ORGANIC PRODUCE MARKET IN OBIDOS

This weekend market has proved so popular that instead of the advertised times of 9am to 3pm the stall holders have on occasions still been happily selling produce at 6 pm! Conventional produce is also available and customers who attended reported afterwards that the organic fruit and vegetable tasted fantastic. In addition to food produce there are also soaps and other household items for sale. Organic produce is proving popular with many people seeking to avoid pesticides and insecticides and you can now also purchase a wide range of organic fruit and veg in the daily Caldas Market in the Praça da Fruta.

PENICHE EVENTS

It has emerged that a new marina has been agreed for Peniche. The local economy should benefit as should the boating / yachting community who will be delighted that more space will be available for leisure craft in this traditional fishing town.

Click here for link to Peniche www.cm-peniche.pt

PENICHE EVENTS

There are many organised boat-trips varying from 12 seater motorboats to larger cruises offering a great opportunity to make the most of your visit to this gorgeous Atlantic coast area. The following operators take reservations and can organise snorkel equipment & wetsuit hire for those brave enough to venture into the sea far from the warmer waves nearer the main coast shoreline.

To make bookings for this year to visit the Berlengas Islands and spend the day call Viamar (185 passenger ship) on 00352 262 785 646. Leaves 930, 1130 and 1730 from Peniche returning 1030, 1630 and 1830 until end August. The last trip of the season is mid- September.

The smaller boats such as Julius on 00351 918 619 311 were very helpful in organising a recent birthday event for a 14 year old on a snorkelling quest!

Nautipesca do fishing trips call 00351 262 789 648 or 936 222 658 10am to 1430, 1130 to 1630 and 1530 to 1900.

Please check with any of the above operators for weather conditions and availability before making the trip to Peniche. There are also many other small boat operators however and they all operate from the harbour.

2008

SPORTING EVENTS PORTUGAL

LISBON SILVERCOAST PORTO ALGARVE

COIMBRA & CASCAIS

Caldas da Rainha (festa da cidade) 15th May, 15th August Fair, Summer Fair (festa do verão) first fortnight in August.

Carvalhal Benfeito 1st – 4th February – Santa Maria, 24th – 28th July – Santa Ana, 29th, 30th, 31st August – Senhora das Merces
Cruzes 12th – 15th August

Coto 29th August – 1st September

Foz do Arelho 22nd – 25th August (festa da Nossa Senhora da Conceicao)

Landal – Casais de Serra 22nd – 25th August (festa do Sao Sebastiao)

Sao Gregorio 22nd – 26th August

Salir do Porto 7th – 10th August (Nossa Senhora da Conceicao)

Tornada 31st January – 1st February

Tornada – Campo Last weekend of January

Carnaval week Feb 2008

 Lots of fun....

for everyone....!

OBIDOS CHOCOLATE FESTIVAL

BATMAN CHOCOLATE MODEL 2007

GET THERE EARLY!!!

In the Christian calendar, Shrove Tuesday is the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday (beginning of Lent). Also Known as Mardi Gras (Fat Tuesday) or Pancake Day, it is the last day of Carnival and is the finale of the Carnival season. For many, it is one last chance to indulge before beginning Lent. Traditionally, it is a day to finish all the milk, eggs and butter in the house, hence why many people will eat pancakes on this date.

The exuberant carnivals of South America were actually started by the Portuguese and the fun still continues to grow from strength to strength today. The streets and squares of Lisbon and other cities buzz with parties and dancing, celebrating the beginning of Lent. During carnival, the Portuguese love to play practical jokes on each other so make sure you have a good sense of humour if you are lucky enough to be in Portugal during this time.

Good Friday is the Friday before Easter and is the anniversary of Jesus' crucifixion and death. Good Friday means "Holy Day" and is celebrated by Christians around the world. Many will visit church or even fast on particular foods on this day.

Easter is a Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is celebrated on the first Sunday following the full moon that occurs on or following the spring equinox. This is why Easter is never on a fixed date.Many families will attend church on this date and it is customary to buy children chocolate Easter Eggs.

Freedom Day commemorates the "Revolution of the Carnations" in 1974, when Portugal shook off an oppressive regime. It was given the name "Revolution of the Carnations" as soldiers put these flowers in their guns to symbolise the absence of violence for changing the regime. Freedom day is one of the major holidays in Portugal

Labour Day is dedicated to the social and economic achievements of workers. Labour Day is also commonly known as May Day.

ÓBIDOS 3 May Religious festival and popular gathering, traditional confectionery, clothing, hardware, farm utensils and cattle.

Portugal Day

Assumption Day, celebrated by the Roman Catholic Church and Eastern and Oriental Orthodox Churches, commemorates the day that the Virgin Mary,mother of Jesus, was taken into Heaven at the end of her earthly life. This celebration takes place on the 15th August every year and is also known as "The Feast of Assumption".

Proclamation of Republic On the 5th October 1910, Portugal was proclaimed a republic and has since celebrated the day with various festivities and parades.

The festival of All Saints, also sometimes known as "All Hallows," or "Hallowmas," is a feast celebrated in the honour of all the faithful Saints and martyrs known and unknown on 1st November..

Independence Day celebrates the regaining of independence from Spain in 1640, and João IV of Portugal subsequently being crowned King.

The Immaculate Conception is a religious feast celebrating the Virgin Mary. The Immaculate Conception itself is a doctrine of the Roman Catholic Church. It states that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was free from original sin.

Christmas day is the celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ in the Christian calendar. In Portugal 'Pai Natal' visits late on Christmas eve and the children meet him very briefly and receive their gifts before he heads off elsewhere to distribute gifts to other children. Families celebrate on Christmas eve with a family meal and again on Christmas Day with each other for another feast.

New Year's Day is the first day of the year in the Gregorian Calendar. Although the day is a public holiday the main celebration takes place at midnight on the night between 31st December and 1st January (New Year's Eve or Hogmanay). Many westerners make 'New Year Resolutions' on the 1st January which they hope to fulfil in the coming year, i.e., to stop smoking or lose weight.

With thanks to Silvercoast Friends, all our friends and readers for their contributions and Gazeta das Caldas, Jornal Oeste Online, the local Camara Municipals and Turismo Offices for the information provided above and the editor for her very basic translations. Please excuse any errors either in dates, times and in particular in translations and please do check with the relevant people for accuracy before going to any lengths to make a visit. Silver Coast Local News cannot accept responsibility for any errors and reserves all editorial rights.