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Newsletter April 2004 -
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by: Nigel Anteney Hoare |
March began with some very cold weather for
these parts. Leaving for work early in the morning, the temperature reading
on several days was down to 3ºC. This was accompanied by the classic blue
skies we often get at this time of the year. After the first few days
however cloud appeared and the temperature rose. It had been so much better
to have those clear crisp days rather than the sad grey skies that followed.
On the first Friday we met up with our friends from the "hills", TOM and
BARBARA CAMPH whom we had not seen for some while and caught up with the
news from the Silves/Messines area whilst enjoying some tasty piri piri at
RESTAURANT KAZY in Silves. Every time we go to Silves it seems to have
changed - for the better. It really is becoming a charming town under the
guidance of the Mayor Dra ISOBEL SOARES whom I noticed, later in the month,
was the only mayor in the region receiving a positive rating following a
poll of readers held by THE NEWS. It seems 88% of the readers polled are
pleased with what she has done and having lived in the Silves "Concelho", or
Council area, for 11 years under Dra Isobel and her predecessor I have to
agree that she has done a good job.
On the Saturday evening we decided to go to the cinema at GUIA SHOPPING to
see the Jack Nicholson movie "Somethings gotta give". Not being a regular
filmgoer it amazes me how these multi cinemas make it, economically, as
there are never many people in them and the prices they charge are
relatively low compared to other countries. On a Monday you pay an even
cheaper entrance fee! A good location for the rainy days of winter and
spring.
The film was, for me, very "different" and enjoyable and after we visited
the restaurant IDEAL tucked away in GUIA. Unusually for Guia this is not
primarily a chicken piri piri place and they have a full menu including
fresh fish. The restaurant is very pleasantly decorated and the food is
always good and reasonably priced at about 20 Euros a head.
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| Sunday saw a mixed bag weather-wise but generally the skies
were clearing and we were treated to some fantastic sunsets. That night was
very still with wood smoke in the air smelling like coffee roasting. Someone
was burning almond or some other scented wood and no doubt with the weather
warming each day the fire places and wood burners would soon be cleaned out
for the summer and logs stacked out of the way for next winter. |
Please find larger photos here |
The following week began clear and sunny but
still quite fresh in the mornings. Excitement grew amongst football
supporters as Tuesday was to see the second leg of the Champions League
clash between Manchester United and Porto. For such a game even the Benfica
and Sporting supporters were behind Porto and there was an element of an
"underdog" Porto going into the Manchester United lair particularly after a
bitter clash between the rival managers after the first leg which Porto had
won 2 - 1. What happened is history but for those who don't know, Manchester
United scored giving them the edge as their away goal was worth double in
the event of a tie. Like a story book ending, in the dying seconds of the
game, Porto scored and held on for a win. Great excitement here and bold
predictions that they will go all the way to the Final!
The following day we saw a real change, the day started beautifully clear
and sunny and it was actually warm at 7am when I walked my dog. The mixed
weather continued however with Friday 12th grey and wet followed by a
surprisingly clear and sunny weekend, but with a bitter North wind whistling
down on us from northern Europe.
At this time of the year, it seems that no sooner has the blossom
disappeared, the almond trees are already bearing fruit encased in their
velvety shells.
Please find larger photos hereThe pink and white
almond blossom is replaced by beautiful yellow mimosa dotting the
countryside and already we notice that heady, almost pungent, scent from the
orange blossom just beginning to form. Spring is truly here.
We had promised ourselves a visit to the DANISH STEAK HOUSE in Rua Sta
Isabel, Portimão. We had tried in January but they were closed for a holiday
so off we went again to find it open but empty. This is not always unusual
for a Saturday night in Portimão which tends to die a bit at weekends once
the shops close at lunchtime. Our meal was enjoyable enough and 3 courses
with wine etc would cost about 30 Euros a head.
On Saturday 13th some of the Irish community had organised a pre-St.
Patrick's Day celebration at a hotel in Montechoro, Albufeira. This had been
posted on the carvoeiro.com page with a price of 35 Euros for all you could
eat and drink. I discussed this with my pal GRAHAM GROOM who was involved
with the organising committee. I took the negative view that after the hotel
had experienced about 120 Irish folk drinking, dining, dancing and singing
until 2 a.m. they may decide that they had got the arithmetic wrong when
they offered this deal! Apparently the whole thing went off so well that the
hotel have asked them to do it again next year! |
On St Patricks Day itself, 17th March, DIRTY NELLYS seemed
to be the place to be! We arrived at about 7.30pm and the place was
absolutely jumping!
Please find larger photos here |
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A St Patrick look alike was glued to a bar
stooland a mixture of Irish and non Irish residents and holiday makers were
having a ball. I heard that earlier, at about 4.30pm, MANUEL of Dirty
Nellies had borrowed an open beach buggy from CARLOS of the CEPSA SERVICE
STATION and the Irish had held an impromptu motorcade around the town
stopping the traffic in the process!
Please find more St. Patrick's day 2004 pictures
here. |
Please find larger photos here |
EILISH was in full flight serving tasty bowls of Irish Stew
and the Guinness was flowing faster than the pump could deliver it.
It was a very good evening indeed, full of Irish humour and
bonhomie. Our friend, THOMAS CORRIDAN from Almancil, joined us with
his girlfriend SARAH and mindful that the next day was a working day we
reluctantly left the party well before the end and invited them to eat at
ELE E ELLA before they drove home. |
Excellent food as always my wifes only
complaint is that the extraction needs sorting!
It was turning out to be a hectic week as the next day was my pal TONY DA
SILVAS birthday and we had been invited by his mother in law (must be a
great son in law!) to a celebration dinner at RESTAURANT O TASCO, Senhora da
Verde. This is along the road that is almost opposite PENINA HOTEL heading
up towards the hills. I approached it from the other direction which is off
the Portimão/Monchique road taking a left turn towards the new MORGADO DE
REGUENGOS GOLF COURSE. Like many of these Portuguese country restaurants, O
Tasco looks a bit scruffy from the outside but the restaurant is very good.
I was amazed to find it full - and all foreigners, resident and tourists.
Tony and his wife Pam said that it was a favourite haunt of foreign
residents of whom there are many in the Senhora da Verde, Monte Judeu, Cerro
e Mar areas. This was clear evidence of the spending power of the foreign
community and tourists that I would have liked to show the respective
Ministers for Tourism and Finance!
Friday saw a clear bright day with a blustery cold wind. Sadly we went to
Silves at midday for the funeral service of an old friend and neighbour from
our days living in Cumeada, PETER SAWYER, who had died on the previous
Monday after a lengthy illness. The chapel was filled with his family from
UK, friends and neighbours and it was warming to see that several of Peters
Portuguese neighbours had turned up. In beautiful sunshine we followed the
hearse on the long walk through the streets of Silves from chapel to
cemetery with local people stopping to cross themselves as we passed. Peter
was a great bloke and as we heard the words of the English Priest, I
recalled that it was not so many years ago when he was teaching my young son
Sam the first rudiments of football having been a fine footballer himself. I
have to say moments like that do make me appreciate life and determine me to
try and make the most of it whilst I am able.
Saturday and Sunday were simply glorious. On the Saturday having been to
Lagoa I decided to come back to Carvoeiro via PRAIA DA MARINHA and BENAGIL.
Benagil beach was spectacular, deserted but just like a summers day. I went
on through the little village of Benagil and along the coast to overlook
PRAIA DO CARVALHO (Smugglers Cove). Absolutely stunning, with one or two
people on the beach and just two children skipping in the waves.
Please find larger photos hereThat night we had
been invited by friends NELSON and ANA, to join SARAH, CARLOS and family of
CEPSA SERVICE STATION to eat at A MARISQUEIRA, the restaurant of João Luis
at the top of Estrada do Farol (restaurant hill!) just past the new hotel.
This is a small restaurant inside with a few tables outside on the terrace.
Those residents and tourists who have "discovered" it go back time and again
for fresh fish and generally good food at sensible prices. I don't know what
the bill came to as I never paid but the food was excellent. With just a
little too much wine on board maybe, the decision was taken to hit Dirty
Nellies where the final damage was done courtesy of Manuel.
Sunday was HOT! This was now just like June and the ideal day to get some
gardening done and try to get a bit of colour on my skin. Great way to
remove a hangover too!
Monday I had to meet a business contact late afternoon and things having
taken longer than expected I called my wife to join us as he had invited us
to eat at the RAJ at GARBE - the Indian restaurant which is part of the
Hotel Garbe in Armaçaõ de Pêra. Calling for a table he found it was closed.
Dismay led to hope when he decided that we would go instead to Carvoeiro's
own Indian restaurant, O INDIANO on Estrada do Farol. The place was really
busy and a pleasant meal was enjoyed for a pleasant price
The rest of the week was beautifully sunny with temperatures well above
average. This is the life I thought looking forward to the weekend. Murphy's
Law hit hard and late Friday grey clouds came in from the south west.
We had been invited to a Japanese restaurant at Bouganvilea Plaza, on the
outskirts of Quinta do Lago. The table being booked for 8,30, we set off at
7.45 - that journey always taking longer than one expects. We have never
eaten Japanese food other than some sushi here and there. At this
restaurant, called T CLUB, on a Friday and Saturday they have a Japanese
buffet. It was simply marvellous! I have no real idea of cost but the set
charge must be high. A central semi-circular buffet is laden with all manner
of tasty starters with a sushi chef behind preparing more fresh food as it
disappears. Afterwards there are a variety of main courses and puddings.
The food was plentiful and fantastic and service was excellent.
The place was not as busy as had been expected by our host who was surprised
that he could book a table at short notice. It did fill up a little later
but we are hearing from business people in the Quinta do Lago/ Vale do Lobo
areas that trade is generally well down apparently due to the negative and
unsettling effects of the new tax laws particularly that affecting offshore
property which has hit hardest in that area where 99% of those large
expensive homes are held by offshore companies. Additionally, we hear that
bookings for villas and apartments in June are slow as many potential
visitors are being put off by the prospect of the 2004 Euro Football Finals.
Surely it can't be that such a big sporting occasion could have the opposite
effect on tourism than is hoped?!
The long drive home to Carvoeiro was worth the gastronomic experience and I
am now saving up to go back! Sure enough the grey clouds of Friday evening
heralded overnight rain and after such a long dry spell I quite enjoyed the
steady rain as I gave my dog a run early Saturday morning. However by 11 am
the clouds had broken and we had mixed sun and cloud for all to enjoy.
Returning from a shopping trip the town looked quite busy in this run up to
Easter. Everything looks spick and span and open and work continues on the
old house to the right of the HOTEL CARVOEIRO SOL overlooking the square
which I hear is to be yet another bar! This old house, which is one of the
few left that can be seen in many old photos of
 Carvoeiro,
has been for sale as long as I recall but the reputed price had deterred
everybody. You can spot it in picture 4 of
Hans Peter Uebe's fabulous set of 1969 photos
of Carvoeiro - it being the first building with a pitched roof from the left
of the photo. Anyway some bold soul has taken the plunge and as you can see
from this picture taken a week or so ago a complete overhaul is taking place.
Oh well, another watering hole for the tired and thirsty!
Please find larger photos here
The final Saturday of the month saw a charity dinner at CHEFE O ANTONIO'S
in aid of a local children's charity. A quiz night had been arranged with
dinner and wine included for an inclusive price, half of which was to go to
the charity. About 120 people attended on a rather cold and damp evening
which was warmed up by the innovative quiz bingo held by SIMON PERRY and
some lively auctioneering of donated prizes by PAT ROBINSON the organiser of
the event. NOBERT
LANGENSIEPEN provided music and a good time was had by all. At the end
it was announced that ANTONIO, the owner, had waived his charge for
provision of food and drink so that the entire proceeds went to the charity.
This was a magnificent gesture and a huge boost for the charity funds. Well
done António!
After dinner we dropped in to the HAVANA BAR for a couple of nightcaps and
again I thought what a good job JAN and MARK are doing there.
That wraps up this Newsletter for March on this rather rainy Sunday with the
clocks having jumped forward an hour and me about to leave for Faro airport
with my wife to collect our children from school for the Easter holidays. I
will be away from Carvoeiro on holiday for the first two weeks of April so
will give you all a rest from this nonsense until the end of May. Happy
Easter!
Please find more St. Patrick's day 2004 pictures
here.
Please find larger versions of the pictures
here.
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