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The Full Monty Issue 90, Spring 2015 David Pritchard 18th September 1920 – 19th December 2014

David was born in Monmouthshire, South Wales and grew up in the little town of Cwmbran. along with his two sisters and twin brother. He attended Pontypool Grammar School after winning a scholarship. Here he excelled in both academics and athletics, representing the county in hurdling and sprinting. Leaving school at 17, he took a job in the Costing Department of local company Guest, Keen and Nettlefolds, where he began his studies for an ACMA (Associate of the Institute of Cost Management Accounting) qualification. He joined the territorial army in 1937 and was called up when war broke out in September 1939, joining the 133rd regiment of the Field Artillery. The unit went to after D Day, landing just west of Calais, to pursue and shell the German Infantry as they fled through the Falaise Gap. Demob. came in 1945 by which time David had achieved the rank of Battery Sergeant- Major, (at one time, the youngest in the regiment). In Civvy Street, he returned to his old job, working by day and continuing his accountancy studies by correspondence at night. In January 1946 he married Mary, his childhood sweetheart, whom he had never forgotten. Shortly afterwards he gained his accountancy qualification, and they moved to Shropshire to take up a new post in Cost Accountancy. His eternal quest for self- improvement prompted him to apply for and obtain an accounting position with a firm of consultants based in East Africa, engaged in the modernisation of the East African Railway workshops. Based in Nairobi, Mary came to join him, in their new, allocated home, which, typically had no electricity. was by firewood and lighting with oil lamps. Two of their children were born in this house: Anna in 1941 and Gavin in 1953 just as the Mau Mau uprising began: a very dangerous time, in that part of the world. In 1954 he took a new position, this time with the EAHC (East Africa High Commission), as Senior Accountant. Isabel was born in 1959, just as he was promoted to Deputy Accountant General of Nyasaland and had to move to Zomba. Within a year he had gained the position of Accountant General, with responsibilities for the collection of government's revenue and control of expenditure. His time in Malawi saw the appointment of Dr Banda as President, who gave him his full support. He retired from Malawi after some 15 years of service there and made his way back to UK. He had already been offered a job as Accounts Advisor by the government of Lesotho, but was coincidentally approached by the Minister of Finance in Botswana, who asked him if he might consider coming to help them sort out their financial problems. He agreed to go, and uncovered a less than satisfactory situation in the accountancy department. The British Accountant, who had presided over the unhappy state of affairs, was sent to other duties, leaving David to sort out the mess, as Accountant General. The reorganisation went to the roots of the system and under his guidance was eventually rectified, with debts and accounts now being settled accurately and on time. David's reputation in his specialised field had earned him respect from many government ministers and he was asked to help with advice on the accounting procedures in Lesotho, which he did with diligence and enthusiasm, this time in a consultancy role. Later, on leave in UK, he discovered an advertisement for the treasurer of ITA (Institute for Tropical Agriculture) in Nigeria, a post which he fulfilled with success, until it was eliminated by the reorganisation of a new Director General. David's beloved wife Mary died in 1993, when he was 73. Eight years later he rediscovered love and happiness with Maryse and they came to and Palhagueira, to live a new chapter in their lives, together. Here was a true gentleman who will be sorely missed by all who loved and knew him. Welcome Angelina! The New Year marked not only the arrival of 2015, but also of Mrs. Angelina (Angie) Silva, who took up her appointment as our new manager. Already there are signs of new developments and it is clear that Angie intends to fulfil her diverse rôle with dedication and enthusiasm. We are sure that residents will be anxious to give their unstinting support with equal fervour. Angie introduces herself : “I am 56 years old, born in Ipswich in Suffolk and married to Fernando for the past nearly 30 years,who is Portuguese. His family have lived in Lisbon and the for many years and we have always visited the Algarve for holidays to visit them. We have two children, our son is 27 and lives , he is a teacher, and our daughter lives in UK she is 24 and works for Easy Jet as cabin crew. You may meet her if you travel to Southend airport via Faro as she regularly does this route! I worked in conveyancing in my early professional years but found my vocation and love was in nursing and qualified as a Registered Nurse in 1983. Since then I have dedicated my life working full time nursing the elderly both in Switzerland (14 years) and the UK, latterly managing large Nursing Homes in Suffolk and Essex for the past 15 years. I have lodged my papers to register my nursing qualifications here in Portugal in case I need them. I am fluent in French and can speak basic Portuguese but need to improve which I am frantically working on at the moment. Loving sports, I have frequently volunteered for sporting events and the biggest was the 2012 Olympics in London. I also volunteered at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2014. I love to keep fit at the gym, swim, horse-ride and adore ballroom and Latin dancing.” Welcome, Norman Clayton We welcome Mr. Norman Clayton who has recently acquired a property in the village, so that he can be nearer to his son and daughter in law. Norman started a career with the RAF in 1938 and has not stopped flying since! He has piloted most types of aircraft, worked for many years in the Middle East, as a pilot and also had his own flying school, where he was a highly respected instructor. Norman says that he has spent more of his life in the air, than on the ground. He has also built and commissioned his own aircraft. Angie adds: “It is always nice to “bring our villagers to life” by sharing our experiences, achievements and interests. Please let us know if you would like to contribute to the newsletter.” Christmas Cheer in Abundance at Le Marquis Restaurant There was no shortage of Christmas Spirit at Le Marquis last December 12 th, when it was filled to capacity with residents enjoying their Christmas , kindly hosted by the management. All enjoyed Vincent's sumptuous interpretation of the traditional Yuletide feast, introduced by an appetising (and filling) followed by the main of the accustomed seasonal fare as portrayed in Vincent's own creative way. The whole experience was transcended by a perfect Christmas pudding accompanied by weight-scale-challenging butter and thick, delicious cream. Settled and replete, all were ready for the rumbustious arrival of Santa Claus himself, Unfortunately David Cornelius Reid missed the event, as he had apparently popped out at the crucial time. Everyone received a much-appreciated and generous gift. This was the last time Clive would appear at a village function, as he was to retire at the end of the year, and residents took the opportunity to present him with a well-received leaving gift. A final cup of coffee was served and satiated diners, made their ways slowly back home, with pleasant and enduring memories of a fabulous afternoon. Our thanks to all who contributed to this splendid event. Thank you! All the staff at Monte da Palhagueira would like to give a big thank you to all those who contributed to the Staff Christmas Fund. It was very much appreciated. A happy and healthy 2015 to you all, A22 Tolls, An Expensive Mistake Drivers have paid €70 million in tolls, since they were were imposed on the A22 motorway three years ago. The consequent damage to the region's economy has been well publicised by the Via do Infante Users Committee, campaigning to have the tolls suspended because of their adverse effect on economy and safety. They claim that the accident rate on the EN125 – the only alternative – unnecessarily high, is poorly maintained, and runs through many populated areas. It was never designed to be an alternative to the motorway, which was never designed to operate with any tolls system. The inept payment arrangements have been an ongoing disaster and 'improvements' have only worsened the situation. Several alternative methods of payment have only added further complication to an already complex raft of confusing and ineffective alternatives. Users point to the decreasing volume of motorway traffic, while the road company blames the state of the economy. Meanwhile tax payers continue to foot the bill for support of the Spanish-owned collection company, amounting to a minimum of €40 million annually. Duke Calls for “Cultural Revolution” Unlike other European republics, which do not welcome the presence of ex- royalty in their territories, Portugal and its erstwhile royal families have long- since been reconciled, as witnessed by the attendance of the President at the recent wedding of Duarte Pio, Duke of Bragança, and pretender to the Portuguese throne. The Duke also claims the title of Prince of Brazil, Prince Royal of Portugal, Duke of Guimarães, Marquis of Vila Viçosa, Count of Ourém, Count of Arraiolos, Count of Neiva and Count of Faria.The head of the Royal House was recently in the news, when he argued that the country needed to have a cultural revolution, “to release it from an enduring lack of leadership” with reference to the arrest of the former Prime Minister, José Sócrates on charges of tax fraud, money laundering and corruption, also the abuse of the 'Golden Visa' scheme leading to the arrest of not only the President of the Institute of Registration and Notaries, but also of the Director of the Aliens and Borders Service. “The Portuguese are victims of the serious consequences of many years of economically irresponsible and morally inappropriate policies the Duke said, adding “ ignorance is at the heart of our present crisis. The country and its people are living through bitter days because the country does not behave as a free and independent country”. The Duke concluded by listing a number of relevant problems such as unemployment and the plight of families which receive no help from the state, the increasing rate of emigration, especially among the young and qualified and the growing disillusionment with institutions such as the Courts and Parliament. We must just hope that Pedro Passos Coelho was listening! Tax-man above the law? Way back in 2009, a resident of Fafe, Braga received a tax bill of €76,808, with a threat that his property would be seized in the event of non-payment. Fortunately the married man, father of two young children, had the means to pay and, not wishing to be homeless he paid it, but at the same time, convinced it was an error, he challenged the demand in the courts. A judicial decision was made in favour of the tax-payer, requiring the money to be repaid immediately. The tax authority appealed, but lost. Undeterred, the case was taken to the Supreme Administrative Court, which upheld the taxpayer's claim. The man has now been waiting payment for a year and a half, while the tax people claim 'computer problems' to be the cause of the delay. Legally the state has exhausted its options, but still flouts the law, leaving the citizen not only deprived of his money, but also facing a hefty legal bill, with no apparent right of appeal. Whereas when a tax-payer fails to pay a tax bill a fine is imposed, even for being one day late. Clearly tax inspectors have different rules for themselves. Unfair taxes seem to be occurring more frequently and are probably a result of the commission now paid to inspectors on successful claims. Boost for Tourism on Guadiana River Dredging at the mouth of the Guadiana river is expected to be completed later this year, allowing access by larger pleasure boats and fishing vessels. A significant boost to the tourist business is expected, as larger cruise ships will be able to navigate the river. The work is the result of cooperation between local Spanish and Portuguese municipalities, in an agreement dubbed 'The Guadiana Eurocity. It will enable the municipalities to share common facilities, such as swimming pools, libraries, and a variety of other cultural and sporting venues. €723,000 has been budgeted for the dredging work.. Don't lose your cool at the tax office A new law hidden in the small print of the 2015 budget makes insulting a tax official a criminal offence, attracting a fine or imprisonment for up to 5 years. Assaulting, insulting, or simply 'disobeying orders,' could end you up in prison. President of the Syndicate of Tax Workers Paulo Ralha welcomed the new 'police status' for his members. Deadly Bacteria Attacks Olive Trees Xylella Fastidiosa, commonly known as olive leaf scorch has attacked ancient olive groves in Southern , in an area extending to several thousand hectares. It is thought that the bacteria, native to the Americas and the Middle East, came to Europe via imports. When infected, water will no longer circulate in the tree, resulting in dead leaves, which fall, followed by the branches. The European Food Safety Authority (EFSA) has warned that the bacteria are 'most likely' to spread to other areas of Europe. Treatment is complicated in as far as insects carrying the bacteria are attracted to other plants, such as oak, citrus almond, peach and oleander. Harvests in Spain and Italy have been particularly poor last year, because of bad weather and other pest problems. New powers to control profligate councils Camaras with insurmountable debts will be required to reduce their workforce by 3%, or have their grants reduced by an equivalent amount by central government. The new measures are written into the 2015 state budget. Currently it has proved all too easy for errant camaras to run up debts regardless, and assume their shortfall will be covered by general taxation. In the Algarve, Portimão is an example of reckless public expenditure, with debts now exceeding €170 million. Ex-mayor Manuel da Luz and his deputy Luis Carito and Councillor Jorge Campos have already been arrested and accused of financial irregularities. Clearly some legally empowered control is needed to protect the taxpayer from such less-than-ethical public 'servants'. Bombeiros campaign in favour of bullfighting Bombeiros in Beja made a serious PR faux pas last October when it advertised a local bullfight on its vans, which toured the town for several days, with loudspeaker publicity concerning the imminent event. A bombeiros spokesman commented that they had nothing against those opposed to bullfighting, but were raising money to support people needing their help. The bombeiros rôle is incompatible with this campaign. The two are poles apart. Bullfighting is the voluntary infliction of pain on a helpless animal, while the other is the humanitarian rôle of saving lives. Linking the two in a public relations crusade can do nothing for their cause. The odd argument, linking death by fire as a reason to support bullfighting can only boost the year-on-year decline in the popularity of the “sport”. Aguas do Algarve to test direct billing to consumers Consumes in Castro Marim Vila Real and Olhão will soon be receiving their water bills directly from Aguas do Algarve. Currently camaras pay for the overall water supply and bill the individual user from a metered supply at a cost decided by themselves. However there is evidence that whereas consumers pay their bills under threat of a fine if payment is a day or more late, camaras have not been so prompt with their payment to AdA, which has an accumulated debt of €70 million in unpaid water bills. The idea will not be easy to implement. Apparently there are many more households than water meters and councils will be reluctant to lose what amounts to a lucrative source of interest free loans. They fear a step towards privatisation which would threaten their cosy arrangements and unsavoury secrets such as the continued pollution of the protected Ria Formosas waters from clearly visible, illegal outflow pipes. Algarve's biggest solar farm to be built in Alcoutim It was apparently a great surprise to the mayor of Alcoutim, Osvaldo Gonçalves, when he read in a newspaper that there were plans to build a huge photovoltaic power plant on his territory .Of course, he was delighted and compared the news to 'winning the lottery'.and at first thought there had been some sort of mistake. He later admitted that there had already been some enquiries, as the area was ideally suited for such an installation, having a good sunshine record, and no population. Sadly the local benefits will be restricted by its demographics, which show a majority of ageing people, the youngest having moved, or already seeking work elsewhere. Total workforce to support the project when operational is expected to number around 600, most of which will be high end technicians or management. American company First Solar are to supply the panels with involvement by Siemens and SMA Solar Technology of . It is to be regretted that such an abundance of natural resource could not have been more directly advantaged by this country's employment deficiency. Even the immigrants are leaving The number of immigrants living in Portugal fell from 417.000 in 2012, to 401,000 in 2013. and was referred to as a 'permanent decline', in a report by the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). It was noted that of the emigrants, 40% were between 15 and 29 years of age and 70% were male. The favourite destinations for the leavers were the EU and Switzerland, Brazil, of course is popular, but does not figure significantly in the list, but Angola is the most popular new destination. The job scarcity here now seems to have reduced the rate of immigrant arrivals. IKEA presses on, regardless After a complex and long drawn-out legal process instigated by local businesses and the Algarve Hoteliers Association, IKEA has announced that it will start to clear the site of its new store and shopping centre, between Faro and Loulé. Initially the traders protested that the project would threaten their businesses. Having failed that argument, the traders then played the environmental card, claiming the site was situated over a water aquifer. The store's original schedule was to open in 2014, will not now meet its postponed deadline of 2015. meanwhile traders hive retired from the skirmish, to lick their wounds, but potential customers still hold their breath. Railway crossing closure prevents farmer's access to his cattle Farmer Pedro Ferreira and his ancestors have kept cattle on land near the Olhão to Vila Real de Santo António railway line since long before the line was built. When it was built, a pedestrian crossing was provided, giving the farmer access to his cattle and occupants of nearby houses right of passage to cross and go about their business. Train company Refer has closed the crossing, without notice, isolating the occupants of six houses and leaving the farmer with no access to his 164 cattle. Sul Informação reports that Refer is ignoring the existence of an established right of way and has in fact now dug ditches either side of the track to prevent access. Apparently a dispute has existed for a number of years, but Refer has suddenly imposed the restriction without negotiation. Meanwhile Pedro is wondering how he can arrange for his regular shipment of cattle in trucks to Spain and Portugal. Is Bahamas wreck the Santa Maria of Columbos? In 1492, Columbos had set sail from Huelva in Spain, sailing close to the Algarve, on a voyage to discover the New World,, sponsored by King Ferdinand II and Queen Isabella I (the Reyes Catóicos). On the return voyage, his ship, the Santa Mario struck a reef near the Bahamas and was abandoned. It is believed that a wreck recently found in the suspected location, is that of the ill- fated ship only 10 – 15 feet below the surface, but positive identification is difficult on account of the extensive decay. Watch this space. New north – south air service? Mayor of Portimão Isilda Gomes is not short of ideas for speculating with taxpayers money, in spite of a seemingly insurmountable debt of some €160 million. Her latest scheme is the sponsoring of a scheduled air service between Bragança in the north and Alvor in the south. Her sums, based on nothing but guesswork, commit the local taxpayers to an overall contribution of €7.8 million to support a presumably loss-making first 3 years of operation. The little municipal airstrip in Alvor will need upgrading to National Institute of Aviation standards, which would include security systems, full-time firefighting service, inspection and upgrading of the runway, fencing and departure and arrival facilities for passengers and luggage. Gomes has no idea of what the improvements might cost, but has confidently said they will be implemented, “Whatever the cost” There must be something in the water at Portimão as the previous mayor, Manuel da Luz, was equally besotted with hair-brain schemes, which set the council on the devastating path of debt and now, insolvency. Plus ça change, plus ç'est la même chose. Convicted paedophiles forfeit honours Television star Carlos Cruz and one-time UNESCO ambassador Jorge Ritto have been finally stripped of their honours in the Order of Prince Henry. Both were sent to prison for six years following conviction on paedophilia charges at the infamous Casa Pia. In the case of Cruz, he was such a popular performer, being dubbed “Mr Television”, that his imprisonment does not seem to have prevented the re-showing of some of his programmes. Such is the unpredictability of RTP scheduling. Reports of oil deposits true, or just a fairy tale? Every now and then there are reports from various 'authorities' of lucrative oil deposits in Portugal. With such attractive benefits it may seem a little strange that none have ever been followed up. The latest concerns a British company going by the name of 'Ionic Resources'. The company claims to have unique innovative technology that can detect a variety of natural resources using data derived from satellite information. The suspicions of the Portuguese government were aroused when they were asked for substantial amounts of money before the locations of the latest 'discovery' could be revealed. If Ionic is to be believed there are oil deposits well within the range of today's drilling practices, valued at €43 billion: enough to endow the country with the coveted status of net energy exporter. Ionic Resources belongs to Ionic capital, which trades in a huge variety of raw materials, and is chaired by one Charles Masefield, an ex-pilot who was an arms dealer at the time of the UK John Major and Tony Blair governments, later to become a chairman of BAE Systems. Little more can be found in the media concerning Masefield or his present enterprise. The proposed deal from Ionic is €7.2 million for the location information, to be reimbursed once an arrangement had been agreed with an oil company for drilling and subsequently 10% of the value of oil and gas extracted: €4,3 billion according to the company's estimate. Can it possibly be true? Even the government is beginning to think it just might possibly be a scam. Archaeological discoveries in Portimão The old Mabor building in Portimão was the site of some exciting discoveries, when workmen on the development site, destined to become a shopping centre, uncovered what has subsequently been confirmed to be of Roman origin. A report in Sul Informação said that the ruins are those of an industrial area where fish paste was prepared. Several limestone tanks, (cetárias) hewn from the soft bedrock along the banks of the River Arade, dating from 4th - 5th century, which would have been used in the preparation of garum, a fermented fish originating from ancient Greece, similar to the colatura di alici anchovy sauce, still made in Italy today. The Mabor building has been empty and a blot on the landscape for years. The development will add a further storey, to incorporate shops, offices and apartments.. Unrelenting rise in tax contributions Citizens paid over €30 billion in tax last year, far exceeding the rate forecast even by the governments own experts. Tax paid now make up over 17% of the country's GDP: an increase of nearly 7% on 2013, this in spite of a notable fall in corporation tax receipts and stamp duty. A statement from the Ministry of Finance claimed that “additional revenue from VAT and income tax was a result of the improving economy and new measures being taken to combat tax evasion”. But this does not agree with the 4% fall in corporate tax receipts, which must have failed to produce an increase in taxable profits. There is an increasing number of Portuguese companies being registered in Holland and for tax reasons and giving them easier access to funding. They also escape paying corporation tax to the Portuguese government and enjoy less tax liability from less demanding EU tax regimes. In addition to these taxes on income and profit, there has been an increase of 3.3% in social security contributions, which fund government spending, bringing the total to €11.2 billion in this sector. Overall, citizens will have paid over €40 billion in 2014. The tax coffers have also reaped tremendous benefits from its measures to collect compensation for unpaid taxes, for example from the confiscation and sale of 65,000 properties, which was twice as many as in 2013.

Arroz Carolino: an essential ingredient in Portuguese

I had never eaten a lot of until we moved to Portugal. But I soon learned that the Portuguese consumed more rice than any other Europeans, devouring 15 – 16 kilos per capita each year, compared to the 4 - 5 kilos European average. The country cultivates two main varieties: Agulha and Carolino. Agulha is a long grain type most commonly found in oven-baked dishes such as arroz de pato. Carolino is short grained, similar to the Italian Arborio .and is great for creamy, malandrinho (wet and saucy) rice dishes. Such as arroz doce (), it is also used for more savoury dishes like arroz de marisco ( rice), tamboril (monkfish rice), coelho (rabbit rice), and plenty of side dishes like tomate (tomato rice), feijão (tomato rice with beans) and simple arroz de coentros (cilantro rice). Although Portugal's rice production along the Tejo River estuary has been documented since the 18th century, rice was cultivated in the southern regions of Portugal well beforehand - inherited from the Moors, it was during the reign of King D. Dinis (1279-1325) that the first reference is found, curiously as a luxury treat, found only on the dining tables of the wealthy. Centuries later, the production of rice was outlawed, due to a high risk of malaria from the poor growing conditions. By the 19th century, rice became highly prized and produced, extending beyond the river basin, to the North. Consequently, the Portuguese government changed their tune from rice as a "tolerable grain" to an agricultural powerhouse, thereby creating better conditions to ensure its success. By the beginning of the 20th century, a solid base for rice production had been established provoking the establishment of rice fields countrywide. These days, Portugal produces 150 - 180 million kilos of rice a year and is 60% self- sufficient. The majority of rice is grown around 3 major river estuaries of Portugal: the Mondego in /Aveiro region, the Tejo in the Ribatejo (Leziria) region and the Sado in the area of Alcacerdo Sal, totalling approximately 30 thousand hectares. Of this, two thirds come from the Portuguese Carolino variety, and only one third from Agulha. Unfortunately, the Portuguese are purchasing more Agulha, and other imported varieties of rice, because they are cheaper and have been more effectively marketed over the past few decades. Contributing to the problem, 5,000 more hectares of Carolino have been planted in recent years, creating a surplus of around 50 million tonnes. Most of this has been exported to Turkey due to lack of demand in Portugal. Local rice growers have also suffered a drop in the selling price for their rice, and a reduction of industry aid funds, making it tough to sustain a living with all the work and care involved in cultivating rice. As a result, the Portuguese rice industry is planning to launch a national campaign starting this year directed by Casa do Arroz, a new organisation created for the sector to promote the value of locally-grown rice, which contributes to sustaining the natural ecosystems of protected wildlife, such as the many species of flora and fauna in the Tejo Estuary Nature Reserve. The campaign will also focus on the increase of Carolino rice sales, emphasizing its status as "Portugal's National Rice". The Agrupamento de produtores de Arroz ,pointed out that Arroz Carolino in best suited to Portuguese , having a superior ability to absorb the flavours ot its surrounding ingredients, in addition, "there is a large difference in marketing between us and our European competitors. The Portuguese have not appreciated their Carolino rice,as much as the Spanish who use theirs for their paella, or the Italians for their risotto. The marcas brancas-generic brands make up for more than 50% of the market." There are several excellent Portuguese brands producing fantastic Arroz Carolino, such as Novarroz Carolino, Pato Real and Atlantic Sorraia. A favorite Portuguese Carolino rice dish is Arroz Tomate, a flavoursome, red and green side dish made with , , tomatoes and peppers, and traditionally paired with fried fish, like filetes de pescada (hake fillets) that are commonly found in supermarkets and restaurants across Portugal.

ooOoo

The Perils of Amateur Journalism Most in-house newsletters and magazines (even the Full Monty), rely to some extent on input and feedback from its readers. Some well-intentioned, but disastrous gaffes can often happen. Bulletins in church magazines can be a particularly hazardous area. Here are some examples that actually appeared, or were announced at a service: “The sermon this morning will be 'Jesus walks on water' Next week, the subject will be 'searching for Jesus.'” and “Ladies, don't forget the rummage sale. It's a chance to dispose of those things surplus to requirements. Bring your husbands.” plus “ Miss Charlene Mason sang 'I will not pass this way again' giving obvious pleasure to the congregation.” not forgetting “Please place your donation in the envelope, along with the deceased person you wish to be remembered.” also “The ladies of the church have cast-off clothing of every kind. They may be seen in the basement every Friday afternoon.” as well as “ The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet' in the church basement on Friday at 7:00 pm. The congregation are cordially invited to view this tragedy.” along with “The pastor requests that ladies of the congregation could please lend their electric girdles to use at the pancake next Sunday.” besides “Pot-luck supper, Sunday at 5:00pm. Prayer and meditation to follow.” that Keep You Awake

Avoid these foods at bedtime for a good night's sleep.

Alcoholic beverages Although a nightcap or glass of may help you to doze off, it disrupts sleep later in the night and robs you of the rapid eye movement (REM), an essential factor for good sleep.

Broccoli. Broccoli is a nutrition powerhouse, but takes time to digest the fibre and will keep your body working long into the night.

Celery. Avoid just before bedtime. Like cucumber, water melon, radishes and such, it has a high water content and is a natural diuretic and will probably wake you, with a full bladder.

Cheese Pizza.The high fat content will make it longer to digest, causing discomfort and difficulty in sleeping. This can also reduce the effectiveness of some medications taken at night.

Dark chocolate. A small, daily piece of dark chocolate will help to keep your heart healthy, but avoid it at bedtime. It contains caffeine. Heavy meals. A hearty at bedtime will keep you awake until it is digested. Allow at least three hours after the indulgence before attempting to sleep.

Carbonated soft drinks. As well as making you bloated with the carbon dioxide they contain, these drinks often contain caffeine, which will keep you wide awake.

Spices. You may enjoy , wich wake up the taste buds, but they will wake up you as well and give a bad case of heartburn into the bargain.

Steaks. Don't be tempted to indulge in these sort of high protein foods at bedtime – they will keep you awake until fully digested, which can take hours.

Sweets and . Most of these will cause a rapid rise in levels and then fall rapidly, as the body releases insulin to bring them under control. Such fluctuations do not induce sleep.

Tomatoes. They are rich in tyramine, an amino acid, which triggers the brain to release norepinephrine, a stimulant that boosts brain activity. Aubergines, Soy sauce, red wine and mature can have a similar effect .

OoOoo Portuguese Red Pepper Paste Massa de pimentão is a sweet yet salty pepper paste made from salt cured red bell peppers. It’s found throughout Portuguese cooking as a base for and , as a marinade for or fish and is also used as a condiment. It gives a distinct flavour that just isn’t possible from , chouriço or wine alone. If you’ve ever tried to make a Portuguese dish and something seemed to be missing, more than likely it was massa de pimentão. Luckily it’s easy enough to make in your own and is perfect for experimenting in a variety of savoury dishes. Bifanas, grilled sandwiches, are a prime example of why massa de pimentão needs to be in every kitchen. Believed to have originated in the . the bifana can now be found in every region of the country with their own spin on the original. Walk through any festa, outdoor event or past a little café and this sandwich will be there. Bifanas are the Portuguese street food. Sure there are the sardinhas on crusty in the summer and the roasted castanhas in the winter, but bifanas are year round. Often considered a “snack”, the humble bifana is quite simply a crusty Portuguese bread roll with a generous serving of mustard and a thin-cut that when done correctly, is more than just your average sandwich. It’s all to do with the sweet tangy pepper paste infused marinade. This marinade doesn’t just give a wonderful taste but keeps the pork nice and juicy while being grilled. With food like this there’s no need for the hamburgers and hot dogs when you can have a juicy, savoury and simple sandwich. Sweet Pepper Paste (Massa de Pimentão) To make 2 cups Ingredients: 6 large red bell peppers, 2-3 tablespoons coarse salt, 3 of garlic, ¼ cup Method Wash peppers and remove the stems, seeds and white ribbing. Cut the peppers into about 2.5 cm thick strips. Place a layer of pepper strips into the bottom of a bowl and generously sprinkle with salt. Repeat with the rest of the pepper strips, in between each 3- 4 layers. Cover tightly with a towel and leave out at room temperature for at least 12 hours. Some recipes suggest curing the peppers up to 6 days, but when you don’t have enough time, 12-24 hours is sufficient for good flavour. Pre-heat the oven to 325ºF (162ºC) Drain the peppers of excess liquid. Put the peppers into an oven safe dish or on a baking tray to slow roast for 1 ½ to 2 hours in the oven. Remove the peppers and cool to room temperature. Using your fingers, remove the outside skin from the peppers. Place the peeled pepper strips and peeled garlic cloves into a food processor or blender. If a food processor is not available, use a pestle and mortar or other tool to grind the peppers into a paste. Blend the peppers for 30 seconds to make a thick paste, add in half the olive oil and blend again for another 30 seconds. Add the rest of the oil to the pepper paste and blend for another minute or until smooth. If you’re planning on preserving this, leave the garlic out and just add fresh garlic each time you use the paste. Portuguese A good is not only for the hot days of summer, but it needs to be tasty with more than the standard supermarket dressing. It needs lots of flavour to stand up to a good glass of wine! Here are a couple of traditional Portuguese salads to try.

Sardinhas

Ingredients (serves 1): • 1 head of lettuce • 1 can of sardines in tomato sauce, or olive oil, or brine, as you wish, • 3 teaspoons of red wine • 4 tbsp olive oil • 3 sprigs of fresh • to taste • Salt to taste

Preparation: Wash the lettuce and set aside in a large bowl. In a food processor (or blender), add the sardines, the , vinegar, parsley and black pepper. Mix it and add the olive oil a little at a time. Once it’s all blended, check to see if it’s the consistency you want. If it’s too thick, add a little more vinegar or a few drops of water and mix again. Note: chances are when the dressing hits the damp lettuce, it’ll moisten up, so keep that in mind before adding too much additional liquid. Cover the torn lettuce leaves with the dressing and enjoy! If you add less liquid to create a thicker dressing, you can serve it as a dip.

Salada Russa

A very popular, all season salad. Maybe not quite a salad, given the amounts of mayonnaise used, but it’s a real treat when you’re not counting calories. Of course it is originally Russian, but, many Europeans have their own versions, including this Portuguese one. Ingredients (serves 1): • 1 cup of string beans • 1 can of in olive oil or brine • 4 Cherry tomatoes • 1 Carrot • 1 egg • 4 tbsp of olive oil • 2 teaspoons of light mayonnaise (optional) • 3 teaspoons of white balsamic vinegar • Black pepper to taste • Salt to taste Preparation: Traditionally, all of the veg. in this dish are boiled. It can be freshened up a bit by and even keeping the ingredients raw where it makes sense. Steam the string beans until they’re fork tender. Boil the egg. In the meantime, add the olive oil, mayonnaise and vinegar to a large bowl. Whisk until the mixture thickens. Shred the raw carrot and set aside. Assemble the salad, putting the string beans at the bottom, followed by the sliced tomatoes, the tuna, the sliced egg and shredded carrot. Cover it all with the vinaigrette, add the pepper and mix.

Apple Pie an easy-to-make free-form apple pie with a cheesy that could be eaten as a starter, snack or dessert. Ingredients 250g plain flour 125g butter, cut into small cubes 2 egg yolks 1 beaten egg for brushing the pastry 4 tbsp cheddar type grated cheese. 6 medium sized apples pinch ground 3 cloves a little milk for brushing the pastry plain yoghurt, to serve (optional)

Preparation method Preheat the oven to 200ºC To prepare the pastry, put the flour and butter into a mixing bowl, and rub the butter into the flour with your fingertips (use a food processor if you prefer.) Beat the egg yolks with a fork and mix with the flour and butter, then bring the together to form a ball. Scatter the grated cheese over a large chopping board then put the dough on top, Knead the dough very lightly, pushing the grated cheese in as you go. Put in the fridge, to rest, covered in cling film. To prepare the filling, cut the apples into quarters, remove and discard the cores then cut the fruit into chunks. Put a generous slice of butter into a non-stick pan over a moderate heat, add the apples and leave to cook, with the occasional stir, until they are lightly coloured and starting to soften. Stir in the cinnamon. Roll the pastry out into a rough circle about 35cm in diameter, then transfer it to a baking sheet or tin. Pile the apples in the centre of the pastry leaving a wide rim around the edge; tuck in the cloves. Pull the edges of the pastry in over the apples, leaving those in the centre quite visible. Mix the remaining beaten egg with a little milk and brush the pastry with the mixture, then scatter a little extra grated cheese on it. Bake for about 40 minutes or until the pastry is golden. Serve warm, with yoghurt, if you wish.

30 mins to 1 hour preparation time

30 mins to 1 hour cooking time

Serves 6

Powered by Restaurant Restaurant Pinto, Bordeira

e hadn't been to Pinto's for a few years and had stopped going because the service and food was beginning to deteriorate and was no longer attractive. Wit had had several owners in the intervening years, although it did not seem to have much improved. It's easy to find, on the main road, in the centre of the village. The dining area is the same as it has been for years: a little cramped, but congenial. There is a sheltered, light and airy terrace to the rear, but take care to avoid the window of the inside toilets. Our waitress was pleasant, with an agreeable smile, which helped to allay our apprehension of what might follow. The set lunch menu of chick peas with did not appeal, apart from its tempting price, so we went for the à la carte, my wife choosing the pork chops, while I invested in a plain and rare, steak. Then came the wait. The restaurant was full and having deviated from the lunch menu, we did not expect lightning service, but 40 minutes did seem overly long. Nevertheless, our patience was rewarded and the meat arrived, albeit sans légumes, but OK to taste. Being just 5mm thick it had obviously been a bit of a challenge to render it to any semblance of rarity, the heat passing straight through the emaciated flesh. The oily chips did not add anything to the enjoyment of the meal. There was a very tempting cheese cake on display, but that had to be ignored, as the protracted meal had already jeopardised our afternoon plans. We had no complaint about the price, however, considering the portion sizes, which, with coffee, totalled just €17.00 for the two of us, but would have paid more for better. The menu was traditional Portuguese, with the expected lack of finesse in its presentation. If you are happy with this style of cuisine, this restaurant would no doubt satisfy, otherwise, don't expect a experience.