Farewell Carvoeiro

[Lamby]

I seriously believe we have made our last visit to CVO!!
My wife is seeking early ill health retirement and this is having a huge impact on the family income. As Senior Management in a local primary school her wage was extremely good, now we have to rely on my wage and hope Liz gets some sort of pension. It is looking increasingly like she won't until she is eligible for the state pension in another nine years. She is really quite poorly and has been in local education for years, but trying to get them to give her a pension is unbelievably difficult. So, holidays abroad are a thing of the past. We fell in love with CVO in 2010 and have managed six visits since then and met some lovely people. Compared to some forum contributors we are mere novices and have made fewer visits than most on this forum, but we have crammed a lot in during our brief love affair and will miss CVO and all her charms. Maybe one day we will be able to return, but for the time being it is goodbye. I am guessing I will still visit the forum and possibly still be moved enough to comment on posts. I can't believe I am getting emotional as I type this...... oh well, we still have our touring caravan so the delights of the UK await us. Carvoeiro last New Year, Ellesmere Port and the caravan this coming New Year. Thanks to the many who have contributed to my posts and who have offered excellent advice and in some cases, friendship. See you all soon x

[laserblazer]

Has your wife asked her union for guidance? We had a teacher in a similar situation and they helped negotiate a good settlement. As for not being able to take holidays abroad, if you are no longer tied to school holidays, then things get considerable cheaper and I'm sure you'll find a way. Best of luck whatever you do.

[cumbria sue]

sorry to hear this lamby , I hope your wife picks up and you are able to go to cvo again , good luck to you both

[HampshireRich]

Has your wife asked her union for guidance? We had a teacher in a similar situation and they helped negotiate a good settlement. As for not being able to take holidays abroad, if you are no longer tied to school holidays, then things get considerable cheaper and I'm sure you'll find a way. Best of luck whatever you do.

2 good points there by Laser, don't give up Lamby!

[fatscholes]

as someone who has just had to start going in school holidays i can confirm that out of these busy times, the cost is very reasonable and with a bit of digging around the lowest price is hugely reduced from what you have previously known. Best of luck for the future.

[sam]

as kids left school a few years ago and I stopped teaching about the same time, I can confirm that everything is much cheaper out of school hols. Flights, rentals, car hire.
Hope your wife recovers enough to enjoy hols. I am sure she will feel much better away from the stress of teaching environment.
Where ever you holiday - have a great time.

[laserblazer]

We have started taking summer holidays in the UK and have really enjoyed it. We are members of the National Trust, English Heritage and Wildlife Trust and this provides us with more than things to do. We save Carvoeiro for the winter when just sitting on the verandah in the warm sun is a delight.

[Lotte]

Hi Lamby,

So sorry to hear of your sad news, I hope your wife recovers soon & is back to good health.
But remember.....Never say 'Never'.............you never know, you maybe sat in the square, in the sun, looking at the sea, sometime in the future!!!!
And anyway - whats wrong with a caravan!!!!! I'm off to Abersoch in one tomorrow!!!!...Just need to find a pub to watch United In!!!
I wish you & your good lady all the best for the future....& you never know...I may just be sat next to you in Smilers or Bradys Bar sometime in the future!!

All the best

[Lamby]

Wow! Someone said recently that a lot of rubbish is given time and space on this forum, and I agree. But there is also so much nice things said and I thank everyone for their kind words proving that a forum can be a good medium. One of Liz's conditions is arthritis, unfortunately of a kind that will only get worse. This, together with a whole list of other ailments that makes getting travel insurance interesting, means whilst she won't return to work, she can hopefully enjoy holidays. She is off to a beautiful touring site near Conway, North Wales all next week in the caravan.
Sam, you are SO right. She hasn't worked since March and whilst the conditions continue her stress levels are non existent and her general demeanor is a lot better being out of the teaching environment. And yes, having traveled abroad since 1995 in school holidays we are well aware of the savings to be made not being restricted to school holidays.
Thanks Laserblazer, the union have been great to date and are very supportive. Unfortunately it is trying to convince others that is the problem. As we speak, her consultant is preparing a letter in support of her medical condition to back up an appeal as her first request for ill health retirement has been denied. And funnily enough, we are considering joining the National Trust and various other organisations as we are due to be away more in The UK in the caravan.
Thank you again everyone. I am very humbled and touched by your kind words.

[Gary/Gaynor]

Hi Lamby, just got back from CVO so just catching up on this post. I am hoping that you both are able to take another trip out to CVO so don't give up just yet as I'm sure CVO has not seen the last of you. Please keep intouch with us all and let us know how you are both doing.
Sending up healing thoughts to you and your wife
Gaynor and Gary

[TomUK]

Blimey Lamby - I don't know about you getting emotional - I've got a lump in my throat just reading your post and the way posters on the forum are rallying round to cheer you up.
As someone on the wrong side of 70 with a wife who hits 70 in December, we continually thank our lucky stars that we are still fit and healthy enough to enjoy our holidays abroad. I know we will be very sad if and when the day comes that we have to pack it in. It was our Golden Wedding Anniversary in July and one of our gifts was a 12 month National Trust membership. Never thought about joining before, but reading their literature has opened my eyes to the many places to visit in the good old UK, so I'm sure you'll never be short of ideas when deciding where to visit in the van.
Good luck, keep your chin up, and as others have said - never say never.

[James Faro]

Lamby, I have a very strong feeling that you will be back in CVO next year.

[nosivad]

Lamby, don't worry about travel insurance, myself and hwmbo(her who must be obeyed) both have pre -existing condions and were worried about insurance; only to be told that it had come down significantly over the last few months (£70 for two for annual travel and two years cover at price protected) with RIAS.
ALL THE BEST and GOOD LUCK.

[laserblazer]

I know where my arthritis prefers to spend the winter months

[Michael Crane]

We have started taking summer holidays in the UK and have really enjoyed it. ...

He even came to Lincoln one weekend . . . . but it was closed.