New soap actors, 'Black dollars', Warships on manoeuvres, Football whinge, & other snippets
TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Brian & Laura … a lovely shot at Boca de Encumeada.
Front Page News : source : Diário de Notícias 26/9/2008
A couple of weeks ago I mentioned that there were casting sessions on Madeira for a new ‘novela’ or soap opera called ‘Despertar’ (‘Wake’, or ‘Arouse’) on TVI, or channel 4. The programme is to be set in Madeira, and filming is due to start in just a few days. Two Madeirans have been given parts in the programme, Élvio Camacho aged 33, and Teresa Gedge aged 67, so that will pretty much double Madeira’s celebrity ‘A’ list. In case you see any filming going on, you should be able to identify who is who, as he has the role of a priest called João, and she a nun called Rita. Teresa formed formed MADS (Madeira Amateur Dramatic Society) in 1993, where she is the president, and also performs. Unfortunately I did not get the call I was hoping for, as there was no part for balding middle aged foreigners, so looks like you are stuck with my blog for a while longer. What does surprise me is that TVI has room for any more soap operas. Some nights they seem to start at around 6pm, and apart from the evening news run through the night.
The inspectorate that covers homes for old people reveals that 25% of them do not have in-house doctors, meaning that sick patients have to be taken to the nearest health centre. The thorough inspection of Madeira’s 22 homes covered medical and sanitary aid, food, vigilance, free time and activities, security, and quality of the infrastructure. The full report is due to be made public yesterday.
A 38 year old man has been arrested by police after being caught committing fraud using ‘black dollars’. The scam involved convincing people to exchange currency at a very favourable rate, only to find the notes they received in return were worthless. An expulsion order was granted to rid Madeira of the rogue.
The other headline stories were about President Jardim receiving an award on behalf of Marítimo football club, and that the government wants to alter the plans for their new stadium. And a long story about the fact that the Palácio da Justiça has to pay rent of €12,800 per month to Funchal Câmara (council).
Other News :
A review of mortgage lending rates on a system called ‘Eurobor’ means that many homes are going to be hit with higher payments next month, on average an extra €50.
An unusual number of warships are skulking around the island and in Funchal bay at present, but they are not Portuguese. The 10 vessels are Spanish, and include an aircraft carrier. The details are classified, other than to say that they are on ‘manoeuvres’, which will last through the weekend. And I thought the Spanish Armada was sunk years ago … I bet the 2,000+ tourists on the British cruise ship ‘Oceana’ yesterday were wondering what was going on.
Both Marítimo and Nacional play at home this weekend, to Académica and Amadora respectively. Both matches will be played at the same time, 4pm on Sunday. It is no surprise for me that neither match is televised, even though there are no other games at the same time. You can be top of the Portuguese league for a month (Nacional), but unless your name is Benfica, Porto, or Sporting you don’t get on TV. Top billing is tonight at 8.45pm when Benfica host Sporting … that’s on SportTV1.
Have a good weekend!
Aside from your valued blog responses (you can reply direct using the form at the bottom of each blog comments page), please send any unreported Madeira news, photos, events information, or snippets for the madeira4u blog to blog@madeira4u.com – anyone can join in! Thank you!
anyone thinking of popping out for a chinese meal this weekend better move quick, as consignments of imported ingredients are being impounded because of the milk / lactose scare
1–Der
Think i will give the chinese meal a miss then….
I saw the warships pass by this morning, moving very slowly towards the desertas, Do u wanna a pic????? of course you do, one on the way….
Where is everyone its all gone quite again, it only seems to get busy when we have something to moan about, and all you people that read the blog and dont leave comments come on please, pretty please, you dont have to register or anything, and you can use what ever name you like (as long as its clean i suppose)
Well im gonna let you all know , especially the people my side of the island, The VILLAGE PUB has changed its opening times, Mon – Fri they now open at 5pm, still the same hours of 12pm – 2am weekends and bank holidays.
Anyone eles got any news??????
P.S Your Blog is better than any soap Der, well portuguese soap anyway….
2–Tobi
Im back again , you can tell im bored cant you, all those in the Uk, i see your having a bit of sunshine at last, and we are getting some rain, hope your all enjoying it ….
3–Tobi
tobi if you or anyone else for that matter fancy meeting up-there's a whole crowd of us meet up in Canico shopping on Sat afternoons around 2-30 for 10 pin bowling.
4–vic
thanks Tobi, pictures always welcome.
5–Der
Hi Vic, thanks for that , im normally working till about 6 though, i know a few people that go, and i hope to come along one day.
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