Contributed - February FUNd raising

Lynn Love, Martin Binks, Carole Good-Dixon and Derrick Watts teamed up in February to have some fun while fund raising for the Pirilampos and Gaivota Childrens Homes in Albufeira.

After presenting two well attended Quiz Nights in the Hotel Garbe Lynn and Martin moved on to The Village Inn, Mexilhoeira de Carragacao where the inaugural 'Carole's Buddies Event' was being held. An after lunch session of Lynn and Martin's version of that old TV favourite 'Mr and Mrs' produced lots of laughter both from the audience and the three volunteer couples in the hot seats!

The three events raised 350 Euros for the charity and Lynn, Martin, Carole and Derrick would all like to thank everyone who attended and supported the raffles.

Lynn and Martin's April fund raising events will be for Castelo de Sonhos in Silves with an Easter Egg Hunt around Armacao de Pera followed by an Easter Bonnet Competition in the Hotel Garbe on Sunday 4th followed by a Quiz Night on 5th. See the Hotel Garbe website for details or telephone Lynn on 919 266 770.

If you would like more information on future Carole's Buddies events telephone 966 571 639.

APAA Pancake Day Fun - Contributed

The Pancake Day Races on the beach in front of the Hotel Garbe, Armação de Pêra, were sabotaged by high winds and a very high tide. However, Plan B was put into action and we all enjoyed an impromptu Beetle Drive.

Despite the howling wind outside there was lots of laughter inside with cries of “Beetle!” ringing out. Elsa Barrego, of ADAP animal charity from Portimão, won the first prize hamper in the Beetle Drive with the indomitable Carole Good-Dixon picking up the third prize wooden spoon, her niece having taken the second prize bottle of wine.

The Hotel sold wonderful pancakes and very generously gave all the profits to APAA. An APAA stall sold marmalades, chutneys, books and sundry small items. The tombola was a great success, with some lovely prizes to be won. Despite the awful weather everyone had tremendous fun and helped to raise €420 to be used in animal welfare.

There will be another opportunity to enjoy a Beetle Drive at 6.30pm on Saturday 27 February at Café-Bar Bacchus, Porches Pottery on the EN 125. Tickets costing €10 for members and €12 for non-members include a two course dinner and coffee. This event is limited to 32 people so please ring to reserve. Contact Jenny on 919 041 903 or Pat on 918 550 355.

Calendar of Events

Events in the Hotel

Easter Sunday, 4th April - Charity Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Bonnet Parade

Monday, 5th April - Charity Quiz

Tuesday, 6th April - Algarve Ladies Lunch

Thursday, 15th April - Fantastic Things

Thursday, 29th April - Fantastic Things

Friday, 30th April - Dinner, Live Music and Entertainment from Class Act

Sunday, 2nd May - Mother's Day Lunch

24th - 27th June - Caldeirada (Typical Fish Dish) Festival

Saturday, 25th December - Swim for Shoes - Dip in the Sea for Charity
Saturday, 25th December - Christmas Day Gala Dinner
Friday, 31st December - New Years Eve Gala Dinner and Dance
Saturday, 1st January - Swim for Shoes - Dip in the Sea for Charity

Events Nearby

22nd May - 22nd October - Fiesa - the International Sand Sculptures Festival
5th and 6th June - Algarve International Fair - Lagoa
23rd June - Traditional Dancing through the streets of Armação de Pêra
24th - 27th June - Caldeirada (Typical Fish Dish) Festival - Armação de Pêra
7th - 15th August - Medieval Fair - Silves

Sunday, 8th August - Procession in Honour of Our Lady of the Fisherman

20th - 29th August - Fatacil - Lagoa

16th - 19th September - Lit. Algarve (International Literature Festival)

Sunday, 19th September - Procession in Honour of Nossa Senhora dos Aflitos

21st - 29th August, 2009 - Fatacil in Lagoa

August White Night - Loule

Sunny today

Coming up - Monday, 1st March, 2010

EUROPE’S MOST SOUTHERN ENGLISH LITERARY SALON

ALFA – the association of literature friends in the Algarve holds a literature salon in English.

Every first Monday of the month, at 7.30 p.m. sharp a gathering of authors and readers will inspire to unknown creativity.

ALFA is not a book club, where you have to read certain books in order to participate.

Here you listen to others reading, get food for thought and become inspired to read or write, paint or sing, simply be creative.

Next event: Monday, 1st March, 2010

We will have the great pleasure to listen to the dutch bestselling novelist Heleen Van Royen. Her books are read by Millions, translated into 20 odd languages, made into films and theatre.
Come along and meet a real superstar writer.
www.Heleenvanroyen.nl (click on international and read about her in no less than 16 languages!)

When: 7.30 pm sharp

Where: Convento de S. José, Lagoa

All Welcome

For more information: www.alfacultura.com
http://blog.alfacultura.com
mail: fellgiebel@mail.telepac.pt

Raj at Garbe Newsletter

Raj at Garbe February Newsletter now available please click here

Ladies Network Group

We were very pleased that the "New" Ladies Network Group choose the Hotel Garbe for their February meeting this morning - please see a below a few photographs. More photos here

Menu for this weeks' Theatre Dinner

Vegetable Somosas
A triangular shaped pastry filled with minced vegetables and deep fried

Chicken Pokora
Minced breast of chicken mixed with mild spices and gram flour and deep fried

Lamb Dopiza
Boneless leg of lamb in a spicy sauce with onions

Chicken Korma
Boneless chicken cooked with Punjabi Masala sauce, coconut and cream

Gobi Alu
Cauliflower and potatoes braised together with turmeric and fresh coriander

Mushroom Bajhi
Mushrooms cooked with onions and tomatoes

Pilau Rice

Naan Bread

Kulfi
Indian mango ice cream
Is a popular flavored frozen dessert made from milk which originated in
South Asia. It has similarities to ice cream in taste, texture and preparation

Coffee

½ Bottle House Wine, Water and Soft Drinks

24th & 25th February 2010 Euros: 30,00 per person

Royal British Legion February Lunch

A few photos of the Royal British Legion lunch which took place last Wednesday

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..For more information please contact their Secretary David Mossman on 282332665 or e-mail dacemoss@sapo.pt

More photos can be seen here

International Women's Day

International Women's Day is marked on March 8 every year.

It is a major day of global celebration for the economic, political and social achievements of women past, present and future.

To commemorate this day the Hotel Garbe in Armação de Pêra is offering one free dinner with in each group of four women who dine in their restaurant on the evening of International Women's Day - Monday 8th March, 2010

Buffet Dinner with Wine - 20 Euros per person - Special Offer - Book 4 pay 3.

Do not miss this offer - book now - info@hotelgarbe.com Tel: 282 320260

Be Hip Show

We are delighted that the beach of Armação de Pêra in front of the Hotel Garbe is featured on this months Be Hip Show - please see http://www.hipalgarve.net/.

Recipes from the Algarve - Bolo Delícia do Algarve - Algarve Cake

Ingredients: (12 servings)

1 lb of sugar
25 egg yolks
1/2 lb of Almonds
2 oz tinned pumpkin
3 oz. margarine
7 oz. Malabar Gourd jam (sometimes called the Fig Leaf Gourd)
Cinnamon
Cherries / and or other fruit for decoration.

How to Cook:
In a sauce pan, boil the sugar for a few minutes until it thickens and becomes gooey, fold the sugar into the egg yolks stirring very quickly.

Add the almonds, the margarine and the pumpkin (which should be in small chunks or slices) and replace on the heat until it thickens up again.

Remove from the heat. Butter a cake tin and line it with grease-proof paper. Pour in the mixture until it covers the bottom.

Then add a layer of cinnamon and then the Malabar Gourd. Repeat the layers until all ingredients used up.

Put in a pre-heated oven for 10 minutes. Decorate with cherries or other fruit.

Other Recipes from Portugal
Sopa da Pedra
Cataplana
Caldeirada Broad beans - Algarve Style
Green Peas and Eggs
Sweet Rice Pudding
Pudim Flan
Dom Rodrigos
"Fig" Cheese
Octopus Rice

Getting Ready for Valentines Day

Carnival Nights

Sunday 14th & Tuesday 16th February
21.00hrs / 9.00.pm

Domingo 14 de Fevereiro & 3ª-Feira 16 de Fevereiro

Prémio para o melhor traje Prize for the best Outfit

TODOS BENVINDOS *** ALL WELCOME *** ALLE SIND HERZLICH WILKOMMEN

Thank you for your feedback

Review from a recent guest

The facilities were excellent and the staff were generally very helpful and friendly. We enjoyed the swimming pool, especially as we didn't expect it to be warm enough to use at the beginning of February! The breakfasts were delicious and plentiful. Thank you

Easter at the Hotel Garbe

Holiday at Easter? - book 7 nights and pay 6. And children come free.

Valid for bookings made before 28th February, 2010. www.hotelgarbe.com .

In our Inbox

Just a quick note to thank you for such a great week at the Garbe. I am sorry we did not get to speak with you but I guess you must have been quite busy.

As always the staff and surroundings were top notch and the weather on Thursday and Friday was absolutely brilliant. I know June enjoyed her stay tremendously and is already looking forward to her visit next year.

Hopefully we will be able to join her again for her last week.

Kind Regards

Contributed - Charity Quiz Night - 1st March

In the Hotel Garbe, Armação de Pera
Monday 1st March 2010

QUIZ NIGHT - Monday, 1st March
Winners Prize worth €25


With fund raising raffle
sponsored by
Diamond Cleaning Services
Home, Car or Boat – its sparkling
Tlm 919 305 588

proceeds to
local Bombeiros

Starts 8 pm
€2.50 per person
Teams of 2 – 6 people welcome
Bar and Snacks Available

Tlm 919 266 770 or call in to book your table

Easter Egg Hunt and Easter Bonnet Competition

Easter Egg Hunt followed by an Easter Bonnet Competition

Prizes for best childrens and adults bonnets

Sunday, 4th April 2010

at 3.00 pm

€5,00 adults/€2,50 children
proceeds to Castelo de Sonhos, Silves

Don’t miss it book now.

For more information or to book your place – please contact Hotel Garbe - 282 320260 or info@hotelgarbe.com.- www.hotelgarbe.com

Contributed - 5th ALFA Contest

TRACES - SPUREN - TRAÇOS

is the theme of the 5th ALFA contest:

ALFA, the association of literature and film friends in the Algarve, is running its fifth multimedia Competition.

The theme is TRACES - SPUREN - TRAÇOS

It can be a painting, photo, sculpture, song, or any other medium. Traces is everything: evidence in criminal cases, foot prints, finger prints, prints in the sand, in the snow, prints that animals leave, historical residue, wrinkles, anything that leaves a mark.....

The entry must be your own work.

The entries will be exhibited in an interactive exhibition in the Convento S. José thus every visitor votes for his/her favourite item. The entry with most votes wins: The ALFI*

*ALFI is ALFA’s mascot, a reading rat, designed in Raku ceramic technique by German artist Christa Widmann. In other competitions you can win an Oscar or a globe – here you can win an Alfi.

The best entries will be published in a book.

Competition Rules

Unless your entry is submitted as original, (ready to expose!) it should be on CD in JPG.format., 300dpi

Together with the following information:
Name and address of the artist, Title of the Work, Date of Birth, permission to publish the work.
Price of the item (if sold, 20 % goes to ALFA) Please enclose 5 Euros competition fee per item.
Closing date is March the 31st 2010.

1. Participants are reminded that there is no promise to publish their work.
2. Participants must ensure that they are the sole copyright owners of the
submitted work and that no third party rights are violated.
3. Participants authorize ALFA to publish their work without violation of any rights.

The prize ceremony will take place on ALFA´s fifth birthday – in September 2010.

Send entries to:
ALFA, Apartado 376, 8504-913 Portimão, Portugal or deliver the originals to the Convento S. Josè by agreement with Barbara Fellgiebel, Tel. 917 602 607.

email: fellgiebel@mail.telepac.pt
url: www.alfacultura.com

Hotel Garbe – Internet Connection

In the Hotel we have three types of Internet connection

There is a FREE wireless connection in the Bar Boa Vista.

In reception there is a computer for clients use and the cost is € 6 per hour.

There is wifi access in the rooms via a mobile phone company. The rates are as follows:

1 hour € 3
24 hours € 6
72 hours € 15

This is continuous time, you cannot stop and start…

Easter Weekend - Special Package

PROGRAMME

2 nights bed and buffet breakfast
Dinner on Easter Saturday (3rd April)

Sunday pm - Easter Egg Hunt

80,00 Euros per person
in twin room

Single supplement (2 nights) 24,00 Euros
Seaview Supplement (2 nights) per person 24,00 Euros

Extra night in twin –per person 26.00 Euros
Extra night in single 38,00 Euros

Junior Suite supplement (2 nights) per person - 56.00 Euros

Children up to 12 years – 50% reduction when sharing room with parents

For more information or to make a reservation please call us on 282 320260 or send e-mail to info@hotelgarbe.com

Hotel Garbe, Armação de Pêra, Algarve, Portugal

Thank you for your e-mails

We had a wonderful stay at the Hotel Garbe. We found the hotel to be very comfortable and in a superb position overlooked the beach. We will certainly recommend the hotel to our friends and look forward to returning one day.

Warm regards,

Carnival in Armação de Pêra

Don't miss the Carnival in Armação de Pêra.

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On Sunday, 15th and Tuesday, 17th February, 2010 the Annual Carnival Parade will take place on Avenida Beira Mar, Armação de Pêra.

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Not to be missed.....

Raj at Garbe - February Special Promotion

Complimentary Dessert when you next dine in the Raj Indian Restaurant.
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"Kulfi " - Indian Ice Cream

Kulfi or Qulfi is a popular flavored frozen dessert made from milk which originated in South Asia and is popular throughout neighbouring countries in the Middle East. It has similarities to ice cream in taste, texture and preparation.

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Unlike Western ice creams, kulfi is not whipped, resulting in a solid, dense frozen dessert similar to traditional custard based ice-cream.

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Don't miss this opportunity to try "Kulfi".

Bring the voucher with you - www.rajatgarbe.com/voucher.pdf

Book your table now tel:- 282 320260

This offer may not be used in conjunction with any other Raj Promotion

Raj at Garbe

Hotel Garbe,

Armação de Pêra,

Silves, Algarve.

Fish Ahoy! by Gwen Mccauley

Seasonal Fishing Village - 12thC

When I first discovered this small archeological site, high on a cliff overlooking the pounding Atlantic I wondered why any fishing community would choose such an apparently inhospitable location. I mean the climb from the nearest beach would be very demanding and time consuming. You’d be exposed to the fierce winds blowing almost permanently off the ocean and water and firewood would be at a premium.

But then I started to think like a fisherman. High up on this cliff you can see for a long distance in all directions. You could easily see whales, dolphins or tuna passing by. You could probably also stand on the edge of the cliff and look down to see if schools of sardines and other fish had gathered close to shore. Any enemies passing by on foot or by boat would be easy to spot.
And the smelly business of cleaning fish, laying them out to dry in the wind and sun would probably be accomplished on nearby beaches where you could keep an eye on things yet not have to live with the stench.

The constant breeze would keep flies and other bugs away. All in all, probably a good trade for the price of lugging water and wood out to the cliff’s edge.

This Muslim era seasonal fishing village dates from the 12th-13th Century and has been beautifully excavated. It was quite thrilling to discover it nestled on the cliff top with little signage from the dirt road to mark its presence. You really want to have an off-the-beaten-track experience in order to find it. I encourage you to have a go. It is closer to the surfing beach of Amado, near Carrapeteira.

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For the original post please click here

International Women's Day - 8th March, 2010

Vem Festejar - Celebrate with us

Monday 8th March 2010 - 7,30 pm

3 Course Buffet Dinner with Wine - 20 Euros per person
Special Offer - book 4 pay 3

Jantar Bufete com Vinho €: 20 Euros per person
Reserve 4 Pague 3

Stay the night?
Special rate for overnight accommodation & breakfast sharing landview twin room - €:27,00 per person

Especial alojamento 1 noite , em quarto duplo vista terra com pequeno almoço €:27,00 por pessoa

Para reservas por favor contactar // To book please contact 282 320260 or info@hotelgarbe.com.

Hotel Garbe, Armação de Pêra, Silves, Algarve

What's On - Bar Boa Vista - February, 2010

Daily Entertainment – 9.00pm

Monday, 1st February - Nuno - Resident Organist
Tuesday, 2nd February - Ilze - Singer
Wednesday, 3rd February - João Caracol - Music for Dancing
Thursday. 4th February - Nuno - Resident Organist
Friday, 5th February - Nuno - Resident Organist
Saturday, 6th February - Sandra & Jorge – Música Ao Vivo
Sunday, 7th February - Carlos Pontes – Música Ao Vivo
Monday, 8th February - Nuno - Resident Organist
Tuesday, 9th February - Arte Viva - Music for Dancing
Wednesday, 10th February - João Caracol - Music for Dancing
Thursday 11th February - Nuno - Resident Organist
Friday, 12th February - Xico - Guitar Player
Saturday, 13th February – Sandra & Jorge- Music for Dancing
Sunday, 14th February - Carnival Night
Monday, 15th February - Folk Dancing – 9.30 Pm
Tuesday, 16th February - Ilze - Singer - Carnival Night
Wednesday, 17th February - João Caracol - Music for Dancing
Thursday 18th February - Nuno - Resident Organist
Friday, 19th February - Nuno - Resident Organist
Saturday, 20th February - Sandra & Jorge- Music for Dancing
Sunday, 21 St February - Carlos Pontes – Música Ao Vivo
Monday, 22nd February - Nuno - Resident Organist
Tuesday, 23rd February - Arte Viva - Music for Dancing
Wednesday, 24th February - João Caracol - Music for Dancing
Thursday 25th February - Nuno - Resident Organist
Friday 26th February - Xico – Guitar Player
Saturday 27th February - Sandra & Jorge- Music for Dancing

Happy Hour - 20% - Every Day from 6.00 to 9.00pm

The Facilities and Entertainment Featured May Change Without Notice