Yearly Archives: 2014

A “Fun-In-The-Sun” Day!

Well, it did what it said on the tin…!

Amovate’s Family Fun Day was family-oriented with perhaps more kids enjoying themselves than anyone’s ever seen in one place on Vale da Telha…and it certainly was a Fun-in-the-Sun Day.

Gloomy predictions about the weather happily proved unfounded and it is estimated that a total well in excess of 400 people from toddlers to great-grandparents were at the event throughout the day which began at 2pm and ended as dusk fell almost seven hours later.

There were sideshows, stalls, games, competitions, and plenty of musical entertainment, firstly with the Bombeiros Band who entertained during the afternoon, then with Just John who had people on their feet and dancing with his cross-section of pop and country in the early evening.

Of course one of the main thrusts of the day—organised by Amovate’s General Committee and run by the Entertainment sub-Committee of Steve Baker, Steve Scott and Rick Hursthouse—was to raise money for charity and that, too, had a successful outcome.

The headline charity for the event, the Madrugada Charity which assists people with life-threatening illnesses was handed two cheques totalling €944.22—one for €761.87 from Brian Jutsum’s American Evening and the other for €182.35 which was raised by the Tombola organised and run by Cath Baker and her daughter Emily.

(Cath would like to thank all those who so generously donated prizes).

That total was swelled to over €1,000 as another €110 was raised in a collection for the Bombeiros.  And the total amount raised for local charities climbed to almost €1,200 when AEZA added the €120 raised by their stall, where the “apple-bobbing” or “duck-apple” proved so popular with the children.

So, another good day for the generous people of Vale da Telha and the surrounding areas, who know how to enjoy themselves whilst raising money for good causes.

Well done to everyone involved!

And a special thank-you to Jose at the Restaurante Vale da Telha and Antonio at the Taska da Karisma for their help and support which enabled us to stage this event so successfully.

(Here, in pictures, you can see a cross section of the day’s activities and events. Just click on any of the photographs and it will present itself in a much larger size)

 

Family Fun Day – 19 July

Amovate Family Fun DayFANCY a spot of fun?

Whether you live here, or you have made the wise choice of coming to Vale da Telha and the surrounding areas for your holiday, we’ve got just the thing for you with a Family Fun Day from 2pm-8pm next Saturday, July 19.

Mum and dad will love it, and so will the kids—six hours of unbridled pleasure and enjoyment here right in the heart of Vale da Telha.

It’s all happening in the car park and on the frontages between the Restaurante Vale da Telha and Taska da Karisma on the Pines Roundabout.

Both bars will, of course, be serving drinks throughout the day and the Restaurante Vale da Telha will be hosting a barbecue.

The Oxford English Dictionary defines the word “fun” as a source or cause of amusement or pleasure, also diversion, amusement, sport; also, boisterous jocularity or gaiety, drollery.

And that’s exactly what we’ve got planned for you, all of the above, with this, Amovate’s first-ever Family Fun Day.

When you talk about fun and games, that’s just what we’ve got.

First off there will be live music, with the Bombeiros band performing in the afternoon from 3pm-3.30pm, followed in the evening, from 6pm-8pm, by the Algarve’s well-known country singer JJ Johns.

(Let’s see if we can get a few volunteers up to try a spot of line dancing!)

There are competitions, all with a small entrance fee with prizes for the eventual winners—our version of TV’s The Cube, a pool competition (on the pool table, not in the swimming pool!) and a darts contest.

Other games (each with a 1 Euro entrance fee) include boules, golf chipping, apple bobbing and guessing the number of stones in a jar.

Around all of these activities you will find stalls where you can enjoy face painting and hair braiding, check out the appeals of surfing, and browse hand-crafted jewellery and bangles.

Charities Madrugada and AEZA will also be hosting stalls at the event for anyone wishing to talk to their volunteers.

Amovate has arranged for car parking on the large area to the rear of both the Restaurante Vale da Telha and the Karisma, with the entrance in the road to the right of the Restaurante Vale da Telha, as you face it.

The GNR say there is a “No Parking” policy around the roundabout which will be strictly enforced.

So, if you have an hour or two to spare next Saturday—or even SIX hours!—why not pop along with the family and join in…

 

Fundraising Charity Evening

Yeee—Haw! 

Well done to everyone who saddled up for an All-American experience yesterday at the Restaurante Vale da Telha in aid of the Algarve’s Madrugada Charity for people with life-threatening illnesses.

Them good old boys (and girls) were drinking whiskey and rye, not to mention beer, wine vodka, gin etc!

 DJ Rockindad (aka Brian Jutsum, who generously turned his 60th birthday bash into a charity function for a good cause) played classic American hits from the past 60 years—rock ‘n’ roll, soul, rock, country, swing etc.

And Cath , Faith, June & Louise led everyone in a spot of Line Dancing to help create a genuine All-American atmosphere.

As Brian explained: “The Madrugada Charity has been particularly good to Vale da Telha residents in recent years and I thought let’s do something for them. After all, more of us might one day find ourselves in need of their services.

“So, all the proceeds from this American music-themed night will be donated to Madraguda. It just seems a perfect balance for everyone to have had such a great night with such a worthwhile Charity getting the benefit once it’s over.”

Brian played 60 years of classic American music to mark, as he says “my being on this Planet for 60 years, and loving this kind of music so much”.

Hot Dogs, Popcorn, and American snacks, cakes and desserts were sold through the night to raise funds for the Charity.

And we all owe a real “thank-you” to Jose and his staff, after Jose opened up the restaurant on what is normally their day off to superbly host this great evening.

 
Here is a selection of photographs:

Fundraising Evening in Aid of Madrugada Charity

 

AMERICAN MUSIC PARTY NIGHT (2) Yeee—Haw! 

Come along folks—saddle up for an All-American experience on July 6th at the Restaurante Vale da Telha on the Pines Roundabout, with music beginning at 7.30pm until midnight!

Entrance is free, the bar opens at 7pm, and although you don’t have to drive your Chevy to the levy, them good old boys (and girls) will be drinking whiskey and rye, not to mention beer, wine vodka, gin etc!

No doubt some of you will wonder what did Missi-sip, and of course she was seen drinking a Mini-soda.

And, of course, you don’t need to ask “What did Delaware?” because we all know that she wore a brand New Jersey!

Nor do you need to ask “why did Cali-phone ya” because we’ve already heard that she called to say “How-ah-yee?”.

And when someone wondered where has Ore-gon, I said Alaska, and she told me she went to pay her Texas.

A New-brass-key went missing and a witness said Arkan-saw Wiscon-sin by taking it, and so did Tenne-see.

We might even hear Perry Como telling that whole story, which he first sang in 1959, as DJ Rockindad plays classic American hits from the past 60 years—rock ‘n’ roll, soul, rock, country, swing etc.

Rockindad, aka Brian Jutsum, is celebrating his 60th birthday and wanted to make his birthday bash really mean something.

So, he decided to throw the party open and have a knees-up for a good cause.

Brian explained: “The Madrugada Charity has been particularly good to Vale da Telha residents in recent years and I thought let’s do something for them. After all, more of us might one day find ourselves in need of their services.

“So, all the proceeds from this American music-themed night will be donated to Madraguda. It just seems a perfect balance for everyone to have a great night with such a worthwhile Charity getting the benefit when it’s over.”

Brian will be playing 60 years of classic American music to mark, as he says “my being on this Planet for 60 years, and loving this kind of music so much”.

He promises a good mix of music, and hopes everyone there will not just join in the dancing but embrace the whole theme by getting in character with the American subject matter.

There will be a short auction early in the evening, again to raise funds for the charity, but Brian promises:

“The main purpose of the night is simply to have a good party, with plenty of good music. So we won’t be dedicating too much time to the auction or anything else that will get in the way of the singing and dancing.”

He added: “There will be no admission fee but we’ll be selling Hot Dogs, Popcorn, and American snacks, cakes and desserts through the night to raise funds for the Charity.

“And we hope everyone will get in the mood by dressing up in some sort of American style—cowboys and cowgirls, hillbillies, Hawaiian shirts, denims—and, come on, maybe five or six of the ladies will come as a troupe of Cheerleaders!”

And if any of you ladies is feeling particularly daring, you could always be Daisy Duke—in her Daisy Dukes!

Guys–you could even paint yourselves yellow and come as Homer Simpson while your lady partner also turns yellow, wears a blue wig and comes as Marge Simpson!

The only limit is your imagination, so get your thinking caps (or Stetsons) and see what you can come up with.

Y’all come along now!

 

 

The Algarve: Europe’s Best Place To Retire

Portugal_flagEurope’s best known Retirement Secret!

American journalist Kathleen Peddicord*, writing this month in the US News & World Report, lists 11 reasons to retire to Portugal’s Algarve………….

She says the golf courses, beaches and European lifestyle are among the many attractions of southern Portugal and claims that Portugal’s Algarve, home to more than 100,000 resident expat retirees, could be the best place in the world to retire that nobody’s talking about. Particularly appealing are the two municipalities of Silves and Lagoa that are situated slightly west of the center of Portugal’s southernmost province. In these two spots, you can enjoy the best the region has to offer, from medieval towns and fishing villages to open-air markets, local wine and some of Europe’s best sandy beaches. This is a land of cobblestoned streets, whitewashed houses with lace-patterned chimneys and everywhere there are fig, olive, almond and carob trees.

Here are 11 reasons the Algarve qualifies as one of Europe’s top retirement havens:

1. Great weather. This region enjoys one of the most stable climates in the world and 3,300 hours of sunshine per year, meaning more sunny days than almost anywhere else in Europe. As a result, the Algarve has a longstanding reputation as a top summer destination among European sun-seekers and a top winter retreat for those looking to escape Northern Europe’s coldest months. It’s a popular holiday destination among the Portuguese year-round, and the Spanish love the region’s wilder western coast.

2. Safety. Portugal ranks as the 17th safest country in the world. Violent crime is rare, and petty crime is limited to street crime during the busy tourist season.

3. Good infrastructure. Portugal and the Algarve have enjoyed important infrastructure investments, specifically in the country’s highway network and airports. This could be a great base for exploring all of Europe and northern Africa.

4. International-standard health care. Medical tourism is a growing industry in the region, particularly if you are interested the aesthetic, hip replacement and dental specialties.

5. Golf. The region boasts 42 courses in less than 100 miles and is generally recognized as a top golfing destination in continental Europe, and some would say the world.

6. Great beaches. The Algarve’s 100 miles of Atlantic coastline is punctuated by jagged rock formations, lagoons and extensive sandy beaches, many awarded coveted blue flags from the European Blue Flag Association. The water off these shores is azure and the cliff-top vistas are spectacular. Most beaches have lifeguards during the summer season. Many have restaurants or snack bars, sometimes open only seasonally.

7. Affordable cost of living. The cost of living in Portugal is among the lowest in Western Europe, on average 30 percent lower than in any other country of the region. A retired couple could live here comfortably but modestly on a budget of as little as $1,500 per month. With a budget of $2,000 per month or more, you could enjoy a fully appointed lifestyle in the heart of the Old World.

8. English is widely spoken. Thanks to Portugal’s strong historic and cultural links with England, English is widely spoken in the country in general and even more so in the Algarve, the country’s main tourist draw. Retired here, you could get by without learning to speak Portuguese if you wanted to.

9. Healthy living and eating. The Portuguese are the biggest fish eaters per capita in Europe, and fresh fish of great variety is available in all the ever-present daily markets. In addition, the abundance of sunshine in this part of the world means an abundance of fresh produce is also available in the local markets.

10. Retirement income is not taxed. Recent legislation allows resident foreign retirees to receive pension income in the country tax-free. The law also provides for reduced taxation on wages, intellectual property, interest, dividends and capital gains.

11. Severely undervalued property market. Real estate in Portugal is undervalued and among the most affordable in Europe. Further, Portuguese real estate has one of the most favorable price-to-rent ratios (a measure of the profitability of owning a house) and price-to-income ratios (a measure of affordability) in the region. What that means is that housing is cheaper to buy and investors can make more money from rentals than in many other European countries. Print Email

So, what else does the Algarve have to offer?

Kathleen Peddiford writes:

Portugal’s Algarve, located at Europe’s westernmost tip and boasting more than 100 miles of Atlantic coastline, could be Europe’s most famous secret. This region boasts Europe’s best beaches, Europe’s best golf courses, some of Europe’s friendliest folk, and Western Europe’s lowest cost of living. It’s also Europe’s newest tax haven.

European retirees have recognized all that the Algarve has to offer for a long time and this sunny coastal region is the chosen destination for more than 100,000 of them. Beyond Europe, the Algarve is largely ignored as a retirement haven.

However, if a Continental lifestyle appeals to you and don’t have the budget for France, Italy, or Spain, this could be an appealing alternative, that offers history, Old World charm, and spectacular beaches.

Portugal has been named Europe’s “Best Golf Destination” for 2014, and 40 of its top courses are in the Algarve.

What else could you do with yourself, retired to this part of the world?

Fatacil, the large fairgrounds in the province, hosts the International Algarve Fair every June. This unites the local and expatriate communities, as does the annual summer fair in August, with daily live concerts. Admission is a few euros a ticket per day, and you won’t find better value for money on a sultry summer night.

The Medieval Fair in Silves is a celebration of the city’s roots and features dancers, jugglers, flame-throwers fire-eaters, and snake charmers, along with a feast of regional cuisine. Many attend in period costume.

In Lagoa, the annual sweets festival showcases delicacies produced from local ingredients, including fig, orange, almond, and carob. And once a year in June the municipality celebrates the start of sardine season with more festivals and grilled sardines on every restaurant menu. Order by the half-dozen.

Throughout the year there are open-air jazz and classical concerts, most free. Experience jazz at Lagoa’s Sitio das Fontes and local youth concerts at the Lagoa Auditorium. The Arade Congress Centre is the place to come for special events, from a motor car launch to a performance by the Russian ballet or the finals of the World Dance championships.

If you’re looking for sporting and outdoors activities, try kayaking, paddling, or cave fishing on the Arade River. The sailing schools at the river mouth are a bargain by international standards.

Bottom line, Portugal in general and the Algarve in particular offer an opportunity to savour the best of an old-school, Old World lifestyle at a very affordable cost.

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*Kathleen Peddicord is the founder of the Live and Invest Overseas publishing group. With more than 28 years experience covering this beat, Kathleen reports daily on current opportunities for living, retiring and investing overseas in her free e-letter. Her newest book, “How To Buy Real estate Overseas”, published by Wiley & Sons, is the culmination of decades of personal experience living and investing around the world.