Madeira News Blog

TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Elaine (of Lombada da Ponta da Sol) … Ponta de São Lorenço.

Our beach in Ribeira Brava is almost ready, with 18 all new thatched giant sun shades, and the area all nicely levelled off by a JCB working over several days. Even the outdoor swimming pool has been repainted. New notices have appeared to tell beach users what is going on, and how to behave on the beach. One advises that the area of beach and sea covered by life savers is now restricted, correctly in accordance with new laws. Another gives emergency and useful telephone numbers. Another tells you to call the Maritime Police in the event of an emergency, but there is no telephone number given. And finally there is one that tells you that this beach has not yet received its Blue Flag, because not all conditions have yet been met. Does that mean that there are now no Blue Flag beaches between Funchal and the most westerly tip of Madeira?

After yesterdays inspection of the beach, I popped into Pingo Doce for a few odds and ends, and after last week seeing pimpenelas on sale at nearly €5 a kilo I thought the surprises for this year were over. But it was not so … local turnips (nabos) were €4.99 a kilo, out of season maybe, but would anyone actually pay that? On the other hand fresh chicken was about the lowest I have seen for several years at €1.49 a kilo. What sort of island is this where turnips are more than 3 times the price per kilo than fresh chicken?

Please don’t forget that news articles will now be posted at various times during the day – Check back regularly and keep yourself up to date.

Please use the comments here for general chit chat, or feel free to ask any questions.

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(22nd May). A rather odd looking front page news headline in the Diário today, with an image of a hand scribbled notepad : ‘September 2008 … 8,184 + 3,660 (last 8 months) = 11,844 unemployed – The growth of unemployment slowed, but the concern continues to be galloping : in the last 8 months the increase has been 45%. In April, 388 new cases signed-on at the employment office, lifting the total to 12 thousand’.

(21st May). The BES Bank in São Jorge has closed. The decision to close was kept internally, much to the disgust of the local population in this region of Santana. Attempts to contact the bank to find out the reasons have been unsuccessful. That’s a rarity, as the banks usually seem to breed branches like rabbits, and maybe a concern, because that may signal the start of withdrawal of banks from the smaller non-profitable communities.

(21st May). The Association of Young Entrepreneurs (AJEM) held a workshop in Ribeira Brava, attended by about 30 young people. The event included exhibitions and presentations, and attendees showed particular interest in the opportunities that AJEM is creating. There are a number of incentive schemes operating on Madeira which can be used to develop ideas into businesses. AJEM guarantees to give support to it’s members, all over Madeira, and give greater impact to their business operations.

(21st May). The fast road (via-expresso) and the completion of the golf course, are both essential to the future development of the parish of Ponta do Pargo, say the parish president and other local dignitaries. The completion of the two projects will attract more investment to the area, especially in tourism, allowing the creation of new jobs to offset the growing unemployment trend. Both projects have hit delays to the original plans, in the case of the golf course because of problems in acquiring the land, but there is no great concern.

Thanks to Elaine (of Lombada da Ponta da Sol) … Ponta de São Lorenço.

Up and going at last. This blog has been hard work for a good few weeks, with not everything yet resolved. But I hope you like it. Please let me know what you think, but please have a look at the notes in the page above first, as it may clear up any doubts or problems you may have. Most of the credit for what you see goes to Madeira Island Direct, the blog sponsor, I just do the content.

A couple of browsing opportunities here for anyone with time on their hands this weekend :

This new blog / website called ‘Funchal Daily Photo’ is just a few weeks old. It’s pretty much what it says, a daily photo, but there are someone lovely ones. The commentary is in English. GO TO BLOG

This blog called ‘Planes & Stuff’ seems to be dedicated in the main to plane spotting at Madeira Airport. That doesn’t appeal to me, but someone might find it interesting. It has other stuff too. GO TO BLOG 

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