Xmas compilation ; 2010 fireworks ; Madeira Islands Walking Festival ; 1954 ‘blog’
Today’s photo – Many thanks to Janez …
Something quite different … A lovely Madeira Christmas / seasonal compilation – If you click on the above image you will be able to see a larger version, and from there explore the individual photos.
Tobi videoed the first sunrise of 2010 over the Ilhas Desertas … many thanks :
This link is also from Tobi … "This is probably the best firework video i have seen of the displays in Madeira, i thought he was on a roof of a hotel , but looks like he was on a ship or boat". Cheers Tobi.
Don’s blog has a collection of videos from the fireworks display, including the RTP coverage, with several interviews in English with some very impressed tourists. 2010 FIREWORK VIDEOS
If you are away from Madeira and need a fix, you might like to see the 5 minute video on this website with traditional singing and costume dancing. CASA DO POVO DA CAMACHA
Becky sent me in this link, many thanks. This is really fascinating! It’s a number of diary entries from 1954, with lots of photos, that have been turned into a blog. WELL WORTH A VISIT
Paul from Paul do Mar kindly sent in this article and photo :
Calheta & the Madeira Islands Walking Festival January 2010. The next Festival is from Tuesday the 12th –16th January. The Festival is the brainchild of UK-based freelance travel and outdoor writer and photographer Terry Marsh. Between 2004 and 2006 he organised the successful walking festivals on the Isle of Man. The festival is promoted by the Madeira Tourism Board. One of the objectives of the festival is to encourage walkers from Western Europe to visit the Madeiran Islands, to experience for themselves the natural beauty of the region.
The walks the organisers have chosen are a cross section of the many that are available, and are intended to provide a taste of what the islands have to offer walkers. According to the official website all the walks are devised and promoted by the Regional Forest Bureau and have been recently surveyed and verified.
Calheta and its spectacular waterfall in Rabaçal. One of the many walks is in Calheta: the PR 6 – Levada das 25 fontes, PR 6.1 – Levada do Risco. Visiting a (usually) spectacular waterfall, this walks begins by descending gently to Rabaçal before continuing downhill then, by an out-and-back route to the rocky amphitheatre containing the 25 Fontes (Risco waterfall). The walk concludes through an 800-metre tunnel…so, torches are necessary! The walk is 11 kilometres and costs 25 Euros. Check out Festival site Link and Rabaçal, Calheta ’25 fontes’ walk factsheet
Many thanks to Elaine once again for yesterday’s top news stories :
Madeira on yellow alert. The strong winds, rain and sea waves have returned and conditions are not expected to improve until late Monday afternoon.
Court of Appeal reopens lawsuit filed in Funchal. Two families have been locked in an argument about a shared wall, the case heard in the Court of Funchal on June 30 2007. During the dispute, a 62 year old man was scratched in the face by sunglasses, hit with fists and feet and harassed, claims supported by medical and forensic evidence. Scratches, bruises and scars required 7 days of treatment. The Public Ministry investigated the case against three people but asked the judge to dismiss the case, which he did and it was filed. The grounds were that the attacks were due to conflicts between the two parties and the defendants had no previous record. The victim was not satisfied and the Appeal Court has now ruled the case must be reopened. According to the law, a defendant may be excused if both parties have been injured and it cannot be proven which party began the attack.
Three fingers injured by a homemade ‘bottle bomb’. A 29 year old man from Câmara de Lobos had an accident with a homemade bomb. The explosion occurred yesterday afternoon at Furneira in Garachico and he was taken to hospital where he is still under observation. He tried to light the ‘bottle bomb’ but it just exploded.
Fires in Funchal and Santa Cruz. A house in Largo da Achada in Camacha was badly damaged by a fire yesterday morning, thought to be started after a hairdryer was left switched on in a bedroom. Despite prompt intervention by six firemen, the room was destroyed by fire and smoke damage. There was a smaller fire at a residence in Funchal that evening after a candle was forgotten about on a bedside table and only smoke damage occurred. There was also a fire at 00.13 in the woods at Quinta do Poco, Santa Luzia in Funchal.
New hospital is urgent. Reduced waiting lists for consultations and surgery is one of the challenges for 2010. The Health Service (SESARAM) management has been frequently criticized this year but the doctors and nurses unanimously agree that the proposed new hospital in Funchal is urgently required. Both the Order of Nurses and Order of Physicians state the construction of the hospital cannot be delayed any longer and must be made a priority this year. However the Clinical Director, Miguel Ferreira, said the hospital is only a medium term plan and the two major challenges are improvements in the existing structures and a better, more effective and quicker response leading to a reduction in the waiting lists. There needs to be more investment in training with more than 70 new junior doctors employed but recruitment difficulties occur in some specialities. The President of the Order of Nurses said the two challenges were the reorganization of primary care and care of the elderly. Community support for people with mental health difficulties and a continuing care network should not be forgotten. The accessibility to health care should be increased with a more decentralized service which requires the cutting of red tape. Community care is safer, quicker, of better quality and preferred by users. What is particularly needed is for professionals to visit the elderly, the dependant, people with chronic illnesses and those at home after a stay in hospital.
Six groups celebrate Cantar dos Reis in Ribeira Brava. Show at 19.00 on Tuesday January 5 at the seafront at Ribeira Brava. The groups are from the four parishes in the county. —- Seems to be two spelling versions: Cantar os Reis and Cantar dos Reis.
Thirteen new cruise ships. This year, there will be a record of 13 inaugural calls by cruise ships. There will also be five ships coming under new names. The first inaugural call is on Monday with the arrival of the MSC Splendida (photo), the most recent addition to the MSC Cruises company. It is the twin of MSC Fantasia and can accommodate 3,887 passengers and 1,325 crew members. Coming from Tenerife, this cruise ship docks at 8 am and leaves at 17.00 for Malaga. On January 5th, the luxurious Silver Spirit is here for the first time. It is a smaller ship with a capacity for 564 tourists. On March 16th, the Zenith arrives, an older ship built in 1992 and is the twin of the Pacific Dream. April has the most inaugural visits: Disney Cruises come for the first time with the Disney Magic on the 18th; the Tui Aqua on the 5th; the Prince Albert on the 22nd and the Empress on the 25th. May 2nd, the Azura and May 24th, the Celebrity Eclipse call. On September 9th, the AIDAblu replaces the weekly AIDAluna for the winter season. On 21st October the new Cunard liner, the Queen Elizabeth is eagerly awaited. The luxurious SeabournSojourn docks on November 5th and finally, the Adventure of the Seas calls for the first time on the following day.
Government puts former nursery up for sale. The property is the first one the Regional Government sells due to the economic crisis. The Regional Government, through PATRIA (the company that manages the Regional Government assets) is to auction the property in Machico. It is fracção J-R/C in the building Edificio da Paz in Rua do Ribeirinho, which is the same building where the PSD in Machico have their office. The auction price is 236,000 euros. The buyer will be responsible for paying all the taxes involved in buying; stamp duty, IMT, notary and registration fees. PATRIA are selling the property as it is no longer used by public services because the area is too small.
Carlos Pereira has come out again against gay marriage. José Sócrates has accepted civil marriage between homosexuals (December 17 2009). Independently of his party, the Socialist Party member Carlos Pereira is publicly against this legislation although he claims he is not prejudiced against same sex marriage. The Socialist Party want the Assembly of the Republic to discuss the possibility of adoption by same sex couples. Carlos Pereira explained that gay marriage "undermines the actual institution of marriage" and as it is not a true marriage, couples should not be allowed to adopt children. Amendments to the Civil Code which allow gay marriage are not a priority in the present economic climate, and do not solve the key issues of Portuguese society such as the low birth rate. The ruling goes against the guidelines of the national Socialist Party for a traditional family model. He thinks that heterosexual marriage is fundamental for children and their rights need to be respected. The President of the Republic, Cavaco Silva, says that marriage between the same sex is not a priority for Portugal and this long desire of the gay community is shrouded in controversy, despite the Government’s option to exclude adoption.
Regional Government owes €5 million to Porto Moniz. This is according to the Socialist Emanuel Câmara of the Council of Porto Moniz and is due to delayed payments for seven works. The Socialist Party voted against the Council’s 12.6 million Euros 2010 budget. They said a better budget is needed at a time of debt, requiring financial restraint.
CDS of Calheta accuse the PSD of ‘knavery’ and opposition parties criticize Santa Cruz Council. The Municipal Assembly meetings are scheduled for the same day and time as parish council meetings. The CDS-PP in Calheta accuse the PSD of deliberately scheduling the meetings to withdraw opposition members who are also part of parish councils from the Municipal Assembly. In Santa Cruz, where the Council has no majority, the opposition parties criticize the Council for not enough dialogue with them at meetings. The leader of the JPP said it is too early to make an assessment but the ruling PSD have not understood the outcome of the elections. The PSD Jose Goncalves said that he still believed, as stated in his speech when he took office, "Whoever wins elections should rule alone."
The President of the EU anti-poverty network shocked by transfer of Canon Manuel Martins. Fr. Manuel Martins was transferred to Machico parish after he spoke in Masses in defence of children and the poor. Father Jardim Moreira said that political pressure had been applied but the Diocese of Funchal still insist that a personal transfer request from Fr. Manuel Martins had been made. —- I think I remember his speech was about the Government /services not helping enough.
The construction of the radar in the Pico do Areeiro affected by bad weather. Strong gusts of wind up to 100 km/hour have been particularly troublesome. Metal plates have been ripped loose and the environmentalist Raimundo Quintal stresses that preventative measures are needed before there is a disaster as the plates / high winds are a danger to tourists, especially in the International Year of Biodiversity.
Convicted in London, he is the victim of injustice. Jornal da Madeira have an interview with José Ivo Pestana, from Boaventura, who was convicted and jailed in the UK for ten years, serving six, for possessing illegal explosives in 2003. He returned to his native area Fajã do Panedo in November last year. He moved to London in 1990 and was a cook at Garfunkle’s at Gatwick Airport. He admits possessing two bombs containing 75 grams of fireworks. The police concluded that he wanted to blow up the restaurant at the airport. He complains that the Portuguese Consulate did not help him, despite asking them to. He has been deported from England and warned that if he returned, he would at minimum have to serve the remaining time of his sentence. He says people are now prejudiced against him and he cannot find work in Boaventura.
Member of the clock back in the Assembly. Jose Manuel Coelho is back this month and promises new exhibits. He replaces the PND member Baltasar Aguiar. Coelho has been absent since December 2008 and is unsure of how long he will return for, but he states it does not matter as the mission is to serve democracy and freedoms and he will do his best. Protagonist to several political events in the Legislative Assembly, in particularly when he sported a large kitchen clock around his neck in protest against the rules that reduced the speeches of the opposition members to intolerable time minimums. He unfurled a flag with a swastika, the symbol of the Nazis under Adolf Hitler, to criticise the system established for 33 years in Madeira. He admits his events are not politically correct but are necessary and appropriate to enliven the conscience. He is assumed to be a communist but he is distant from the PCP in Madeira due to dissensions with some of the leaders. He is proud that he used to sell Pravda after April 25th and as one of their largest sellers, was awarded with a trip to the communist homeland. He now fights against the autocracy and oligarchy established for more than 30 years of tyranny and despotism by Alberto João Jardim. He is for democracy and against the abuses and arrogance of the jardinista regime, which controls the Tribunals and Public Ministry. During the last election, he was running for Câmara de Lobos and mustered 930 votes, which he considers good for some one not from the locality and contributed to the election of a member to the Municipal Assembly and to Câmara de Lobos Parish Council.
… and from yesterday’s Jornal da Madeira : Tourists marvel at the fireworks. New Year’s Eve in Funchal returned once again to conquer the many thousands of tourists who chose Madeira to commemorate the arrival of the New Year. The international fame that the fireworks display has been able to achieve, brought again to Madeira thousands of tourists of various nationalities who were "delighted" with the fireworks display. We were in contact with several tourists who at the end of yesterday morning could not resist the invitation by the sun’s rays on the first day of 2010, and took the opportunity to stroll around lower Funchal, especially the central area of Avenida Arriaga to see the Christmas decorations and entertainment. At that hour, in addition to background music and stalls selling food and drink with traditional specialities, the performance of a folklore group gained the attention of many who circulated around with cameras and video cameras in hand. To our news team, tourists from England, Germany and Continental Portugal gave their testimony, revealing themselves delighted with the reveillon celebrations.
Example of this enthusiasm was Doreen Sharpe, who for the third time came from England with her husband to watch the fireworks display. This was undoubtedly the highlight of the night. In the opinion of this tourist, the fireworks display was "absolutely wonderful". Since they have been "regulars" for the Madeiran New Year’s Eve, they could compare. He pointed out that this year’s show was better than last year. She preferred last years but said that this year "was wonderful too". The couple were told by friends about the Madeiran spectacular. Now at the end of three visits, they are in no doubt they will advise others to come and want to return. Along with the beauty of fireworks, Doreen Sharpe also praised the temperatures felt in the region.
For Sibille Tröml who came from Germany, this was her first New Year’s Eve in Madeira. The adjective used to describe the fireworks display was ‘fantastic’. This tourist who is learning Portuguese, said she came to Madeira in the summer and saw the provision by Germany in the Festival do Atlântico and decided together with her husband to return at the end of the year for the reveillon. Both shows have captivated the couple. The one in June excelled by being longer and the one yesterday was scattered throughout all the amphitheatre. "It was different and fantastic", and expressed an intention to return here. The entertainment and decorations in downtown Funchal were also worthy of praise. "For those who are not walking in the mountains, it is very good they have something to do," said Sibille Tröml, "also not forgetting the appetizing snacks found there, especially the typical bread and wine." Meanwhile, Sheila Simpson from England had also come for the third time. She watched the fireworks display in Funchal. "It was absolutely fantastic", and praised the weather. "What I like most is the heat. It is snowing in England," she said.
The couple Elsa Viana and Rui Martins were also amazed, who enjoyed the last day of their vacation in Madeira before returning to Lisbon. Both had already been here before but for New Year’s Eve this was a first. Elsa said, "The Madeiran fireworks display is already famous and we were curious to see it live." She simply thought it would be longer. Moreover she stressed, "the effect was beautiful." "Having fireworks all around Funchal simultaneously was a wonderful thing to see," she emphasized. This Portuguese tourist did not fail to highlight the friendliness of local people. Also the street entertainment did not escape her praise. "There are always things happening all the time in various places," she said. Meanwhile, Rui Martins called the fireworks display "exceptional". For this reason, he will also recommend to friends they come here at this time. Finally, Maria de Lurdes, also from Lisbon confessed she also really enjoyed the spectacular. This tourist had already come to the region at other times but this was the first time for New Year’s Eve. "It was an idea I had had for many years and this year I wanted to make it happen," she said noting that the fireworks display was "very nice" and would also advise people to come here.
Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :
‘Empresas na Hora’ lose momentum. This is the government office in Funchal that cut’s out all the time and expense of setting up a new company, by having all that is necessary under one roof. They claim that you go there and within an hour set up a new limited company. In 2009 227 less companies were created than in 2008. The organisation, now entering it’s fifth year on Madeira, has set up 2,345 new companies inside the regional economy since the beginning. 2009 didn’t even pass the 500 mark, in terms of new businesses. So if each company takes an hour to establish (and of course there is paperwork to be done behind the scenes to be done as well), what do these people do all day? I went there once and saw 3 or 4 people working there. Sounds like another of those government job creation schemes to me, although the service offered is without doubt of considerable value.
Diocese accused of giving in to the government – The president of the anti-poverty network reveals that Canon Martins went out of Sé [Funchal cathedral] because he was concerned with the homilies. The President of the European anti-poverty movement was "shocked" by the transfer of Canon Manuel Martins. Father Jardim Moreira is said to be concerned about the pressures that the political powers exert on the Diocese of Funchal. The Madeira Church disagrees with this revelation and insists that the departure of the Canon from the Cathedral was due to a personal request from Martins himself. Father Moreira says that the transfer of canon Manuel Martins to Machico as parish priest, was in his opinion motivated by the fact that the canon had spoken in his sermons in defence of children and the poor. The Diário was unable to contact Martins for comment. I had no idea what that ‘homily’ word meant, so a definition : "A sermon, especially one intended to edify a congregation on a practical matter and not intended to be a theological discourse". Government propaganda through the church eh! I am sure that’s nothing new.
Justice 2010 : Expectations don’t comfort.
Today’s main news headline : Police vaccinated under pressure – After a difficult 2009 for the PSP [Public Security Police], drawn by the political struggle, the union man Jorge Silva praises the current Regional Command, that resisted the "pressures and the provocations". "We are already innoculated against the verbal jabs of certain politicians", he informs, clarifying that the time for boot-licking in the PSP has now passed. "They can be in other institutions, some close to the government". Also the main photo on today’s front page, a rather odd shot of a policeman’s rear end, with batons and police radio behind his back. The boot-lickers have moved on according to the union man, after a year involved in all sorts of controversies, and he welcomes the break from the "vices of the past". The spokesman for the Association of Police Professionals (ASPP) also praises the "courage and humility of the current commander". The worst time was just before parliamentary elections in October, when President Alberto João Jardim was giving the police a lot of stick, mainly because they wouldn’t take his side in party political collisions. Three policemen who took particular offence at Jardim’s comments actually put in transfer requests as a result. Well done to the police in my opinion for standing up to the political pressures, and coming out of 2009 a stronger and more reputable organisation. In my short 6 years here the police force here have moved on in great strides, and I no longer see them as ‘village bobbies’ in the midst of skulduggery and the ‘C’ word that also contains ‘r’s. There are still many reports of police inaction to public complaints, but that’s probably more down to bureaucracy and communication weaknesses. I certainly think that the nature of much of their work is practically unrecognisable from just a few years ago, and that they have reshaped themselves well to deal with modern issues. What is the real crime is that this government doesn’t pre-empt and prepare for new trends in street crime, drug offences, domestic abuse, and robbery, etc. so the police are always on the back foot dealing with these and other issues.
Valter refuses budgets that he previously required – When he was president of Seixal, Valter Correia was demanding money from the main councils for the parish councils. Now that he is leader of the council [câmara] of Porto Moniz, he gives nothing.
If anyone else can oblige with the translation of any of the ‘blank’ or sparsely filled headlines, or other news stories, here is the link. All contributions much appreciated.
A big surprise this morning was the appearance of a new sandy beach in Ribeira Brava … I could swear it wasn’t there yesterday, so it must have come in last night with the bad weather.
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Ambilift now available at the airport. The new system helps air passengers with disabilities or reduced mobility and came into use last Wednesday. Consisting of a mobile lifting device for loading and unloading wheelchairs, with or without occupants. It cost 160,000 Euros and is being deployed in all EU airports if they have an annual turnover exceeding 150,000 passengers. It is a requirement of a 2006 EU law on the rights of people with disabilities and with reduced mobility, and air transport. There must also be fully qualified staff at the airport to help people with such disabilities. The equipment was purchased last month but has only become operational this month due to staff training on safe usage. To fund it, the airport is adding a charge of 0.61 Euros to passenger tax.
Kissing the ‘Menino’ under the discretion of each individual. The continuity of some Christmas religious traditions may be compromised by influenza A. Placing kisses on the Child Jesus has been discouraged by some parishes of the continent. In the Region, Father Marcos Goncalves, head of the Information Office of the Diocese of Funchal, says the way to fulfil the tradition of greeting the Menino should be left to each person. "The tradition will continue to happen with a kiss, a gesture, a nod, in view of the traditions of each place and site and the desire of the faithful." It is important that the Church takes its role as a public health informant but, "We cannot fall into alarmism and exaggeration for only some gestures and traditions." "Every day we greet, kiss and touch everything and everyone, and just remember prevention in relation to the Church and its traditions." In some parishes in Portugal, the advice is not to kiss the foot or forehead of the Baby Jesus, to prevent the spread of influenza A. Priests think the tradition will not be lost because some people will still carry it out. The tradition of blessing the Child Jesus occurs tomorrow at 17.00 Mass and Sunday Mass in the Igreja do Colegio. The images taken by the faithful will be blessed in a celebration of joy and preparing for Christmas. 
Chocolate Festival promises to surprise. The Chocolate Island festival will be held this weekend at the Congress Centre. The organization say that, "Whoever is used to consume chocolate mainly in sweets and tablet form will be surprised by the wide variety of applications that the leaders at this festival of chocolate will present." "The preparation of meat, soups, beverages and delicious desserts, these professionals will, above all, show the different uses that can give chocolate delicious and original applications." In the festival, visitors can take away recipes and the best products. Children, as they appreciate the product more, have their own area called Hands On. Groups of children from the ages of 5 to 12 years, up to maximum of 15 per session, can be helped to prepare lunch, including of course, much chocolate! Charge is 5 Euros. Chocolate sculptures on display will be another visitor attraction. The organizers have challenged individuals and companies to purchase the sculptures and 50% of proceeds will go to the Gil Foundation to support the creation of the Casa do Gil in Madeira. The minimum value of each sculpture is 300 Euros. Entry to the festival costs 2.5 Euros and children up to 12, accompanied by an adult, have free entry.
