People 1 - Berto, Snack Bar Ana-Raquel.

This is the first in what will be a series of articles on people you are likely to encounter in Santa Luzia. I have done my utmost to ensure any facts reported are accurate but in truth most of what I will have to say is merely my opinion for which I take full responsibility.

"Feliz" Berto

As reported in a previous post, last year Snack Bar Ana-Raquel underwent a transformation at the hands of new owner Berto, former manager of Taberna Bibica.

It is not unusual for Portuguese men to have some kind of nickname to distinguish them from all the other men in the local community with the same christian name and what I have gleaned with my meagre Portuguese is that Berto earned his moniker "Feliz" (happy) because of his constant serious to worried expression.

Despite that sombre appearance you could not wish to meet a more amenable man and in the odd moments when Berto manages to stop dashing around doing for his customers and relaxes, his smile is broad and infectious.

Berto's english is pretty good and improving all the time, much better than my faltering Portuguese which he tolerates with great patience and forbearing.

Ana-Raquel opens early (about 8-00am) and closes late depending really on what time the last customers leave.

An excellent range of snacks is available all day including a range of sandwiches, toasties, salads and delicious home made soup.

Draught Heineken and Sagres beers along with a variety of Portuguese and imported bottled beers are always available and at very reasonable prices.

Tea and coffee and a wide range of soft drinks can be had along with a tempting range of Portuguese cakes and pastries.

Very popular with both locals and tourists alike Ana-Raquel is the perfect place to make new Portuguese friends or just sit and soak up the ambiance of Santa Luzia and watch the world go by.

Closed Thursday.

Try:- Galao (pronounced gallon) and pastel de nata. (a long milky coffee in a glass and a Portuguese custard tart)

or Sagres and rissois de camarao (A bottle of Sagres Portuguese lager and a prawn rissole)

http://www.freewebs.com/ana-raquel

Sign Of Progress

At last a sign (literally) of progress on the new harbour.

Erected in the last couple of weeks this sign depicts the area to be converted into the new "Porto De Pesca De Santa Luzia".

Back in April I reported that the Camara (council) had issued a decree that all moored vessels should be removed from the affected area by the 10th of the month on pain of impoundment for non compliance. The majority of the boats were removed and a number of steel portakabins were erected as a site office, since then nothing and slowly but inexorably the boats have crept back to their old moorings.

Everyone in the village seems to have their own inside knowledge into what is impeding progress. Hence 'Joao' will tell you "They wait for the digging machines from Cabanas", where real building work is actually occurring on a small harbour, whereas 'Luis' will knowingly declare "They wait for the dredger from Lisboa".

The real truth seems to be that "They wait" which seems to be the one thing Portuguese and English builders have in common as those of you who have had occasion to hire a builder in either country will well know.

There is also much disagreement over what will actually be done with one party declaring that the fish market is to be demolished and relocated while another declares this to be rubbish and the fish market is staying where it is with perhaps a lick of paint. Time will tell.

The one thing they all noddingly accept and agree upon is when someone sagely declares "Noa Faz mal".

Closer detail of the sign of progress.

I suppose it could just be possible that someone, somewhere has had a sudden fit of common sense and decided that the work would be less disruptive if carried out during the closed season.

Talking about closed season, there have been some rumblings this year from business owners and water taxi operators.

They are unhappy that the powers that be insist the season opens on the 15th of June and closes on the 15th September. They argue, quite rightly in my opinion, that given the Algarve's climate and the huge increase in visitors the season could commence a month earlier and terminate a month later.

All the indications are that tourists from the colder climes of Europe will still be arriving in droves throughout the cooler months of October and November.

I for one certainly intend to be among them!