Madeira News Blog

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Jon & Deb … “A few pics of the Christmas lights etc. for your perusal and blog submission….taken after “switch on” on Friday 28th ….. not all in focus, well it was cold! Just a point re beer/coffee costs at this end of the island …. a large beer never costs as much as two euro and coffee is the same price (Garroto, Chinesa = 60/80 euro) morning, noon and night – sometimes with a free brandy – we have NEVER been ripped of in any of our local restaurants! Totally agree with your comments re Funchal Fruit Market – we warn our guests …….. Info re dodgy tourist board bed allocation and the ability to actually fight illegal building works in the wings ….. New Year stuff! ” John & Deb are in Gaula (Santa Cruz) if anyone wants to try the local hostelries there.

Front Page News : source Diário de Notícias 29/11/2008

With the rest of the Xmas lights in Funchal switched on Friday night, all that remains is to know the programme for the rest of the festive season. More than half the €4.6 million budget has been spent on the lighting, which has involved nearly 2,500 people. The street entertainment starts on Saturday 6th December (music and whatever else is normally done), with Friday 12th being a climax when street bands and folk groups join in. 

New Year will be highlighted by the firework display provided by ‘Macedos Pirotecnia’, and will last 8 minutes on the theme ‘Alchemy of the Color’. 39 launch posts are being established (24 in Funchal, 8 coastline, 6 on the sea, and 1 in Porto Santo).

We seem to have a diminished Christmas lighting display in Rib. Bra. (not yet switched on). The odd thing is that this year the câmara (council) has completely lit up the municipal gardens with tens of thousands of LED lights. It looks very nice, but is a little odd, because most of the lights are at the back and cannot be seen by people in the town after the gates are locked before nightfall. I can see them as I am higher up, and so can the ducks and peacocks that live there, but that’s about it.

Hotel occupation rates are low at 51% for most of December as usual (58% in 2007), and new year is at 81% (95% in 2007). The secretary for tourism reckons that it is still early days and further bookings can be expected. I expect that observation covers Funchal, whilst elsewhere hotel occupation rates are expected to be at the same levels as last year, approximately 0%.

‘Madeira condemned by EU’. Madeira has to return €2.5 million because of a breach of law in funding obtained for the creation of public networks for information and learning in health, education and public administration. The breach has occurred because suppliers were used that did not properly qualify in the selection (tendering) process. The problem applies to Portugal as a whole, and not just Madeira.

The fifth fashion gala of Madeira commenced on Friday, with plenty of contributions from local designers, but also criticism due to the lack of heating and attendance by local dignitaries.

The other two front page stories were about football and politics and didn’t look too interesting so I gave them a miss.

Other news :

The sea lion that came ashore for medical treatment has been confirmed as having gastroenteritis, with problems in her liver and pancreas. She is reacting well to treatment, but her condition is “worrying”. The condition is thought to be as a result of injuries sustained two years ago that left her immune system vulnerable.

25 years ago Madeira became a pioneer in Portugal for the implementation and use of photovoltaic cells for generating energy from the suns rays, leading to a growing enthusiasm for renewable energy solutions of all types. With around 3,000 sunshine hours a year (and that’s official) what better place could there be!

Since the year 2000, Madeira has managed to reduce the number of annual workplace fatalities by 40%.

A young man of 20 years who took to the via rápida on roller skates has been identified by police. A 3 minute video of the event posted on the internet was used to identify the idiot, along with footage from the police security cameras. He now faces a fine of up to €600.

Portugal has produced has a list of the one thousand biggest companies, with just 13 Madeiran companies mentioned. The biggest is ELCA Cosmetics, (53rd), followed by Galp Madeira (187th) and Electricidade da Madeira (188th). The bus company ‘Horários do Funchal’ just sneaks in at 956th.

Only one of 15 amendments to the 2009 state budget submitted by the social democrat government of Madeira were accepted by the socialist government in the Assembly of the Republic. The overall state budget was approved in Portugal last week, with all the opposition parties voting against the socialist majority. The fight goes on then, and we can not only look forward to further divisions between Madeira and Portugal next year, but another fighting performance (and hopefully top entertainment too) from President Bertie.

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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, topical photos, events information, or snippets for the madeira4u blog to blog@madeira4u.com – anyone can join in! Thank you!

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to the Diário, although I haven’t yet asked … ‘Véu da Noiva’ in Seixal (Veil of the Bride) … see story below.

Front Page News : source Diário de Notícias 28/11/2008

Top headline shows an alarming photograph of an explosion blowing the roof off one of the hotels in India attacked by terrorists.

There is an alert for parents of small children about the dangers of packets of small crystals that are being brought by youngsters here in Chinese shops and bazaars. The small coloured crystals expand in water into soft balls, and the concern is that small children will ingest them after using them to decorate inside their drinking water bottles, and also that they will block pipes and lavatories if put into the sewerage system. The matter was highlighted by a school in Caniço, with particular concern for toxicity after it was found there was no information on the packets.

The big rockfall reported recently that blocked the coast road and tunnel near Seixal / São Vicente was followed by two more on Thursday morning. The road was closed anyway, so there was no danger to people or property, and many tons of rock fell into the sea. In case the photo above is too small to see it shows a huge pile of rubble at the bottom of a newly sheared cliff face, creating a new headland into the sea. If it gets much bigger, they will have to send around the map makers to reshape Madeira. The famous waterfall that used to flow down the surface now goes straight out from the rock-face.

The regional government has managed to secure a second line of credit for small and medium size businesses, after the first lot of €20 million ran out within 15 days. The new line is for a further €20 million.

The work on the enlargement and refurbishment of the 5 star ‘Madeira Palace’ hotel has been stopped for around two months, after the project ran out of money and the bank refused to allow any further credit. As well as the contractors stopping work without payment, the 115 members of staff there have already been told they will not receive a salary for this month, nor their extra payment before Christmas. The trade union representing the workers says that the company is in a grave financial situation, caused by the action of the bank, but negotiations are still ongoing to resolve the situation.

The sea lion that arrived in Funchal and took a kip on the quayside on Thursday, as mentioned in yesterdays blog, was captured and taken for a medical exam. She was identified as the same sea lion that was taken in from the sea two years ago, suffering with some fairly serious injuries to her ‘limbs’. This time she is suffering with convulsions and vomiting. Vomiting is not surprising … I think I would if I ate a live octopus. I am certainly not qualified as a sea lion mind reader, but maybe she remembered from last time that humans do have some uses and don’t just pollute the sea, and popped in for a ‘check up’ and a good free feed. I think I heard on the radio a few minutes ago that she has the marine version of gastroenteritis.

Other news :

I didn’t notice anything, but on Thursday at 2.25am Ribeira Brava suffered it’s own earthquake, registering at 2.2 on the Richter scale, the seismic activity occurring at around 2 kilometres of depth.

Moving to the economy section: The British youth of 16 years who is trying to set a world record as the youngest around the world sailor was due to arrive on Madeira last night in his boat ‘TotallyMoney’ (his sponsor by any chance?). This was not a scheduled stop, but was necessary due to a fault in the auto-pilot system. Michael Perham will spend 4 and a half months at sea, considerably more if he keeps making unscheduled stops …

This weekend’s football fixtures: Today 6.45pm Beleneses v Marítimo on SportTV; Tomorrow 6pm Braga v Nacional also on SportTV.

Don’t forget you have a long weekend, as Monday is a public holiday, with buses, public offices, and some shops etc. being closed. Have a good one!

The following weekend also has a public holiday, and that will signal the end of the traditional religious festas for 2008. If you need a final festa fix before Xmas, there is one just outside Ribeira Brava, email me if you want more details.

www.madeira4u.com

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, topical photos, events information, or snippets for the madeira4u blog to blog@madeira4u.com – anyone can join in! Thank you!

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Eiryl … some pretty pink flowers. I have no idea what it is called, but I bet it has ‘umbrella’ somewhere in the name.

Front Page News : source Diário de Notícias 27/11/2008

At long last the EU has approved the ’subsidy of mobility’  for the ferry service between Madeira and Portimão in Portugal. It seems that Portugal forgot to submit a formal request to the EU for the subsidy, and hence the delay. It just remains now for the EU to formally notify the decision, before residents rebates can be processed. The article doesn’t make it clear, but it seems that the subsidy of €30 each way that one can presently enjoy for air travel will also apply to ferry journeys. That will bring the price of the cheapest ticket to €45 each way.

The Mercado dos Lavradores, perhaps better known as Funchal Fruit Market, is going through hard times with the “salespersons of the market agonizing with the crisis”. Plenty of tourists still going there, keen to taste the produce and take photos, but no one is buying. In terms of local customers it is mainly older Madeirans that still use the market on a regular basis, with the youngsters going for the ‘washed’ products in the supermarkets, where they can buy everything in one visit, and park the car without problems. “The economic crisis that hits the pockets of the citizens is going to reduce purchases.  However, does not it explain everything.” Sometimes it seems that I see a totally different picture than the Diário, as the fruit market has such a bad reputation for overcharging foreigners, word must get around. It’s a ‘must see’ attraction for Madeira, but when you can type a few words in Google and get a whole list of complaints, how is it that locally it is still such a well kept secret? Even tourists that do not know of the problem and buy there will only get stung the one time, and that’s if the sellers get away with it the first time.

Something happened on Wednesday, something that has never been seen by man in the history of Madeira. An adult sea lion spotted by fishermen caught and ate an octopus, and then took a snooze on the varadouro* of São Lázaro, Funchal, between the parked boats that were out of the water. It even stayed put and posed for the Diário photographer. (* varadouro – does not exist in the 3 dictionaries I possess, but judging by the photographs it was on a concrete quayside).

The last article is about a young local lady who is excelling in the sport of andebol (handball) and is seen to be going places internationally.

Other news :

Machico council (câmara) is working with emergency services and other organisations to produce an ‘emergency plan’, to be ready in 2009, 7 years after it was started. This will then fulfil legal requirements which affect the whole of Portugal. Machico had a particularly difficult job, as apart from overcoming political obstacles, it has factories in the Zona Franca, the premises of Shell, and an industrial park. I wonder if it covers things like giant tidal waves, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and collapsing mountainsides, as a little island like this must be in more danger from nature than it is from anything man made.

Low temperatures over the last few days have caused the deposit of some snow on Madeira’s highest peaks.

Ths shop-workers trade union that a few days ago lost it’s fight with Funchal council to reduce the Christmas period working hours, has now turned to the Regional Inspectorate for the workplace and asked it to carry out  inspections to ensure it’s members aren’t working over and above what is legally or contractually permitted.

European football : Sporting and Porto both made it through to the last 16 of the champions league, but Benfica took a bit of a hiding in the EUFA cup last night, and Braga lost as well.

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If anyone is interested in free Portuguese lessons for foreigners, from January these can be found in Ribeira Brava, in the secondary school of Padre Manuel Álvares. The course, which already has 12 people signed up, will be two afternoons a week (3 hours each), until June. The 150 hour course will comprise 3 x 50 hour blocks, depending on the starter level of the individual. You will need to go to the school to register before starting (taking all the usual ID documents), and just to say that the course is almost certainly going ahead, but requires a final sign-off by the education authorities. Be warned that I will be one of the students!

www.madeira4u.com

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, topical photos, events information, or snippets for the madeira4u blog to blog@madeira4u.com – anyone can join in! Thank you!

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Sarah … a rather eyecatching fountain in the ‘Jardins Governor’

Front Page News : source Diário de Notícias 26/11/2008

“More than 400,000 lights and “thousands of kilometers of hose” (presumably the tubes with lights?) illuminate the arteries of Funchal with allusive pointers to astronomy. Galaxies of several colours, constellations, swirling formations, trees of stars, without forgeting the usual lighting formations in the trees and around the river banks, are transforming Funchal into a different environment. On 28th November the remaining lights for Christmas and new year will be switched on.” Sorry I have no photos to show you yet, but I am hopeful someone will send me some soon.

Anyway, enjoy it while you can as next year’s budget will see a cut of 13%, affecting Christmas decorations and new year fireworks funding, but the marketing and promotions budget for Tourism & Transport has been boosted by €655,000. Other cuts in this budget for 2009 include the wine festival (less €45,000), the Columbus Festival (less €10,000), and support to sporting events (less €12,000). Altogether the budgeted spending for 2009 will amount to €26.2 million, compared to €29.6 million this year.

‘Counting the pennies for ‘the party’. ‘Save’ is the watchword for consumers, whilst shopkeepers complain about the crisis. The approach of the big party month looks to be a frugal one. Despite many people having already received their Xmas paychecks and bonuses, no one is splashing out so far. In downtown Funchal shops are empty and compared to normal, shops are reporting a drastic reduction in sales.

‘Hospital chiefs dimissed by telephone’. Six directors in the hospital have already been dismissed from their posts after receiving a telephone call, and have already left the hospital (presumably in Funchal?) heading for early retirement. Tension is vey high amongst staff as sweeping changes and reorganisations are made by the president of the administration, with plenty more surprises expected.

Due to lack of funding firemen were unable to celebrate their anniversary date as usual this year, and their Christmas dinner is also at risk for the same reason. Normally the birthday event is attended by dignatories and partners in the world of firefightng, but this year it was reduced to a simple ‘toast’ drink and some aperitifs of peanuts and pistacio nuts. Bosses say that stretching finances for a Christmas party for 135 people is not justifiable, and that the main spending priority is to improve working conditions for firemen.

Talk about the inevitable, but members of staff in the municipal council of Câmara de Lobos are under investigation by detectives in connection with public and private works. The story points to irregularitites in the awarding of contracts (aka corruption?).

This must have been one of the most depressing news days of the year, with everyone apparently suffering a cheap and lousy Xmas … and it is still 4 weeks away! A real humbug news day! However as I type this I am being cheered by a live performance of ‘Frosty the Snowman’ by our local band, so that helps a lot.

Other news :

… jingle bells jingle bells jingle bells rock … The famous Michelin restaurant guide names ten nominations for Portugal to go in its edition for 2009. The only one on Madeira is ‘Il Gallo d’Oro’ with a one star rating (out of three). In fact one only one restaurant on the list made a two star rating. The evaluations are made by an anonymous team of ‘experts’ who make surprise visits to possible candidates. Can you believe there are only 10 listed restaurants in the whole of Portugal? My theory is that of all the possible candidates on Madeira, many probably were doing really well until the ‘assessor’ asked for after dinner coffee and got charged 3 times the normal price.

…rocking around the xmas tree… I have quickly been through the rest of the newspaper, but nothing stands out as a worth spending time on, so I am going to finish today’s blog early and go to take a look at the bookfair here that runs until 29th, with all sorts of fun events planned … let it snow, let it snow, let it snow …

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For anyone living on the west side this might be of interest. As well as a new swimming pool opening in Ribeira Brava in December, there is also a Gym (fitness room?) with a “Turkish Bath”, Jacuzzi, aesthetics or esthetics room, bar and restaurant. I was given a flyer yesterday with all the details, and it says that from the 12th to the end of December visitors can use the facilities free of charge, (although I doubt that includes the bar and restaurant). If you would like a scanned copy of the flyer with the location and details please email me.

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Anyone want free tickets for the Marítimo v Benefica football match (it’s on the 7th December I believe). There is an offer that takes place like this for all the Benfica and Porto visits (I am not sure about Sporting though), through Hiper Sã stores, but it is never advertised!

All you have to do is spend at least €25 in any Hiper Sã supermarket, and in your shopping include 2 Coral products of your choice (packs of beer). You can get your free ticket at the checkout or customer service desk. You can get more tickets by multiplying the requirements stated. Tickets are due to be delivered to the stores on Monday afternoon.

www.madeira4u.com

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, topical photos, events information, or snippets for the madeira4u blog to blog@madeira4u.com – anyone can join in! Thank you!

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Pirex … Garajau (looks like that was taken before the storms last April?).

Front Page News : source Diário de Notícias 25/11/2008

The main headline today is the discovery by CMF (Funchal Council) that a vehicle scrap yard ‘Vasco Gil’ is also being used to dump household rubbish, a prohibited and unlicensed activity. Combined with spilt car fuel, old tyres, and gas bottles the whole place is a recipe for a serious fire. The operator of the site has contracts with hotels who use the facility to dispose of packaging when they have machinery and metal equipment taken away to be scrapped.

PSD-M vice president Jorge Moreira, talking on the Madeiran government’s decision to bypass the teacher assessments by giving them all a blanket rating of ‘good’, guarantees that teachers here will never be treated like those on the continent. He said that although the situation here was resolved in defiance of national ambitions, there may still be support for the national teachers strike Wednesday next week, to show solidarity with continental colleagues. A smart move by PSD-M as far as next year’s election results go, as not only does it secure teachers votes, teachers obviously influence children’s opinions. A smart move for education though? … I doubt it somehow.

After Portugal’s early first democratic steps, 25th April 1974 has become an important date for the people. However, there were many people who did not accept democracy, and ‘revolution’ was still in the air. The last serious radical military attempt to overthrow democracy, then failed on 25th November 1975, a day that is marked on the Portuguese calendar. Half of the parliamentary opposition members, including all the socialists (PS) refused this year to mark the date in protest against the failure to mark the 25th April and the crushing of minority party rights by the PSD-M, and boycotted the day’s sessions. Everybody in the opposition parties have criticised the fact that the Madeira assembly does not commemorate the 25 of April of 1974, but include, in their annual calendar, a session dedicated to the 25 of November 1975. 

Yesterday was the ‘International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women’, and the Diário reports that domestic violence is still alive and strong on Madeira, and that just during the 3rd quarter of this year 250 inquiries had been opened on the matter. 129 of these originated in Funchal and Câmara de Lobos (plus a bit of Santa Cruz) with just one on Porto Santo Island. Nationally, reported domestic violence increased by 10.8% between 2006 and 2007, whilst on Madeira the increase is nearer 40% compared to 2007.

The Venezuelan election also gets front page coverage again.

Other news :

From January 2009, management of Madeira’s 49 health centres (centro de Saúde) is to be split into 4 regions; Greater Funchal, East Zone (Câmara de Lobos to Calheta, Porto Moniz & São Vicente), West Zone (Machico, Santa Cruz, Santana), and Porto Santo Island. Each zone will have a director. The objective is never to lose contact with the patients and the real problems of the population. I don’t know about the people and population, but the grouping plan seems to have lost contact with my compass!

In a ‘good’ week on the via rápida last week, there were just 12 accidents, with no injuries. Across Madeira just for the last weekend there were 34 accidents, with 2 serious  and 16 light injuries.

Lack of public and private investment in Calheta is resulting in “emigration” of the population and affecting the future of the area, says one of the town councillors. The problem is that the municipal plan was never approved , having been suspended in the summer of 2007.  He claims that Calheta is ageing, as the youngsters from Ponta do Pargo through to Arco are getting out to find work elsewhere, mentioning parts of Africa as the most popular destinations.

The regional secretary for tourism and transport has appointed a new director for tourism, after the previous post holder left a few months ago. Raquel França, 34 and from Funchal, has already started her new job. Lets hope she does a better job than the previous ‘jolly boy’.

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Re yesterday’s daily photo, a message from Ulf on the Aland Islands: “Just for your information, The tree in your blog today is a Kapok Tree (Chorisia speciosa). I believe that this particular tree stands on the east side of Ribeiro Seco on the south side of the bridge. Here we have some 20 cm of snow and cold. We can’t wait to come to Madeira in January! Yours! Ulf.” Thanks Ulf, nice to hear from you, and I am actually one of the few blog readers who knows where Aland lies.

The Kapok Tree is a large, deciduous, tropical tree that is native to tropical America, Africa, and the East Indies. It can grow to over 60 metres towering over it’s rivals in forests. That’s why it’s seeds are dispersed in ‘cotton wool’, so they can blow away to germinate. The ‘cotton wool’ is collected in some countries and is used to stuff pillows and mattresses.

www.madeira4u.com

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, topical photos, events information, or snippets for the madeira4u blog to blog@madeira4u.com – anyone can join in! Thank you!

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Eiryl … that odd looking fruit that explodes into airborne cotton wool in the spring. I have no idea what it is called?

Front Page News : source Diário de Notícias 24/11/2008

The câmara (council) of Santa Cruz has had to go begging to it’s bank manager to borrow €10 million to pay and service its debts accumulated up until the end of 2007. The president of the câmara manages to put a good spin on the matter though, saying that he has secured a deal at around a 5% interest rate, compared to the 11 0r 12% they were paying before, saving around €500,000 in annual interest charges. Local businesses will no doubt be delighted that money due from 2007 is at last going to be paid, saving some from the edge of bankruptcy, whilst residents will no doubt be worrying about where the money for repayments will be coming from.

The ferry service that runs between Portimão, Madeira, and the Canary Islands is continuing to operate throughout the winter, but based on current booking levels it will be operating at a loss. Having been in operation 5 months now, the ferry has passed its ‘break even’ point to date, with August (8,700 passengers) being the best month. In contrast November’s bookings are down as low as 1,044 passengers. Each round trip costs the ferry owners around €52,000 in fixed costs. Madeiran’s are the biggest users of the ferry with 45% of boarders starting at Funchal.

That’s it from the front page, as the other stories are football (of course) and about the elections in Venezuela.

Other news :

The proposed cable car at Rabaçal is back in the news, with the announcement that the on-line petition against the project has now been submitted to UNESCO with 5,291 signatures (although the petition is still active). http://www.petitiononline.com/247132/petition.html

Moving to the ‘Economy Section’ : A heart warming story, that was no doubt the highlight of the holiday for many tourists on-board the ‘Sea Pleasure’ catamaran, relates to the rescue of a trapped turtle nearly 4 kilometres from the coast of Ribeira Brava. The young Caretta Caretta (common turtle) was spotted tangled up in fishing nets by the crew and tourists, and a detour was made to make the rescue adding an additional 30 minutes to the trip. The skipper of the catamaran said that the turtle was slightly injured from it’s struggles to free itself, but was lucky to be alive in that he was trapped above the water and hence able to breathe.

A new ‘chain store’ furniture shop has opened in Funchal, specialising in modern furniture, textiles, lighting etc. The shop, ‘Opostos’, is the first presence on Madeira for a brand that is currently operating in the Portuguese, Spanish and French markets.

As part of a European wide pollution reducing initiative, CMF and the bus company Horários do Funchal are planning on introducing a ‘non polluting’ bus service between Funchal centre and Praia Formosa (far west Funchal).

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I heard on the radio this morning someone saying that the new series ‘Flor do Mar’ on TVI was unrealistic. The scenery seems realistic enough, however there was even a scene in Ribeira Brava in last nights episode where an old guy got really beaten up by a gang wearing balaclavas, and that was unrealistic, as I have never seen a balaclava here. As for the rest, there was domestic violence, men having affairs, and a dog that was poisoned … thankfully nothing realistic there? Still not seen my house though!

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I noticed that somebody asked about Madeira’s elections on the forum recently. This is my understanding. There are 7 types of elections held here. They are:

Election of the President of the Republic of Portugal

Election of the President of RAM

Election of European MPs

Election for the regional assembly of Madeira

Election for the parliament of the republic

Local elections (Câmaras – Municipal Councils)

Local elections (Freguesias – Parishes)

Anyone know any different?

www.madeira4u.com

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, topical photos, events information, or snippets for the madeira4u blog to blog@madeira4u.com – anyone can join in! Thank you!

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Sarah … the long ascent to the church at Monte

Front Page News : source Diário de Notícias 23/11/2008

With a photo of a wastepaper bin containing €50 notes, the Diário reports on the number of mansions (quintas) that have been restored at great cost but are little used and falling back into disrepair. These buildings beautify the landscape, and enrich Madeira’s historical memories, but were restored at public expense after official intervention to prevent unacceptable deterioration. Their maintenance continues to be paid for by government. Two examples are Palacete dos Zinos in Lugar de Baixo and another known locally as ‘Casa do Governo’ in Santo da Serra. Both properties were supposed to earn enough revenue to pay for their own upkeep, but both are drastically underused.

A project to be undertaken by Madeira University to look at ways to protect endangered local animal species has been rejected (for funding presumably?) by the Foundation for Science and Technology. One of the key aims in the project was the conservation of a type of bat that is in danger of extinction, particularly as they control insect populations. A rough guess says that there are less than 100 remaining, and this is due to changes in human behaviour over the last 30 years.

‘50 small shops at risk of closure in Funchal – financial difficulties and the crisis has already closed 348 shops in the last 18 months’. That’s the scary statistic the Diário has come up with to bring home the depth of impact of the recession to date. These new 50 possible closures will result in the loss of between 150 and 200 jobs, to add to the 1,361 already lost through shop and business closures across Madeira. Difficulties in obtaining credit has added to the problem of reduced customer spending. Around 47% of the current unemployment figures are as a result of these business closures.

Marítimo only managed a 0 – 0 draw last night at home against Sporting Braga, knocking them down into 5th place (for now). Nearly 5,000 supporters turned up for the game, more than turned up to watch Sporting, and league leader Leixões in Saturday’s other two games.

Other news :

SPAD (Society for the Protection of Domestic Animals) report that 200 to 300 animals are still being abandoned every month, with no end to the problem in sight. SPAD are having to turn to euthanasia to cope with the problem, a decision they do not take lightly, and they use where possible only as a last resort. Often these animals have infectious diseases that could affect other animals in their care, or suffer from serious stress conditions caused by their abandonment or spending a long period in a kennel.  It’s a long article defending SPAD and the reasons for putting animals to sleep, and I wonder if it was prompted by a readers letter to the Diário last week about stray dogs in Garajau being taken to SPAD and straightaway being put to sleep, which I didn’t particularly believe at the time, and SPAD have now effectively confirmed the matter.

Whilst budgets are being cut all over Madeira and Portugal, the Diário notes that the only budget not being cut was the one they refer to as ‘jackpot’ … the budget that pays the salaries and expenses of Madeira’s politicians, with the required expenditure being approved as submitted. Even the Azores have introduced measures to reduce these expenses. The Diário reckons that if Madeira was subject to the same financial laws as Portugal (another benefit of being a regional autonomy perhaps?), then €4 million would be saved. New legislation is to be passed in Portugal to deal with state provided political party funding which seems to have got out of hand. In exchange for a squeeze of the existing formula, the laws governing donations to political parties will be relaxed. What a disgrace that a ‘democratic government’ will not share the pain that the rest of Madeira has to suffer … maybe that fact will come back to bite them during the 2009 elections.

The beginning of December will see the opening of a new hotel in Funchal (near the Dolce Vita centre) of a type of luxury never seen before on Madeira. ‘The Vine’ will exceed the luxury found in the existing high class hotels in Funchal, marketing itself to high budget business executives. It has 57 double rooms and 22 suites furnished and equipped to a level that will only normally be found in hotels in the major North American and European cities. The hotels is designed and decorated with a theme of ‘wine’, with the restaurant being called ‘Uva’ (grape) with a French chef rated with 3 Michelin stars. It also has an open air roof swimming pool and jacuzzi. The average cost for a room is €200 per night. 85 staff will be employed, selected from the best on Madeira. Nice work if you can get it … I bet the tipping will be worth more than the salaries, that’s if they get any customers.

Nacional won 1 – 0 at home yesterday against Trofense, and rise to third place in the league table.

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If anyone is interested, the old road between Ribeira Brava and Campanário is open again after the works to secure the rock-face just outside Ribeira Brava were completed. That’s the good news … the bad news is that it is due to close again in January, to do more rock-face securing, slightly further down the same stretch of road.

My visit to the festa at Apresentaçao at the weekend brought back happy memories of when a large bottle of Coral beer was just 70 cents (in two places visited). In five short years the price in most places in Rib. Bra. is now €1, a rise of 42%. I know you guys in Funchal can pay up to €2 for the same bottle, so I guess I shouldn’t complain.

Cheering thought of the day : 4 weeks today the days will start getting longer again, and today you are (some of us at least) in the warmest driest region of Portugal as the continent is on yellow and amber weather warnings.

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