Back from sunny Madeira, a lovely holiday!

Here I am back from sunny Madeira, sorry it took a little while before I managed to start this log, we have been home for nearly 5 days. But didn't get back till after midnight on the 27th, exactly a week later. We had a super holiday, although we were both a bit apprehensive as to what my time share would be like; not having gone before. But need not have worried Carlos a very nice taxi man came to fetch us, and soon deposited us at the Regency Club. A journey that took less than half and hour, there are so many tunnels and new free ways built since we last came. It should be known as the tunnel island Also it seems thousands of new homes are sprawling up the hillsides. They greeted us very well, gave us the key to the studio flat and left us to get on with it. We are/were on the third floor, in a very nice oddly shaped hotel room, with the usual furniture: bed, table chairs, etc plus a sofa bed and dining table 2 chairs a very nice and spacious bathroom and a kitchenette with

everything needed in it. There also was a balcony overlooking the creche of the Savoy Hotel which towered above us. It was often filled with babies and toddlers, so it made up a little for not having a sea view like this. However we saw lots of wonderful views. We went on a day tour of the north-west of the island to Porto Moniz on the rugged north side via Riviera Brave, same side as Funchal where we stopped for coffee and saw lots of people and kids enjoying the beach, well if you could call it that!
I loved these two little girls playing ball.

We then went up to the mountains to cross over to the Paul da Sera, the highest plateau of the island, once the main crater of the volcano. We stopped for spectacular views like these all along the road were masses of agapanthus' growing wild, blue and white when I thought of my two
single ones back on my patio well words fail me.

Another really great photo I took of the cloud misting over the mountains. Am quite pleased with this one. Soon we went on arriving over Porto Moniz we had lunch there and afterwards had some time to photograph the spectacular waves breaking and sea spray as you can see it was quite spectacular and never the same; actually I missed some really wild ones.

Another day we went to visit Maria and Jose in Porta da Cruz, on the north side again we had lunch with them and spent the afternoon visiting their little house way up the mountain side. It was spic and span and kept just like my mother's home. They invited us to stay with them, but that was a bit too much I think. We went there and back by bus which took us along memory lane all sorts of places we used to visit with my mother. And it only cost 3.10€ per person one way. But the journey was 1 1/2 hours! it was great.

Another time we went to the market in Funchal, John wanted to see the fish market. I found I couldn't cope with these poor creatures all lining the wet counters dead. It was too much carnage for me thee was even a tray with only eyeballs, that did it for me.

these last ones are espada fish who live so deep in the ocean that they have never even brought one up alive. They are fished at night with little fishing boats with a lantern in the stern.

So I went off to the flower part and the fruit and veg area and bought 3 orchid roots, a lovely pink one, a yellow one and a red one. Optimistically thinking I could grow them back home. In sunny Madeira anything is possible. But back here I wonder if it is possible.

On our last day but one we went up to Monte in the cable car; its a lovely village/small town overlooking Funchal bay. Some people even go back on the toboggans. Two chaps with boater hats will propel you down the mountainside in a basket on wooden runners. Although tempted we both had done it so opted out and
went back by cable. Well that is it, we had a lovely time, visited two super museums, one a photography museum, a must for any one interested in photographs and history. It was started by the family Vicente 5 generations of them who took all the worthies of Madeira. There are lovely albums to browse through and a good display of cameras and photographic equipment. The other museum was all about the history and development Of Madeira. Up shot is: I won't sell my time share and certainly we will go back as soon as we are able. The Jellies were eagerly awaiting us everyday. and no Nellie did not go white with worry in the meantime!!!

So this is goodbye and so long, speak to you soon