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.

More recent events include a 'slideshow' of photographs. The way these appear will depend on the device you are using :

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~~Tuesday 16th July~~

Update: Now

Wednesday 17th

Boat trip on the Rio Arade

Portimao to Silves with

a buffet-style lunch at

Plaza Cafe in Silves.

Booking is now closed

Fully booked

Due to a problem at the boat company the trip

has had to be delayed by one day to the 17th.

We apologise but it is out of our control,

we were only notified late on the 27th June.

Changes in red below.

Meet by the Portimao Naval Club at ~~10:30 a.m.~~ now 11:30

The cafe there will be open for refreshments etc. if required.

The boat will depart at ~~11:00~~ now 12:00 for the approximately one hour cruise to Silves which includes one complimentary drink.

A cold buffet lunch will be served at the Plaza Cafe over approximately 1 1/2 hours.

Expected lunch menu

(exact details may change due to item availability on the day)

Cold Buffet table with:

        Assorted salads
        Chicken (cold)
        Pork slices (cold)
        Rissoles - chicken and prawn
        Small fried Cod cakes
        Tuna salad
        Potato salad with smoked sausage & olives
Followed by:
        Assorted cakes
        Custard tarts etc.

With wine/beer/orange juice/water/coffee

The return boat should arrive back in Portimao between ~~3:30 & 4:00~~ 4:30 & 5:00 p.m.

Inclusive price is €30 for members, €32 non-members.
The buffet lunch only without the boat trip is €12 / €13.

Last possible date for booking the cruise will be ~~1st~~ now 2nd July, a requirement of the boat company, bookings for lunch only can be taken up to the ~~6th~~ 7th.

Maximum of 39 places for the boat trip, no limit for the lunch.

Due to demand we now have a third boat

arranged - but are again fully booked.

Booking is closed.

Saturday 22nd June

The traditional annual

CASA BBQ

On the terrace of the Holiday Inn

7 FOR 7.30 PM

Members price €25 per person

non-members €27.

Maximum of 55 due to the terrace size

MENU:

From the Curry Buffet: Onion Bajhi, Samosas, Mixed vegetable curry,

Chicken Korma, Karahi Gosht, Pilau Rice, Naan Bread.

From the Barbecue Buffet: Portuguese Selected Salads,

Typical Soup “Caldo Verde”, Grilled Sardines,
Monkfish Rice, Grilled Chicken “Piri-Piri”, Grilled Pork Spare Ribs.

Dessert Buffet.

Red or White House Wine and Water.

To ease administration it would be appreciated

if advance payment could be made to the club bank account.

The Holiday Inn have given us a special price

for anyone attending the BBQ who would like to

stay over for the night rather than drive home.

Prices are for two people sharing a

twin room, including breakfast.

Sea-side view - €110

Land-side view - €88

Please book direct with the hotel (282 320 260)

mentioning the CASA BBQ.

Saturday 22nd June saw 52 members and guests of the C.A.S.A. Social Club gather on the terrace of The Holiday Inn (Armacao de Pera) for the club's annual B.B.Q. The weather favoured us this year, the brilliant sun early in the evening was tempered by a cool breeze off the sea; as the sun set the breeze dropped away making for a near perfect B.B.Q. temperature all evening. A plentiful supply of assorted hot and cold food, regular visits by the wine waiter, good music supplied by the young lady in the restaurant combined with a friendly group made for a very enjoyable evening. We were additionally pleased that the generous attendees donated over €170 to a collection on behalf of this years A.C.C.A. and Castelo Do Sonhos 'Back to School' project. An excellent result all round!

Wednesday 15th May

Lunch at the

Catering College

Portimao

12:30 for 13:00

ESCOLA DE HOTELARIA & TURISMO DE PORTIMÅO

Focused on the excellence of technical training closely accompanied by a strong component of socio-cultural training, the personal skills and hospitality attitude are worked on daily in the schools environment.

A new venue for CASA

This meal promises to be a culinary delight served to perfection.

A similar experience to our previous lunches at the Faro school

but without the long train journey!

There will be:

a Welcome drink.
Cuvee:

Olive Oil, Butter, Hummus, Bread.
Starters:

Cream of Pea Soup with mint and croutons

OR Açorda (cod broth) with poached egg and pennyroyal.
Mains:

Salmon with spinach, leek puff pastry and mustard sauce OR
Pork tenderloin with gratin potatoes and Port wine sauce.
Mains served with a dish of vegetables for each table.
Desserts:

Soy rice pudding with fruit

OR Silves orange sweet roll cake, ice cream & crunchy caramel almond.

Vegetarian Meal:

Cream of Pea Soup with mint and croutons.
Zucchini "meatballs" with chickpea and
tomato stew and Basmati rice.
Soy rice pudding with fruit.

Includes:

White or Red wine, water and coffee

Price: €22 members, €24 non-members

Maximum of 40

On Wednesday 15^th May a party of 40 enthusiastic CASA members headed to the uncharted western extremity of Portimao to visit the “Escola de Hotelaria & Turismo de Portimåo” for lunch. We have visited the Faro equivalent a number of times but this was our first experience of the Portimao college. The budding chefs and keen serving staff did not disappoint; presenting us with a very enjoyable and delicious lunch at this new venue for CASA. We experienced a friendly welcome, savoured flavours new to us, sipped on the specially selected wines and immersed ourselves in conversation that flowed - this latter being one of the essential ingredients at our events. Later during the meal we discovered that this was the first time these first-year students had served to members of the public rather than to other students. We look forward to returning, when it would be interesting should we encounter the same students again after another year of their training.

Saturday 13th April

Lunch

at

Asia - Tokyo Restaurant

Praia da Rocha

12.30 for 1 p.m.

A new CASA venue and a new journey in flavours

For this meal there is no menu to choose from, instead we will be served up with a wide selection of Chinese and Japanese food to the table so that all can help themselves.

The meal includes wine / soft drinks and coffee.

Price is €17 p.p. members / €19 p.p. non-members.

On Saturday 13^th April 44 CASA members and guests visited the 'Asia-Tokyo' restaurant in Praia do Rocha for lunch. As far as we can see from the club's records this is the first time CASA has experienced an Asian meal. A sad omission and one that we are pleased to have resolved. The restaurant has been recently refurbished (since we booked the lunch in fact) to a very high standard. As soon as we were settled a small flock of staff promptly served us with platters containing a wide variety of beautifully prepared delicious sushi. Dish after dish appeared, and when we began to feel we had eaten sufficient for the entire weekend they switched to serving Chinese dishes - prawns, chicken, beef and pork covered the tables! Despite our best efforts we were unable to eat everything served, though we did not waste much! We occupied about half the restaurant and we could see other customers also with huge platters of assorted dishes happily tucking in. An excellent tasty meal, extremely well served in well appointed surroundings. This is a restaurant which not only the club but probably many members will be returning to.

CASA AGM

and Dinner

Saturday 16th March

Do Cais Restaurant - Naval Club

Portimão

Arrival from 18:00

Meeting starts 18:30

Dinner estimated 19:00

We ask that you arrive soon after 6 o'clock when we will start serving a Welcome Drink (espumante, or soft drink) in the meeting room on the ground floor.

If you arrive earlier (prior to 6) you may wait in the Naval Club bar/coffee shop where you may also purchase additional refreshments if you wish.

The AGM will start sharp at 6:30 and Dinner will be served after the meeting.

Starters:
Vegetable soup or
Flambé Mushrooms or
Melon with Smoked Ham

Main Courses:
Hake fillet with potatoes & vegetables or
Chicken breast with rice & French fries or
Pork with pineapple, rice, & French fries

Dessert:
Lemon Cheesecake or
Fruit Salad

Beer, White & Red Wine, table water, coffee

Price: Members €20 Non-members €22

At this years AGM 48 members turned up in time to enjoy a glass of sparkling wine before the meeting commenced. They listened to the chairman's report for the previous 12 months activities followed by the treasurer's report about the club itself (membership is up again this year) and it's finances (healthy) then the auditors formal confirmation of those accounts. The chairman then outlined this years planned autumn coach trip to the Cadiz area, this generated a lot of interest at the meeting and is since filling up very quickly. The standing six-person committee was unanimously re-elected en-bloc and with the conclusion of these serious proceedings we ajourned to the O' Cais restaurant on the floor above to enjoy a very good three-course dinner. Last year's AGM had been held at the same location; on that occasion we suffered an evening of terrible wet weather, by contrast this year the evening was so balmy that after the dinner a few of us were able to avail ourselves of the Yacht Club's pleasant decking outside the bar for a post-meal relaxing drink and chat. A very enjoyable evening all round, and with these formalities firmly behind us we can now relax for another year of social activities.

Saturday 23rd February

Lunch

12:30 FOR 1 PM

Restaurant Brasserie Rosal, Carvoeiro

Appetizers:

Curry-cauliflower cream soup with Moroccan herbs and fried chicken strips OR

Baked goats cheese on fried Mediterranean vegetables.

Main Courses:

Oven braised chicken breast in tomato sauce served with mashed potatoes and vegetables OR

Braised crispy duck leg with port wine-orange sauce, served with sautéed potatoes and fresh vegetables OR

Pan fried fillets of Sea Bream with herbal lobster sauce, served with sautéed potatoes and fresh vegetables.

Sweet:

Chocolate cake with ice cream OR

Cheese platter.

Includes white and red wine, table water and coffee.
€22 per member and €24 for guests.

The Brasserie Rosal restaurant is definitely a cut above the average with great ambiance. Our 47 attendees on 23rd February wandered in and were immediately greeted by the friendly staff. Everyone loved the food, served on warmed plates and meeting everyone's expectations. The Chef had obviously taken great care in selecting quality ingredients, which ensured that our food was fresh and very tasty. The conversation flowed, along with the excellent wine. Andi really looked after us and his waiting staff could not have been more obliging and attentive. Tasteful decor, beautiful outlook and attention to detail ensure their recipe for continuing success.

The CASA famous

'After Hangover' Dinner

2019

Saturday 19th January

at O' Barradas near Silves

6.30 FOR 7 PM

€26 per member and €28 for guests

MENU:

Full Couvert.
Starters: Tomato Soup with Basil OR

Goats Cheese Tart with pineapple compote OR

Prawn Cocktail with avocado.
Mains: Turkey Roll with orange ginger sauce OR

Fillet of John Dory in roasted almonds OR

Pork Fillet with figs, bacon and chestnuts gratinated with sheep’s
cheese.
Desserts: Chocolate Mousse with Clementine Mousse OR

Orange tart in muscatel sauce.

Includes: ½ bottle red/white/rosé house wine, or soft drink. water and coffee.

The 'After Hangover Dinner' rather takes the format of 'the hair of the dog that bit you'. 2019 has been no exception and Saturday 19th January saw 53 members gather at O Barradas for this treatment. The food was exceptional, as was the wine, and the service. Luis and Andrea certainly did us proud in helping to recover from the seasonal festivities and get the New Year off to a great start. An evening much enjoyed by all, even allowing for the inclement weather - our thanks especially go to the valiant members that very kindly had their dinner in the conservatory, cold feet and all. This group certainly know how to take a glass of wine, flow with conversation and create a fantastic evening. We very much appreciate that without their chivalry we would not have been able to cater for all the members that wanted to attend. We hope that next time we visit O Barradas, everyone will be accommodated in the Winter Room (where the log fire is!).

SATURDAY, 8TH DECEMBER

CASA CHRISTMAS DINNER

with Live Entertainment

PENINA HOTEL & GOLF RESORT

7 for 7.30 pm.

Welcome Cocktail:
Red and White Wine, Gin, Beer, Red and White Martini, Sparkling Wine, Soft Drinks, Water and Orange Juice.

CHRISTMAS BUFFET

Selection of Starters:
Dry-cured ham from Monchique and cold cuts / Salad of octopus, bell pepper and coriander / Baby potato salad / Algarvian salad / Composed Algarvian salads / Pumpkin soup

Hot Main Dishes:
Casserole of wild boar and mushrooms / Roasted leg of lamb Algarvian style / Codfish à Brás / Dry fruit rice / Baker style potatoes / Winter vegetables
Desserts:
Assortment of Peninas ́ petits fours & mignardises / Dark chocolate & orange mousse / Rice & lemon zest pudding / Basket of fresh seasonal fruits / Fresh mango mousse

Musical Side Dishes

Karen and Ian Carfrae

Price per person: Members €35 and Guests €40.

Completing a hectic five weeks during which we held three big events C.A.S.A. rounded off 2018 in grand style with a Christmas Dinner and live entertainment at the Penina Hotel and Golf Resort near Alvor on Saturday 8^th December. Our first visit to this superb location was a great success and much enjoyed by all 65 members and guests. The Penina's buffet dinner lived up to its well deserved reputation, serving a sumptious selection of dishes in the elegant surroundings. Karen and Ian Carfrae (also known as 'Nostalgia') entertained us with such tempting music from our youth (i.e. mainly from the 50's to 60's era) that they had a lot of people on their feet dancing the night away and giving us all the exercise we need in an enjoyable way. We hope everyone recovered quickly from any resulting muscle aches on Sunday morning. A wonderful evening to remember thanks to Nostalgia and the Penina staff.

Sunday 18th November

RESTAURANT CHURRASQUEIRA COLINA, ALVOR

Lunch - 12:30 for 1 pm

Couvert: Olives, Carrots, Cheese, Enchidos (small pieces of fried sausages)
Main: Mixed grill - (Pork Chop, Pork steak, ribs, chicken, sausages, on platters serving 3) with chips & salad. OR
Grilled Sea bass or Bream (depends on the fish at the time),

served with boiled potatoes & vegetables.
OR Vegetarian: Spaghetti with vegetables.
Dessert: Homemade Caramel Pudding OR Chocolate Mousse.
Water, wine (in jugs, no limit other than no more refills when

coffee stage reached), beer, coffee.

Price: €17.00 per member and €19.00 for guests.

Sunday 18th November saw 46 members and guests descend on the Churrasqueira Colina Restaurant near Alvor for lunch. From the very first person to walk in the door we were given a friendly welcome and made to feel at home, the service continued to match this welcome throughout our very enjoyable meal. The food served was excellent and more than plentiful. This was the first visit by C.A.S.A. to this restaurant, which had been recommended by several members, we are convinced it will not be our last as we are already looking for an excuse (if one were needed) to return. Our thanks to all the staff for a great lunch.

C.A.S.A.

AUTUMN

COACH

TRIP

5^th – 9^th November

Enjoy 2 nights in Tomar and 2 nights in Sintra in 4* hotels

including tours

with free time to explore, browse, shop and relax.

Coach pick-up points & times Monday 5th November.

(These are departure times!)

Lagos      8.30 a.m. Car Park opposite the Marina Club
Portimão 9.10 a.m.   Capitania Building (Repsol Garage by the riverside)
Lagoa    9.30 a.m.   Bus Station on EN125
Albufeira 10.00 a.m. Vale Paraiso Bus Station (map etc on request)

The same places will be the drop-off points on Friday 9th in the reverse order.

Monday 5th November saw 36 early-rising CASA members climbing into our coach for the 2018 club trip. This year we headed north staying for two nights in the excellent 'Hotel dos Templarios' in Tomar and then two nights in the 'Hotel Tivoli' in Sintra. Our organised visits included the 'Convento de Christo' in Tomar, Fatima, the 'Palacio National Pena' and 'Palacio National De Sintra'. We also managed to squeeze in visits to the 'Mosteiro de Alcobaca' and the historical town of Obidos. All this and still leaving members some time free to explore on their own - if they had the energy! Some of the many independent discoveries included the worlds largest collection of Matchboxes in Tomar, delectable bakery 'Alcoa' in Alcobaca and an unusual bar (Lord Byron) with excellent tapas in Sintra. On our way back home to the Algarve on Friday we stopped for lunch at a small restaurant 'Ponto Final' on the outskirts of Sines. We were a little apprehensive as we were directed down a spiral stair into a cellar - but the mixed-grill provided was exceptional and definitely worth the diversion. We extend our thanks to both our very knowlegable official guides in Tomar and Sines and also our superb driver who got the large coach down through some very narrow places without a scratch!

Sunday 21st October

Sunday Buffet Lunch

12:30 FOR 1 PM

TASCA DO KIKO - LAGOS

New venue for CASA

Superb tapas, excellent service

New flavours to tempt your tastebuds and for your enjoyment.

€23 FOR MEMBERS AND €26 FOR GUESTS.

Cuvee: Stingray mayonnaise, olives, paté, toasties.
Tapas course: selection of 4 tapas -

Grilled vegetables with beetroot pureé and goats cheese

Goat cheese salad with walnuts and honey

Garlic prawns with chilli and rosemary

Seared tuna with sweet potato.
Mains: Roasted pork loin with orange sauce grilled vegetables

& potato from the oven. OR

Cod fish & leek gratin with sweet potato chips.
Dessert: Cinnamon and sugar churros on créme inglese.
Wine, Water or soft drink and coffee.

On Sunday 21st October C.A.S.A. tried out a new restaurant somewhat further west than our usual haunts when 35 members met at "a Tasca do Kiko" near Lagos Marina for lunch. We enjoyed an excellent lunch with a range of dishes including seared tuna, grilled goats cheese and garlic prawns (with a hint of heat and fresh rosemary) outside our regular lunch experience. The modern yet welcoming décor, enthusiastic service and the delicious food conspired to such an extent that we’re sure to return to this lovely restaurant. We would like to extend our thanks to Luis and his friendly staff for the superb service, with special thanks for the assistance provided after lunch to one of our members with vehicle problems.

Saturday 29th September

Dinner at Ponto do Encontro

(Carvoeiro)

7:00 pm for 7:30 pm

Menu choices:

Starter Cauliflower Soup or Mixed Salad

Main Turkey steak with mushroom sauce or

Bitoque da Vazia or

Sea bass

Choice of Sweets on the day

Soft drinks/ beer / wine / water

Coffee.

Members price €20.

43 members and guests met at Ponto do Encontro in Carvoeiro on Saturday 29th September for dinner. An excellent guitar player/ singer started off quietly as requested so that people could talk and catch up on their summer activities, this being our first full event of the club's autumn season. The seating in the middle of this smallish restaurant was said by one member to be "cosy". The service was excellent and the meal itself was felt to be good value.
To round off the evening we all joined hands and everybody put their hearts into singing Rod Stuart's "We Are Sailing" in order to say a fond farewell to members Jack & Joanne who are going back to UK to live. A quite moving end to an excellent evening.

September

Friday 7th

Mini-golf in Alvor

This mini-golf is owned by the

"Black Stove" pub in Alvor

This was very popular in 2017

Includes:

'welcome' drink

(one glass of wine or a small beer),

a round of 'mini' golf,

followed by

'High Tea' with tea or coffee,

sandwiches, scones and cakes.

(Cash bar also available)

Members price is only €10 inclusive

(non-players welcome to come just for tea)

Please arrive after 14:00 for a 14:30 start

We had 38 people attend the afternoon of fun, though not all played 'golf', some prefering to sit on the cafe patio and socialise. A great time seemed to be had by all, playing or not, entertained by the the amazing ability of a small coloured ball to hurtle off into the distance and scoot across a totally different 'fairway'. After a couple of hours play and our relaxing 'English Tea' last year's winner David handed over our very special CASA Golfing Trophy to this years winner, Norman. Our thanks to Tanya and the other staff at Adventure Golf for helping to make this afternoon such a success. Not to forget the ladies of the CASA committee who devoted hours to preparing platters of handmade sandwiches and three cakes, all very well received.

Around 90 photos taken during the event have been provided, many by Tanya - a selection of these are below.

Monday 9th July

3 hour Boat trip

on the Alegria

departing from the

Vasco da Gama dock at

Portimao Naval Club

at 10:00 a.m.

Members Price €22

Includes one complementary drink and a light snack onboard.

(There is also a pay-bar available)

Outward journey hugs the coast visiting

the caves/grottos along to Benagil.

Return leg is slightly further out to

provide the possibility of watching dolphins.

(The presence of dolphins can't be guaranteed!)

Departure from the Naval Club dock at 10:00.

Please arrive by 9:30 to 'check in'.

The Naval Club cafe will be open both

before and after the cruise.

Members Price €22 p.p.

Before our brief summer break 34 C.A.S.A. members and guests enjoyed a 3 hour morning boat trip on the Alegria. Boarding at the Naval Club in Portimão and heading along the estuary to the open sea we then turned to the east and hugging the coast had wonderful views of the Algarve coastline along to Benagil. The skipper was amazing in his navigation, steering us into some of the caves that seemed unnavigable, birdlife was very prevalent and we were furnished with some of the history of the usage of the caves in times past. We then swung out to sea where we were lucky enough to encounter dolphins, a wonderful sight with many gasps of delight from our members. During the return journey to Portimao members enjoyed a light buffet on-board before disembarking back at the Naval Club. Happily the sea choose that day to be blue, crystal clear and serene, all in all a wonderful excursion.

Friday 18th May

Magical Mystery Motor Meander

followed by lunch.

Booking is now closed

We have 8 cars for the meander and

38 people booked for lunch.

Approx 40 km country drive from a location near the coast (starting at a cafe/coffee shop for refreshments) to a traditional Portuguese restaurant just north of Rasmalho on the EN266 Monchique road. Detailed joining instructions provided after booking.

Minimum 2 and maximum 5 people per car, at least one person must be a CASA member.

The Treasure Hunt / Motor Meander will start around 10:30 and should take about 1 ½ hours. There will be a prize for the most clues correctly solved en-route, please note it this not a race.

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

There is ample outside patio seating at the O' Caçador Restaurant and the bar will be open, any pre-lunch refreshments are not included in the lunch price so should be paid for when ordering.

If joining for lunch only without taking part in the treasure hunt please arrive no later than 12:45.

The lunch will be served at 13:00 sharp and the menu consists of:

Special Couvert on the table:

Normal bread, butter, pate, olives plus additional Portuguese cheese and ham.

Main Course, choice of:

Mixed grill (pork ribs & slices, pork sausage & chicken pieces)

1/2 chicken - available with or without piri-piri

Wild Boar Stew (a house speciality)

Fish (probably Dourado) done in the oven

Lamb done in the oven

Sharing platters of Salads and Potatoes will be served.

Sweet:

Mixed shared platters of small portions of assorted house sweets and fruits will be served so everyone can sample as wanted.

Includes - House Red and White wine, Water, Coffee.

Price - INCLUSIVE of the Magical Mystery Motor Meander AND Lunch as above is 18 Euro (non-members 20 Euro).

Please specify when you book your main course and whether you will take part in the optional Meander or want only the Lunch.

On Friday May 18^th the 'Magical Mystery Motor Meander' started with a free coffee at the coffee shop at Apolonia in Lagoa and was followed by lunch at the O' Caçador restaurant near Rasmalho. A slow drive of some 40Km checking out some very strange clues (including a long abandoned JetSki - picture below) made for great fun. We were pleased to have 8 cars take part and 38 attended the prize-giving and lunch. The CASA committee wish to extend their thanks to David (on loan from the Classic Car Club) and Helena for the vast amount of work they put into planning the whole entertaining Treasure Hunt for us. Thanks also to the enthusiastic participants and we congratulate those in the three cars who solved the most clues and so get to display our special trophies on their respective mantlepieces for the next year.

The competing teams and clues correctly solved (in reverse order) :