Born in the dark – a story of rhubarb
History suggests that the English forced rhubarb was cultivated by accident. Unwittingly covered, over winter, in London’s Chelsea Physic Garden, the rhubarb stocks sprung up months earlier than a normal
Vietnam – Adventures in Scooter Land – Part 1 From Hanoi to Hué
A raucously loud horn sounded and made everyone jump! Immediately, people scattered in all directions away from the railway line. Any malingerers were hustled quickly by security men into the
Alfa Romeo Stelvio Quadrifoglio – Green machine
This is the greenest machine ever to grace the pages of this newspaper. Literally. And all the more interesting because of it. The Stelvio is eight years old. Eight years
English-speaking ‘Guias de Portugal’ company in Estoril
The first companies of Portuguese Girl Guides were set up by former British Girl Guides There is an exciting new opportunity for girls and young women in Estoril as an
The strategical importance of the Azores in WW2
For five centuries, the islands of the Azorean archipelago have provided a safe haven for seafarers due to their location as an Atlantic crossroads between the Americas, Africa and Europe.
João António Júdice Fialho – Part 1
I knew that the Palácio had originally been built by, and belonged to, João António Júdice Fialho, a major businessman from Portimão. But why had he built such an impressive
Talking to children about cancer
Cancer is a very difficult subject to discuss with adults and especially hard with children. It is, however, a word even young children hear and are curious about. Few of
Is It Just Me – Right, said Fred
It’s April, the year 2024, and it’s ‘parabéns’ all round – believe it or not, my 61st birthday beckons which will make me 11 years older than Portugal’s still fledgling
Climate change, wildfires and human health
In trying to suppress wildfires, the main focus for firefighters is the preservation of life and property, through preventing the fire reaching those who could be potentially affected. The risk
The Portuguese Polyphony: Songs of Love – As Modinhas
“I am their slave and cannot endure the idea of quitting Portugal” – William Beckford As with the Songs of the Auvergne (usually sung in the Basque language of Occitan),