Casino for Porto Santo? ; Inter-Euro bank transfers ; Chestnut crop promises ; FlyMI Flies
TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Jon … Lucy & Gizmo, both adopted from SPAD (Domestic Animal Protection Society). What a pair of posers Jon! They certainly don’t look bovered by anything on this planet!
Sheila sent me this, mainly for the attention of the British readers : Are we bovered?
"Am I alone in noticing that, despite the sterling efforts of Der and Elaine to bring news items to the Blog, few if any of us seem to have opinions about serious matters, which might be expected to concern us as Brits?
For instance, how do we feel about our dear departed Prime Minister, Tony Blair becoming the first President of the European Council of EU leaders? Do any of us care one way or the other? No?
Well, how about this then. The Lisbon Treaty is almost certain to be ratified after the Czechs were bribed by an opt-out into withdrawing their opposition. Ireland has had two stabs at a referendum because they got it "wrong" and voted "no" the first time. Britain was promised a referendum but we are not going to get one. Do any of us care?
Maybe we can’t do anything to influence the major decisions, which affect all our lives, but do we have to allow ourselves to be rail-roaded into changes, which most of us may not want? Perhaps we are just not "bovered".
I forgot all about Britain some time ago, so not comment from that perspective, but putting a warmonger in charge of anything to me sends all the wrong messages, and I must admit I didn’t even know about his appointment. Anyway that aside, like Sheila I always thought it strange that very few people over the last two years were interested enough to make any comments on the daily news, although I have had the impression a few times that some people who are not Madeirans think they don’t have the right to do so. It takes allsorts I suppose, as Bertie Bassett one said. BTW I haven’t had one for years, but those round coconut ones (pink or blue) with liquorice centres were definitely from sweetie heaven. Der
"The Madeira group Siram is looking for partners in Macau to manage casinos in Porto Santo and Cape Verde, and to develop an innovative spa project in Macau, Siram president Silvio Santos told Portuguese news agency Lusa. One of the company’s’ real estate and tourism developers is having difficulties financing its Colombo’s Resort tourism project, in the Madeiran island of Porto Santo, and are looking for partnerships and a new ownership structure focused on the areas of tourism and gambling, to be set up next year. With a current budget of €200 million, Colombo’s Resort, a five star resort to be managed by Starwood, is looking for new investors which may come from Macau, depending on the revival of construction work". MACAU DAILY TIMES
"When considering the size of Madeira, you can hardly imagine that this island has so much to offer! From many historical monuments, squares and streets in the capital of Funchal to enchanting gardens, picturesque villages, amazing landscapes, impressive volcanic caves, rugged coast lines, beautiful natural beaches and, last but not least, breathtaking views, there is so much to see that you will soon realise that one visit to Madeira just isn’t enough!" A very well written article ATLANTIC QUEST – My journey across the Americas during my Gap Year
Elaine completes a full month with her news translation, without a break. Thanks so much Elaine. Here are yesterday’s main stories :
Pink Christmas trees in fashion this year. Expensive but selling well, according to the manager of ‘Bazar do Povo’ (Sa) in Funchal. They have been selling Christmas decorations since September. —- You heard it first here. Of course. © Toranja Poncha © is also pink, so have yourself a very pinky Christmas time with a tree as well. Der
Requests for help from consumers rise 52%. Requests to Serviço de Defesa do Consumidor (Citizen’s Advice Bureau) for help with financial issues increased 52% this year. Most frequent cases related to credit, often due to changes in family circumstances, e.g. divorce, widowhood, health or unemployment. Also mortgage queries as to which is the best deal.
The association gave the following tips: Prevention is best. Before taking out a loan, work out your budget and whether you can afford it without getting into debt. Avoid credit for everyday expenses. Never borrow to pay off other debts. Never sign a contract unless you understand it. You always need to have some savings.
Business group suspected of fraud began in Caniçal Free Zone. The business group headed by Manuel Godinho, suspected of economic crimes and bribery of managers of public funds, was launched in the Madeira market through a company newly established in the Free Zone, the Resatlantico – Waste Management. All Manuel Godinho’s companies, many of which are linked to business waste and waste management, are based in Aveiro. The only exception seems to be a company formed in May this year in Madeira and is based in the Free Zone in Caniçal. Resatlantico entered the regional market to collect used electrical and electronic equipment for the purposes of dismantling and recycling using facilities on the continent. It has established protocols with AMB3E and municipalities and is licensed by the Directorate for the Environment. It is unknown if the investigations on the continent will affect regional expansion. Manuel Godinho was arrested last Wednesday in Aveiro in relation to economic crimes involving an oxygen-treatment and environmental cleaning group. 14 people were indicted.
Good chestnut harvest. (Interview with a farmer) The harvest is only half done but has already doubled the amount produced in 2008. Increases both in the quantity and quality. Grown in Curral das Freiras and sold in the local shops, in Sao Martinho and sold to the Sã supermarket group. There is a processing centre in Curral das Freiras where the chestnuts are graded then heat treated to preserve them. Are inexpensive this year, selling through an intermediary for 1.20 to 1.40 Euros a kilo and directly to the consumer for 1.60 to 1.70 Euros a kilo. This year, 43% less are imported. The dried fruit price has increased globally. —- As noted in the comments section in the Diário, selling in the Farmer’s Market for 3.99 to 4.10 Euros a kilo.
The Regional Directorate of Agriculture and Rural Development estimates that Madeira has the capacity to produce 764 tonnes per year. The processing plant has graded 33% more than last year and heat treated 160% more since the season started on October 6th. There are 24 producers of organic nuts corresponding to an area of 33.14 hectares, of which 21.53 are in Curral das Freiras and 11.61 in Jardim da Serra.
Court seeks list of projects approved in Ponta do Sol in 2001. The present mayor, Rui Marques and former mayor, António Lobo were in the dock (both PSD politicians) and eight witnesses gave evidence. It involves a 20,000 Euros bribe for approval of a 29 unit apartment block when the Plano Director Municipal (PDM) was suspended. Partners in the firm are former members of the PSD, Emidio Correia and the former Ponta do Sol councillor Antonio Munuel. A witness, a Socialist Party councillor said that councillors of the opposition did not know the legal implications of the suspension of the PDM and had limited access to projects. Approval of this one had been done quickly whereas others took "weeks and months" and other projects were approved in consequence of the suspension of the PDM. At that time he did not realise the building site was controversial. The trial continues on 13 November when Ponta do Sol Council have to send a list of all draft permits for private buildings approved during the year 2001.
Driver of car that collided with two vans identified. He fled the scene and video surveillance tape was released of his grey Polo car. He has contacted the owners of the damaged vans and accepted liability. —- No report of police prosecuting.
Tribute to combatants. On Monday 2 November, there will be a ceremony commemorating combatants who lost their lives on overseas missions. It will be in Nazaré at the Monumento de Homenagem dos Combatentes do Ultramar (in photo). Appeal for serving combatants and the general public to attend to make the greatest possible tribute.
Free bus pass for the elderly back on the parliamentary agenda. This was approved in 1999 but never implemented. The free pass should be given to anyone over 60 who receives an income below the minimum wage. Also aimed at all people with disabilities, regardless of age.
Club Med 2 in port today. A five-masted luxurious cruising yacht joined three other ships to make another full harbour. She sailed from Casablanca and is going on to the Caribbean. The Club Med Portugal visited the ship. The yacht has recently been renovated with 10 new suites of 36 square metres and it can accommodate 392 tourists.
Porto Santo port promoted as free of charge. Medicruise (association of cruise ports) meeting in Monaco, where Madeira is gaining membership. Because Porto Santo port is free of charge, companies save between 3,500 and 12,000 Euros depending on tonnage of the vessel and passenger numbers. Funchal has lowered its tariff during the quieter summer months to try to increase business.
C&A want to open a second store in Funchal in the near future. The new store opened yesterday at the Forum Madeira. The group wanted to open a larger store, as they are normally 1400 to 2000 square metres but this one is just over 700 square metres. Yesterday was busy, partially due to curiosity and also because of an opening discount of 20%. —- The papers are a bit late with this one. Quite right Elaine, Josie had already told us having actually checked it out personally yesterday. Der
Valor Ambiente reply to Diário’s report. Diário yesterday had a report highlighting exportation of clinical waste to Spain for incineration. In Jornal da Madeira, the company stated that this is just a temporary solution which is in the public interest until the company who built the incinerator at Meia Serra make alterations to increase productivity and create safer operating conditions, as it is still under warranty. They said this company is paying for the exportation and it is not resulting in extra costs to Valor Ambiente (Government owned) and the Diário is just being critical of the Government.
Direct debits can be paid into a bank account in another EU country. From Monday but not available immediately in all 27 countries. This is under the SEPA (Single Euro Payments) system developed in 2008 to simplify payments through bank transfers, direct debits and bank cards in the Eurozone. Customers in the Single Area will also be able to make and receive payments in Euros under the same conditions as they do nationally.
A quick look at today’s front page news headlines in the Diário :
‘PS proposes an educational revolution – André Escórcio is the project author. Not that this idea will go anywhere, as it’s not a PSD idea, but the gist is to offer free education at all levels, and cut support to private and small independent schools, and then to create a more autonomous education system, with its own characteristics, without impinging on the general principles of law.
Failures in the management of hazardous waste lead CDU to ask for an inquiry. A story which Elaine has covered well in the last couple of days, and it seems a plausible reason has been given, that satisfies accusations made in a possible case of mischief-making by the Diário.
The main headline today : Armas operation is illegal – The Port and Maritime Transport Authorities have concluded that the loading operation undertaken by the Spanish vessel in Funchal Port is in breach of the rules. The license is at risk. The unloading of freight in Funchal Port from the passenger ferry that does the Madeira – Portimão – Canary Islands route has been deemed to breach licence conditions it seems. The situation arose after complaints from other shipping companies who had been forced to load and unload elsewhere, whilst the passenger ferry could continue freight operations unhindered. That could bump up the costs of the passenger ferry service somewhat, as that would have been a big piece of income for Naviera Armas, or even put the whole operation at risk. As for the next step, I reckon the government will step in and intervene, as the ferry service just cannot be put at risk.
A large picture shows a graveyard with some estrelicia flowers : No one dares to mess with the rules of the cemeteries – The 40 year old regulations provide great breeding conditions for the mosquito that spreads dengue disease. The health authorities prefer to respect the cult and its rituals.
‘Fly Madeira’ commences flying next Tuesday – Transporting cargo will mark the start of operations of the new airline company. It will be better known as FlyMI (Fly Madeira Islands), and on Tuesday it will fly a cargo from Lisbon to Madeira in it’s inaugural flight in a leased Boeing 737-300. Phase one of the formation for FlyMI is freight, passengers will come later through scheduled and charter flights.
In football : Nacional and Marítimo want to imitate Braga. Victory over Benfica results in clear league leadership for Braga. Today the teams from Madeira play, with TV honours. And what a great game and result it was (2 – 0), and how wonderful it was to see those Benfica supporters ,who were gloating over putting 6 goals past Nacional last week, crying in their beer. Benfica were the stronger side, but Braga played a strategy to outwit them, and it worked very well. Fantastic first goal as well.
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Cheers Der – the only thing that the “terrible” two are bovered about is the last little bit of Chicken on my plate and somewhere comfy to doze!
I agree with Sheila and wonder if it is not only a lack of intertest but maybe a feeling that there isn’t anything we can do about it anyway……? I mean, just who actually voted for Gordon B?
Of course, we live here full time, so U.K. politics (unless linked a la Sheila’s comments to Europe as a whole) don’t really concern us – maybe it’s one reason we left the U.K.?!?!
1Great photo Jon , they look very happy.
2Here goes!
3BRITISH POLITICS
Readers must be warned these are my views and do not have anything to do with the blog’s views.
I decided to ‘hold my tongue’ insofar as this blog was concerned, when it came to the politics and gross mismanagement of Britain for over 60 years.
I have had the occasional dig.
I found it soothing to be informed via Der of the politics of Madeira which are so predictable and follow naturally the Portuguese psyche.
One can accept the self interest of their politicians as natural.
This was never the case in Britain before WW2, when our politicians in the main were properly educated and led Britain forward.
Before WW2 exchange was 4$ to 1£.
Before WW2 Britain influenced or governed half the world’s population (for the better, it since transpires).
During WW2 Britain had to pay America for its material support in the battle against Nazi Germany.
Afterwards America gave our money to post war Germany under the Marshall Plan to re-establish export manufacturing.
America then ensured our world was broken up to leave them, the Americans the dominant power, and Democratic Germany and America with new markets free from British influence.
All done with our own money!
Our manufacturers were saddled with worn out plant with no new investment and a surly workforce stirred up to strike, as they did throughout the war, by Marxist agitators financed by a resentful Russia.
Our inept post war governments allowed all this to happen.
One lady, however, brought Britain forward a bit!
Her successors let it it go!
The Victorians would have tuned in their graves.
Now Britain appears to be run by committee men, half educated to boot, inexperienced in business and life.
The outlook is no better.
As a helper I have met some of the new parliamentary candidates and I am unimpressed.
The British have to adapt to mass immigration, foreign imports and Multi-Culturalism.
Britain has forgotten manufacturing and exports.
All our utilities are foreign owned.
The British economy is based on inflated property values and personal debt.
Politicians see no farther than London.
Most of the North of Britain has idle hands, millions indeed, who are left to sit at home to watch telly and are paid to do so.
Perfectly good homes are boarded up and uninhabited.
Bring back Victorian values of Queen and Country first, basic education to beat the world’s best and self belief, skills, honour and discipline.
Where did it all go wrong?
In the classroom.
Present day teaching is not good enough and only targets academia.
Everybody is now expected to go to university despite being uneducated.
Poland now supplies London’s plumbers as a result of this attitude.
I say, re-establish the teacher training colleges, ensuring all Marxists are removed and only the very best teachers with the right attitudes and without this disease of political correctness, are employed.
Their ambitions should be to teach honour, skills, discipline, a sense of right and wrong, common sense, belief in Queen and Country.
Even the correct way to hold a knife and fork would be nice.
Eventually we as a nation would stand half a chance against America, China, Brazil, India, Russia and so on all of whom will do their level best to beat Britain into submission down into the Third World.
The best values and ambitions are taught in our Armed Services, all of which harks back to the Victorians.
Modern politicians depend on the forces and accept their values in time of conflict.
They seem unable to grasp the facts that these values are needed in everyday life.
No modern politician can hold a candle to a Victorian one.
UP THE REVOLUTION!!!
Wow, Martin! Who said that contributors to the Blog were short on serious opinions? You are certainly full of controversial ideas although I have a niggling little feeling that you may be pulling my leg. However, if you meant what you wrote, it’s a refreshing change to read such frank and politically incorrect comments! I quite agree with about 20 per cent of them – there are indeed many faults in the British way of life. What I don’t accept is that Britain was a better place before the Second World War or that we should take our values from the Victorians or, even worse, from the armed forces. By and large, the Victorians were a bunch of hypocrites, concealing under a layer of respectability all the vices and failings that are found in modern society. As for the armed services, their only reason for existence is to cause death and destruction to their enemies. Simply, soldiers are trained to kill and that is what they do best. Whether in self defence or as acts of aggression, killing is their forte. Heaven forbid that we should all start marching back into the Dark Ages by emulating them in our daily lives. Is it too much to hope that, at this stage in our evolution, we might move forward to a world built on peace, democracy and consideration for other people and animals? How smarmy that sounds! Also, too much pie in the sky, I’m afraid.
4Seriously, though, about this darned Lisbon Treaty…Why can’t we have our promised referendum? Does anyone know of an effective way of lobbying our politicians to demand what is only our right? Must we all keep quiet while our unelected Prime Minister (fresh from his triumph of wrecking our economy for the next 25 years) bamboozles us into becoming a powerless satellite of an enlarged European super-state?
I am advised that many tasty pastries and cakes can be chestnut based.
5What is the madeiran favourite, I wonder?
Well ….. I think I’ll kinda sit on the fench for this one, largely, however:
I served for some 27 years in the “armed” forces (forces can be good and bad) in Her Majesty’s Royal Air Force and never actually killed anyone. In fact, during my time as “defender of the realm” I actually saved many lives, mostly civillian – courtesey of my military training and good ole “Walter”, the Yellow Search and Rescue Wessex Helicopter.
I witnessed many heroic deeds based on teamwork, trust, training and consideration for other people, together with a sense of discipline, self awaremess and respect for others that, in my opinion, is missing from todays society.
And I really love animals as well Sheila and really agree with your views on the Lisbon treaty and your hopes for a world built on peace, democracy and consideration – open discussion and open minds are good!
Chestnut “licor” from Curral das Freitas Martin!
6Take care everyone.
Wow! It’s good to see free speach in action!
Haven’t time just now to put down my views on politics at length (too busy making marmalade from the limes which are falling off our tree) but thought the following which I picked up recently might be of interest:
* As I understand it, the proposed job of ‘President’ of the EU would in fact be nothing more than what we know as ‘Chairman’ (of meetings), so wouldn’t carry
much power & could be an unenviable job (that would sort him out!) Correct me someone if I’m wrong.
* If any of us are still involved with British politics but are now resident here in Madeira, we can have a proxy vote for the UK Parliament for up to 15 years. Details from http://www.ukinportugal.fco.gov.uk Also we can vote in local elections & European parliamentary elections in Portugal.
Oh yes & chestnuts can be bought ready peeled in Modelos – would save all that
7peeling!
Well said Jon and thanks to Sheila.
If modern Britain had been taught just a fraction of the range of military attributes of duty, honour, sense of fair play and so on, I am sure our politicians would be serving their country and not their pockets.
As far as Blair is concerned I think he believes himself to be the new Messiah.
Self delusions drive him on.
I was told he is the only boy to have been caned at Fettes in modern times.
What did he do that was so wrong?
If he gets the Europe job then the Pope had better watch out, Blair didn’t become a Catholic for nothing!
The Pope’s job must be next on Blair’s list.
That is, if the various attempts to have Blair charged with war crimes are unsucessful.
One day the lies Blair has told will catch up with him and proper enquiries into Britain’s entry into war together with Dr David Kelly’s “suicide” will reveal amazing facts.
Truth is stranger than fiction.
I’ve more if you wish!
8Wow Martin,
9You sure do have strong opinions. I won’t comment on the majority of them but I find your comment on the idle North of Britain highly offensive. I hope, as Sheila suggests that there is an element of leg pulling in your comments.
Regards from a North British teacher.
Helen,
10Have you visited Redcar?
Hartlepools for example?
There are many similar blighted areas.
The North of Britain is NOT populated by lazy people but they are left to idle.
I did not write or infer otherwise.
Please re- read my words.
Unemployment is the greatest in the north and the population has been let down by their representatives.
No government in recent history has attempted to revitalise manufacturing which would suit many.
If being offensive gets people’s attention about the gross mismanagement of Britain then so be it, its not my way.
Facts can never be offensive.
I hope the General Election next year has people taking to the streets, if they are allowed, to express their rapidly dwindling right to free speech and ensure the next government is a lot better than its predecessors, whatever its colour.
I always regard Madeira as the escape zone from Britain so I will continue to treat it as the Floating Sub-tropical paradise island that we have always found it for the last 10 years.
Regarding comments on British politicians of any colour, I send these to the Telegraph and they are not very endearing of our alleged ” leaders”.
Best wishes from the frozen north of England where we can still take the whippets out for a walk t’pub if we get bored with watching telly all day.
11I don’t agree with anyone, but in my opinion that’s enough said. This blog is about Madeira.
Shame we can’t get a similar debate going on Madeira’s politics and news. Does that mean that everyone is happy with the situation here, or are readers just scared to comment once in a while?
12It’s been fun!
13Just in case I have inadvertently insulted Jon and every other member (past and present) of the armed forces, I didn’t mean to, honest! Of course remarkable work is done by forces’ personnel, many of whom have saved lives and brought great benefits to people all around the world. My point was that the basic reason for the formation of any army is the destruction of the enemy, whether in self-defence or as acts of aggression. That being the case, is it really a good idea (as Martin apparently recommends) to transfer that “kill or be killed” philosophy into a basis for morality in everyday life. Oh, I do feel misunderstood!
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