The Saint Andrew’s Society of the Algarve once again held a highly successful Saint Andrew’s Ball at the Penina Hotel on Saturday 25 November with well over 100 participants. Our piper Malcolm MacGillivray greeted guests into the hotel and then led the parade into the ball after the champagne reception.
Dark clouds greeted the ASB members at the start of the November ride in Boliqueime. After consulting with ASB weather expert Phillipe Payen the ride up into the hills above Salir got underway and it was not long before his forecast of sun shine for the senior bikers turned out to be correct.
There was a good turnout with so many bikes that that ride was split into two groups with a 10 minute gap between the two leaving from the start.
The Rotary Club of Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) organised a fundraising bike ride with Activity Algarve Bike Rides on Sunday 19th November.
The blue skies and sunshine ensured a good turnout and an enthusiastic group of riders cycled all the way up to the top of the Cerro Sao Miguel on a challenging 35 km round trip starting from Estoi Pousada and ending in front of the church in Estoi. Well done to everyone who took part and contributed, donations and sponsorship raised a total of 1000 euros.
Members and friends of the Algarve Archaeological Association (AAA) have recently enjoyed an Autumn lunch to celebrate the start of the new season of talks. A very successful lunch was enjoyed at Gunther's Restaurant near Olhão, with delicious food in a convivial atmosphere followed by a lighthearted general knowledge quiz.
A group of 24 AAA members enjoyed a 5-day trip to Seville, an area that has much to offer in terms on interesting sites and monuments. We spent the first two nights in Seville where, on the first day, we visited the Alcazar with its stunning gardens. It was built as a fort by the Almohads in the 12th century and was rebuilt in the 14th century; later additions were made in the Renaissance period and up to the 19th century.
On Friday 10th November eighty afpop East members celebrated the 30th anniversary of afpop at Pimenta & Pasta Restaurante just outside Almancil. Definitely a lunch to remember with excellent food and very professional service provided by Sandro and his team.
Afpop East has a reputation for “the fun place to be” and the attendees most certainly lived up to all expectations. Toes were tapping to the Jade Jazz Quartet as they provided background music and a cabaret while the afpop members dined.
Under a cloudless sky at St. Luke's Church Palhagueira, 200 people gathered on Remembrance Sunday to honour and remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice in the two world wars and in many conflicts since.
The pictures show Peter Abbot, the Deputy Head of Mission at the British Embassy Lisbon laying a wreath for the British Community and Flight Lieutenant Dougal Gow, RAF laying a wreath on behalf of the Royal British Legion.
The standard bearer was Michael Hunt and the Trumpet was Joao Mogo.
In April of this year Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC) sponsored Loulè GNR officer Frederico (Freddie) Fragoso to spend 4 days with South Wales Police in Gwent to observe policing practices in that division (CLICK HERE to see more).
More recently Police Constable Stephen Jones, Ward Manager, Neighbourhood Policing Team in Gwent paid a reciprocal visit to the Loulè GNR. Thanks to Major Paulo Santos, Freddie and some of his colleagues were assigned to show Steve how things are done here in the Algarve starting with a visit to the GNR station in Loulè.
Members of the Algarve Senior Bikers enjoyed their ride to Odemira in the lower Alentejo on Wednesday 25th October. The ride was organised by Stan Green and Miriam Post. Miriam did a great job when leading the 32 riders taking part from the start in Silves to the coffee break at the hotel overlooking the barragem at Santa Clara. The terrace of the hotel offers great views of the surrounding countryside and the water.
