN PUTLEY

There is no doubt that catamarans, both sail and power, have achieved recognition in the leisure and commercial sectors of marine development. Sean Strevens of Cheetah Marine was an early innovator in the field. Cheetah Electric 2022

At 18, Sean began his working life as a fisherman in the waters around the Isle of Wight. As he experienced various challenges with small traditional vessels, he started looking for ways to create a stable and seaworthy vessel. He recounts an early voyage on a barquentine, the Young Endeavour, from the UK to Australia that provided him with invaluable experience of heavy weather and the everchanging nature of the ocean. It was in 1989 that Sean undertook the design and construction of his first Cheetah catamaran. Made from plywood and West System epoxy resin over a wooden frame, the build took about a year and this, his personal design, proved very successful. The width and stability of the boat allowed him to load more weight over more days at sea. Before long, other fishermen became interested and asked him to build more. From this wooden prototype, it was decided to change the construction material to glass fiber using a mould taken from the original wooden catamaran. Fishermen who were originally doubtful of the seaworthiness of the catamaran design soon changed their minds and orders started to come in. The 6.2m design has a beam of 2.4m, draft of 220mm and a load capacity of 1 tonne. It made the perfect small commercial fishing boat, very good in rough seas and very fuel-efficient with low-powered engines. Following this success, a request came in for a 9m Cheetah vessel to be powered by diesel engines driving water jets. This meant another design, another mould and more innovation for superstructure and power systems. The water jet propulsion system allows the operator to manoeuvre the boat sideways. Not only that, but the 9m Cheetah powered by 90 hp Honda outboards can achieve

speeds of over 20kts, important when fish need to get to market. Other customers were soon taking notice of Cheetah Marine and its power cats. Orders started coming in for survey boats, harbour patrol boats and special purpose vessels. Record-breaking quadriplegic sailor Geoff Holt’s 9m Cheetah was designed and built in 2011 for Geoff to operate from his wheelchair. Its name? Wetwheels. The increased activity necessitated a new factory and offices. Eventually, an 8,000 square foot facility was built at the water’s edge at Ventnor Haven on the Isle of Wight. From backyard garage to a full-service facility in less than 20 years! To date, about 600 vessels have been built for customers all around the world. Over the last few years, propulsion from sustainable energy to meet the climate crisis has been front and centre of public discourse. To this end, Cheetah Marine has been investing in technology to produce electric and hydrogen-powered catamarans with the power supplied from a renewable source. Solar panels are fitted on the hard top and will augment the usable power. Fast forward to Portugal and Sean tells me about his latest expansion. “In 2017, we looked for a place in Europe to build Cheetah catamarans after concerns with the possible outcome of Brexit as we had established a good European market.” Cheetah Marine found Portugal to be ideal and they accessed a facility in Tornada not far from the famed surfing location of Nazaré. Sean continues, “The new facility is working well and we build around eight to ten Cheetah catamarans per year for the local Portuguese tourist and commercial fishing markets as well as exports to southern Europe and Africa.” 

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Sean Strevens

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New Hope for Boa Esperança

Nazare Water Fun 11.2m

BY LENA STRANG Residents in Lagos will have noticed that the replica of the 15th century caravel Boa Esperença is no longer docked by Lagos marina. For some years now, it has been a sorry sight with its peeling paintwork and ever deteriorating state of repair. Criticism abounded on social media networks. How could the historic ship, representing Portugal’s maritime past, be allowed to go to rack and ruin? Sealife Cheetah 11.2m  Future orders include a new model 11.5m x 4.3m large Cheetah cat powered by twin 200-hp, 750v, electric outboard motors and 850kg lithium batteries. To offset the weight of the batteries, the hulls will be built of a light carbon composite material. There are three Cheetah catamarans berthed at the marina in Lagos, one being the 11.2m Sea Life, an open boat specifically designed for dolphin watching. The other two are the 9m cat We Dive and the 11.2m SeaSophia, a full cabin excursion boat. The future looks bright for Portugal’s Cheetah Marine, with the Algarve’s tourism sector looking healthy and predicted to expand.  oceanblueportugal.com www.facebook.com/oceanblueactive

Sean Strevens is the founder and designer of Cheetah Marine power catamarans. He is a Fellow of the Royal Institute of Naval Architects. He and his family have always loved the sea, and sharing the magic of that lifestyle has been an ongoing dream. Wife Lucy’s Portuguese business enterprise is Ocean Blue near the Algarve’s charming seaside village of Burgau. Ocean Blue Portugal offers four apartments and advertises ‘fitness retreats and adventure excursions’. Standup paddleboarding, snorkelling and swimming at various spots up and down the sunny Algarve coast are popular with locations accessed aboard a … yep, you guessed it, a Cheetah Marine power cat.

However, negotiations have gone on for some time. According to a recent report in the Barlavento newspaper, in June 2018 an application was submitted for a project that would allow for the complete restoration of the caravel, transforming it into an interpretative centre based on the Age of the Discoveries. João Fernandes, president of the Turismo do Algarve, was keen to resolve this situation. “The caravel is an asset worth preserving but, for that, it is necessary to expend resources not always available. Finding a solution wasn’t easy,” he said. “It eventually emerged under the INTERREG VA Spain – Portugal (POCTEP) program, with an application called Exploraterra. It is aimed at preservation, enhancement and the promotion of the cultural heritage related to the first circumnavigation and maritime expeditions.” He also emphasised that there will be cross-border partnerships with Nau Victoria, which recently visited Lagos. A new model of management will be established involving Lagos Municipality, Centro de Ciência Viva and even Clube de Vela de Lagos.

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The caravel is currently at the Portinave shipyard in Portimão, undergoing a complete refurbishment at a cost of 400,000€. As there is extensive work to be done, it is envisaged that it will take until the end of February before it opens to the public. Although the details are not yet revealed, it will be permanently moored in a different, sheltered location, which is not subject to changing tides. There will be an entrance fee for visitors to help with regular maintenance costs. Boa Esperança was constructed in 1999 and is one of three replica caravels built at Vila de Conde in the north of Portugal. Bartolomeu Dias, dedicated to the circumnavigation of the Cape of Good Hope, is anchored in Lisbon. Vera Cruz, commemorating the arrival of Pedro Álvares Cabral at the island of Vera Cruz, Brazil in 1500, is now used as a museum in South Africa. And what about the Boa Esperança? It commemorates the voyage of Bartolomeu Dias who achieved a milestone in the Portuguese explorations. In 1488, against all odds, he discovered the passage around southern Africa and the Cape of Good Hope (Boa Esperança), making it possible for the Portuguese to trade directly with India and the Far East. It is a prime example of an early caravel with its two masts, and lateen sails to facilitate navigation against the wind. It is great that the caravel will yet again have pride of place in Lagos. Based on information from Barlavento.

 cdi@turismodoalgarve.pt (Algarve Tourist Board)

Photo courtesy of Turismo do Algarve

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“A Gold Experience of a Lifetime” BY FILIPA FERNANDES

Results

Proudly representing the city of Lagos and the talent of Portugal, five dancers and their teacher from the Associação de Dança de Lagos (ADL) travelled to Orlando, Florida, to take part in a worldwide dance competition, the All Dance World Hybrid 2021. After qualifying in a Portugal-wide competition, and despite the disruptions caused by COVID-19, these talented students flew to Fantasy World. Theirs was a fantasy that came true! After a journey of over 7257 km and with their hearts full of expectations and dreams, this experience was the most important event of these talented dancers’ lives. The hearts of the five ADL students and their teacher, Tatiana Ursu, beat faster when the United Airlines pilot welcomed them to the US announcing the team was on board. For the next five days, these students and their teacher competed with dance schools from all over the world which had qualified in All Dance competitions in their own countries. Over 1.100 choreographies plus jet leg to recover from. Not an easy task. Their commitment and passion for dance and the creativity, talent and experience of their teachers and choreographers resulted in a nomination for the best school. Receiving many compliments from the juries and other international delegations, the group of five couldn’t feel happier. They have performed colourful, creative dances of different dance genres giving a taste of the distinct national dances of the world, as well as revealing creativeness and singular precise dance techniques and beautiful costumes.

a Contemporary dance called Changing by Tatiana Ursu, a nominee for best choreographer. They also won the trophy for 2nd place in World Dance with Jewish Bottles by Marina Khametova (also nominated for best choreographer). These dancers performed flawlessly with elegance, precision, and grace all the while balancing bottles on their heads. On the way back from Orlando, the students met with a slight problem: their suitcases weren’t big enough to transport all their trophies ... ten in total! Apart from their trophies and medals, the students brought back memories of a great adventure in a wonderful land of magic. From holding alligators in their hands to visiting the famous Universal Studios and Kennedy Space Centre and meeting Mickey Mouse, they were amazed at being surrounded by other talented dancers with magnificent choreographies and performers from Finland to Canada, Argentina to Singapore.

2nd place WORLD DANCE GROUP – Jewish Bottles 1st place WORLD DANCE TRIO – Yurocika (Vicente Viana, Joana Correia and Laura Susana) 1st place WORLD DANCE SOLO – Buliba (Laura Susana) 1st place WORLD DANCE SOLO – Lezguika (Olesia Vinyk) 1st place WORLD DANCE SOLO 18+ – Mongolian Dance (Tatiana Ursu) 1st place WORLD DANCE DUET – Charming Dance (Olesia Vinyk and Tatiana Ursu) Modern Dance choreography by Yuri Stroganov 1st place MODERN DUET – Notes (Joana Correia and Laura Susana)

ADL would like to thank their supporters who kindly helped raise funds for this journey. Our special thanks go to the CEO and founder of Martinhal Resorts, Chitra Stern and the Lagos local authorities, who provided substantial assistance in making this journey a memorable one.

Contemporary Dance choreographies by Tatiana Ursu

You will be able to see these talented dancers performing at events in their local community next April at the Lagos Cultural Centre.

1st place CONTEMPORARY DUET – Ferox (Tatiana Ursu and Olesia Vinyk)

Other students, who were not able to travel to Orlando, performed superbly through live streaming. They secured a trophy for 1st place in

WORLD DANCE choreographies by Marina Khametova

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1st place CONTEMPORARY SOLO – No solo (Tatiana Ursu)

1st place CONTEMPORARY GROUP – Changing

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As you enter the theatre, your eye is immediately drawn to the attention to detail. The foyer doubles up as a dining area but is beautifully presented, the walls adorned with a plethora of local artefacts like fado shoes and classical guitars (specially added for tonight’s show). Low mood lighting fills the main performance room whilst candlelit tables complement the ambience.

The Teatro de Marionetas

Tonight, the theatre is buzzing with activity and fervour as we are treated to a wonderful performance of fado by Ana Sofia Marques. She exudes passion and charm in equal measures, offering just the right level of interaction with the audience. A collective smile is etched upon everyone’s faces as she reminds us, “Fado can make us feel both happy and sad.”

BY DAVID LUGG

The Algarve is a region renowned for its artistic flair. Its natural beauty attracts musicians, artists, dancers and similar like-minded souls, yet it is surprising how few venues there are to showcase these talents. The team behind Mãozorra aims to help fill that void. Founded in 2013, their main objective is to encourage creativity by promoting workshops and public performance. In 2021, they transformed the old primary school at Barão de São Miguel into a theatre for cultural events. The Teatro de Marionetas (as it is known) held its first show in November and now hosts a regular, eclectic mix of talent from the Algarve and beyond. João Costa is the artistic director of Mãozorra and, as he points out, they are starting to see the benefits of their hard work. “People are very happy as we are promoting local artists but we have also been able to bring in national and international artists – all of a very high quality.” A glance at their recent calendar of events confirms this – classical musicians, spoken word performance and improvisation nights to name but a few. They hold workshops once a month and, when the weather allows, there is an amphitheatre at the back that can seat up to two hundred people.

This is, after all, what live performance is all about: a medium to provide us with emotions, to educate and to entertain us. Oscar Wilde regarded theatre as ‘the greatest of all art forms’ and a place where one ‘can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being’. I doubt that he passed Barão de São Miguel on his grand tour, but the fine folk at Mãozorra certainly understand the philosophy. They have created a community theatre that is not only a delight but an important platform for artists and punters alike. I urge you to go and see it for yourself.

Tickets for each show cost a suggested contribution of five euros for adults and three euros for children, making it extremely good value for money. What’s more, Mãozorra is a non-profit organisation. At each performance, the team prepares an appetising dish of the day made from local products. Portions are plentiful and inexpensive. Despite the struggles of the pandemic, João has been reluctant to increase costs and is keen to acknowledge the funding that the association has received. “We have had help from the Programa Garantir Cultura (a government initiative to help fund the arts) and two of our team are employed through European funding.” João has certainly taken a hands-on approach to the project throughout its inception. His artistic direction has extended to repainting the theatre, running the website and even assisting with the cooking. With a background of graphic design and five years spent teaching visual arts to secondary school students, you get the feeling that he wouldn’t have it any other way.

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Lewis’s

Dance Crew BY SOPHIE SADLER

As I arrived at the hip-hop lesson, I couldn’t have been further from my comfort zone. Hip-hop was surely the arena of bangin’ young bluh from The Hood. I was surprised, therefore, to find a class of mothers busting a move to ‘Shut Up’ by the Black Eyed Peas. So what’s going down? This is Lewis’s Dance Crew, led by charismatic former West End Star Lewis Davies, who counted Michael Jackson as an admirer and is now engaging Algarve residents in this addictive dance style. His classes are fun and casual. He breaks a routine down into manageable chunks so even someone as wack as me could get the moves – well, sort of! There is something incredibly satisfying about moving in sync with others to the music behind someone as fly as Lewis. Right, that’s enough of the lingo now! Originally from Uganda, Lewis was adopted and lived in the UK from 1990. He attended the Cambridge Performing Arts and Bodywork Dance Company from 1998 to 2001, but says he 'didn't get the discipline' in the beginning and so was always sent to do ballet classes with the little theatre school kids (taught by Lucy Douglass) as punishment! Fortunately, after six months, it all clicked. From 2001 to 2014, he worked on the West End stage and was in the original cast of Thriller Live. Tito came to watch and loved it so much that he brought along the Jackson clan, including Michael, La Toya and Marvin. After the

performance, Michael Jackson met the cast and came over to Lewis, who had lots of tricks in the show and told him that he thought his moves were really 'cool'. “Michael Jackson was the reason I started to dance, but when I met him, I wasn’t star-struck at all. He was actually down to earth and talked to the cast really naturally. I was most in awe of Seal, who I met when we performed at the Olivier awards in front of the Queen. He just had this aura with an amazing persona. With his tribal scars, he was like an African King – like Mufassa!”

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Lewis is not in awe of celebrities. “They are just performers like me, but on a broader platform,” he says. He has played Tyrone in the musical Fame and was in Hairspray with Michael Ball and Mel Smith. Lewis has also dabbled in commercial dancing and was in a video with Chris Brown, which never made it to the television screen. He found it to be 'cliquey' and preferred the intense discipline and thrill of singing and dancing and acting in eight live shows a week on the stage. 

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 Those early ballet lessons brought him to the Algarve as he started dating the dance teacher Lucy Douglass. In fact, it was Lucy who suggested Lewis come to the Algarve to hold a Michael Jackson workshop in Carvoeiro Tennis Club – which he did with great success. Lucy then organised another in Praia da Luz with Stephanie Milne. When he returned to Praia da Luz to run another Thriller workshop in 2014, he called his agent and told him he wasn’t returning to the UK. Lewis started teaching locally, building up from one student to larger classes as people started to appreciate his teaching style. When the ladies class finished, an enthusiastic crowd of young hip-hoppers bound into the room and I could see how much they were looking forward to Lewis's class. As word got around that the Algarve had some serious new dance talent, Lewis started to be approached to appear in shows. “I was surprised at the high standard of the dance productions here. I have worked a lot with Nilsen Jorge, putting on performances in Lagos and at the campsite in Espiche. A former ballerina, she runs the Associação Cultural Dancenema. I am pushed to my limits," says Lewis.

the Dance Show at Quinta da Boavista on New Year’s Eve. Now married, he and Lucy have a four-year-old daughter Lexi, who does ballet and hip-hop classes at Portimão Dance Studio with Laura Gemma Taylor. Lexi aspires to be another one of Lewis’s pupils one day. For now, her father is enjoying life in the Algarve and is “letting my dancing do the talking”. If your New Year’s resolution is to try something new, then I can think of no better way than joining Lewis’s crew! Lewis teaches at Burgau Sports Centre on a Tuesday with classes for adults and children of all ages. His lessons in Portimão dance studios are on a Wednesday and Friday for ages 11+.

 lewisdavies1980@yahoo.com +351 939 793 429

At 41, Lewis has performed in four different shows this year. The speed at which he had to learn the dance routines, plus the amount of lifting required, put pressure on an old back injury. He is using this winter to recover and teach but he will be putting in an appearance at

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since 1998

SEALED LETTER

Golfe de Santo António - Sociedade Exploradora de Campos de Golfe, S. A. Proc. nº 709/15.4T8OLH - Tribunal Judicial da Comarca de Faro - Juízo de Comércio de Olhão - Juiz 2

With bidding between bidders

25th·FEB·22 [3p.m.]

VILA DO BISPO - ALGARVE

Parque da Floresta - BUDENS - VILA DO BISPO | LOTS 1 to 3, 6 to 11 and movable assets - GPS: 37.080514, -8.836857 | LOT 4 - GPS: 37.079010, -8.839032 | LOT 5 - GPS: 37.077919, -8.836092

3/5th of rural land LOT 1 LOT 2 LOT 3 LOT 4 LOT 5 LOT 6

Urban properties

5.560 sq. m. Land: 11.280 sq. m. Land: 840 sq. m. Land: 7.480 sq. m. Land: 4.640 sq. m. Land: 10.200 sq. m. Land:

GLOBAL VALUE

7.000.000,00€

LOT 7

Plot of land for a golf course and supporting buildings

LOT 8

Land composed by a golf course

Land: Land:

6.532 sq. m.

666.454 sq. m.

Note: LOT 8 - Pending action of common process no. 612/12.0TBLGS, Juiz 2, which runs terms in Juízo de Comércio de Olhão, do Tribunal Judicial da Comarca de Faro, in which Flitptrel 11 is the author and Golfe de Santo António - Sociedade Exploradora de Campos de Golfe, S. A. is the defendant. LOT 9

Building of basement and ground ﬂoor

Construction area: 619,10 sq.

Land:

843 sq. m.

Note: LOT 9 - Signed a lease for a period of one month, beginning on May 1, 2018, automatically renewable for equal and successive periods, with the monthly rent amount of €500 plus the variable value of 12% + VAT on the commission charged by the tenant for the sale of properties located in real estate enterprise - Aldeamento and/or Fases I, II and III of Loteamento Parque da Floresta , Quinta do Montinho, Quinta da Encosta Velha, Quinta da Fortaleza, Quinta da Aldeia, Tourist Apartments "The View" that have been promoted or brokered by the tenant. LOT 10

Building destined to oﬃce installations

Construction area: 702 sq.

Land:

350 sq. m.

LOT 11

Garage

Construction area: 240 sq.

Land:

141 sq. m.

Machines and maintenance equipments for golf course

National brand: "SANTO ANTÓNIO VILLAS, GOLF & SPA"

Tourist exploration license for the enterprise called 'The View Tourist Apartments, 4 *', located in Cargos, Salema, Vila do Bispo, comprising 55 accommodation units, 37 of which are 2 bedrooms apartments and 18 3 bedrooms apartments, with a total of 256 ﬁxed beds. Process no. 20.1/9473 and utilization permit no. 70/2009, of 8/28/2009. Notes: Sale of the commercial establishment for the global value of €7,000,000.00. Exempt from paying taxes and VAT. The buyer is subject to compliance with the labor legislation in force with regard to employees of the establishment, pursuant to art. 285 of the Portuguese Labor Code.

CONTACTS

geral@avaliberica.pt | 707 100 561 | avaliberica.pt

COMMUNITY

Meet the locals 'Mods' and Rocking Video Games BY SOPHIE SADLER If you met Tiago Guerra at the Repsol petrol station in Lagos, where he works, you might think he was just a regular guy. But Tiago is one of a growing number of gaming enthusiasts who work remotely throughout the world on video game development – hoping one day to change their passion into a lucrative career. Tiago was 15 when he started looking at ‘mods’ (modifications to existing games). He started to work as a voice actor, recording the soundtrack for these projects. In the process, he began to learn more about how these projects work and his passion was ignited. He started to develop ‘mods’ and took a two-year professional course on Video Game Development at ETIC_Algarve. There are, however, very few avenues for pursuing this career in Portugal, so Tiago drives from Parchal in Lagoa to Lagos to work the petrol pumps, but in his spare time, he is pumping information to gamers as the community manager for a new game Chokepoint. Tiago connects remotely with a number of gaming experts from around the world for Playnet. The US-based software company operates an internal software design and development studio called Cornered Rat Software. This studio is responsible for game project development which includes feature updates and support for existing titles, community management, marketing and customer support. In June 2001, Playnet launched the industry’s first MMOG First Person Shooter, depicting the battles of World War II. Blitzkrieg broke new ground in terms of network code,

physics and weapon modelling, offering players a 3D world of battle re-enactment which could all be played through the internet without a games console. With more than 700,000 registered users over its 20-year history, the game maintains a steady subscriber base. Tiago's job is to communicate with fans of the game about the new release in the WWII franchise. Called Chokepoint, it is already on a digital distribution channel. The game is a microcosm of World War II and focuses on authentic combat in key battles with a quicker response time and Tiago's job is to “keep the fans happy”. He tells me it is very difficult to get paid work in video game development until you have some work experience on a product but he hopes that working on the project might give him an opportunity to get into the industry in the future. Online creation tools such as Unreal Engine and Unity have evolved dramatically in the last few years allowing amateurs to create their own games. “Game development is very accessible now due to online resources,” Tiago tells me. “If anyone reading this wants to get into video game development I would say just dive in headfirst and give it a go as the barrier to entry has never been lower.” Let’s hope Tiago wins his very own battle to be accepted in this exciting industry.  tiago.guerra.info@gmail.com

Did you know 'Modding' (short for modification) is the process of alteration by players or fans of one or more aspects of a video game, such as how it looks or behaves, and is a sub-discipline of general modding. Mods may range from small changes and tweaks to complete overhauls and extend the game’s replay value and interest.

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CHARITY

Charity News Supporting Families in Need throughout the Year By Chantelle Kortekaas Thanks to the generosity of our readers and the local community the Reverse Advent Calendar initiative brought festive boxes full of food, warm clothes, toiletries and toys to over 150 Families in Need across the Algarve this past December. More good news – you don’t need to wait another 12 months to help these families! Here are some ways you can support them throughout the year:  Make a financial donation to the charity on a regular or one-off basis (see poster/image for IBAN details)  Join the Facebook page Algarve Network for Families in Need which the charity uses to request specific items from the community to respond to emergency requests from those in need  Though this same page you can offer good quality clothes, bedding or household items for donation – no need to wait until the RAC starts again in December 2022!  Donate your time and be a volunteer. This is probably what the charity needs the most, specifically in the western Algarve. The volunteers work on an ad-hoc basis collecting donations from donors and delivering them to the families. They also use the funds available to them to shop for food for those most in need. If you have your own transport and could dedicate a few hours of your time per week to this worthy cause please contact them.  Donate a small room/office/warehouse/ garage for storage – due to a lack of volunteers to sort donated items and nowhere to do the sorting, the charity has a limited capacity of how much they can accept and store if the donated items are not going out to families straightaway. If you know of a space in the western Algarve specifically, that could store items such as bags of clothes, bed linen and small household goods, and that one or two volunteers could access from time to time please get in touch.  algarvefamiliesinneed@hotmail.com FB: Algarve Network for Families in Need

PadELITEs By Les Smith In the picturesque village of Luz in the Western Algarve is sited the Ocean Padel Club (founded in April 2021) which has the most innovative padel courts in Portugal. This is where a group of players christened PadELITEs can be found playing every Tuesday morning. PadELITEs was founded by Tessa Roberts who wanted to form an elite (tongue-incheek) group of twelve friends who would meet and play padel tennis (and have fun) on a weekly basis. Then in October the group came up with the idea of raising funds for a local good cause. Each player agreed to pay an additional 1€ every week and the group decided Christmas would be the ideal time to present this gift to a good cause. On this occasion, PadELITEs managed to raise 300€ and opted to donate the money to CASLAS (Centro de Assistência Social Lucinda Anino Santos) in Lagos. Tessa and her colleague Les Smith, who instigated the fundraiser, visited CASLAS on 2 December, where they were welcomed by Susana Pales and Ana Leal who received the donation on behalf of the charity. Rest assured, PadELITEs intend to continue with their fundraising and hope to be able to donate the next gift to another good cause at Easter. In the meantime padel tennis continues for PadELITEs.

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Christmas Cheer at CASLAS By Lois Herrington In 2014, after helping with the Samaritan’s Purse Shoebox Appeal in the Algarve for a number of years, we were forced to stop because of the cost of secure transport. I looked around for a suitable alternative charity and was made aware of CASLAS, a home in Lagos for young people who have been removed from their families by social services. After gaining the trust of the organisation, I was provided with the children’s Christian names and ages. We then appealed for people to fill shoeboxes with Christmas cheer. The response was so encouraging, and the recipients so grateful, that it has become an annual campaign. Last year, the Aljezur International School asked to be involved and contributed ‘boxes of fun’ to be shared by all. This year, they came again to help deliver the goodies to the home. I would like to extend CASLAS’ grateful thanks yet again to all those who contributed, some having done so for the past seven years! May God bless us all and let’s hope 2022 is good for us all.

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CHARITY

Christmas came early BY BERNADETTE ABBOTT

I had a set of bunk beds and a couple of twin mattresses but we needed a big bed for them, sofa, chairs, bedding, pots and pans – literally everything you need for a home. That’s when I contacted Algarve Network for Families in Need. So, having assessed their needs, what did you do next? Once we knew of all the offers of items, we arranged for a truck to be available and then planned to go to the apartment at the weekend. We had arranged for the family to stay away on Friday so that we could clean and paint. In that way, they would come home and get a good surprise. That sounds really ambitious – did you achieve all that in one day? Haha, it was ambitious and no, we didn’t finish on Saturday; however, we returned on Sunday and by the end of that day, they had a nice cosy home. So is everything completed now? Not quite. We just now need a kitchen unit and a kitchen table and chairs. If anyone can help with this, we would be so grateful.

Before Christmas came early for one family, newly arrived in the Algarve, when two years of separation, heartache and a traumatic journey, came to a happy conclusion. It's a story certain to warm your hearts on the coldest of January evenings and one which reflects what can be done when this amazing community pulls together to help families in need. On 29 November, I was contacted by Carene to ask if the Algarve Network for Families in Need could help with acquiring some household items for a family recently arrived from Venezuela who literally had nothing. A request was made on the Network Facebook page and more than 100 responses were received. Over the following weekend, Carene and her Helping Hands group cleaned, painted and furnished the accommodation for the family and even decorated a Christmas tree. My interview with Carene revealed more about what had happened. What can you tell us about the family – how did you get to know about them? The father works in Parchal at a project that my husband, Nuno, is connected with. While visiting one day, Nuno met him and asked about his background and family. The man explained how he had come from Venezuela two years previously to find work, with the plan to bring his wife and children over as soon as he could. He hadn’t been able to save any money because wages are low and he sent everything to his family in order for them to survive because inflation is so bad in Venezuela.

He was desperate and ready to give up but Nuno offered to help. The company advanced him some money so he could buy plane tickets and his family were finally able to get here. They had to walk across the border from Venezuela into Columbia and fly to Spain. From there, they came to Portugal and had been here for almost two weeks when I learned about them. They are so happy and grateful to be all together again. What did you do to help the family when they arrived? First, I visited their home to assess their needs. The apartment was dirty – the mattresses were disgusting. The apartment was full of junk left by previous tenants. It had the potential to be really liveable, but it was cold and they didn't have hot water or gas, although we planned to try to get that connected within a day or two.

After

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It must be so satisfying to have been able to do this amazing work for this family. We were really excited to be able to do this for the family and hope that they will be very happy in their new home. What a truly heart-warming story this is. But how disturbing to learn of the circumstances under which some families are living here. Let’s all be vigilant, look out for our neighbours and work together to make a difference. We would like to thank every single individual who offered support for this family. There are far too many to name here, but they include Madrugada, Nandi and the Reverse Advent Calendar Initiative. Together we are stronger.

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CHARITY

Look Behind You! Funds are still being collected from the three performances of Burgau Amateur Operatic Society’s production of A Mad Summer’s Night Dream.

Performed at Burgau Sports Centre in November, the show played to full houses on the two scheduled evenings and such was the demand for tickets that more than 40 people attended the dress rehearsal. Author and director Martyn Torr, a retired journalist, living in Burgau, told Tomorrow magazine: “We all had a great time: the cast, the superb backup team and the audiences. “A great deal of hard work went into the three nights, but the commitment of everyone involved was rewarded by the support of the audiences. They were just brilliant.” The society is raising cash for Burgau Infant School and CASLAS children's home and donations are expected to be made in the next few weeks, ahead of Christmas, once all the funds are counted, with donations still being made from people who watched online via Facebook Live.

A New Year for All

What’s your New Year’s resolution? What will this year bring? A new challenge or adventure? An opportunity to give to others, especially those in need? John Hough, President of Madrugada, received donations from Trish and Annie following their Camino walk, which was featured in our November edition of Tomorrow. John wrote to Tom Henshaw at Tomorrow: “I just wanted to thank you most sincerely for being the catalyst which led to the wonderful donation from Annie and Trish.” He ended his letter of thanks with, “As always, we are so grateful for your support. Because you care, we can.” I think this sums up, for many of us, the start of this year’s sentiments.

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ARTS AND CULTURE She works mostly with acrylic paints but also uses oils, watercolours and pastels. ”I usually begin by walking in the landscape and observing, becoming absorbed in all the sensory delights a place offers, the light and colour, the smells and sounds. I then sketch with coloured pencils and pastels and take some photographs, recording how the light changes at different times of the day. I love colour and become absorbed in mixing different palettes, aspiring to recall the beauty and feeling of a place. Once I begin painting, I paint quite quickly but need several days to build up many layers. I often bring a painting into the house so that I can see it and know what, if anything, needs to happen next. There always comes a point when I know it is finished.” Penny wants her art to reflect the natural beauty which is all around us. This became particularly poignant after the terrible 2018 fire in Monchique, which devastated the countryside around Alferce, leaving the landscape grey and colourless for many months. She used the charcoal from burnt trees on her land to draw the bare outlines of the mountains and stark silhouettes of burnt trees and found herself drawn to the coast as a means of healing. Looking out at the surrounding landscape, Penny says about her future plans: “I want to continue to work with the local landscape. I have a series of photographs of the beautiful cork oaks around Alferce before they were sadly ravaged by fire. I want to show the natural abundance of the local landscape and explore some more coastal landscapes. I encourage any aspiring artist to find time and space to begin and discover the feeling of well-being that painting can bring in these troubled times.”

Meet the artist

Penny recently showed her paintings at an exhibition at the Fortaleza in Luz alongside other artists. In 2022, she hopes to exhibit in Lagos and also in Alferce with an open studio. Penny’s paintings and cards can be seen at the Ar de Cor gift shop and at Atelier 8550, both in Monchique. Please email her if you are interested in a commission or to visit and see her work.

Penelope Fay Coombs BY ALYSON SHELDRAKE

Penny moved to Alferce in the Serra de Monchique four years ago from Devon in the UK, where she worked as an early years teacher. She began painting seriously in her late forties, joining an art class in Dartington led by inspiring teacher Jean Alice Coombe and she enjoyed painting whenever possible, alongside facilitating art projects in her school, including working outdoors with natural materials. She was also inspired by weekend classes at the Newlyn Art School in Cornwall and more recently by Stela Bareto’s art classes at the Casa das Artes in Portimão. She enjoys working alongside friends who are artists. During the lockdown, Penny realised she had always painted with other people and now it was time to create a space to begin painting at home. She loves the clean mountain air, and the beautiful skies, the views and the sound of the wind in the trees. The landscape is her inspiration, from the mountains to the sea, the cork oaks, flowers in the garden, and ocean waves crashing on the shore and against the cliffs. Currently, she’s working on a painting of the view from her window overlooking Monte Velho, where the ruins of a Moorish castle and a previous Bronze Age settlement are being excavated. Penny explains, “As a child, I loved painting and drawing and have always enjoyed sketching as a means of feeling my way into a landscape, taking time to really look at the lie of the land.”

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 pennycoombs3@gmail.com www.algarve-art.org Instagram: pennycoombs3

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Readers Letters We are always really pleased to get letters from our readers. If you would like to send us your views on anything that’s going on in the western Algarve or if you have any suggestions to make about the magazine please email: sophie@tomorrowalgarve.com

Dear editor, Probably, like most visitors to the Algarve escaping the cool, wet climate of our native country, we usually head straight for the spectacular beaches and waters of the west coast when we holiday in the area. However, on a visit in February 2018, we spent a thoroughly enjoyable day exploring the historical streets and heart of the port and old town of Lagos. We visited Forte de Bandeira, the Arabic fortifications, city walls and Moorish archway leading onto Avenida dos Descobrimentos, the monuments to the navigator Gil Eanes and Henry the Navigator, the slave market, and the Municipal Museum. Our exploration culminated at the wonderful and memorable Igreja de Santo António, with its glorious blue patterned tiles and gilded, painted and carved woodwork of birds, fish and plants. The whole day was an extremely informative and enjoyable experience and we learnt so much about the history, architecture and social development of Lagos which enhanced our appreciation and understanding of the town.

Dear Tom and all the Tomorrow magazine team, The times we’ve been all living have affected us all in so many different ways. The pandemic context, along with its restrictions and imposed limitations, has not allowed us to keep on with so many activities that we all love. The Mustard Seed Association, as you know, hasn’t stopped providing support and help to the most needy families in Lagos during the pandemic and lockdown times, always giving special attention to the ones with children. The Christmas season is always a big challenge for us, but this year, in particular, it’s been even more challenging because many donations and all sorts of support just stopped suddenly. But, we do trust that together we will be able to provide for the neediest in this so-special season. With this letter, we just want to thank you for your support as we do know and understand that, despite the circumstances, you always kept an ongoing help and support in all the best ways in your reach, and your hearts never ceased the good intention to help this work that you are also an active part of too. For all this, we just want to tell you Tomorrow magazine team THANK YOU SO MUCH. Please do receive our love and gratitude and most sincerely we do wish you Merry Christmas and happy 2022. From The Mustard Seed Association Team, Daniel and Elisabete Saunite

With these memories in mind, we were delighted to read amongst the fantastic range of interesting articles in the December Tomorrow magazine, the article, 'A Journey Through Time' by Lena Strang. The extensive renovation of the Lagos Municipal and church Santo António was just beginning in 2018, so it was really pleasing to read that the project is now completed and the official opening has taken place.

Hi Sophie,

We think Lagos has so much to offer and inform visitors regarding the importance it has played in the history, not just of Portugal, but of the whole of Europe.

I get Tomorrow every month and make it last the month. I have particularly enjoyed this issue. Thank you, everyone.

In these times of the Black Lives Matter movement for example, we were fascinated to find during our visit, that although Portugal and Lagos were at the forefront of the slave trade in the fourteenth century, it was also one of the first countries to start emancipating slaves under pressure from the Catholic church and these freed slaves became local fishermen, carpenters, boat builders and artisans, thus contributing to the local economy and expansion of the town.

I have just read the letters from the schoolchildren. It was heartening and saddening at the same time. The understanding and grasp they have about the situation leaves me extremely hopeful for the future of this planet.

The newly expanded and enhanced museum will be a great asset to the cultural development and understanding of Lagos and we very much look forward to visiting it on our next trip to Portugal. Perhaps an historical route map and pamphlet with interesting locations to see, would be a useful addition in order to develop to help diversify local tourism, or has it already been done? Susan and Geoff Hollow, Devon, England

I do what I can, and try to explain to other wrinklies the importance of doing what we can, and most want to help for the sake of their grandchildren. We are no longer in the age range to actively do too much, but we can do what we can. We can also be quite verbal! Looking forward to next month’s issue. Thanks again, Marion Verling

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HOMES & GARDENS

An Introduction to Aloe Vera BY TAMSIN VARLEY

This ‘wonder plant’ has been proved by NASA to have air-purifying qualities and is known for its medicinal and anti-bacterial qualities. Here is all you need to know. Aloe vera is a commonly found succulent endemic to the Arabian Peninsula which has naturalised in North Africa and Southern Europe. It is an almost stemless shrub with a rosette of mid-green spotted fleshy leaves with soft serrated edges. It has a stiff flower spike that grows above the plant and has numerous tubular hanging yellow or orange flowers. It produces prolific offsets too so it’s very easy to propagate and share with your friends. Being a succulent, it does not require much water and if you grow it in a pot indoors, it has low maintenance requirements. Outdoors, I grow mine in flower beds that have some shade during the heat of the day as, having so much water in their leaves, they can burn in strong sunlight. Indoors, it needs strong indirect sunlight; water cautiously and only when it has almost dried out and, if you remember, rotate it every month or so. In 1989, a team from NASA conducted a ‘clean air study’ to tackle what was known back then as ‘sick building syndrome’. This was caused by sealing buildings to reduce energy consumption,but sacrificing natural ventilation and fresh air as a result. The team also discovered that some building materials used at that time emitted harmful chemicals adding to the air pollution. They concluded there was a relatively simple fix to these issues which could be mitigated by introducing nature’s life support system’ – in other words, plants. Researchers studied the beneficial aspects of a wide variety of plants and Aloe vera was one of eighteen that they considered most effective at naturally filtering out air pollutants. In particular, Aloe vera purifies the air from formaldehyde and benzene which are chemicals commonly found in household cleaning products, paints, glues, furniture polish, lacquers and composite

wood products. Another huge benefit of Aloe vera is that it is very efficient at releasing oxygen during the day and absorbing carbon dioxide at night so if you have a plant in your bedroom, it may help you sleep better. Apart from purifying air, Aloe vera has been used as a medicinal plant for centuries. The gel from the leaves is packed with vitamins and has antibacterial properties too so is perfect for treating minor cuts and burns, sunburn and skin conditions including eczema, acne and psoriasis. To extract the gel for home use, just cut a leaf from the plant close to the base. Where it has been cut, a yellow liquid will be produced, which can cause irritation. Stand the leaf upright in a sink and let the liquid drain out of it for ten minutes or so and wash it away. Then peel the skin off the side and front of the leaf using a sharp knife and then use a spoon to scrape the gel off the remainder of the leaf. Puree the gel chunks in a blender until you get a frothy gel, which can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge for up to two weeks. The homemade gel can be used to propagate plant cuttings as a substitute for commercial rooting powders, as a natural facial moisturiser and toner, and, if mixed with coconut or olive oil, as a hair tonic. There are many commercial Aloe vera products too – just ensure you use one with as much natural product as possible. Tamsin Varley is a member of Clube Dos Bons Jardins, a small, friendly multi-national garden club that meets at a different location around the Algarve on the 2nd Tuesday every month except over the summer with an optional lunch afterwards.  algarvecbj@gmail.com

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HOMES & GARDENS

Real Algarve Living

Andrew getting ready to record a vlog

BY TRACY BURTON Launching your first vlog while rebuilding a property and single-handedly taming a sprawling, hillside plot is a far cry from the relaxed lifestyle most Algarve immigrants seek. Fortunately, Andrew Crowson thrives on hard work and new challenges. When the former designer and illustrator from London bought the 60,000 m2 quinta near Benafim, he had already renovated three houses in the Algarve. “The house looked very grey and concrete, but all I saw was the cork trees and a property set back from the road,” he recalls. “It was a moment of ‘love it, that’s the one’.” The house had been empty for forty years and lacked water and electricity, but Andrew knew he had found his dream home in the perfect rural location. Unfazed by the enormity of the project, he completed the purchase in December 2020 and moved onto the land, living in a leaky 39-seater coach until relentless rain forced him to move into the equally bleak but drier house. Between making his new home just about habitable, erecting 350 metres of fencing, repainting an old tractor and walking his dogs Will and Burt, there wasn’t much time to watch Portugal-based lifestyle vlogs. In fact, at first Andrew was only recording what he was doing because he regretted not filming key moments during previous renovations. “My memory isn’t great, so I thought if I just videoed everything I could go back and check things whenever I needed to.” Friends suggested Andrew’s experiences might prove helpful and interesting to others who were embarking on a similar journey. Slowly, the idea for Real Algarve Living took root: a YouTube channel which documented his journey living in the Algarve, chronicled progress on his renovation project and land, and introduced others to inland Algarve and life away from the popular tourist areas. “I started videoing in March and April, but there’s a big leap from doing it personally and putting yourself on YouTube,” he says. “I had no experience

in editing and I spent about two weeks doing the first three or four and then uploading that first video.” Recording the introduction to his channel was particularly daunting. “Standing in front of that camera and talking to it feels alien because you’re not talking to anyone. I didn’t know what to say. Then you listen to it and you realise you’ve never heard your recorded voice before, never seen yourself in moving pictures. It’s really funny.” “The moment my first vlog went live was both exciting and surreal – I watched it through my fingers. You’ve gone from being very private to suddenly sharing your world and all your mistakes. You are now open to criticism and, of course, will anyone be interested?” Fortunately, Andrew is a natural and enthusiastic communicator who comes across well on screen. “The point of my channel is not to give advice to anyone, it’s just my little journey and all my flaws,” he insists. While most of his building knowledge comes through his experiences in the Algarve, his interest in making things goes back to his childhood when he was inspired by his father. “My father was head of construction at Willesden Technical College and he was able to do everything, including making cabinets and tables. I don’t remember being taught, but as a child, you pick up what you’re seeing.” In fact, John Crowson received the Freedom of the City of London for his work on the gold gilt ceiling of the Guildhall. “When I moved out here, it was an opportunity to somehow recapture something that I may or may not have aspired to when I was younger.” Any skills the young Andrew picked up from his father will be a huge help now as he prepares to remove the roof of his latest property, reducing it to a shell before starting the rebuild in earnest. With so much renovation work pending, wouldn’t it have been easier just to buy a ruin? 

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Andrew's Tips 1

3 4 5 6 7

Use an independent solicitor who will arrange a topographic survey to determine property boundaries.

Check the plans (if the owner doesn’t have them, ask to see them at the local câmara) – if it’s not urban land, you probably won’t get permission to build.

Get a structural survey – unless it’s only the land you’re interested in and you don’t mind if the property collapses.

Make an offer but never sign a promissory agreement until all paperwork is in order.

Know what you want to do and what you want to achieve; set your goals and work towards them.

Learn building skills from YouTube videos.

Do as much as you can, but use experts for specialist jobs, e.g. roofing.

HOMES & GARDENS

 “What is and isn’t a ruin?” “Does it have to be rubble on the floor?” Andrew asks. “I bought previous houses thinking they weren’t ruins, but by the time you’ve taken the roof off, it’s essentially a ruin. Look at this house. I have no lintels above the front or back door and none above the windows. By the time I have taken the roof off, removed the internal walls, and the windows and the doors, you’re left with four walls.” It’s the specific way he’s tackling the project which makes Andrew’s vlogs such compelling viewing. He is in no rush to finish the renovation, preferring to focus on doing things properly. He waited three months for mains water and seven for mains electricity; until then, he used a local watering hole and charged his phone at brother James and sister-in-law Cristina’s nearby home. Comfort in a temporary abode Andrew believes it’s important to create a pleasant environment in which to live while the renovation work continues. It makes for a healthy mind and balance. “I learnt that the hard way,” he adds. The now watertight coach will be his home for the foreseeable future. After moving it up and down the garden several times, it is now parked closer to the property. Andrew has created a pretty lighted seating area with sofas and bright cushions next to it, providing temporary shelter from the sun, wind and rain. An outdoor shower (completed in November) means he no longer has to bathe in cold water. Vlogging success Andrew has now posted more than thirty vlogs; his dedication is paying off and he has over 4,000 subscribers from America, Canada, South Africa, Spain, Italy, Portugal and the UK. His viewing figures are increasing every week. Recording daily footage for his vlog has become second nature, though he admits to spending a ridiculous amount of time filming and editing while working on his property. “I’m literally living and breathing the vlog, but I’m gradually getting better and faster at it. When you see people enjoying it and writing lovely comments, I feel like I’m part of a community and that gives me even more enthusiasm.”  Andrew’s YouTube channel is Real Algarve Living Instagram: realalgarveliving

Clear the Clutter

It’s January and time to give your home a facelift! BY DEBBIE NORFORD JONES As you clear away the clutter after Christmas, the sparkly lights are gone and it suddenly makes you realise the interior of your home is looking a bit tired and in need of an update. For many of us the idea of redecorating our house brings thoughts of upheaval, noise, dust and expense. Sometimes this cannot be avoided; however, with a little planning and some new key pieces you can give your interior an instant facelift! Before you start, aim to be ‘be ruthless with clutter’. For many of us, clutter spreads very quickly from room to room; however, it is usually down to a lack of storage options. We can help you look at your space with a critical eye, by adding shelving, a cabinet or even some wicker baskets. You will feel so much better if you dispose of your old papers and magazines, sort through cupboards, and go through your wardrobes. Donate items you no longer use to charity. Rearranging your furniture costs nothing and gives your room a different perspective. Doing this creates space and enables you to see what needs changing, renewing or updating. Paint, reupholster and renovate existing pieces to work with your décor. Styling your room is an instant update. Adding new cushions and a throw to your sofa changes the look and colour scheme. New curtains will refresh the room and your old curtains can be reworked into cushion

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covers, a throw or a table runner for another room. A beautiful large mirror placed on the wall opposite patio doors or a window instantly makes the space feel larger and reflects the light. The bigger the better. Change your artwork or make a gallery wall. A gallery wall in a small space like a toilet or a hall wall makes a great feature. Buy photo frames of different sizes but in the same colour and instead of keeping your photos on your phone get them printed and used in your own gallery! Simple additions like plants, scented candles or changing the doorknobs on a cabinet is another inexpensive way of updating your look. Remember, making subtle updates to a room is a satisfying form of self-expression and creativity! Monsoon Room is an interior design studio which works with you on your new build, renovation projects, staging your property ready for resale or renting. We are very aware of the environment and like to be as sustainable as possible. To cut down on waste or landfill we like to repurpose items and we use new, artisan and preloved items, and antiques to create a place you can call home.  facebook.com/Monsoonroom monsoon-room.com

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WHAT'S ON

What's on

For more events and activities check our online calendar:  www.tomorrowalgarve.com/calendar If you have an event you would like to add to the calendar please get in touch:  events@tomorrowalgarve.com Due to the evolving pandemic situation always check the organiser's website to ensure events are going ahead.

Lagos commemorates Lagos will be hosting a number of events at the Centro Cultural de Lagos to mark the anniversary of becoming a city. Some are listed below and you can view more at www.facebook.com/CentroCulturaldeLagos

Markets LocalARTE Exhibition Organised by the Lacobrigense City Hall, the LocalARTE project arose from the intention of promoting the work of the local artistic community, as well as encouraging their creativity, disseminating local art and culture. This exhibition results from the works sent by artists born or resident in Lagos including painting, sculpture, photography and ceramics. With the LocalARTE project, the municipality intends not only to support local artistic creation, but also to enrich the local culture in the arts, valuing the talent of those who were born or live here.  When: 29 Jan to 19 Mar, 10am–6pm (Tue to Sat) Where: Centro Cultural de Lagos, Rooms 1, 2 and 3 Price: Free entrance

Archaeology The subject of the next lecture to be presented by the Algarve Archaeological Association is Estácio da Veiga (1828–1891) and the archaeological heritage of the Algarve. Estácio da Veiga is an important figure in the history of the archaeology of Portugal and the Algarve in particular. He identified some of the most important archaeological sites in the region and formed a remarkable collection of objects which gave rise to the Archaeological Museum of the Algarve, curiously opened in Lisbon in 1880.  When: 11 January Where: Museu do Trajo, São Brás de Alportel & Convento de São José, Lagoa Price: €5 for non-members Info: arquealgarve.weebly.com Facebook: Algarve Archaeological Association

Albufeira (Caliços) 1st and 3rd Tuesday of the month Next to the bus terminal Alcantarilha 1st Friday of the month Parish Council Square

Concert by Salvador Sobral Salvador Sobral presents his latest studio album. With its worldwide release in May 2021, bpm marks the first time that Salvador Sobral ventures into editing an album composed entirely of originals of his own, in partnership with Leo Aldrey. 'Sangue do meu Sangue' was the first single extracted from a set of 14 unreleased songs that are already playing on radio stations and digital platforms.  When: 28 January, 9.30pm Where: Centro Cultural de Lagos – Duval Pestana Auditorium Ticket: €12

Chinicato Flea Market 2nd Sunday of the month, 8am–2pm Lagos 1st Saturday of the month Ground next to the Municipal Stadium Lagos Levante Market Sale of produce from local producers Every Saturday, 7am–2pm Lagos em Forma parking lot Lagos Flea Market 1st Sunday of the month, 8am–2pm Lagos Sports Complex car park Lagos ViV'O Mercado - Local and organic products Every Wednesday 4pm–8pm (winter) Old primary school next to the câmara building www.facebook.com/vivomercado Monchique 2nd Friday of the month Market square Odiáxere 4th Monday of the month Largo da Alegria (next to the Windmill)

Concert by the Orquestra Clássica do Sul  When: 27 January, 7pm Where: Centro Cultural de Lagos – Auditório Duval Pestana Tickets: €6

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Portimão 1st Monday of the month 8am-3pm Fairs and Exhibition Centre Portimão Flea Market 1st and 3rd Sunday of the month Fairs and Exhibition Centre Silves Flea Market 3rd Saturday of the month Al-Muthamid Square

A Happy and Healthy 2022 to all from

Useful Numbers COUNTRY CODE: +351 INFO: EMERGENCY HOSPITAL RED CROSS FIRE SERVICE POLICE SERVICE (PSP) NATIONAL GUARD (GNR) TELECOM NAT. INFO CITY COUNCIL TOURIST OFFICE TOWN INFO TOURIST SUPPORT TAXI SERVICE BUS STATION TRAIN STATION CULTURAL CENTRE HEALTH CENTRE LUZ DOC (LUZ) PRIVATE HOSPITAL LOCKSMITH (LUÍS)

WWW.CM-LAGOS.PT 112 282 770 100 282 760 611 282 770 790 282 780 240 282 770 010 118 282 780 900 282 763 031 282 764 111 808 781 212 282 460 610 282 762 944 282 762 987 282 770 450 282 780 000 282 780 700 282 790 700 964 605 213

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LACOBRIGENSE NEVES CHEMIST RIBEIRO LOPES TELLO CHEMIST SILVA CHEMIST ODIÁXERE CHEMIST

282 762 901 282 769 966 282 762 830 282 760 556 282 762 859 282 798 491

CONSULATES/EMBASSIES BRITISH FRANCE (FARO) GERMAN (LAGOS) NETHERLANDS (FARO) CANADA (FARO) SWEDISH (FARO) IRISH

282 490 750 281 380 660 282 799 668 213 914 900 289 803 757 213 942 260 213 308 200

TOMORROW USEFUL NUMBERS SALES (ALJEZUR TO LAGOS) SALES (PORTIMÃO TO SILVES) EDITORIAL MAGAZINE & AD DESIGN

919 918 733 913 320 509 912 176 588 916 606 226

• Beneficial rates for exclusive contracts • You can multi list with any estate agent your property in Portugal For an unbiased valuation on your property please contact one our Algarve offices today: PRAIA DA LUZ Rua Direita 44 LAGOS Avenida Descobrimentos ALJEZUR/VALE DE TELHA Rotunda Principal QUINTA DO LAGO Bougainvillea Plaza Tel: +351 282 768 703 | 282 761 613 Email: info@chestertons-portugal.com www.chestertons-portugal.com While every care had been taken to ensure the accuracy of the description and details herein, it is only for guidance and they do not constitute part of an offer or contract

SPORTS & LEISURE

Algarve Sports Round up BY DAVID LUGG

Tennis Faro-born tennis player Inês Murta has become the national mixed doubles champion. She and compatriot Gonçalo Falcão took the title 6-2 6-2, which completed an extraordinary run of losing just eleven games without dropping a set. Victory sees Murta take her second national title after she won the 2020 ladies’ doubles with Ana Filipa Santos.

Baseball The Loulé Ravens just missed out in their bid to win the National Baseball Circuit. After progressing undefeated through the group stage and the play-offs, they succumbed to a two games to one loss in the final against the Piratas da Ria of Aveiro. Remarkably, a total of 43 Venezuelans were involved in the match. Despite their defeat, The Ravens can hold their heads high after a strong showing in what was a pandemiccondensed season.

International rugby Walking football The sixth Algarve Walking Football Cup took place at Browns Sports Resort and was a roaring success. With teams coming from afar as England, South Africa, Holland and Spain, the competition proved to be of the highest standard. The final of the over 50s cup was an all-Algarve affair that saw Tavira pip neighbours Olhão on penalties. In the over 60s cup, SC Farense were beaten in the final by Seaton Carew with Odiáxere taking third place ahead of Olhão.

The Portuguese men’s national side have beaten Canada for the first time in their history. A late try from Manuel Cardoso Pinto saw the Wolves beat their North American counterparts by 20 points to 17. The 23-year-old who plays his club rugby at Narbonne in France touched down with the last play of the game much to the delight of his team mates. They followed up this victory with another excellent performance against the world number 10 side Japan. Despite losing 38-25, the hosts were always in the game and will take away a lot of positives in their quest to qualify for the 2023 world cup in France.

Roller hockey Despite a thrilling 10-9 victory over neighbours Spain, Portugal finished third in their group at the 2021 European Championships in Paredes and missed out on the final on goal difference. It proved to be a frustrating end to the tournament as Spain went on to lift the trophy with a 2-1 win over France in extra time. The Algarve’s top senior side, CD Boliqueime, have made a strong start to the season in National Championship Division Three. Recent highlights include a 9-4 victory against their (geographically) closest side Beja. Despite being separated by 125 km, the match is as close to a local derby as Boliqueime will have this season as most other sides are located in and around the Lisbon area.

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Odiáxere WFC v FC Farense

Sport of the month Are you looking to become more active and take part in some physical activity? Here is your chance. Each month we profile a sport that you can participate in (or watch) right here in the Algarve. This month we look at walking football: Walking football is one of the newest and fastest-growing sports in the world. Created in England in 2011, the sport is aimed at people aged over 50 and, as the name suggests, there is no running involved, though you can walk as fast as you wish as long as one foot is in contact with the ground. Tackling is allowed, but the sport is strictly non-contact. Matches are usually played with six players-a-side and can be hosted either indoors or outdoors. Not only does the sport aid physical fitness, but it has been shown to provide great mental benefits too. The sport is played by both men and women and is usually classified into three groups: over 50s, over 60s and over 70s. This May sees the inaugural World Nations Cup in Manchester, with 32 teams battling it out in the over 50 and over 60 categories. The Algarve has a large number of teams, all of which are open to new players, or indeed anyone on holiday that would like to try the sport. Most clubs offer regular sessions up to twice a week and take part in local, national and international tournaments. Though matches can be competitive, they are played within a friendly, social environment, often followed by after-match drinks or meals. Regular sessions are held at: Burgau Sports Centre, Farense (Faro), Lagos Strollers, Moncarapacho, Odiáxere, Olhão, Tavira and Vilamoura. Details on many of the sessions can be found at:  walkingfootballalgarve.com/sessions If you wish to publicise a sport, please contact our sports editor David Lugg: david@tomorrowalgarve.com

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SPORTS & LEISURE Odiáxere WF welcome ex England

Walking to Victory BY DAVID LUGG

The physical and mental benefits of playing sport have been well documented - from weight loss to cardiovascular fitness to stress reduction and self-confidence. It is an old adage, but it is true that taking part is far more important than winning. But what happens when you reach a certain age and your favourite sport becomes detrimental to your health rather than pleasurable? Bill Harper from the Odiáxere Walking Football Club has a solution. The sport of walking football is a relatively new concept and was formed just over ten years ago. Its rules are similar to normal football except that players must walk rather than jog or run (see the Algarve Sports Round Up on page 50 for more details). It is also a non-contact sport which reduces the chances of injury. As a rule, the sport is aimed at anyone over fifty with no upper age limit. Bill Harper plays regularly for Odiáxere and explains how important an activity it has become for so many people. “Walking football is a great way for people to keep themselves fit. Over time you see friendships being formed providing both mental and social benefits”.

Sessions are held every Tuesday and Friday at the Odiáxere football stadium between 10-12pm. They are often followed by a spot of lunch or a drink for those that wish to continue the social aspect. Before the pandemic, the club had around twenty players but the numbers have dropped so Bill is very keen to spread the word and extol the virtues of the sport. “We have one player who is seventy four years young. When he first came along, he wasn’t able to walk the length of a sevena-side pitch. The change has been really pleasing because now he’s often on the scoresheet and has made many friends”. If you are interested in participating in the sessions, email the club or visit their website. Most importantly, don’t worry if you feel that you are not good enough to play. As Bill puts it himself: “It’s not about who’s the best footballer, it’s about being physically fitter, forming friendships and providing benefits to your mental health”.  info@owfc.org www.owfc.org

Chess is Coming Home BY SOPHIE SADLER In the August edition, I introduced you to Algarve Chess Champion 2019, Hélio Pena – who is hoping to bring chess home to Lagos – after a 20-year absence. Backed by Les Copains de Lagos (friends of Lagos), Hélio hosted a chess competition at Iber Lagos on 31 October, attended by many nationalities including some Dutch competitors who came to the Algarve to take part. He is still struggling to find a base and looking for a venue for a Lagos-based club. The chess enthusiast is currently organising matches in bars and restaurants, which can be problematic as sometimes the games can go on well into the night. The dream is for a Lagos-based team to compete in national competitions. For more information about playing or a potential venue please contact Hélio.  helioverde6@gmail.com +351 919 909 091 FB: Les Copains de Lagos

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SPORTS & LEISURE

“Converting” the Algarve to Rugby

BY DAVID LUGG

Meet José Moura – President of Rugby Clube de Loulé In the heart of the Algarve sits a town that is a sporting haven. Blessed with football, tennis, swimming pools, squash courts and a multi-sports pavilion, Loulé is the living blueprint of how sport can bring positive change to a community. If you ever find yourself passing this attractive town on a Sunday afternoon (and quite frankly, you should), you are likely to hear the supportive cries of a different sport – rugby. José Moura is the president of Rugby Clube de Loulé. He is also the kind of person that every sports club needs. When I meet him at a home cup game, he has just announced the raffle winners, given the Man of the Match award and has helped behind the bar. All in a day’s work for a man who has been part of the club since he joined in 1976. There is a real buzz around the club at the moment. It feels like something exciting is happening. It is, yes. There is a great atmosphere. The local Portuguese are interested, but also the expats who bring the traditions of the sport. We all share the same passion for rugby. There is a lot of respect for the game, the opponents and everyone involved. Also, the club will be celebrating its 40th anniversary on 29 June. Rugby is a sport not widely associated with the Algarve. At the moment, Loulé is the only club in the Algarve within the national league structure. Why do you think this is? In England, in France and in America especially, sport is a way of creating jobs – creating careers. Not in Portugal. Here, football creates jobs and a few careers, but little that offers a job in the sport. There is not much opportunity for a rugby coach or a basketball coach to have any success. Because of this, it is difficult to get sponsorship. They don’t see the return. On Portuguese television, you see football, football and more football. The news is always about the big three clubs in Portugal and the national squad.

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Have you seen any signs of positive change in the last few years? Most of the other sports are hidden from the press. They don’t have much publicity, but it is growing. Through social media, we are able to create news which is free. We try to make small news every day. But a lot still depends upon the government and the local câmara to invest money into sport. It is difficult. You have a new coach this year (ex-Scottish international Max Evans). What does he bring to the side? Max brings hope to the team – a new positive spirit in the training sessions. The players recognise his skills. When you have a good atmosphere in the club they will feel it. He has had an excellent career in rugby, but his first match as a senior player was in Loulé. The club stayed in his heart and he always remembered it. With his name, people also come to play here. The club has a good stadium with excellent facilities, which must also help? This is one of the good things about the câmara in Loulé. They have always invested a lot in sport. If you look around the concelho you can find every sport you want. We are starting to have conditions to attract better coaches for the schools. The youngsters need good coaches to become better players, so we are trying to create a good rugby school to help improve our senior team. This is the same for girls as well as boys. We have a South African coach called Scott Butler, who is doing a very good job with the girls. They have just played at an international competition in Lisbon where they were able to train with players from national squads. So it seems that you have all the ingredients to compete at a higher level? In the (third round of the) cup we managed to beat the School of Rugby of Porto who are the team at the top of the division above us. It was a difficult game, but we can say that we are in a position to get promoted to the first division. You have been at the club since 1976. As an ex-player and now the president, you must have seen a lot of changes. Are you as enthusiastic now as when you started? My enthusiasm is stronger now. At the time, I was just a kid, but I have learnt so much. There are many people at the club who work so hard and are committed to making this club grow. This is what the club is made of.  www.facebook.com/rugbyclubedeloule rugbyclube.loule@sapo.pt

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SPORTS & LEISURE

'Appy Walking BY TRACY BURTON

It wouldn’t be January if we weren’t all busy making health-related resolutions that we quickly abandon. If 2022 is the year you finally want to achieve your fitness goals, why not use an app to motivate you?

On a cold, dark morning sometime in early January 2021, I reached for my phone and snuggled back under the duvet. A friend had mentioned she’d signed up for a one-year 1,000 km hiking challenge so I thought I’d check it out. Blearyeyed, I signed up for 1,500 km distance by mistake – the challenge was on! I’ve loved walking since I was a child and love exploring places on foot. Unless it’s wet, I prefer to walk than get in the car; during Portugal’s second confinement last winter one tank of petrol lasted over four months. Since arriving in the Algarve, my yomps have been transformed by the use of online mapping and GPS. Mastering technology means I can now plan my routes beforehand and walk in new areas without fear of getting lost. It was this same technology which allowed me to track all the kilometres I walked in 2021. There are various different apps you can use to plan and record your walks, e.g. Outdoor Active, Strava, Green Tracks and All Trails. What could possibly go wrong? Er … well, I ‘lost’ several kilometres because I either forgot to start the app or, worse, I recorded a hike then left the app running on the car journey home (thus ‘disqualifying’ the entire track). On a few occasions, my phone reset and stopped recording when the screen was off. And, of course, you do have to remember to take your phone out with you in the first place! But overall the experience was a good one. Seeing those kilometres – and my position on the leadership board – creeping up, and my goal getting closer, encouraged me to get out walking more often, even when I could only spare an hour. I’d get a real boost when we went on the occasional overnight hiking trip and I logged upwards of 50 kilometres in one weekend. I fulfilled my hiking challenge on 6 November, at some point between Tavira and Vila Real de Santo António and celebrated with a beer.

In the interests of full disclosure, I admit I haven’t done quite so well with my 750 km running challenge … with just weeks to go, I’ve yet to reach the 60% mark. Choosing your challenge Virtual challenges can be a motivating and fun way to work towards your fitness goals. I picked my own free one from a range of distances offered by Outdoor Active for hiking, cycling, mountain cycling, running and even mountaineering. If you need extra motivation there are plenty of virtual challenges online (you may have to pay). Conqueror Events and End to End Run offer tantalising routes for hikers, cyclists and runners including the Wales Coast Path (1,400 km), Route 66 (3,666 km), Land’s End to John O’Groats (1,406 km) and the Appalachian Trail (3,167 km). As well as much kudos, finishers receive virtual postcards, medals and tee-shirts. World Walking challenges are free, with 208 listed for Europe, including a walk from Guimarães in Northern Portugal to the Algarve (768 km). Me? Well, I rather fancy a 4,884 km hiking trail down under this year … virtual of course!!  www.outdooractive.com/en worldwalking.org www.theconqueror.events www.endtoend.run

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Tracy walking at Alvor

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SPORTS & LEISURE

Musings of a Mountain Biker BY GILLY GRATELEY

Our new series will help you learn everything there is to know about cycling in the western Algarve. Hi, Gilly here, a cycling enthusiast, unofficial ride leader and explorer. When buying our first home here in the Algarve in 2005, my partner Simon and I cheekily asked the previous owners if they wanted to sell their mountain bikes too and ever since, we have been exploring the fantastic local routes, tracks and trails. Initially, we were among a small biking community, made up predominantly of locals cycling to and from work, the odd schoolkid and out-of-town shopper. Today the landscape for biking is far more popular and diverse, and through my monthly musings, I hope to share my enthusiasm and passion with you, along with information from the local biking community. I mountain bike and I aim to ride 40–50km two or three times a week. I am hooked on

the fantastic opportunity to ride coastal paths and gorgeous forest trails on the same ride. I like to mix things up and I am always looking for new routes. When I chat with the uninitiated about my biking obsession, after the inevitable raised eyebrow, which I take to mean “are you sure a woman of your age goes mountain biking that much?” – I am only fifty-four and yes, I do – the most common question is how I know where to cycle. So this month, I thought I would share with you my experience of the fantastic BTT routes in and around Lagos. There are nine circular routes all well marked and graded on a simple ski run style system with four levels of difficulty: green, blue, red and black. Route 1 is the shortest at around 10km and nine the longest at around 65km; in total, there are 300km of marked trails. The routes and the bike centre in Barão de São João are a câmara initiative and were established in 2019. They take advantage of the excellent conditions in and around the beautiful forest and the yellow triangle sign system is easy to follow. I have ridden all nine over the last 18 months, not always in their entirety as they start and end at the bike centre, so I often pick up a route at a point closer to home. I like to mix and match different sections of the routes with other tracks and trails. Route 8 is my favourite for the single tracks through the trees. I always enjoy Route 4 for a leisurely countryside ride and Route 3 backwards is my least favourite. If you are not confident enough to just follow the signs, you can pick up a printed copy of the map from the information centre as I originally did or download them from the council website below. I feel very privileged to have such excellent quality and varied riding opportunities on my doorstep so I guess this would be a good opportunity to give a shout out to the various organisations that have collaborated on the BTT initiative. I understand from a câmara source that

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there are formal partnerships between the city council, the freguesias of Bensafrim and Barão de São João, the Cultural Centre of Barão de São João and four local cycling clubs (Cycle Clube de Lagos, Associação Amigos de Almádena, the Grupo Popular das Portelas, and Coxos do Pedal) for the development and maintenance of the routes and services. Thanks, guys for the fabulous work that you do. I believe the câmara also has plans to develop a cross-country track in the forest for training and competitions, along with gravel routes to link the municipality of Lagos through the forest to Vila do Bispo and Aljezur. Whether you ride for sport or leisure, it looks like our opportunities to get out and compete, train or explore are only going to get better and better. I hope this has inspired you to explore the trails, you never know what you might find and please, if you manage an event, run a cycling club, team or related business, or like me, you just get out for fun and have great routes and photos, please get in touch via email. Stay safe and have fun!  bikinginthealgarve@hotmail.com www.cyclinportugal.pt/en/2-centros/78-lagos-en

HEALTH & BEAUTY

Mental Health Awareness What does the year ahead have in store? The arrival of a new year is always a good opportunity to reflect upon the one that has passed, and 2021 was definitely a year for the record books. After the world was cursed with COVID in early 2020, 2021 saw governments of all countries desperately trying to restore some kind of normality; however, our new normal renewed an uprising of other issues around mental health. For many of us, 2021 brought a wave of unwanted fears and anxiety as a direct result of the continuous changes to pandemic restrictions and we are still not out of the woods. The unimaginable took hold of us but all clouds have a silver lining: the pandemic has illuminated

the importance of mental health, bringing a topic that isn’t always talked about to the forefront. If 2021 has taught us anything, it is that, even with the best preparation and learning from what has happened in the past, there are still some things we just can’t anticipate or fully control. Just like COVID 19, mental health is not choosy and can affect anyone; however, being aware of how you can help yourself and others will be our best weapon in the fight. As a part of our Mental Health Awareness Pledge, Algarve Care Services are focusing on the elderly ex-pat community and this year we will be working hard to combat loneliness and depression and integrating our friends living with dementia into the community.

Algarve Care Services have a full range of events lined up this year for everyone to get involved in. Please visit our new website or our Facebook page to find out what’s happening in your area. If you are struggling with mental health problems, or you know someone who is and would like more information about how we can help them, please get in touch with our friendly team on +351 920 419 239 or email us at enquiries@algarvecare.com Wishing you a healthy and happy New Year 2022.

 Algarvecare.com www.facebook.com/algarvecare

Soul Food

A guide to feeding and nurturing mind, body and soul BY CHLOE WARD

Fill your own cup first. How many times have you given up chocolate on 1 January? New Year resolutions usually mean giving something up, i.e. food or alcohol, or we set ourselves unrealistic goals to get fit or run a marathon. I am sure many of you – me included – have set resolutions and been disappointed when you don’t achieve them. This January, why not make a resolution to say yes more often, instead of no. Yes to you, yes to self-care and yes to trying new things. Even if it scares you, say yes to adventures and hobbies; most importantly, say yes to anything that makes your heart sing. In your weekly plan, you regularly schedule school runs, food shopping, work, meetings, appointments, etc but how often do you schedule the fun things? Self-care comes in all shapes and sizes, whether it’s a walk on the beach, a long bath, cooking your favourite food or a phone call with a friend. Let’s make this a weekly practice that you schedule in time for you.

Make a stand and be proud to share with friends that you have had an easy or fun afternoon, rather than how busy you are. Encourage your friends and family to try this too, share ideas on fun and relaxation. Write a list of all the things that make you feel good, everything and anything that you would like to try or do. Plan to do at least one of these things every week. This way you aren’t adding pressure to your week but you are ensuring you book something in for yourself. Life isn’t about who is the busiest and most stressed. There is no award for who has worked the most hours in their lifetime. Get your diary, and pencil in you time and say yes to you! Try flicking through this magazine for inspiration.

 Facebook: chloewardhealing Instagram: bodysoulbalancechloeward

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NEW MOON IN CAPRICORN 2 JANUARY Do not seek approval from the outside, look into your heart and let it guide you on this month’s manifestations. What makes your heart happy? Over the next 12 months, what would you like to add to your life? FULL MOON IN CANCER 17 JANUARY Time to forgive and let go, as the energy you are holding onto isn’t serving you. Spend time creating a sanctuary at home, planning your garden or anything you would like to do outdoors, cooking new foods and feeling cosy. MONTHLY AFFIRMATION My life can expand and grow and be as big and glorious as I wish it to be.

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Vitamins & Supplements

BY ANN DE JONGH

I often get asked which vitamins and supplements someone should take. The answer to this is always 'it depends'. There is no one set combination for anyone.

help to counter the effects. They can also be useful to those who avoid certain food groups or are on restrictive diets and may find it hard to get all their nutritional needs.

We should always look to get our nutrients from the foods we eat, ensuring we eat a mix of fruit and vegetables and varying these day-to-day. The more varied and colourful the food, the greater the mix of nutrients we will get.

If we do take supplements they need to be seen to be a ‘short - term’ fix and not something that we take for life. It is also worth investing in a good supplement – cheaper supermarket type supplements tend to not have such a good bioavailability – so buy them from a reputable source. In the Algarve, there are several good health food shops which have a range of supplements.

Lifestyle factors also play a role in this: how much stress we have in our lives, how much exercise and how much sleep. If we do take supplements, they should not be seen to be a replacement for food, but more a boost at times when we need it most. There is some evidence to suggest that taking Vitamin C, D and zinc will help to bolster our immune system so these can be good to take during the winter if we feel we need it. During times of high stress and when you know your diet is not as it should be, a good multivitamin can

But with all these things, start with your diet first and then if you do feel you are missing something then it is worth going to see a nutritionist to ensure you take the supplements that are right for you.

 www.facebook.com/fit2lovelife

What is Dermapen™ 4 microneedling?

Dermapen 4 microneedling is an effective and minimally invasive procedure that treats a wide range of skin concerns, not just lines and wrinkles, although it does reduce the signs of ageing too. Unlike injectable treatments, Dermapen 4 microneedling is an entirely natural process that stimulates the body’s own repair and renewal process to create collagen. Micro-fine needles are adjusted to different depths and speeds to create fractional puncture channels on the surface of the skin. These micro-channels carry a serum (which is chosen to help correct your specific skin concern) deep into the skin, increasing its effectiveness and delivering healing nutrients. Facial needling with this technique helps get rid of unwanted lines and wrinkles, and other blemishes, but you can also treat different parts of your body. Hands, neck and décolleté are all popular zones, but you can treat anywhere you feel needs a boost of collagen to repair thinning, sagging, sundamaged or problematic skin. HOW DOES DERMAPEN 4 WORK? Put simply, it activates the skin’s natural self-rejuvenating function. A new layer

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of fresh tissue forms, creating a more youthful appearance on the surface and fighting antibodies underneath. These small punctures also allow active ingredients in topical creams to penetrate deeper for intense rejuvenation. THE BENEFITS The treatment is pain-free, requires no numbing cream and promotes rapid lifting, firming and toning of facial features and contours. It evens out skin tone and texture and diminishes scars and stretch marks. It can reduce the appearance of ageing, fine lines and wrinkles, active acne or acne scars, pigmentation, melasma, scars, enlarged pores and rosacea. Multiple concerns can be treated in a single session thanks to the adjustable needle depth and oscillation speed. Saskia Beauty Salon is the first to offer this treatment in Portugal.

 saskiabeautysalon@gmail.com www.saskia-beautysalon.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Healing Currents of the Algarve BY KEITH RICHMOND Beautiful currents run through the Algarve, attracting surfers and beach/nature lovers worldwide. For many, the Algarve exists within an energy that calms the soul, calling those who appreciate the lifestyle here to relocate – permanently. Part of this special energy comes from a flourishing community of yoga practitioners, gifted artists, energy and sound healers, holistic health, spirituality and a life that nurtures our inner-self and well-being. I spoke to four women embracing the Algarve life about their callings, what they offer, and what they have to say about well-being and healing in the new year.

Andrea Profitt Asking Andrea about ‘sound’ is like tapping a tuning fork. You might have a clue what’s coming, but what resonates after that ‘ping!’ is much more. She offers an in-depth understanding of sound; how frequencies and vibrations affect us mentally, physically, and energetically. Andrea has always felt aligned to music. She loved playing vinyls on her nana’s portable record player as a child, which grew into an early career in the music and events industries. Her first sound healing experience was an awakening to discover all forms of sound healing. The big music and events burnout redirected her path to reiki and how sound can change us. Andrea’s multi-instrumental sound healing experiences and training, especially with crystal bowls, include The Sound Healing Academy with Tony Nec; Mount Shasta and The Crystal Rooms in California; Sonic Geometry with Eric Rankin; and everything frequency-related. She knows sound healing can benefit each of us according to our own frequencies and vibrations. “Sound allows the body to teach the mind. We can feel it fully, like your favourite song. We all vibrate at different frequencies, tones, and sounds. When the body is exposed to harmonic frequencies and vibrations, it is balanced into harmony. Sound healing re-tunes you when you’re out of tune.” For the new year, Andrea feels we need to take ourselves inwards more. It’s a time to rejuvenate, for self-care and reflection. “Healing is about understanding your rhythm and where you’re at, setting an intention and nurturing your spirit, soul, and body.”  andreaproffitt.com www.instagram.com/andrea_proffitt thesoundtempleuk@gmai.com

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HEALTH & BEAUTY

Munay

Lamiya Sayari

Munay has lived several incarnations; through a family that knew little of caring for a child, living in a school of nuns, and her mother’s death at the age of 14. This manifested existential questions in Munay: why are we alive? What is my life’s purpose? What does it mean to be free?

Someone might think that Lamiya Sayari is just another seller of crystals, stones, and other earthy elements as gifts. Think again. Lamiya is not only passionate about what she does; she lives it.

Longing for a life away from the norm, Munay followed a calling to India. She experienced a transformation to start a new life more aligned with her nature, deeply confident in her search for answers. “I had to be the main actor in my life. And my nomadic nature to be free, explore, and expand motivates me.” For Munay, it’s been a 15-year journey of continents, cultures and healing to inner self-discovery. She has delved into integrating healing studies and methods covering various traditions, yoga, meditation, intuitive counselling, women’s circles, and purification ceremonies. Munay sees herself as a bridge between cultures, people, and traditions. She integrates different healing approaches and understanding of human beings. Combining teachings from the East and shamanic teachings from South America, she engages both in her massage practices. Munay helps others clear away energetic, emotional, and physical blockages through individualised body touch treatments. Considering the major shifts happening worldwide, Munay believes that to be healthy means getting aligned with your heart, mind, body, and higher self. Get aligned with what is good for you and your truth. This improves our well-being and more. This is what she wishes for people in 2022.  pasossagrados.com www.instagram.com/munay_moon munimoon74@gmail.com

For several years, people of all walks of life and worldly locations have been gravitating to Lamiya searching for crystals and other stones – and buying them (or 'adopting' them as she says). Her growing list of crystal seekers and clients is remarkable, considering Lamiya doesn’t have a website. Word-of-mouth, her beautiful reputation, and an incredible selection of stones direct the welcoming business flow. Some people contact Lamiya regarding a specific stone. Others say they were guided by intuition but unsure of what will come into their possession. And nearly all of them have a captivating pre- or post-story about their journey. Lamiya’s explains that her interactions with the crystals are intuitive and guided by an awareness of our energy fields. Each of us can connect with the crystals in our own way through an open awareness of that energy field. When someone inquires about buying a crystal to help them, Lamiya tells them, “It’s not the stone itself that is helping you. Rather, it’s the energetic field that the stone is emitting.” Her in-person appointments to buy crystals are more like casual guidance sessions among a vibrating field of magnificent stones. Lamiya and her client form a private momentary bond towards ‘adopting’ a crystal. People have been going through a lot the last two years: emotionally, with family, in their relationships, and with themselves. This is a time to really find enjoyable ways to release the heavy energies weighing us down. It can start with small things.  Interested in ‘adopting’ a crystal or other stones? Contact Lamiya @ lamiasayari@gmail.com

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Kathrin Woerner Kathrin moved to Portugal in 1997 and has lived in Vila do Bispo for 15 years as a yoga teacher and therapist. Coming from Germany, it took time for the community to accept Kathrin and her work. Some now come to her for support and counsel. Kathrin believes some Portuguese people are curious about her practices because they have a sense of spiritual awareness. There’s also deep energy in Portugal related to water that draws people to the landscapes, allowing you to create the lifestyle you want. A trained paediatric nurse, Kathrin’s love of children greatly influenced her path and work. “Children have been the biggest focus in my life. In paediatric nursing, you learn everything about sensations because newborns can’t talk. I had to tune into sensations of temperature, mood, needs, all without speaking.” This experience developed Kathrin’s five senses and opened the doorway into yoga training and healing practices. Kathrin became a yoga teacher in 1995 from the school of Sivananda. She is trained in reflexology, reiki, hatha yoga, and the Chinese Quantum Method (CQM). She also offers hormone yoga to help women balance important hormones in the female body. Kathrin’s clients don’t necessarily have to believe in the practices she offers or feel pushed into a corner where it has to work. The work does itself and sessions start from the individual’s present state of being – to resolve a repeating conflict. On that note, many people go from one year to the next, repeating their conflicts, and even repeating unfilled resolutions. Kathrin’s advice for the new year: stop focusing on resolutions and start eliminating the conflict. Maybe Kathrin’s practices can help you.  kathrin-woerner.com/index.html alegriadobonito@gmail.com

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BUSINESS & TECHNOLOGY

Finance Matters Each month we receive different questions from our readers. Although some of these questions are related to specific situations, sometimes the answer may help you to better understand the tax system in Portugal and answer the queries from other readers.

Q: I read in the press that the Portuguese government has created a program to help people with the recent fuel price increase. How can I and my business get into this scheme? First, it is necessary to register on the website https://www.ivaucher.pt/. Here, you will need to provide your tax details and associate a debit card to your account.

The system works when you go to a petrol station, ask for an invoice with your fiscal number and make the payment with the same debit card that you registered. The refund will be automatic, and you will receive up to 5€ per month between November 2021 and March 2022. If in any of these months you don’t use it, the balance will be carried forward and in total you can receive up to 25€ in total. Please note, that you won’t even need to fill up with petrol to receive this. You can simply drive into a petrol station, buy the newspaper and ask for an invoice with your fiscal number to automatically qualify for the 5€ refund. And no, that is not a typing error, it is the way the system works. The refund is normally transferred to your bank account within two days after the purchase.

Q: I am 68 years old and just sold my property in Portugal. This was my primary residence, we have owned it since 2004 and we sold it for 300,000 euros. When we purchased it, we asked for a mortgage and, at time of sale, we still owed the bank 30,000 euros, which has now been repaid. How much do I need to reinvest, to avoid paying taxes in Portugal. To make sure that this was your primary habitation, you need to check if the address of the house is the address registered at the Portuguese tax office. If this is not the case, you should change it prior to the sale. If you noticed this too late, please be aware that, in some cases, the change of address can be done retrospectively. In terms of the amount to reinvest, it works like this: 300,000€ - 30,000€ = 270,000€ So, it is the proceeds of the sale, minus the mortgage redeemed at the time of deed. The mortgage is only considered if taken out before 2015 and for the purpose of purchasing the asset. It’s important that you don’t pay off the mortgage prior to the deed, this should be done at the same time on the deed of sale, otherwise, the tax authorities may not accept it when calculating the reinvestment.

 Please feel free to send us the questions you may have to ricardo@allfinance.pt. We will select some of these to be published.

Life beyond Brexit

How to Brexit-proof your investments Brexit is either a word shouted from the rooftops or mentioned with lament; but with our fates sealed, let’s move beyond the B-word and look at some constructive action points you can check off as part of your new year planning. One of the key implications for expatriates living in Portugal is the advice they receive. Prior to 1 January 2021, UK-based advisers could advise residents of Portugal under the EU passporting of services rules. However, since then, they are no longer permitted to do so. The immediate action point, therefore, is to check that your adviser(s) is regulated and permitted to advise in Portugal and, if they are, do they have the necessary local knowledge required to advise in complex matters? As an

example, I am authorised to advise across the EU but I only advise in Portugal because that is where I live, and I understand the financial system here; I do not feel it would be in my clients’ best interests to offer advice, say, for Poland or Latvia because I am not au fait with the systems there. Another action point is to assess how you are holding your investments. Do you have UK ISAs or other structures that are not recognised in Portugal, and therefore fully taxed? There are similar structures you can use if you are a resident, which are equally or even more taxefficient than UK-based investments. My final recommended action point is to consider the nature of your underlying fund holdings. Many people I speak with still have

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UK-denominated investments, even though they spend all their time here in Portugal and spend in euros. Perhaps a rethink is needed in this area. The Spectrum IFA Group is licensed across the entire EEA and can ensure that your finances are ‘Brexit-proof’ through access to secure, locally authorised tax-efficient investment solutions. Mark Quinn BA ATT APFS is a Tax Adviser and Chartered Financial Planner.  The Spectrum IFA Group +351 934 920 702

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FOOD & DRINK

Where to shop? My go-to for Asian sauces and condiments:

That Asian Home Cook

Joy Entry is a Malaysian home cook based in Lagos who is obsessed with the provocative, unapologetic flavours of SouthEast Asian cuisine.  Instagram: @thatasianhomecook joyentry@gmail.com

Ingredients 150gms Romaine lettuce or roughly half a medium-sized head 4 Spanish shallots sliced 4 cloves garlic minced 1 tablespoon sunflower oil 1 tablespoon oyster sauce (I love Lee Kum Kee Premium Oyster Sauce) ½ tablespoon soy sauce ½ tablespoon sesame oil

Top tip

One great way to keep the sheen and gloss on the lettuce once blanched is to use a drop of oil in the water while blanching

How to Begin by prepping your lettuce; remove the leaves whole if possible. Once washed and drained, put aside. For the dressing, heat up a small pan and fry the shallots in sunflower oil until lightly browned. This will take around five minutes on a low to medium heat. Then, add the minced garlic and stir together. Once the garlic starts to colour a little and the shallots start to become crispy, add in the oyster sauce and soy sauce. Switch the heat off immediately and watch the concoction bubble a little blending with the aromatics to create all that delicious sauce. Now your sesame oil goes in, right at the end. Your dressing is done! Next, you want to blanch your lettuce in hot boiling water for about 10 seconds (see Top tip). Lift and drain excess water, place on your serving plate and drape with all that yummy sauce you just made. I like to include some freshly chopped scallions (spring onions) and fried shallots on the top for texture.

CONTINENTE You will be able to find a decent selection of Asian sauces in the dry goods aisle and a variety of noodles too. INTERMARCHÉ Stores stock Asian noodles, sauces and other ingredients. I also love that they always have fresh turmeric, chillies, pak choy, lemongrass and spring onions! ASIA SUPERMARKET If you can afford to go a little bit further, the nearest full-on Asian grocer is in Albufeira. It stocks just about anything you will need for an Asian cook for Chinese, Thai, Vietnamese, Indonesian and even Malaysian dishes. (Beco da Felosa 33, 8200-182 Albufeira.)

Asian Romaine and Shallot Salad

I have what I call this Asian salad recipe that is to-die-for. It is reminiscent of a dish that I used to have growing up sitting under a zinc-roofed makeshift food stall with my dad. Every time a friend visits, and I make this dish, they will literally lick the plate clean. It is all in the dressing! And I’m about to share this easy-peasy recipe with you!

GO DUTCH This Dutch shop stocks most of what I need, with a very good selection of Indonesian sauces and a frozen section with the likes of wonton wrappers and kaffir lime leaves. (Av. do Cabo Bojador lote 6 loja F, 8600-315 Lagos.)

WINE PAIRING I absolutely love how a Sauvignon Blanc works with this particular salad dish.

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Kiko’s Tasca wishes you a happy & healthy new year. Wine, food and friends. Reopening on 13 th January Open from 11am to 11pm. Closed on Tuesdays • Tel.: +351 282 046 037 • Email: one.destino@gmail.com Centro Naútico Sopromar - Estrada Sopromar (Meia-Praia) • LAGOS • GPS - N 37º 06.433' / W 08º 40.176' • f facebook.com/tascadokiko

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FOOD & DRINK

Gaspacho & Migas Superb food, great setting, impeccable service and a really nice guy who runs it. Want to know more? Read on. THE LOW-DOWN The owner Rogerio and his family came to the Algarve from Lisbon without any experience in running a restaurant but he knew how to achieve the high standards he wanted. Rogerio interviewed for at least six months to find the right chef – and it shows. He insists on local sourcing of ingredients, inspecting food for freshness and quality before it even gets to be cooked. THE FLAVOURS The menu is diverse with local cuisine, meat, seafood and fish, all cooked with a variety of twists that will tempt the palate in different ways. The starter was a cured mackerel fillet served with a sweet pumpkin, nutty spots around the plate and wasabi. Yum Yum had duck done two ways for mains. This consisted of a duck breast and shredded duck in pastry, with pumpkin chutney and a grapefruit sauce accompanied by a petite, sweet mini blueberry pie. Yum's chums had loin of lamb with a lamb stew, spicy pepper sauce, grilled wild boar loin in an acorn liqueur and herb sauce, barley and Iberian pork with asparagus Migas, a nicely grilled plum and chimichurri. All were served with delightfully cooked, delicate seasonal vegetables and not a chip in sight. PRICE You can expect to be treated to the best, which is reflected in the price, which was 50€ per head. Read the full review on our blog tomorrowalgarve.com/community-news  Rua Francisco L M Veloso, Lote 5 – Loja C Lagoa +351 282 039 183

A Lazy Girl's Guide to january BY THE LAZY TIGERS Happy New Year to the Tomorrow readers! We hope you had a wonderful Christmas and that your New Year’s Eve was not a damp squib. As usual, the Lazy Tigers partied as much as we were allowed to and, if we didn't have to open up the café, would be taking a good old rest now. We’ve all made it through another (frankly) different kind of year in one of the most beautiful places in the world, and now (almost) all we have to deal with is that it’s a bit chilly at night. But that is okay, because the best response to chilly weather is warming food, the more fattening the better. In our opinion, nothing beats cheese in the comforting and fattening stakes. So first of all, we have a cauliflower cheese soup, which can be served simple, or garnished up for visitors. More cheese, we’ve got it! Don’t let anybody tell you that a fondue set is necessary when serving up that lovely Swiss treat. All you need is a good strong pot with a heavy base that will hold the heat for long enough to gobble the whole thing up. A nice, insulated mat will buy you a few more minutes, but honestly, who needs it? We don’t often specify the type of cheese, but Emmental, Gruyere, and Laughing Cow are all pretty easy to find in town. While not very authentic, the processed cheese is highly effective in stabilising the mixture. And to drink? What goes better with fondue than Gluhwein? We know it’s a cliché, but if it 'ain’t broke, don’t fix it. We hope these winter warmers get you through January as snug as you like. We will be in the shop from the 3rd, still nursing our hangovers while we take down the decorations but cheered by scoffing what is left of the Christmas chocolates. So come in and see us in the historic centre. We'll save you a few.  Rua Marreiros Neto 14 8600-754 Lagos www.londontigercoffee.com

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Cauliflower cheese soup To serve 4:  A big knob of butter  1 large onion chopped very small  1 large cauliflower (in florets)  1 medium potato (in chunks)  400 ml of full cream milk  600 ml of vegetable stock made with a cube  150 grams of grated strong flavoured cheese (mature cheddar or a Portuguese cheese that says it is aged)  Chopped herbs, fried onions, packet croutons, crispy bacon (all optional) Soften the onions in the butter in a large pot. Add the cauliflower, potato, milk, and stock. Bring to the boil and then reduce the heat to a simmer for about 25 to 35 minutes until the veg is mostly mush. Mash to a smooth consistency. Top with the cheese and any of the other garnishes and serve with some lovely bread.

Scan me

Read the other two Lazy Girls recipes

A SIAN FLAVOURS & BAR

Closed for January, we will reopen in February

Asian Fusion Cocktails & Natural Wines Vegan & Vegetarian options Take away & UberEats

Cosy winter meals by the fireplace or sunny lunches in the covered terrace Lunch menu with a wide choice of meals including fresh fish, grilled over wood An à la carte menu for evening meals featuring fresh local ingredients. Open Mon to Sat for lunch 12pm to 4pm and dinner 4pm to 10pm. Sun for lunch 12 to 3pm

Tel: 282 789 503 / 927 130 757 Estrada da Atalaia, Lagos

E-AWA

Avenida dos Descobrimentos Lote 43G Loja M 8600-645 Lagos

Gorilla Lagos

www.gorilla-restaurant.com

vaca.galo.lagos

Travessa dos Tanoeiros 7, Lagos 915 956 357 | lagos.gorilla@gmail.com Open 6pm - 10pm, closed on Tuesdays

LIVER

(+351) 282 798 388

ENVIRONMENT Beach clean up in Luz

The Problem with Plastic

Beach clean up in Alvor

BY CHRIS WELLS Plastic is a wonderful material; it is resistant, malleable, durable – and cheap compared with other materials on the market. Over time, it has become the most commonly used material, especially with regard to home and personal items. Since 1950, more than a tonne of plastic has been produced for every person alive today.

To deal with the problem, the mountain of plastic pollution, we need to address the source: Reduce plastic – eliminate plastic we don’t need (single-use, straws, cups) Reuse any plastic we do use Recycle any plastic we discard Circulate everything we use, keep plastic in the economy and out of the environment. Plastic should never become waste or pollution. Finally, we need to innovate to produce reusable, recyclable or compostable plastic. See https://www.youtube. com/watch?v=RMyjFtnGhQY

With consumption comes waste, and here the characteristics of plastic have a negative effect. It is very resistant and slow to degrade. It has become the most discarded and dumped material in our rivers, soil and seas. More than 150 million tonnes of plastic have already entered the oceans and another 11 million tonnes will end up there each future year, with almost 1,000 marine species known to be contaminated by the waste. Each year, one hundred thousand marine mammals and millions of birds, fish and turtles lose their lives because they inadvertently consume, or are injured by, plastic and microplastic. Humans, too, are being threatened by the harm of microplastics found in different food products such as salt, fish and seafood. Scientists who examined tissue samples taken from lungs, liver, spleen and kidneys found traces of plastic contamination in all of them. This included polyethylene terephthalate, which is used in products such as plastic drinks bottles, as well as polyethylene, which is used to make plastic bags. Our governments, responsible for laws and regulation, are already making an effort to stop this problem but we, both individually and in our community, need to do our part too. Everyone who uses the beach should watch A Plastic Ocean – you can watch it on Netflix. Since 2016, when the film was made, the situation has only got worse! So by 2050, there will be more plastic than fish in the sea. Our convenience-orientated, busy lifestyles mean we are addicted to plastic and especially damaging single-use plastic. Because plastic takes 450 years

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to break down, this means most of the plastic ever made is still around, some on enormous dumps in lowincome nations, washing into the rivers, and some in the sea itself. Very little is being used for its original purpose. So one of the reasons we clean beaches is to monitor plastic pollution. As well, of course, to pick up any litter that we find. The various municipalities clean the Algarve beaches, some very well, some not so well. For example, on Saturday 19 September, we cleaned the Alvor lagoon-side beach. This beach is not cleaned by the local câmara and is mainly used by fishermen. In the space of less than 1½ hours, we collected 64kgs of rubbish – principally plastics. Volunteers and A Rocha regularly get together for a sweep of local beaches to clean them and to report what’s been found. The most commonly found litter includes cigarette ends, plastic bottles and microplastics. At Praia da Luz we found many plastic items, including sweet and ice-cream wrappers, twine, bags, plastic fragments, bottle tops, straws, polystyrene and cigarette butts, all of which were picked up and recorded. In addition, we have supported the Municipality of Lagos in the installation of a Gobi at local beaches, Praia da Luz, Meia Praia and Porto do Mos. The most commonly found litter includes cigarette ends, plastic bottles and microplastics. Sources: The Ellen MacArthur Foundation and WWF, environmental charities that produced reports Varun Kelkar, Illinois University, article in The Times 18 August 2020 https://www.thetimes.co.uk/article/ tiny-plastic-fragments-found-inside-human-bodyx2q06q7kz

ENVIRONMENT

How to recycle

Did you know: Cigarette butts are the most abundant form of plastic waste in the world, with about 4.5 trillion individual butts polluting our global environment.

Algar is the company responsible for the collection, transfer, sorting of materials for recycling, composting of green waste and the treatment of solid urban waste deposited in landfills in the Algarve.

Cigarette butts are made of cellulose acetate, a man-made plastic material, which contains hundreds of toxic chemicals. While cigarette filters, or the plastic part of butts, can take up to ten years to completely degrade, the chemical they release can remain in the environment for many more years beyond the life of the cigarette butt itself. Who knew!?

It processes around 400 thousand tons of urban waste annually, serving a population of 450 thousand people spread over 16 municipalities, in an area of 5,000 m2. In 2020, 350 more containers were made available to the population and, in the last three years, the increase in the number PAPER & of containers installed has been over CARDBOARD 30%, reflecting the largest growth in the history of the company. DEPOSIT

PAPER & CARDBOARD

DEPOSIT

Cardboard boxes, magazines and newspapers, writing and printing paper

Pla p

DO NOT DEPOSIT

Plastic bags, toxic products, dirty paper, diapers, parchment paper, laminated paper, stickers

Pap househo

PLASTIC & METAL

DEPOSIT

If you wish to ensure you are disposing of your waste in the correct eco-bins, study the helpful guide to the right. Cardboard boxes, magazines

 www.algar.com.pt and newspapers, writing and printing paper

Plastic packaging, beverage packs, cans, plastic bags

DO NOT DEPOSIT

Plastic bags, toxic products, dirty paper, diapers, parchment paper, laminated paper, stickers

Paper / cardboard, batteries, household appliances, other plastics

What is a Gobi? Project “Gobi – what eats the fish?” started at Praia da Luz in summer 2021. This is a global project to raise awareness with holidaymakers and residents about the amount of plastic waste that accumulates on the beach. This project began last year on the Bandeira Azul beaches with the installation of a metal structure shaped like a giant fish, into which each person can deposit their plastic waste. A Rocha and volunteers, including many from Saint Vincent’s church, were present at the inauguration on 7 June. Within three weeks, the Gobi was completely full of plastic bottles! It’s great

Read Sophie Sadler's article about her visit to Algar in 2018: https://bit.ly/3m6Ij2R

that they were collected, but sad that so many are beingPAPER used in & the first place when we should beCARDBOARD using reusable products like recycled aluminium water bottles.

PLASTIC & METAL

GLASS

DEPOSIT

Plastic packaging, beverage packs, cans, plastic bags

Bottles and jars

DO NOT DEPOSIT

Paper / cardboard, batteries, household appliances, other plastics

Crockery and ceramics, plastic bags, flat glass and windows, crystals and mirrors, lamps and medicine bottles

DEPOSIT

Other similar initiatives exist, and sometimes things get confusing, but as long as we are keeping plastic off the beaches, hey, what’s in a name? Cardboard boxes, magazines and newspapers, writing and

Anyone interested in paper helping with future printing beach cleans, getting a Gobi on their local beach, or getting of a plastic-free DO NOThold DEPOSIT water bottle, should contact Chris Wells, cxwells@aol.com Plastic bags, toxic products, dirty paper, diapers, parchment paper, laminated paper, stickers

 educacaoambientalnarocha.blogspot.com/2021/07/projeto-gobi.html

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Crocke flat gla mirrors

PETS & WILDLIFE

Pet's Mate BY LARS RAMQUIST Last year was a different one, for sure. Aside from the global obvious, we also saw a new daughter come into our lives. Even with a son who is still very young, one forgets what it is like to have a baby in the house. I am not talking about the teabags under the eyes (oh, it’s just bags, isn’t it? I think I went slightly tangential there), nor the noise or the nappies, but a little new creature in our midst, learning and reminding us of life, perhaps. So that's nice. If not a little baggy around the eyes. Perhaps this is the most common reason that some people have pets in their lives. To have an independent creature living alongside you. One that also relies upon you and your good nature. A nature good enough to feed, nurture and protect this other living being that is not you. Now, I

don’t go to church, a mosque or the synagogue but I reckon that is a syndrome of having a soul. Whilst pontificating on this, I concede that you don’t need a fat pussy or a hairy mongrel to have a caring soul, of course. Many people are allergic to fur or just don’t want to be covered in slobber or clean up cat crap every day – and I think this is most reasonable as well. If you did decide to get a puppy for Christmas or are considering adopting one in the New Year you should remember the following: Dogs are for life (like everything is), so make sure you are ready for a long dedicated commitment to your new furry friend. That means loving your pet in the nappy stage, into their rebellious teens and then in their retirement.

Like having a small child, bringing a new puppy into your home means you take responsibility for having a living being whose needs often come before your own. You can’t just up and leave for a fun weekend with friends at the last minute like you may be used to, but, like the kids, the rewards make it all worthwhile. Happy 2022 all!! Much love to us all.  +351 282 782 282 info@lagosvet.com

As a responsible owner of an ‘awkward but awesome dog’, young pup or nervous rescued dog, when you are preparing to venture out for your walk you may be stressing about what may happen or how your dog will react to another canine crossing your path.

My Dog’s Friendly!!! BY GAIL SKINNER

For many dog owners, it’s a phrase that can send shivers down their spine. 78

Imagine you are there minding your own business with your dog trotting along on its lead next to you, when all of a sudden, a whirlwind of flying hair comes hurtling towards you – the owner of this menace may or may not be in the vicinity. You look around, frantically trying to control your dog who is spinning on the lead, lunging, barking or cowering away screaming in fear at the loose dog, and then you hear those familiar words … ‘it’s okay, he’s friendly’. The truth is that in most cases these owners are unable to control their dogs and they don’t have a reliable recall, so they let the dog be off the lead to do what they want. But let’s not dwell on them. How can you be your dog’s superhero? Remember, one bad experience can override a hundred positive ones. You are your dog’s protector. You don’t greet every person in the supermarket, so why should people expect their dog to greet

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every dog on a walk? Train your dog to focus on you or on a toy. Create a bubble with yourself and your dog, keep the conversation going between the two of you. Maintain eye contact with your dog; if you look at the other dog or owner you are inviting an interaction. Avoid eye contact and block with your body. Train your dog using two steps back for focus. Have your dog sit in front of you then, with a few treats in your hand, take two big steps backwards. As the dog moves towards you, lift your hands slightly to encourage a sit, reward close to your body and repeat. Once your dog is coming and sitting in front of you quickly and staying there focused on you, then you can walk forwards with the dog next to you and suddenly take two steps back. This signals to him to come and sit in front of you. Reward and repeat. This exercise allows you to control your dog in many situations and it puts the dog’s back towards any oncoming dogs which signals to them that it’s not their business.  www.Awesome-dog.com +351 917 758 404

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