Snapshot! August 2024

The latest art, photography, books, reviews, interviews, rescue dogs and Algarve news from Alyson & Dave Sheldrake.

August 2024

Snapshot!

The monthly newsletter from

Alyson and Dave Sheldrake

Alyson Sheldrake

Artist, author, organiser and the name

behind most of the crazy ideas round

here! She loves reading, learning new

things and encouraging others. A

former police ofÏcer and Director of

Education, she now spends her days

doing all the things she has always

wanted to do.

Dave Sheldrake

Photographer, lover of music, sausage

rolls, and movies and a delighted

Ipswich Town football club fan.

A retired police sergeant with over 31

years’ experience, he is now happiest

getting his feet wet on a beach taking

photographs at sunset. (He doesn’t do

sunrise!)

Zara

The newest member of the Sheldrake

family, Zara is their fun loving and

slightly mischievous newly rescued

Spanish water dog. She loves chasing

after her tennis ball, adores tummy

rubs and snuggles, and wolfs down

her fishy fish pie breakfast each

morning with relish.

Kat the Dog

A never-to-be-forgotten member of

the Sheldrake family, Kat was their

much-loved and adored rescued

Spanish water dog. She loved

watching chickens, goats and rabbits,

long walks beside the river and eating

presunto, cheese, and carrots. She

was also an expert in snoozing!

Meet the Team

This Month’s Cover

Our favourite event of the year is back again! The Silves

Medieval Fair is coming to town and we can’t wait...

Welcome to our Latest Edition

W h at h as h appen ed t o ou r su m m er ?!

Well last month was certainly different...

On two consecutive days we recorded the

highest temperature in Portugal at 43.7

degrees in Rio Grande do Sul in Alcoutim,

close to the Spanish border, (we were a

‘cooler’ 34 degrees over here in Aljezur)

then the next day the sea mist rolled in

and we dropped to a chilly 18 degrees!

Ridiculous!

As you can see the hay bales are stacked

in the fields and our Top 5 Algarve

contributor this month, Uschi Kuhn, has

some stark news about the dwindling bee

population for us to think about.

We’re delighted to be featuring two big

names this month, fabulous artist Alison

Johnson, and talented author Amanda

James. There’s a tragic story of much-

loved dog Maya, and look at that cute

face below ... that’s Deogo and he’s

desperate to find a new forever home.

All that - and the adorable Waggy, a big

turtle, lots of sunflowers, figs and loads

more. If you enjoy this issue, please

forward it on to someone else that you

think would also enjoy it. We love new

subscribers!

And a huge thank you for the recent

Ko-fi donations too. Your support means

so much to us. We hope you enjoy this

month’s Snapshot!

Best wishes from

Alyson and Dave - and Zara.

Contents

Dav e Sh eldr ak e Ph ot ogr aph y

Come on a river walk with a difference

with us

I n t h e St u dio W it h ...

This month we showcase the fabulous

Alison Johnson

Kat ’s Ku est ion s

Meet Health Mentor Elaine and her

adorable rescue dog Waggy

Spot ligh t on an Au t h or

We talk to entrepreneurial pastor and

author Bruce Joffe

My Top 5 Algar v e

Long-time resident and charity supporter

Uschi Kuhn shares her top tips

Book s by Aly son Sh eldr ak e

Reviews and news of an exciting

upcoming podcast interview

Paw Pr in t s

Zara’s latest news and a tragic story of

the beautiful much-loved Maya

Life in t h e Algar v e

Events, Workshops, Exhibitions and

the Latest News in Brief

Boa Com ida

We’re creating a real treat with some

in-season fantastic figs

Contents

100

“ Ola! Bom Dia!”

We’re still in the Portuguese kitchen for

more useful words

Lin k s an d Con t act s

Our archive of issues and Alyson live on

the Good Morning Portugal show

Ov er t o You ...

Your marvellous messages, Ko-fi

donations and wonderful feedback

Th e Book sh elf

More riveting reads for you to enjoy over

the holidays

Ou r Fav ou r it e Th in gs

Including a stunning ocean photographer

and some cheeky animal portraits

Read All Abou t I t !

Great resources for Algarve lovers and

local charity news

Ar t by Aly son Sh eldr ak e

The latest work for sale and a special

offer for Buddy’s Legacy charity

Pu zzle Cor n er

Sh! Don’t tell anyone about our

wordsearch clues!

102

104

105

106

110

105

104

Meet t h e Au t h or

We’re delighted to be featuring south-

west England author Amanda James

Books by Alyson Sheldrake

www.alysonsheldrake.com

It’s been pretty hot in the coastal areas, so Dave has been playing around with light

and shade, and also discovering a wonderful field of sunflowers for you...

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