Another scare in Jardim do Mar ; Calheta guide ; Lomelino Silva, the Portuguese Caruso
Today’s photo – Many thanks to Tom … "Magnolias are blooming on Monte means Spring is in the air".
Many thanks to Elaine (East) for these web snippets / videos :
Cruising the Mediterranean (1933). 38 minutes in total, the first 8 minutes are relevant to Madeira. Keywords: S.S. Columbus, boys diving for coins, oxen drawn sleds, digging paving stones for street, laying stones, pounding, Madeira wine barrel on sled, man herding pigs in street, carrying wicker chairs, fish market, eels (Espada), removing skin on rough stone, live turtle (sold for food), flower seller, embroidery, carrying sled up stairs, sleds career down stone mountain road. HERE
Madeira. Description of the island in the 1920s. 4 minutes long silent clip. Keywords: Ox drawn sleds used for tourists, man passes a greased rag under runners, tourists ride in wicker basket sleds down stone path from Terreira da Luta. Two women sit on ground spinning yarn. Sled goes down stone path while two women wash clothes in gutter, old woman with crutch sits in chair next to young woman doing embroidery, two old men (twins?) with beards wearing pointed knitted hats sit on bench, young man making wicker chair. HERE
Many thanks to Becky for this video :
Lomelino Silva, (1892-1967) born in Funchal in Rua das Maravilhas, in the Parish of São Pedro on the 26th December 1892 on the Portuguese island of Madeira. He is known as the Portuguese Caruso. His singing talent was discovered when he was a youth whilst performing in the Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias in Funchal.
And to Elaine out West, for this news article from yesterday’s Diário de Notícias :
Another scare in Jardim do Mar. New rockfall on the road connecting to Estreito da Calheta. More stones have fallen on the link road between Estreito da Calheta and Jardim do Mar. After a week with traffic stopped due to the storm that devastated this area, yesterday a further rockfall fell on this part of the road and only by chance were a family spared who were travelling on it. Given the pile of stones on the road, some of considerable size, the driver of the car was forced to brake in order to avoid the large covering of rocks. His tyre marks were visible on the asphalt.
In recent days the sun has returned. Now, the population of Jardim do Mar and Paul do Mar fear that the heat will open new cracks in some parts of the escarpment. The DIÁRIO knows that the link road to Jardim do Mar is on file as part of the survey that the Department of Infrastructure is conducting regarding the damage caused by the storm on 20 February.
The perils of leaving Calheta by boat before ‘rampas’ slipways or marinas were constructed
Know Calheta, Madeira History. Calheta, now with a population of 12,000 was one of the first areas in Madeira to be farmed. Its capital Calheta Town is about 31 kilometres from Funchal about 40-45 minutes drive time. As the Tourism website puts it “The municipality was once linked to the primary sector, and “industry” used to be important in the region.” There were once as many as eight sugar cane processing factories, though only one of them ‘Engenhos da Calheta’ is still operating today. With its museum with guided tours, shop and café its well worth a visit. Its about half-way up the hill from the Marina: WEBSITE
Photo : Engenhos da Calheta.
Calheta’s ocean front has been refurbished with the construction of a marina with white sand beaches next to it surrounded by spacious gardens.
The Parishes of Paul do Mar and Jardim do Mar. Two of its parishes, Paul do Mar and Jardim do Mar, challenge surfers to ride their spectacular waves. These surfing spots are nicknamed ‘Europe’s Hawaii’ and are considered among some of the best surfspots in Europe. Both villages, surfing beaches were venues for the World Surfing Championships in 2001. There are several restaurants in both these fishing villages, which of course specialise in fish dishes.
Prazeres.
Photo : the award-winning eco-hotel Hotel Jardim Atlântico
Prazeres is a historic agriculture market village with a 17th century church perched on Calheta’s mountains Atlantic Ocean views. It’s a mountain and levada (water canal) walking paradise with its proximity to some of the most popular walks on the island such as Levada Nova and the Prazeres to Paul do Mar walk which starts from the award-winning eco-hotel Hotel Jardim Atlântico.
“The atmosphere in Prazeres is of one incomparable peace and charm, where time stands still and no-one is ever in a hurry.”
Paul da Serra & the famous Rabaçal levada walk. From Calheta you can go up to Paul da Serra a 1,500-metre-high plateau, where there is a view of both Madeira’s coasts. You can get to from Rabaçal from there. Here the untouched UNESCO Laurissilva forest covers the mountains with a green mantle.
You can start out from Rabaçal to walk along some of the most beautiful, impressive paths into the depths of the island, until you find yourself surrounded by the Laurissilva Forest.
The Miradouros of Fonte do Bispo and the Farol (lighthouse) da Ponta do Pargo. “This belvedere is on the Paul da Serra plateau and nature lovers will feel the sensation of being enveloped by the exuberant vegetation of the Laurissilva Forest.”
“This belvedere is at the island’s westernmost point and from here we can see the rugged landscape from the lighthouse to Sítio das Achadas da Cruz.”
World class art in Calheta: Casa das Mudas Art Centre & Prazeres Art Gallery. The award-winning ‘Casa das Mudas’ art centre in Calheta is divided into two parts, a mansion built in the 16th century that belonged to a granddaughter of João Gonçalves Zarco, the discoverer of Madeira, and a new, modern wing that blends in perfectly with the surrounding scenery.
This cultural centre built into the cliff with spectacular views of the countryside and the Ocean houses presents exhibitions, musical performances, plays, conferences and many other events. The Centre has run exhibitions displaying the works of artists such as Francis Bacon, David Salle, Eric Fischl, Picasso and Dali.
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Photo : view of Calheta beaches & marina from Casa das Mudas Art Centre.
The new Prazeres Art Gallery part of ‘the Quinta Pedagogica’ complex which includes a small zoo and tea and cider houses run by the local priest is behind Prazeres Church. In early 2010 it displayed works of the world famous Portuguese artist ‘Paula Rego’.
A Tourist Guide to Calheta in English including recommended swimming areas such as Calheta’s white sandy beaches and the slipway (‘the rampa’ at Paul do Mar) is available on Calheta’s Town Hall website: HERE
The source and inspiration for Paul’s article was this page on Calheta on the official Tourism website: HERE Thanks a lot Paul, that should bring the money rolling in!
Many thanks to Elaine once again for yesterday’s top news stories :
DIÁRIO 08/03/2010
MADEIRA
Courts give 14 cars to the region in 2009. Since 2007, goods seized by the courts have been given to RAM. They have confiscated 23 vehicles (17 cars, 6 motorcycles), 1,340.40 Euros, seven items of gold and many obsolete mobile phones. 5 of the cars were destroyed, 2 were assigned to the government, 4 sold at auction and the other 12 are awaiting disposal. The gold items will be sold at auction. Any clothing is given to institutions and other items are given to government departments. The ship Blaus VII was caught in Madeiran seas carrying 1,500 kilos of cocaine in February 2007. The Portuguese Navy is temporarily using this ship for training cadets although it belongs to the Region.
Old bridge being demolished. Update on a previous report that the century-old bridge at Ribeira Brava has to be replaced. Last Friday, the demolition of this two-support bridge began and should be finished by the end of the week. It will be replaced by a pedestrian bridge which will connect both banks without any contact with the stream. This is because in the recent flooding, the surrounding ‘downtown’ areas of Ribeira Brava were flooded as the debris was obstructed by the supporting pillars.
ECONOMY
Port loses tourists from cruise ships and ferries. The Port of Funchal maintained its leadership as the port most visited by cruise ships. Until the end of the first two months of this year, 40 ships called bringing 79,336 passengers, a decrease of 3.1% over 2009. In February, when 6 ships cancelled with a loss of 13,000 tourists, the port still received 32,476 tourists. In January, there were 25 ships with 46,860 tourists. The Spanish ferry connecting Funchal to the Canary Islands and Portimão transported 18.9% more passengers than in 2009. The increase was due to ferrying 2,276 passengers to Portimão and 1,130 passengers to the Canary Islands. The Porto Santo Line carried 6,773 passengers or 21.8% fewer passengers to Porto Santo. In summary, during the first two months of this year, there were 4.2% fewer passengers, justified by the decrease of 2,497 tourists from cruise ships, 1,879 fewer on the Lobo Marinho, offset by an increase of 542 carried on the ‘Volcan de Tijarafe’.
IRS declaration. Deadline for paper-based declarations for Class A (dependent) and Class H (pensions) is 15 March. For declaration by the Internet, the period is March 10 – April 15.
POLITICS
Solidarity Fund will only come after summer. The European Commissioner for regional policy, Johannes Hahn, warned yesterday that Madeira should rely on funding from the EU Solidarity Fund for reconstruction work not arriving until after summer, due to formal procedures that must be met. The Regional Government and the Government of the Republic must work together. They must make an estimate of the cost of the damage and submit it to the EU which will work as quickly as possible. This in fact, in Brussels terms, means months. The decision of the Commission for support from the Fund requires consultation and approval of the European Parliament and the European Council. Hahn admits that support might not even come this year. It depends on when the application is formalized. It is possible for Portugal to redirect some structural and cohesion funds. There are other funds for rebuilding infrastructure which will be discussed.
EXTRA
Caritas speaks of "tsunami of solidarity". After 20th February flood, there have been more than a thousand new volunteers. The charity does not want any more donations of food as the warehouse is full. Furniture and household equipment are urgently needed. To support the victims of the storm involves huge logistics. The social work part of the operation involves Social Security, Caritas and the Army working together flawlessly. The accountancy firm Madeira Management has donated 10,000 Euros to Caritas. According to a teacher I spoke to yesterday, this is a load of cobblers, because the charity doesn’t look outside of Funchal … but there again yet again perhaps I am using a tragedy for political point scoring? Der.
ONLINE POLL
Do you believe the dispute between the Republic and the Region is resolved?
Yes 19% All short-termism politicians voted here I reckon, but I hope they are right. Der
No 50%
Maybe 31%
Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :
Weather forecasting platform was suggested 7 years ago – Madeira didn’t take on the project that would allow with some detail, and with 48 hours advance warning, would inform on the conditions of the state of the weather.
Inerts go to Carreiras – Funchal Council stands away from the politics of the temporary landfill sites of the Regional Government. Funchal Câmara is going to take out all the inert materials (sand, stone, mud etc.) from the site at Praia Formosa, and move it to licensed site at Carreiras, with the responsible councillor Costa Neves saying that it is "time to learn lessons for the future". "We make a point of not dumping debris and sludge into the sea and we maintain this practice", said the Environmental Spokesman for CMF. Is that responsible environmental policy by CMF, or passing the buck I wonder, as the GR has no problems with dumping muck in the sea?
Today’s main news headline : Disney comes to liven up the Flower Festival – The cruise ship of ‘Disney Cruises’ will dock in Funchal and offload characters that will mark their presence on the event. The presence of Mickey and company guarantees publicity for Madeira on a world scale at a decisive time. ‘Disney Magic’ is due to make it’s debut docking in Funchal on 18th April, the day of the cortejo (parade) of the Flower Festival, bringing the Disney’s most charismatic character Mickey Mouse and friends. Tourism haven’t confirmed the information obtained by the Diário, but they believe that the cruise visit was arranged so the passengers would be able to enjoy the Flower Festival, with a longish stop-off of almost 9 hours.
The big picture on the left : Majority of the prize-winners have not yet premiered on Madeira. Looks like there was an Oscar awards ceremony or something like that.
The main sports headline today : Tourism doesn’t take advantage of Bernardo Sousa. Bernardo Sousa is available to promote Madeira in international and national rally competitions. It just needs those responsible to contact him. BS won the rally in Portugal last weekend, and I think someone is dropping a hint that there is an opportunity being missed here.
Nacional defeated (0 – 2) in Guimarães gets further away from a European placing.
World Cup Football : Get to find out the biggest thrashings of all time.
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.
Did anyone see that special programme on the Madeira disaster last night on TVI? They kept a reporting team out in the field, visiting the worst affected areas, and families that had suffered badly. It’s easy to get the impression that things are returning to normal, and in downtown Funchal and Ribeira Brava town the clean up does give that impression. But out in many of the parts that don’t make the headlines, the situation is still horrible to see, with people trying to clean up and rebuild things that are just not cleanable or rebuildable in the normal sense of those words, not in weeks or even months, and certainly not without money. It’s extremely important to revive tourism here of course, and those areas are being given priority attention, but as many local people are saying it is at the expense of help for people who needed help over two weeks ago, and still do today. I suppose I will be accused again of political point scoring on the back of a tragedy, but I don’t really care, as long as people don’t get the impression that things are hunky dory for all, and a broom and hosepipe is all that’s needed to return to normal. I didn’t think I could be shocked any more after what I have seen since the 20th February … I was wrong as I found out last night.
I have been asked if it is possible to send a cheque to help orphan Feliz Abreu. It is now. With some help, he now has his own bank account. You can send a Euro cheque to Feliz at his school, made payable to ‘José Feliz Silva Abreu’. If you can please send them to one of the teachers who is helping, as I think it might be safer :
Professora Magda Borges. Escola Secundária Padre Manuel Álvares. Rua São Francisco , 9350-211 RIBEIRA BRAVA. Madeira
Transfers direct to Feliz’s account by NIB are also now possible : NIB 0038 0000 3867 5021 771 17.
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Christmas Outreach project collected more than 200 toys The region has 243 children in homes, care centres and with foster families. Yesterday afternoon, the Regional Secretary of Tourism and Transport delivered the toys collected under the first Christmas Outreach project to representatives of various charities for distribution. She thought that many toys collected in the toy chest by the giant Father Christmas in Avenida Arriaga were from tourists on holiday. The institutions which will receive the presents are: Centro de Acolhimento Aconchego de São Tiago, Abrigo Nossa Senhora da Conceição, Patronato de Nossa Senhora das Dores, Lar da Tabua and foster families. These are children from dysfunctional families, victims of abuse and neglect and children who need foster care. The photo shows the Cantar os Reis groups at the ceremony.
Firefighters rescue man 20 metres below the Miradouro do Pinaculo A 38 year old was rescued from the cliffs below the Pinaculo viewpoint in São Gonçalo. The mountain rescue team of the Volunteer Firemen of Madeira was called out to reach the man who had fallen down the cliff and was located 20 metres below the road. A woman had heard his calls for help and he was conscious throughout the rescue but was suspected of having suffered fractures during the fall. He was lucky that his fall was broken by landing in the middle of tabaibeiras (Prickly pear cactus) otherwise he would have died after a free fall of a hundred metres.
Military museum to be created in Palacio de São Lourenço There are currently two museums, one in the Palacio de São Lourenço and the other in Forte de São Tiago. They will now both be combined and there will be three themes depicted in different rooms: Madeira in the Context of Portuguese Expansion, Military History of Madeira, and Fortifications and Military Infrastructure in the Region. The entrance to the museum will be made through a recessed area in relation to the Largo da Restauração, decorated with a new banner with the logo and coat of arms of the army. — No dates of opening/closing of present museums given.
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.
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. 
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. 
