Enjoying the Reserva da Luz lifestyle

Former bank executives Bob and Caroline Wood were the first property owners at Reserva da Luz and admit that apart from the quality of lifestyle their new home offers it was also a "good decision financially."

When the couple decided to sell up in England and retire full-time to the Algarve they discovered Reserva da Luz through a local real estate agent.

"We fell in love with the location the minute we saw it. I always wanted a home with a sea view and living next to the sea is wonderful," said Caroline, who is an enthusiastic water colour artist.

"The ocean and sky are always changing colour, sometimes the sea is burning pink, and the sunsets are wonderful."

Bob said: "We walked onto the plot, looked at the view and instantly we imagined what it would be like to sit on the terrace and enjoy the panorama of sea and sky.

"Occasionally you see dolphins swim by and on a clear night you can come out onto the terrace to see the stars and it’s like being in a planetarium."

The couple bought a 2000 square metre plot overlooking the ocean front then put their heads together with the Reserva da Luz architect and construction team to design their two-storey four bedroom luxury villa with swimming pool.

They moved into their new villa in March 2003. Both keen golfers, they play the nearby Boavista 18 hole course, usually twice a week. Caroline, who retired after a 23-year career in banking later qualified as a City and Guilds interior designer and decorative painter. Naturally, she carried out the interior décor of their spacious home. The Algarve landscape company Greenfingers created a delightful tropical style garden with rock pool.

Caroline, also a qualified kinesiologist (an oriental based therapy and treatment that includes acupuncture) is health conscious so the couple decided to splash out on a sophisticated water purification system that operates on a reverse osmosis principle. The reward is the purest of water to drink and bathe in. Under-floor central heating keeps their villa cosy in winter.

Bob and Caroline both had long careers with the Natwest Bank (taken over by the Royal Bank of Scotland) before they opted for a sunnier and more relaxed lifestyle.

One of the highlights of Bob’s 36 years banking career was meeting Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth at the official opening of the Natwest Tower in 1981 when he accompanied the Queen on a guided tour of the building.

"We enjoy life here and financially it was a good decision," they said.

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