Iceland

Quinta do Lago

On the subject of ice, whilst there has been plenty in the UK recently there hasn't been a drop of rain in the Algarve for months. Instead, blue skies reign and I've had the irrigation in the garden running all winter, not very environmentally sound I know.





The Algarve has never been seen as a winter destination, variously seen as cold, rainy and windy depending who you talk too. What scurrilous lies. Today I oiled the wood decking at the top of the garden wearing shorts and got a burnt back, and gave my bicycle a spruce up as its been hiding under the house for eight years, ready for a weekend ride in the sunshine. In addition, there aren't too many people around and it's beautiful. So if you are looking for somewhere to take a winter break then come here, just don't tell too many other people please.

Now to the crux of the matter. Portugal has been creaking under the weight of a massive public sector, increasing spending and debts for many years resulting in that well known efficient manager of money, the European Union ( accounts have failed audit for the past 17 years) implementing austerity measures. The other side of the equation is to create an entrepreneurial business friendly society poised for growth. How silly then that when a major international company, Iceland the retailer, opens a glorious new store in the Algarve along come the purveyors of gloom to close it down immediately and without notice.  The reason being that the products aren't labelled correctly in accordance with Portuguese requirements.


Deary deary me, when will the Portuguese learn that prosperity will only come on the back of a change in the 1950's style mindset of the mindless beaurocrats in positions of undeserved power. Inward investment, entrepreneurialsm, and creating the conditions for local business to flourish are the only ways to pay back those huge debts and provide a prosperous future.

The Portuguese people deserve better.