Silves

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 11:25 am

I had message from a friend who was going to the Silves Beer Festival last night.
Any of you residents been along to it? Did you enjoy?
Weve only been to it twice....the 2 years we were in residence.Went along with Portuguese friends and remember having good time..but very very hot! phewww.
Is it still pretty much the same? I recall little brass bands/dancing and the men folk enjoying all the different beers!( me too of course ..but on a smaller scale!

)
Oh boy do I wish I was there now as I look out my window at rain clouds and drizzle

to say I am p----d off is a slight understatement!

Cheer me up please?(whilst making me very jealous as well of course

)
you lucky devils

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 11:31 am

Oh Ellie, wouldn't it be lovely sitting in Silves, sipping beers, enjoying the sunshine. Instead of our 'lovely' weather we are having at the moment!
Mind you. can't complain to much, although the skies are grey, I did get out for a nice ride this morning without getting wet, quite good for July!!!!
I really love Silves, think it is the most lovely city (town?) in the Algarve.
Take care, have a fun day.

Sandy · Post by **Sandy** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 12:55 pm

I'd be happy if I could only pronounce it!

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:03 pm

Yeah I love it there too Lesley!
Didnt go there on April trip but went quite a few times last September and boy! was it hot!
Love to sit by the river (near the old Roman bridge?)in the cool shade and just ..do nothing

get a good gypsy market there too!
Had a tiny shop(books) there once(for just a few months) ..on the 'cemetary'road as you go into the city.
Love the castle and its views! Do you?
as I write this Im looking at the Silves beer mug I got there..and dreaming............
hang on ..its stopped raining

Im off out before it starts again................

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:06 pm

before I go.....just seen Sandys post
Heard it pronounced 2 ways
Silvesh
but my Portuguese friend Maria always said Silvsh....
so thats how we say it.....
but maybe there are other ways?

huskey · Post by **huskey** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 1:56 pm

I live in Silves and went to the beer festival last night. Xutos e Pontapes were playing; Portugal's answer to a heavy rock band. They were on good form and I enjoyed the evening. I had heard that it hasn't been very well attended so far this year but last night was fairly busy. Most Portuguese tell me it was better when it was in the Castle ie atmosphere and that the entrance fee is now too high (€12 last night plus beer tickets/mugs on top of that). However, it was a lovely warm evening, I stayed out far too late and now I think I am about to doze off! Yer, Silves is a nice town. It is just a shame that they don't do more with it in terms of events and renovation of some of the lovely old buildings.
Remember sunny weather isn't everything, so don't be too jealous!

beerbelly · Post by **beerbelly** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:26 pm

We were in CVO late last week and saw a couple of posters for the Silves Beer Festival out and about in the area. However, on two visits to Silves we saw no directions/publicity for the Festival in the town and I suppose because we were enjoying the atmosphere of the town cafes/bars forgot all about it. We had been before when it was in the Castle grounds and I assumed that's where it is/was this time. It would appear that the organisers have to do a better job, especially if our previous guests mentioned that they'd heard it wasn't doing too well. And a rock band there-good for some but possibly not for general appeal. It would be interesting to hear how it all went (or didn't) once it's finished.

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:36 pm

Hi Sandy,
As Ellie said there does seem to be two ways of saying Silves, but my Portuguese friends also say 'Silvsh' so that is how we say it.
I think the place is lovely, and yes it could do with some renovation, but I do believe that there is a lot going on in that respect. The roads are all being re-cobbled and some of the properties are being renovated when we were there in May. I just think, as you come down the new road towards Silves it looks like a fairytale city with the church and castle as the highlight to the city and the pretty house underneath.

tricky · Post by **tricky** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 3:43 pm

Lesley, we noticed the renovation work when we were there in April.
I think it will be a big improvement. I always think that more could be done with the square, the bit at the bottom of the steps from the castle, with the fountain in the middle, more pavement cafe's there would be nice.

Are there any nice restaurants in Silves, they don't seem to be mentioned often on the site?

Lesley Jean · Post by **Lesley Jean** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:00 pm

Hi tricky, there are a few, mainly very Portuguese (which is no bad thing) Casa Velha is near the City Hall, has good fresh fish. Also Marisqueira Rui in one of the streets behind the market (can't remember which one) they again do good fish, steak and pork. Also Restaurant Barbinha, near the car park by the fountains/statues, on the cobbled road parallel to the main road.
Yes I agree, that little square is so pretty, a few more cafe's would be lovely.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Thu Jul 15, 2004 4:00 pm

Yes ..I assumed it would still be in the castle grounds Huskey..so where is it held now?
Do those of you who visit the castle ..do you walk up? You can find parking up there..but I always find the steep climb a challeng of the thighs..even on the walk down the cobbles can be slippery so you have to go carefully!

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 7:07 am

its at the fabrica ingles which is a cork museum and restuarent complex behind Lidll supermarket

ale tank · Post by **ale tank** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 8:10 am

when is the beer festival on till.I'm coming out a week on sunday and would love to go.

Huskey · Post by **Huskey** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 9:21 am

Sorry to disappoint you Ale Tank but it ends this Sunday (18th July).

Beerbelly... there aren't just rock bands playing. There is something different every night. I believe that the first night had Marisa, the fado singer, so should be something for everybody.

Yes, the renovations in the centre of Silves are a great improvement, except for the horrible black and metal posts/bollard type things they have put everywhere! I am sure they could have thought of something nicer.

Ellie...as a previous guest said, the beer festival is now at the Fabrica de inglês and I tend to walk up to the castle because parking and driving in the centre of Silves can be difficult.

Guest · Post by **Guest** » Fri Jul 16, 2004 12:40 pm

from what i hear its has not gone well...tourism is down everywhere..but then i cannot see the logic in paying 12 euros to go in (ignoring the desire to see a band ) and drink beer..which are in point of fact the same beers to be found in most bars.

if you want to see something good in late July runing thru to August Portimao have arranged a string of excellent shows with Russian Cossacks, Ukrainian ballet, Flamenco (carmen) tango troup from argentina

Silves

Silves

beer fest

silves

Beer Fest