Charolas In Aroc da Calheta

Thanks to Karen for these photos from a recent event in Arco da Calheta.

This event takes place in Arco da Calheta every year on the first weekend in July.
During Friday and Saturday local families make the Charolas (large globes of fruit and vegetables) outside their houses. These are then transported and hung up outside the church late on Saturday afternoon. On Sunday afternoon the Charolas are auctioned to raise money for the church.  A similar event takes place in Loreto but on a different weekend.

Quinta do Lorde

I managed to get out to Quinta do Lorde in Caniçal yesterday.

Although it was raining when we arrived, I could see blue sky was on the way, and sure enough the sun came out so I managed to get some photos which you can see by clicking the link below.

We had a walk round the hotel which opened last week, and they have a few guests staying at the moment. Everything is finished to a very high standard in the hotel, but other areas of the village are still to be finished , and with no supermarket open, its a bit of a ride to the one.

I personally would not want to holiday or stay out there, but if your looking for a very relaxed holiday then this could be for you, although you will certainly need to hire a car if you want to see some of the Island.

You can see my photos here

Monte Festival 14-15 August

Festa da Senhora do Monte is one of the biggest and famous religious festivals in Madeira Island.

From the 14-15 August the village of Monte comes alive with traditional, music, food and drink, thousands of locals and tourists flock to this event lasting all through the night, and on the 15th August (a bank holiday in Madeira) a carpet of flowers is laid out for the procession after mass.

Photo by Micael Amaral