MADEIRA DAY ONE

Well here I am trying to get to grips with a doubtful computer (all instructions in Portuguese and strange keyboard)



Wed 4th July Up at 3.30am.

In a state of automatic pilot I get ready and David B picks me up in his red van. At Cork airport there is a little flurry of alertness by the Gardai - keep the suspect van away from the airport (response to the UK bomb threats and Glasgow etc) I joke but there was certainly a heavy police presence.

Non eventful flight to Amsterdam all cloud over the UK. Amsterdam interesting full dykes and canals.

Busy airport and superb signage but my departure gate was miles away and I was doubling back on myself on two levels but got there just as the gates had closed.I was`t the only one late and lost. We were then kept waiting for passengers who never turned up. I think it was because Aer Lingus hadn`t told any one about the hour change difference.



Eventually we set off.



Had the best airline snack ever - always said KLM was good - healthy yoghurt and cereal bars a a fruit compote and Gouda cheese washed down with Dutch style coffee. (and I don´t drink coffee much.)

We fly over France and the clouds disappear over Nantes (another family tree place - of Brissac connections) and over the Bay of Biscay - very clear and beautiful.

I begin to reflect, deeply, on the totally different culture and way of travel I am doing 53 years on from when AF went to Madeira.



Over and along the coast of Portugal - no cloud cover at all - to Lisbon.



Lisbon airport - very laid back and slightly third worldish with an ancient departure times board even though all the latest shops and Harrods are here.



Another delayed departure due to a necessary repair! Hope we don´t nosedive into the Atlantic.



As we travel across the ocean clouds build up - I get a glance of the Ilhas Desertas before touching down in Funchal. This is a small airport built up along the coast, reclaimed from the sea. Tiny runway so we come to a screeching halt - applause to the pilot from us all and I felt like crying - I´ve arrived!!



I wait for my case on the luggage carousal - it never appears! I go with about ten other people to the lost luggage office and put in my claim and details. Strangly I am not at all bothered! I am cheerfully told it will turn up.



The minibus driver from Strawberry World waits for me. Eventually I get on the minibus to takes me to Funchal which is 15 km away. Coming out of the airport we are hit with very hot humid wind rain and sun all at once - I love it!

We travel along a new speedydual carriage way and newly built tunnels to Funchal.



Arrive at Sao Joao (should be able to do the accents on this computer but don´t want to waste time. Slight confusion as Nick had rung up to cancel so they thought I wasn´t coming either! But we soon got soted. Lovely room - no 004 over looking the subtropical garden which was full of flowers including those we have as house plants back home.



I have nothing to unpack!



I go to reception and ask for maps and where things are. Phelp´s Suare is located as is the British Cemetry - I am only a 15 min walk away.



I have an invite to the General Manager´s Cocktail Party (happy hour) at 6pm - nothing to change into but still go along. The other residents are mostly British. I sit with a young couple from Cardiff who seem OK and glad of someone else to speak to.



COUPLEDOM = hotels and restaurants should provide seating and tables for those who wish to chat with others. so many couples although they have each other also need to chat to others and people like me aren´t left as mere observers. But having said that - it is very good for me to nurture my Number 5 side and enjoy this opportunity to reflect. i need it and need to ´´chill out.´



The happy hour left me feeling a bit boozy after two banana liqueres.



I then went to the Hotel restaurant known for its Goan cuisine -not very authentic! Goa was a Portugese colony hence the Goan menu - but no sign of any Indian Chef. Great mistake!

Still no sign of my luggage.

I then went for my first walk carefully following a city map. Road signs and map hardly corresponding with each other.However I found my way to the British Cemetry (Locked at this time of night but had a helpful notice saying it would be open at 10am in the morning.) Looking in through the gates I could see how lovely it was, kept beautifully not at all as AF had seen it in 1953. I also found the English church not so far away. As there was a musical recital in the Hall/library I was able to walk around the grounds of the church and listen to the strains of not very well played music. (don´t ask me what it was!)

Back to hotel and as I was just preparing to go to bed without cleaning my teeth - my case arrives!! Good-o!
All is well!