Madeira News Blog

TODAY’S PHOTO : One of mine, you can tell by the poor quality no doubt … these 2 new born peacocks in Ribeira Brava got mixed up with some duck chicks, and I don’t think the two mums had much idea how to sort the problem out.

This link takes you to a private blog, which has published a trip report for a couple that spent three and a half days here, and loved it.  MADEIRA – A CAMBRIDGE PERSPECTIVE

Don’t forget that news / articles will be posted at various times during the day – Check back regularly and keep yourself up to date.

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(30th May). ‘Cat’ In A Region That Dispenses With 25th April And Election Polls – The work of Ricardo Pereira is of more ‘Cats’ and he makes people laugh, but the leadership until 2015 makes him think’. This is an interview with a TV comedian, from a programme called ‘Stinky Cat’, who is here from the mainland for the Book Fair festivities. In an interview with the Diário on the day it was proposed President Jardim stays in the leadership until 2015, he puts his own take on the news. It didn’t really belong with the front page news, but here are a few of his quotes on the matter, just to get an ‘outsiders’ viewpoint : “It is easier to control people without a culture than people with Culture” (referring to the announcement this week that the government here is cutting expenditure on culture) ;  “There are even dictators that do not last that long” ; and (commenting on the lack of election polls) “One thing that amazed me. I have been to the island at other times, and I happened to come a time when there were elections and I tuned in the local radio station, in my hire car, and was listening to the radio … and one thing that struck me was: there are no polls in Madeira, because there is no need, because everyone knows who will win, it makes no sense … 78% … and this is not needed. On the continent, we find out the intention to vote for this party or that party … here it is not needed, everyone knows the intention of the overwhelming majority of the people”.

‘High Expectations For The Festival Of Sé – Traders expect to do good business in the festival which runs until 6th June’. The festa in the cathedral area of Funchal started today, with a new bar ‘Buxiga Tasca’ opening, deliberately timed for the event. “I hope the celebrations are very good for business, with much joy, much support, and no fights” says one trader. 

Saturday June 6th brings a real treat for athletics fans, with the European Cup 10,000 Metres being run at the Madeira Sports Stadium, Ribeira Brava. According to the list of participating countries, there should be around 28 nationalities represented, in both men’s and women’s events. The event even has it’s own English website – take a look – especially at the rather odd looking timetable :
10000M EURO CUP
RELATED ARTICLE FROM THE BRITISH PRESS

The last football event of the season is on TVI at 5pm tomorrow, when Porto take on Paços de Ferreira in the Portugal Cup.

SUNDAY NEWS

In football, Marítimo lost away to Paços de Ferreira, 2 – 1. Porto 1 -0 Nacional, in the other game. Our lads played really well, and deserved to come away with something from Porto, but Porto won their 4th consecutive championship as a result, so no complaints there.

Cristiano Ronaldo notched up yet another goal for Manchester United. He is now top scorer in the English Premiership, after a slow start to the season.

MONDAY NEWS

The big picture and most of the front page is given over to celebrating Porto players – ‘FC Porto Fourth Consecutive Year As Champions Of Portugal – A convincing and individual performance of Nacional wasn’t sufficient to stop the Porto lads celebrating another title, with two games left to play’. Thousands of Portistas took to the streets to celebrate the 24th league title, including along the Avenida do Mar in Funchal, where police had to attend to control the traffic movements as well as some over excited fans.

A bit closer to home for me, Ribeira Brava football club, despite a 2 – 0 win over Caniçal on Sunday, were relegated down to division three.

Following the inauguration speech for the new sports stadium in Câmara de Lobos, President Jardim said that he wants 20 Cristiano Ronaldo’s. Good lord, I really hope that wish doesn’t come true. As much as I admire his football, just imagine the impact that would have on Funchal. Not only would we have the CR7 sports shop in Funchal, we would also have CR8, CR9, CR10 etc. through to CR27, and there wouldn’t be any room left for hotels and other shops. Imagine the confusion on the sports pages of the Diário, with 21 players, all with the same name, all in the headlines on a daily basis! Imagine the England football team, terrified by just one CR, let alone a team full.