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.

Dark clouds greeted the ASB members at the start of the November ride in Boliqueime.  After consulting with ASB weather expert Phillipe Payen the ride up into the hills above Salir got underway and it was not long before his forecast of sun shine for the senior bikers turned out to be correct.

There was a good turnout with so many bikes that that ride was split into two groups with a 10 minute gap between the two leaving from the start.

The Rotary Club of Estoi Palace International (RCEPI) organised a fundraising bike ride with Activity Algarve Bike Rides on Sunday 19th November.

The blue skies and sunshine ensured a good turnout and an enthusiastic group of riders cycled all the way up to the top of the Cerro Sao Miguel on a challenging 35 km round trip starting from Estoi Pousada and ending in front of the church in Estoi. Well done to everyone who took part and contributed, donations and sponsorship raised a total of 1000 euros.