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.

Criminal Statistics

I mean ‘criminal’ in the sense that they’re criminally poorly-presented. A recent Internal Security Report for Portugal rated the Algarve as having the highest crime rate!

Fortunately, the civil governor, a bright lady named Isilda Gomes (who probably has a sensible overview because she never studied statistics) was at pains to point out the flaws in the raw data.

Firstly, it seems that the per capita figures were based on a census of population that was undertaken six years ago, thereby omitting any influx of inhabitants to the Algarve since 2002. Next, the annual swelling of numbers that occurs during peak vacation season seems to have been overlooked. Since there are probably 4 to 5 times as many people in the region during those months, it must skew the figures somewhat if they’re not counted!

Which just begs the question: why bother to pay for stuff like this to be produced, when even a cursory consideration reveals it to be blather and waffle of the worst kind? As a planning tool for government, data such as these are more harmful than helpful.

Certainly, every time I read or hear about yet more gun and knife crime elsewhere, it makes me glad that I’m here in the Algarve, whatever the statisticians here might publish!

Friday 30 May 2008

Marinahoy!

It’s not yet approved, but it’s on the cards…

… Ferragudo is to have its own marina, which is great news for those who enjoy sailing around the Algarve.

Apparently, they’ve finished the environmental impact assessment, during the compilation of which, no objections from eco-groups were presented. (One hopes that they had been made aware of what was proposed, since secrecy is the best way to ensure avoidance of opposition to a plan).

If the go-ahead is given, the construction should commence before the end of this year, and the inauguration is expected by the end of 2009.

The marina will have around 320 berths for vessels up to 50 metres, and the inevitable top-class hotel and shopping mall will be positioned close by, along with some high-priced villas and apartments.

The funding will come from the company that runs nearby Portimao marina, so my assumption is that this measure is being undertaken because it’s more viable than an expansion of that facility.

Watch out for more news on this Ferragudo development…

Wednesday 28 May 2008

Taxi!

The threatened strike by Portuguese taxi drivers, in protest at the inexorable rise of fuel prices, could cause a problem or two for those who enjoy to travel in the Algarve. It’s not that there won’t be any transport, just that there’ll be one less option from which to choose. And, of course, taxis tend to be available (normally) at times when public transport has ceased to operate, so late night services will be even harder-hit.

The taxi drivers want the government to allow sale of ‘professional fuel’ to such as themselves. As it happens, there are plans afoot for just such a step but, as ever with civil servants’ plans, the measure is to be phased in gradually, with the cabbies at the end of the queue.

Already, boycotting of filling stations near the border is underway, with the majority of drivers choosing to drive into Spain to fill up their tanks, thereby saving around 30 cents on every litre. Which leaves the Portuguese fuel suppliers to make their profits out of those unfortunates who live nowhere near the border.

Now, if only I, too, were a government minister, and could swan about in a state-funded limousine…

Monday 26 May 2008

Shrinking World

The price of oil seems to be affecting lots of things, not least Algarve tourism. The Portuguese government recently issued a revised (downward) estimate for economic growth during 2008, blaming higher oil prices and also commodity prices (which themselves are affected by oil costs).

Added to the hit that the UK currency has taken against the Euro, it’s all coming to look like this year might not be a bumper one for my favourite vacation destination.

If fuel prices continue to rise, it could be that we speak of an expanding world, rather than a shrinking one, as travel once again becomes the preserve of the wealthy. Let’s hope that never happens!

Saturday 24 May 2008

Getting the Bird

Another of those things occurred recently that left me wondering about how government and big business interact. Who is the puppet and who pulls the strings would be an apt question.

It seems that the barrier of sand that contains the marsh area at Salgados was removed, and the area allowed to drain into the sea. This proved something of an ecological tragedy, with the loss of many nests made by aquatic birds.

The Portuguese Environment Minister was quoted as calling the action an ‘environmental disaster’ and the sand barrier was, apparently, reinstated soon afterwards.

So, who carried out this daft procedure, and why? It has been reported that the active culprit was the Algarve Regional Coordination and Development Commission (CCDR). I don’t know exactly what they do but, to me, that word ‘development’ smacks of construction and building.

Presumably, the outcry that eventuated will mean that whatever shenanigans might have been behind the unlawful action (it’s a protected natural region) won’t now take place. But the results for the wildlife and for those who enjoy Algarve birdwatching may not be known for some time.

If I were a betting person, I’d lay money that whoever was responsible for this vandalism is not brought to book, because of that uneasy alliance between business and government that I mentioned earlier.

If you’re a private citizen, you can be fined on the spot for a minor infraction, but if you’re a large company with contacts everywhere, you can damage the environment with seeming impunity.

Funny old world, isn’t it?

Thursday 22 May 2008

Water Woes Waived?

I have always surprised at the amount of water that is wasted in Algarve. Gardens are irrigated in the middle of the day, so a large percentage of the water is evaporated straight into the skies. Golf courses are lush green in a land where a decent lawn is almost an impossibility. Cars are washed even though there’s no chance of their having any mud (or even much dust) adhering to them… 

The list goes on and on – and the thing is, domestic water is not that cheap!

Some areas (even tourist areas) are just now having permanent municipal water supplies piped into local housing. Bottled water sells by the metric tonne in supermarkets. Swimming pools are regularly drained then refilled after minor repairs.
It’s a precious resource that is treated like it grows on trees (now that would be something to see).

I remember blogging, years ago, in these pages about some Brits living in western Algarve, who had received an impossibly high water bill from their local authority, none of whose officials would listen to any arguments about the ridiculous nature of the meter reading.

Now, I read that digital water meters are to be trialled (if that’s a real word) in Mexilhoeira Grande. They are supposedly more accurate, since they don’t register the passage of air through the pipes (unlike the common mechanical meters – mine makes me pay for cubic metres of air every time there’s a disconnection and reconnection of water supply locally).

So it is potential good news for the consumers. They will pay only for what they use.

I was going to add that the new meters would allow the water companies to dispense with the services of meter readers, since they can feed information back to a central data controller… but, since almost every water bill I receive is an estimated one (even when I’ve phoned in my consumption figure) it may well be that the meter readers have been laid off already.

Either that, or they spend their days playing boules and hanging around in cafes. They’re certainly not out reading my water meter!

Tuesday 20 May 2008

Carnage on Wheels

It’s not the sort of thing for which you’d want to be famous, but the Algarve’s original east-west highway, the EN125 is officially the most dangerous road in the whole of Portugal!

It holds the record for confirmed ‘black spots’ (areas where there have been in excess of five serious accidents in the space of one year) with a total of seven.
Of course, the state of the road is partly to blame, and the authorities have announced a plan to renovate and improve it over the next several years.

But I can’t help thinking that the driving standards are also responsible. After all, if you drove a road every day, and knew that it was in parlous condition, you’d be more careful, wouldn’t you?

Not so in Algarve, as my page about driving in Portugal makes clear. Just last Sunday, I watched as a driver maintained position less than a metre behind the car he wanted to overtake, doing 130 kph on the A22 motorway near Almancil.

‘Crazy’ doesn’t begin to express it! I’m only glad the gentleman in question didn’t have his mobile phone clamped to his ear at the same time (a sight you can observe with great frequency in the Algarve, despite the action being illegal).

A huge driver re-education programme is needed, but I don’t hear any noises from government so, in the meantime – be careful out there!

Sunday 18 May 2008

Inglês in Silves

The former capital of Algarve (until the river silted up, long ago) Silves is where you can find an interesting spot to relax and enjoy music.

Situated near the castle walls, Café Inglês hosts regular musical interludes for the delectation of its clientele. Popular with both locals and visitors, a meal and a listen can while away a Friday or Saturday evening, or even a Sunday lunch.

The manager, who is a Brit, boasts a wide-ranging musical taste, so the artists who appear may be local or international, and a wide range of styles can be heard.

Food can be Portuguese style or international, and they even have a choice for the tree huggers (vegetarians) like me!

Expect to see some of the upcoming evenings (and lunches) featured in my page about Algarve Events. After all, a meal with musical accompaniment isn’t just a meal – it qualifies as an event!

Friday 16 May 2008

Democracy in Loulé

It seems that they introduce children early to politics in Loulé. Secondary school children were encouraged to attend the town’s Game of Democracy event, at which it is hoped they will learn about the democratic system and the workings of local government.

I would say that, given the obscure workings of local (and national government) in Portugal, the earlier you start to pick up knowledge of it, the better.

This year’s event was the seventh in a row, so there must be an entire swathe of young folk in the Loule area having a passing acquaintance with local democracy.
Joking aside, it is important, in a country that’s had a democracy for only 34 years, that the next generation of managers and politicians should appreciate what is theirs to enjoy.

Since the Mayor of Loule took a delegation to Lisbon to explain the event to State President Cavaco Silva (himself born in Loule) perhaps it’ll be rolled out across this lovely, sunny (but so confusing) land?

Wednesday 14 May 2008

Sun, Sea and Sand…

… or Dunes, Dips and Danger? 

There have been quite a few reports so far this year about individuals who were swept out to sea and subsequently drowned. Most were tourists, who were probably ignorant of local conditions and hazards, but it does underline how important it is to take care, even when enjoying some time at Algarve beaches.

If you’ve never been to a particular beach before, take the trouble to enquire whether there are any local conditions that you should beware. Undertow, high waves, becoming stranded by fast-moving water… none seems the sort of thing you’d want to be considering when you’re relaxing and enjoying yourself. 

But it would be a shame to waste that return ticket home, wouldn’t it?

Monday 12 May 2008

On the Never-Never!

The Portuguese government recently announced that those with home loans that receive a subsidy would be able to extend the repayment period to 50 years!

It seems to me that, if you’re buying an Algarve property when you’re in your mid-twenties, you don’t want to be paying for it until you’re 75.

Unless, of course, the government has some bad news about raising the age of retirement that it hasn’t yet announced!

Watch this space!

Saturday 10 May 2008

Cerveja to the rescue

Some items of news about the Portuguese economy struck me as perhaps interlinked.

The first concerned the reported growth of exports from the country, which had been dwindling since 2003.

The second was that Portugal is now the fourth biggest supplier of beer to Spain, after Germany, Holland and Mexico.

Are you thinking what I’m thinking? Let’s hear it for the beer (and the Spanish imbibers who made this economic revival possible).

I only hope there’s enough left in the south of Portugal to regale those enjoying some Algarve nightlife!

Thursday 8 May 2008

On the beat...

Lagoa has requested reinforcements in the shape of a new GNR (police) post in Ferragudo.

It seems that urgent measures are required to tackle an upsurge in crime that can only worsen as visitor numbers rise during the tourist season.

Although there are posts already in Lagoa and Carvoeiro, presumably the response times of officers from those places who are needed in Ferragudo are not speedy enough.

Although reputed to be a somewhat sleepy area, Ferragudo does house a campismo and is a stone's throw (let's hope that's metaphorical only!) from numerous other Algarve hot-spots!

An in-situ police post would probably calm the inhabitants and deter any incipient criminality...

... and I can think of worse places to be posted than calm, sunny Ferragudo!

Tuesday 6 May 2008

Algarve Events

Around this time of year, things start to hot up in Algarve - in all senses of the words. The good weather has arrived, hopefully to stay, and the activities begin to arrive thick and fast.

May sees a definite step up in the availability of premier events, to match the predicted rise in tourist numbers.

From the 22nd, you can visit this year's FIESA sand scuptures festival (reputedly the biggest in the world) at Pera. The Fiesa 2007 event was widely praised, and my various visitors all enthused about the displays, having never seen their like before.

And there's also the first big Algarve International Fair of the season, held at Fatacil showground, Lagoa. Read more about that in this month's Algarve Events page.

One way and another, you shouldn't be short of entertainment or spectacle for the rest of the Algarve season!

Sunday 4 May 2008

Algarve Tourism

If what I've read about the pessimism affecting Algarve hoteliers is true, it would seem that the Credit Crunch has arrived in this region.

I suppose that, with the Euro looking very strong against the UK pound and the US dollar, it must be difficult to attract vacationers from those areas. It's not that people will stop coming to Algarve, more that the numbers will decline, with the inevitable effect on numbers of people employed in the sector.

Certainly, hotel occupancy rates for visitors from the UK have decreased since December '07. Once again, I've seen the old adage about targetting 'quality tourism' bandied about. That's where you attract a higher-spending tourist, or just charge those who do come more for everything they buy.

Even if that worked as outlined, which I doubt, the numbers of people employed in the tourism sector would decline - and what alternatives are there for them in modern Portugal?

A better idea seems to be to attract more tourists during the leaner winter months, but even there, the punters expecting lower prices might be put off because of the poor exchange rates.

It's a quandary, and I'm betting it's one that the politicians can't solve. It might be that the Algarve tourism industry has to employ ingenuity and forward thinking in order to survive. If they sit on their hands and expect central government to come up with ideas, they'll be waiting a long time for things to improve...

Friday 2 May 2008

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