Newsletter October 2017

Margarida Sampaio @

 Happy October everyone! Not that it feels much like October at all with the temperatures up in the 30s still.

It is great to have the summer last a little longer but if you are thinking of going to pick up a new bikini to wear on the beach then don’t consider heading off to the shops to buy one.  The only thing you can buy in the shopping centres now are knew length boots and furry coats – can someone please let them know that while it is officially autumn, we all still have our flip flops on!

Talking of shopping centres – we have another one opening up soon, I just hope nobody went down to the new Mar Shopping centre next to the IKEA in Loulé because while it was supposed to open at the end of September the actual opening date has been pushed back again and now they hope it will open at the end of October.  I would suggest checking online before making the journey over there to visit the largest Primark in Portugal!

MAKE THE MOST OF OCTOBER

Now that Carvoeiro and the rest of the Algarve has calmed down after the summer it is a great time to go and enjoy some of the sights and attractions without the crowds.

A good one for this month is Slide and Splash water park where if you can prove you are a resident (with a phone bill or some other proof) then you can get in with 50% discount until the park closes in November!  With the weather being so good still this is a great day out for all ages and you won’t spend half your day queuing for the best slides while getting sunstroke.

Another good idea for this time of the year is to go and explore the Benagil cave.  Take a boat trip from the beach in Carvoeiro or hire a canoe or a Stand Up Padel board to get into the cave.  Now the crowds have gone then you can get that Instagram perfect picture without hundreds of people in the background – just make sure to watch the tides carefully if you are exploring on your own.

ELECTION TIME

Don’t stop reading just yet!

Politics may not be your sort of thing but in reality those men (and ridiculously few women) in charge of the local council and parish council actually have a pretty big say in how things are done in Carvoeiro and Lagoa so when it came to seeing what the results of the local elections were I was genuinely interested.

I have no party affiliation and basically have formed my views of the local politicians by measuring results and I would have to say that over the past four years things appear to have actually happened in Carvoeiro.  Granted, these have been more financially stable years in the area but I have been more than happy to see the various projects be approved and completed – from the local street art to the hosting of the Black and White Night party.

Many people have been asking about when the next Black and White party will be held and a date could not be confirmed or even the event itself until after the elections and now the same party as previously (PS) have been voted back in then it looks very likely that the party will be happening again.  Check back to see when we have a fixed date – although it usually lands on the nearest Saturday to the Summer Solstice (around June 21).

So the same party has been voted in for Lagoa and Carvoeiro.  The Câmara president remains Francisco Martins and the Lagoa and Carvoeiro parish council is still being run by the same party.

Whether you are interested in politics or not I think we can all agree that nobody will miss the beeping of the cars and the waving of the flags and the loud speakers going around before the votes took place – I did like the free pens though!

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BLIP IS BACK

This weekend of 7-8 October will see the return of the BLiP EXPO (The Better Living in Portugal Exhibition) taking place at the Portimão Arena – the one that looks like a slug. 

This is 17th consecutive year that the event has taken place and it is a particularly useful one for any foreign residents looking to find out more about living in Portugal and the Algarve.  The foreign residents association afpop has organised the important event which gives residents and property owners of all nationalities the opportunity to find the best products and services to help make living here all that easier.

Head to BLiP if you want more information on everything from insurance, healthcare, financial services, funeral services, property matters, home and garden, telecommunications, security, removals and overseas shopping, food & drink, travel and much more.

Entry is free for this one and there is also plenty of free parking at the arena

OTHER EVENTS…

With the Algarve attempting to beat seasonality by providing more activities and events in the low season it is good to see that they appear to be keeping to their word as during October we still have a fair amount going on – even if you will have to hop into the car to enjoy all of them.

The fourth International Lagoa Guitar Festival will be taking place until October 22nd at various locations, including a concert in the Lagoa Auditorium on 15th October with the Miguel Toucinho and Ricardo Silva trio with entry costing €8.  While on October 22nd there will be another concert at the Auditorium including a performance by the G Plus Ensemble from the UK – tickets cost €8 for this one as well.

If you are a fan of Fado or want to experience this traditional form of Portuguese music for the first time then visit the Lagoa auditorium on October 20th for a classical Fado journey by Dell’Acqua.  Tickets cost €8 per person and details are available from www.ideiasdolevante.info

Equestrian fans should travel over to Vilamoura this month until October 15th for the Vilamoura Champions Tour.  This is one of the main events on the international and Olympic equestrian circuit and is held at the Vilamoura Equestrian Centre and brings together dome of the best horse and riders in the world.

If you would rather do the sport yourself while also raising money for the Algarve Cancer Association, then take part in the Mamamaratona walk/run on October 8th starting in Portimão by the old fish market on the river front at 10am.  You can sign up before the event which starts at 10am but you will need to arrive early to register, which costs €8 for adults and €6 for children under 12. www.aoa.pt

October sees the 8th Birdwatching Festival of the Algarve between October 4th and 8th. You need to travel down to Sagres in the municipality of Vila do Bispo for this one but if you love your birdwatching and nature then it is well worth the journey to take part in the wide variety of activities each day.  Find out more at www.birdwatchingsagres.com  

AND FINALLY…

If your favourite kind of fun involves sausages, beer and an oompah band then enjoy a tiny piece of Bavaria at the Vila Vita Oktoberfest until October 8th.

It is a good idea to book a table for this one because it has grown to be hugely popular with residents and visitors all coming to the Beirgarten located on the roundabout on the EN125 in Porches.

I am off to dig out my lederhosen as we speak…

Until next month,

Margarida