Madeira photos.

As promised the photos that I could not upload whilst I was there.



The top of Pico Ruivo, Madeira's highest peak.

Sunrise from my breakfast table.

More cruise passengers arriving to clog up Funchal's streets.

Islas Desertas on the horizon, better view without the cruise ship.

Machinou the Irish Hawk paying a visit to scare off the pigeons.

Waterfall on the Risco Levada

Risco selfie

main waterfall at 25 Fontes before the organised tours arrived.

Laverda do Norte, wonderful peaceful views and easy level walking.

Journey's end, Camara de Lobos after a 1000 foot descent in 3 kilometres, that beer did not touch the sides.

Rugby in the sun.

Three completely different games but typical 6 Nations rugby. I watched all the games in Moynihan's in Funchal which served up good food, Guinness and a great atmosphere, it will be hard to beat that when I am home. The highlight for me was Scotland's outstanding performance, I know Ireland got a little bogged down but the hard graft by the pack with the Gray brothers tackling their hearts out and the free running of the backs made it a delight to watch.

Can't beat Bodnant.

I have now been to island's top two gardens, the Tropical garden in Monte and the Palheiro gardens and 'though they are very nice in their own way they cannot top Bodnant Gardens for colour or atmosphere.

My final Madeira walk today was perfect until the long downhill. It started up in the hills with a five mile walk along a levada with outstanding views and interesting terrain (photos to follow in an album after I get home) but after reaching the viewing point on the tall cliffs of Cab Girao it was all downhill and not good for the knees, after a recuperative beer in Camara de Lobos the walk back to Funchal along the shore/ boardwalk/promenade was a pleasant finish to the walk and a fitting finish to one of my more energetic trips.

Just walks into town and rugby now for the weekend, life is tough.

Falcons in Funchal.

Today was my fourth serious walk, I nearly called it off due to the thick mist near the highest point at about 4000 feet but the sun burned the cloud off and the rest of the day was brilliant with outstanding views and occasional encounters with wildlife including the amazing hill cattle which wander around the steep slopes. This evening I threw my walking shoes in the bin the soles were destroyed that will teach me to buy cheap, I will manage the next couple of walks in trainers.
Only five more sleeps before I travel home and still so much to see and do but I must admit I am beginning to miss friends and also my todo list, especially the collecting the new boat, ain't life grand.

Every other morning whilst I am enjoying my breakfast and watching the sunrise the falcon man arrives with a three year old raptor on his arm, the local pigeons rise up in a melee and fly off  as fast as they can go, a very efficient method of pest control and it gives us guests a chance to get up close to a magnificent bird which his handler told me is an Irish Hawk whose name Machinou in Portuguese translates to Little Man.

Six Nations starts on Saturday.