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Newsletter May 2007 - archive
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by: Carol Carpenter |
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For the first time since 2001, Portugal hosted
a FIA World Rally Championship round.
The Rally was based at Estadio Algarve, which was built for the 2004
European Soccer Championships just outside Faro. The stadium held a super
special stage with the action starting on Thursday 29th March and a repeat
test bringing the Rally to a close on Sunday 1st April. The traditional
stages were based in the Serra do Caldeiro mountains north of Faro.
Frenchman Sabastian Loeb and co-driver Daniel Elena from Monaco took first
place on the winner’s podium having set a great pace in their Citroen C4.
The Rally was well supported with many spectators pitching their tents for
the event. However the organisers have been fined €37,000 after five
people were injured when Portuguese driver Armindo Araujo’s Mitsubishi
left the track. Even so, drivers and spectators alike enjoyed the Rally
believing it to be a welcome return.
We were lucky to have two family members staying, both of whom are ardent
followers and fans of Marcus Gronholm and Petter Solberg. One member being
an amateur driver himself, whose family have been involved with rally
driving for many years along with his wife really enjoyed the event and
remarked on how well planned out it was – the lack of refreshments along
the stages being their only grumble.
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| We had a great time meeting up with 6 regular CVO visitors* on Maundy
Thursday and we all enjoyed a meal at Algar Seco. Sharen and Michael along
with Sue and Jeff also joined us for a BBQ on Good Friday – the other two
visitors wish to remain anonymous for personal reasons!! It made a great
start to the Easter break. S. and M. invited us to join them for their
farewell dinner at A Rede (no bones in the soup and viagra sauce) for
which we thank them and looking forward to their return visit at
Christmas. |
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Please find all the pictures in large formats
here
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We also met up with Baggysallyjane* and her husband Richard, joining them
for a meal at Colombo’s to celebrate her “50” birthday and then moving on
to the Inside Café for cocktails. If you have never paid this bar a visit,
put it on your list of “must do’s” – the guys are great fun. Their mojitos
are delicious as are their other cocktails and they also entertain you
with their juggling and stacking tumblers, before filling the shot glasses
without spillage or breakage. It is quite amazing to watch!! Of course I
really didn’t have to drink six cocktails just to get information for this
newsletter although it was great fun – the hangover the following day
wasn’t!! Thanks for inviting us to your celebration and we look forward to
seeing you again soon.
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| WineMine, based in Silves Gare, once again
held their Anniversary cruise aboard the good vessel ‘Alegria’ which is a
20 metre motor ship with a below deck salon, toilet, bar and a large
sundeck. Heading towards Carvoeiro and Benagil we enjoyed the views of the
Algarvian coast with it’s never ending beaches and rocky cliffs, but
unfortunately the weather was not kind to us and due to some passengers
feeling a little unwell (!!) the Captain was forced to change the route.
This shortened the Cruise somewhat and we were unable to continue on to
Lagos. After returning to the smooth waters of the Arade river mouth we
anchored off Praia Grande where we enjoyed a fabulous buffet lunch
prepared by Chef Christian from CKL Restaurant in Lagos. Philip, our host,
was there to fill our glasses up with a selection of newly arrived red and
white wines. This proved to be a great day and anyone who is not a member
of WineMine should ring Anabela at the office (282 410 036) or e-mail
mail@winemine.net, as apart from good wines, they have really great
trips even travelling as far as Peru. |
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Please find all the pictures in large formats
here
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The new MaJa Bistro Bar has a very good menu with reasonable prices and we
met Mark and Jan there the other evening to enjoy a glass of wine with
tapas which were delicious. They had also arranged a St. Georges Day
celebration weekend with a special menu of good old English food – steak
and kidney pie etc., so we returned for the Sunday lunch to find the
restaurant decorated with flags and balloons. They had worked really hard
at this and were rewarded for their efforts by having a full house.
We thought it was a great idea – all the other Saints get their days
celebrated so why not St. George – well done Mark and Jan. This restaurant
is well off the beaten track and to be busy at this time of year can only
be good, so we wish them well and shall be back.
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Café Ingles in Silves was once again the venue for Banda Kalulu, a local
band usually playing in Carvoeiro at the Jazz Club and also at Rocha
Brava. It is well known to locals for their Sunday afternoon jazz
sessions, mainly Brazilian style, which are great entertainment and create
a lively atmosphere. When Banda Kalulu play they bring the house down
especially when they sing “Praia do Carvoeiro” – everyone joins in and it
is really fun time. The menu is varied and there is something for
everybody and in the summer months they open the roof top restaurant where
you can sit to enjoy the views whilst dining on their delicious pizzas,
steaks, chicken etc.
Another very good restaurant is Ponte Romana just across the Ponte Velha
(old bridge) where you will find more traditional dishes such as potato
soup cooked to an original recipe and served with mint and crusty bread.
You can also find Papas do Milho or Grizeus an Algarvia (pea broth) which
is served with sausage, bacon and eggs.
Silves, with its Castle, terraces and streets complete with bazaars, make
it a great attraction for visitors – relax and enjoy Silves, you won’t
regret it. |
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Please find all the pictures in large formats
here
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The River Arade played host to Lagoa’s 2007 Power Boat Grand Prix. The
event, taking place at Mexilhoeira da Carregacao on Sat./Sun. 21/22 April
comprised the national championship for the PR750, S850 and tourism
categories as well as Formula Futuro – an event for youngsters between 8
and 18 who really enjoyed competing and showing off their skills to
everyone. The power boats were awesome and at one stage I thought they
would actually take off. Although the support was disappointing, I
thoroughly enjoyed watching this exciting and high speed spectacle and it
proved to be a great afternoon.
If anyone is thinking of visiting Sagres I would like to inform them that
the lighthouse is closed until July due to restoration work. We recently
took some friends there, where to our amazement the craft stalls had
almost doubled in size, including the fast food vans – the prices also
seemed to have doubled !! They are restoring the Chapel in the Fortaleza
and the buildings around it. The museum was interesting but not yet
complete.
The abundance of wild flowers inside the grounds of the Fortaleza were
stunning, varying from vivid reds to pinks and purple, with a very deep
blue flower which resembled our bluebell and the brightest yellow flower I
have ever seen. This is obviously the best time to visit, if only for the
flowers.
Unfortunately we have to return to the U.K. for the month of May as my
husband is to undergo an operation on his knee. This means that I will be
unable to write the next newsletter. Anyone who is willing to stand in for
me would you please contact Steen – perhaps Carvoeiro
1* you might be interested.
Ciao
Carol* regular
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