Chit-Chat & Today’s Photo … Pico Ruivo
TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Elaine (O Sol) : “Here’s a photo taken from Pico do Arieiro looking towards Pico Ruivo the day before yesterday. Pretty hot and airless up there, despite its height”
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It might be hot and airless at Pico Ruivo, but it’s cold and damp here.
1I’ve never known a previous July where central heating has had to be used to dry and warm the house.
I’m not convinced by the so called dangers of global warming, so beloved by modern politicians and prefer the warnings of the ’60s of an impending Ice Age.
Forecasters here said Britain was set for a ‘BBQ’ summer.
That was wrong and I guess their predictions for global warming has to be regarded in the same light.
How lucky you all are to live in Madeira.
Cant argue with that Martin, but 31.5ºc in Funchal yesterday was probably a bit much for most
2Is that a ‘Coo! Wot a Scorcher’?
3Is there a picture in the Diaro of kiddies with bucket and spade?
Blimey that’s hot!
32.5*c is that about 95*f?
Hi all,
Jon are you about , you havent left your BBQ burning all night have you the smell of smoke woke me with a fright this morning and its coming from your way. lol lol
I went to see the rally in Funchal last night, First time i have seen it and quite a good evening and well organised, Had to sit on the wall along the front most the time though as cant stand for to long, but its not as busy as the flower or carnival parades.
4Martin , my Nan has had her heating on as well , it seems they have changed their minds now about a BBQ summer, oh well you can always come back to Madeira, i can sort you out a nice apartment for a few months to get away from the winter cold.
5Hi Tobi, all in our house in lower Gaula but….
6…it has spread over a huge area in the forest above and to the west of us. I think it started at about 5 a.m. in the forest across the road above us – a friend living closer to the forest alerted the emergency services then. It is still spreading although the “source” is nearly out – the services seem to be doing a good job but are fighting the wind and access problems. Scary. It will have affected some houses and people I fear and has jumped roads etc. – possibly still progressing.
Will update if possible.
Tobi, I hope you have a good rate for POOR, IMPOVERISHED, UNDERPAID wrinklie British pensioners, suffering from the effects of recession, procession, precession, aggression, depression and devaluation
7I have to be very very very very everso careful with money, trying not to spend it as my state pension is worth less than peanuts and paid in sterling which is not worth a lot to anybody. ( Violins are heard at this point)
The cost of everything is so huge and Madeira hopelessly expensive etc, etc, etc,etc.
I hope you can come up with some attractive rates Tobi, remembering all that above!!!
The buzzwords are
DISCOUNT,
EVER SO CHEAP,
VALUE FOR MONEY,
NEVER KNOWINGLY UNDERSOLD,
HALF THE PRICE OF ANYONE ELSE,
GIVEAWAY PRICES.
I’ve thought of another buzzword for Tobi
Twice as much for half as much!!
8can’t beat that hey folks, the most up to date coverage of a very serious fire from our own blog readers. Thanks guys. It was on national news at 9am this morning, so it must be serious!
I forgot to say thanks to Jaquine yesterday for the tip off about the whale sighting. I kept looking out to sea but I didn’t get to see them.
9Yes, shame nobody saw the whales. (Too busy arguing about animals!)
10I began to doubt our eyes but I’m fairly sure we saw live creatures of some sort. I think we need a good telescope instead of just bins. Does anyone happen to know if Amazon will post abroad – also what sort of strength does one need for clarity at say, 5 – 10 miles distance?
Fire: Looks like it has started to spread towards Canico – lots of smoke. Seems to be moving downwind AND uphill from lower Gaula. 31*c shade temp and stiff breeze from the east fanning the flames. Even the start point/area is still smoking and reigniting in places. Our neighbours are worried…..they hope for clouds, rain and the wind to stop. Tobi, what can you see?
11In Garajau, we are now getting even more ashes from the fire. Looks like cleaning the patios tomorrow. Husband says it was on the midday news and looks quite extensive.
12update by text from Tobi at 2.40pm:
“Rainin ash in Caniço and Garajau, fires breaking out everywhere, Have lots of photos, will send link when I get home”
cheers Tobi.
13Hope nobody gets hurt in the fires.
14jon good afternoon this is olga daughter i’m in the states and worried. i have tried calling #’s x’s but can not get through. could you please let me know if fire is any where near my mother home.
15Hi , yes the fires have been spreading west towards caniço and along the motorway, also up on the top of canico where the electric station is this is surrounded by fire, im sure the fire trucks are up there doing there best.
I will place pics on filckr later and post the link on this blog.
16Hullo Luisa, PLEASE DON’T WORRY ABOUT YOUT MUM. The fire is NOT near your Mums home……the wind appears to be carrying it uphill and away. I spoke to your Mum 2 hrs agao and have just seen her driving down our road – will tell her, don’t worry.
17Sorry to hear about the fires but isn’t it wonderful that through this blog somebody can check on someone else’s house.
18Great to see today’s pic, one of my favourite places. I like it really early in the morning when you just hear the sounds of nature around you, before the minibuses and Panpipers arrive. Only a few weeks to wait until our next visit. Hope it’s still hot then. I can only add to the other comments from UK – we are having dismal weather for Summer. A patch of blue sky appears and then the next thing there is a downpour and that’s how it’s been for days and days …….
Jon thank you so much for responding to my blog. I have been so worried. Once again thank you so much I am so grateful. Luisa
19Luisa, Thank you for your lovely words. Only too pleased to have been able to help – It’s what Der’s blog and us bloggers (blimey, am I really a blogger!?!) are here for. Take care, Deb has just had a nice chat with your Mum. Rest assured that we are all looking out for one another…..Jon.
20Fires have just started to break out in the Atalaia area of caniço, the wind seems to have swung round a little and blowing the smoke downwards.
Not seen one fire truck while ive been out so not sure where they all are, plenty of people along the roads sides watching.
21Hi Jaquine,
We order a lot from Amazon, they delivered to us here in Canico in three days via air mail had some office supplies from them .look at their european destination’s, We have never had a problem ………yet
22Here are pics of the fires from today as promised.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/tobiinmadeira/sets/72157621906293186
23Changing the subject, i believe the Machico Gastronomic Festival starts today for the next 10 days. Its one of the best im madeira in my opinion.
24Massive restart of the fire “seat” in Gaula – crept down the hill towards houses ABOVE us but the bombeiros are doing a superb job, Fire progress down halted. Forest is bone dry with many dead trees exploding into flames – a tinder box. Sorry no pics – a little frenetic…..Olga is with us, everybody is fine. The fire is above all houses.
25Fires now contained in lower Gaula – the guys did a heroic job in protecting the nearest houses on the edge of the forest. It really did flare up and we could feel the heat from our house – replen water tanker and back up vehicle recently arrived to finish damping down. The boys done good.
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