Places to Visit - Silves Castle

Silves Castle stands majestically on a hill overlooking the town of Silves in the Algarve region of Portugal. This impressive castle once formed part of the wall that encircled the city and was an important defence when it was the capital and residence of the Moorish kings of the al-Garb. Today it dominates the city's skyline and provides visitors with breathtaking views over the surrounding landscape.
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Steeped in history, the castle has a total of 11 towers, some of which have been modified over the centuries, and a set of sandstone walls that have remained virtually intact. A 60 metre-deep well can be found inside the building, as well as a set of vaulted cisterns that still supply the town with water.

Opening times: 9am-5.30pm

Are you celebrating - Make your stay extra special

Are you celebrating? - Why not make your stay with us an Extra Special One?
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Below are some of the items you can pre-order to be in your room on arrival or to be delivered to your room on your special day.

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Chilled Sparkling wine - 25 Euros

Basket of Fresh Fruit - 12 Euros

Twelve red roses - 25 Euros

Celebration Cake - 15 Euros

BB'S Beauty Salon

BB'S Massage and Beauty Salon is located next to our Bar Boa Vista. Open from 10am every day - with a full range of treatments available by appointment.

Treatments include

Manicure.............................. €17.50
Paraffin Wax Manicure...... €25.00
Hot Stones Manicure.......... €27.50
French Manicure.................€22.50
Pedicure............................... €20.00
Paraffin Wax Pedicure....... €27.50
Hot Stones Pedicure........... €30.00
French Pedicure..................€25.00


Paraffin Wax Only Treatments
Hands...................................€10.00
Feet......................................€10.00
Face......................................€15.00
Back......................................€25.00
Paraffin Wax is a very beneficial treatment, not only relaxing, but also therapeutic & Anti-ageing, warm layers of melted paraffin wax is built up to form a glove/even coverage of area being treated, as a result of the warm wax the skin is deep cleansed and softened, blood flow is increased tense muscles are soothed. This is a very beneficial treatment for clients with rheumatism.

Hot Stones Only Treatments
Hands..................................................€15.00
Feet.....................................................€15.00
Face.....................................................€20.00
Hot Stones Therapy uses warm Basalt Stones, relaxation is instant as one massage stroke with the warm stones is the equivalent of five to ten with the hand, circulation is boosted, muscle tension released and a sense of well being is achieved. This is a lifestyle treatment, it erases the whirl wind of day to day existence and refreshes the mind, body & soul.

Massages Available
Hot Stones Full Body.............................€60.00
Hot Stones Back Massage.....................€40.00
Hot Stones Neck, Shoulder & Face.......€35.00

Indian Head Massage...........................€27.50

Aromatherapy Full Body.......................€50.00
Aromatherapy Back...............................€30.00
Aromatherapy Neck & Shoulder..........€20.00
Aromatherapy Neck/Shoulder/Face....€25.00

Aromatherapy essential oils are blended to each individual clients needs, should that be physical or emotional, they can help achieve balance and harmony in their lives, essential oils can help with depression, insomnia, fatigue, stress, pmt, asthma, sinus blockage, muscle tension and many more….

Basic Full Body.......................................€45.00
Basic Back...............................................€25.00
Basic Neck & Shoulder..........................€15.00
Basic Neck/Shoulder/Face...................€20.00
Basic Full Leg Massage........................€20.00
Basic Foot Massage..............................€15.00
Basic Full Leg & Foot Massage............€30.00

A pre-blended mineral oil is used for all other Massages.

Vouchers Available

Introduction to Travel Photography Course Last Week

Contributed

We were delighted to receive these photos taken by Lone Kallqvist on last weeks' Travel Photography course. We also thought you would like to read her message.

"What a wonderful and informative morning. Packed with good ideas given to you in a very nice and pleasant way. With just 4 hours of tuition I feel a much better photographer than before. It just went too fast. Could easily have spent the whole day out!"

Don't miss the last course - on Wednesday, 4th April - for more information or to book please send e-mail to mail@hotelgarbe.com

Dinner Menu Tonight

MENU

Chef’s Salads

Tomato Soup

“Red Fish “ Rolls with “Pernod”

Sliced Bream Fish with Almonds

Kebabs with Mustard Sauce

Roast Leg of Lamb with Aromatic Herbs

Oven-Baked Pasta

Cheese

Selection of Desserts

House Wine

20 Euros per person

Royal British Legion Lunch

A few photos from Wednesdays Royal British Legion Lunch. Visiting members or indeed any serving or retired member of HM Forces are welcoming at the monthly lunch which takes place on the third Thursday of the month.Please contact Peter Wilkinson 289791699 (e-mail thewilkinsons@iol.pt )

The Beach Today - 22nd March, 2007

Travel Photography - additional course

Following the success of the Travel Photography Courses this winter - we are running one additional date - Wednesday, 4th April, 2007.

The 4-hour course starts at 9.00am at the Hotel Garbe.

Have you ever wished you knew more about your camera so that you could take better photographs? This course is designed to help you develop your camera skills and techniques to enable you to create images which capture the real mood and atmosphere of your travel destinations. Bring along your camera, whether it’s film or digital and enjoy a fresh approach to your photography. Price per person 40 euros

To book or for more information, please contact Vicki on 282 320260 or e-mail info@hotelgarbe.com.

Should you go back?

Contributed -

Is it a good idea to return to the venue of a successful winter bowling holiday the following year? Well we did and it was.

This February over forty members of Cockfosters Bowling Club and their friends returned to the Hotel Garbe in the Algarve and the unanimous verdict was that it was even better than last time.

The hotel has a perfect location, right on the beautiful beach, but within the busy resort of Armacao de Pera. We were made to feel so welcome, the facilities were first class and the food was excellent.

During the week we enjoyed a couple of games of bowls, with lunch at Club Santo Antonio in Alvor and, to ensure we didn't miss out on what Portugal has to offer, its visitors we left time for some coach trips to local places of interest. The time just flew past and, all too soon, we were back at Faro Airport for the return flight.

Will we go back nest year? Well we will have to wait and see but it would be difficult to find a better base for a prefect out of season group holiday.

For information on the Hotel Garbe call Vicki Good on 00351 282 320360 and take the first step in arranging a first class Winter Break for your group.

Gerry Green - Cockfosters Bowling Club

Friday the Thirteenth

Contributed by Jeanette Elliott

We had the Pirates of the Caribbean swashbuckling alongside the Sheiks of Armacao de Pera. We even got sight of a pink rabbit scuttling through the corridors – but the real showstoppers of the last fancy dress night were the friends who donned elegant black frocks and diamonds and gave us full (mimed) rendition of the Three Degrees. They went down a storm on the audience clap-ometer and walked off with the loot.

So folks with this in mind we have set you a challenge – on Friday the 13th of April we are having a special night in two parts. Part one is the Faking It Fancy dress. Come along as your favourite character (bring your CD to mime to if it helps the illusion) and see if you can impress the Audience.

Part two is something new to the Garbe but based on very successful evenings in the past, which incidentally started on a Friday the 13th, where anyone with a talent can have a five minute slot to perform live to a friendly audience – but please note this is NOT a Karaoke. So if you are a closet Poet, a musician or a comic, a storyteller or singer get in touch and let us know you want to take part. Remember you have five minutes of FAME. Come and show us what you can do.

For more information about this event please send e-mail to info@hotelgarbe.com

Photographs from the Garden Design and Appeciation Course

These photographs are from the Garden Design and Appreciation Course which took place in February. The course was a great success and we are already planning for next winter. Please let us know if you would like to receive information we will add you to our mailing list.

Coming up - Lunch with speakers

Algarve Artists Society February Meeting

Contributed

We viewed a video of artist Frank Clark from his television series on Water Colour painting. This was provided by Harry and viewed on a laptop.

Afterwards we judged the entries for the Animal Matters Competition and Jan’s painting of Shire Horses was picked as the winner by Harry who was this month’s judge.

AAS Information

An Exhibition of members of the Society that have attended up to date is to be held at the Hotel Garbe on 28th and 29th April in conjunction with Sally Dawson’s annual Exhibition.

The first meeting of the AAS was held at theHotel Garbe on 15th March 2006, so it is our 1st anniversary this month.

We now have membership cards; these can be used at the Art Shop near the Cemetery in Portimão to obtain a 10% discount on purchases. We hope to include more supplier’s discounts in future.

We would be pleased to receive applications for new members
Contact info:- Sally Dawson Mobile 917408508 or Harry Hopley Mobile 966033124

Hunger Lunch raises awareness and cash

International Women's Day

From Hunger lunch

Forty women celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8th with a “Hunger lunch” The main purpose of the day was to raise funds for the charity “Friends of Cambodia” Local businesses donated items and the venue, The Hotel Garbe, at Armação de Pera generously covered some of the costs. Combined proceeds from a raffle and the lunch raised a total of 470 euros, which will help provide education and healthcare for young children in Cambodia.

“A little goes a long way” said Geraldine Willcox MBE, who addressed the meeting. Cambodia is one of the poorest countries in the world and its children suffer severely for want of education and basic healthcare. A child can be fed, clothed, housed and educated for 12 euros a month. The audience was visibly moved as they listened to Geraldine describe conditions in the refugee camps she had visited across the poorest parts of Africa and Asia.

For more information see www.friendsofcambodia.net

Contribution - Theatre Dinner Review

Only a week has past since Pauline and I attended "the plays".

Below 4 what it is worth, is my record the night's entertainment, exclusive of the very good quality Indian meal, of course!


The following 2 plays presented to those of us lucky enough to get tickets to attend the latest of Hotel Garbe's "Meal and Thespian" night last week must surely agree with some if not all of my sentiments as set out below:

WOULD YOU LIKE A CUP OF TEA (BY WARREN GRAVES)

I innuendoes galore
N ever a dull moment
N ice and a little naughty
U sual boy/girl scenario x 2
E xcellent production
N ever a "slip-up"
D amn good play
O vation of audience at Final Curtain-"said it all"

Barbara & John Mountford acted their respective parts as though they were not married to one another. Praise indeed!

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THICKER THAN WATER (BY NICKY MORAN)

DRACULA sped in at the start of the play, which depicted the slick dialogue banter, brilliantly performed.
COUNT (Tom Hardy) really got his teeth into his lines!
COUNTESS (Nicky Moran) excelled with those inquisitive, flashy eyes and in true "wifely" fashion, not only attended to "hubbie's" thirst with Arterial or Vein Wine I recall,
but also managed to win all the arguments (well she would, wouldn't she, having written the script!?), inclusive of not allowing the Count to literally "lend a
hand" to their "dungeon-bound" man-servant, even though the chap was "stumped"-so to speak. If you get the drift!

With DRACULA being one of the star players, final assessment must read "BLOODY GOOD"!
Can I see a TV "soap" in the wings?


R A L T.

Coming up - Charity Grand Buffet Dinner and Dance

Introduction to Travel Photography Course - Photos and Comment

Here are three of the participants on last weeks Introduction to Travel Photography Course.
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John was delighted to receive this e-mail from one of the participants:-

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Hi John,

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Just wanted to say thank you for yesterday. I thoroughly enjoyed the morning - and weren't we lucky with the weather. I now feel inspired to actually read the instruction book.

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My husband showed me how to download the pictures on to our computer and even he was quite impressed with the results.

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Many, many thanks for having such patience with us.

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Jenny

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There are two Introduction to Travel Photography Courses taking place in March - Wednesday, 7th March and Wednesday, 14th March - for more information or to book your place - please telephone 282 320260 or e.mail: info@hotelgarbe.com

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These are a few of the photographs taken during last weeks course.

What's On - March, 2007

Thursday, 1st March - NUNO – Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Friday, 2nd March - Alan Storm - Singer - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Saturday, 3rd March - Nuno - Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Sunday, 4th March - Carlos Pontes - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Monday, 5th March –SING ALONG with Rita - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00-9.30pm
Monday, 5th March – Nuno - Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Tuesday, 6th March - Arte Viva - Music for dancing - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Wednesday, 7th March - Musical Quiz with Rita - Bar Boa Vista - 4.00pm
Wednesday, 7th March - Nuno - Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Thursday, 8th March – HUNGER LUNCH – RESTAURANT “RAJ – 12.30pm
Thursday, 8th March - Ilze – Singer - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Friday, 9th March - NUNO – Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Saturday, 10th March – SANDRA & JORGE- Music for Dancing - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Sunday, 11th March - Presumed Innocent - Dancers - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Monday, 12th March –SING ALONG with Rita - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00-9.30pm
Monday, 12th March - Folklore Dancers - Bar Boa Vista - 9.30pm
Tuesday,13th March - NUNO – Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Wednesday, 14th March - Musical Quiz with Rita - Bar Boa Vista - 4.00pm
Wednesday, 14th March - João Caracol – Music for dancing - 9.00pm
Thursday 15th March - Nuno - Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Friday, 16th March - Alan Storm - Singer - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Saturday, 17th March - NUNO - Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Sunday, 18th March - Carlos Pontes - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Monday, 19th March - Nuno - Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Monday, 19thMarch - SING ALONG with Rita - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00-9.30pm
Tuesday, 20th March - Arte Viva - Music for dancing - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Wednesday, 21st March- Musical Quiz with Rita - Bar Boa Vista - 4.00pm
Wednesday, 21st March - Nuno - Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Thursday, 22nd March - Ilze – Singer - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Friday, 23rd March - TGIF LUNCH – Restaurant “RAJ” –12.15 -1.00pm
Friday, 23rd March - Nuno - Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Saturday, 24th March - SANDRA & JORGE- Music for Dancing - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Sunday, 25th March - Presumed Innocent - Dancers - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Monday, 26th March –SING ALONG with Rita - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00-9.30pm

Monday, 26th March - Folklore Dancers - Bar Boa Vista - 9.30pm
Tuesday, 27th March - NUNO – Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Tuesday, 27th March - THEATRE DINNER – 7.00 - 7.30pm– Raj Restaurant

Wednesday, 28th March - Musical Quiz with Rita - Bar Boa Vista - 4.00pm
Wednesday 28th March -THEATRE DINNER - 7.00 - 7.30pm– Raj Restaurant
Wednesday, 28th March - João Caracol – Music for dancing - 9.00pm

Thursday 29th March – Nuno - Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Friday, 30th March - Alan Storm - Singer - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm
Saturday, 31st March – Dinne in Aid of Lagoa Bombeiros –Restaurant “Por do Sol” – 7.30pm
Saturday, 31st March - NUNO - Resident Organist - Bar Boa Vista - 9.00pm

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The facilities and entertainment featured may change without notice.

Courses coming up

Painting Course – 12th, 13th, 14th & 16th March, 2007
The painting course consists of four 3-hour sessions. Colourful fishing boats, crystalline waters, white washed old houses on narrow cobble stones streets, wrapped in magnificent light makes Algarve an artist’s dream spot. Beginner or experienced artists will benefit from such an inspiration which will be guided by the experienced instructor Manuela Vale on a one to one basis with an introduction lecture to the relevant points on painting on location. Special attention will be placed on perspective, hue, colour temperature and above all light. 180 Euros per person If you choose to have materials included (canvas board, and acrylics) it will be an additional 20 Euros.

Introduction to Portuguese Wine Course - 12th and 13th March, 2007
Wine experts now agree that the quality of Portuguese wines have vastly improved over the last decade. Come and decide for yourself . Whether you simply drink or taste wine this course is for you. The course consists of two 4 hour sessions including lunch – this will be an excellent opportunity to combine the wines with food. A team of wine buffs from WineMine, an established local wine company, will guide you through the finer points of Portuguese wines including A brief history of Portuguese wine making - Tasting techniques and other tips for enjoying wine - The Portuguese table wines, districts and grapes; Port wine – the Portuguese legacy….Madeira and Moscatel. By the end of the course a total of 16 table wines and ports will be tasted aiding your understanding and enriching your experience Each day we will be tasting the wines on their own and then with lunch giving you a chance to put your new skills to the test. 105 Euros per person (Includes tasting wines, two lunches and a course certificate).

Creative Writing Course – 12th, 13th, 14th & 15th March, 2007
This course consists of four 3-hours sessions. If you enjoy writing, and would like to learn creative writing for profit or pleasure, this is the course for you. Jenny Grainer, a professional journalist, will provoke your writing skills. Start that book or your memoirs for future generations to remember you by? 125 Euros per person.

An Introduction to Travel Photography - Wednesdays, 7th and 21st March, 2007
This 4-hour course starts at 9.00am at the Hotel Garbe. Have you ever wished you knew more about your camera so that you could take better photographs? This course is designed to help you develop your camera skills and techniques to enable you to create images which capture the real mood and atmosphere of your travel destinations. Bring along your camera, whether it’s film or digital and enjoy a fresh approach to your photography. Price per person 40 euros

Introduction to the Portuguese Language, History and Culture Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th March 2007
This weekend course starts on Saturday at 10.00am at the Hotel Garbe. To understand the culture of a country you need know its history, or at least some of it. The objective of this course is to tell you about the history and the development of Portugal throughout the years and how that affects the country’s culture and mentality.Hand in hand with the history and culture is a language as unique as any Latin language.Learning Portuguese can become an interesting challenge but the idea of this weekend is to learn the basics, common expressions, building sentences and conversational Portuguese.We will use role-play activities, games and many other learning activities. Join us and get to know the real Portugal