Life
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Pollinating the Dragon Fruit
It’s August on the hill and I wake early to water the few surviving tomatoes, peppers and aubergines. The lettuce has collapsed in the heat and the cucumber leaves have turned to crisp, paper-thin yellowy-brown. This morning though, 3 August 2026, I want to note the date, there are five showy white dragon fruit flowers, yellow-stamened and still open, ready for hand pollination. I follow the method used by an American grower who reckons it’s best to pollinate them at night. We used to have bats flying around and I’d leave it to them, with mixed results, but now I hand-pollinate. This involves taking a small artist’s paintbrush, searching around…
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The Artistic Legacy of Gorodets: Carved Stories and Women’s Voices
When I look at a wooden, hand-carved plaque in my home, I think of Gorodets, Russia. I wonder how this handmade object could preserve hope across decades of political change. In the ’90s and the early ’00s, I worked on the community use of technology to foster cohesion across people and networks. I spoke in Moscow’s House of Soviets, sometimes informally translated as the White House about the possibilities the internet might bring to all nations. Back then, the hope for democracy was strong among the people I met in Russia. I often wonder how they are doing. My sense is that some are probably distraught, having to send sons…
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Following the Trust Frequency: Andrew Cameron Bailey and Connie Baxter Marlow Visit Tavira
During their June 2026 journey through Portugal, authors, filmmakers, futurists, and consciousness pioneers Andrew Cameron Bailey and Connie Baxter Marlow visited Tavira, bringing with them a philosophy that centres trust as the foundation of a new paradigm for humanity. I interviewed them at my home, on Monte Agudo, near Tavira, in the eastern Algarve. The couple shared their experiences of Portugal, the philosophy behind their acclaimed book The Trust Frequency, and Andrew’s forthcoming work, HoloSapiens: Conscious Evolution in Action. Andrew is a tall, grounded guy who exudes enthusiasm about life and adventure. Connie has warm, deep, watchful eyes and is clearly a guiding force. She was born in Maine, USA,…
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Sister Lucy Kurien: From Tragedy to Transformation
In June 2026, Sister Lucy Kurien, founder of the Maher Ashram in India, travelled to Tavira, Portugal, to attend a Gender Reconciliation retreat titled The Body of Joy. The 4-day retreat organised by Will Keepin and Cynthia Brix attracted attendees from Africa, the USA, Portugal and Canada. Living close by, I joined the retreat and spent some time with Sister Lucy. She is a warm-hearted, bubbly, inspiring woman with kind eyes. Her hugs are firm, feel genuine, and are restorative. As we talked, she reflected on more than three decades of resilient service and on the continuing challenge of supporting women and children affected by violence, abuse and abandonment. “My…
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Ireland – May 2026 – Hill of Uisneach – Bealtaine Festival
My birthday present in May 2026 was a visit to my father’s ancestral home in Westmeath, Ireland, timed for the fire festival on the Hill of Uisneach. After a tough year, Jim’s cancer treatments weighed heavily. We questioned whether we could climb the hill together, but hoped the journey would restore us. Locals claim the Bealtaine fire festival on this hill is the oldest in Ireland. Fires are ignited on sacred hills, creating a single “fire eye” over the island, symbolising the country’s emergence from the cold darkness of winter into the light. On Bealtaine eve, every household fire across Ireland was extinguished, and people waited in the dark for…
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Celebrating Connection at the Open Mic Night
Last month, towards the end of an autumn day, some of the artistic community in the Eastern Algarve, came together to transcend borders, languages, and backgrounds. The Open Mic Night, held on November 20th, was a celebration of neighbours and an opportunity for us to weave our individual stories. We paid homage to Tela Leão who brought us together under the umbrella of the Álvaro de Campos birthday party celebration. (FAAC) Jay Artale a local artist and I created a running order for the participants who had let us know they wanted to perform. We tried to accommodate everyone who arrived with songs and poetry on the night. This meant…
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Blue Eyes and the Secret – A Novella
Coming soon on Kindle Blue Eyes and the Secret. A novella – Venture into the heart of the Algarve with Blue Eyes, a Balinese-spirited feral cat, as she uncovers ancient secrets and fights to protect her home on Monte Agudo. In a land where olive groves meet modern orange farms and water is scarce, Blue Eyes speaks with plant devas and heeds the whispers of the earth. When a devastating threat emerges in the form of disappearing trees, poisoned lands, and a foretold prophecy of end times, Blue Eyes must embark on a transformative journey. Guided by the wisdom of Ceres of Old and aided by a motley crew of animal…
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Developing dialogue and character
Join me for the fourth of six writing workshops. This session focuses on developing dialogue and character. Are you passionate about storytelling or memoir and eager to learn and improve your craft? We will consider ways to create compelling dialogue to reveal inner worlds. Dialogue is valuable in character development because it helps us identify mood, inner conflict, and more. In this session, we’ll explore: How to write dialogue that feels natural. Introduce body language and setting to add depth. Uncover the subtext of what characters are expressing beyond their words. Build atmosphere and mood through dialogue and description. Explore distinctive voices and emotional intensity to deepen the layers of…
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Come to Tavira’s community garden party: open to the entire community
The association Ecotopia Activa is inviting local people to a party in the community vegetable gardens in Tavira on 24 May 2025 between 9:30 am and 7:30 pm. There will be music, workshops, a competition and activities to promote healthy eating. The event “Há Festa na Horta!” – from the garden to the plate for a healthy life!, is part of the municipal program Equinócios, promoted by the Municipality of Tavira. The initiative will take place in the Amendoeira Community Garden, in the Posto Agrário de Tavira, and entry is free. “This event is a unique celebration,” says the association, and an opportunity for the entire community to visit the community…
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Tavira Climate Change Plan Consultation
If you have not already responded to the Tavira Climate Change Action Plan Consultation here are the dates, link to the plan and an English translation.Also an English translation of the presentation given in the library.You have till 8 April 2025 to respond. English translation of Tavira Climate Change Plan over 10mb download Participatory Public Consultation Sessions – PMAC Tavira The Municipal Climate Action Plan (PMAC) is still being analyzed and the Camara want your participation! Join the participatory sessions in villages and contribute to a more sustainable future for Tavira. Schedule of Sessions: Sta. Catherine F. Bishop – 25.03 | Parish Board | 18h00 📍 Luz of Tavira –…
