Society Archives

Beach-inspired cushion|Add a touch of palms|Window view

Colour your Home in Portugal

When it comes to creating a vibrant and inviting living space, incorporating colour is key. In the beautiful country of Portugal, where the sun shines brightly and the coastal lifestyle

April 30, 2024by Linen-etc.com Team

The May 2024 Night Sky

Welcome to the May night sky. On the first of this month, the ringed planet Saturn, just before sunrise, is seen high in the east. Just below Saturn, the elusive

April 29, 2024by Clive JacksonIn Algarve Skies

Look beyond property to unlock investment potential

Responsible investing – earning returns while helping the planet

We are all becoming increasingly aware of the effects of climate change and its impact on the planet and society. 2023 was the warmest year since global records began in

April 29, 2024by Adrian Hook

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Continuing to support the Algarve community

With a team of villa rental specialists who all share the same passion for the Algarve, SandyBlue believes it’s important to support local businesses and charities. There is always room

April 28, 2024by SandyBlue Team

The to-do list as an art form: the post-it note wall|The Big Picture: things are really starting to take shape. We hope the beautiful green patch we planted will help boost the vineyard-to-be|Ah, there it is: the cable (here) can now be connected in the little house (here), saving us huge amounts of time and money.|Phases of the pool: applying a preparatory layer before the final finish|Roman-style talha amphorae and a pink sunset over Vale das Estrelas

Off Grid and Ignorant in Portugal – The Big Picture: And a large new post-it note wall of good intentions

The first sign of summer is when planting a tree turns from simply picking a spot and digging up a bit of soil … to battering through concrete. It took

April 27, 2024by Alastair Leithead

Oranges of Portugal|Decorative orange trees in Marbella, Spain|Duck a l'orange

Oranges – a brief history of our daily staple

Looking at a bowl of oranges, I often catch myself thinking that these are playthings rather than fruit. Here in Portugal, oranges are plentiful and are often quite large in

April 27, 2024by Irina Mikhailava

The big, fat cholesterol debate

This is probably not the most “original” topic I have ever written about, but for the sake of public “health and safety”, it is one that should probably be revisited,

April 26, 2024by Joanna Karamon

Figure 2 Potentially interesting but full of obstacles|Desk research is an essential start point|House in Figueiró dos Vinhos|View of farmhouse near Sertã|Sertã farmhouse, the newly installed roof is a bonus|View from the Castelo property’s garden|Portugal’s interior varies greatly - river Zêzere gorge near Cabril|No shortage of views - Mega Cimeira, Central Portugal|Reservoir at Cabril 2024 – as full as it can get

Buying rural property – welcome to the awkward squad

The old adage of ‘market value is what someone is willing to pay’ often is heard when a property has changed hands at an inflated price. Some foreign buyers of

April 26, 2024by Paul Rees

The Porta da Vila seen from inside the village. The original bell, dating from 1692, is housed in the tower on the right.|There are only two streets in Monsaraz that run the length of the village. This is the main one. Wheeled vehicles are not allowed, except for loading/unloading, but there is plenty of parking just outside the walls.|Another view of the Rua Direita. All the village’s streets and lanes are cobbled.|This ATM, next to the Junta da Freguesia, is about the only concession Monsaraz makes to the 21st century.|The main tower of the castle, called the Torre de São Gens do Xarez, or, more familiarly, Torre das Feiticeiras (Tower of Witches). Construction of the castle was started by King Alfonso III and eventually completed by his son Dinis I in the early 13th century. Entrance is free. The views from the tower are exceptional.|One of the many beautiful views from the village – this one looking east to the Alqueva Lake.|A reminder that the Templar knights were active in the castle’s construction and defense.|The fertile Alentejano plains as seen from the castle|Another view of the village. Note the absence of tourists and of cars!|The Porta da Cisterna and, beyond it, the Porta do Buraco, one of the four entrances to the village.|The hilltop walled village of Monsaraz, seen from the east (the Alqueva Lake) side. The castle and the Igreja Matriz are clearly visible, anchoring the walls.|The 16th century Igreja Matriz, Nossa Senhora da Lagoa, which was rebuilt after the 1755 earthquake and is currently being renovated. In front of the church, in the main square (Largo Nuno Álvares Pereira), is an 18th century marble pillory (pelourinho) where announcements were made and laws and punishments given.|A view over the roofs of Monsaraz, looking southeast towards the Alqueva.|Helga and Robbie Edwards toast Monsaraz with a lovely local vinho branco on the terrace of the Sahida restaurant.|The Porta da Vila serves as the main entrance to the walled village. It dates from the 17th century. Above the arch, there is a memorial to the Immaculate Conception, installed by King João IV in 1646

Monsaraz: dream village

Helga and I, along with a few family members, have just spent a marvellous long weekend in Monsaraz. It wasn’t our first time, and it certainly won’t be the last.

April 25, 2024by Larry Hampton

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Mini Countryman – Keeping it cool

The new Countryman John Cooper Works may not be the ultimate Mini in terms of the driving experience. But as a family car, it’s really rather cool. The Mini Countryman

April 25, 2024by Guilherme Marques