Algarve Blog

This Algarve blog is intended to keep you in touch with the latest in Algarve affairs. Now that I'm living here, I'm trying to keep you updated with what's going on in the Algarve and around those wonderful beaches.

So, here's my regular take on occurrences in what used to be my favourite vacation spot... but is now my favourite place to live.

Armacao da Pong...

There's often a bad smell associated with local politics - but this time it's for real!

Along the road that leads from Armacao da Pera to Porches, a stream discharges near the beach. There have been many complaints about the smell of the water that is collecting only metres from the sandy seafront and, according to local newspaper, O Barlavento, it's been known about since last September.

Why hasn't it been fixed, you wonder? Well, it seems the water comes from one municipality, but discharges in another.

And, what about the water company? A spokesman for Įguas do Algarve insisted that the discharge was nothing to do with the company's local treatment facility, and that no problems had been experienced with their equipment. He wouldn't give an opinion as to whether it should be dealt with by Lagoa (Armacao) or Silves (Porches) authority.

And there it lies. Literally: within metres of a beach during the height of tourist season. Smelly, stagnant water for which nobody will take responsibility. The Silves mayor has promised to look into the matter (with a clothes-peg over her nose I trust) and her counterpart in Lagoa wasn't available to speak to O Barlavento.

If you're going to be partaking of some beach life anywhere near Armacao da Pera, you might like to consider taking along an oxygen cylinder or two!

 Friday 22 August 2008

The Press - Cor!

Bless 'em; they have a paper to fill, and who's got time to check things out before the deadline?

The Portugal News, an English-language freebie newspaper, recently repeated reportage in the Portuguese press (no names, no pack-drill), that the Ocean Club Resort in Praia da Luz, recently renowned as the place where 3-year-old Madeleine McCann disappeared last year, is losing business.

It was reported that there were increased staff layoffs, reduced occupational rates, and that the Mark Warner organisation intended to sever all ties with the place.

"How unfortunate", I thought, only to read, one week later, in the Letters page of the same newspaper, a point-by-point rebuttal of the entire piece by someone connected with the resort.

Quite contrary to the original reportage, staff turnover, it is claimed, is in no way unusual, business is brisk, and Mark Warner are sending ever more holidaymakers their way!

Good for them, I say. 

On the basis that lightning never strikes in the same place twice - and because of increased local watchfulness - I'd have guessed that the resort is now probably one of the safest places in which to take an Algarve vacation with your children. 

Plus, the resort owners and their staff have surely suffered enough for something that was in no way their fault, and shouldn't need to deal with erroneous rumours circulating in print.

 Tuesday 19 August 2008

Road Carnage Continues

It's 'safer' but still not safe. That's the definition of driving in Portugal as given by the Government. Road deaths have reportedly reduced by over 75% in the last 20 years, but that's mainly down to better roads, I fear, and not better driving.

I went to Albufeira recently, during a national holiday, and the traffic was frightening. Not the volume of it, which is not enormous compared to many European countries. No, it was the nose-to-tail driving that concerned me, often at speeds well in excess of the national legal limit.

The official target is for 'only' 500 road deaths per year within five years. Why not zero deaths, I wonder? Of course it's not achievable, but the less ambitious your aim, the less satisfactory the result. I'm still waiting to see a concerted and cohesive set of road safety campaigns on Portuguese national TV.

Meantime, watch out when you're driving on Portuguese roads. You wouldn't want to be one of the government's unlucky 500, would you?

 Sunday 17 August 2008

Algarve Shopping

I'm still working on my page about Algarve shopping, but I read a bit of news recently that might have affected its content, had I finished it and put it up on the Internet...

It seems that the project for a major new shopping centre in Almancil has been shelved, in favour of an even larger centre (described in the press, inevitably, as 'mega').

Even now, the planning approvals haven't been passed for the Portimao tyranno-mall, but if it is given the go-ahead, it'll be around 31,700 m², which you must admit is a lot of retail therapy, in anyone's terms!

Not that it matters any more, but Almancil's cancelled alternative would have been around two-thirds that area.

Meantime, back to my research for the definitive Algarve shopping page!

 Wednesday 13 August 2008

Algarve Snakes

Apparently, and I take this on advisement because I haven't seen many examples myself, Algarve snakes are a laid-back, harmless lot.

Of the examples I have seen, most have been road-kill, although they included some pretty impressive specimens!

Unlike some other Mediterranean-type climates, Algarve's is not blighted by mean and dangerous serpents. Perhaps that's because the multitude of stray dogs eat them up? Whatever the reason, while there may be plenty of snakes around, they are rarely seen, and most are pretty harmless.

I'm assured that even those types that are venemous have fangs at the back of the mouth, so that, while they may be lethal to their small prey, they can't deliver a poisonous bite to the average human limb.

The one to watch out for, I'm told, is the Montpellier snake which can attain two metres in length. Its distinctive feature is a triangular indentation between the eyes. As with most snakes, if undisturbed, it will keep itself to itself.

Some fangless varieties can also reach impressive lengths: Ladder snakes, so called because of the ladder-like design down the back, and Horseshoe whip snakes, which have dark horseshoe-like markings, can both reach 1.5 metres in length. When a snake is that size, it tends to have a girth to match, so it's just as well they're harmless!

I can't pretend to be fond of snakes, but I do enjoy the antics of the geckos and lizards that seem to live rent-free in my garden!

And with our satellite TV temporarily out of action while the upstairs terrace is being retiled, it's nice to have something to watch...

 Saturday 9 August 2008

Golf in a good cause

The upcoming fundraiser in aid of Cerebral Palsy deserves all the backing it can get. 

If you're looking to play some Algarve golf during the next week or two, you could always combine that with helping a good cause.

Philanthropic hoteliers Starwood have organised a three-Stableford tournament that offers a good mix of courses. Pine Cliffs Golf and Country Club kicks off proceedings on the 9th, followed by San Lorenzo on the 16th and the Sir Henry Cotton Championship course on the 23rd. The latter stage is followed by a cocktail lunch at Le Meridien Penina Golf and Resort, at which the funds will be presented to the recipient charity, and the Order of Merit ceremony will take place.

Beautiful scenery, great golf courses and a worthy cause: how can you resist?

 Thursday 7 August 2008

Tourist Blues

I keep reading different accounts of what's going on in the tourist world, now that the Credit Crunch is a reality on both sides of the Atlantic.

One camp has it that Algarve Tourism is likely to suffer badly because of the Pound Sterling's slide against the Euro (15% in the last year!)

The other body of opinion is that the fuel surcharges will slam transatlantic flights, affecting Brazil, Venezuela, California and Florida among other popular destinations.

Rather like when the next General Election is going to be held, or whether the banks will increase interest rates or reduce them, there seem to be as many shades of opinion as there are grains of sand on Algarve beaches.

One thing's for sure, there must be some real bargains to be had out there, if those villas, apartments and hotels aren't getting their quota of tourists. Could be just the time to bag a great value Algarve vacation!

 Tuesday 5 August 2008

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