Falling rocks close road.

Falling rocks temporarily closed the main road between Sao Vicente and Seixal yesterday. 

The rocks were of significant size and it was very lucky that no cars were hit and nobody injured.

The road was cleared and re-opened by the motorway maintenance, but it is a worry as this is sure to happen again, and this stretch of road seems to be a point where it happens often. 

Photo Angie Gray

Madeira's Beaches and Pools Video.

Richard Wilson Paints Ronaldo

British artist Richard Wilson had one dream, when seeing Portugal win the European Cup in July.

He wanted to paint Cristiano Ronaldo on a wall in his home town Santo Antonio, Funchal Madeira.

This is taken from his FACEBOOK PAGE.

July 10th I think it was, watching Portugal v France in European championship. Ronaldo goes off injured and I was just thinking the irony of it, Portugal will def win now. I felt for him (no really) (NO REALLY!)

to not be playing in that game.

I can't think of any other footballer who seems to want to win as much, who seems as dedicated. The mans an ATHLETE! I really like him 

I said to myself I'm gonna go and paint him in Madeira where he's from. It's taken nearly 2 months, there's no spray paint on the island, I thought I could get paint in Lisbon and take a ferry...oh sh&£ no ferries at all. So at this point I'm kinda determined, looking at shipping costs etc etc,and at same time a random random phone call to my real friend Jerry Lyons, the fixer...and we end up getting the council in Santo Antonio there, proposing to me they will build me a wall for this idea! They had seen the Leicester wall, and are so into it. In the end we are painting Cristiano's portrait on a 10m tall wall on the town hall which overlooks Santo Antonio (Ronaldos home town) Everyone I've spoken to there are so nice, working hard to make this happen.

We had the paint shipped in from the factory in Barcelona, I can't wait to get there, see the wall, see the ridiculous stash of paint. And get started tomorrow! And meet new friends already made.

Feeling unbelievably blessed this morning, to be able to travel somewhere I'm sure is amazing...can't wait to see the island, paint, and take it all in...I got a one way ticket LOL

And the finished result looks amazing.

IMPORTANT News about my blog.

Hi All, 

I have been in the process of changing my blog over to the WordPress platform. 

This change is nearly complete, and will happen over the next day or two.

Photos in the blog in Blogger, could not be transferred, so all photos have had to be entered manually, which I have had help with from a good friend, all photos in the early posts (first 2 years) are still being uploaded, but will eventually be complete in the next week or so.

WordPress is totally new to me and a little more complicated than blogger, but I have been learning from YouTube videos, and over the coming years I hope my blog grows as much as it has in its first 4 years. 

if you signed up to the blog with your google account, you may need to sign up again, as I have not found a way to transfer you over. 

I hope the blog is easy for you to sign up, and also leave comments. 

If you notice any problems with the new blog please let me know and I will see these problems are dealt with quickly. 

So once again, a huge thank you for all your support, and will see you on the New Look Blog very soon.

                                               Tobi.

Madeira wins GOLD again.

Madeira has won gold yet again in The World Travel Awards. 

Winning Europe's Leading Island Destination 2016 to receive the gold award, we also won this back in 2013 and 2014, and in 2015 Madeira won gold for Worlds Leading Island Destination.

Wine Festival Parade Today

The Wine Festival has been going on since Thursday in Madeira, and today for the very first time there will be a parade for this festival.

The parade will start at 4pm and will run along Avenida do Mar, the same route the Flower Festival and Carnival take.

Cider Festival

The cider festival in Santo de Serra will take place on the 24-25th September.

A great place to be especially Sundays with the local market, so if your in the area, enjoy a glass of cider for me. 

Large fire on Paul da Serra

A fire started this morning on Paul da Serra near to the hotel Pico da Urze, causing some panic with people in the area, which were mainly tourists.

The fire took hold quickly, and only 50 meters from the road. 

Fire fighters from Calheta and forest guards were on the scene quickly. 

Photo Duarte Nuno

Sea Water Pools. Madeira Top

The Guardian names Porto Moniz, Madeira, top of the bunch of seawater pools in Europe.

Porto Moniz, is the most visited village outside of Funchal, and the Natural Seawater Pools, are a huge tourist attraction. 

Click Below for full story. 

Gin Madeira

First, is Madeira's first gin made with alcohol from the sugar cane.

22% of Funchal damaged by fire

The news this week showed that 8% of Madeira suffered fire damage and 22% of Funchal was burnt by fire.

A blog reader, and popular name on the German forums (WAUZIH)  sent me a map he has put together showing which parts of Funchal were affected by fire.

 This shows that most of the tourist areas are unaffected especially hotels, and all tourist attractions are running as normal. Some levada walk are closed and you can check these HERE

WAUZIH has sent me another map of the fire damage on the West of the Island. This covers the areas in Ponta do Sol and Calheta zones.

Calheta / Ponta do Sol

Campanario

New areas for Botanic Gardens.

The president Miguel Albuquerque visited the Botanical Gardens today, he stated he thought the gardens had suffered more damage and was thankful to all the employees, saving one of the most important heritages of Madeira.

there will be a few new areas, with the biggest being a sensory garden for blind people, where they can feel and smell the beauty of the gardens.

Levada Walk Information.

The tourist board has posted a list of Levada walks currently closed due to the Fires in Madeira last week.

Click the photo below to see all information.

Fire Damage.

The Jornal Madeira reports 219 houses were damaged by fire in Madeira.

4 of these houses were in Calheta and the remaining 215 in Funchal.

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Thank you to Richard Turner for sending me this information. 

The fires of recent days sweep through the Jardim Orquídea, on the southern edge of the Botanical Gardens, where a collection of 50,000 fully-grown orchids was destroyed on Tuesday night. The private collection dates back 110 years and had been maintained over four generations of the Pregetter family (Austrian Decent). Jardim Orquídea was considered to be one of the largest private collections in the world, with many of the specimens extinct elsewhere. Only 2000 plants are thought to recoverable and with a normal growing cycle of up to 20 years the future of the gardens remains uncertain.

You can read the "History"  on the link below, and get an idea of what has been lost.

Jardim Orquidea

Richard Turner has set up a Crowd Funding Page, to help get the gardens back to their former glory. 

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The C130 Airfoce Plane has landed back in Madeira to collect the 115 firefighters that came to help during the last few days. 

Photo Jose Freitas 

Madeira Fund Raising.

I have learnt today that Filomena Graca the lady who owns the Animal shelter/kennels for dogs and cats above Loreto in Calheta, and who myself and friends have used in the past, has lost everything to the fires that have plagued the region over the last few days.

This is the scene of where her home once was, the kennels are just 50 yards away, and escaped the fire.

David and Gloria Pennman who have lived on the Island in Calheta for many years, enlisted the help of Gloria's daughter Gina Machin, who is on holiday in Madeira, to put together a CROWD FUNDING PAGE  to help Graca and her family rebuild their lives and continue the excellent job of looking after all the animals. 

If you can help with a donation, or even share the page on social media, that will be a great help .

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Also while on the subject of fundraising Richard Griffin who set up the GO FUND ME page to raise money for those affected by the fires, has passed the 8.5 thousand mark, about 11,000 euros.

Richard has now managed to set up a bank account for further donations. 

A bank account has been set up to raise more funds locally for those affected by the fires in Madeira.

Richard Griffin has already raised £7,000 using an online donation page, but says a bank account is a better way of doing it.

He says the website he was using would have taken a very small cut of the money as an administration fee whereas if any further donations are paid into a bank account the money will all go directly to those who need it.

Mr Griffin says he felt moved to help after hearing how friend’s relatives in Madeira have been evacuated from their homes and seen their properties burning. He says any money donated will be used to pay for food and water, clothes and other essential items for those who have been temporarily evacuated from their homes and those who have lost everything.

The bank account has been set up through Barclays in Guernsey:

Account name: Mr R Griffin

Sort Code: 20 35 32                                                    You can hear Richard Speak on IslandFM here

Account Number: 10351903

When making a donation please use the reference ‘Help Madeira’.

Audio Player

Fires all out

Its reported that the fires are mostly out now and if there are a few still about they will be out as the day goes on.

Just want to say a Huge Thank You to all the Firefighters on Madeira, and those they came to help.

Most of the Firefighters are volunteers and we owe them everything. 

Caring Vet

Caring vet offers free consultations for animals caught up in Madeira fires

IN NEWS · 11-08-2016 14:38:00 · 0 COMMENTS

A vet in Madeira is offering free consultations for animals that have been caught up in the devastating fires that ravaged the island for most of this week.

Andreia Araújo posed a message on her Facebook page offering consultations free of charge for animals that have been burnt or affected by smoke inhalation.
Leaving her mobile number on the social network site Ms. Araújo stressed the situation on the island was one of “terror”, and that it was her duty to help where she could, encouraging all owners with animals in danger to visit the clinic where she works.
The veterinarian also warned that the Protection Society for Funchal Pets had been forced to release the animals in its care as the flames encroached on its installations in Funchal.
“That or the animals would have perished” she explained, appealing for the public’s help in catching and recovering the animals, adding “there are numerous animals running disorientated around Funchal. Animals that are scared, mistrusting; animals that don’t know how to be on the streets by themselves. We need your help.”

Taken from The Portugal News

Good News

So pleased to wake up and see no news about more fires this morning.

I just want to say once again a huge thank you for all the comments left on the blog, and also all the kind emails I have had, since the fires started I have had over 300 emails, and I hope I have replied to every one of you. 

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I also have more good news this morning.

Richard Griffin who set up the GOFUNDME site to help raise money for the victims of the fires has raised nearly 7000 Pounds , about 8000 Euros so far.

Paulo from PAULOSPLANTCENTRE gave a donation of 5000 pounds to the cause.

Richard has updated the page, and if you want to donate please click the image below. He will keep this page updated with news of where the money is going. 

Madeira Fires Update Thursday.

Its been a restless night in Calheta, as fires moved on to Prezeres.

homes were close to the fires and residents said it was a night of hell, and took to social media asking why there weren't more resources in the area.

The weather has improved a lot over night, with cooler temperatures, a huge drop in wind, but still the government say they cant rule out more fires in any area of the island. 

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The suspect for starting the fire in Sao Roque remains in custody, and another 4 people have also been identified.

yesterday a jerrycan full of petrol was found in Paul da Serra. 

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The 3 active fires over night into this morning are in  São João Latrão, in the upper zone of São Gonçalo (Funchal), in Câmara de Lobos  and in Calheta.

150 homes have been destroyed in the fires making them unfit for use, and over 3000 people have been displaced including tourists.

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The president Albuquerque has said they will again look into aircraft for fighting the fires.

This has been discussed many times in the past and has divided opinions as to the true effectiveness of such an action against the orography of the island.

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A beautiful image captured by Miguel Moniz of a common plant to the island, already popping up through the ashes.

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The hugely popular festival in Monte, Nossa Senhora do Monte, one of the largest religious festivals on the island will be cancelled due to the situation in Madeira.

The festival normally runs for a week with the 14-15 August being the main dates for the festival.

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Very sad to hear that houses that have been evacuated are being targeted for robbery, some people left their doors and windows open in the panic to leave the property.

Fire News Updates Wednesday.

Morning all.

I will try to keep all of today's news updates on this one post,  So you will have to keep checking back on this post during the day.

The fires of Madeira made the BBC Worlds News last night.

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It is believed that maybe 3 people have died in the fires in the Pena area of Funchal.

1 is confirmed to be an elderly woman who was bed ridden when her home was taken by fire, and still waiting for confirmation of  possibly 2 more victims.

This has now been confirmed that 3 people died in this area of Pena on Rua Silvestre Quintino de Freitas

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Choupana Hills the popular hotel resort in the high area of Funchal with the same name, was totally taken by fire during the night.

A photo of the now Choupana Hills Resort.

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Diario fromt page Fire from top to bottom.

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The centre of Funchal remains closed, the president want no one to go into work in the centre of Funchal while fire and other emergency services are doing their job.

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Calheta has woken this morning to several fires in the high areas. Fire crews are at the scene.

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A blog reader has sent me this information.

A friend of mine who lives at Madeira has told me, that the orchid gardens of Quinta dos Saltos and also the „Jardim Orchidea“ at Monte are destroyed by fire.

(this is still not confirmed)

TAP has announced to do some special flights by larger A 330 to bring the waiting passsengers to Lisbon.

Just at this moment the first one is on approach to FNC (see attached picture)

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Some photos of the fire damage in Funchal last night where 3 people lost their lives.

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A Go Fund Site has been set up by Richard Griffin who lives on the island of Guernsey and has many Madeiran friends living over there, and they want to help raise some money for the charities on Madeira.

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Madeira in the News

Reports on some other news websites. Guardian  Mirror  Mail Online  The Independent

Telegraph   Metro  Sydney Morning Herald  The Sun  Times  ITV news

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A large fire has started at São João Latrão near the Campo Nacional.

The fire is is getting larger at alarming proportions, and a house near by has already been evacuated.

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Help Needed 

Items are presently being collected for people who have lost their homes. This will be Collected In conjunction with the English Church in Funchal Clothing is in plentiful supply and they are always very grateful for it, but what they really need is UNDERWEAR. Big knickers...old lady drawers. Old men y-fronts....preferably unworn and without stains.lol.lol.lol.🙂 It's the one thing that never gets donated. So if you can just take the time to go out and buy a pair of knickers for some OAPs and post to Madeira, it would be very much appreciated. For the address to send to, please message me, and for those presently on the island a drop in collection at the park opposite the Ritz in Funchal on a Tuesday, can be organised. Also, new socks and vests are very much appreciated .

If you can help in anyway please email Janice at tootspemberton@yahoo.co.uk

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Following the fires in Calheta, at present there are huge concerns with the local business park. This is because the flames are over 50 meters high at Engenho Novo Madeira, where 200,000 litres of Madeira rum is stored.

People have said this is a bomb waiting to go off and hope firefighters can get it under control before that happens.

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More Troops have arrived the Airforce and National Guard from Lisbon.

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New fires broke out above Canico in Eires, and spread towards Camacha, also fire was reported to be spreading up on Paul do Serra, with the road being closed.

Also a fire in Santa Cruz in the zone Carreiras was being dealt with by firefighters.

Municipal Fire Department Santa Cruz were today called to help a 64 year old man who suffered a cardiac arrest while trying to put out a fire in the area of ​​Canico. After several resuscitation attempts the victim was transported by ambulance to the Hospital Dr. Nelio Mendonca, accompanied by the Medical Team Rapid Intervention (EMIR).

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The silence from Cristiano Ronaldo on the news in Madeira has upset many, and they are questioning the star on his official CR7 social pages about the situation. 

Madeira is news all over the world, but the footballer born in San Antonio and millions of fans on social networks around the world, has not yet made any comment on the tragedy. Maybe its time to rethink the Airport Name.
However, the mother Dolores Aveiro and sister Katia Aveiro have published regret reactions and solidarity for what happened

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Some areas in Quinta Grande (Camara de Lobos) have been without water since Saturday. THe tanks are empty, and a fire truck which was helping with water, but since returned to Funchal and has not returned.

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An image from Nasa shows the extent of the Smoke from Madeira.

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The suspect who is thought to have started the fire in Sao Roque Funchal is in court, and has been told to expect the maximum of 25 years in jail.

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Cristiano Ronaldo phoned this afternoon the President of the Madeira Regional Government to provide solidarity to the people of Madeira and to wish a speedy recovery of losses suffered.

According to the Diario  the Madeiran Footballer spoke directly with Miguel Albuquerque, probably feeling a bit guilty after seeing the news that people are upset with his silence, especially after he was only in Madeira 2 weeks ago, to open his new hotel. 

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