Day 7

Busy doing nothing

Honestly, we have been busy doing nothing.  After all the excitement of the last few days, finally a chance to read my book.  Prue Leith - The Choir. Three 50 something women, one widowed, one business woman and on sex mad crazy woman all meet up through a small London Choir and become good friends.  The male of the species intervene in their lives bring these ladies to a deeper and closer understanding of themselves and others.  As a holiday read it perfectly find but if you want tension, thrills and spills this is not the book for you.

So now to find another book.  But before I start reading the next one a brief run down on todays events.  Found an excellent spot to put a caching box so that will be going in during the next couple of days.  As a treat for getting my hands dirty yesterday I have just returned from the Spa where I had a very pleasant, relaxing facial courtesy of the hotel.  I've had other treatment at the Spa here and they are excellent.  I wouldn't expect anything less.  

During tea on the balcony we spotted the Christopher Columbus Boat returning from its travels.  Does look strange seeing a Galleon sailing past at speed.  Not sure how for it goes.

Weather in Maderia today is hot and sunny and a gentle warm breeze blowing.  Pool staff have been doing their annual pool Spring clean which has been entertaining.

Tonight, hence the not particularly well written blog, we're off to the Casino Show and dinner .Pestana Casino Maderia  Will report on that tomorrow.  Now where is my party frock and heels.  

Day 6

Gardening in Maderia?

A bright and sunny day dawned.  Not for us time to sit by the pool and soak up the rays sipping cocktails.  No, we had been invited to join the Porto Mare Management, Customer Relations (Cindy) person and the hotel gardeners to join them on a Green Day.  About twenty guests, top bosses, administration staff and the gardeners were there to help us create something that will make this once dull, unattractive, soulless bank into a thing of beauty.

Not exactly Wolf Garten equipment

It's amazing what a bit of bribery can do.  Lansdown Landscaping Limited doing voluntary work in Maderia.  Well a bottle of red wine, baseball cap, facial in the Spa, a free three course lunch and some good fun has made this holiday something special and in the years ahead we shall be able to look at this little bit of Maderia and say 'We did that.'.  

Mother-in-laws tongue?

Now a muddy bank soon something beautiful.

The soil bank in question is opposite the Porto Mare Hotel and owned by the Council who are encouraging the community to make their environment beautiful.  Never before have I seen so many hydrangeas, Maderian Asters, Mother-in-laws Tongue and huge banana trees being planted in less than two hours.  Amazing team work by everyone.  Bet Eurovision would be such fun.  We've made new friends and been very impressed by the Teamwork by everyone at the hotel.  I can't compliment them enough.  

Eddie hiding under a banana

Team Work

Even lunchtime was that extra bit special.  Again the guests on one side of the table to get the best view of the pool and the staff on the other.  The gardeners being waited on by the management.  You wouldn't get that in the UK.  Soup, pizza, steak in garlic bread, fruit salad and as much beer, wine and water as you could wish for.  Amazing.  

Okay, so that's the morning overwith.  Muddy knees, two broken nails and very well fed but the hire car has to go back.  We took advantage of the afternoon and went up beyond Funchal to Monte.  In February 2010 Monte and Funchal suffered the appalling loss of 37 lives and the total demolition of a church in the village of Monte.  All that remains today is a pile of rubble and no hint of the lovely church that was once there.  However, the Geocache is still there and we had solved the puzzle two years ago.  We found it and signed the log before going to watch the basket sledges.  Yes, basket sledges.  just Google MONTE or try Youtube.com  and you will find pictures of the guys dressed in white with straw boaters standing on the back of wicker baskets which has wooden slats on the bottom.  These then act as sledges with the men using feet and the ropes on the baskets to steer and brake as you speed down the hill.  Not something for the faint hearted, although I am assured they don't go as fast as you may think.  Neither Eddie or I are yet brave enough to try and at 35 Euros it isn't exactly cheap.  It does look fun though.  

Okay, and so towards the end of another day on the Island.  The car has been returned, the cocktails have been consumed and now it's time for a bit of book reading.  Tomorrow I think will be a rest day before going off to the Casino for dinner and a show and who knows a couple of pounds at the tables?  

Day 5 

On top of the world aka on top of a mountain in Maderia

And yet another day dawns with a blue sky and that lovely early morning warmth that we all wish we could enjoy all year round.  Today is yet another Levada walk this time on the highest point in Maderia Paul de Serra.  From here you can see both sides of the island.  The turbulent northers side with Sao Vincente and the peaceful pine and laurel forests of Prezeras.  

Fortunately for me not too much charging along the Via Rapida so less having to hold onto the door handle for fear of some random driver trying to crash into the side of our little car.  

Don't expect them to mooooove.

A more interesting obstacle is the Maderian Cows and calves who are frequently seen mooching along the roads in this mountainous area.  But they are so sweet and really docile.  Mind you they're not too keen on mooooving along when a car is travelling at speed towards them.  What the hurry, chill, take your time.  Wish I was a cow.  (Don't answer that dear friends)

Crazy man!

As you all know Eddie is not exactly the bravest of souls when it comes anything to do with heights.  However, today he decided, in the interests of Geocaching.com he would attempt the assault on a 18th Century look out post to get a little pot to sign the log.  The mad fool.  Good job he couldn't seen down into the valley due to cloud cover.  I certainly wasn't going to catch him but he put his hand on the cache lid, although he wasn't brave enough to sign the log.  He live to do another cache and I get to have a driver to take me back to the hotel.


So we finally managed to park the car.  Every coach, minibus, rental car and biker were at Rabacal today.  We just managed to get a parking spot thanks to the fact that we're a very little car.  Off to find a few more containers.  Must say, todays containers were much more challenging and interesting being anything but close at hand and certainly not ordinary little plastic pots.  The family will understand when I say we ended up at the Jungle Cafe. At one stage we were supposed to find a trail down 50 yards to a levada.  We chose to pass on this.  Too much cloud and a very long drop and potential loss of life.  Not worth it.

Meet my friend Daisy the cow.

Mind you the levada we did end up on was also fraught with difficulties not just boulders and stone and dodgy walk ways but my favourite creatures.  Those of you who know me will be aware of the fact that I am a bit of a cowphobic.  I have already mentioned that the cattle on this part of Maderia have free rein over the roads this also applies to the levadas.  So how do you get past a cow blocking your path by a levada.  Answer: Very carefully~!

What a fantastic day up on top of the world.  Rabacal is a brilliant place to visit and today we were bless with some fantastic weather although the cloud did prevent us seeing the valley at it very best which is just as well with Eddie suffering with vertigo.  Back to the hotel and a cocktail event with the management to thank the Prestige Clients (That us) for supporting the Porto Bay Group.  Well they do treat us really well and make us feel very special meeting all our needs including a quiet night in a comfy bed.  I'm off there now.  Another chapter to follow tomorrow.  

Maderia Day 4

1st Levada Walk of the holiday

Oh my word I'm tired.  It's been a long but delightful day, full of lots of activity.  An early start and an early breakfast so that we could hop over the road and collect the car to begin our adventures by car on the island.  Hertz always does us well and despite them insisting that we needed an upgrade to a bigger car and more power engine we escaped with a little Diahatsu which suited us find. I have every confidence in Eddie's driving ability, however I don't trust the Maderian drivers who see the newish Via Rapida as a go kart track where no rules apply to the spead or approach on the slip road to getting on the road.  The Maderians have, over the past eight years built more tunnels through more hillsides than I've had hot dinners.  They don't just build the tunnels but follow the contours of the coast line present the driver with some bends which would make the best racing driver turn pale with fright.  I have been known to spend the entire journey hanging on desperately to the handle over the passengerside door in fear of my life.  However, I digress.  Let's talk about what exploits we have been up to today.

Our first visit was to the village of Santana, on the north of the Island.  Santana is principally famous for its Traditional Maderian houses.  Although these have been decorated in reputedly traditional colours, you can see more realistic houses dotted along the levadas (water channels) in this area.  They are indeed very picturesque but we very warm and house not just families but the animals too.  We just so happened to find a plastic box tucked into the lower roof space of one such house which we managed to retrieve without being observed.  You can even dress up in traditional costume and have your photo taken is you so wish.  ~~We decided to pass on this occasion.  To much to do in too little time.

Off now to Pico das Pedras for our first levada walk of this holiday.  The levadas are water channels built in the 18th century by African slaves.  The water from the mountainous area was then able to flow down the channels and provide fresh water and irrigation for the crops.  These levadas still survive today and make excellent walking routes although some are not for the faint hearted as they are particularly vertiginous,  

Fount it!

Having parked our car we set off along a broad path lined with many ancient  pines and eucalyptous trees.  Imagine is you will, having the most awful nasal congestion for which only a inhalation of Vick will do.  Well, okay not quite the same expereience but the eucalyptous scent is absolutely divine and refreshes the spirit and sense of well being.  Really love this part of the island.  If only I could bottle it.  I'd make a fortune.  The walk along this stretch of levada was easy going and offered the opportunity for Eddie to go off the path a few yards and retrieve... yes you've guessed it, a cache.  

The ducks live in very posh houses

A bird feeding from the hand is great fun

Part two of our levada walk took us to Calherio de verde (The Green Pool)  The levada started off at a beautiful maderian house with some elegant duck houses, not paid for by the government.  As we moved on past the four trunked pine tree the path became a little more challenging. Vertiginous drops were accessible by post and sturdy wire structures which Eddie was able to hold onto firmly.  We did have a couple of incidents where the water was pouring down the hillside and there was no option but to go forward feeling the full force of icy cold water as it permeated our thin teeshirts.  Some of us were wise enough to be wearing a hoodie.   

Green Pools

Vertiginous drops!

End of the journey, now to go back.

Back at the car we went to the Rancho for a cup of coffee.   A great opportunity  for setting up a fantastic tea shop/coffee house/b&b.  Anyone interested in an investment.  An earth cache looking at Basalt Columns on this volcanic island and we headed back to the hotel.  Tired but highly entertained by our days exploits. incluiding dodging the awful traffic on the Maderian Via Rapida.  After a lovely meal at the Italian Restaurant we collapsed into our beds exhausted.  No book reading tonight.

Ready for the rest of our exploits?

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.

A calm on the Maderian Front

Day 2

So the case were unpacked and we are loving the view from the balcony.  After an very hearty breakfast of fresh fruit, yoghurt, scrambled eggs, cute little sausages and an endless supply of beautiful pastries and bread we set off to get Eddie a pair of sandals.  Bit of a problem in the packing department on my part.  You always get that feeling in the pit of your stomach that you've left something behind.  Anyway, he needed a pair of new sandles as the last pair were bought during the Second World War, I'm sure.  

My one fear was that the shops would be shut being a Sunday.  Why did I have this fear?  It may be a Catholic Country but economics dictate that shops will open and sell in order to help the economic well being of Portugal..  I always find it really strange that C&A still exists in some parts of the world  even Maderia.  However, although they had some very nice, super cheap shorts for his lordship there were no sandals.  However, the Maderian equivalent of JB Sport was able to come up with the good and so some new trendy, all terrain footwear was purchased together with a new Baseball cap, without gratuitous advertising, was also purchased to cover the poor old mans pate.  

A stroll back along a well known and well trod route bought us to a coffee shop.  Well you have to keep up your fluid intake.  Okay, I know coffee is a diuretic.  Nice coffee shop and loved the fancy cup with accompanying walnut biscuit.   

Having used up all our energy the rest of the day was spent catching up on blogging and reading our Carte Blanche by Jeffrey Deaver (James Bond in his 30s) and I'm working my way  through Prue Leiths 'The Choir' Yes she writes books and cooks.  Amazing.  

There were two, possibly three high spots of the day.  One was the case of the captured cat.  Cats are a major problem on the island and despite sttempts at neutering kitten still appear as if by magic.  The hotel cat had managed to produce a little of the cutest little kittens.  I'll try and get a photo of them if they can stay still long enough.  The hotel are trying desperately to capture the kittens and get them adoptedL.  A group of delightful or not so delightful childen who were having a celebration lunch for their first communion and baptism, thought it would be fun to chase this poor little kitty cats.  One such kitten was trapped in a cage which had been set up for the purpose of moving them on,  The dear children, however, had other idea and having moved the trap out into the garden were desperately trying to release said kitten back into the garden.  Its quite amazing how animated people can get where animals are concerned.  Safe to say, trapped kitten was placed into a box as the children had agreed with the parent to adopt the kitty and take it home.  However, kitty had other idea and proceed to scratch her way out.  She is now back with her mother. 

One of the joys of holidays here at Porta Mare is the Happy Hour.  Yeah, way to go, cocktails at half price. Cocktail of the day 'Harvey Warbanger'.  Don't know what was it in but seemed like a lot of brandy and orange juice.  Yummy delicious and delightful before a Maderian night buffet with wine of course.  Never knew that strawberries and pineapple dipped under a chocolate fountain was Maderian.  It was very scrummy though.  

One of the great things about coming back here is that we meet up again with people who we have come to regard as old friends.  One of those friends is Cindy Padero.  She is the entertainments person and has been here years and year.  Cindy always greats us as long lost family  with hugs and kisses.  I'm thinking of making her one of our adoptive children.  We don't even need to remind her as to who we are, she just sees us and thinks 'Geocachers'.  Don't know where she gets that idea from.  Well actually one of her neighbours is a cacher on the island and has set up quite a few of the caches on this side of the island.  

And finally, as the night draws to a close.  There was a minor panic when we thought we'd have a cup of tea about 4.00 pm.  Where were the teabags which I had secreted from the officials in my packing?  Took them to breakfast and, silly me,  left them on the table.  Don't worry folks, the staff had put them to oneside and they were waiting for me when we went to dinner.  What wonderful staff.   

Another Day in Paradise 

(Maderia - Day 1)

As we all know, life can be frenetic at times and the body, mind and soul needs the opportunity to chill out and relax.  So where better than to return for the eighth time to Maderia.  An island set in the Atlantic Ocean some four hundred miles off the coast of Africa.  

Why return for the eighth time? Simple, we love the hotel, people, fauna and flora and especially the walking.  Let's start the journey, come with us and  enjoy some of the delights this island has to offer.  

This year we had the new experience of flying from the North Terminal so some new shops to explore.  This threw us a little.   Eddie had a £25 WH Smiths voucher as a Christmas present but we never use Smiths.  No problems we could always use it to buy reading books at the airport.  Now a note to the audience.  WH Smiths at Gatwick is now known as the London News & Book Company.  Four books and a magazine later we leave happy, less the dreaded voucher

Easy Jet , Gatwick Airport

Historically, we have always flown with TAP (Portuguese Airline) from the dreaded Gatwick.  Must be something to do with the time of year we fly (October).  This time we took advantage of the strong pound against the Euro and a gap in the Lansdown Landscaping calender to go to Maderia in May with Easy Jet.

We have to say that we've never had any problems with this company and this trip was no exception.  The cabin crew were friend, cheerful and willing to help out in any way they could.  We'd eaten at Cafe Nero Gatwick airport so no need for buying food on board, apart from a cup of tea.  Well done, Easy Jet.  We arrived safely twenty minutes ahead of schedule and made our way  out of the airport to find our waiting taxi.

Our hotel, Porto Mare, Funchal, Maderia, can only be described as a 5 Star hotel at a 4 star price.  www.portobay.com  They consider their guests to be part of the 'Family' and they welcome you back with open arms, a friendly smile. Nothing is too much trouble for them.  I wont give you all the facts and figures as you will be able to find these all on the website.  

By coming in May we have the chance of long, balmy evening to enjoy the view and the chance to people watch either from the gardens, which are superb or our spacious balcony.  We've never had the same room twice and each room has a different view.  You want to see why we refer to this a paradise?   Well that it for Day 1.  Off to the restaurant to sit on the terrace and have our dinner with a lovely glass or two of wine.  Hope you'll come back to read about another  on this beautiful island.