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Newsletter September /
October 2007 - archive
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by: Carol Carpenter |
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August got off to a great start with a 40th birthday celebration for Jan
from Ma Ja’s. We had arranged to meet with Lazerblazer and his wife one
Thursday evening and decided on meeting at the restaurant. On arriving,
Mark informed us that he had arranged a surprise for Jan at 10pm in
Brady’s Irish
Bar and he would be closing early so after our drinks we made our way
to Brady’s Bar. Klonakilty were playing, as they do every Thursday and at
10pm just as they started their break they sang “Happy Birthday” with
everyone joining in and - a lovely surprise for Jan. At midnight the
Champagne bottles started popping and we all enjoyed the numerous glasses
that followed. The Champagne, along with the other drinks consumed
earlier, led to one almighty hangover the next day but it was a brilliant
evening. Jan also received some really lovely gifts and we all had a great
time with Klonakilty superb as usual, getting everyone singing along and
joining in. Mark had also arranged with Roy a flight around the Algarve on
Monday. Again Jan knew nothing of this and as Mark’s father loves to sit
at airports and watch the planes, Jan’s first thought on arriving at
Alvor, was that she would be spending a boring day watching planes. You
can imagine her reaction when we arrived to actually take her flying!! It
was a beautiful day, a little bumpy, but lovely and clear so I was also
able to take pictures of the
Monte Santo
resort along with the new apartments being built above the Indian
restaurant and Rascals Bar. On our return we had also arranged a bottle of
Champagne, which of course we all thoroughly enjoyed.
That was the good part of August but it was definitely downhill from then
on. |
A few days later I asked Roy if he could transfer the photos onto the PC.
Giving back the camera later he informed me he had wiped off the photos as
I had asked. PANIC!!!! “No I never said that! I simply asked you to
transfer the photos onto the PC.” Blank look from Roy with “Oh s—t” to
follow.
Later that week we telephoned Jan and Mark to ask if they could possibly
endure another flight and explained why. Heaps of laughter followed but
they were thrilled at two trips for the price of one. Unfortunately though
the weather had changed and it was not as clear, but at least I could
repeat the photo shoot. On our return we again enjoyed yet another bottle
of Champagne this time with the added bonus of a box of chocolates. I am
sure Jan will have fond memories of her 40th birthday !! |
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That same week we also enjoyed an evening of Folklore dancing, performed
by 10 countries at the Auditorio de Lagoa. Countries such as Russia, Czech
Republic, Latvia, Spain, Portugal and Canada were among those competing,
it was very colourful, but due to the hiccup with the camera I am unable
to produce any photographs - I am afraid we could not repeat this event.
There has also been a variety performance this summer. “Don’t applaud.
Just throw money” said the wording on the progamme and that’s exactly what
everybody did, raising 4,400 euros in aid of Castelo de Sonhos (Castle of
Dreams) a charity based in Silves. What a night of variety it was,
renowned guitarist, Raimundo Seixas along with Anibal Vinhas on viola and
Tiago Valentim playing base guitar, opened the show with a sparkling
selection of tunes and then provided the accompaniment for well- known
Fado singer Jose Candido, who sang three of these traditionally emotional
songs.
The audience were also entertained by ballet and modern dance pieces. The
very funny Ian Carfrae, who not only skilfully held everything together as
Master of Ceremonies, but also metamorphosed into a saxophone playing Pink
Panther, much to everyone’s delight. There was enchanting and exotic
dancing to Arabian music, rousing singing from the Lagoa Christian
Fellowship Gospel Choir, Karen Carfrae who gave us the ‘Oom-Pah-Pah’song
and the amusing sand dancers from Carvoeiro with their camel. Circo
Pequeno’s Light Juggling act was wonderful. Talk about light fantastic,
what a brilliant demonstration and judging by the comments around me,
literally the highlight of the show! The event was brought to a close by
singer Daryl Bye with his electric guitar and some favourite hits from our
youth.
Dra. Liliana, who heads the charity, received a bouquet of flowers on
behalf of the performers, whom she thanked and all those who supported
their cause. |
During the first week of August, Portimao held it’s famous Sardine
Festival on the riverside. The air was filled with the sound of great
music and appetizing aromas, which both the local population and the
tourists found hard to resist. Everyone enjoyed grilled Sardines on the
Portimao waterfront, whilst being entertained by numerous artists. There
were also many handicraft stalls for you to browse around after dinner.
Along side this was a Marquee showing World Press Photo 2007. These were
award winning photographs from Press and television many of which were
photographs of the War in Iraq. They clearly captured the grief and the
sadness, shown in the faces of women and children. Some were gruesome,
showing many injured soldiers and civilians lying beside their vehicles,
which had been blown apart. I was really saddened by these photographs.
How lucky are we not to be living this nightmare!!
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This has really been a brilliant month for entertainment with the next
event being The Silves Medieval Fair in which the whole town returned to
the past to recreate the history and culture of the 11th 12th and 13th
centuries. This year it was bigger than ever including many more
activities and attracting tourists and visitors from all around the
region. Each day the fair opened at 5.30pm allowing visitors to view the
200 stalls, selling arts and crafts, spices, herbal remedies dried fruit,
food, drink and much more. There were around 1,000 Medieval costumes
available at the ancient gates to the city, for visitors to borrow until
midnight each evening. Attractions and activities during this seven-day
fair included daily Medieval tournaments in the Park Al-Mutamid, acrobats,
belly dancers, jesters and fire jugglers who wandered the city, with a
Medieval band of drummers. Locals and tourists were feasting on chicken,
pork and sausages some being served on leaf shaped wooden plates. There
were many banquets and we wished we hadn’t eaten earlier. We came across a
Bedouin tent, where we enjoyed mint tea and delicious but very sweet
pastries, whilst sitting on cushions around low tables. Roy, especially,
enjoyed smoking the hookah as you will see in the photos. I gave it a go,
but after choking, turning green and feeling a little high - the Arab
waiter had assured me it was harmless - I handed it back to Roy who by now
was looking a little glassy eyed.
Silves is full of history and well worth a visit at any time, but the
medieval fayre gives you a unique glimpse into the past. We shall
definitely visit next year wearing costume.
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This year was the 28th annual
Fatacil fair and was
again a great success. Held at Parque de Exposicoes in Lagoa, this fair is
a little like BLIP (Better living in Portugal) but consisting mainly of
Portuguese commercial companies and industry, along with exhibitors of
commercial art and animal breeders from agriculture and cattle breeding
sectors. Each day is dedicated to a particular Institution or Charity.
During the 10-day fair visitors are invited to
compete in various competitions and watch the evening concerts, which
include popular Portuguese singers and bands. Open each day from 4 p.m.
until 1 a.m. there were also many stalls to browse around and always
plenty of regional Restaurants from which to choose. |
The St Patrick’s Society recently held it’s annual End of Summer Party at
the house of Iggy and Jenny Gannon in Val d’el Rei attended by 60 guests.
Following welcome cocktails and a superb range of canapés, guests enjoyed
an excellent dinner comprising this year, instead of the traditional
suckling pig, of a selection of hot dishes followed by a range of sweets
prepared by volunteer members. The free bar ensured that everyone was on
good form and the entertainment was provided by fire-eating belly dancers,
who then persuaded some guests to try belly dancing. Roy was one of them,
as you will see in the photos supplied, eventually winning a bottle of
whiskey for the best male belly dancer. After all the alcohol there were
(un)fortunately no volunteers for fire eating !!
The Society has also recently enjoyed a visit to “Quinta do Morgado de
Torre. This Adega is situated along the road opposite the Penina Meridian
Hotel in Alvor. We were lucky to be visiting during the harvesting and
were able to see the grapes being pressed. Set in 23 hectres of vineyard
the soil, clay and sand they produce 100,000 litres of wine, which is
mostly sold in the Algarve, but also, belying the poor reputation of
Algarve wines in general, have won several prizes at International Wine
Fairs. The oak barrels are used up to 4yrs and then replaced by new oak.
It was really interesting watching all the equipment working as they
explained the process to us even giving us a bunch of grapes to eat during
the tour. There is a very interesting shop attached to the Adega where you
can buy the wine along with other produce. “Alvor” is on the bottle and
it’s also sold in Sanipina in Lagoa. Afterwards we all enjoyed lunch at
restaurant “Solar do Farol which is about a mile from the Adega.
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The International Algarve Fair was held at Fatacil. This was a 2-day event
Saturday and Sunday between 11am and 8pm. Over 150 stands and exhibits
with everything for home garden and lifestyle along with all day
entertainment. Although a much smaller fair than Fatacil 2007 it still
attracted many visitors. The Arena featured fifteen food and drink outlets
with everything from authentic Cornish Pasties, Indian curry, Pizzas,
Kebabs, Sea Food, Traditional English Steak and Chicken Pies and a South
African barbecue. The entertainers were Oo-Boop-I-Do-1920’s band,
Brazilian Dance Group, Moroccan belly dancer, Russian Musical Group,
Cristina Afonso Jazz Band and many more. Klonakilty Irish Band were the
star band for Sunday evening, -appearing again after rave reports from
2006.
We normally support this Irish Band, but were invited to join the party at
Casa Gevera in Val d’el Rei the home of Joyce, who is President of Vale do
Milho Golf Club. What a fantastic party it was. There was a great
atmosphere and the food was plentiful. The entertainment from the U.K was
“Bella Finesse” they were brilliant singing songs from the 60’s with
everyone dancing the night away. Many thanks, Joyce, for a superb evening. |
Another party we attended was to celebrate our friend Kevin’s 50th
birthday. It was held at Tivoli Almansor Hotel in Carvoeiro. This is a
superb hotel situated at the very top of restaurant hill. It has the most
amazing view over- looking the bay beyond from the bar and restaurant
areas. On arrival we enjoyed Buck’s Fizz and Champagne then the most
delicious buffet followed. Everything including, Crayfish, Langoustines
and giant Prawns to Smoked Salmon and Tuna, with delicious salads, Lamb
cutlets, Pork and turkey. Followed by an array of delicious desserts and
ice cream. There was also a huge birthday cake. We were entertained
by a very good Dutch band who, normally play at Chico-Ze in Lagos. We all
had a great evening and wish Kevin many years of joy with his present -
a new boat. |
I have included photos of the Lagoa canal as we call it. Apparently this
is taking the partly treated water from the new “Water treatment works”
along and across the field to Fatacil, we then think it is taken
underground to Armacao and then into the sea. I personally think it is an
eyesore and also dangerous to animals and people because of it’s depth.
This field is always water logged during the winter so perhaps the idea is
to help to drain it.
I have also included photos of “ The Island Café” at Presa de Mouro in
Sesmarias, very nice but we thought quite expensive and there is also a
new Victor Picado hair salon on the site.
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Carvoeiro, has been really busy this year and according to the local
shops, they have done much better than last year. Every time we have been
in the village the restaurants have been full, as have all the bars. Roy
and friends were in the village to watch the firework competition at the
end of August, which they all thought were excellent. I was in the U.K at
the time, camping with the Grandchildren, which was fantastic fun. We
camped on two working farms at Corfe Castle in Dorset and the weather was
glorious. Unfortunately, after all the naughty food i.e. cream teas, ice
cream with clotted cream on top and of course fish and chips, I am now on
a diet - but it was worth it!! Although it was brilliant fun, it was also
tiring, as there were six children the second week. Apologies to
“BaggysallyJane,” I forgot to take your address details with me but I am
definitely looking forward to joining them again during their visit next
week.
Thanks go to my grandchildren - who I know read this newsletter - along
with friends and family who made the holiday so fantastic. I really look
forward to the next time.
This last paragraph is where I lost all of my work last time, so I shall
say goodbye now just in case.
Carol |
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