6th of July

Our first morning in Madeira. Had the sliding doors open, so it was so cool in the morning. Mish slept with me, didn’t want to spend the first night alone in his new room. We had the guy come over from the estate, and voila, we had wifi. It was on the back of the router, embarrassing. But Vera told us that it doesn’t require any code, so we believed her. Poor guy had to fix the TV channels for ex, we quickly got out with Mish, didn’t want to hear his Dad getting pissed of at that poor man, increasing the volume of his voice more and more when he couldn’t do what he asked for. The only problem was that he couldn’t understand a word of English.
I am not particularly interested in TV, there are so many other things to do. Even though we actually are “living” here now, though just for the month of July, I would rather read my book than watch tv. But boys will be boys, they need their toys. Give my ex husband a remote control to a TV, aircondition and plenty of ice for his whisky and he will be a happy man.
My son would require a remote control, iPad,luckily books and an occasional hug from me.
I look at life from a different perspective. When I am traveling I’d like to see as much as I can, architecture,nature, like to observe the locals, experience how they live. Who needs technology? Ok, I cannot live without my IPhone and wifi, but only because that is how I keep in touch and upload photos, posts. But where was I? Oh,yeah. After we had things sorted out, took another trip to the supermarket, to Forum Madeira. That’s my favourite mall in Funchal. They don’t have as many or as big malls like other countries in Europe but this one is nice. Have the usual international brands spiced up with some local brand names. The plan was to get another set of bedlinen but just wasn’t sure of the sizes. Never mind, next time. Another supermarket run, still couldn’t find coconut oil. Need it for my Bounty cake. At home we decided to walk up to the Club House for a late lunch. Popped in to the office to have a chat with Ann, who sold the property to us. Mishal was planning on to have her kids around to play with, but unfortunately for him they are in a summer camp. Good news that the school holiday lasts from 21st of June till 21st of September in schools here. 3 months bliss for the kids,3 months headache for the parents what to do with them. Got a brand new map with the 4 trails they’ve created in the Palheiro Estate. Must try! They have a guided one on every Wednesday. So walking up was like climbing a mountain, so steep that we had to stop after the first turn to catch our breath. Ex got a lift from the head of the housekeeping, a lovely lady who speaks excellent English. She spotted us struggling, so she picked us up too. I don’t give up, will try it again some other time.
This Club House is located on the Golf course, surrounded by beautiful lawns, trees and flowers. Has a terrace with one of the best views of the city of Funchal and the harbor.
We are quite a boring bunch, had the usual salmon/tuna salad/fish&chips combo. Most of their dishes based on seafood, so fresh, delicious, we pretty much live on it when we are here. Occasionally have some Estepada which is marinated beef cubes grilled on a bay leaf skewer. You will find it everywhere you go.
We did walk back home, wasn’t that bad downhill. Did stop to admire the view and some neighbouring houses and gardens.
The night we started off with a walk in the old area of Funchal,then wine and listening to music at the Ritz cafe. It is a lovely place just to sit any time of the day. Watch people go by, listen to the live music and have a drink or even dinner. They make one of the best fish&chips in the world, according to Mish, my son.
It is over 100 years old, was started up by a New York business man in 1905 who’s ship went off course in a storm taking him to Madeira. He fell in love with a local girl called Clara and while waiting for her answer he opened a cafe called Ritz. This place have been through a lot, was even a car showroom for a while, a fire destroyed some of it, but now it’s back to it’s original glory and beauty. We tend to go there a lot, for a capuccino during the day or for a bottle of Portuguese wine. This time we tried Talent vs Grande Escolha, a lovely full bodied red wine, though it needed a bit more time to breath and didn’t have a decanter for it.
By 11 we were pretty exhausted so got a taxi back home and with a quick kiss good night (to my son of course 😊 ) headed to bed. Hurray, I was all by myself, Mish fell asleep in his own bed this time. Oh, I almost forgot the frangipani flowers.They are flowering right now and their sweet scent is everywhere. In April the trees were bare, not even leaves …and now I can see them everywhere. Must have some here somewhere, or was it my imagination again, as I drifted off to sleep feeling like I am on a tropical island. Madeira, my love…