Madeira News Blog

(27th July). ‘Natural Park Of Corvo – Madeira is to collaborate on a habitat recuperation project on the island of the Azores’. The project between the two archipelagos developed over recent weeks will be signed tomorrow to mark the World Day of Nature Conservation. The work will aim to recuperate and control invading species of animals and plants on the island of Corvo. One of the challenges will be to reduce the rat population in a way that will not endanger the cattle that graze on the meadows. Another problem is the domestic cat population, where the work will have to differentiate which cats have owners and which are wild.

‘Ill Treatment Of Animals Result In Six Fines – The cases cover cases of death, suffering, and inflicted injuries going back to January 2008′. During a year and a half just 6 people have been punished for ill treatment of animals, in offences considered to be serious. The Office for the Protection of Nature and the Environment of the Territorial Command of the National Republican Guard (GNR) has the power to act on receipt of a complaint, and will investigate and take proceedings against owners in cases of ill treatment. In recent weeks there have been cases reported seriously breaching the rights of animals, in particular neglected dogs, but also through violence and oppression by man. There are no shortage of cases of chained up dogs, underfed and living conditions of unacceptable filth. Of the cases investigated by the GNR few end up in punishment, with just six cases being prosecuted "in response to complaints from citizens and various associations for the protection of animals, such as the SPAD and PATA", says a spokesman. Under the law, the minimum fines range between 25 and 500 Euros, and the maximum range between 3,740 and 44,890 Euros. The law is very precise in terms of animal welfare, as the full article relays, but it only applies to domestic animals (animals of company). In a nutshell, it covers the breeding, raising, keeping and safeguarding of animals. Specific acts within the law prohibit any violence, ensure sufficent space and conditions for housing, including light, hygiene, ventilation and temperature conditions, covers the quality of feeding and access to water, with special conditions for pregnant animals and their young. It also specifies that they should not be exposed to hazards, such as waste water, and that their ‘dens’ should be cleaned with the necessary frequency. The matter has raised it’s head again after reports of a St. Bernard dog left without food and water for days, but when the GNR went to look at the dog it had disappeared. Shame the case went to the newspaper before the GNR had time to act, or perhaps that wasn’t the case?

Funchal has been twinned with Herzliya (Israel) since 1991. Few Madeirans know why. Most twinning agreements never get put on paper, and this was no exception, as it was stated at the ceremony that the relationship would not be a "mere formality on paper, but an authentic instrument of development and cultural exchanges". Likewise for Valle d’Aosta. It is a region in northern Italy, chosen by Pope Benedict XVI for a holiday, with which Madeira has been twinned since 1987. The intentions were touristic and gastronomic, but little happens these days. The map above shows 35 locations twined with either Madeira (5) or its main towns, mostly with Funchal (14). The latest twining arrangement happened in May this year between Funchal and Gibraltar. They are usually just jollies and publically funded holidays for politicians in my opinion, and even if there is anything more active it normally dies out in a few months. Most Madeirans can’t even afford to go on holiday abroad, so tourism as a twining objective is just a waste of time.

I thought I was in for a Gripe A free day today, but right at the last moment I saw the 12th confirmed case reported, a 20 month old baby from the UK. The health authority ISSAÚDE said it it is a good sign that there have been no cases of cross infection to Madeirans yet. Portugal now has 232 confirmed cases.

A man who swam from the beach to the little island (rock) of São Jorge had to be rescued by Merlin helicopter on Sunday, after he didn’t have the strength left to swim back to the beach.

The ‘Braemar’ cruise ship returned to Funchal today, it’s last visit here was in May last year. The old regular visitor is owned by the group Fred Olsen. Can anyone tell me what is drastically different from the last visit? Get your photo album out for a clue. Answer tomorrow maybe, if nobody knows.

‘Pretenders’ Consider Succession A Premature Question – Alburquerque sees in the result of the survey a "recognition" of the work undertaken in Funchal’. A reaction to the survey published at the weekend on the possible successors to Albert João Jardim as leader of the PSD-M social democrats. The Diário decided to go to the PSD-M party rally at Chão da Lagoa ins/stirring mode again, by asking for reactions to the survey. Anyway not very interesting with just one front runner and the retirement of Jardim so far away, but the article did almost confirm one matter I have been wondering about for some time. Jardim has been in post as president of the PSD-M for well over 30 years, and I am not sure in that time if he has ever had to stand for re-election under party rules, or just sailed through that period either with an un-expiring mandate or unchallenged. Anyway the impression is that his successor will not be elected, he will be chosen by Jardim, and is probably unknowingly being groomed in the ways of Uncle Bertie’s unique style of democracy as we discuss the matter.

As for yesterday’s PSD-M political rally, the Diário, probably through gritted journalistic teeth, did manage a front page photo of the event, a sea of orange flags : ‘LARANJADA Without Political Gas – One more gathering is complete. From the speeches of the PSD in Chão da Lagoa not much remained’. Referring mainly to the fact that the national leader of the PSD took a sickie and didn’t attend, it is quite a clever headline (Laranja = orange = PSD colours, but LARANJADA = orangeaid / fizzy orange drink). It’s the biggest annual Summer gathering on Madeira, with around 40,000 supporters, entertained with musicians and politicians, and with food and drink almost on-tap. "It seemed clear that most of those waiting patiently were waiting for the guest artist, although they are forced to listen to some speeches" was the Diário take on the situation. President Jardim arrived at around 10.20am before many had gathered, and welcome the crowd saying "Eat, drink with caution, take care with the sun, and live the PSD". He later returned and during his speech(es) he blamed prime minister Sócrates for all the ills of the country, having a go at the opposition parties, and also Madeira’s media to complete the trilogy, mentioning the Diário and RTP by name. He also curiously asked the crowd "Do not use votes on smaller parties that are not strong enough to have candidates elected". The message from the absent party leader Ferreira Leite praised Jardim and the PSD-M, and called for unity in the coming elections, adding that she would come to Madeira during the national election campaign in September instead.

I don’t know if anyone watched the news yesterday / today showing Uncle Bertie at the Chão da Lagoa PSD annual party rally? I watched it on TVI news, and the TVI reporting team had obviously decided to depict him as a heavyweight boozer, by filming short bursts of him at the many barracas (54 stands in all selling booze representing each freguesia), each time downing a alcoholic beverage, except the last one where he was rehydrating with water. It was hard to tell some of the drinks, but certainly poncha, wine, beer and spirits seemed to be disappearing in copious quantities down Bertie’s throat, and he wasn’t sipping either. He certainly looks to have sunk a few in the photo above.

‘Regional Government Is Responsible For The Gangrene In Camacha’. The leader of the CDU-Madeira visited Nogueira in Camacha on Sunday, and said the executive had responsibility for the "social gangrene" in the neighbourhood with so many social problems. "It was the Government who brought this problem to Camacha", accused Edgar Silva, and warned that problems areas like this tend to spread out. The solution is to wake up to the reality here and introduce a programme of social emergency, and not to concentrate on the revision of the constitution, he said.

TODAY’S PHOTO : São João Festa … last night’s festival in the real town called São João. Sorry about the picture quality, as I forgot to take a proper camera. See story later.

Front Page News : source : Diário de Notícias 23/6/2008

New laws that came into effect on the 20th May and apply to tourist transportation have not been communicated to or understood properly by the travel agents and transport companies, and many are now operating outside of the law. The laws which are along the lines of consumer protection, are stricter than those previously in place, and affect coaches and smaller vehicles and address in some detail the services they provide, including the programme and schedule. Fines for non-compliance range from €600 to €20,000, and the police, and transport and tourism officials, have the right to ‘stop and inspect’. It’s not clear exactly what the changes mean or the benefits for tourists though?

The Madeira archipelago already has several natural marine reserves being the Ilhas Desertas, the Ilhas Selvagens, at Garajau, and also Rocha do Navio, which are protected under law. But now the government intends to designate a fifth such reserve, which has already been submitted to the Regional Assembly for approval. The islands around Porto Santo and their surrounding sea will fall within the scope of the new legislation, which will affect commercial fishing, tourism, and the dispersal of effluents, as they presently operate. These coastal areas are home to a macro-habitat of animals and vegetation unique to this part of the world, and indigenous species that need special protection. Species around the area such as mackerel, chicharros, squid, etc. also find these waters a favorable environment to reproduce and hence attract larger species such as sharks, swordfish, whales, dolphins and turtles. Also around Porto Santo there are some special seas birds species. To avoid any confusion, the whole of Porto Santo will not be included, so for example I don’t think the ferry will be affected.

Other News :

Madeira already has a shortage of family, general medicine, and specialist hospital doctors, and over the next 10 to 15 years the situation is going to get worse. New doctors take a long time to train, and are difficult to retain, so the fact that 57% of the doctors here are already aged between 46 and 65 means they will be retiring faster than the ‘new blood’ comes in. In 2006 Madeira had 561 doctors, 2.3 per thousand inhabitants, somewhat lower than the national average of 3.5 per thousand. 58% of our doctors are male, the rest are female (just to avoid any confusion!).

I think I recall mentioning recently that Quinta do Lorde at Caniçal was one of 3 beaches not to get its ‘blue flag’ for water cleanliness … well that was rectified on Saturday. One of other towns, Machico, may not get it’s blue flag until the Summer of 2010, possibly sooner, even though the works there are practically concluded. No news of progress for the other beach at Câmara de Lobos.

A bit out of my league, but the ‘Chaîne of Rôtisseurs’ is opening a chapter on Madeira. The ‘brotherhood’ is a international gastronomic association of French origin. The chapter will be headed by a director at Reid’s Hotel, who has been a member for some years. The mark of the ‘Chaîne’, that can be found in the establishments whose professionals are attached to the brotherhood, is also a guarantee of quality. I thought that although not of interest to lower class mortals like me, there are more than one blog readers who have served time in The Prince Albert in Funchal, who might now be qualified and tempted to join the brotherhood.

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OK, I know you are itching to know … yes I overcame my phobia for healthy exercise last night and walked, yes walked, to the mountain known as São João! Wow, it’s high. In fact it’s so high, that on a scale of 1 to 10 in height, it scores just below 9, and hence doesn’t appear on certain maps. In fact the town just above SJ is called Boa Morte (Good Death), because I don’t think there is enough oxygen to survive there.

I know São João is celebrated in several places, including Funchal, but there is no substitute for having the festa of São João in the real town of São João, not even with all the money in Funchal. I don’t know what sort of namby pamby affair went on in Funchal, but in the real SJ it was sizzling with something … but that may have just been the bbq chicken. Arrived just before 9pm, just in time to see the second half of the parade, with the town band, climbing the hill. The parade came in two halves, with about 10 people in the first half, and another 10 in the second. The parade went to the church with most of the rest of the population of SJ, and the missa (sermon) was broadcast outside for those of us unlucky enough not to be able to fit in. It seemed to be rude to eat and drink while that was going on, so I abstained, despite having a thirst big enough to wipe out at least two of the stalls.

When that was over It was time for the fressssh hot bolo do caco, oooozzzzing with garlic butter, yum. This was the cheap version of bdc … I know, as I watched it being made with nothing more than flour and water, but it tasted fine!

Then to a stall with ‘fresh cider’ very nice too, and after a general walkabout amongst the several hundred locals (and just one beer) it was time for the highlight of the night … the midnight sea dip! And they did, they went in their droves, kicking and screaming their way into the sea. I could still hear them when I went to bed just before 1am.

I have done the bigger touristy festas before, but this was the first ‘small time’ authentic festa I have been to and it was great … and that was just in the early part, as I imagine the real fun starts after the midnight sea dip. The people of SJ made so much effort to put on the festa, probably with very little money for preparation, or to spend, but they made it work like they were one big family. It’s in the diary for a visit again next year.

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