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.

More walks and Funchal.

The walk up to Pico Riviou yesterday went well it was 6C and misty when we started but the sun soon burned the mist off and by the time we reached the summit at 6100 feet the jacket was in the rucksack, lunch was a magical bowl of local soup and a beer in a village cafe, a great end to a walk.
The last two evenings dining experiences have been a complete contrast to the tourist restaurant I tried on the first night. One was a non-chain pizzaria which was crammed with locals, the food was good and half the price and last nights slightly upmarket place was again busy, the highly professional but friendly staff made the whole thing a pleasure and the bill was an unbelievably reasonable €15 for steak, chips, salad and beer.
Today I caught the shuttle into Funchal to see the things I missed on Thursday and more importantly to make sure they will be showing next weeks rugby matches at the Irish pub I had earmarked.
I am glad that I have slowed down and do not try to do everything in one day. I seem to be getting the hang of this travelling lark.
The Madeira Marathon is being run tomorrow so I am heading for the hills on a road trip.

The hotel.

I am staying at the Regency Cliff hotel and it exceeds my expectations. The hotel is built into the cliff with the reception, dining room, bar and terrace at street level and all the rooms below, I am on the floor below reception with a sea view and small balcony and I can watch both the sunrise and sunset from the balcony. The location is a short bus ride or half hour walk from the centre of Funchal so I only need the hire car for exploring the island and getting to walking sites. As on the last occasion I hired a car I have been stung, I am limited to a daily mileage of only 35 kilometres a day then it costs 30 cents per kilometre. The good news is I got the car for peanuts and I won't be doing huge mileage because the island is so small but it has taught me to read the small print/terms and conditions in future you know the ones you normally just tick yes to as I did.
Yesterday was spent exploring Funchal, the highlights were the Blandys Wine Lodge tour with Madeira wine tasting afterwards, lunch at a cafe in the fruit and vegetable market and banter with all the waiters trying to get you in to their establishments in the old town. It was a pleasant day out but the undulating terrain of Madeira is hard work on the legs and I propose walking up to the highest point on the island today at Pico Ruivo, madness.

Levadas and such.

The plan was to get away from the cold and rain in sunny Madeira and even though it is winter here the temperatures are around 18C, the second part of the plan was to walk the levadas which are irrigation channels up in the hills but yesterday I undertook a walk to the peninsula at the far west of the island as recommended by the Saga rep, the views were stunning and the weather perfect if a little windy, to be honest after the marathon walk put on by Aled last Saturday I could have done with something a little less strenuous but fortunately my hotel room has a bath to soak the aching body. I have met a few of the Saga guests and they seem a nice bunch but all couples, however Anne one of the 4 amigos from the Santorini trip is here so I at least have someone to interact and walk with. Today I am taking the day off to explore the capital Funchal but as everything in Madeira seems to include a glass of Madeira wine or the local rum punch I will leave the car behind and stroll in to town.