Madeira News Blog

How well do you know Madeira?

This weeks teaser is from Sue.

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

Well done Sheila!

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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.

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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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(16th July). ‘Neighbourhood Of Bad Name And Scorn – Permanent tension. Inhabitants are unwelcome in the market for employment. Children without ATL(?). Families attempt to flee from there’. Nogueira doesn’t have a solution. Madeira’s government creates better conditions, but the residents wreck everything. It’s an area where unemployment is a true reality, where the residents suffer the fact nobody wants to employ someone living in Bairro da Nogueira, where the social problems just get worse. The population is stigmatised by drug addiction, where children have nowhere to pass their free time this Summer because the ATL(?) was vandalised and closed years ago. The more structured families appeal to the government to be moved out, while the neighbourhood becomes each day more of a ‘social labyrinth’. The area is of ill repute as far as Madeira is concerned, and the most scorned part of the island. They look to new alternatives, but this neighbourhood is at a crossroads of problems without solutions in sight. This long article is quite a scary read, it really is. I don’t think I have ever read such a damning write up about anywhere on Madeira. Whilst the day times are comparatively quiet, at night the streets come to life with people with drug and alcohol problems, and then there is often violence. The police are not respected, and the area even has the makings of a no-go zone. Everyone is watching everyone else, with a particular eye for strangers says the article.

‘Worker Dies Of Electrocution In Works In Bemposta, Machico’. The accident occurred when part of a cement mixer touched high voltage cables. A 39 year old man died, another was taken to the emergency unit in Funchal Central Hospital with serious electrical burns. An investigation into the incident has commenced.

‘Police Operation Against Drug Barons Bursts Into Estreito’. Estreito de Câmara de Lobos was the latest target for armed police wearing helmets, bullet proof vests, and protective clothing, in the fight against drugs. The operation started at daybreak yesterday, and took locals by surprise. The police were equipped with a court search warrant to raid a premise heavily suspected of being a ‘drugs barn’. Two men were arrested and detained, one was later released. The police also seized a vehicle, drugs, articles related to drug trafficking, and cash exceeding €20,000.

‘CMF Pays ‘Time & Hours’ Bad Debt Of 2005′. Funchal Council is making gains with it’s efforts to clear old debts, but the auditors of the court responsible for checks say that the council could be penalised through paying interest to the state. Some of the debts go back as far as FOURTEEN YEARS! Under the state programme which loosely means ‘Pay On Time’, auditors discovered that 91% of the backlog related to debts from 2007 & 2008, amounting to over €9 million. Much of the debt was not accounted for properly, and one debt for the supply of sand from a construction company was 4,943 days old.

‘Madeira On The End Of The List’. We are in the region of Portugal that builds the most new homes and apartments, and with the lowest rate of rehabilitation. It is also the region with the worst record for delays in building works.

In sport : ‘A Record In The International Meeting On Madeira’. Pole-vault, or ‘Jumping With A Stick’ as the Portuguese actually translates, brought a new national record in the XIV International Athletics Meeting on Madeira yesterday. A junior athlete managed a height of 5.11 metres at the sports stadium in Ribeira Brava.  

  
Photo caption : With the opening of a new miradouro (viewpoint) in Achada at a cost of €93,000, Funchal now has 24 miradouros.

‘Rivers Flow Against Europe – Europe wants to re-naturalise our rivers and water courses, but Madeira moves towards artificialisation’. Under a European directive (200/60/EC), all member countries should make their rivers and streams comply with ecological quality objectives, and be there for the enjoyment of the people, moving back towards a natural state without evidence of man made intervention. Hélder Spinola, of the environmental agency Quercus, says that Madeira is going in the opposite direction, and not only in Funchal. The EU directive is aimed particularly at combating pollution, although on Madeira, because of the specific nature of the topography of the island, there are other concerns such as safety and public protection. The head of Quercus is particularly concerned about the more frequent floods, caused by the higher frequency of heavy rainstorms that deposit more water in shorter periods. He refers to the choking of waterways with increasing numbers of concrete walls, bridges and roads, spreading throughout the island, although the effect is now slowing if only due to the lack of money for new works. Any specific new initiatives now seem to focus on water quality, and not on the wider issues of managing natural water resources.

Portugal news : As of this morning 107 cases of Gripe A (H1N1 swine flu) have been recorded, but of these 104 victims have already been treated and released.

’45 workers contest their dismissal by the Savoy – The decision was made yesterday in a session with the trade union representing hotel workers’.  The 45 workers, who did not sign the termination agreements from the SIET Savoy Group, will challenge the collective dismissal through two lawsuits, with the objective of returning to work. 55 workers who accepted the termination of their employment received a payment based on length of service, and are now able to receive unemployment benefit. The Savoy hotel was closed a couple of months ago, in preparation for demolition to make way for a new hotel.

‘Friends of the Park’ are in action Saturday in Areeiro and Cabeço da Lenha – The Association continues the project of planting trees and shrubs which began in 2001′. The indigenous trees and shrubs will be planted in the Ecological Park and in the Field of Environmental Education in Cabeço da Lenha. The general public are invited to participate. Those interested should make contact by phone or fax on 291783999, or by e-mail to amigosdoparque@gmail.com before 5pm on Friday.

‘Astronomy Night – Night of the stars – Calheta puts out the lights on Saturday to assess light pollution’. The tour of ‘Astronomy Night’, to mark the international year of astronomy, moves to Calheta this weekend. Measurements will also be taken to establish the levels of light pollution, and to make the population aware of the "dangers of the use of excessive light", which cause "serious environmental and social damage".

(15th July). ‘Living Close To A School Does Not Guarantee Places – School denies ‘connections’ and says that the morning shift is not available to all students’. The secretary for education says that living near to a school does not guarantee a place, and although there are rules that may give priority to locals, parents are finding out that the reality is quite different. Also, as many children will be allocated an early or late ‘shift’ in school, this also is not determined by ‘connections’. The later shift has a worse reputation in education terms, a situation denied by one school leader in the article.

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It’s the Banana Exhibition / Festival in Madalena do Mar this weekend. I believe it starts Saturday evening and runs through to Sunday night, but I am sure someone will correct me if necessary.