Madeira News Blog

Today’s photo – Many thanks to Pete … "The erection of 51 tents on the Avenida Arriaga in Funchal today, (Thursday 25/3). Photo 1 While people looking at stalls in Madeira warm sunshine. 80 Stall owners asked for stalls and 20 rejected. Photo 2 shows space not used  could  this area empty been used to better effect?" No idea Pete, are you sure it was space that was limited and not the number of tents available? Der

Many thanks to Paul for these two contributions :

PORTUGAL SCORES A GOAL FOR CROSS-BORDER FOOTBALLERS! A Dutch citizen had been living in the Portuguese Algarve since he was 5 years old. He played amateur football at junior level for several years, but when he turned senior, the Algarve Football Association presented him with a Portuguese Football Federation ruling that stated that only one non-national player is allowed on each amateur team.

EU rules on the free movement of persons. As a result, he was unable to register for his preferred team, because they already had one non-national registered. Several other clubs turned him down for the same reason. In the end he had to stop playing competitive level football for some 3 years until he heard about SOLVIT. The Portuguese SOLVIT centre contacted both the Algarve Football Association and the Portuguese Football Federation, alerting them to this discrimination against non-Portuguese EU citizens and pointing out that they must abide by EU rules on the free movement of persons. Subsequently, SOLVIT Portugal received a copy of an official communication, dated 4 July 2005, from the Portuguese Football Federation to all Portuguese amateur associations and clubs stating that there should be no restriction regarding the number of amateur EU national football players. The rules now only restrict the number of non-EU nationals allowed to play. Solved within 3 weeks. Cartoon caption: SOLVIT HELPED A  BRITISH COUPLE GET PERMANENT RESIDENCE IN CYPRUS

SOLVIT: ‘free’ EU on-line problem solving network. SOLVIT is an on-line problem solving network in which EU Member States work together to solve without legal proceedings problems caused by the misapplication of Internal Market law by public authorities. There is a SOLVIT centre in every European Union Member State. SOLVIT Centres can help with handling complaints from both citizens and businesses. They are part of the national administration and are committed to providing real solutions to problems within ten weeks. Using SOLVIT is free of charge. SOLVIT LINK

Art in Calheta Region in March: Prazeres Gallery & Casa das Mudas.

Photo : One of the works in Ângela Costa’s exhibition ‘O Tempo passa, as memórias ficam’.

Ângela Costa’s exhibition was opened on Friday at the Prazeres Gallery in the ‘Quinta Pedagogica Complex’ behind Prazeres Church. Its title is: ‘O Tempo passa, as memórias ficam’ The artist was born in Funchal.

Casa das Mudas exhibition.

Photo : the first exhibition of the young artist Zé Maria opens on Saturday evening (27^th March).

Also, at Casa das Mudas another international art centre in Calheta the first exhibition of the young artist Zé Maria opened on Saturday evening (27^th March).

For more information see the venues’ websites: Casa das Mudas    Prazeres Gallery

Thanks a lot to Elaine for these web snippets :

Official – Crime down. 27/3/2010 Eyebrows were raised this week when the Government announced that the number of crimes perpetrated in Portugal during the course of 2009 had fallen by 1.2 percent. Violent crimes were also down, dropping 0.6 percent on the total for the year before. But while the Government was patting itself on the back for overseeing this reduction, police forces stressed that these statistics should be treated with caution and that the battle against crime was far from being won. ARTICLE

Sponsored shave for Madeira. HERE

Many thanks to Becky for this video and web snippet :

The arrival of the AIDAluna yesterday – looks like a beautiful day, wish I had been there instead of a rather grey London.

How did I survive without knowing about dredging today.com ?!  (sorry to have used the lowest form of wit) RIVETING ARTICLE

This translation is from yesterday’s Diário, many thanks to Elaine (West) :

Swiss in Porto Moniz to sample honey. Usually the honey with a lighter colour is weaker and softer. A group of Swiss beekeepers were present last Thursday night at the Centro de Ciência Viva do Porto Moniz (CCVPM), where they were able to appreciate the qualities of Madeiran honey. Carlos Pestana, beekeeper and promoter of the event, said that the cultural exchange will allow the release of the product abroad through several photos in a specialty magazine. In this kind of charm offensive, the organization offers a taste of honey in the region. Carlos Pestana said that on the table were 20 products from a number of locations all different in their colouring. A beekeeper in his spare time, he said that "all the honey produced in a sensible way is good honey." He added that the other main condition that determines the quality of the product is caution. "It is prudent not to use antibiotics to fight disease. If they are used, comply with the safety limits and the specific quantities,” he said.

Carlos Pestana explained that "often the brightest honeys are weaker and softer. These are more for children and the elderly, precisely because they are kinder on the stomach," adding that contrary to what has been disclosed, honey should not be eaten on an empty stomach. From a foreign perspective René Zumsteg stated that "good honey is produced in this beautiful island" and in his view this is due to the amount of water and flowers that abound in the region. The event was also attended by Valter Correia, mayor and director of the Câmara, and Liliana Sousa, director of CCVPM. This meeting also sampled traditional regional poncha, a product widely appreciated by the visiting delegation. There was time for a visit to the Unidade Primária de Extracção de Mel in Santa, Porto Moniz, and the group also visited an apiary located in Malhadinha, in the parish of Canhas, at the invitation of a local beekeeper.

After Marítimo’s spectacular win 3 – 2 against Sporting on Friday night, the Madeira ‘double’ was on and a good possibility, but Nacional blew it in the 90th minute. They led most of the match away at relegation candidates Vitoria Setúbal and ended up losing 2 – 1.

Many thanks to Elaine once again for yesterday’s top news stories :

DIÁRIO 28/03/2010

FRONT PAGE NEWS

International Business Centre loses 409 firms. At the end of 2009, the IBC or Fee Zone had 3,221 companies registered. This was 409 fewer companies than at the end of the previous year, a drop of 11.2%, therefore less income for the management firm. The only increase was in companies registering with the International Ship Register (MAR) but this was only 0.8% more (238 to 240). In 2001, the Free Zone had 6,242 firms registered or 48.4% more. In 2009, the IBC contributed 20 – 23% of PIB (GDP), mainly from the International Services, MAR and Industrial Companies sectors with a lesser contribution from Financial Services. Competition comes from Malta and Luxembourg. There have been more companies lost already this year.

MADEIRA

88 packets of noodles for a lunch for volunteers. 500 volunteers were given a lunch to thank them for their support in the cleaning and solidarity campaign after the tragedy. This was organized by the Community Development Association of Funchal. The president, Ricardo Silva, first thought of forming a troupe wearing jackets and boots for the Flower Festival Parade but decided it was best to forget that fateful day. The owner of the restaurante do Mercado Abastecedor supplied the pasta, olive oil and chouriço, Empresa de Cervejas supplied drinks and the market stall holders provided fruit for dessert. The lunch cost 2.50 Euros to cover other expenses, not to make a profit.

Endless work upsets those who live in Garajau. The enlargement of the Estrada do Garajau in Caniço is putting people who use this road daily and the resident population on the verge of a nervous breakdown. These works have been ongoing for more than two years and do not seem to be coming to an end. The work was authorized by the Government on the 14th July 2007 at a provisional cost of 1 million and 300,0000 Euros. The delays have been due to difficulties in expropriations, thus there is no completion date, which could be some time yet. They have been working on sections of road instead of in phases due to the intensity of traffic.

ECONOMY

Three Madeiran establishments listed in the Expresso’s ‘Boa Cama Boa Mesa’ Guide.  This guidebook is published by the newspaper Expresso and is the benchmark for the accommodation and catering sectors in Portugal. The 432 page guide includes hundreds of restaurants, places to stay and useful information for unforgettable moments. The sector  ‘Boa Cama’ was won by the ‘Pousada do Porto – Palácio do Freixo’, run by the Pestana Group who received the Platinum Key. 25 Gold Keys included Madeira’s ‘Choupana Hills’ and ‘The Vine’. Included in the 25 ‘best’ in the sector ‘Boa Mesa’ was listed the ‘Il Gallo D’Oro’ restaurant at the Cliff Bay Hotel, led by Chef Benoît Sinthon. This restaurant was awarded a Michelin Guide star in 2008 for its Mediterranean and Iberian inspired aromatic cuisine.

Revenue in Porto Santo no longer enough to pay the staff. The first two months of this year were the worst for a decade for the hotel trade in Porto Santo. Prospects for Easter are bleak. 75% of the beds were not available this year due to some hotels closing for the low season. 20% less passengers used the airport and 18% fewer sailed on the Lobo Marinho during these two months. Total revenue fell dramatically from 2007 (62.8%) and the price per bed also decreased by 5 Euros per night. In 2007, the income covered the staffing costs but this year it only covered 41% of the costs. The resorts and local residents of Porto Santo are suffering a diminishing economy.

Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :

Suspicions cast a shadow over the police statute – The Trade Union Association says that the government ‘bought the  peace’ with the officials at the cost of operations and taxpayers.

Today’s main news headline : Fight in farming against lack of water – The storm of February destroyed almost all of the principal levadas of the Region and predictions point to 3 months for the repairs. The Directorate for Agriculture and the IGA join forces to speed up the process. Madeira’s farming output is at risk, as there is more than a month since the filling of the farming water supplies, and there are already cases where insufficient water has been provided. All the blame lies with the storm of 20th February, which damaged the infrastructure of the water distribution network. The principle levadas of Tornos, do Norte, das 25 Fontes, do Galhano and do Faial, to name the most important, make up 600 kilometres of levadas in need of repair. Worried farmers spread around the island, with hoses in hand, are resorting to drinking water to save their crops. The Regional Directorate of Agriculture (DRA) and the Institute of Water Management (IGA), have joined forces to advance quickly with the repair work that is classed as "unprecedented in the region". So a quick calculation says that it will be the end of June before the work is completed, add to that the ‘Madeira productivity factor’, and we are well into Summer. Expect a rather expensive salad on your plates in the coming months!

The securing of the slopes [landslide risks] has also moved forward, but case by case.

Gouveia discards his immunity – The ex-leader of the Socialist Party of Madeira goes to court to respond to the complaint of Jaime Leandro.

Renewables don’t slow down petroleum  – Despite the penetration of new energy sources, petroleum based electricity consumption shoots up.

75% occupation on the first few connections of the new route – ‘transavia.com’ started the new Porto – Madeira connection on Sunday. Since 4.30 pm yesterday Madeira has it’s second connection with the continent through the low-cost airline Transavia. The first flight had 135 passengers, and the first 3 flights have sold around 75% of seating capacity for the French Company [I just translate, if you disagree please write to the Diário]. Madeira’s tourism boss, Conceição Estudante believes that the new flights will open up Madeira to those from the north of Portugal and also Northwest Spain. If all goes well the 4 weekly flights of Transavia could turn into daily flights in or after October.

The main sport / football headline today : Defeat in Setúbal complicates the situation for Europe – The victory goal arrived in the last moments of the fixture. Those in charge at Nacional continue to believe that the Europa League is still a possibility. Of course it is … a mathematical possibility, not a realistic one.

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. 

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If you can, please contribute something Madeira related. A funny story or good or bad experience, a news item, or a story from a Madeira newspaper, a teaser, news of a bargain flight or item in a supermarket. Please help keep this blog going … without user contributions it won’t survive. Please don’t send in automatic translations (like Google translator) without checking them through and correcting them first, thanks.

You can email blog@madeira4u.com with any large contributions and other material.

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Please use the comments here for general chit-chat, or feel free to ask any questions … someone usually has an answer.

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Today’s photo – Many thanks to Pete … Norwegian Jade ship 10 February 2010

Many thanks to Becky for these hiking web snippets :

"The things I read about Madeira on the Net sounded like it was a nice place to be in March. So I packed a flashlight, extra batteries, rainproof jacket and trousers, and a rain flap for my rucksack, and went off to the island of perpetual spring." WITH A SPRING IN HIS STEP

8 of the most unique walking paths in the world … and Madeira and Pico Island, Azores are among them. HERE

This link from Tobi … thanks a lot "Some nice Carnival pics at last" Wow, they are great Tobi, but even so after 30 or so (of 424), I had to call it a day. Then I read Tobi’s next email … it’s only the first 12. Great pics Hugo. Der

Thanks to Pete for sending in this web-link for a report about MADEIRA AIRPORT. There is a great photo of the airport extension under construction.

It’s the big match tonight … the local derby between Marítimo and Nacional. It’s on SportTV1 at 8.15 pm. With both teams level with 25 points, this will could launch one or the other into a European placing, albeit for less than 24 hours.

Many thanks to Vanessa Swesnik for this complete translation :

Awareness Raising for Internet Security – Young people were target audience as privileged users of the Internet.

As part of the celebration of European Safer Internet Day, Câmara de Lobos Public Library and the Judicial Police held an awareness raising event for the allusive subject.

The audience consisted of, above all, young people- standard users of the Internet; however, the event was also open to the public, namely parents, teachers, and educators among others.

European Safer Internet Day’s objective is to promote the informed, critical, and safe use of the Internet, whether it is by children and young people or by families, workers or citizens in general.

Although children and young people enjoy opportunities provided by the Internet, especially through social networking sites, many give personal information without realizing who can see it.                               ORIGINAL ARTICLE IN PORTUGUESE

Many thanks to Sue for this contribution :

‘Cristo Rei’ with hotel.

There is a proposal that provides a complete renovation in the area of Cristo Rei, more specifically the pool and tennis courts that are there continuing down to the beach at Garajau. The Inter-Marina ANLAGEN company owns the entire area and has developed many of the lots already built in this area. They obtained the necessary authorization from the City of Santa Cruz last Tuesday for 16 building lots and a hotel beside Cristo Rei, however, the company’s proposal was even more ambitious in that it proposed the construction of 21 lots, two for tourism and nineteen for housing.

At the meeting the mayor explained the project. We approved the installation of 14 lots on the site where today there are two tennis courts and a swimming pool, two lots on the hillside next to the coffee shop and there is also for the construction of a hotel built in 2 buildings, going down towards the beach at Garajau, which will not degrade the environment. The Mayor went on to point out that it was an investment that would be  good fun with sea sports and the enjoyment of nature. The project has now moved on to the architectural side of the project. José Alberto Gonçalves, ensured that the area of implementation is not within the area of nature reserve of Garajau, established in 1986. Where the allotment is, we will be careful to preserve everything that is in the public maritime domain, however a certain number of concessions were agreed to offer greater convenience to the site. Including the recovery of the site of the Chapel of the Mother of God – asked a couple of locals – blank faces – i.e. did not know of one that had existed to be recovered?

Many thanks to Elaine once again for yesterday’s top news stories :

DIÁRIO 18/02/2010

FRONT PAGE NEWS

Sea consumes the coast. Raising the level of sea water, reducing the amount of sediment reaching the coast, anthropogenic degradation (by human activities) of natural structures and coastal works have led to a phenomenon that environmentalists describe as transgressive. These are the main factors for coastal erosion and the retreat of the coastline, in other words the coastline migrates towards the land. Some factors are natural but most are either directly or indirectly caused by human intervention. In September 2003, national and international environmental groups attended a summit in the region and predicted that the transgression phenomenon would occur. The opposite action is called regression, when the coastline migrates towards the ocean. Areas by the mouths of rivers like Ribeira Brava, Ponta do Sol and Machico have a medium-term risk of being engulfed by the sea. This is demonstrated by the destruction of breakwaters and coastal walls.

MADEIRA

Secular tradition in the parish of Santa Cecilia. In 1910, when the Convent of São Bernardino was abandoned, families living in Câmara de Lobos rescued nine images of saints. Yesterday was Ash Wednesday, the traditional day for the Procissão das Cinzas (Procession of the Ashes) in this parish, marking the beginning of Lent. Despite the heavy rain that fell minutes before the departure, hundreds of parishioners attended this historical event. The Convent was abandoned (like many church buildings) when there was separation of the Church and the State. At the time, câmara-lobenses collected the images of the saints (São Francisco de Assis, Santa Margarida de Cortona, São Roque, Santa Rosa Viterbo, São Benedito, Santo Ivo, Santa Isabel de Portugal, São Salvador and Santo António de Motte), an act that allowed the preservation of  this significant collection. After a century, the images are still with the families, passed down several generations, with some restoration in places. One family said, "It’s an honour and a delight to have the saint under the care of the family." The image is stored in an oratory in one of the houses of the family.

Twinning of Santa Cruz with Carrizal. This is a way to strengthen ties between the region and emigrants in Venezuela. The twinning arrangement will be formalized by the end of this year. In 2007, the county of Santa Cruz twinned with El Hatillo. The twinning with Carizzal was announced by the mayor who is presently in Venezuela on behalf of the county to attend the first anniversary of the Association of Descendants of Santa Cruz. At Altos Mirandinos, a town in the county of Carrizal, a replica of the Santuário de Nossa Senhora de Fátima is being built, the only one in South America. If authorization from the Ministry of Internal Affairs can be granted in time, the vice-president of Santa Cruz wants the twinning between the two counties to be signed on the 25th June, the Day of the Municipality of Santa Cruz. Twinning has advantages to both parties, culturally and financially in terms of tourism and trade. The immigrants in Venezuela are apprehensive and live in uncertainty with parliamentary elections later this year but have no interest in returning. Thus, they want the document signed before the elections. Counties in the Region of Madeira are involved in a total of 36 twinnings. 

ECONOMY

Francisco Sá Carneiro is the third best airport in Europe. This airport in Porto was voted third by the  ACI, Airports Council International. João Paulo II Airport in Ponta Delgada (Açores) was also distinguished. The Airport of Madeira registered ninth place. The award was for the greatest rise in indicators of quality of service between 2008 and 2009.

‘Cristo Rei’ with hotel. The proposal will completely revolutionize the area of Cristo Rei in Garajau, specifically the areas around the old swimming pool and tennis courts and the road descending to the praia do Garajau. The company that owns the entire area, Inter-Marina ANLAGEN, has authorization from Santa Cruz Council to build on 16 lots and build a hotel near to Cristo Rei. They had originally proposed to develop 21 lots, two for tourism and nineteen for housing but the council reduced the number. This company owns most of the area of Cristo Rei, including where the image of Cristo Rei stands. The plan was originally approved in 2005 with the condition that a geological survey was carried out. Some nonconformities with the PDM led the company to review the plan in terms of the gross area of construction, number of floors and number of parking spaces. The Regional Secretary of Tourism and Transport has approved the plans. The construction work cannot be in the area of the Reserva Natural Parcial do Garajau and will need to preserve everything in the Public Maritime Domain. Santa Cruz Council say this area of urban expansion is of low density. The approval on Tuesday was for 14 lots on the site where the two tennis courts and swimming pool are, two lots next to the cafe, a hotel constructed of 2 buildings in the area by the road descending to the beach (photo). There will be created over a hundred parking spaces, garden areas, a children’s playground and the firm will renovate the Capela da Mãe de Deus.

POLITICS

One Azorean is equivalent to 50 Madeirans. The PSD-M have looked at the amount of money in the State Budget for investment in the two autonomous regions. From 2009 to 2010, there will be a 92% reduction in the amount of money for Madeira, from 5.5 million Euros to 427,000 Euros. The Azores will have 21.4 million Euros for investments. This is equivalent to 87 Euros for each Azorean and 1.65 Euros for each Madeiran. The Government of the Republic wants to invest more abroad than in Madeira, for example 300,000 Euros for haemodialysis in Cape Verde and 400,000 Euros for the televisions of PALOP. 0.02% of the PIDDAC (State investments) is for this Region which will not resolve the problems at the law courts of Ponta do Sol and Santa Cruz and the police stations at Porto Santo, Santa Cruz and Ponta do Sol. The PSD conclude that the Prime Minister of Portugal does not consider the Madeirans as Portuguese, but also are not considered as foreigners, taking into account that 43 million Euros are for investment outside national territory.

UPDATE

Madeira has GDP lower than the European average. The Lisbon region is the only one with a GDP per inhabitant (104.7%) above the EU average (100%). In Madeira, the GDP per capita reaches 96.3% of the EU average. Madeira has the second highest value in the country. The mean for Portugal is 75.6% while the Continental territory has a GDP per capita of 75.3%.

Financial assistance to farmers amounts to 21.3 million Euros. This large income support to farmers benefits almost all of the agricultural population in Madeira. The funds are made available by the Regional Government and the EU to support the production of grapes, wine, cane sugar, milk, meat and bananas, among others. It helps the region to be more competitive in the production of flowers and fruit and encourages the export of fresh and processed produce. It is the first time there is aid for the export of cane sugar products which is justified by an increase in production.

Today’s news headlines from the front page of the Diário de Notícias :

In the Azores [president] César gives in a year what Jardim spends in two months – In the Azores, the support for all social communication costs €600,000 a year. On Madeira, the Jornal da Madeira newspaper alone takes €4 million. It looks like the Diário newspaper chiefs have got fed up of waiting and nothing happening. Last year they took some bold steps at country and international level to highlight the unfairness of the situation between the two main daily newspapers on Madeira, but it doesn’t seem that anything has changed. The politically biased, government controlled, and technically bankrupt Jornal da Madeira continues to get €4 million of taxpayers money each year, and an unfair amount of government ‘advertising’ on top of that, and is available free to the public. The Diário gets nothing. The World Press Association even wrote a LETTER to the president of Portugal about it, but nothing seems to have changed. It’s a disgrace!

Today’s main news headline : Unpaid  debt to the pharmacies paid in five years – The Government promises to pay €80 million in 60 instalments.  The National Association of Pharmacies demands guarantees.

Today’s main front page photo shows a snowy landscape with a car blocking a road, traffic stopped, and a few well wrapped spectators. Attraction by the snow  creates despair – The bad weather is back to wreak havoc and surprise the adventurous. Madeira is deaf to the warnings of the Civil Protection Agency, and some drivers jumped in their cars and sped off in freezing temperatures to see the snowfall in the high zones of Madeira, where tree falls, high winds, and accidents were some of the problems experienced by drivers on the climb to Pico Arieiro and on other routes. A gust of wind in Caniçal yesterday registered at 150 km / h. The bad weather will continue into the weekend, with heavy  rain forecast for Funchal tomorrow, thunderstorm, and high winds, especially in exposed places. If you want weather stories turn on the local TV news for floods, rock fall, landslides … it’s all there. Somebody told me yesterday that a Rodoeste bus was hit by a rockfall, but I don’t think there were any serious consequences.

Santa Cruz and Ponta do Sol ask the Regional Government for help for coastal protection.

New drawbacks in the Regional Finance Law – The voting on the final draft is delayed. [Prime Minister] Sócrates promises to resist.

Passos Coelho seeks support on Madeira. This is the guy who seriously upset President Jardim over his stance on the amendments to the Regional Finance Law. He is a candidate I think for the national leadership of Uncle Bertie’s Social Democrat Party, but UB will do everything he can to finish Coelho’s political career.

Porto Santo without air connections for over 24 hours – The SATA ‘shuttle’ suffered a breakdown, but trips will recommence at 10.20 am. The president of Porto Santo Council, Roberto Silva, has asked for a second aircraft to come into service to ensure the service is guaranteed. Not having much luck with the ferry these last few days I notice too, with several crossings being cancelled, but somehow I can’t see SATA taking much notice of Sr. Silva’s somewhat silly plea. In fact he would probably have more success asking his boss Uncle Bertie to build a road and rail bridge, or a tunnel perhaps, between the two islands. 

The main sport / football headline today : Derby match has the makings of a tie-breaker in Barreiros. The big game tonight between Marítimo, with home advantage, and Nacional.

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. 

An extra article from Elaine, many thanks :

Emanuel Salvador plays with the CMO and Ferreira Lobo
Directed by maestro Ferreira Lobo, violinist Emanuel Salvador will play on Saturday. The young Portuguese violinist Emanuel Salvador will play on Saturday February 20 at 21.00 with the Madeira Classical Orchestra, a concert led by José Ferreira Lobo, conductor of the Orquestra do Norte and artistic director of Festival Opera Portimão. Born in 1981, Emanuel Salvador is concertmaster of the Orquestra do Norte.

The program consists of the Concerto for Violin and Orchestra in D Major Opus 61, by Beethoven, Symphony No. 8 in B minor, the ‘Unfinished’, by Schubert, and the Hungarian Dances nos. 1, 3 and 5 by Brahms. Tickets are available Monday to Friday between 13.00 and 17.00 hours in the Tourist Office, Avenida Arriaga, and at the venue (the Congress Centre of Madeira Casino) between 19.00 and 21.00 hours.

Emanuel Salvador has performed in prestigious concert halls in England (St. Martin-in-the-Fields, Southwark Cathedral) in Kazakhstan (Philharmonic Hall), Mexico, Netherlands, Portugal (Centro Cultural de Belém, Gulbenkian Museum) Germany (Palatin, Wiesloch), Spain (Centre for Performing Arts, Salamanca), Italy and Malta (Manoel Theatre). He has won prizes at national and international competition level: 1st prize in the contest ‘Isolde Menges’ (RCM) and Beckenham Festival, Barbirolli Memorial and Wolfson Foundation Award, 2nd prize at the Young Musicians, Honorable Mention at the Julio Cardona International Competition, among others. He won a scholarship to the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation from 2000 to 2003, and in 2008 and 2009 to the Instituto Camões. He graduated Bachelor of Music in London at the Guildhall School of Music and Drama and gained a Master’s Degree in Musical Performance from the Royal College of Music.

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If you can, please contribute something Madeira related. A funny story or good or bad experience, a news item, or a story from a Madeira newspaper, a photo or video, a teaser, news of a bargain flight or item in a supermarket. Please help keep this blog going … without user contributions it won’t survive. Please don’t send in automatic translations (like Google translator) without checking them through and correcting them first, thanks.

You can email blog@madeira4u.com with any large contributions and photos / videos.

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Please use the comments here for general chit-chat, or feel free to ask any questions … someone usually has an answer.

(more…)

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Elaine … Cristo Rei statue at Garajau. Anyone know how high this statue is? If someone can give me an answer, I will tell you why I am curious. Fair enough?

TAP, Portugal’s favourite airline are offering their customers with loyalty cards (air miles accounts) a special deal. ‘Air mile’ bookings can be made for half the normal exchange on a limited number of 300,000 seats, to all destinations (I think!). You can also send / receive ‘air miles’ through other loyalty card customers to make up a usable balance, without any charge.

Brazil – After 18 days, 20 hours and 16 minutes of singlehanded sailing from Funchal on his little 21 foot boat, Frenchman Thomas Ruyant crossed the finish line in Salvador de Bahia today to become winner of the Mini Transat race. Though he had a tear in his eye, Ruyant arrived at the Marina de Bahia with a huge smile on his face, saying: "It was a great feeling when I crossed the finish line. A great moment of happiness". SOMEONE PLEASE GET ME A BEER

Whilst I have no desire to increase the business of any specific hotels, a magazine called DESIGN SCENE has done a photo feature on The Vine in Funchal. Very impressive, if not a little strange. Looking at that first photo though, I think the cleaner needs a little bit of refresher training.

"Claes Feder, who has died in the Algarve at the age of 81, will be remembered for his love of classic ships, the excellence of his work as an architect and the warmth of his personality as a bon viveur. His lifelong association with Portugal and all things nautical began on the island of Madeira where he was born. His father was Danish, his mother Swedish. He was 17 before he first went to Scandinavia at the end of World War II". His claim to fame must be unique, but you don’t find out until the penultimate paragraph that he produced detailed plans for a five-star hotel and conference centre within a full-scale replica of the Titanic, but I have no idea whether it was built or not. RIP

Tobi, the blog cuisine expert, has revealed his cherished and secret chutney recipes, yielding to pressure from readers from readers who don’t like the prices and chutneys available here. Pear today, and Mango will follow tomorrow. Thanks Tobi!

PEAR CHUTNEY
225g shallots (I just used onions)
1 tbsp olive oil
1 garlic clove crushed
1kg pears (any kind but not too ripe) Cored, peeled, and roughly chopped
175g muscovado sugar
100g raisins
10 cloves
350ml red wine vinegar
jars for storing

Chop onions and heat olive oil in a pan, add onions and garlic and cook for 5 mins until soft, add the pears, sugar, raisins, vinegar and cloves, and bring to the boil, then let simmer rapidly for 30-40 mins, stirring from time to time, until pear is tender and liquid has evaporated. While doing this get your jars ready, I get mine hot in an oven for say 5 mins with the lids off but heat the lids as well, as this is just to kill germs, then place the HOT chutney in the jars and put the lids on, when they cool, the lid will pop down making it vacuum tight. Store in the cupboard for at least 2 weeks before eating, once opened it keeps in the fridge for 3 months.

I treated myself to a Jacuzzi yesterday, in a private facility in Ribeira Brava, where it is reserved for an hour. All very nice, and I came out well refreshed and massaged, and full of beans. It wasn’t until I was almost dressed that I noticed ‘Rules of the Jacuzzi’ on the changing room wall. 1. Users must bring a towel, wear flip-flops and bathing costume. 2. Users must shower before entering the Jacuzzi, and 3. Users must not urinate in the Jacuzzi. I hadn’t contemplated that last possibility in the least, and had I done so I don’t think I would have even entered the water. Is it really necessary to post such a rule on the wall, giving the impression that it was a possibility? Looking in the mirror this morning I seem to be a little jaundiced … probably my overactive imagination. 

This weekends football : Marítimo host Paços de Ferreira on Sunday at 4 pm (not on TV), whilst the big game, in my opinion, is on Monday at 8.15 pm, when Nacional visit Benfica. Nacional are likely favourites to get a big thrashing, as the hosts are knocking in more goals than Uncle Bertie was doing pre-election inaugurations. On SportTV1.

Have a great weekend! (and don’t forget to turn your clocks back an hour tonight).

Low inflation is the biggest threat. Luis Campos e Cunha, a University Professor in Economics and former Finance Minister warns that Portugal has a lower inflation rate than the euro zone and if this trend continues, deflation might occur. This will cause increased labour costs, decreased competitiveness of certain firms and higher unemployment. In addition to the impact of the euro, this is because of poor fiscal policies and poor savings of the Portuguese which led to reduced production and marketing of tradable goods. The trade deficit has worsened in the last twelve years. A more restrained fiscal policy is needed as enough has not been saved, as in other countries. This means cancelling or postponing large public investments. Banks might experience bad loans, families will have less to spend and social problems will have to be solved in the short term. In contrast, the Chairman of the Order of Economists thinks that 2010 will be a transitional year as there are ‘unsafe signs of recovery’. He says state investments are necessary for economic recovery. The economic crisis is thought to be good for globalization and technological innovation. Jardim said that unemployment is the greatest challenge and should be the priority of governments, employers and workers, who need more commitment and productivity. He said that the money borrowed by Madeira for his expansionist policies has four conditions; to be used exclusively for investment, to control inflation, payment of salaries and expenditure on health and education and debt must remain at levels renegotiable.

In Portugal, according to the increased number of calls to the telephone helpline, the crisis has increased suicidal ideas in the population outside the usual risk group of age 30-40 years. This is due to unemployment and they think it is only temporary. In Portugal, the elderly are more at risk, whereas in Madeira and the Azores, it is the opposite, young people commit suicide more. It is thought that the poverty rate in Portugal could be as high as 40%.

The Portuguese League Against Aids has reduced donations from companies due to the crisis and  received more requests for help. They celebrate 20 years in 2010 and plan campaigns to fight discrimination and for prevention in the elderly and women.

Casas do Povo desperate for €1.5 million. The Regional Government has been slow to sign protocols with the institutions and money for 2009 has not reached them. They are beginning to make preparations for Christmas and having difficulties paying suppliers, e.g. rent, phone bills and wages.

Government stops work authorized by Funchal Council. A private access was to be built covering over 20 metres of the Ribeiro da Nora. Concern is that the work will cause flooding in other areas. This ribeiro has a history of flooding houses in Rua de Santa Maria and there is increased risk due to decreased drainage in the area.

Company responsible for oil spill in Ribeiro das Freitas in Garajau identified. Due to an accidental rupture of a pipe. The company will pay for the ongoing clean up and the degree of negligence will be investigated for a fine. The slick was discovered on 7 October and has polluted a long stretch of the stream which takes storm water from Cancela Industrial Park and surrounding areas. The oil has entered the sea in the nature reserve by the beach at Garajau.

Simulated rescue exercise at the cable car. Combined firefighters from Funchal and Câmara de Lobos late yesterday afternoon simulated the rescue of passengers trapped inside the cabins of the cable car because of mechanical failure/cable damage. Mountain rescue teams had the job of trying to rescue a trapped couple between Tabaiba and Pena. They had to climb the towers and slide along the cables.

235 businesses sign a petition against Chinese megastores. ACIM, Association of Commerce and Industry of Machico, has sent a petition to the Regional Government and 11 other entities. 185 of the signatures are from ACIM members and the remaining 50 are owners of mini-markets, clothes shops, hardware stores and others in the city centre. Cafe and bar owners did not sign. The petition has gone to the Vice-president of the Regional Government, other government agencies and the Immigration Department. The petition has 11 points that specify a series of problems that will occur, ‘the Chinese stores have commercially, economically and socially a very negative impact on Machico, with consequences across the whole local society’. They are worried that there will be bankruptcies of small businesses, unemployment with resulting financial implications on banking, food, school fees and housing. ACIM want to know why such a large store is sanctioned in the city centre rather than away from it and why only after the local elections.

Statistics given: Machico has a population of 12,000. There are 100 small and medium  sized enterprises employing 250 workers. Recently, 3 restaurants, bank branches and accounting firms closed. Already 6 Chinese stores in Machico. With the new stores, they will cover 5,500 square metres in comparison to Maxmat (one of the largest stores) which covers 1,400 square metres.

The Dom Pedro hotel chain has just been licensed by Machico Municipality to build a new unit. They will either extend the present hotel or build holiday apartments. Hotel Dom Pedro Baia Club is a four-star hotel with 218 rooms. The other hotel in Madeira is Hotel Dom Pedro in Garajau, which is three-stars and has 282 rooms. Authorization has also been given by the council for tourist apartments in Água de Pena with a viewpoint overlooking Machico valley, which have also been allowed by the airport as the land is within its security zones.

TAP blames Easyjet for its reduction in Madeira – Lisbon flights. An average of 8% decrease in passenger numbers since January and 10% less in September. Its flights from Lisbon and Porto to Brazil are important as it is the largest carrier of passengers between European airports and Brazil. The market to Caracas has fallen and one of the six weekly flights might have to be cancelled. No surprise that Easyjet get the blame, for me at least. That was the whole idea of the government of Portugal in liberalisation of the airways, to stop the TAP monopoly, and the exploitation of passengers between Madeira and the mainland. Then along came SATA from the Azores, at last some competition we thought, but what did they do? They got straight into bed with TAP, sharing planes (code sharing) and merging the customer loyalty programmes. But our tourism people saw through the scam and the continuing high prices, and called in Easyjet, who have brought down the prices on the Lisbon – Madeira route considerably, though I think those losses are now being recouped from the other Easyjet Madeira routes. Bernardo Trindade was the man responsible for the changes in the airways, our own man from Madeira in the Assembly of the Republic, and also Secretary of State for Tourism in the last government term. Poor old Bernie hasn’t received his phone call yet, so we don’t know if he will continue in the new government or not. I certainly hope so, as I thought he did a really good job for Madeira … maybe just too good a job perhaps, if you know what I mean. Der

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