Madeira News Blog

Today’s Photo Thanks to Eiryl … Porto Santo ferry docked in Funchal

In yesterday’s Portugal Cup 4th round football matches, mixed results for our lads. União (Madeira) lost in a penalty shootout away to Mafra. The Mafra team came onto the pitch wearing protective masks as a protest, after attempts to postpone the game, because of squad members with Gripe A swine flu, were rejected.

Camacha however march on onto the next round, after beating Vigor e Mocidade by 1 – 0 in their home game. They should have won easily as the opponents were from series D in the third division.

Nacional struggled against Fátima in Funchal, with no goals in the actual game, but eventually qualified for the next round after winning a penalty shootout 4 – 3.

Elaine asked me to post this. I am clearly not having much luck in attracting sufficient help, so I really hope Elaine has more success :

WARNING BELLS ARE RINGING.

Der and myself are desperate for help. We are both taking far too much time on the blog, more than you would think (or I dare to admit). People really need to start sending Der articles or this blog will finish for good. We are both fighting hard to keep it going. Please don’t let everyone down by thinking your help isn’t needed or that your article won’t be interesting. Even a small contribution, regularly or otherwise, would help and encourage others. It would take some of the pressure off us both. The more diverse, the more interesting it could get for everyone.

Suggestions of how people can help:

Take a section of the online Diário. Front page, Madeira, Economy, Politics, Culture. I use Google translation toolbar, and other online translators are available.

Other newspapers online. Jornal da Madeira, Diário Cidade.

Tourism Board site. They will send you an email every month with details (in English). Also DRAC site has a monthly Cultural Agenda in English.

Scan newspapers and sites for articles about the island, tourist reviews and blogs.

Any travel articles. Ports, airports, organized tours, hotels.

Any experiences about your days out here, e.g. exhibitions, restaurants, cafes, bars, tours, museums, walks, places visited.

Local food with recipes and wine tasting.

Nature articles. Plants, birds, animals, environment, parks.

Local customs and culture.

Festivals and cultural events – coming or visited.

News and activities where you live, if on the island.

Shopping and offers.

Nautical events and special sports events.

Organisations and their events.

Any suggestions welcome.

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Elaine had very kindly again provided yesterday’s top news stories :

Enterprises, employment and tourism have money. Strengthening tourism promotion, incentives to businesses and jobs and greater investment in culture depends largely on ….. state.  At the end of the year, Madeira will have the largest direct debt in the history of the Region. For the bank loan guarantees, the Government has commitments in the order of 1,900 million Euros. Ventura Garces, the Regional Secretary of Planning and Finance will deliver tomorrow to the President of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira the proposed budget for 2010. As normal, 40% of expenditure is for public investment to secure employment through public works and to prevent people becoming dependent on meagre state benefits. Little is known of this year’s proposals. Tax revenue is expected to drop significantly next year so they are optimistic that the State will transfer €70 million early on. The European Union has provided a transfer of €75 million. The Regional revenue (tax etc) and transfers from the State and the EU will cover 86% of expenditure, so a loan is required for the remainder. Garces would not admit to the amount which he is asking the State to agree but it is thought to be more than €200 million, enough to repay the loan and secure payment to suppliers. Education and Health account for 73% of expenditure and Garces is worried about the spiralling costs of the departments, institutes and autonomous funds which represent 28% of total expenditure, and these levels could be cut. Incentives to business will cost €20 million and tourism will have an increase of almost one million Euros for promotion. In the next three years, €362 million will have to be repaid to banks, €52 million next year. The Government owes more than €150 million to suppliers, backed with loans amounting to €1,174 million. The Regional Government debt is expected to rise to €784.9 million by the end of this year, the highest value in history. This is justified by the debt being 17% GDP and the EU allowing up to 60% GDP or a debt limit of €2,760 million Euros. Jardim hopes to save tens of millions by his recent cuts.

Rocks continue to fall. The rock fall between Ribeira Brava and Tabua continues, along a section that has been sealed off to the public for almost two years.

Bad weather boosts road casualties. The number of accidents increased this week with rain and excessive speed for the conditions. There were 61 accidents that caused 19 minor injuries, compared with 45 accidents and 21 injuries during the previous week. Funchal (26 accidents, 8 injured), Santa Cruz (13 accidents, 3 injured), Câmara de Lobos (9 accidents, 3 injured). Friday was the worst day, 5 people taken to hospital and 15 accidents. The via rápida, where there are an average of 11 accidents per week, had the most accidents with 28 last week resulting in minor injuries to 6 people.

UMajuda helps schools in Achada and Rochão. This University organisation collects donations, especially for the younger age group. They have distributed dictionaries, children’s books, encyclopaedias, maps, video tapes, games and sports equipment to the schools in Rochão and Achada, as elsewhere in the region during previous years. The university musical groups ‘tunas’ have also visited the schools. They have also helped the elderly and the Red Cross and SPAD.

Support for the outermost regions are possible. One of the MEPs said that permanent funding for the outermost regions is not guaranteed from 2013, but it is possible under the Community Support Framework. He said that with the signing of the Lisbon Treaty, member states have not lost their sovereignty under a centralized Europe, as there are sometimes opt-outs if they think the matter should be debated nationally. Risks are that some countries will dominate and defend their own interests first. Costs will increase with an increase in the number of posts.

Official websites of Government and councils lack maintenance. Lack of update. Regional statistics are out of date, some by two or three years. Most councils have not updated details about council members since the elections. Good examples are Câmara de Lobos, Porto Santo, Machico and Santa Cruz.

Bandolin Christmas Concert. December 12 at Teatro Baltazar Dias, Funchal, cost 5 Euros.

Lobo Marinho delayed due to power failure. An electrical failure late on Sunday night affected the electrical connections. The fault was detected at 8 am when the ferry was preparing to leave Funchal and delayed the departure. The electrical failure on the bridge and engine room made it impossible to leave the port of Funchal so a tug had to intervene at about 9.15 am. The failure did not affect the speed of the ship but it had to reduce speed to provide time for the tug to reach Porto Santo. The route normally takes 2 hours 10 minutes and took around 5 hours. The captain said the return journey should not be affected as tugs would be ready both at Porto Santo and at Funchal. The ship had about 200 passengers on board.

Government reinforces consular assistance in South Africa. Portuguese Government will reinforce assistance during the World Cup next year. They will also produce a brochure with local contact numbers for emergency assistance.

Builders guarantees on new properties provide most complaints. In 2008, the Office of Consumer Protection in Madeira received 305 requests for assistance in this area, and this year the number has already reached 289. For a period of five years, owners of new properties should be able to have any defects repaired by the builder. In reality, it is difficult to get the repair corrected and the person often has to go to court or pay themselves. They often find the builder has gone out of business or disappeared. Legal action has to be taken within three years of the complaint.

AIDS prevention. Madeira, like other European countries, faces serious problems that affect many young people, like drinking, smoking, drug addiction, sexually transmitted diseases and AIDS. This was stated at the conference yesterday, ‘Youth Without Risk’. Portugal has a staggering number of infected people, especially related to teenage pregnancy. Young people are educated about the transmission of AIDS but still do not use protection.

Burglaries in Barreiros. Burglaries  at the apartments Barreiros Golden and Stadium in Barreiros over the past two days have resulted in doors being broken down and around 8,000 Euros of gold and cash stolen. These occurred last Tuesday and Wednesday and the police have increased patrols.

Failure of lifts in apartment blocks force tenants to climb 150 stairs. Apartment blocks affected are Varzea Park in São Martinho and Caminho do Amparo, block A 1 North. The top flats on the ninth floor are 150 stairs up. Some older people refuse to leave the flats and this has occurred for two months now.

The ‘Madeira’ in documentary. Alzirino Henriques has produced a DVD about the ship ‘Madeira’ which used to transport goods and passengers between Madeira and Porto Santo. Its sinking on 21 October 2000 has led to its use as an artificial reef and this 30 minute video demonstrates the beauty of the flora and fauna which have colonised it. The video is in both Portuguese and English and the producer is Eduardo Costa, who has produced many local videos. It costs 15 Euros and can be purchased from FNAC, the Porto Santo Line and Tourism posts.

Sue very kindly sent in these news stories, many thanks …

The funeral of cabo Telo was held in the presence of hundreds of people – "Now he is in his own country". Hundreds of people gathered yesterday at the church of Paul do Mar for the last farewell to the first cabo (corporal) Gabriel Telo, killed in action 36 years ago in Guinea Bissau. The funeral closes a case of a group of soldiers, of whom two were from Madeira – the cabo and the soldier Telo João Nunes Ferreira. The process of exhumation and repatriation of the bodies to Portugal took about three years. The Union of the paratroopers was the body who started this rescue – being three elements of this special force among the 11 corpses – which now ends with this funeral, the last of the bodies were removed from Guidaje in Guinea Bissau. Now closed, in fact, a course whose objective was to bring home the bodies that had been buried in that cemetery campaign in Guinea, explained the president of the Parachute Regiment, General Avelar de Sousa, who yesterday attended the ceremony. Several entities had joined forces for the task to make this last tribute to the soldier, who died on May 25, 1973 (not 1963 as incorrectly written yesterday). Miguel Mendonça, chairman of the Legislative Assembly of Madeira, in the morning put a wreath at the urn of the soldier, while still at the monument to the Madeira overseas soldier. A little later, in Paul do Mar, the district where  the cabo was born, Monteiro Diniz attended the funeral, ex-Representative of the Republic to Madeira, also Brazão de Castro, regional secretary, and Manuel Baeta, Mayor of Calheta, among other personalities. The process of exhumation and repatriation of the bones of cabo Telo opened a wound in the family that they had spent decades trying to heal. Mother, Flora Telo, never gave up so that the memory of the son would not be forgotten. During the last 36 years she insistently repeated stories about Gabriel, highlighting the qualities of this young man, who was sacristan in the church, the same church that hosted the final farewell ceremony. Yesterday, the upset prevented Flora Telo from saying what that final moment meant for her. The day before, however, she confessed that she still felt "a great longing for my son." And looked towards the sky and called to Gabriel. "He was a good dear son, as a child" and he helped in the church, she recalled. The arrival of the remains opened wounds of the past in the family, but, despite the moments of pain and anxiety, no one regrets the decision. Yesterday, Gabriela Telo, his sister two years younger, said one feels ‘satisfied’ that Gabriel was now "closer" to the family. The youngest of the sisters, said she felt "a mixture of emotions that were impossible to describe." Still, she said that at that very moment, outside the cemetery, she felt "a joy, because he is now at home. These last days have been a difficult time, with resentment, but now that he is here in our cemetery in his country, it is now a relief." With the funeral of cabo Telo "we have closed, in fact, a path with the objective  to bring back the bodies that had been buried in that campaign cemetery in Guinea", said the president of the Parachute Regiment, General Avelar de Sousa, who yesterday attended the farewell ceremony of the soldier from Madeira, who died 36 years ago in Guinea Bissau.

Regional success against smoking in national press. At present, about 45 percent successfully quit smoking with smoking cessation consultations from the Health Centre of Bom Jesus. Compared to internationally, the success average here is 35 percentage points higher. Having just celebrated "No Smoking Day", which leads people to seek consultation  at the Health Centre of Bom Jesus. Ermelinda Alves said there are several reasons. Some people, because they became aware that tobacco is bad for their health, causing heart and lung disease, and that it is the cause of many cancers, and therefore making the decision to quit. One of the reasons that have more recently led to consultations relates to the economic crisis, where people cannot afford to smoke and come here to seek help to quit. There are also younger people who have young children who, at school, hear their teacher says it’s bad for health, and then the children ask their parents to quit and come to visit. But, of course, that success will be achieved when the smoker makes that decision, and has a strong motivation to quit smoking.

Mini-series will be shot in RAM. After the success of the TV series "Flor do Mar", Madeira will return this year to be the scene of another project of the TV company TVI. After the series (Flower of the Sea) that "exceeded expectations" in terms of growth in the number of tourists from Portugal visiting Madeira, the regional secretary for Tourism and Transport, said that the private channel is preparing a new Portuguese mini-series to present to their viewers in the first quarter of next year. Filming will take place in Madeira in December. "The plot is funny, but I will not reveal", said Conceição Estudante, explaining that the purpose of not wanting to remove the mystery around this new project is to ensure it commands a good audience in Portugal. The exact date when the mini-series will go on air also remains unknown.

Cakes, cakes, liqueurs and pork – In times gone by all these products were made at home and since the beginning of December there was a great hubbub, especially from the ladies in the preparation of these delicacies. Recipes for cakes and liqueurs were often kept in the minds of people and passed on to subsequent generations. A tradition that has persisted over many generations was the so-called "Night of bread." At a time when there were few existing bakeries in Madeira and Porto Santo, families gathered on the evening of 23rd December to bake the bread in the oven. The hard work was done with joy and often the sound of typical melodies of Madeira. Even today in some parishes, especially in the city of Funchal this tradition is maintained. The meat of the pig that was killed on the 8th of December, or the next few days after that date, provided an enormous amount of different recipes.

When the "Feast" had another flavour. Maria Fernandes 78 years clearly remembers the "Feast" and at times it is with some nostalgia that she refers to the many activities taking place in the build up to Christmas. "In the past it seemed that time was not moving. We waited with anxiety the arrival of December to experience the festival. And since there were many difficulties times, Christmas was a very special time because meals were better, we had cocoa and cheese, which during the other months of the year were a luxury. "Also important was the day the pig was killed. The entertainment around the event was varied" Maria Fernandes recalled. "On the eve of that day I almost could not sleep thinking about the task the next day. From early morning until the night I had so much to do with helping "Marchant" (the man who kills the pig), to prepare the various ingredients with the meat of the pig, the innards, blood and lard. And as it was a day of entertainment, I was always looking to play some pranks such as asking someone to go and get oil to lubricate the saw to cut the pork, or  placing of the nails in the pockets of some of the more intoxicated people. And throughout the day no one went hungry or thirsty, with coffee with brandy drunk early in the morning, and not forgetting the dry red wine". These traditional activities of yesteryear are still re-created in the present day by some cultural associations of the region. And in some rural parishes of Madeira, there are those who keep their Christmas with an authentic flavour.

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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.

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.

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Today’s Photo : Thanks to Eiryl … Water lily at the Palheiro Gardens

"Wedged in by mountains and the Atlantic, Madeira Airport requires a clockwise approach for which pilots are specially trained. Despite a unique elevated extension that was completed back in 2000 and now expands the runway length to what should be a comfortable 9,000 feet, the approach to Runway 05 remains a hair-raising affair that pilots absolutely dread. They must first point their aircraft at the mountains and, at the last minute, bank right to align with the fast-approaching runway". DIAMOND PILOTS

"On our quest to explore sunny islands in the Atlantic Silke and I have already visited Tenerife and Gran Canaria. Our latest exploratory trip took us to Funchal on the Portuguese island Madeira. We were welcomed by sunshine, blue skies and a gentle breeze which was a relief after the dreadful autumn weather in England". Nice photos. MATT & SILKES BLOG

Many thanks again to Elaine for yesterday’s news. Can anyone else PLEASE help out?

Island Escape cruises selling well. Thomson Cruises Island Escape will sail for seven night cruises, departing and returning to Funchal, from the 11 January to the 19 April. These will be weekly with stops on Monday in Funchal. Already 400 places have been sold, mainly through Abreu agency to Madeirans. The price is "very nice", according to the one of the directors, at 389 Euros plus 100 Euros in taxes. He highlights the value of the ship as there are free dining facilities. There is a buffet for breakfast and lunch and a restaurant for an informal dinner. There is a night buffet and another buffet open 24 hours a day. The ship has 746 cabins for 1,750 passengers and has 500 crew members. —- Dear Santa Claus …..

Mother complains of assault by supermarket security. A mother of a 15 year old made a complaint to the police, alleging there was an assault on her son when he was inside a large commercial area at Rua Dr. Brito Camara, in front of Edificio 2000. The boy was with friends inside a supermarket yesterday evening when "He was taken to a room by a security guard to see what was in the bag, and when he left shortly after he was bleeding from the nose and mouth." The mother took the boy to the Emergency Room for treatment. Regarding the alleged assault, the progenitor regrets what happened since, in his view, "Even if the group were causing fuss or noise in that commercial area, there would possibly be another way of dealing with the matter."

Educating for tourism. This initiative is to make students aware of the importance of tourism and provide an insight into the day of a tourist. Activities will simulate a ride in a tour coach with a translator guide, reserve air tickets and hotel rooms, check-in at the airport, check-in at a hotel and visit areas such as the dining room, hotel room and learn how to make a bed, bar and learn how to prepare a cocktail, kitchen, laundry, maintenance area and conference room. More than 2,000 students will participate and the investment of 16,000 Euros is spread between various travel agencies and the Directorate of Tourism. —– Learn how to make a bed and a cocktail. The things they teach in school today!

Bats misunderstood. There is a group of four Madeirans who have studied bats in the region since 2001. They have developed a project to determine the different species, estimate population sizes and identify and characterize habitats important to them, to ensure their survival. They are having to finance the project themselves after failed applications for both regional and national funding. This is despite published work by the researchers receiving international recognition. There are three known species of bats in the region and the Pipistrellus maderensis (Madeira bat) is one of the smallest in Europe. They feed on insects and therefore are central to the ecological balance of Laurissilva and agricultural areas. "Given that each bat eats around a thousand insects per night and if we have a population which is estimated at three thousand bats, this means that each day these mammals eliminate 3 to 4 million insects." The researchers fear that already there are less than the estimated three thousand bats in the region and the situation in Porto Santo is also worrying as it is estimated at less than 50 individuals. It is urgent to preserve and study the bats as contrary to their ‘bad image’, they aid in the conservation and ecological balance of Laurissilva, farms and forestry, which are in danger.

Wet roads cause two vehicles to overturn. The wet roads caused by rain, and reckless driving (excess speed) were the source of at least two vehicles overturning that have resulted in material damage to the vehicles involved in accidents yesterday. The first one occurred at 12.30 on the Machico to Funchal motorway and a 34 year old man was slightly injured. He had to be taken to the hospital and was discharged mid-afternoon after minor surgery. Half an hour later, another accident in Ribeira Brava and despite various ‘flipovers’, the driver left unscathed. He was on the motorway towards Serra de Agua and crashed and overturned in the tunnel of Meia Legua, in the vicinity of the Sports Complex. After a curve, he lost control of the vehicle and crashed near the tunnel entrance, hitting the footpath on the opposite side and the vehicle ended up on its side. Two cars collided on Sunday night on the Machico to Funchal motorway in a spectacular crash and damaged the exterior rails and the inside central cement blocks of the road.

Loja Diogo’s celebrates 20 years. On Saturday 21 November, the wine shop celebrates its 20th anniversary with free wine tasting between 15.00 and 19.00 hours. Wines from 20 producers will be available at the Hotel Four Views Baia, followed by a dinner costing 25 Euros, subject to reservation.

Rui Moses closes council employees car park.  The new mayor of Santana first of all changed the locks on the Town Hall, now he has closed the small car park next to the building. This has been used for more than 20 years for people working at the Town Hall. He justifies the decision on behalf of tranquillity and comfort for visitors to Santana. It is to preserve the dignity of the building, which is considered a flagship infrastructure and referred to for this reason. "It must be appreciated in tranquillity as the traditional thatched houses of Santana are in the gardens."

Petition challenges afternoon classes in Tabua. Parents of children in the first year at the basic school in Tabua are dissatisfied with classes in the afternoon, leaving the morning for extra-curricular activities. More than 80% of the parents have signed a petition but it has not been accepted and the parents are unhappy with the reasons given. Usually, following a recommendation from its own Regional Board of Education, years 1 and 2 are taught in the morning while classes for years 3 and 4 are in the afternoon. However in this school year, years 1 and 4 times have been exchanged. Parents of year 1 children complain that because the children are playing in the mornings, they are too tired for afternoon lessons and this affects their academic performance, some even falling asleep in the lessons. The reason given for year 4 children being taught in the morning is that there is evidence that these students demonstrate hyperactivity and medical studies have shown that such children should be taught in the mornings, and also year 2 children have priority over year 1.

Brussels reduce the catch of bluefin tuna by 40%. In the Mediterranean, the bluefin tuna stock has been decreasing since 1957 and has fallen 60.9% in the last 10 years. On the west coast of the Atlantic, the number of tuna has fallen by 82.4% between 1970 and 2007. At an international meeting, agreement has been made to reduce the total allowable catch from 22,000 to 13,500 tons from next year. Fishing for bluefin tuna in the Atlantic will be restricted to the period 15 May to 15 June. Madeira will have an Oceans Institute by the end of the year to explore the exploitation of surrounding marine resources.

Jardim cuts three works in Santa Cruz. Two are in Gaula, a 4 million Euros road linking Fazenda – Largo de Cerca, works at the praia das Fontes in Porto Novo, and a road to Meia Serra. Since the inauguration of the new Santa Cruz Council, there have been 316 building permits filed (declared obsolete), 196 of such between 2 November and 13 November, as a "symbol of great activity in that area by the city council.". —– retribution by Jardim again? At the opening of the new church at Jardim de Serra, he insisted Socrates "is the problem" and he is tired of colonialism by Lisbon, as Madeira is self-sufficient in all areas apart from Social Security. He said the complaint by Edgar Silva in the Diário yesterday about the Government giving money to the Church was printed because it is a newspaper taken by the Communist Party.

Full-scale exercise at the airport on Wednesday morning. The scenario begins with a collision of a bus with the wing of an aircraft and a refuelling vehicle, leading to a fuel spillage and subsequent fire breakout. The exercise will start at 00.30 and last for 4 – 5 hours.

Portuguese smoke on average for 28 years. On average, Portuguese start smoking around 17 year old and stop at 40, and consume 18 cigarettes per day. A high percentage of smokers and former smokers older than 40 years have respiratory symptoms and changes in respiratory function. It is worrying that they start smoking early as at the age of 17, the lungs are still growing and have not reached full respiratory function. 10% of the Portuguese have COPD, half still continue smoking after diagnosis and it is the fourth leading cause of death in Europe.

Ribeira Brava residents want more roads. Another Jornal da Madeira post-election interview session with residents. They want the seafront enlarged by another 15 metres to form an area similar to the one before it was redeveloped as a square, so the tourist buses can stop there again. Central parking would also help the area. Complaints about robberies at São João especially as there are many single elderly living there. —– I think Der will agree with their ideas.

Overnight stays in September down 8.5%. Loss of 49,200 tourists compared to last year and the occupancy rate was an average 60%. A total of 528,200 nights in September 2009 and the visitors stayed 0.4 days longer than in 2008. The region was 2.5% above the national average which fell 6%.

This from today’s front page of the Diário newspaper :

The main news headline today : 2010 budget requires loan – Madeira desperately needs to increase its debt. The regional government is going to formally ask the state if it can go to the bank.

The Câmara of Funchal demands €5.5 million and prepares a legal action against the state. This relates to money that Funchal council says should have been transferred this year from central government, under the local finance law.

Romeira works in the chamber part time – The new president of São Vicente will be councillor in the morning, and doctor in the afternoon. Roberto Silva, leader of the Association of Municipalities, says that since 25th April [1974] he has never seen anything like it. That was back 35 years ago, when Portugal was the poorest country in Western Europe, and never had there been a part time president it seems. 35 years on, Portugal is still the poorest country in western Europe (depending where your boundaries are of course), and now has a part-timer. And I know the question in most people minds at this moment will be "but isn’t Uncle Bertie part time?", but he is not in fact. The fact that he doesn’t take his seat in either the regional or Portugal assemblies, is misleading. He is actually very busy doing inaugurations, in between his disappearing acts (when he leaves Madeira and nobody knows he has gone (or where)and when he will come back, but manages to run up expenses of hundreds of thousands of Euros a year). Romeira is a private consultant, and there is no known case in Portugal of a câmara president working like this, even though it is permitted in law. His council salary will be reduced accordingly. The PS opposition leader called it a "true political fraud", and he is right, as this intention was not declared before the voters made their choice last month, in a constituency where the PSD support is noticeably weaker.

High tension in the ‘war of Bosnia’ – Portugal received with insults and spitting. That’s not very nice. By 9.30 pm tomorrow night, if all doesn’t go to plan, there will be a big depression over Portugal and Madeira, and it won’t have anything to do with the weather. If all does go to plan, expect to see Thursday full of smiley faces and sunshine.

Festival of Digital Art brings names and tourism – The shows runs in December in the Centro das Arts, Calheta, with 100 Germans amongst the audience. It’s a festival of experimental digital music and digital video, to be held between 4th and 7th of December. Artists are coming from Germany, Sweden, Mexico, England, Austria and Ukraine.

Parishioner refuses to deliver the key to the parish priest – ‘Estelinha’ administers the Chapel of Bom Despacho, in Campanário, for over 40 years and, in the name of the people, she says that she is not going to give the key to the padre. The probable story of the day for me, with Estelinha pictured prowling in front of the locked chapel, with the key clenched in her left fist (the key is actually visible in the front page photo of the Diário). But why is she doing this you ask? Well I don’t know yet, as I am going to save it for a read tonight. Maybe Elaine will tell us tomorrow. Maybe someone else will make a supreme effort and delve into the story and share it with us all.  Who knows?

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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. 

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 Martin … "Picture of Der’s car on display during the third week of June, prior to the annual running of the ‘Volta a Madeira". I can assure you Martin, that car puts mine to shame (and it probably is drivable).

RONALDO SET TO BE FIRST BILLIONAIRE FOOTIE ACE – Mega-rich Arab oil barons in Uzbekistan, Saudi Arabia, UAE and Qatar are willing to offer up to £3m a game to the Spanish side Real Madrid to play a series of exhibition matches during their winter break. But key to it going ahead is the inclusion of Cristiano Ronaldo in the touring party. Sources claim the £3 m fee would be split 50-50 between the club and Ronaldo, giving him an amazing £16,000 for every minute he’s on the pitch. This is from a trash UK newspaper, but if it is true the numbers will BLOW YOUR MIND I think the answer is to play him for one minute, and then substitute him, still not bad 16 grand for an afternoon’s work.

Reminder. The expressway between Madalena do Mar and Arco da Calheta is closed until November 30th. due to the construction of a tunnel. The ER 101 closure is associated with the link between Ribeira Brava and Fãja da Ovelha.

Yesterday’s new stories … many thanks to Elaine :

Return of the Queen Victoria (shown in photo). For the first time this season, the port was full with three cruisers. The AidAluna (2,250 Germans) and the Oriana and the Queen Victoria (2,000 British on each ship). These tourists are known to utilize the tour buses, taxis and cable cars and visit the Farmer’s Market, wine and embroidery shops. This is the first time these three ships have all arrived on the same day and will all return on the 31st. December. Due to lack of berthing, the ferry from Portimão departed later on Sunday and will arrive at 16.30 rather than 9.30 am on Monday and leave at 19.00 for the Canaries.

Court acquits driver in fatal crash. He was charged with negligent homicide after a 52 year old man died. His car was in collision with a Madeira Beer Company (ECM) van which contained three occupants, one who died and the remaining two were seriously injured. The passenger in the car was not seriously injured. An expert witness said the car was not going fast enough to push the van into the stream. This occurred in 2005 at the intersection of Rua da Ribeira de João Gomes and Rua D. Ernesto Sena de Oliveira, and the truck went over the poorly-maintained barrier into the river bed about fifteen metres below.

To evict tenants, landlord needs to give five years notice. A couple leased a house out in 1982 with a one year renewable lease. The couple moved to England and the husband died. The landlord did not have an agent in the region and the tenants did not know where to pay the deposit, due to the death, so the rent was not paid since 2001. In 2008, the widow filed an eviction order and the tenants paid 50% of the rent due from 2001 to 2008. The court in Funchal dismissed the eviction order and the landlady appealed to the court in Lisbon, but this was also dismissed as the landlord must terminate an indefinite contract by notifying the tenant in advance of not less than five years of the date of intended termination.

Ribeira Brava Council promise to rectify the bad smell in Tabua. Today,  Monday, the council promise the removal of the accumulated sludge at the water treatment plant. This is to end rumours that the smell comes from direct discharge from the sewerage system into the river. The sludge build up was due to the heavy rains earlier this month, causing more water to enter the network. I was down their a week or so ago, and definitely a bit unpleasant … even the dog wanted to turn back. Der

Thousands follow the Virgin. Thousands of people, including a significant number of tourists, filled Sé Cathedral and courtyard for the Mass before the statue went to Fãja do Penado.  About 300 bikers and cars accompanied the journey and people were at vantage points throughout the route, e.g., overhead bridges. The statue was greeted by hundreds at the destination, since it is the only opportunity they will have of seeing the icon. It is particularly significant as in 1919, Fãja do Penado was the first place in the world to erect a chapel to honour the Immaculate Heart of Mary.

Socialist Party leader to be elected on the 8th. and 9th. January. Jacinto  Serrão and Victor Freitas finally confirmed the date after a  heated debate when the Regional Committee was suspended after insults were traded. Victor Freitas wanted an earlier election date and the cancellation of this date, after a close vote, did not please some members of the Regional Committee who claimed Victor Freitas had given in after pressure and manipulation of the voting members by the leader João Gouveia.

SIRAM (Colombo’s Resort developers) has lost the licence to build a hotel and casino on Porto Santo. The group signed the contract in 2005 to build a casino and five star hotel within two years, then tourist apartments and villas. They paid 8.6 million Euros for the land where Colombo’s Resort is and paid €3.3 million to the Government of Madeira to aid in the 27 million investment in the Porto Santo Golf development. The company has €100 million debts and the shares have been sold to the creditors.

In Portugal, the revenue from golf tourism is €1.8 billion per year. There are eighty courses, forty in the Algarve and the players are mainly from the UK, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and Scandinavia. There are about 300,000 golfers a year, who spend on average more than 260 Euros a day.

Élvio Sousa awarded prize in England. The President of the Centre for the Study of Modern and Contemporary Archaeology (CEAM) has been awarded the prize for his work in Machico and the Autonomous Region of Madeira. It was from the Council for Kentish Archaeology which was formed in 1964 in Bromley and the prize is awarded to outstanding individuals in preventative archaeology. He will give a lecture when receiving the prize in Canterbury on October 24th. The regional Tourism and Cultural  Affairs have also been invited. The Centre for the Study of Modern and Contemporary Archaeology aims to protect and enhance cultural heritage and has carried out work in the Autonomous Region of Madeira and the Azores. Élvio Sousa is responsible for the Research Unit to develop specific research projects in the field of Archaeology, History and Heritage Management.

Mandolin Orchestra in Câmara de Lobos has a waiting list. The Mandolin Orchestra Casa da Cultura de Câmara de Lobos started from scratch in 2008. There are already 22 children, aged between 5 and 15, but there is a waiting list of those wanting to train. They rehearse two or three times a week, more than most groups and the repertoire consists of children’s themes.

Students using all means to overcome economic difficulties to obtain a degree. Every year, due to family economic difficulties and the increase in the number of students, more and more students are applying to the Social Services at the University for support and for student bank loans. These are to pay for tuition fees, accommodation, food, transportation and textbooks. In Portugal, the number of students in Higher Education is approaching the European average, about 35% of the 20 year olds and there are more people who are aged over 23 years starting studying.

Madeira Theme Park creates a ‘resident card’. By the end of the year, there will be a new card available so locals can visit the facility in Santana at a nominal price. With the card, the restaurants, parks and playgrounds will be free but not the themed pavilions, and possibly discounts in other areas (restaurants, musical events, localities of culture and leisure). The present card costs 30 Euros per year. The sale of local handicrafts has been higher than expected, and September was a very popular month for visitors. About 310,000 people have visited since the opening in 2004.

Vandalism to property of the suspected murderer in Nogueira. The family have had to move for their own safety and are trying to find housing in another area. There has been damage to furniture and a water pipe, which Santa Cruz Council have had to repair to prevent flooding. The police have stepped up patrols in the area as a prevention and to try to calm the area.

Portimão hoping to receive 30,000 cruise passengers this year. This will bring a revenue of 1.8 million Euros, in addition to the passengers and vehicles on the ARMAS ferry. The first half of this year, there was a 227% increase in the number of transit passengers. The authorities are investing in the port, dredging to allow larger ships and constructing modern passenger terminals. It is expected to be the busiest port in the Algarve in 2010.

EU to help milk farmers who are in crisis. 280 million Euros in aid to be given, and the Portuguese farmers could get more than €6 million. ——Should be good news for the prices of dairy products.

Amazon launches Kindle in Portugal. The device for reading electronic books will now be sold in Europe, due to the large number of customers who want to read books in English. It will cost about 190 Euros and will be on sale on their internet site.

More about the newborn sharks story. This is the first time this species of shark has given birth in captivity. They are expecting more new arrivals in the next few days as they normally give birth to between 4 and 17 young. The gestation period is 10 to 12 months, so they thought the fertilization must have occurred in the wild (male captured 10 months ago). The young are 30 cm and weigh 250 grams and are being fed by divers. One is weak and might have to be placed in another tank. The species can live for 24 years and grow about 1.5 metres long.

A quick look at some of today’s front page news :

Coverage of the draw in the 2010 World Cup play off game between Portugal and Bosnia gets a corner of the Diário front page, the first leg being played in Lisbon on 14th November, and the away game 4 days later.

The oil spill in Caniçal on Sunday is being played down : Fuel Centre CLCM talks of a spillage of just 150 litres. A source in the company CLCM admits responsibility for the leakage of fuel oil during the transfer by ship in Caniçal. Quercus, the environmental protection organisation, say that there will be environmental damage.

The main news headline today : Madeira has 9 months to ‘invent’ €400 million – The European Commission has already determined : That payments to suppliers, starting from June 2010, have to be made within 30 days. With 80 million contos (old money) to be satisfied, the Madeira government and câmaras are seeing the collapse on the horizon. Just for info a ‘conto’ was 1,000 escudos, and there were 200 escudos to the Euro in 2001. Serious business this in theory, with massive amounts  of ageing debt across Madeira at government and council level, some up to two years old if I recall correctly from an article from a few weeks ago. The reality is that it will probably make little difference to the old debts, but should make some difference with the new ones. What supplier is going to rock the boat and risk future business by creating a rumpus about old debts, which they knew would take ages to pay when the order was placed. Their compensation, in some cases at least, was to overcharge the council or government to start with to compensate for payment delays, and on top of that Portuguese law was changed a couple of years ago to award penalties to suppliers for late payments, and some must be raking it in, or will be as the debts age.

Breaking news :

European Parliament approves reduced rate for rum and liqueurs Madeira – MEPs acknowledge that the measure is "necessary for the survival of local industry". The EU agreed the measure today that extends the reduced rate of excise duty on rum and liqueurs of Madeira, until the end of 2013. The value of the rate to be applied can not be less than 75% of the special rate of excise duty on alcohol consumption. The EU considers that the measure is "necessary for the survival of local industries, taking into account the characteristics and constraints of the outermost and isolated regions. They recognize that the raw materials such as cane sugar, fruit, and honey, among others, are more expensive than in normal production conditions. The measure is an important aid for eight manufacturing companies in this region, employing about 130 workers. The decision will also apply to liqueurs and spirits from the Azores, and rum from the Canary Islands. MORE INFO I am surprised at the number that voted in favour … 580 … with just 13 against.

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(24th July). ‘Lack Of Bunkers Threatens Fireworks – The lack of storage facilities threaten traditional fireworks, after the police say that it is "desirable" to create bunkers to meet the demand for fireworks’. All of the tradition of fireworks on Madeira, in religious events and country festivals, and even the larger events like the end of year and Atlantic Festivals, may be at risk. Who says it is Carlos Macedo, president of the Portuguese Association of Industrial Explosives and Pyrotechnics (APIPA), and he explains that there is currently no storehouse for keeping fireworks in the region. "Before there were many, throughout the island, and even in the city centre", he recalls. However, under Decree-Law 87/2005, as these spaces did not meet the required standards they were closed. In Portugal dozens of new ‘bunkers’ are being created, like ammunition storerooms, but in Madeira nothing has been done, and any fireworks are kept in the Military Zone of Madeira, only because the space has been made available, or because the police are tolerant and allow storage in places that are not best suited for the purpose. The situation is worsened by the illegal manufacture and trade of fireworks here, as well as illegal importation. Last June 5,400 kilos of fireworks were seized in Caniçal Port. I expect Uncle Bertie will be on the case with this, and change the law so explosives can be stored in his cigar cellar, underwear, or wherever. I can hardly see a little thing like safety putting an end to two of the greatest tourist attractions this island has.

‘Divorce Process Causes Death Of Couple – Man from Arco fulfils his threat: killed his wife and committed suicide’. The murder in Calheta On Wednesday night, covered briefly yesterday, was in Arco da Calheta, when a man of 49 shot his wife aged 47, and then killed himself. An illegal firearm was used, a Magnum .38mm. The man is reported to have a record of violent behaviour against his wife, with the police, and had recently returned to heavy drinking after a long period of abstinence. The couple were going through divorce proceedings. They leave two adult children behind.

‘Shots Fired At Houses And Cars In Santana – It rained lead on a night of revelry’. Youths in five cars fired shots with a shotgun at cars, shops and houses, in "scenes worthy of the wild west". No one was hurt on Tuesday night last week, in an incident that is seen by police as pure vandalism. The police have some names to investigate, and a gun cartridge which is undergoing ballistics tests. They suspect that the youths were under the influence of alcohol and drugs.

‘Yacht Bar Robbed Again In The Early Hours’. It happened again yesterday morning, the fourth time this year. This time no money was stolen, but the thieves took cooking utensils and a gas bottle, and damaged the video surveillance cameras.

Today’s main photo shows a group performing at the auditorium in the Municipal Gardens in Funchal : ‘Atlântico Without Roots Of Traditional Music – The option for innovating projects, such as the Percussion Ensemble, won over the public that yesterday filled the auditorium of the Jardim Municipal’. Hundreds of Madeirans and tourists watched the opening night of the ‘Roots of the Atlantic’ festival last night. The 10th edition of the festival started with a musical about emigration and health called ‘new world’, with music and dance, video and plastic arts. The festival has been much criticised this year after traditional music, that started this event right at the beginning, was dropped. The festival runs through until tomorrow, with the shows beginning at 9.30pm. The programme is on www.atlanticroots.com (bit of a naff photo from the Diário don’t you think?)

‘Ten Suspected Cases In The Emergencies Of Funchal Central Hospital – A group of Spanish scouts await confirmation of tests in the Institute Ricardo Jorge (Lisbon)‘. A hospital source confirmed that tests are being done for Gripe A (swine flu H1N1) on the youngsters, who are on holiday on Madeira. A separate report says that 13 youngsters actually went to the hospital complaining of Gripe A symptoms, but a spokesman said is is likely that a lesser strain of flu is involved, and this was an over-reaction to the pandemic situation. A 17 month baby that arrived here from the UK on Monday was also confirmed as infected, the 6th confirmed case. Portugal now has 174 confirmed cases.

‘Urgent Works Needed To Save Bridge – Tender for the work in Serra d’Água is launched with urgency’. The recent appearance of cracks at the base of the support structure of the road bridge, believed to have been the result of heavy rainfall last month, are estimated to cost €30,000 to repair. I didn’t realise the municipal vocabulary included the word ‘urgent’, and the fastest expression of important action was still ‘when I get around to it’.

‘Star Gazing In Pico do Areeiro’. The Association of Amateur Astronomers continues its tour in the International Year of Astronomy at Pico do Areeiro tomorrow at 9.30pm. Anyone is welcome if the past events are anything to go by.

This photo was taken on Tuesday, showing the end of a rockfall over the beach between Lugar de Baixo and Tabua. None of the beachgoers were hurt, but they must have had a bit of a scare. It is well known as a danger zone despite still being open to the public.

(30th June). ‘Chaos Around The Bazar do Povo – The first day of the bridge closure was chaotic for the traffic in the vicinity’. The project to demolish and rebuild the bridge, which was given plenty of publicity, caused immense problems and tailbacks for drivers yesterday, and caught the council by surprise. Funchal council tried various initiatives throughout the day to try and resolve the problems, including switching off traffic lights, which seemed to make matters even worse. The work is scheduled to continue through until 12th September.

The council of Santa Cruz used it’s ‘right of reply’ to clarify matters, after it was reported yesterday in the Diário about the plans to build a new building of shared service, ‘Loja do Cidadão’, in the process making an investor very rich (see yesterday’s blog). The response says that the Diário’s facts were wrong, and the lease will not be for 30 years, just 16, after which time the building will be fully paid and will start generating revenue for the council through subletting income. It also says that the monthly rent payable by the council will be offset by savings in the release of premises elsewhere. In addition "The solution proposed will allow the creation of many jobs in the area of construction and related services, bringing more dynamism to the local economy". In fact the statement from the president of the câmara totally reverses the negative report given by the Diário, and makes the project sound like a dream for everyone. One of the hazards of my work I suppose, but I reserve judgement until I see the ‘right to reply’ to the ‘right to reply’.

‘Colombo’s Resort’ with a solution in sight. Continuing with the earlier story, more details have now been released on completion the tourist resort on Porto Santo, where work was stopped because of a lack of funding. The Secretary of State for Tourism has put together a memorandum of understanding, with the support of venture capital companies, which should take a very important role in moving the work forward. The Portugal government is to take a small share (€10 million), compared with the other partners, and Porto Santo council itself is to stump up €5 million (and I think the Madeira government €1m). Another €10 million will come from the banks BCP Millenium and Banif, and €15 million from the construction company. Estimates are that the construction will need €40 million to complete, so that just about does it. The protocol is to be signed by all parties on Thursday in Lisbon. If all goes to plan, the complex will be complete next Summer, creating over 300 jobs, some way short of the 400 originally planned, but governed by seasonality and the standards of service planned for the new resort.

‘PSD-M Say That Autonomy Brings Savings To Portugal – The parliamentary group accuses the government of the republic of transferring just 20% of what Madeira spends on health and education’. The group say that through the regional finance law the government is providing less money, and based on a calculation using the year 2007, it transferred just €139 million, when on a per-capita basis it would have been €495 million. The social democrats say that for 2009 Madeira has a budget of €718 million for health and education, but that the state only transfers €147 million, "which represents only about 20%, therefore not fulfilling their responsibilities", accused Jaime Filipe Ramos. That’s a pretty hefty shortfall! So how is it being paid for ?

‘Regedor Of Tabua Leaves The Council – The senior of the parish claims that 88 years don’t permit more’. The 88 year old leader of the parish council is not going to stand again for election, after six decades of service to the community of Tabua, finally leaving his active political life due to his age. It was in 1947 that António Ramos took over as president, the position he still holds now, passing through the periods of dictatorship in Portugal, and the revolution of 1974. He has won nine elections since democracy, a feat unrivalled in local government. His successor, a candidate  from the social democrats, has not yet been determined.

‘PS Admits To Want Victory In Ribeira Brava’. But the socialist candidate at the top of the candidate list, Alano Gonçalves, admits it could be difficult "but not impossible". It got on the front page, I don’t know why, but he was hardly going to say he wanted to lose was he. Anyway, he is very likely to lose, and the PS in Ribeira Brava will be lucky to keep the one council seat they currently have (the PSD social democrats have 6), if the European election results are of any guidance.