For economy of language, it would be hard to beat a market trader in Beirut trying to sell me a briefcase with the words, "It's an open-and-shut case, Effendi."  Without further ado, he demonstrated that it was indeed capable of performing both functions.  Perhaps he felt that mentioning the fake gold hinges and faux-leather handle might detract from the allure of its company logo - Gucci spelled with one 'c'.

With the approach of Easter, the commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, a Christian battle is raging within the war in Ukraine.

I am an Emergency Medicine Doctor, UK qualified with over 11 years experience. I fell in love with the beautiful sunny Algarve many years ago.  To my surprise, I bought property here, and I am now even married to a Portuguese citizen!

If you watch fish through a layer of water - I was running out of ways to amuse myself during lockdown - you will see them remaining absolutely still for a long time, for no particular reason, judging by their glassy eyes. And then, with a slight twitch of their fins, they dart away so that they can do nothing again, somewhere else.  

In recent times, we might be forgiven for thinking we were living in a Russian play.  When Irina, the youngest of Chekhov's Three Sisters, says, "How are we supposed to go on like this?" most of us would probably just shrug fatalistically and look glumly at the other two sisters.

It pains me to say this, but your brain is a liar.  Not that you'll believe me once I tell it so.

The Algarve's motorway, A22, was partially built with EU-money; so accordingly should always be free for use by all. This road is key for tourism, as thousands of cars enter Portugal that way.

Searching online for something to read during lockdown, I noticed that Romance was on sale, for as little as £1 in some cases.  If only it was always that easy.