Holiday in Madeira

After the hectic week previously, (Santa Agueda and all that was involved), we were glad to get away from it all for a fortnight to Madeira, one of our favourite destinations.

Click left on any photo to see the full size view.

We had booked an apartment with a fantastic view over Funchal.


The first week we stayed in Funchal, visiting the market with it's wonderful flowers and going for walks around the harbour and sea front.


The second week, we hired a car and toured the island. Above, we visited the second highest point in the centre of the island at 1810 metres. The highest point, just a few metres higher, is shrouded in cloud in the photo.


Even in February, trees were in blossom and lots of flowers were blooming.


Nearly all of the island has dramatic cliffs as it just pushes up out of the sea. Beaches are non-existent and wherever you go, it involves hills.


Porto Moniz, at the north-west corner, has really developed since we were last there a few years ago. It is much easier to get to using the coastal route which used to take several hours but now the road tunnels it's way through the cliffs. With a few tunnels left being worked on to open in the future, it is a great way of getting from one side of the island to the other very quickly.


At Porto Moniz are these natural pools used for swimming, during warmer months, and refreshed each time the tide comes in.


After lunch one day we came across a fiesta parade involving hundreds of children from a local school.


These are "traditional" houses at Santana, casas de colmo, straw houses - there are only a few which had been renovated for the tourists. Nearly all of the houses for the population of today are built into the hillsides and are in good condition with many being fairly recent, all painted white with red tiled roofs.

Spot the lighthouse, at São Jorge, on the north coast.

Spot Margaret.

On the "main" road, there's only one similar to a motorway, the tunnels were part of the dual carriageway. Elsewhere, the tunnels were single carriageway, being up to 3 kms in length.



This photo was taken in the only bar / restaurant on the high central plateau. However, there are no tigers or giraffes roaming around.


It's only at the far eastern end of the island where the land gradually fades back into the sea.



Another place which is easy to get to by tunnel even though it is relatively close to Funchal, is the Nun's Valley, Curral das Freiras or Nun's Refuge. It is one of the few places on Madeira from which the sea cannot be seen. Very picturesque.

Santa Agueda

The day of Santa Agueda is for the ladies - (Agueda was martyred in the 3rd century). Here, all the women of the village meet for breakfast in the bar then assemble for mass in the church in the afternoon.

Click left on any photo to see it full size.

This year it was the turn of our peña to organise the event so for the church service and procession everyone wore traditional costume. Margaret wore a spare costume of Rosi's.


Everyone assembled outside the ayuntamiento for the short walk to the church. Not sure about jeans and quilted coat being traditional, but it was very cold.


In the basket above are small cakes being taken to church in order to be blessed. The cakes are small and round with a cherry on top and represent breasts - Santa Agueda had hers removed!


In the smaller baskets above is more broken up cake which is blessed with holy water during the service and then handed out to the congregation as they leave.


Part of the service involves carrying the statue of Santa Agueda around the village and then back into the church.

To see the video of the procession, click here.

After the service, all the ladies go to the bar to eat the cakes, drink cava and dance to music played by the music group who play and sing in the church. For one number, all members of the peña participated in the singing even though Margaret could only mime as she didn't know the words.


An innovative feature this year was "entertainment" and we had all been busy rehearsing at our house the previous week. In the sketch above, "At the Doctors", Margaret played the "sexy nurse", a non-speaking part. It was hilarious!

To see a slightly shorter version of the sketch, 9 minutes 47 seconds, (YouTube have a 10 minute limit), click here.

Next up was the "Scottish Dancing" piece where we both took part and choreographed it with authentic moves. It was very well received, especially the ending when we all flipped up our kilts to show what was worn underneath!


The third and final piece of entertainment was "the Lina Morgan" tribute - she's big in Spain and everyone knows her songs. Once again, a huge success.

To see Floyd's videos of the 3 entertainment sketches, click here.

And then we had a meal in the restaurant to round off a most memorable day!