January Scenes in Santa Luzia

As January comes to a glorious end the sun still shines brilliantly on Santa Luzia and despite the cool easterly wind blowing off the sea it really is a wonderful time to be here.

The almond trees are in full blossom giving a rich white and pink skyline contrasting with the green and yellow ground cover created by the small yellow flowers of the ubiquitous Bermuda buttercup(Oxalis pes-caprae)that are in vibrant flower at this time of year.

There has always been controversy with those who choose a more nomadic way of life be this the Romany's, caravaners in Northern England or indeed our very own campervan people. At this time of year the towns and villages of the Algarve are amass with invaders from Northern Europe traveling in there little (or in many cases not so little) mobile homes.

I for one have no problems whatsoever. They bring their money to the area when many other tourists are still paying off their last holidays. They shop in our shops eat in our restaurants and employ the locals to wash their clothes and provide local food specialties. They are well behaved and leave no litter after them.

Long may they continue to enjoy thew winter sun

C R D Santaluziense v Lusitano FC

The team, from Santa Luzia took on top of the table giants Lusitano FC from Vila Real de Santo Ant�nio. To say they were giants was literal as well as metaphorical. They stood inches above there opponents and certainly used there extra height to good affect in all but taking the lead.

In a scappy game Lusitano dominated the first half but were unable to breach the Santaluziense. Scores were level 0-0 at the break. The second half began much the same as the first with Lusitano exerting considerable pressure on the home goal only for the inspired form of the Santa Luzia goalkeeper to keep them at bay.

A number of changes for the home team seemed to spur them on but despite more possession, their attempts to beat the league leaders with guile rather than brawn failed to create any meaningful chances.

It was left to the away team to take all three points with a scrambled goal late in the game. This enabled Lusitano still flying high and maintaining their position at the head of the table and pushed C R D Santaluziense closer to the bottom in 13th position.