Just returned !

[Lamby]

Well, after many visits to CVO in May / June, we decided to spend New Year in our favourite place. We arrived Thursday 27.12.12 and flew back to The UK 1.1.13. It was quiet and I felt for some of the bars and restaurants, having made the decision to open some struggled for trade. We ate out three evenings, at Oasis, A Gale and we spent New Years Eve dining at Ma Ja's. All reported Christmas had been busier whilst New Year was quiet. We have visited all three previously so knew what to expect and all were very nice. A special mention for the wonderful evening spent with Mark & Jan at Ma Ja's, excellent food in a lovely setting.
Leading up to midnight we had a drink in Hemmingways. Dave seemed a little concerned as everybody seemed to be in Elle & Ela and Oasis opposite. Having said that, I think Hemmingways was doing decent business during the day and most evenings and remains one of the more popular bars in CVO.
At midnight we were on the headland by the church watching a rather short firework display over at Portimao.
The weather was a bonus. Sunday 30.12.12 in particular was stunning and we spent a few hours on Alvor beach. Just a little rain on the Saturday and unfortunately it was wet New Years Eve.
Altogether it was a lovely break, this year we will do the same and may even travel earlier and included Christmas Day!!
In the meantime, we have booked for July and hope to come over before then !!
Forza Carvoeiro - I will love you forever !!

[Gary/Gaynor]

thanks for the report, we are toying with the idea of Christmas at our apartment 2013 but not sure yet. Living and working in Holland makes us think fondly of Christmas in Dorset which has been a tradition. So, now the boys are all grown up and have their own agenda, which is only to be expected for "20 somthings" , seriously considering this year. We don't mind it being quiet, that suits us both after a hectic work run up for me that time of year. Perhaps Xmas day lunch out at Ma Ja's would be just the ticket. Can't believe I am talking Xmas 2013 lol! Srping and summer CVO to look forward too first. We will miss you this year if you are out in July as we normally do last two weeks Aug/ first two weeks Sept.
Happy New year to the family
Gaynor and Gary

[Lamby]

Happy New Year to you both x
Our boys are also in their 20's and have partners. This year, for the first time ever, our youngest had Xmas Dinner at his girlfriends house. Our determining factor is my edlerly mother - in - law. She loves Xmas Dinner with us and the family. However, if we were able to do "something else" CVO would be it !!! Jan told us they had 36 covers for Xmas Lunch and it was a great day with a great atmosphere. I can't think of many better places to be on 25th December than Ma Ja's. If you guys were also there - wow, now that would be fun !!!
Have a great 2013 and I hope we do get to see you in paradise xXx

[JackyD]

Gary/Gaynor - we live in Dorset. Where do you stay when you come to England for Christmas?

[Gary/Gaynor]

Hi JackyD, we still have a home in Swanage, it's an old cottage that we love and cherrish and would never give up but work committments mean we are here in Holland. We normally spend October in Swanage for Swanage Blues Festival as I sing with a UK band for the festival (I sing Blues and Rock) Christmas is always special as we like our walks along Swanage pier and the beach Xmas day and a stop off at the red Lion for real Ale. where about are you?
Gaynor

[HampshireRich]

We normally spend October in Swanage for Swanage Blues Festival as I sing with a UK band for the festival (I sing Blues and Rock)
Gaynor

Belts 'em out more like it - when Gaynor sings, everyone watches and listens, believe me

[JackyD]

[quote="Gary/Gaynor"]Hi JackyD, we still have a home in Swanage,

Hi Gaynor. We live in Poole but have an apartment in Carvoeiro. We try visit 2 or 3 times a year, usually in June and September and another visit if money permits as we are both now retired. Where do you fly from? We use Bournemouth airport as it is only about 25 minutes drive from home. We love Carvoeiro and its bars and restaurants. Also the really wonderful Portuguese people. We think we saw you and your husband talking to Elena (the lady from the Ukraine) in The Irish Times just before you went back to Holland (September?) We will have to come over to Swanage for the 2013 Blues Festival. We have heard about it but never been.

[Lamby]

Jacky / Gaynor - you both also frequent Harry's Bar and I know you were both in there at the same time earlier this year as I was there myself. It might have been Bob & Ida's Diamond Jubilee Party ?!? I often wonder how many fellow Forum Members you are actully in the company off without knowing it while in CVO !!

[laserblazer]

We used to have a solidarity badge, I've still got mine somewhere. There was also a CVO.COM t-shirt.

[Gary/Gaynor]

..let's start the badges again I say.
Gaynor

[Gary/Gaynor]

We normally spend October in Swanage for Swanage Blues Festival as I sing with a UK band for the festival (I sing Blues and Rock)
Gaynor

Belts 'em out more like it - when Gaynor sings, everyone watches and listens, believe me

you tend to hear me before you see me lol!!!! blinder again last year, pub was so full they opened the windows of the pub as there were loads outside but couldn't get in...Nice to see you again in Swanage Rich if you can make a trip down this year.
Gaynor

[HampshireRich]

We normally spend October in Swanage for Swanage Blues Festival as I sing with a UK band for the festival (I sing Blues and Rock)
Gaynor

Belts 'em out more like it - when Gaynor sings, everyone watches and listens, believe me

you tend to hear me before you see me lol!!!! blinder again last year, pub was so full they opened the windows of the pub as there were loads outside but couldn't get in...Nice to see you again in Swanage Rich if you can make a trip down this year.
Gaynor

Don't think we can make October cariad - we are in CVO for the fiirst 2 weekends in October. Don't they do a festival in March as well?