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Day 3

The sun it out, let's go for a walk into town. 

So another day dawns and after another hearty breakfast we were off on a walk into Funchal.  Well technically we were doing a bit of caching taking in the sights and sounds of a now familiar route.  

Funchal Harbour (not it's not a cruise ship)

Sunscreen and hats were going to be needed today as too would be my trusty pedometer.  When Eddie says its only a 2 mile walk it generally turns into a long hike.  I was ready, prepared with appropriate footwear.  Going into Funchal, its all down hill, past the Presidents House/Office where, subject to the gates being open and the guard being on duty, you can take a walk around the grounds.  Imagine Downing Street offering the same facility.  We've done that and our objective was to walk through the beautiful park and gardens down to the harbour.  This is a favourite haunt of the many cruise ships as a stop off point so they can pick up supplies and disgorge passengers to boost the Maderian economy.  Geocache one of the day was soon located under a concrete barrier.  A very clever cache and the perfect place to drop off two travel bugs.

Next stop was a little further along the promenade.  A multi cache but with only one point of call.  It's by the side of a boat which was owned by the Beatles and which is now a restaurant.  Never been to it so cannot comment on the quality of food served.  Coffee time and a suitable stop off place to sit back, relax and what the boats of the rich and famous which seem to spend most of their time in the marina.   Enough of this sitting down, caches to be done.  

  

Rua de Santa Maria, Funchal old town.

Door within a door within a door.

We headed off for the old town for the next few caches.  After the disastrous flooding in February 2010  in which 37 people were killed, there is still evidence hereabout of the horrendous effects of these floods.  Fortunately the old town wasn't too badly effected and unless you know where you're looking you wouldn't know.  The narrow roads and 19th century houses make this part of town reminiscent of times past .l  Apart from a plethora of snackbars and restaurants offering a taste of Maderia, the Rua de Santa Maria has seen a resurgence of visitors after a brilliant idea to produce superb pieces of art on the doorways down this particular road.  Some would describe the painting of ancient building sacrilegious.  However, now only has it brightened up the area but people are flocking down to the place to see these masterpieces.  Okay, we were here to do a little caching but it was huge fun finding the information from these 'doors and then working out the whereabouts of the final cache.   .  

Final destination of the cache

Only two more caches to do and back into the main part of town eager to do more people watching and to have a cold beer and lunch.  The huff and puff grunt back up the hill towards the famous Reids Hotel (where Winston Churchill reputedly stayed) and an icecream to help us along we were soon back at the hotel.  Time for a relaxing swim for me and more book reading for him before a relaxing glass of wine and another lovely dinner with superb desserts.  I shall shortly be the size of an elephant and had up for carrying excessive baggage through customs.  Tomorrow is walking day;.  Up early to get the car and find the local bakers to collect sandwich for the picnic.  Job done.