What is the name of the fortified wine from Madeira?

I have been asked several times, over the last few day, about the likelihood of airport strikes going ahead. (Good) news just in, although "Unions vow 'other forms of struggle already being considered'”. Portugal Resident article: "Good news for once for aircraft passengers – a three-month ‘strike’ called by airport handlers has been cancelled (indignantly) because the minimum services decreed would have obliged them to perform 80% of their normal duties. Claiming that 'our ministers currently wish to restrict' the 'constitutional right of workers' to protest (in such a fashion that causes havoc to the lives of innocents), unions SIMA and STA have vowed that 'other forms of struggle are already being considered'. For employers SPdH/Menzies this is nothing short of a coup. The unions had been threatening to snarl up the works 'for various periods between September and January', including the holiday weekends taking in Christmas and New Year." More

@Carl Hyde's quick guide for the show this morning, which will be expanded in the classroom, in due course *Seven Step Guide to Buying a Home in Portugal* 1. Define Your Goals and Budget Decide if the property is for living, vacation, or investment (tax implications) Include purchase price, taxes, fees, and ongoing costs !! Explore mortgage options if needed !! 2. Get a Portuguese Tax Number (NIF) Required for contracts, taxes, and opening a bank account Can be obtained with help from your lawyer, relocation expert/concierge or online 3. Choose the Right Location Lisbon and Porto: city life and culture, Algarve: beaches and expat communities. Nearby cities and towns can offer a lot more property for less money. Central & Northern Portugal: more space, lower prices 4. Hire a Buyer's Agent Free to you, zero cost* Their lawyers work on your behalf to confirm ownership, legality, debts, and contract details This protects your interests (Remember, listing agents represent the seller best interest first) *(Carl Munson: Some might charge) 5. Make an Offer & Sign Promissory Contract (CPCV) CPCV is legally binding agreement with deposit (usually 10%) If seller backs out they have to pay double your deposit as a penalty If you back out, you lose your deposit 6. Sign the Final Deed (Escritura) Signed before a notary Pay the balance and register property in your name 7. Register Register with tax office and pay property tax (IMI)

What's @Anthony Bryant moning about now?!

This morning, and thanks to @António Ferreira's continuing support in introducing us to Portuguese music, we were introduced to Carlos Do Carmo and his song - Mar Português Here are the lyrics... Oh, mar salgado Quanto do teu sal São lágrimas de Portugal Por te cruzarmos quantas mães choraram Quantos filhos em vão rezaram Quantas noivas ficaram por casar Para que fosses nosso, oh, mar Valeu a pena, sempre vale a pena Se alma não é pequena Quem passar além do bojador Tem de passar além da dor Deus, ao mar o perigo e o abismo deu Mas nele é que espelhou o céu Oh, mar salgado! Oh, salty sea, How much of your salt is Portugal's tears For crossing you, how many mothers cried How many sons prayed in vain How many brides remained unmarried So that you could be ours, oh, sea It was worth it, it's always worth it If the soul is not small Whoever passes beyond the bulge Must pass beyond the pain God gave danger and the abyss to the sea But in it he mirrored the sky Oh, salty sea! But what, do you think is the 'bulge', the 'bojador', that he refers to? And BTW who wrote these lyrics?! If there's ever a Portuguese culture test for citizenship, you might need to know this!