Grazie mille Venezia

Grazie Mille VeneziaIt was time. Her song was next.

The conductor raised his arms. The 4 rows of choristers stood straight. With a wave of his wrist, a young girl on the front row began, “I am a small part of the world.”
Another clear voice followed with, “I have a small hand which I have to hold.”
Then Grace’s rich tones filled the Chiesa San Stae with beautiful sound as she delivered the remaining 3 lines of the opening verse. We were filled with unparalleled joy.

This week: It's all about numbers

This week: It's all about numbers Written By Len PortFudged figures - As Portugal and other EU members wait with bated breath, it seems that Britain’s referendum on staying or leaving is likely to go down to the wire. The expatriate vote could be decisive, it is said. But does anyone have any idea how many expatriates are out there? The Labour Party leader Jeremy Corbyn told TV viewers, “there are nearly three-quarters of a million British people living in Spain and over two million living in other parts of Europe”. Completely wrong, according to the BBC. The Beeb reckons the true figure for UK-born permanent residents in Spain is 306,000, and for the EU as a whole 1.2 million. The generally accepted figure for British expats in Portugal is only 40,000. No one knows how many if these are eligible to vote. Every vote counts, as they say, but given the confusion and contradictions in the ongoing referendum rigmarole, how many eligible voters will bother?

Slap attack and other cultural news

Slap attack and other cultural newsA review of recent events by journalist and author Len Port.

Protection of pet animals - we need change

Protection of pet animals - we need changeA change should be made with regard to protection of pet animals.
Portugal is the country in Europe where several thousand Swedes, Finns, Norwegians, Danes, Englishmen, Germans and French people now choose to settle in. It has become an explosion that will increase Portugal's income and status.

I am absolutely convinced that we who are moving here have a very good economy, and we spend the money on good food, beautiful clothes, sports, buying apartments and villas, cars, etc.
There will be large amounts we contribute to the country.

THE EVOLUTION OF CRIME? (Tongue firmly in Cheek!) - Part 3

THE EVOLUTION OF CRIME? (Tongue firmly in Cheek!) - Part 3In THE EVOLUTION OF CRIME PART II, we promised to talk about Crime and its Prevention, however let me preempt the introduction and focus on our own local area of The Algarve, Portugal.

THE EVOLUTION OF CRIME? (Tongue firmly in Cheek!) - Part 2

THE EVOLUTION OF CRIME? (Tongue firmly in Cheek!) - Part 2In THE EVOLUTION OF CRIME PART 1, the ‘Haves’ property has now become a gatherable, so what can they do? The ‘Haves’ could have gone back to sharing (on yer bike Chum!), but they didn’t!
Instead, they developed ways of guarding what they had, so they assigned some ‘peeps’ to enact rules, and others to enforce them.

Therefore, some smaller mankinders got jobs as Rule Makers and Guarding people, so whenever a Rule Breaker was caught, they had to be tried.

THE EVOLUTION OF CRIME? (Tongue firmly in Cheek!) - Part 1

THE EVOLUTION OF CRIME? (Tongue firmly in Cheek!) - Part 1After Adam and Eve were evicted from their Garden they went off into the countryside and continued their evolution practice, without the guidance of Mr. Snake nor a continuing diet of Apples.

They therefore continued their new life direction with no visual means of support nor a job or work contract, so they hunted, fished, picked fruit and pretty much survived for the next mega decades until, along the way some bright spark learned to cultivate the land, grow more and more food as well as raising the odd beast and animals that provided milk as well as more food as well as taking the skin and fluffy coverings to clothe themselves. Mankind was now on the way.

The Path to Caliço

The Path to CaliçoThis is the story of the twenty most important years of my life, which I spent in the Algarve, the southernmost province of Portugal. I dedicate it to my daughters, Meinke and Pauline and to my granddaughter Sancha, so it may become part of their history.

CLICK HERE to read.