Portugal’s dual policing system
As we approach Safe Communities Portugal’s fifth anniversary, I recall our first public seminars in the Algarve, aimed at creating greater awareness of the work of the police. One of
The October 2017 Night Sky
Welcome to the October night-sky. This is the month when the clocks go back (29th), and the nights start to darken noticeably. Over in the northeast, the star cluster called
UNESCO National Memory of the World: The Baltic Way
This summer, Peter and I took a long trip around the Baltic, visiting nine countries. We started in Finland and finished in Sweden, having circled around the south of the
Mad, bad and dangerous – Lord Byron visits Elvas
Childe Harold is the subject of one of Byron’s most famous poems. His pilgrimage of self-discovery commenced when he first saw a distant view of Lisbon from the River Tagus.
Forest fires – the risks and causes
I hope that the recent rainfall and slight drop in temperatures in some parts of the country are the signs that the heat wave we have experienced is nearly at
The September 2017 Night Sky
Welcome to the September night sky. This month, most of the exciting planetary action takes place in the pre-dawn sky over in the east. You must be up at least
Lord Byron visits Mafra || Part 4
Leaving from Sintra, Lord Byron must have experienced a great sense of anticipation on his way to Mafra. The complex of Baroque buildings was intended to be the envy of
Algarve History Association partners with Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation
We first met the then four members of the Lacerda Quartet (Alexander Stewart, Regina Aires, Alexandre Delgado and Luís André Ferreira) at the home of Dutch sculptor Lukas van Blaaderen.
Lord Byron in Portugal of monks, men and the military || Part 3
It was with a degree of urgency that the young Lord, aged 22, left England for Lisbon in July 1809. He was a relatively unknown poet and recent graduate from
The August 2017 Night Sky
Welcome to the August night sky. This month is not so good for observing planets as only Saturn is easily visible low in the south during the early evenings. Saturn