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.

Bridge to Nowhere (again)

The Old Bridge (Ponte Velha) at Portimao was closed to traffic again (actually around a month ago, but I've only just remembered to mention it).

There's vital work to be done on the pillars and the upper surface of the roadway. Then, since it's metal, they'll have to paint it. 

It was reopened - unexpectedly - to cope with peak season summer traffic, allegedly because it was deemed safe to do so...

The closure, then re-opening and re-closure has caused some confusion, even for locals. That was because, as well as needing to find other routes to cross the Arade, hapless motorists had to deal with altered traffic flows (including one-way systems) around the closed accesses to the bridge.

And the confusion may continue since, if you got the hang of how it worked prior to the bridge's temporary re-opening, the authorities have decided to do it differently this time!

On the bright side, if you're a regular commuter in this area, you'll have a whole ten months in which to become accustomed to the arrangements, since that's how long the bridge will remain closed, it's claimed!

If you're planning to vacation in or around Portimao or Praia da Rocha within the next year, be prepared for some fun and confusion at and around the Arade's remaining bridges...

Friday 31 October 2008

More Money down the Drain

I hope it's not so, but it's difficult to see how it might be otherwise in the case of the Teatro Mascarenhas Gregório in Silves.

This is a town theatre that underwent expensive refurbishment and repairs and even opened its doors once in 2005 for a 're-inaugural' event - only to have them close firmly again in the interim.

There are still works to be completed before it is finally ready, I read, but the local authority has sacked the company that carried out the repairs so far and appointed an alternative...

... while there's still no date set for re-opening.

All this dithering, while an undoubted asset to the town sits idle! If nothing else, its reopening would provide Silves with another much-needed set of modern, usable toilet facilities as an alternative to the antiquated, unhygienic, pongy facilities currently on offer to the public.

Wednesday 29 October 2008

Ria Formosa Facelift?

It has its own 'Polis' which I think means something like 'strategic plan', and they're certainly coughing up a fair bit of cash to undertake it, so what's afoot in the Ria Formosa?

The 'protected' natural area of sandbars and lagoons supports an enormous variety of animal life, both aquatic and land-based, but it is subject to the indignities inflicted upon it by both Nature and Man. The man-made indignities tend to be worse and less reversible, of course.

The authorities involved in the plan are those of Loule, Faro, Olhao and Tavira, which just about spans the length of the Ria area.

One of the first measures seems to be repair work on the anchorages and quays at Armona, Culatra, Ilha de Tavira and the 'T' quay at Olhao (so named because of its shape, I believe).

Another measure (criticised by some local politicians) is the provision of a pedestrian walkway from the mainland to Praia de Faro. Whether this is because they believe it won't receive much use, I know not, but if I can get to the beach either by walking or cycling without subjecting myself to thoughtless motorised drivers, I'm not going to complain!

They are also intending to undertake repairs to riverside zones at Cabanas, Tavira and seaside areas from Faro to Olhao.

Providing this work is done sympathetically, it will be a good thing, but municipal authorities seem to have blind spots when it comes to the 'S' word.

Just take a look at Fishermen's Beach in Albufeira, if you want to appreciate what I mean!

Monday 27 October 2008

Faro in the Movies...

It seems that Algarve's regional capital is headed for the Hollywood Hall of Fame (well, in a small way). 

It's serving as the backdrop for the movie 'Second Life'. It's not the only location, I should point out, as the movie is being shot in various locations throughout Portugal. But it's nice to have a small part of a small region in a small country featured in something that might be seen around the world.

The more picturesque bits of Faro old town were chosen for the shots (no surprises there) and I'm looking forward to the release of the movie, produced by Utopia Filmes, so that I can indulge in a bit of 'Faro-spotting'.

Friday 24 October 2008

Sifting the Shifting Sands

Vale do Lobo beach needed some replenishing of sand after the storms earlier in the year, which caused wave scour to drag much sand from some beaches.

It seems that the Danish company tasked with dredging seabed sand to refill the pride of Vale do Lobo chose to operate in an area rich in ocean life - to the detriment of the ecology. In an ironic twist, it has been revealed that other areas that could have been dredged for this purpose have been classified as 'stale' (that is, having little life) and would have been much less damaging.

It does rather beg the question of why the relevant authority who awarded the contract to the company did not point out this state of affairs and build into the agreement that sand should only be taken from non-sensitive areas.

When your economy depends on a good level of tourism and part of your unique identity is the variety of sea life, it seems rather remiss of the authorities to assume that a commercial company would be bothered about how the job should be done when those in charge were evidently unconcerned (or is that sleeping on the job).

One thing's for sure: it's much easier to stop ecological vandalism happening than it is to reverse its effects after the fact.

Another sad indication that the Algarve authorities don't protect their most valuable assets.

Wednesday 22 October 2008

Breathe Easy!

They published a list that revealed the most polluted cities in Portugal recently - and not a single one of them was in the Algarve!

Hardly surprising, really, as there are probably less people living in the entire Algarve region that there are in any of the major cities in the centre and north of the country.

But, it's great news for us Algarve residents, and confirmation that we live in a healthy part of the world. I remember being amused, the first time we drove into the town of Moncarapacho, to see a sign that proclaimed that living there was healthy and agreeable. And yet, why not? Is there any reason to hide one's light under a bushel, where the desirability of residency is so demonstrable? 

I don't know that Moncarapacho could claim to be healthier environment than many other  areas of the Algarve, but they've taken the inititative in proclaiming it publicly, so good luck to them. (And their version of Algarve carnival is still my favourite). 

So, come to the Algarve and breathe deeply of its unpolluted air. It's muito agradável!

Monday 20 October 2008

'Neverland' Projections?

More about Faro airport in the news...

They're undertaking an environmental impact assessment on the advisability of increasing hourly flights from 22 to 30. That, they say, will increase annual passenger handling by 1.2 million, come 2012. And, passengers are projected to have increased by 35% when 2020 arrives.

I assume that these projections were made before the recent turmoil in the world financial markets, and therefore must be regarded as shaky at best, perhaps 'cloud cuckoo land' at worst.

The plans include ILS (instrument landing system) so that planes won't need to divert in bad weather conditions. This one looks like another nice-to-have, given the benignity of Algarve weather, but I'm sure the accountants and others will have taken that on board?

Local residents can view the detailed plans at various locations around Faro, but I think the planners would be better advised to go back to the drawing board and start with revised projections on passenger numbers. Even an 18 month recession would knock holes in the figures they're quoting now.

A lengthier dip in the feelgood factor for vacationers would leave plans in tatters.

 Friday 17 October 2008

Whiskey Tango Foxtrot, over and out

It might be me, or perhaps advancing age, but I just don't understand some of what goes on anymore...

I read a report recently about the sponsorship money promised to Faro Municipal Theatre by none other than ANA, who own and run Faro airport.

It wasn't until I glanced over the article a second time that I thought to myself: But why?

What's the motive for ANA/Faro Airport?

I would guess that over the course of a year, the majority of those attending the theatre are Algarve residents who, if they fly anywhere would use the airport anyway. Of those tourists who do attend, a healthy majority must also have arrive  through the airport.

So, who is supposed to be impressed by this munificence? Will it win new 'customers.? Or are the shareholders at ANA keen to give up some of their share dividends so that they can feel like patrons of the arts?

I just don't get it, but if you do, please let me know. I'm always keen to learn.

 Wednesday 15 October 2008

Britannia May 'Rule The Waves'...

... but it's Portugal that is at the forefront of harnessing wave power to provide an alternative energy source.

It's a small start, producing only enough energy to power 1500 homes, and the technology is British, but at least Portugal is giving it a go.

It's a gamble, since the scaling-up of the power park is not yet known to be feasible, and the cost of 8.5 million euros is a bit eye-watering...

Not yet seen from Algarve beaches, the 'Pelamis' technology will need to be proved before any more money is invested in the scheme. So it's 'fingers crossed', and let's wait and see.

 Monday 13 October 2008

The Sky's The Limit?

Bravery or foolhardiness: either of these terms might apply to the launching of a 1 billion euro airline with the world's economies in their current state of distress.

They're not, strictly speaking, Algarve flights since, apparently, the new airline will fly to more than 1000 destinations worldwide from Lisbon, but you can bet that a percentage of passengers will be bound for Algarve vacation experiences.

In truth, it's a different kind of business, using over 100 Lear Jets to transport the great and the good hither and thither. Not really the budget vacation end of the market, then.

But it still takes a real entrepreneurial spirit to kick things off under present circumstances. Presumably, the typical passenger will be a top-flight businessman / woman and the company will be picking up the tab, so it all goes against company tax. But, with a recession expected in most developed economies, I would have guessed that expensive executive travel might be one of the first casualties of any belt-tightening.

Also, a few people on a Lear jet is probably not the most eco-friendly statement to make (although flying generally does the planet few favours).

It'll be interesting to see how the venture goes: at 1 billion euros just to get going, I assume that it's a consortium, and not just Bill Gates spending some pocket money!

 Friday 10 October 2008

Agua-feira!

I wrote recently about the changes that have been happening within the town on my Albufeira page.

The works that have been underway for the last two years or so are part of a town planning exercise known as Polis (which would mean something entirely different in Glasgow, Scotland!)

Some areas of the old town near Fisherman's Beach are virtually unrecognisable from only a couple of years ago, and a number of the changes aren't exactly sympathetic to the old town's ambience (or so I noted when I first saw them).

Yet more pain to come - municipal works 
near Fisherman's Beach in Albufeira

But worse was to be revealed about the changes when, in the aftermath of a two-hour rainstorm last week, about 200 businesses were flooded because the rainwater could no longer follow its previous course to discharge into the sea!

Needless to relate, the local businesses that were looking forward to profiting from any increased trade due to the 'spruce-up' are now taking the opposite tack and complaining long and loud that the works are incompetent and ill-thought-out.

Admittedly, it was quite a deluge, but you can bet that it will be repeated sometime soon, in which case, the blighted businesses can expect more of the same. I would imagine that their insurers will increase the premiums payable in future, so that's a bit of a double-whammy for the business owners. More grief ahead, meaning less sales during any clean-ups and, meanwhile, larger amounts of money going out.

Good job it doesn't rain often in the Algarve, or they'd all need to switch to selling sub-aqua sporting goods, in order to have stock that would survive the watery mishaps.

On a more serious note, it does point out how ineffectual the planning surrounding municipal works can be, and the lack of recourse for those worst affected.

 Monday 6 October 2008

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