Madeira - Sep '24
Madeira - the island of eternal spring. A short break to catch up with family.
Good times spent eating, drinking and just hanging out. Interspersed with driving tours of some favourite, and some new spots.
This isn't a cycling destination - too many 'main road only' routes and tunnels aren't ideal, but... a wonderful island for scenic and unusual walks alongside the network of levadas and in the beautiful highlands. Sadly recent bush fires have closed some of the most picturesque and famous routes, but we still found plenty to enjoy.
Another very successful trip!
Wednesday 18 September 2024
Driving through vineyards & tree tunnels... en route to Bordeaux. What could this be all about?! 
Wednesday 18 September 2024
Sitting on a park bench in dappled sunshine, eating Thai takeout... perfect start to any holiday! 
Wednesday 18 September 2024
Why do we do it?!? At least it's only a hop, skip & a jump over to...
Wednesday 18 September 2024
Good evening Funchal! Thanks for putting on a show 
Spoiler alert: sunset was pretty much like this all week!
Thursday 19 September 2024
Couple of random viewpoints from the road (ER105) this morning. Heading from Funchal to Porto Moniz.
Thursday 19 September 2024
On the road (clifftop?!) above Porto Moniz. Allegedly a top swimming spot down there. Guess we'll find out soon?
Thursday 19 September 2024
Natural(ish) swimming pools at Porto Moniz. For me, wasn't really hot enough to warrant a swim & was rather nippy in!
Thursday 19 September 2024
Late lunch by the sea. My tuna picado (traditional Madeiran dish) was amazing! Rest not that bad either Nom! 
Thursday 19 September 2024
Beautiful view North from Miradouro da Encumeada. You wouldn't think anything untoward had happened from this, but...
Thursday 19 September 2024
Madeira had some serious bushfires just before our visit. Many of the most spectacular roads & trails still closed 
Thursday 19 September 2024
Goodnight Funchal...
Friday 20 September 2024
Funky coloured rocks near the start of our hike. Could go up there, but not why we are here today!
Friday 20 September 2024
Coastal hike from Canical, along the levada to Pico do Facho & back. Mostly dry & dusty but very quiet which is nice.
Friday 20 September 2024
End of hike treats in a local coffee shop. Nom, nom, nom!
Friday 20 September 2024
Views on the drive home: Miradouro Camacha, overlooking Funchal & squeezing through the old town!
Friday 20 September 2024
Tonight's dessert... super yum!
Saturday 21 September 2024
Early-ish morning stroll in Funchal.
Saturday 21 September 2024
Fresh produce & fish market in Funchal. Very interesting & very colourful place!
Saturday 21 September 2024
Obligatory bakery craving photo ... Funchal edition.
Saturday 21 September 2024
Few more random snaps wondering around Funchal. Gotta say, while nice to walk around, not the most photogenic place.
Saturday 21 September 2024
We skipped the touristic looking places & had lunch snack in a side-street bar. Tasty fish sandwich, coffee & cake.
Saturday 21 September 2024
Goodnight Funchal...
Saturday 21 September 2024
Tonight's dessert... erm... half eaten... sorry
Sunday 22 September 2024
First part of today's hike: Levada do Furado all to ourselves. Didn't see a soul until we were almost back to start!
Sunday 22 September 2024
Hike pt 2: Miradouro dos Balcoes. Actually lucky with clouds - as we left it really rolled in & could see nothing!
Sunday 22 September 2024
View from Pico do Areeiro. Path to Ruivo closed due to fires (somewhere in the clouds). Would have done it otherwise.
Sunday 22 September 2024
They said Madeira would be crowded & parking hard. Yet only us in this empty carpark top of Pico do Arieiro! Easy!
Sunday 22 September 2024
Lunch @ Abrigo do Pastor. Calves liver, garlic pork, suckling pig, venison stew, chocolate mousse, tiramisu. Amazing!
Monday 23 September 2024
In the grounds of Hotel Quinta da Serra, this Eucalyptus is allegedly the tallest tree on Madeira. Sure is a big boy!
Monday 23 September 2024
Visit to another scorched lookout & closed walking trail Miradouro da Boca dos Namorados - catchy name!
Monday 23 September 2024
Random stop at a Gaudi-esque church. Bit odd, but view is nice & the olds hadn't seen this before, so that's a bonus.
Monday 23 September 2024
Another random stop, this time for coffee, cakes, meat pasty & you never can eat too much caco de bolo in Madeira!
Monday 23 September 2024
A lookout on the way to erm, another lookout. This is Miradouro da Malhada & view down into river Socorridos gorge.
Monday 23 September 2024
Miradouro da Eira do Serrado. Awesome lookout almost 500m above the valley below. What a spot!
Monday 23 September 2024
View from Eira Do Serrado (nice looking hotel here) down the road we just drove (& will return on) ain't bad either!
Monday 23 September 2024
Miradouros do Paredao... clouds rolling by & the view changing literally by the second. Very cool!
Monday 23 September 2024
Sunset dinner at the Sabor aMar Fish Factory. Calamari, mussels, octopus, swordfish, cheesecake. Nom, nom, nom!
Monday 23 September 2024
Road near Ponta do Sol, semi-closed due to waterfall in the middle! Incredible shots from Pratiwi as I drove through!
Monday 23 September 2024
Stop on the cruise home for some sunset shots. Somewhere on the Madeira coast West of Ponta do Sol.
Monday 23 September 2024
Goodnight Funchal! We're not quiet home yet, so slightly a view from the West
Tuesday 24 September 2024
Part 1 of today's hike: down to the waterfall source of this levada, through lush forest & past fern walls. Magical!
Tuesday 24 September 2024
Today's hike part 2: Fanal forest. Many of these beautiful trees have been dated at 5-800 years old! So cool!
Tuesday 24 September 2024
Miradouro da Bica da Cana. More sublime views from mountains to the sea!
Tuesday 24 September 2024
Post hike refreshments... coffee, beer & passion fruit dessert (which was both unusual & delicious). Nom!
Tuesday 24 September 2024
Dinner at O Polar, Funchal. More superb meat - this time steak skewers & roast chicken. And dessert of course Nom!
Tuesday 24 September 2024
Goodnight Funchal...
Wednesday 25 September 2024
Good morning Funchal... Don't worry - this is our last day here Booooooo....!
Wednesday 25 September 2024
The famous Carreiros do Monte. Not sure it's for me, but long line & excited faces says it's certainly fun for some!
Wednesday 25 September 2024
Monte Palace garden, Funchal. The perfect place to visit with your plant obsessed wife!
Wednesday 25 September 2024
Last snack in Madeira: more treats from another bakery
Wednesday 25 September 2024
Airline food ain't what it used to be!
Wednesday 25 September 2024
Bienvenue en France! Not quite the warm welcome home I'd hoped for!
