Seixal rockfall, Madeira Palace in trouble, Seal Lion update, & other snippets
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.
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!
I have just heard that the rest of the Xmas lights in Funchal are to be switched on tonight, but more that I don't know. More on the Xmas / New Year entertainment programme tomorrow.
1–Der
They were all on last night Der, maybe they having an official switch on, as they were all on yesterday before it was dark???
–Tobi
2Der: 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.
Was that AJJ falling off his stool at last orders?
No seriously even small earthquakes like that could cause major damage as any tiny nudge like that one could send those fragile rock faces crashing down.
On yesterdays alarming news from Alan that AJJ has 'banned' kite surfing.
One way to convince him that kite surfing can be a right laugh would be to strap him all up in the correct safety gear on the beach at Santa Cruz and wait for the 6.33 from Gatwick to land.
Hey this AJJ mickey taking is easy stuff! Long may he reign!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alberto João Jardim ~ Democratically elected by the good people of Madeira for the past 30 years.
–Carlos
3Der: 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.
Was that AJJ falling off his stool at last orders?
No seriously even small earthquakes like that could cause major damage as any tiny nudge like that one could send those fragile rock faces crashing down.
On yesterdays alarming news from Alan that AJJ has 'banned' kite surfing.
One way to convince him that kite surfing can be a right laugh would be to strap him all up in the correct safety gear on the beach at Santa Cruz and wait for the 6.33 from Gatwick to land.
Hey this AJJ mickey taking is easy stuff! Long may he reign!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Alberto João Jardim ~ Democratically elected by the good people of Madeira for the past 30 years.
–Carlos
4Can anyone advise me what the dress code is for the casino looking to go with my husband as he wants to try his luck on the gaming tables! (for ladies blouse and skirt or does it have to be more formal like an evening dress? & for men black trouers and white shirt or? Never been and will be visiting the island soon. I read the blog every day, its very interesting thanks for any advice, as don't want to over or undress!
5–Lorraine
Hotels out of Funchal Has anyone stayed at any hotels outside of Funchal, either Ponte Moniz, Sao Vicente, Ponta Delgada and can you recommend any? Can you also recommend any nearby to those places? Looking to stay away for 2 nights at different places.
Also doing car hire, are the rules/regulations the same as in the UK, anything in partiuclar ones need to be aware off? In Funchal is there anywhere you can park over night for a reasonable fee? (central). Also have a disabled blue badge, in UK can park free in some places, anyone know the law here? or do you buy a ticket like everyone else? Thanks to all for any advice
6–Sarah
Estag. Do Mar in Sao Vicente i would class as cheap and cheerful with nice views – perfect for a stopover. Just walk down to the restaurants on the right for dinner – cheaper,bigger and tastier!
7" If you need a final festa fix before Xmas, there is one just outside Ribeira Brava, email me if you want more details."
yes please.
8Thanks Ellen
Thanks Lorraine, there is no dress code in the Casino according to friends who have been.
Ellen … are you Ellen K.? If not please send me your email address
9–Der
Sarah, you can use a blue parking badge here, but it's best to read the rules first.
http://www.iam.org.uk/Resources/Institute%20Of%20Advanced%20Motorists/Migrated%20Resources/Documents/B/blue_badge_abroad.pdf
10–Der
The car park behind the bus station is probably the cheapest in Funchal, with a long stay fee of just 4 euros. It is also manned all night and has security camera's on all floors so it is also quite safe & secure.
11–Elaine
Hi all , Elaine are you talking about the car park down by the old town , where you pay the electric bills, this now closes at 1am, but not sure if they charge more for leaving your car there, but it is still the cheapest in funchal…
12No, the one I use is at the other end, just slightly higher up than the Dolce Vita shopping centre on the opposite side of the road.
13As I said, it is open 24 hrs, is manned all night & has security camera's. The long stay price is just 4 euro's.
–Elaine