The first ride of the this year was a short tour to the pretty village of Querenca for a coffee at the always popular Cafe Roza in the square opposite the church.
After a short break the riders headed north towards Baranco Velho before turning west towards Benafim then passing through some lovely scenery and down the valley to Santa Margarida on the way to Alte. Although it was a bright sunny day with some clear distant views from the hills there was a cold biting wind and everyone was pleased to have the chance to warm up and enjoy lunch at Restaurante O Folclore in Alte.

On the 9th of January Rotary Club Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) was delighted to welcome our District Governor Afonso Malho from RC Moita, on his official visit.

Following a meeting with the Club Board the DG was welcomed by 40 members, visiting Rotarians and guests. After an excellent lunch in the Grand Salon at Estoi Pousada our President Manuela Robinson presented the DG with a donation from the Club which he will give to the Portuguese Rotary Foundation to support youth projects.

Christmas arrived a few days early for the Bombeiros of the Algarve, when on Friday 22nd December, portable defibrillators were delivered to six more Bombeiros Commands from the OPERATION SHOCK campaign. afpop’s CEO Michael Reeve (pictured in Santa hat and festive jumper) and council president Chris Ireland, presented the equipment to the commanders at a short ceremony at the Portimão Bombeiros station. So far defibrillators have now been supplied to the stations at Aljezur, Lagos, Portimão, Lagoa, Tavira, São Bras and Olhão. Future equipment will be presented to the stations in the order suggested by the Bombeiros Federation.

One of the highlights of the year for members of the Almancil International Rotary Club (AIRC) is when the Youth Exchange Students, sponsored by the club, present reports on their experiences.

On Wednesday it was the turn of the long-term exchange students, Yonela Chiperi and Loredana Privilean, both from Laura Ayres School in Quarteira.

The last event of the year for the Algarve Senior Bikers was the Christmas Charity Lunch which was held again at the Fatacil Restaurant in Lagoa where Marcelo always looks after us so well.

The money raised at the lunch when added to the charity donation riders make to join our rides throughout year meant that on  the 14th of December I was able to present 1600 euros to the Gaivota Home for teenagers in Albufeira.

Almancil International Rotary Club decided not to hold a Christmas Market this year but instead opted for a fund-raising quiz night to raise money to send young students to summer camps in Europe in 2018; a project the club has supported for a number of years. The event was held at the Chinese Gourmet Restaurant in Almancil and raised 1,100 euros.

Drawing the nude. What an honour. How many of us have dared to look and look at a standing naked human being and attempted to interpret our experience in charcoal or paint on paper?
Though ostensibly a sensual, visual experience in the first place, studying the human body and being through drawing soon evolves to become an intellectual and philosophical meditation, developing through minute observations and subtle impulse.

For courageous beginners and artists, new members are made very welcome at these weekly sessions in Paderne and Olhão.

The Saint Andrew’s Society of the Algarve once again held a highly successful Saint Andrew’s Ball at the Penina Hotel on Saturday 25 November with well over 100 participants. Our piper Malcolm MacGillivray greeted guests into the hotel and then led the parade into the ball after the champagne reception.