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Ellie and Hub lived in Lagoa 10
years ago, while in their early 40's, they had a carpentry business near
Algoz.
You can reach Ellie at: Gantree1@aol.com |
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Sunshine Break
I came through passport check-in at Faro feeling tired after my very
early start but in anticipation of 11 days sun, warmth and a
complete rest. Normally I would be planning what to do during my
holiday but this time I felt different. I felt exhausted. I put this
down to a few things: firstly our dreadful wet summer in UK, 2
months of almost solid rainfall, with our own home having flood
waters up to our door and around the gardens : of my own health, in
being diagnosed with arthritis and having to take regular
medication: and last but my no means least, of my oldest son being
badly beaten on his way home from work in the early hours. This had
taken its toll on all the family; a very upsetting experience.
Happily he recovered well, so with my mind more at ease I was ready
for a lazy, relaxing time; Hub had given me his blessing to go ahead
and enjoy myself.
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I
stood at the carousel as the luggage came around. There were just a
few pieces left then it came to a halt. My bag was nowhere to be
seen! I asked the young lady if there was more to come and she told
me “no”. When I described my bag to her, she said she thought she
had seen another woman going off with it. Well this was a good start
and I was soon in a sombre mood. As luck would have it, there was a
bag left behind with the owner’s name & mobile no. on the label;
also the name of her holiday hotel in Vilamoura.
After filling in the form at Lost Property, I made my way through
the exit and I was soon on my way by taxi to Carvoeiro.
In my apartment I called Kteee and she was very helpful and gave me
a few ideas of what I could do.
I rang the Vilamoura hotel, only to find out that the person who had
taken my bag was now returning with it to Faro airport!
After a rest, I headed to Colombos for a cold drink, then managed to
do a deal with one of the older taxi drivers for a return trip to
Faro and back. I’ve never had such a fast journey in my life! The
driver got me there in just over half an hour. It was quite
hair-raising but he seemed a very competent driver and although it
was a very ‘speedy’ journey I somehow felt quite safe. The driver
waited as I had to check-in through security again and I can’t
describe the great feeling and relief it was to have my bag with all
my belongings back with me once more. |
I was so tired, that it took me a few days to recover and I just
totally relaxed into Carvoeiro’s laid back life-style, sleeping in
late, having a peaceful sunshine breakfast on my little balcony,
going to the beach to soak up the wonderful sun and sea air; I could
feel the tension falling away. Then, my biggest treat of all,
dressing up and dining out each evening; I revel in this luxury of
not having to cook.
A few days before my trip to Algarve, I had received a message from
webmaster Steen. He told me that he had bought me a new digital
camera. I was so pleased, excited, like a child anticipating a
Christmas present. I was to collect it from the
Dancône ice cream shop on the Saturday afternoon.
On Saturday a friend gave me a lift into Alvor to meet up with
Susana at her Magna Carta bookshop. We had quite a merry time
talking and catching up with each other’s news. However there was an
accident on the outskirts of Alvor which held us up, so in
consequence I was late getting back to Carvoeiro.
When I went to the Dancône shop, I was very pleasantly surprised
when the lady working in there brought out a sweet little bag that
held my new camera and also a large pack of French chocolates (which
were delicious!) along with a very nice, kind note from Steen.
On Sunday I had a date with a couple who have recently moved out to
live in Algarve along with their young son Jack 11. I met this
little family in winter of last year. Richard and Carole ordered my
book and as they were travelling down to my part of Lincolnshire,
for young Jack to visit the local aviation centre, we met up in my
local town of Spilsby. It was then I heard of their plans to live
and work in Algarve.
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Please find these and more photos in large formats
here
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Sunday was another lovely day and we decided on Colombos for lunch.
I took along my camera to show them. I asked Richard’s advice on how
to use it. But it wasn’t Richard or wife Carole who gave me the
knowledge, instead it was young Jack who easily and with great
knowledge, showed me how to work it. Young people amaze me today
with their ‘know how’ of PCs and other gadgets. So Jack became my
tutor and set the camera up for me to use. But he was itching to get
to the beach and I thought he at least deserved one of the delicious
Dancône special ice creams for his efforts.
Soon we were sitting on the seawall eating our cones and I learnt of
how Richard and Carole were happily settling into to their new life
in Algarve and Jack into his new school; a very nice young lad, who
I’m sure will have a very bright future. The hours flew by and soon
I was saying goodbye to this happy little family and wishing them
every success in their new country. It isn’t easy adapting to life
in another country and learning a new language but if anyone can
make a go of it, I feel certain that Richard, Carole and young Jack
will. I wish them every success. It was great meeting them.
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Richard and Carole weren’t the only couple I knew who were starting
a new life in Algarve. One night, as I entered Colombos for dinner,
I was about to sit at one of the pavement tables when a friendly
voice called “Ellie?”
It was LizzieH, a member off
www.forum.carvoeiro.com. We’d never met before but had
corresponded a few times via PMs and even before that, quite a way
back, we had exchanged emails.
After dinner I was invited to join Liz and her husband Geoff for
coffee and it was during our conversation I learnt they were almost
ready to come to Algarve to begin their new life there. I sensed
their excitement and eagerness for the coming spring when they could
settle into their new home to let their new life adventure begin. A
very nice couple, who, to my mind, had done the sensible thing of
coming to Algarve on many visits and had prepared their home and
themselves for this stage in their life. A very enjoyable evening
and I have to confess that I felt a little envious of them. Liz and
Geoff, I wish you every success and lots of happiness for March next
year! |
Hub and I had been discussing the next stage in our lives and that
means in February next year, we are putting our home here in
Lincolnshire, up for sale.
So, I decided to go and take a look around Lagoa, just in case we
changed our mind about moving to France. I wanted to try to get a
feel of the place; of how it might be to live there once again.
Knowing that I would be doing quite a bit of walking, I went in
search of a walking stick. A friend at Colombos had told me that
there were some available at the Chinese shop, just past Safari bar.
So I went along there and managed to buy a very sturdy stick for
just 2 euros-50; a bargain!
As I waited for a taxi, a voice called to me and I saw it was forum
member Dalcassian (Joe) and his wife Nell eating lunch at Smilers. I
had bumped into Nell & Joe in the square earlier in the week and had
lunch with them; a lovely Irish couple from Dublin and who are more
friendlier than the Irish? So I joined them for a drink before
heading off to Lagoa. |
Whilst sitting in Lagoa’s park eating my sandwiches I looked up and
noticed a couple of people I knew who lived there; Linda and
Joachim. We sat and had coffee together, catching up on each other’s
news. When I told Linda about looking for property she directed me
to an agent that’s situated below her apartment. I looked at 2
properties in Lagoa. One was a fully furnished cottage available for
a very reasonable rent, the other was a renovated cottage for sale.
The cottage for rent was very nice but the staircases were narrow
and steep, so I couldn’t see Hub being comfortable with that or
myself, the way my leg is now. But the cottage for sale had been
renovated very tastefully in an open plan fashion, with a long
sitting room and a small cloakroom off. A large full fitted kitchen
and dining area with a lovely open fire place. The marble stairway
was new and wider, leading up to 2 good sized bedrooms and bathroom.
There was an outside staircase up to a large roof terrace; this
staircase was from the patio doors of the main bedroom as well as
from the ground floor.
As these cottages were near the outskirts of the town, their roof
terraces gave one fabulous views of the open countryside that
stretched across to Silves. That brought back nice memories for me;
of our old 3rd floor apartment, where I had made a container garden
on the roof and where I would often stand looking out over Lagoa in
the early evening light.
I didn’t get home until late that evening as I had to wait quite
some time for a taxi; in fact a young black couple with their baby
boy, who were in front of me, took pity on me and let me share their
ride back to Carvoeiro.
The next morning I was suffering. I knew I would be. Viewing the
cottages I had done a lot of climbing stairs and now my hip and leg
were telling me Id done too much. So after some pain killers and
then making a sandwich lunch, I made my way to Carvoeiro’s little
bay for a day of sun, warmth and relaxation. |
My holiday went very quickly and soon it was Thursday; I would be
going home on Saturday evening. The thought then occurred to me,
that during a discussion on the CVO restaurant forum, I had said
that I would give the restaurant O Boteco another try. This
restaurant must have one of the best views around Carvoeiro. I had
visited it just twice before. Once, when we lived in Lagoa and my
oldest son and his girlfriend were staying with us and then again
about 2 years ago, I had gone there for a solitary lunch. Id had no
complaints about my meals or service, so thought I’d try it out once
more.Thursday was beautiful and hot as I made my way slowly up
past the Dan Cone shop, up the steep hill, stopping to give my leg a
rest now and then and to take in the sumptuous views of sea and sky
over this blessed little place.
O Boteco was quite busy but there were a few empty tables. The
waiter came up to me immediately and took my order for sardines with
salad and potatoes. My drinks of pineapple juice and water were
quickly brought to table, along with bread, butter and sardine
paste.
I had to wait a while for my lunch but I didn’t mind that as I was
quite happy to gaze out at a hot blue sky that came down to meet the
white tipped waves and of course, a wonderful chance to use my new
camera.
My lunch arrived and boy was it a large one! Six large sardines,
with a simple salad and potatoes. By the time I had finished up with
a white coffee I was full to bursting!
I then took a stroll on the cliffs, looking down at the bay far
below I felt a slight vertigo and though on previous occasions I
have walked the many steps down to the beach, there was no way I
could manage it this time.
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Please find these and more photos in large formats
here
[opens new window] |
After a rest on Carvoeiro beach, I made my way up to
Algar Seco; I had promised to look out for a villa, where forum
friend Jan / Canada is going to stay for her spring holiday. I
didn’t have any luck finding it, so I continued walking along the
cliff tops until I reached Carvoeiro’s
church. It was very hot and I eagerly sort the shade of the old
archway and the short path between the lifeguard building on one
side and the church next door. The colour of sea and sky and the
flowers close to the church were very pleasing to the eye; all
startlingly beautiful yet its so restful a place that I sat there
for some time.
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Please find these and more photos in large formats
here
[opens new window] |
Friday night and it was my last one in Carvoeiro. Determined to make
the most of it, I dressed and wandered down to Colombos for my
dinner. I always feel sad on my last day, not only because of my
attachment to the village but of leaving the good friends I have
there. I had a nice meal and a drink or two, chatted with Pedro and
boss Marcus. Once more I had a pavement table; I noticed a couple
close to me and that they had been there each night. I nodded good
evening to them.
At about 10.30pm I was thinking of leaving and went to pay my bill.
On saying goodnight to Marcus, he asked if I was going home and when
I said yes, he told me that Geninia, his wife was on her way there
and would I stay till she arrived. I didn’t need asking twice;
Geninia has become a good friend and I always enjoy my chats with
her.
Geninia arrived and we sat at the bar; the place was starting to
empty and once more I said I thought Id better go home, but Pedro
said they were closing the kitchen and they were going to have a
drink and I was invited to join them all.
We all drew up chairs around a pavement table; there was Geninia and
Marcus, Pedro and myself and the couple I’d said hello to earlier. I
was introduced to them and I was surprised to find they were
Londoners like myself; Eileen and Phil were Eastenders from Bow. We
had a lot to talk about, of living in London, how it was when we
were young and how cosmopolitan it is now and of course I told them
all about Carvoeiro.Com !
Drinks started to appear in front of me, my favourite Port, bought
by Marcus and Phil, one after the other and soon the night took on a
rosy, hazy glow! It turned out to be a very merry evening indeed and
of course there were lots of laughs too.
Looking at my watch I saw that it was 1.30am. Marcus had said he
would have to be careful as the GNR do their rounds after a certain
time, to make sure the bars were closing but we seemed to go on for
a long time into the early hours and I was thoroughly enjoying
myself. Then Eileen and Phil said they were making a move and hailed
a taxi, as their villa was at the top of Estrada do Farol; on asking
where I was staying they insisted I went with them and so I was
delivered safely to the door of my apartment building.
I can’t remember what time I got to bed that Saturday morning but
all I will say is, my last night in Carvoeiro was a jolly, happy one
with great company!
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