Comments on: Savoy coming down ; Nacional score 4 more ; Sea and air transport seriously disrupted

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 05:33:03 +0000

I’m up early!

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 21:34:35 +0000

13:45 from Manchester landed here at 20:02 Tobi…..hope friends O.K. ……
Rain cleared here for now.

By: Tobi

Tobi — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:34:12 +0000

The weather forecast is changing all the time , and now not looking to clever for tomorrow.

friends of mine are still waiting for the 13.45 manchester flight to land , it was delayed cause manchester was closed , now im guessing our airport is closed with this weather, as its still not landed.

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:13:42 +0000

Well, the threatened (promised) evening rains have arrived – just after our “mad”eira builders paid us a suprise dusk visit with a cement mixer and poured us a parking lot…….could be the swimming pool we’ve always wanted by tomorrow!
Loving the dream, place in the sun…..not long to go ’till the 6 a.m. tannoy “wake up call” broadcast church service. No fireworks though Der and it is rather nice lying in bed with a mug of tea listening to same, “songs” and all! Although the random mega mortar rockets during the day do still make us jump at times various, unannounced! Time for a beer or two to calm the nerves methinks…….

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 19:08:23 +0000

I’ve been keeping my eye out for recipes using Madeira wine.

At long last a retired pilot who served in 604 squadron of the RAF and then worked for BOAC, whose wife was severely maimed by gangsters in the cowardly bombing of a hotel in Brighton, has one listed within his new recipe book and published for all in a Sunday Paper.

I thought it may be of interest.

Game Pots

4oz game meat (pheasant, partridge etc. not lion or tiger)
4 cloves
Quarter tsp ground mace
4 to 5 TABLESPOONS of MADEIRA WINE ( 5 is best!!)
4oz butter
1 tbsp stock
Salt and pepper to taste
Method;-
Put the meat, cloves,mace and pich of salt in a saucepan. Just cover with cold water.
Bring to the boil, then simmer gently (lid on) for about 2 hours.
Remove the meat, drain and then chop freely in a food processor.
Reduce the cooking liquid by about two-thirds.
Add the MADEIRA and half of the butter.
Stir in with a wooden spoon. Then add the minced meat and stir to make a smoooth paste.
If it is too thick ADD MORE MADEIRA.
Season to taste.
Sppon mixture into buttered ramekin dishes.
Melt the remaining butter and pour over the mixture in the dishes to seal (like potted shrimps).
You can decorate with some chopped parsley.
Then chill in the fridge.
A good starter with toast or fresh baguettes!

If it all goes wrong, blame global warming, everybody else does!

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 18:42:20 +0000

I am glad also Tobi.
Our Ford Anglia is not good in snow.
The heater was a £3.17.6d. extra and is not at its best.
997cc. doesn’t give enough heat?
Determined to give it a go.
Insurance (comprehensive) proving to be a stumbling point.
Just because our car is old don’t mean it can’t be insured–surely?
I will grind the b*%$£ds down till they capitulate.
In fact I’m glad I (we) didn’t travel.
All forms of transport in the s**t ’cause of inclementcy.
It seems unless problem can be solved on a laptop, chaos ensues.
Modern transport managers–eh?
Still saving up at present.
Hope to get cash for Christmas.
Living in a third world country I find things extraordinarily expensive in the eurozone.
Up the revolution!

By: Tobi

Tobi — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 17:03:03 +0000

Hi All,

i know yesterdays stansed flight stayed at Porto santo for the night and flew over this morning, so at least they were looked after well.

Weather looks much better for tomorrow, but as Martin has so kindly said , its not going to last.

Martin i bet your glad you didnt plan on driving over here for christmas and new year…

By: Jaquine

Jaquine — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:48:25 +0000

There was an article in the Diario on Wednesday about a proposed strike of
supermarket workers here on Christmas Eve, protesting against having to work 60 hrs a week (can’t blame them at all). Does anyone know if it’s still on & if so, is it all or just one outfit? If so, we’ll all have to fill our freezers early.

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 16:42:21 +0000

Bah Humbug! LOL
Although it does look a little dark over Funchal way ………

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 15:56:31 +0000

Won’t last

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 14:31:57 +0000

After the early morning rain blew away it’s been a lovely day in Gaula – we even dared to venture as far afield as Porto da Cruz and Faial! Lovely drive, stunning scenery, a little walk, warm fresh air and coffee in the sun – Feliz Natal!

By: Der

Der — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:41:51 +0000

Nice in Ribeira Brava now. On the radio news now they are talking about a Yellow Alert, so things not as bad as thought.

By: Sue

Sue — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 11:14:05 +0000

The sun has arrived in Garajau – look quick or you might miss it -

By: Angie

Angie — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:33:11 +0000

Yeps things are certainly ok so far at the airport a few expected delays

I’ve just returned from the hills doggy walking and can honestly say that all my so called waterproof jackets are not so…do they give refunds d’you think?
Even my favourite sailing jacket has failed the test of the Madeiran torrential downpour, yet again squelching back home..WHERE IS THE SUN????

By: Jon

Jon — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 10:12:37 +0000

Or QDR’s for a back bearing….very good Martin! Even Taxi drivers have radios….

Funchal Airport weather looking better today and flights arriving/departing more or less on time (EasyJet Lisbon CX’d).

AND I can see the Porto Santo Ferry sailing across the “Santa Cruz” bay en route for the sandy Isle……..going a little slowly but doing well in the swell!

By: Martin

Martin — Mon, 21 Dec 2009 09:25:27 +0000

The weather forecast for Madeira looks poor.
Global warming is having an effect, no doubt.
Hope people visiting for Christmas are looked after properly in the event their flights/and/or ferries are disrupted.
Eurostar and Eurotunnel have shown us how not to do things when the snow hits the fan.
It is reported today that when their trains are in the Chunnel, Eurostar cannot communicate directly with their drivers or train ‘managers’, as they hopefully call them.
Just imagine TAP not being able to talk to their drivers/cabin staff when in the air.
Pilot lost (temporarily unaware of his position) not being able to call QDMs (which way to airport?) would cause some raised eyebrows.