João Ministro, Technical Coordinator for the ‘Querença Project’, gave a very interesting talk to members of the Estoi Palace Rotary Club and following the presentation a number of club members decided to visit the Querença area to find out more.

The ‘Querença Project’ was started in 2011 in response to concerns that rural communities and previously cultivated regions in the Algarve were suffering substantial decline, as land owners and residents were leaving the countryside. Much of the land whilst in private ownership was left in a very poor condition due to neglect or abandonment and was close to being beyond effective recovery.

The February event of the Chaîne des Rôtisseurs was a most entertaining evening at the charmingly rustic Moiras Encantadas restaurant in Paderne. Our hosts, the owners, Rogelio Cabrita Jorge and his wife (and well known painter) Carla Neto, prepared for some 30 members a fascinating and original ´local´ menu which reflected not only their skills and creativity but the atmosphere and environment which they have so imaginatively created.

After postponing for a week due the recent wet and windy weather  the ride eventually took place on the Tuesday 18th February.  The bad weather apparently sent by some jealous ASB members out of spite because they were in the UK and therefore unable to take part in the ride.
Riders met in Silves before heading into the hills past the Odalouca Barragem  and through Fornalha to Caldas de Monchique for coffee. Stopping on the way to take in the great views towards Portimao and the coast.

Have you always wanted to learn Bridge? Beginner Bridge Classes with Finola Gibson are starting on 19th February, 2014 in the Holiday Inn Algarve in Armação de Pêra.

I have been going to the Bela Romao Croquet Club for about a year or more now.  They organise fun nights and the food is good!  Until yesterday, I have never put my foot on the croquet lawn. The club creates fun events and Sarah, the Californian trained Chef, creates innovative dishes and Tapas plates from around the world, she tells me “ the food changes seasonally and is based on the slow food movement”.   As a club member, I have eaten there a few times and the food is incredible.

On Tuesday January 7th the 27 members of the Algarve Senior Bikers enjoyed a somewhat cool ride on a cloudy day to enjoy lunch at Restaurante O Gralha at Vale Fuzeiras, near SB Messines.

On the way from the start near Boliqueime they visited the the lovely chapel at Senora da Rocha on the rocky headland over looking Armação de Pera,  before heading north via the Barragem near Silves to the lunch venue. A short stop was made for a coffee and a warm in Porches.

Starting with a ride on the 3rd organised by Erroll Buckton and Paul Burgess.  This took the form of a circular route starting from Paderne to the pretty village of Querença for a coffee in the square overlooking the church.
The return trip was made on a route to the north of Alte, through typical Algarve scenery for lunch near Paderne.  

The Saint Andrew’s Society of the Algarve once again held a highly successful Saint Andrew’s Ball at the Penina Hotel. This year the Ball coincided with Saint Andrew’s Day on 30 November, so it was great to have a full house of 130 participants. 

Our piper Malcolm MacGillivray was of course on hand to greet guests and lead the parade into the ball after the champagne reception.