Summer Times in the Algarve

The Algarve is the source of inspiration for this exciting new collection of short stories, memoirs and poetry. Seventeen contemporary writers both recollect and recreate the lives of people along the Algarve coast from Tavira to Sagres and up into the mountains. They takes us on a journey back in time to the Moors, through the Revolution of April 1974, and into the twenty-first century. Some mourn the vanishing years of the simple pastoral life, impoverished though it was, some celebrate it. Others on short visits have been enchanted or amused by an event with one of its inhabitants, and somehow, when they left a bit of their heart has stayed behind. All of them are united by their fondness of Portugal and its serene and laid-back southern province.

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A Year in Monchique by Paul McKay

A Year in Monchique tells the story of a couple of London escapees getting to grips with life in rural Portugal. The challenging move from city living in politically correct Newham to the agricultural nightmares of bean eating bees, escaping goats and an amorous, sexed-up sow is made more difficult by their woeful endeavours at becoming fluent in the language.

On their journey, they meet a diverse group of people: new age eco-warriors, seed munching fruitarians, crystal swinging diviners and an octogenarian widow farming an acre of land unaided.

As well as immersing us in the comic side of daily life, the diary revelas a rapidly changing community who share a love and respect for the Portuguese countryside.

Price: 10€ (click here to buy)

Algarve's Plants with Ornamental Interest

The book “Plantas do Algarve com Interesse Ornamental/Algarve’s Plants with Ornamental Interest” by Fernando Santos Pessoa, José Rosa Pinto and José Rocha Alexandre is a bilingual guide for anyone who wants to know more about the Algarve’s unique landscape. It includes a brief description of Algarve’s flora, trees, shrubs, perennial and bulbous herbs, climbers and Algarve’s flora in gardens and parks.

Price: 12,00€ Buy here