coconut smell in the air

pinkiebluesky · Post by **pinkiebluesky** » Sat Jul 26, 2003 2:05 pm

At the end of the summer when the days start to get cooler and nights cold, there is a lovely coconut smell in the air. I have been told it´s people burning almond branches after cleaning the trees, it is the most lovely smell and I would love for somebody to tell me what it is

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sun Jul 27, 2003 4:50 pm

I believe you were told correctly about the "coconut" smell being the burning of almond branches --as I remember asking and being told the same.
Speaking of smell/aroma ---- i always thought Carvoeiro had a certain something in the air---especially of a night---most of our time living there we would go to CVO most nights and i would scent a "spicey ness" as I walked the road down to the praia!
I told my Port.friend Paula of this and she replied --you know what that is ? I said no and she answered "The smell of Africa!"
I think she meant the spicey aroma but wondered if she may have been referring to Algarves "Moorish" past!
We do not use our sense of "smell" nearly enough--a scent or aroma can conjure up many memories --cant it?
Some very pleasant --and some -- maybe not so pleasant!
I love the "Jacaranda" trees and loved sitting under them in Lagoas park near the large main church. But cant remember if they have perfume-- do you or anyone know? Ellie

pinkiebluesky · Post by **pinkiebluesky** » Mon Jul 28, 2003 6:55 pm

I went to Tunisia many years ago, long before I even knew of Portugal! Everyso often I get a whiff of Tunisia here in Carvoeiro, a mixture of donkeys, hot roads and sand all mixed together, mmmmm lovely!

poet · Post by **poet** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 9:21 am

...The moment I walked out of the airplane I could smell a gentle sweet scent that is so recognizable. This is the typical smell of the algarve and I love it. It felt like coming home again. I love everything there is to love about the algarve.....maybe one day i'll be coming home for good........

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Tue Jul 29, 2003 6:44 pm

Such wonderful words guest Poet-- no would could have expressed it better-that feeling of "Coming Home!"
I do hope you get your wish--to feel like that about a place -you certainly deserve to finally make it your "home"!
Ive lived in quite a few places here in UK over the years --but-- i always feel at home inAlgarve--particularly Lagoa and Carvoeiro --theres the name of a flower "hearts ease" a little tricolour viola -- alovely name- and thats how I feel about these two places -- my hearts "at ease" there.
Assuming you write poetry - maybe you could start a "Poets Corner " here on forum.
Wonder what Steen would think of that?
Folk putting there own work on or quoting their favourite poems -could be about Algarve /Portugal -- serious or humourus,or other subjects.
Startthe ball rolling and see what happens-- what d'you think?

Henriëtte · Post by **Henriëtte** » Wed Jul 30, 2003 5:26 pm

Lovely how you put that down, I couldn't say it better. That's exactly what the Algarve is to us: coming home. That's why we plan to live in the Algarve for good.

Blondelle · Post by **Blondelle** » Wed Jul 30, 2003 5:50 pm

Glad you feel the same Henriette --and sincerely hope your dream comes true --of living in Algarve,
best wishes Ellie

Henriëtte · Post by **Henriëtte** » Wed Jul 30, 2003 5:56 pm

thank you Ellie, I will let you know how things go. In october we will know it!

davidandisabel · Post by **davidandisabel** » Thu Jul 31, 2003 3:38 pm

Henriëtte wrote:Lovely how you put that down, I couldn't say it better. That's exactly what the Algarve is to us: coming home. That's why we plan to live in the Algarve for good.

We are also planning to live in the Algarve for good. Can anyone offer help/advice on the public healthcare system - if there is one - in Algarve? Or is private medical insurance essential.

ate breve

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Thu Jul 31, 2003 3:54 pm

David and Isabel,
Ill have a word with Hub --see if he can offer advice to you--though when we lived there we just simply went private to a local doctor --German chap in CVO as i recall -but that wasnt very often as we were very lucky healthwise.
Am I right inassuming you are a retired couple?English/British?
Ill have a word with H when he comes in --see if he knows more an d can help.

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Thu Jul 31, 2003 6:49 pm

Davidand Isabel!
This is from H regarding healthcare!
If you are planning to live permenantly in Portugal?Algarve,or any other EEC country,you will not qualify for any state benefits or health treatment until you have beenpaying full national insurance contributions for a minimum of 12 months.During that period you will need agood private health insurance.You will needto apply for a "Residencia".
The same principle goes for the state pension.However you can take all qualifying years in the UK with youand carry on the payments in Portugal.But a warning--some EEC countries are,in a roundabout way,trying to reduce the value of the pension and increase the working years!
First thing to do is find a good accountant.He will help with your application and "steer" you through the ponderous Portuguese paper chase!
Hope this is some help to you both and wish you Boa sorte/Good luck!

isabelanddavid · Post by **isabelanddavid** » Fri Aug 01, 2003 7:50 pm

We started with the air smelling of coconut, smoked almonds, sugar, spice and all things nice. And now surgical spirit - my apologies. Dear Ellie & H, its good to hear from you, now I must fill you in: yes, we are from England, took early retirement, living temporarily in Lisbon with def. plans to move to Algarve later this year/early next. We,ve been here for about 18 months now and we have our residents permits and medical cards, we have a family doctor/GP at our local health centre who may refer us to the local hospital for some routine tests/check-up; and all this costs us next to nothing (a couple of euros for a blood test or a chest xray). What concerns us is this: we, in the past have met Portuguese people from Algarve in the hospital who have been up since 4 am to see a doctor in Lisbon! Minha lingua nao bom (my Portuguese is not good) Are there no NHS/state hospitals in Algarve? We are seeking information, official or unofficial, on how the system works.

David (digger)

Ellie · Post by **Ellie** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 5:42 pm

Thanks Isabel and David for info on your situation.
Can only reallyspeak of when we were there--there were couple of nhs surgeries in Lagoa and hopsital (families of patients used to take food/clean bedding in and wash them )
There is a clinic/surgery inCarvoeiro over restuarants(colombos).
But must tell --though things may have changed considerably since then-that afriend of ours received treatment for cancer (at Portimao) and was not at all happy. Also afriend of ours up near Setubal has Cancer and she flies back regularly to UK for treatment as she also is not happy with local health facilities.
Oh dear! This message sounds very pessimistic and I sorry about that.
Hub(who is medically retired with arthtritis) simply says--have a backup for yourselves with some private medical insurance.
As I say-speaking for ourselves-it is a bit in the past--and maybe someone will come on here with something more optimistic for you!
certainly hope so! Good luck anyway,Ellie.

isabelanddavid · Post by **isabelanddavid** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 11:02 pm

Ellie, cvo.com is new to me and I am looking forward to learning more about the online community. It seems you used to live in Portugal but no longer. To be frank, do your sad tales date back to pre 86 EU sign-up, or (treading carefully here) pre 74 revolution. Your stories are invaluable.
David

Blondelle · Post by **Blondelle** » Sat Aug 02, 2003 11:34 pm

No David--it isnt that far back for us --just over 10 years ago in the early 90s we were there for a couple of years running a business.
Actually Ive written of some of our experiences on CVO.coms home page --as you scroll down -its called Ellies Corner---webmaster Steen was kind enough to let me write of our time in Algarve.We had wonderful times and not so good ones - but the great time far outweighed any bad!
Ellie.

coconut smell in the air

coconut smell in the air

Something in the air!

smell

coming home!

Coming Home!

Health

Healthcare

NHS?

Past Times