Madeira News Blog

How well do you know Madeira?

This teaser photo is from Vic. Many thanks.

48 hours allowed, then the correct answer will be given (if necessary).

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

I have pretty much run out of daily photos for the blog, and I don’t really want a big rush in one go (would much rather have some written contributions), but does anyone have their blog photos online aside from Tobi? If so, could you give me permission to use them, and a link to the page where I could find them please. Using online photos is less work all round for the sender and me, but of course if you want to continue to send them as email attachments that’s fine.

Alternatively, if people would like to keep their photos on line, through something like the Flikr website, I am sure I could persuade Tobi to write a little piece about it and how it is done. Think of the advantages, free (I think), secure, not hogging up your disk storage space or cluttering your computer, and always accessible to the owner and whoever they want to invite for a peek from anywhere in the world. And then I can pinch some as well!

Anyway, a photo shortage is no big deal, it just means you will have to put with mine a bit more. This is a photo of a photo, hence the poor quality, part of an exhibition of photos of old buses currently on display in Ribeira Brava. The bottom part shows an old bus in Seixal very close to a pretty sheer drop. Makes my hands sweat just looking at it!

The following link takes you to the website of a Canadian artist, Sonia von Walter, who paints Madeira scenery, and now lives here POSTCARDS FROM MADEIRA

Limitations of mandates doesn’t worry Jardim – President of the Madeira government considers that the rule is anti-democratic. For Jardim the limitation of terms served signifies that "the people cannot choose who they want, when they want". The programme of the new government of Portugal foresees the introduction of limits on how many terms can be served. You only have to look at the photo of Uncle Bertie (from the Diário) to see when a man has served enough terms already. I wonder why prime minister José Sócrates would want to limit the number of terms a politician might serve, what could have possibly motivated that? As for the comment "anti-democratic", well why is the words pot, kettle and black, suddenly leapt into my mind?

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

Population ignores danger. The public in the areas of Maiata, Larano and Lombinho in Porto da Cruz risk their lives every day by using the road Caminho da Maiata da Baixo, which runs beneath a rocky slope which is threatening to collapse. The road was closed by Machico Council in January 2008 with two large concrete blocks at the entrance but the closure is ignored by the public. People have repositioned the blocks despite a car being crushed by a falling rock last year and the occupant lucky to escape injury. People still use the road to prevent a long diversion, for example a six kilometre detour to the centre of Porto da Cruz. Three weeks before the local elections, the council removed the boulders most in danger of falling but work has since stopped due to lack of finance. It will resume when construction of a nearby promenade has begun.

Judicial Police seized 20,000 doses of cocaine. In the first ten months, there have been 49 arrests on suspicion of drug trafficking. Including the arrest yesterday of the man with 5,000 doses of cocaine, the police would have seized around 20,000 doses of cocaine. Also, 65,750 doses of hashish, and 51,500 doses of heroin.

Electronic security systems at entrances to baby and children units in the health service. To ensure safety, so they know who is on the units and to  prevent possible kidnappings as occurred in Portugal. Part of the computerization of the health service including patient records and drug consumption, in the latter case to economise.

Christmas illuminations more environmentally friendly. Assembly has begun of more than 400,000 lights which will form part of the Christmas display in Funchal from 27 November to 6 January. The lighting will differ from previous years with themes of astronomy and science alongside traditional themes. The lights are more energy efficient with greater longevity and lower power consumption and therefore more environmentally friendly. There will be stars, comets, planets and angels and the predominant colours will be green, red, gold and white with more bolder colours this year. There will also be the usual themed street displays plus flowers and the traditional exhibition of cribs in December. Also street entertainment.

27^th November – opening of the Christmas illuminations in the centre of Funchal. 4^th December – general illumination of the entire amphitheatre of Funchal. 11^th December – beginning of the Christmas exhibitions on Avenida Arriaga and other central locations of the city. 23^rd December – Market Night. 28^th December – St. Sylvester Race. 31^st December – New Year’s Eve Firework Display. 6^th January, 2009 – Twelfth Night Festival and End of the Madeira Festivities www.madeiratourism.org

Goodbye ‘Costa Europa’. The ‘Costa Europa’ arrived at 6.30 am from Tenerife with 4,800 tourists and left at 17.00 for Malaga. It is the 90th and final time she will be in port with that designation. Next year she will be operated by Thomson Cruises and the contract is for ten years, with the option to buy after five. The ship was built in 1986 and named ‘Westerdam’, then renamed ‘Costa Europa’ in 2002 and first visited Funchal on 15 May that year. The ‘AIDAvita’ (1,300) and ‘Oceana’ (1,900 mainly British tourists) also in port.

Madeira might loose 75 million Euros of European Funding. There are calls for more flexible time limits for implementation of community aid, which has to be within three contractual years. Madeira has only taken advantage of 5% of the available European Regional Development Fund and 11% of the European Social Fund. Madeira needs to submit projects which take advantage of 75 million Euros by the end of 2010. There are also funds for agriculture and fisheries not claimed.

Dispute over the funeral parlour in Porto Santo. Yesterday, it was reported that a funeral parlour was to be installed in an apartment block without notification of residents. The estate agent who sold the commercial space said the work was just to widen and repair a doorway, so a licence was not needed and he has no knowledge of his client’s future use of the area.

New public garden at Alamos. It will be 1,500 square metres and in Panrteada, Santo Antonio.

Regional Plan for Homeless People presented today. 37 measures to be implemented by 2011. Multi-sector and in collaboration with public and private organizations. The plan is initially for the 60 homeless people the authorities know about, and to prevent further situations developing through drug addiction, alcoholism, unemployment, family conflicts and psychosocial disorders.

Portugal wants to modernize the political system, including Madeira. The Socialist Portuguese government wants to limit the mandate of the Presidents of the Regional Governments. Propose a limitation of seats in the office of the prime minister and presidents of regional governments. Jardim is not worried about this nevertheless considers that the rule is anti-democratic as limitation of seats means that "people can not choose who you want when you want."

Google continues to travel across Funchal. D. Cidade again highlighted that a Google camera car is collecting data for Google Street View. Also reported in J. Madeira on November 1 which stated that the car had been travelling around Funchal for several days arousing curiosity. Funchal will be the third Portuguese city, the other two are Lisbon and Porto. —- So you might see a red car with Google stickers and a grey camera mounted on top, judging by the photo in Diário da Cidade.

A few news headlines from today’s Diário front page :

Uniforms in the schools – against the inequality, the idea of uniforms in the schools develops. André Escórcio also proposes teachers in smocks. Both excellent ideas. I had to wear a school uniform, and it didn’t do me any harm (but I have stopped making those films now).

New museum – The emigrant will have it’s own historic space in the old health centre of Ribeira Brava.

FC Porto Qualified – The Portuguese team has already passed to the next stage of the millionaires league. Porto won 0 – 1 at Apoel last night. This is the same team (Apoel) that once lost 16 – 1 to Sporting (of Portugal) in Europe, so I wasn’t impressed with the one goal margin.

Today’s top headline : Câmara obliges ‘Infante’ to carry out urgent works – A clear ultimatum : either the administration of the building goes forward with repair works, or the council manages the process and passes the bill to the residents. We have great laws here which oblige owners to keep their property in good nick, and if they don’t the local council can take on the maintenance and repairs and bill the owners. This condominium building ‘Edifício Infante’ now has that ultimatum from Funchal council, and from the photo I think they have a fair point.

Consumption on Madeira falls €1.6 million per day – Only touching on the issue of electronic transactions, the Madeirans spent €437 million less in 9 months.

—————————————————————————————————————————————–
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. 

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

—————————————————————————————————————————————–

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 Sam … "It was taken a couple of weeks ago from the Miradouro between São Jorge and Ponta del Garda. We couldn’t find the restaurant tho!"

Sheila suggested to me that we look out for other funny photographs, especially signs like this, road signs, warning signs etc. Anyone have anything they can send in please?

It has gone midnight as I write this, in what may be my final story. Not much point in going to bed, as I have a raging toothache, for reasons that will become clear very soon, and the only relief I have is the soothing effects of Becks Bolero (nothing to do with somebody called Jeff, or brands of beer), but help is on the way. This month as you know has been an attempt to make this a community blog, with mixed results. With most of today and tomorrow still to go we have almost already beaten the previous blog record (under Madeira Island Direct) for the number of visits, although the number of contributors required is nowhere near that required, with half a dozen or so real heroes making a real effort to keep it going. But the sponsor is due to decide very very soon how or if the sponsorship will continue. I have a couple of really good (in my opinion) stories still to contribute, so whether I will get to write them or not we will soon know.

I had a little chortle yesterday, as I read some of the comments, especially after Martin had asked what Garajau was like as a place to live in. This was a man asking a question about what a place was like to live in, and god bless Elaine and Sue, but he didn’t want to know about hairdressers and knitting shops, he needed to know the hard facts about Garajau, and the script from a good estate agent would have been far different, although I did get a sniff of a curry house and pizza joint, so full marks for that.

Had I been ‘selling’ Garajau, I would have informed Martin … "that all the houses and apartments have rooms to sleep, rooms to eat, and rooms to watch TV, and Garajau also has an aguardente plant". "What was that last bit again?", Martin would have asked, and as I explained the meaning of Poncha, his eyes would have widened, his jaw would have dropped, and his cheque book would have been out, with poor old Mrs. Martin having absolutely no say on the matter.

Anyway I digress, as I wanted to explain about Garajau aguardente, which I think I may have mentioned before contains a section of bamboo cane or similar stick, around 15 cm in length. I really have no idea whether this stick is included in the one litre of aguardente, or is in fact a bonus, and the liquid contents are in fact one litre, and not one litre less the stick. I was quite concerned about this when I brought the bottle a couple of weeks ago, and had every intention of emptying the rather unattractive bottle into a measuring jug. But deterred by the price of the rather juiceless lemons at the time, it was a week or so later that I made the last batch of poncha, and in the excitement I totally forgot to measure the bottle contents, but next time I definitely won’t forget. (Going from Becks Bolero to Kylie Mynooogie at this stage, and the toothache is no longer soothed).

Anyway (again), no doubt some people will be thinking at this stage, "why the hell I am I reading this trash", so I should clarify that this stick is equal to a very very good night’s sleep in its equivalent liquid form, so it easily warrants a good discussion.

Anyway (yet again), the story started earlier in the night as I invented ‘Toranja Poncha’. I assume I invented it, as nobody has ever mentioned it before … or am I wrong?. With the benefit of being a citrus fruit much less sweet than oranges, and much cheaper and juicier than the lemons available at the moment, at €1.29 a kilo in Pingos, surely it was worth the risk as an investment, purely for the prevention and cure for Gripe A I thought.

Anyway (yet yet again) the brew was made just a couple of hours ago with the secret ingredients of aguardente, bee honey, and fruit juice, and the resulting potion is currently chilling in the fridge as I write, hopefully ready to ease my aching tooth and ensure at least a little bit of shut eye tonight.

Anyway ( … ), back to the Garajau aguardente and the stick. Having now made my second poncha batch and totally emptied the liquid contents of the bottle, I was finally able to extract the stick and undertake some scientific analysis of the offending item. Firstly, unlike sugar cane as seen being chewed by desperate agricultural workers who forgot their sandwiches, this cannot be chewed. These men are born with special iron teeth for chewing sugar cane. Do not even attempt to chew, unless you want a set of choppers just like the average sandwichless agricultural worker walking our country roads with a scythe on his shoulder … please take my word for it … do not attempt to chew it. It also cannot be sucked out or wrung-out as a means of extracting its valuable contents. Thirdly, do not put it in the liquidizer unless you also want a blade bent upwards at right angles. I have not yet decided what to do with it, as it is like having a large piece of high grade gold ore, but no smelting gear, but I would imagine it might do well as a distress flare or incendiary device. If I find the solution in time I will post it here.

My next report, on the aroma, taste and health benefits of ‘Toranja Poncha’ will also follow … assuming I survive the experience that is. It’s been chilling now for 47 and almost half a minute, so I think it should now be in perfect supping condition, but I won’t be back here tonight to report, that’s a certainty.

"We headed off from the bay about 1.00 pm and set sail on a bearing that would take us along the western side of the Isles Desertas which are essentially a couple of volcanic islands that rise up thousands of metres from the sea bed and as their name describes, are extremely deserted and remote, with just a couple of park wardens who live there, ensuring the very strict access laws are enforced to the letter". The fleeting visit of Sunboy the Sailboat to our archipelago.

Many thanks to Elaine again for the pick of the stories from yesterday’s news :

False shipwreck. SANAS, Navy, Maritime Police and the Portuguese Air Force (a ‘Merlin’ from Porto Santo) were engaged yesterday morning in a search and rescue operation following an emergency signal issued by a fast-launch sinking in the area between Madalena do Mar and Calheta. The effort was called off when the signal was traced to a boat in dry dock in Calheta. The launch had been impounded in 2005 when seized at the request of the Spanish authorities on suspicion of being used by an international network of drug traffickers. It is not the first time for a false rescue situation. The Commander of the Maritime Zone said, with both amusement and irritation, "It was an actual operation that ultimately served as training." The reasons that led to the activation of the EPIRB emergency signal are being determined to try and prevent a future occurrence. It is reassuring to other boat owners to hear of the operation.

2.5% of gambling revenue (12 million Euros) can solve many of the problems of sport. The final amendments to the Finance Act, affecting transfer of money from the State to the Region, are to be sent to the Portuguese Government for approval. 12 million Euros could be collected from the lotteries run by the Santa Casa de Misericordia. At present, the Madeira Government only receives 0.2% of revenue. In 2008, out of a total revenue of €492.8 million, Madeira only received about 980,000 Euros. The amendments propose that the autonomous regions shall be entitled to a share proportional to the quota of the people in each country. Madeira represents 2.5% of the Portuguese population and the Azores 2.3%. With this amendment, Madeira would have received €12.3 million. The money is to be spent between the sectors of social welfare, home affairs, sports and culture.

24 Unemployed Graduates in Senior Education. The focus on training professionals in gerontology is one of the objectives of the new Gerontology Plan 2009 – 2013. The University of Madeira launched a course in 2005/6 for Senior Education, to cater for demographic changes and new social demands. Few graduates have employment and complain that there are few career opportunities in the area as the training and regional authorities do not know about their degree, which is not listed in the National Classification of Qualifications used when they register at the Institute of Employment. The new Gerontology Plan will increase demand for their abilities.

Ex-deputy of the Socialist Party exchanges "hard day-to-day politics" to become manager of a business park. Maximiano Martins has accepted an invitation to be an administrator of Lispolis which runs a Lisbon business park of about 100 technology based companies. The revenue of the firm is €2 million and he will be responsible for presenting new projects of the association involving investments of millions of Euros. —-‘Jobs for the boys’

Metal detector at the entrance of the Judicial Court in Funchal results in security guards confiscating razors, knives and guns. Fewer offensive weapons are now taken to court, at first about twenty but now no more than three a day. Most people do respect the judges and the courts. Flared tempers usually lead to verbal aggression but sometimes they spill over into violence, especially in cases arising form long-standing family disputes. —— No indication of how long the detector has been there. They were installed late last year if my my memory serves me, as I recall almost the exact same story in January this year. Der

Landfill washed into the sea is no different from deposition after rainfall. Reply by the MDS after a complaint reported by the Diário yesterday about the construction of the promenade near Praia Formosa. They say that the temporary landfill which might be washed into the sea is no different from normal deposition when rainfall increases the flows of streams. They allege the statement was political exploitation by the Communist Party.

Still no licence application from the Chinese megastore. Machico Council, who also have to give authorization,  have received an application but the Regional Directorate of Trade, Industry and Energy have not. The store is supposed to be opening in November.

Lisbon orders review of ‘factoring’ debts used by Funchal Council to circumvent the debt limit, costing 327,000 Euros in commissions and interest. In 2008, the Tribunal de Contas (Court of Auditors) acquitted the council of ‘factoring’ debts to suppliers. This was to reduce the amount of interest payable and therefore beneficial to the council. ‘Factoring’ is when the suppliers are paid through the bank using short-term credit and the council have a duty to pay the bank and not the suppliers. Lisbon has upheld the appeal that this does count as debt. This latest ruling means that the mayor, Miguel Albuquerque might be liable to pay a fine of 6.50 Euros, Rui Marote a former councillor 9,000 Euros and Pedro Calado a councillor 1,350 Euros.

The President of the Tribunal de Contas has also complained that parliamentary groups in the Legislative Assembly are not submitting accounts supporting transfers they have received, but refused to name them.

Carlos Pereira sues Jardim for 35,000 Euros. Carlos Pereira is the deputy of the Socialist Party in the Regional Assembly (Parliament). Pereira manages a consulting firm and is suing for loss of dignity and professional competence, and as it is a civil case Jardim does not have immunity from prosecution. There have been previous court cases between these two. —– Who hasn’t Jardim offended?

Conference for school leavers to warn them about becoming victims of international trafficking networks. Illegal immigration and trafficking involving sex and labour exploitation. For labour exploitation of Portuguese, the main countries involved are the Netherlands, United Kingdom, France, Switzerland, Luxembourg, Spain and Ireland.

Mortgage interest rates the lowest ever. 2.36% in September, the average repayment was 263 Euros. —- Will this stimulate buying?

Government promotes organic farming to schoolchildren. Organic farming is increasing both in terms of farmers and area under cultivation. Between 2000 and 2008, the area under cultivation has increased from 21.5 hectares to 237 hectares, and the number of farmers from 17 to 77. This is an increase of over 350% and represents 5% of the total cultivated area of Madeira and Porto Santo.

In 2010, there might be centres for medical and psychological evaluation (CAMP) for assessment for a driving licence. This law has just been passed in Portugal and will be applicable in Madeira if the Regional Government decides to implement it. The applicant has to pay the fee whereas at present they just need a free medical certificate from the family doctor. This includes anyone over 70 who needs to renew their licence. Psychological evaluation will only be necessary for applicants in certain groups.

"Obrigado Madeira!" The only words said in Portuguese by the President of the Republic of Poland, visiting yesterday for the tribute to Marshal Josef Pilsudski. He praised Poland’s good relationship with the region and highlighted similarities between both countries; reclaimed democracy and freedom in  Europe and NATO, and growth despite the present economic climate. He said that Madeira "is a bit of a different world." He was "delighted" to see the statue of Polish Pope John Paul II. Miguel Albuquerque said that Funchal and Gdansk had a good partnership. The Polish representative said that 80% of Poles want to stay in the EU because they feel safer.

Google Street View coming to Madeira. According to Diário Cidade. The areas visited will be Funchal, Câmara de Lobos and Caniço. The data will be available in about two months time and the purpose is to aid tourism, education and housing.

Hunger strike next to Tribunal da Vara Mista in Funchal. The man involved is unhappy about salary issues related to an accident when falling seven metres off scaffolding during the construction of a building next to a school in Santa Cruz last year. He sat near the Tribunal entrance from 15.00 Tuesday, stayed overnight and was persuaded to leave late Wednesday by a lawyer and a relative.

Brazilian war frigate, ‘Defensora’ in port. The frigate has been to Scotland for training exercises with Navies from different countries, and has stopped here on its return to Brazil. It is an opportunity to make contact with the Portuguese Navy and Portuguese people, and to enjoy the hospitality of Madeira.

From today’s news (back to Der) :

Many may not remember, as there have been no reports for months, but ‘Baby Rodrigo’, the Madeiran born baby who needed and eventually received a bone marrow transplant earlier this year, eventually rejected it and died in Funchal yesterday. Rodrigo was diagnosed with leukaemia six weeks after birth, and a nationwide hunt was launched to find a donor, but unsuccessfully. Eventually, at the twelfth hour, an international search found a suitable donor in Germany, and the operation was successfully undertaken in Lisbon in May. He died in hospital in Funchal yesterday aged just 14 months.

From today’s Diário front page :

Madeira exports hospital waste that ought to be burned in Meia Serra (at the waste processing plant). A war between the Valor Ambiente and the consortium contractor of the waste processing plant pulled back the treatment and systems of hazardous waste years ago. The current procedure is more expensive.

Main headline : Council sues Metropolitana – The Development Society plays down the critics of the irregular dumping connected with its works on the Public Walkway project in Praia Formosa, making an analogy with the mud that on a rainy day is washed naturally from the rivers into the sea. Funchal Council reacts with an action that will result in a fine for Metropolitana. I just realised that Elaine covered it above, so it looks like the same story has been promoted to the front page.

Queiroz counts on Ruben Micael. Micael (photo),  from Câmara de Lobos, that plays (a blinder) for Nacional, has been selected by national coach Carlos Queiroz for the preliminary squad to play against Bosnia in the World Cup play-off game. The selection, thought by many to be overdue, may lead to a regular place in the Portugal squad that will go to South Africa next year, that is of course if they can beat Bosnia on 14th and 18th November. Another Nacional player João Aurélio has been selected for the national under-21 squad to play against England (14th November) and Greece (17th November).

Romeira invites daughter-in-law to be assistant. The auntie of the daughter-in-law will be secretary of the president of São Vicente, that appointed his colleague at the hospital as office manager. Hope that’s correct, and isn’t it great to know that nepotism still rules here on Madeira.

—————————————————————————————————————————————–
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. 

You can email blog@madeira4u.com with any large contributions or comments and photos / videos, or if you can contribute regularly, I can give you a special account that allows you to create your own blog postings.
—————————————————————————————————————————————–

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

(more…)