Recent Events

For interest, this page contains events which we have held over the last year. It contains the description provided prior to the event and, as appropriate, some comments and photographs added afterwards.

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15th October

Car Treasure Hunt /

Motor Meander

followed by lunch.

We will start with coffee at

'Bar Bacchus / Porches Pottery'

on the eastbound EN125 near Porches.

Arrivals, Registration and Coffee from 10:00

first departures 10:30.

The Treasure Hunt is planned to take about 1 1/2 hours

It is NOT a race

Each car must have a minimum of 2 and maximum of 4 occupants

Members, Family & Friends only,

all guests must take part in the same

car as the inviting member.

The three teams solving the most clues along the route

will win a prize plus hold one of the silver cups

until the next Treasure Hunt

Tasty English Lunch expected at 12:30 at

Al Pacino's Blues Bar

near Porches

Vegetable Soup
Roast Beef or Turkey
Roast Potatoes, Carrots,
Cauliflower Cheese, Broccoli,

Yorkshire Pudding, Peas & Gravy
The ‘pièce de résistance’ is Apple Crumble!
also - Wine, Water, Coffee

The bar will be open, any pre or post-lunch

drinks are not included in the price.

Full details will be sent to those registering to take part.

When you book please give us a fun name for your team.

(Team names and scores will be published here)

Price is €20 per person for lunch with or without

taking part in the Treasure Hunt.

Booking closed with 7 cars taking part

and 27 people booked for lunch.

18 CASA members met at Bar Bacchus around 10 o'clock for coffee prior to taking part in the 'Motor Meander/Treasure Hunt'. The first team (The Lost Tribe) were dispatched about 10:15 followed at intervals by the other 6 cars, all being on the road by 10:45. The clear directions meant that this year only one team got slightly lost, not to suggest that solving the 'clues' was as straight forward or as easy as following the route directions! All made it to Al Pacino's Blues Bar in time to hand in their answers (and collected Alfaroba leaf / fruit) before lunch, most also managing to fit in a pre-lunch tipple. 9 other members not taking part joined us and the friendly staff of the Blues Bar served up an excellent roast lunch on the sunny patio. Our thanks to Kim and her staff for the welcome and an excellent lunch.

Over the coffee the prizes were awarded to the teams with the most points scored, these being:

First place – The Panda Pirates (taking part for the first time)

Second place – The Fuzzies

Third place – Algarve Reivers

As always we awarded a wooden spoon for the lowest score, this year to the Deadly Duo

Three teams just managed to skilfully avoid winning a prize – Quaranteam, The Ravers and The Lost Tribe.

Unfortunately this year, due to a small mishap, we don't have the actual points scored available to share, perhaps just as well!

Friday September 10

GOLFLAND

ALVOR

Mini-golf & Tea

From 3 p.m.

Back by popular demand we’re holding our fun golf outing
and afternoon tea (sandwiches, rissoles, cake & more - a
coffee, or beer, or glass of wine) plus of course a game of
mini golf at a new venue for CASA at the recently opened
GolfLand.

This is a fun occasion - the ‘winner’ receives a winners cup,
and this year a GolfLand T-shirt or cap!

You are very welcome to come for the tea only, the price will
be the same = €15 p.p.

Please note that any purchases made at the bar prior to the tea service (expected at 4 p.m.) must be paid for.

______________________________________________________

Allthough we had a fairly small turnout (16) for this occasion it worked very well. The mini-golf course, being new, was in excellent condition and contained some 'interesting' holes. The site is quite compact and the surrounding gardens have been very well laid out. Supposedly the 18 holes are all 'Par 2' but our scores did not fully reflect this with a high score of 64. At the better end of the range we had 2 players on each of 50, 49 and 48, while our clear winner managed a respectable 46. Barbara was presented with a bottle of wine, a T-shirt and cap from GolfLand and a cup to be held until our next golf competition.

We played in 4 'teams' of 3 or 4 players, the team average scores were:

Team 1 54

Team 2 52

Team 3 55

Team 4 52

(Team 3 actually played last as they wanted to finish their pre-match drinkies first, does this relate to their slightly higher scores?)

The following tea ran for some time as we sat happily chatting on the sunny lower terrace consuming sandwiches, cake, scones etc accompanied by a generous supply of drinks by GolfLand, we would like to thank Snr. Carlos and his friendly staff for their support and hospitaliity.

Friday August 20

Big Red's Steakhouse

New Premises near Alvor Beach

6 p.m. for 6:30 - €25 p.p.

B.B.Q.

Booking is now closed

We do not normally run an event in August

However we have missed so many events, including our annual BBQ, that we make an exception this year - we found you a BBQ!

Imagine yourself on a balmy evening, just two minutes walk from the beach where, if you’re inclined, you can have an evening stroll either before you sup or after to round-off your evening!

This will be a table service rather than the usual buffet-style BBQ due to Covid regulations

Freshly prepared (BBQ) hot food supplied to the tables on platters to be shared - (and continually refilled).....

The menu will include the following:

1st Course/Couvert

Bread etc, cold meats, cheese

Main Course

Pork ribs, small steaks, sausages, chicken, mixed fish kebabs, salads, chips.

A choice of three deserts

- and of course wine & water.

Coffee is not included in the price but can be purchased if wanted.

Last booking date will be Monday August 16th

Price is €25 pp, members only.

The AGM Dinner at Big Red's was very well recieved so we asked 'Big Red' himself and he was delighted to offer us a BBQ. It is expected to be the first served at the new venue near the beach.

Friday July 16

Algarve Coastline 3 hour boat trip with complimentary drink

€22 p.p.

Explore this beautiful coastline, see the dolphins (if they deem to make an appearance) enjoy great company and wonderful fresh air!

Meet @ 9.30 a.m. at the Naval Club in Portimão for 10.00 a.m.
departure on the Alegria. A complimentary coffee will be available while waiting.

There will be a bar open on the boat
for those wishing to buy further refreshments.

If you wish to round off your boat tour with a lunch at the
Naval Club, or go for a lunch only and meet up with other
members - they have a 3 course lunchtime menu or you can
choose à la carte - we can advise them of your booking.

Booking closed Monday 12th July.

18 Intrepid sailors turned up at the quayside for the trip. After embarking the Alegria headed out towards the sea and as the boat passed out of the protected harbour area she picked up a rather unusually high swell. For several of our members this proved to be somewhat upsetting and they were unable to appreciate the trip as much as has been possible on previous outings. The swell was also too much for the local dolphins who declined to make an appearance, to everyone's great disapointment.

Perhaps we will stay inland in future!

Friday 18 JUNE
LUNCH

12.30 FOR 1 P.M.

ASIA - TOKYO RESTAURANT
PRAIA DA ROCHA

Our only previous visit to this beautiful restaurant was in 2019 - we would certainly have been back there before now but for the Covid-19 restrictions; so it’s now time to indulge your palate once again.

No menu for you to choose from, you will be served with a plethora of perfectly prepared Chinese & Japanese food to the table so that you can help yourselves to the items you fancy.

The lunch includes dessert and wine / soft drinks and coffee.

Inclusive price is €20 p.p.

Booking closed on 14th June.

This lunch is a replacement for the BBQ originally planned for the

same date at the Holiday Inn who informed us recently that

they were unable to host the event.

[No photos were taken at this lunch due to Covid regultions and

there being members of the public in the restaurant with us]

Friday, May 28

12.30 for 1:00pm

Lunch

Brasserie Rosal Carvoeiro

€ 25 per person (Members Only)

Booking now closed as we have reached the restaurant capacity

Menu:

Appetizers
Marinated salmon Carpaccio with honey mustard sauce and a small salad
or
Cauliflower-Curry soup with chicken stripes and fresh herbs
or
Baked feta cheese gratinated with herbal tomato sauce

Main courses
Oven stewed lamb in red wine sauce served with mashed potatoes and
Mediterranean vegetables
or
Pan fried skewer of Salmon and prawns with white wine sauce served
with sauteed potatoes and fresh vegetables
or
Creamy Chicken Stroganoff with herbal rice, sauteed potatoes
and fresh vegetables

Dessert
Chocolate Gateaux with vanilla ice cream
or
Fruit Salad
or
Cheese variation

Wine, soft drink or beer, water and coffee.

This has been one of CASA’s favourite restaurants for many years and it never disappoints; a beautiful location, tasteful decor with friendly and attentive staff makes this a winner. We were all treated to a wonderful lunch consisting of quality ingredients carefully chosen by Chef Andi; the wine flowed as did the conversation and at its conclusion all were reluctant to leave and could have continued
well into the evening!

Friday May 14th

A.G.M. & Dinner

At

BIG RED'S STEAK HOUSE

in Alvor.

This will be C.A.S.A's first visit to Big Red's Steak House

which is located next to the Por do Sol Restaurant.

Both are well known to many members.

Arrive from 6 pm - Welcome drink available

Meeting commences at 6.30pm sharp.

Dinner estimated 7.15 p.m.

Price - (members only) - €25

Dinner Menu:

Couvert

First Course:

Tomato Soup OR Spring Rolls
Mains:

BBQ Spare Ribs OR

Chicken Kiev OR

Seafood Bake

All served with potatoes & selection of vegetables.
Desserts:

Sticky Toffee Pudding OR

Creme Brulee OR

Fresh Fruit Salad

Water, wine or soft drink, coffee.

Maximum of 50 people. Booking closed at 17:00 on May 10th.

Please arrive between 18:00 and 18:15

there will be no admission prior to 18:00 due to 'Covid-19 precautions'

After several enforced delays we finally managed to hold an AGM and dinner on Friday May14th. We met at Big Red's Steakhouse just outside Alvor and enjoyed our welcome drink (Buck's Fizz) seated at the tables on the terrace before moving inside for the AGM at 6:30. The AGM included the usual Chairman's Report for the previous 12 months followed by a presentation of the financial records and the Honarary Auditors report on these.

Two members of the committee (Lena and our secretary Susan) have stood down since the last AGM and were thanked for their time and effort in support of CASA. The remainder of the committee were voted to stand for another year and our new Secretary Kareen was formally elected to the role she has already fulfilled for five months.

On conclusion of these formalities the staff of Big Red's brought in our couvert followed shortly by the rest of the meal. The food was excellent, the Rib's in particular getting hearty praise. An excellent meal all round and a great re-start to our events. Particular thanks are extended to the staff who did a superb job, remembering that many of them were new and this was the first group event at the restaurant since the long Covid shut-down.

This may have been our first visit to Big Red's but hopefully it will not be the last.

After Hangover Celebration

Restaurant Brasserie Rosal

17 January 2021

12:30 for 1 pm

€24 per member

Increased to €25 to avoid coin handling

The extra Euro will be held in the Charity Donation Fund

Due to increased Covid-19 restrictions we regret

that this lunch is cancelled.

Appetizers
Marinated Salmon Carpaccio with honey-mustard sauce and a small salad
OR Cauliflower-Curry soup with chicken strips and fresh herbs
OR Baked feta cheese gratinated with herbal tomato sauce

Main courses
Oven Stewed Lamb in red wine sauce served with mashed potatoes and Mediterranean vegetables
OR Pan Fried Skewer of Salmon and Prawns with white wine sauce served with sauteed potatoes
OR Creamy Chicken Stroganoff with herbal rice, sauteed potatoes and fresh vegetables

Dessert
Chocolate Gateaux with vanilla ice cream
OR Fruit Salad
OR Cheese variation

The usual drinks are included

Note that the maximum possible number of attendees is 50.

2nd 3rd 4th December

Christmas Celebration

at

O Barradas (near Silves)

Due to Covid-19 limitations we will hold

TWO Christmas meals on the same day

LUNCH (12:30 for 1:00) and DINNER (6:30 for 7:00)

each will be limited to 22 people

(including Santa who has been invited to both)

Due to demand an extra lunch has been added.

All three meals will now be lunches which will be held at 12:30 for 13:00 on the following dates in December:

Lunch on the 28th November now on 2nd

Dinner on the 28th November now on 3rd

Lunch on 5th December now on 4th

Each of our Christmas events will commence with a welcome drink:

Glass of Rosé wine Quinta do Barradas
with homemade pate canapés.

Couvert:

Bread, butter, carrot salad with olives, homemade cheese crackers

and beetroot crème.

Entradas:

Smoked salmon with dill dip and strawberry salad. Or
Homemade Pumpkin soup with chestnut and ginger. Or
Goat cheese tart with figs in Moscatel.

Main courses:

Fried fish fillet with capers, lemon and garlic. Or
Mediterranean lamb with raspberry. Or
Turkey with sage and onion stuffing and mini sausages.
All served with sweet potato mash,

house potato (fried with onion and garlic in olive oil),
rice and roasted vegetables with rosemary.

Dessert:

Clementine mousse with mango sorbet. Or

Christmas Pudding and brandy custard.

Coffee, served with mince pie.

Red, White and Rosé wines, water, soft drinks.

Inclusive price €35.00 by pre-payment only.

This restaurant is renowned for its friendly atmosphere and excellent cuisine, and it certainly didn’t disappoint, we’ve received feedback from some of our members to say how much they enjoyed thier lunches. Originally planned as both lunch and dinner on November 28th we were forced by Covid-19 restrictions to re schedule to lunches on 3 consecutive days accommodating 60 of our members in total. In the event this change worked extremely well and everyone seems to have enjoyed the excellent lunch provided by Luis and his attentive staff, firstly in the Garden Room on the first two days, and since the weather rapidly changed on day three, this lunch was hosted in the cosy restaurant room with a lovely log-fire burning brightly to warm us all. Santa was unable to attend as usual due to Covid-19 travel restrictions; however his elves and reindeer team did deliver a selection of presents in time.
A selection of photos taken over the three days are below.

Saturday 17th October

Car Treasure Hunt

followed by

Lunch at

Restaurante Dom Joao

near Alvor

Approx 40 km country drive from a start location in Silves where there is a cafe for non-alcoholic refreshments to a traditional Portuguese restaurant near the Alvor Aerodrome where we will have lunch.

Detailed Treasure Hunt starting point joining instructions will be provided only after booking.

Minimum 2 and maximum 4 people per car, all must be a CASA member. We don't recommend sharing a car between households but if you decide to do so please ensure you follow the current regulations.

The Treasure Hunt / Motor Meander will start from 10:00 (cars will be dispatched at short intervals between 10:30 and 11:00) and should take about 1 ½ hours to complete.

There will be a prize for the most clues correctly solved en-route.

Please note that this is not a race, there is no advantage in completing the route quickly!

The prize plus a trophy to be held for one year will be presented during lunch.

It is not necesary to take part in order to join the lunch which is available separately.

If joining for lunch only without taking part in the treasure hunt please arrive no later than 12:45 as the lunch will be served at 13:00 sharp.

We are additionally looking at holding a small quiz during lunch, there will be a small prize for the winner.

LUNCH MENU -

STARTERS: Bread, Olives, Croquets of Bacalhau.

MAINS: Fish of the day with boiled potatoes OR

Hake fillets with chips OR

Entrecosto Grelhado (Ribs) with Chips OR

Strogonoff with rice.

DESSERTS: Torta de limão merengue OR

Salada de frutas frescas OR

Pudim Flan.

Meal includes Wine, beer, water and coffee.

Combined Price for the Treasure Hunt and/or Lunch: €20 p.p.

Same price for those that come only for the lunch where all fees will be collected.

Any pre-lunch refreshments are not included in the lunch price so should be paid for when ordering.

Maximum of 30 people for both the Treasure Hunt and Lunch.

Members Only.

Saturday saw 10 cars of keen competitors gather for a staggered start from Recanto dos Mouros for the 1 1/2 hour Treasure Hunt. Clues were solved, or not, along the way. A few cars managed to miss turnings and other minor navigational mishaps - but that's all part of the fun! One team was a little late arriving at Dom Joao, but all did arrive safely in time for our lunch, which was much enjoyed. Following lunch the prizes were awarded in reverse order of the top 3 and finally the much coveted Wooden Spoon - this team are allowed to keep their prize - unlike the silver cups which we do expect back for next year!

As an experiment this year we also held a car related quiz over lunch, the prize for this went to a table with a perfect 20/20 score by Do, Mavis, Ernie and Michael who had not taken place in the Treasure Hunt.

Al in all a very pleasant day out and our thanks go to the staff of both Recanto dos Mouros and Dom Joao for their kind assistance and support.

We also thank our volunteer judges (Jan and David) for generously giving up much of thier time organising both the Treasure Hunt and the Quiz and for scoring all the results.

A list of the teams and scores is below these pictures.