CVO open?

[EMM]

Its not just CVO that is quiet, the forum is pretty moribund at the moment with a distinct lack of CVO related postings.

Roll on Summer.

[shanagarry]

Just got back yesterday afternoon and yes the place is virtually closed.

At 10.30pm on Monday night as we walked from Villa Medici to the taxi rank we passed 5 people. Brady's is shut (obviously) as was The Black Stove and The Round Up is closed until March. The place is deserted.

There were 7 taxis waiting for customers and as we were driven back up Estrado do Farol - we counted 3 people. Yes it is enjoyable when it is quiet - but not if you own a business and the fear among traders is that some people visiting will take the view that the place is 'dead' and not return or worse still tell others.

I don't believe it is any different than previous years - it could be a case of blaming the recession for the woes of the world - and that might be right

[EMM]

We have always visted in late Nov early Dec ( this year back a little later ) and in the last 6 years it has ALWAYS been very quiet.
We have been 1of 3 couple in popular restaraunts that we would avoid in summer as they are too busy.

when we get on an half full EJ flight out of Bristol instead of the 80% plus it always seems to be then I might start to agree that things are quieter than in past years.

[shanagarry]

We went to Maximes on Saturday night - 12 people in there - we had O Patio to ourselves on Sunday night - Mona Lisa had 8 on Monday and Villa Medici had 23 people in on Tuesday.

Our Aer Lingus flight back into Gatwick yesterday morning had 32 people on it - on the way out last Friday it had 57 (mainly Golfers).

Before anybody says it - yes, I do have a thing about counting (where possible)

[Bristle Si]

Never been out in the 'dead' season.
Latest we've been is early Oct. I suppose if this continues and the flights to Faro get affected this winter with half full planes, then inevitably the likes of Ejet will reconsider flights to Faro in winter from next year.

As the Algarve relies heavily on the golfers in late autumn, and late winter/early spring you'd think the golf courses would cut their fees to attract more golfers, but alas from what i've been told in the last couple of visits to CVO it seems the golf club owners are a stubborn lot on the Algarve. A little bit of commercial sense would seem to be part of the cure.

Portugal and The Algarve are not immune from the recession

[EMM]

Golf course rates is a point you frequently make but it is only we Brits who are affected by the strength of the euro and as each time we played last month we were waiting on the last third of our round as the courses were busy its does not seem to be affecting some of them too much.

Golf deals offered by courses such as Pestana can be excellent value 3 nights self catering, 2 round golf from £109,
Could be why sometimes its not easy to get a T time on Pinta or Gramacho, 3 nights, 3 rounds at Penina £205.
Thats less than we would pay for just the golf from one of the booking agencies,

[joanne]

HI Shangarry
Big Will told us he was opening for New Year, have they gone away then? Business must be bad if he changed his mind

[Bristle Si]

HI Shangarry
Big Will told us he was opening for New Year, have they gone away then? Business must be bad if he changed his mind

Yes, when we were out in Sept Big Will said Round Up was open until and incl. New Years Eve and then he was shutting until April. Surprised he's closed already, unless he plans to open up Xmas week for a week.

[steve]

When we left the Joker bar quiz evening last night the Round Up bar was open but pretty empty.

[shanagarry]

We walked past on Saturday night and he was closed at 11.15pm

We walked past on Sunday at 10.30pm - he was perched on his usual place with a black bowler hat on and there were 4 people inside. He was his usual friendly self and said that business was non-existent but that he was looking forward to his annual trip to Brazil. I didn't ask when.

He was closed on Sunday.

When we walked past on Monday night at 9.40pm the place was in total darkness and the inside blinds pulled across - when usually they are not. However, he does usually put a sign in the window saying he is 'Closed for the holidays' and there wasn't one there.

I was told by our friendly taxi driver - Jose - that he had heard he is closed until Easter - so please don't 'shoot the messenger' if I'm wrong. We are not back until early January at which time he will most definitely be closed.

Apologies to all if I have started a rumour that has caused many to alter their travel plans

[EMM]

The Jailhouse will be open on NYE, will it be as "bad " as we fear ?

[Roundy]

The secret to enjoying the Jailhouse is "Joining in ". Get up sing a song, tell a joke or just dance like idiots. It's unpretentious craic. While several other bars may have "better" musicians, they certainly don't have better banter. The fact that Dave is trading there for over 20 years is testament to the fact that some holiday makers must actually enjoy his mix of corny jokes, ancient songs and X-factor rejects.

[shanagarry]

In all the 23 years going to Cvo I have never been there. Is it up the back of the Post Office

[Roundy]

Yeah, up the hill behind the Post Office. Usually doesn't kick off til 10.30pm or thereabouts but worth a look none the less !

[Sharen Crane]

In all the 23 years going to Cvo I have never been there. Is it up the back of the Post Office

You are not missing much to be honest!