As we're hoping to move to cvo towards the end of the year, I thought I'd ask what you all miss about the UK when you're in cvo, either on holiday or permanently? (Obviously this is aimed at those from the UK, not that I want to exclude anyone).
I find it difficult to miss anything about the UK and don't seem to have missed anything on my visits.
However, if there's something cvo (or the Algarve) could do with, or something I might need to bring a ton of with me, then I need to know!

So, what do you miss

I do not miss anything (read: not a single thing) about the UK when
I'm in CVO: I just wonder why?

English country pubs. But you can't get hem in your suitcase.

Oh and the bluebell woods at the back of our house in Oxfordshire.

Not the TV or the papers or the government or the moaning minnies.

When I lived out there Debs,I did miss quite a few things..like good strong cheddar cheese....a good fish& chip.shop...and I dont remember being able to buy celery then(but this was long time ago)...
But of course you have the Intermarche now..and such a wide variety of food where you can buy all of those foods now. Ive just thought..can you get really good cheddar there?
When in Portugal now..I tend to eat Portuguese style..so dont worry about cheese etc.
To be honest Debs..in the extreme heat of high summer and I was outdoors working..I often dreamt of being in an English woodland with bluebells and huge shady trees..........and I would get a longing for 'home'
But I find now..that I get more homesick for Algarve!
strange creatures arent we?

I've found a good substitute for cheddar, in fact I think I prefer it. Good for sandwiches and cooking - inexpensive - "Ilha St Jorge" from Azores

Debs……sorry to hijack your topic (slightly)……but I’ve just run out of marmite……and I know that’s not a problem for those in Algarve……but I’m not going to be down there for a few weeks yet…….so does anyone know where I will find it here in Lisboa/Cascais..?……….the situation is serious……

Definitely get the marmite in, it's apparently an effective deterrent to mosquitoes !!
I would miss strong cheddar,a good old crusty loaf,and probably a jam doughnut.

We retired here last year after visiting for 16 years and we are really enjoying our life in Carvoeiro.
It is not Utopia, and it is different living here to being on holiday, however, apart from family and friends we do not miss a thing.
Some of our family live locally and that is lovely - and the others..well we have a great time with them when they visit

Just after logging off ..I read Janets post here..and Im fascinated!
How is marmite a deterrent against mossies ?
D'you mean 'after' youve eaten it?...or / you dont rub it all over you..do you

sorry..thats me above ...ellie

Ellie,
I can't remember now where I read it, but apparently if you eat a small amount of Marmite a few days before going away,the mosquitoes really can't stand the smell of it.
Please don't rub it all over!!

Also, if you are looking for some really exclusive food items (a particular brand of cheese, etc.) it is also worth having a look in Apolónia in Almancil - they sell a whole range of products you would not normaly find in Portugal.

Digger - some freinds of mine alway bought their Marmite in the Conti in CascaiShopping a few years back, but I guess you will probably already have looked there - I recall vaguely that there were some shops that specialized on catering for the "english-colony" in the Cascais/Estoril area, but I am afraid I have killed all clear memories with alocholic substances...

Ellie - working from memory, Marmite contains a large amount of Vitamin B3 (or is it B1?) - as I understand it, Mosquitos hate the smell of this particular vitamin. I also understand that the body can only process a small amount of this at a time and therefore any surplus is not absorbed and will taint your sweat (sorry - you are a lady - perspiration) which keeps the mozzies at bay.

Don't know if it is really true but I travelled extensively through Thailand and southern Vietnam about fifteen years ago and by taking an overdose of the vitamin did not get bitten once!

I will happily defer to anyone who knows better !

Graham

I will have to try the Intermarche and see what they sell as the shops I have tried haven't had very good cheese now I think about it.
My son would definitely miss the marmite but I can't say I like it too much.
(Although I do like Twiglets and its apparently on them).

I think I will miss Boots as I like a good chemists/cosmetics shop. However, I'm hoping to find an alternative.

Also, I can't seem to find anywhere that does Pampers and I don't like Huggies (for the children obviously)

I'm hoping to eat more Portuguese food when we live there too.

Surprised Marmite is difficult to get in Portugal - it is easy to find here in Muscat in the larger supermarkets. But if anyone needs some Omani local delicacies brought to the 31st bash (goat's eyeballs, camel's testicles etc.) let me know.