Bathing in Madeira

You don't always need the sea for bathing in Madeira, here in this video people are enjoying the cool river in Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley). Posted by Amilcar Figueira

Refurbished View Point, New Mountain Road

Last week a new 17km stretch of road was opened between Eira do Serrado and Pico do Arieiro. This makes for a very scenic drive and also gives firefighters better access to the mountain areas. The road will be closed at night after sunset to avoid danger to drivers at the weather can change very quickly in this area.

Tomorrow 31st October 2012 the new refurbished view point at Cabo Girão will be opened. Cabo Girão is one of the highest sea cliffs in the world standing at 580m . The new view point will have a glass platform to walk out on, a new snack bar and toilets, and plenty of parking. The area has also been landscaped with new plants and trees. At the moment I am not sure how much they will be charging for entrance to the view point, but as soon as I know I will update this post with the prices.

Looking down from Cabo Girão

Cabo Girão standing at 580m

Chestnut Festival

The Chestnut Festival occurs ever year on the 1st of November in Curral das Freiras (Nuns Valley)

This is a very popular festival with lots of entertainment, traditional food and drink.  In this village there are a lot of chestnut trees and this year looks set to be a bumper season. The local residents use them in much of their cooking, such as in soup, chestnut cake, traditional liquors and puddings. You will also find them being roasted in many places around the Island throughout the winter.