Travel Writer looking for Contact person

Canadagirl · Post by **Canadagirl** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 10:14 pm

I'm coming to Carvoeiro this March for the second time (counting the days). As a freelance travel writer, I am always looking for 'the story' and would be thrilled to find a local 'source of information' to answer all those pesky questions that always come to my mind. Like, what is it with those fishermen who teeter on the edge of the cliffs?

As well, I'm looking for the places to go off the beaten tourist path. Is there anyone I could get in touch with when I arrive who would be willing to offer advice, information, suggestions?

kteee · Post by **kteee** » Sun Feb 20, 2005 10:18 pm

You can contact me if you want - not sure how much help I'll be but I'll try

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 1:09 am

Like what is it with those fishermen who teeter on the edge of the cliffs?
Theyre fishing!

Canadagirl · Post by **Canadagirl** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 1:41 am

Thanks Kteee - I will email you off list and maybe we can arrange to connect when I get there.

And to the Very Smart Guest response - thanks for the valuable insight on the teetering fishermen!

Hmmm...I think I sorta figured out what they were doing....but I must admit to being rather curious as to why they choose the highest points....why must they stand right on the crumbling edge, how many do you lose a year, who did it first and what ever gave him the idea, what kind of fish hang about the surf at the base of the cliffs, is this a centuries-old traditional custom or a 'living life on the edge adrenalin grab', how hard is it to haul a fish 100m up a cliff, is it worth the effort, how long is the pole, how much fishing line do you need.....you know...all those sorts of fascinating things.

cowboy · Post by **cowboy** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 1:51 am

Please let us know what you learn about them.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 1:52 am

its called louco or doido and think local emergency sevices are kept pretty busy

cowboy · Post by **cowboy** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 6:22 am

Intersting....

what age group does this type of fishing...young? old? in between?

Gambrinus · Post by **Gambrinus** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 10:07 am

Canadagirl wrote: As well, I'm looking for the places to go off the beaten tourist path. Is there anyone I could get in touch with when I arrive who would be willing to offer advice, information, suggestions?

I would suggest you drop by Anteak on a thursday night and talk to some of the locals and ex-pats. Insight, for the story within the story

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 12:39 pm

Hello Canadagirl

(I don't suppose you're our newest member are you 'Wintergirl'?)
Anyway a warm welcome to you

Very interesting post and you won't go far wrong in following Gs advice or indeed meeting up with our Kteee..
If you could get to my friend Susana's bookshop in Alvor (she was raised in the Alentejo countryside) Im sure she would enjoy speaking about life away from the tourist traps..her English is excellent/fluent..
and you may enjoy a browse amongst the books too

This is her website..which also gives details of how to get there....Good Luck with your research and happy hols!

www.magna-carta.biz

p.s. Im in CVO in March..so may bump into you........ellie

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Mon Feb 21, 2005 3:10 pm

its called louco or doido and think local emergency sevices are kept pretty busy

AND the local undertakers!!!!! B1D

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Tue Feb 22, 2005 12:14 am

Hi I live in Carvoeiro , and am a bit of an explorer. I love the hustle and bustle of carvoeiro but also like to go off the beaten track , there are some great places that the tourists dont see. ( know I am not going to put them here ), places of peace and tranquility also places of great history. I dont know if I can help you , but you are welcome to contact me when you get to Portugal.
916450717 No offence but I am not going to put my name on here , for privacy reasons.

wintergirl · Post by **wintergirl** » Thu Feb 24, 2005 12:30 am

Yup, that's me - Wintergirl, Canadagirl - one and the same - I signed on as a member thinking that I had to in order to post, then realized it was unnecessary.

Thanks Ellie, I will certainly drop into see Susana in Alvor as we spent some time in the Alentejo last time and I was completely taken with it. Monserez, Marvao, Alvito, Evora....the olive trees, cork oak, storks, pork and clams, rolling landscapes, floodplains, castles, fortresses....ahhh....I go on and on. Counting the days.

I remember finding this little store in Alvor run by 2 or 3 English girls who made the most wonderful jackets from patchwork. It was the end of our trip and I had already blown my budget - kicked myself though for not getting something - now I have a 2nd chance.

And, things I've learned from this forum - will sample Anteak, Mahrina, Happy's, O Tasco, Galeria, A Gale, El & Ela's....

And if I walk into Anteak on a Thursday night wearing my moose antlers or my Canadian Flag will I hear a host of cries "Wintergirl"!!?

And I still want to know about those fishermen....should anyone have any answers!

guest 2 · Post by **guest 2** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 2:20 pm

Hi all,
Just in reponse to Q re crazy fishermen.
I believe there are two main reasons for these lunatics being perched on top of towering cliffs, often at night(depending on which fish they intend to catch). Firstly, many fish feed around the base of cliffs, enjoying the protection provided by rocks, caves etc. Tho clearly not when the sea is rough. Seemingly many of the "hotspots" for this type of fishing just happen to be at the base of very large cliffs! They certainly always use the same spots. You'l find bait/reel/beer cans left behind always in the same locations.
Secondly, unless at or near a beach it is very difficuly/dangerous to attempt to get close to the ocean surface around this part of the Algarve. And many drink beers etc while fishing so prefer flat groung, even if atop a 100 foot plus cliff. Also, think part of the enjoyment is relaxng, taking in the view. And, no doubt, there is also an element of bravura/thrill in being so high up.
If you ask some of the locals they may tell you why, though probably not where

nb: i remember years ago many fishermen did acctually climb down these seeminglty sheer rock faces to a hidden ledge closer to the surface. In fact, they often the made foot-holds and paths to reach these spots! Though, probaby quite wisely, it is now very rare to see anyone at these ledges you will often see tell-tale marks of foot-holds and the likes.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 4:38 pm

Wintergirl....you may very well draw attention wearing those 'Moose Antlers'!

But from my experience of meeting up with other members(unless they've seen a pic first)..it usually consists of people staring quizzically at each other thinking 'Is it her/him??'..so the 'moose ' thing may be a very good idea..especially if its crowded..you'll certainly 'stand out'!

...............
Guest 2..you're right about that..when in residence/working I often went to Roch Brava Lighthouse area for my lunch break....I recall sitting up there and seeing fishermen climb down onto those ledges.The waves crashing into that cove there(where the trees seem to grow down into the sea)..seemingly within feet of those fishing fellas..and my heart would be in my mouth

We heard the 'emergency services' up that way more than once or twice!

nosey_parker · Post by **nosey_parker** » Fri Feb 25, 2005 11:24 pm

Just came across this post. Although Ellie had told me about this I'd forgotten. I've been keeping really busy, especially with orders that come in everyday...but I digress.

I'd be more than happy to help. I'm thinking of Salema - towards Sagres - and there are so many "off the beaten track" places there. Idylic really. And the good thing about it is that it is still pretty much a fishing village...

Maybe we could go there for the day. Ellie, I'd love to show you those places to you too if you'd like to come along, if wintergirl doesn't mind?

We need to set up a day - Sat or Sun - so that my husband can stay in the shop and we can go out and explore.

Getting excited already