Recipes from the Algarve - Fig "Cheese"

Serves 8
250g dry figs
250g almonds

250g sugar

25g powdered chocolate
5g cinnamon
1,5g of aniceed
1,5 dl of water

half a lemon peel scrapings
sugar to taste

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Preparation:
Roast the figs and the almonds. Grind them separately. Put the water, sugar, cinnamon, lemon peel scrapings, aniseed and chocolate in a pan. Heat until the mixture separates when the bottom of the pan is scrapped by a spoon. Add the ground almonds, stir constantly and let it boil for five minutes. Then add the ground figs, continuing to stir and let the mixture boil another five minutes. Separately, sprinkle a shallow pan with granulated sugar, pour the mixture into it and let it cool. Once it is cold, mould one or several "cheeses".

Other Recipes from the Algarve

Sopa da Pedra

Sweet Rice Pudding

Pudim Flan

Dom Rodrigos

Broad beans - Algarve Style

Breakfast fit for a Wizard

Here are a few photos from the Witches and Wizards breakfast which Magna Carta Bookshop held in our Bar Boa Vista last Saturday. The launch of the seventh Harry Potter book gave us the opportunity to prepare a menu that included butter beer milkshakes, cauldron cakes, pumpkin pasties and liquorice wands.

This young lady was the first in line - and as you can see could not wait to start reading.

Our congratulations to eight year old Ellie Artes-Hellier who won a replica Harry Potter wand in the Witches and Wizards look alike contest. Ellie is pictured here with Owen Gee from Kiss FM and Mr. Bill Henderson, the British Consul who judged the contest.

Mark Rawcliffe from the Algarve Resident presented the prizes to the winners of the writing competition - André Martins and Rebecca Reynolds, who each won a free copy of the new book.

Medieval Fair - Silves

Don't miss the annual Medieval Fair in Silves, next month.

From 9th to 15th August, 2007 Silves will be going back in time to the period of the Middle Ages in Portugal.

There will be constant bustle in the streets of the Historical Centre of the City of Silves.

Beggars, acrobats, jugglers, exotic people will all be there.

An event not to be missed.

Visit Silves and experience this return to the past.

Royal British Legion Lunch

A few photographs from this months of The Royal British Legion lunch which took place yesterday.

The Algarve Sub-Branch now has a membership of 150 and meets the 3rd. Wednesday of every month at Hotel Garbe for lunch. . All visiting RBL members are welcome and please join us in the Bar for pre-lunch drinks at mid-day. Please contact Mr. Peter Wilkinson at thewilkinsons@iol.pt.

More photographs can be seen at http://picasaweb.google.com/HotelGarbe/BritishLegionLunch18thJuly2007

This weekend - Armacao de Pera

Saturday, 21st July

Summer Vibes Concert

9.30pm in the Bullring near the Football Ground

5 Euros per person

This weekend - Armacao de Pera

Sunday, 22nd July
Fado Evening

10,00pm in the Bullring near the Football Ground
7,50 Euros per person

Recipes from the Algarve - Broad beans - Algarve Style

Ingredients for four people

800 grs of shelled broad beans

150 grs of black sausage (morcela)
150 grs of red sausage (chouriço vermelho)
2 cloves of garlic
0,25 dl of olive oil
150 grs of bacon

1 bunch of coriander, garlic and onion
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Preparation:
Shell the broad beans. Wash them in cold water and drain them, using a strainer. Place a pan on the flame. Pour in a little water, add the broad beans and cook for about 8 minutes. Drain the water and remove the beans from the pan. Peel the cloves of garlic and mince them. Slice up the sausages and arrange small stripes of bacon. Place the pan on the stove once again, after washing and drying it. Pour in the olive oil and let it warm up. Add the garlic and let it brown, without burning it. Then add the broad beans and a little water. Cover the pan and cook the ingredients. Separately, fry the meat in a frying-pan. Add the meat to the beans that are being cooked and stir until well mixed. Let the mixture thicken. Sprinkle with the coriander and chopped young garlic and onion bulbs.
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Other Recipes

Sopa da Pedra

Sweet Rice Pudding

Pudim Flan

Dom Rodrigos

The beach this morning at 8.00am

Winter Workshop - Garden Design and Appreciation

11th, 12th, 13th and 14th February, 2008






This workshop consists of 4 x 2.5 hr. sessions

10.00am till 12.30 pm

Tutors:

Alan Mason is a former Gardens Manager to the Queen’s cousin at Harewood House in Yorkshire and has presented gardening programmes on TV and radio for over 20 years. Since 1987 Alan has run his own Garden Design business (now with Marylyn) and is considered to be one of Europe’s top garden designers.

Marylyn Webb was for 17 years, Senior presenter and producer at Yorkshire Television, specialising in News, Current Affairs and the Environment. She agreed to make a gardening series at Harewood House and that led to a name change as she is now Marylyn Mason. For 10 years Alan and Marylyn ran their own TV production company where they made gardening programmes from Britain, France, Italy, Spain, Portugal and Holland.

Course content

The course will look at the changing styles of gardens throughout Europe and history. It will show how and why fashions have come and gone.

There will be instruction on garden design, looking at the “bone structure” of a garden, the creation of rooms and the decoration of them.

The use of plants to create different styles and atmospheres will be explored. Examples will be given from some of the best gardens throughout Europe, both large and small.

We will look at how to add value to a property and to make it more desirable and saleable. There will be an opportunity to develop thoughts, ideas and schemes for participants own gardens with Alan and Marylyn.

After this course, Alan and Marylyn will be available to offer garden design consultations for clients. It is also hoped that a series of instructive local garden visits can be arranged.

Price per person – 140 Euros per person

Days Out - Aqualand Water Park

Aqualand Algarve (The Big One) is located in the central area of the Algarve, near the town of Alcantarilha (Armação de Pera), 15 Km from Albufeira. The park has water attractions for all tastes, some totally unique in the country, such as the Banzai, which give moments of joy, fun, adventure and relaxation.

More information on the Aqualand website

Entrance(full day):

Adult: € 17,50

Child (4 to 10 years): € 14,50

Winter Workshops - An Introduction to Travel Photography

Fortnightly – Wednesdays

November, 2007 – March, 2008

First one on 7th November

This 4-hour course starts at 9am at the Hotel Garbe.

Have you ever wished you knew more about your camera so that you could take better photographs?
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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.
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After a short introductory talk, we will visit a variety of local locations where you will be guided through different approaches to photographing selected subjects and scenes. At each location the emphasis will be on composition and exposure and we’ll explore areas such as directional light, colour, tone texture and pattern, among many other topics.

With a maximum of only six participants, you will be assured lots of individual attention and there will be ample opportunity for questions and answers.

We’ll also provide you with a set of course notes so that your new camera skills can be applied in any location.

Your course tutor is John McKinlay, one of the UK’s leading landscape and travel photographers. John has more than 17 years experience of teaching photography and he runs photographic courses and tours in Scotland, Portugal, Cyprus and North Africa.

Bring along your camera, whether it’s film or digital and enjoy a fresh approach to your photography.

Price per person 40 euros

Winter Workshop Dates

25th, 26th 28th and 29th September – Leisure Painting
15th, 16th, 17th and 19th October – Leisure Painting
Wednesday, 24th October, 2007 - Computer Training
Saturdays, 20th and 27th October, 2007 – Creative Writing
Wednesday, 7th November – Introduction to Travel Photography
Monday, 12th and Tuesday, 13th November – Introduction to Portuguese Wine
Monday, 12th November - Take Better Family Photos
Tuesday 13th and Thursday 15th November, 2007– Creative Writing
19th, 20th, 22nd and 23rd November – Leisure Painting
Wednesday, 21st November – Introduction to Travel Photography
Wednesday, 21st November, 2007 - Computer Training
Monday, 26th November - Take Better Family Photos
Wednesday, 5th December – Introduction to Travel Photography
Monday, 10th December - Take Better Family Photos
Saturdays 8th and 15th December, 2008– Creative Writing
Wednesday, 19th December – Introduction to Travel Photography
Wednesday, 2nd January – Introduction to Travel Photography
Monday, 7th January - Take Better Family Photos
Wednesday, 16th January – Introduction to Travel Photography
Monday, 21st January - Take Better Family Photos
Wednesday, 30th January – Introduction to Travel Photography
Monday, 4th February - Take Better Family Photos
11th, 12th, 13th and 14th February, 2008 - Garden Design and Appreciation
Tuesday 12th and Thursday 14th February, 2008 – Creative Writing
Wednesday, 13th February – Introduction to Travel Photography
Monday, 18th February - Take Better Family Photos
18th, 19th, 20th and 21st February – Plants and Flowers of Southern Europe
18th, 19th, 21st and 22nd February – Leisure Painting
Wednesday, 20th February - Computer Training
Wednesday, 27th February – Introduction to Travel Photography
Monday, 3rd March - Take Better Family Photos
Saturdays 8th and 15th March, 2008– Creative Writing
Monday, 10th and Tuesday, 11th March – Introduction to Portuguese Wine
10th, 11th, 13th and 14th March – Leisure Painting
Wednesday, 12th March – Introduction to Travel Photography
Monday, 17th March - Take Better Family Photos
Wednesday, 26th March – Introduction to Travel Photography
Wednesday, 26th March - Computer Training
Monday, 31st March - Take Better Family Photos
Monday 7th and Friday 11th April, 2008– Creative Writing
Wednesday, 9th April – Introduction to Travel Photography

Algarve Karting

The Almancil Karting Park is is a total leisure and competition complex

The main track itself race track is 760m, a replica of a former Formula One Brazilian race track that was called Jacarepegua.

The Almancil Karting receives over 250.000 visitors every year and was in fact inaugurated by the late Ayrton Senna.

Adult Track (160cc, 390cc and 400cc), Junior Track (120cc), Babies Track (Mini F1), Rodeo, Trampolines, Mini Boats, Indoor Mini Z, Mechanical bull, Snack-Bar open all day for snacks and drinks

Everything so that any person, of any age, can enjoy a pleasant leisure day!
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For more information please see Almancil Karting website.

Almancil Karting is open all year round.

More from our Inbox

From: Adrian Durham [mailto:]

Sent: terça-feira, 3 de Julho de 2007 10:39

To: hotelgarbe@mail.telepac.pt

Subject: message for Vicki Good from Adrian Durham, talkSPORT


Vicki

Thanks for sorting me out - the hotel was perfect - location wonderful - in fact it's the most chilled weekend I've ever had. Sorry I didn't get to meet up with you - didn't want to bother you at work to be honest. I think we may come back in the Autumn so I'll get in touch.
Thanks again

Best wishes
Adrian Durham

APAA Barbeque - 14th July, 2007

at The Hotel Garbe - Armação de Pêra

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In aid of The Association for the Protection of Animals Algarve

(Beautiful setting on the terraces overlooking the sea)

SATURDAY 14TH JULY, 7.30PM.

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Dance to the very versatile ‘HOWARD PARKIN’

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HAWAAIN theme

Prizes will be given for the best “HAWAAIN” outfit

and also for the best “LIMBO DANCER”.
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25 per person - includes Indian BBQ with wine and water

(half price for children under 12 years)

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For further details or reservations please contact Linda Pixley on 91 936 8726 (or fax 282 471 347), Jane on 282 320 260 or Jenny on 91 904 1903

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This will be a ticket only event, so please book early

What's On - July, 2007

Sunday, 1st July - Presumed Innocent – Dancers -9.45pm
Monday, 2nd July - Nuno – Resident Organist
Tuesday, 3rd July - Arte Viva - Music for dancing
Wednesday, 4th July – Joao Caracol – Barbeque Night – 7.30pm
Thursday 5th July - The Kotland Trio – Music for Dancing
Friday, 6th July – Xico - Guitar
Saturday, 7th July – Sandra & Jorge - Barbeque Night - 7.30pm

Sunday, 8th July – Carlos Pontes - Music for dancing
Monday, 9th July - Folklore Dancers - 10.00pm
Tuesday, 10th July – Arte Viva - Music for dancing
Wednesday, 11th July - Joao Caracol – Barbeque Night – 7.30pm
Thursday, 12th July - Ilze – Singer
Friday, 13th July - Xico - Guitar
Saturday, 14th July - Sandra & Jorge- Barbeque Night – 7.30pm
Sunday, 15th July – Presumed Innocent -Dancers - 9.45pm
Monday, 16th July – Nuno – Resident Organist
Tuesday, 17th July – Arte Viva - Music for dancing
Wednesday, 18th July - Joao Caracol - Barbeque Night – 7.30pm

Thursday 19th July – The Kotland Trio – Music for Dancing
Friday, 20th July – Xico - Guitar
Saturday, 21st July - Sandra & Jorge - Barbeque Night – 7.30pm
Sunday, 22nd July - Carlos Pontes - Music for dancing
Monday, 23rd July – Folklore Dancers - 10.00pm
Tuesday, 24th July – Arte Viva - Music for dancing
Wednesday, 25th July - Joao Caracol – Music for dancing

Thursday, 26th July – Ilze – Singer
Friday, 27th July - Xico - Guitar
Saturday, 28th July - Sandra & Jorge - Barbeque Night – 7.30pm
Sunday, 29th July - Presumed Innocent – Dancers -9.45pm
Monday, 30th July - Nuno – Resident Organist
Tuesday, 31st July - Arte Viva - Music for dancing

Happy Hour every day with Nuno - Resident Organist – From 6.00 to 8.00pm

Weekly
Mondays –9.30am - Pilates - Advanced Class – Chelb Room
Sunday Evenings - 6.00pm - Silver Exhibition - Reception Area
Thursday Evenings - 6.00pm - Pearl Exhibition - Reception Area
Fridays – 9.30am - Pilates - Advanced Class - Chelb Room
Sunday Evenings - 6.00pm - Silver Exhibition - Reception Area

Fortnightly
Mondays – 2.30pm- 4.30pm - Middle Eastern Beginners Dancing Classes ( 9th & 23rd July)
Mondays – 2.30pm- 4.30pm - Middle Eastern Advanced Dancing Classes ( 2nd, 16th & 30th July)

Monthly
Monthly - First Thursday - 10.30pm - 12.30pm Writing Circle ( 5th July)


The facilities and entertainment featured may change without notice

Butterbeer Milkshakes at the Hotel Garbe

Wizards and Witches Breakfast

Join us in the Bar Boa Vista on July 21st, from 9am - 1pm

Buy your "Harry Potter & The Deathly Hallows" and treat yourself to a wicked breakfast

Butterbeer Milkshakes……… 3,50€

Liquorice Wands………………. 0,50€

Calming Teas………….……….. 2,00€

Cauldron Cake…………...……. 1,50€

Pumpkin Pasties………..……. 2,00€

Coffee with Milk……………… 2.00€

Fresh Orange Juice…….……. 2,80€

Toast with butter……….……. 2,50€
Hot Chocolate……………..…. 2,00€

Pancake with honey.............2,50€

Pancake with lemon.......…… 2,50€

Be among the first 20 people to buy your copy of the seventh Harry Potter book and win a Genuine Feather Quill.

Participate in the Harry Potter Look-alike contest - the best will win a Harry Potter Replica Wand

Please contact Susanna at Magna Carta for more information or to reserve your copy of the book now (for collection on 21st July) info@magnacartabookshop.com Tel/Fax: (+351) 282 496 001

Winter Workshops - Leisure Painting

25th, 26th 28th and 29th September. (Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday)
15th, 16th, 17th and 19th October. (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday)
29th October -2nd November, 2007 (Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Friday)
20th, 21st, 22nd and 23rd November(Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)
19th, 20th, 21st and 22nd February(Tuesday, Wednesday,Thursday, Friday)
11th, 12th, 13th and 14th March (Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday)

The workshop runs for four days from 10:00 am to 13:00


You may work in any media, if you do choose to have the supplies included they are acrylics



The painting is done on location.

Two days are spent by the unique Portuguese fishing boats.

The other two days from scenery with cliffs and local flora, flowering almonds trees (depending on the time of the year)


Some of the points that will be covered during the workshop:-



Use of the view finder as a composition helper,
Relation of the basic shapes to the topic.
Use of the vertical and horizontal line to determine angles .
Proportions.
Fundamental of basic drawing.
Perspective.
Initiation to the colour wheel .
Colour theory
Colour exercises.
Importance of shadows.
Shadow colours
Reflected light
Glazing,washes.
Reflections
Values, intensity and use of compliment colours.
Soft edges versus hard edges.
How to create harmony.

Tutors Comment: Art should be an individual statement, the tools (theory) I will be giving you are aids for your own personal development,they will serve to take the frustration and anxiety away from such a special moment which is painting.

If the weather does not permit we will work in the studio from still life's.


Still life normally takes up only one days work, in that case we will incorporate tile painting with typical Portuguese designs.



180 Euros per person




If you choose to have materials included (canvas board, and acrylics) it will be an additional 20 Euros.



Don't miss it - for more information or to book tel: 282 320260 or send e-mail to mailto: info@hotelgarbe.com



Please ask for details of our other Winter Workshops.