By the time you read this, Christmas will be over, the days will be starting to get longer at last and, hopefully, your thoughts will be turning towards where to go on holiday in 2009. The Algarve is still one of the best holiday destinations in the world, the sun shines nearly every day, the beaches are clean, the food is good and the people welcoming. The exchange rate has not gone our way but prices for such things as food and petrol are still good and many of our owners have tried to reduce their rates or provide early booking discounts to offset the reduced number of Euros you will get for each pound. With over 700 private villas and apartments as well as many of your favourite resorts such as the Marina Club in Lagos to choose from, there is something for everyone so now is the time to look at those flights and get booking!
We're sure this is not the photograph you might have expected and it's definitely not one usually associated with Portuguese history! So, just what is the connection between the latest installment of Portugal's history, which tells us about the War of the Brothers and the reign of Dona Maria II and Keith Richard? You really are going to have to read it to find out just how tenuous David's link is!
Here is the second of Chef Peter's modern recipes using the traditional Portuguese ingredient of Bacalhau. This time it is a main course dish, full of the flavours of Portugal so give Chef Peter's Bacalhau Bake a try!!
The Autodromo do Algarve opened for it's first race on November 2nd with a visit by the World Super Bike series for their last race of the season. Michael Schumacher dropped in, the track is fantastic and we're sure that the rest will follow and be fantastic too…….. so read all about John and Paul's chaotic day at the races.
There's a full walks programme to enjoy in January, starting on New Year's day afternoon with a walk from Encherim. Others include over the hills to the Arade, from Vila do Bispo deep into the heart of the Natural Park, around Paderne Castle, through unspoilt countryside near Arao and from Meia Praia with great views over the Alvor estuary. The jewel in the crown for me is a walk through Almond blossom, from Nave de Barao, on January 28th. Full details are, as usual, in the Let's walk in the Algarve January programme.
31 December, UB 40 at Praia dos Pescadores in Albufeira.
