Invited Mum to spend Christmas  with us.  She had to travel a bit further than our house in the woods. All the way to Madeira.

Was great to have her with us.  We became tourists again for a few days, visited sights we have seen so many times, but she has never…, took her to the must see places.

Of course at a leisurely space. Making her walk all the way up to the Palheiro Golf Club house was not the best idea, especially not twice. She just had a surgery, and the steep roads were too much for her, A ending up dashing to the pharmacy for some painkillers.

Walked around the narrow streets of Zona Velha, visited the Cathedral Se and the City Hall , strolled through the Santa Catarina park feeding the lizards with some apple.
Even got on the Yellow Bus and and enjoyed the view from the top.

The Farmer’s Market was a must. At Christmas time there was an open market around it, the sights and smells were fantastic. The scent of the mandarins mixed with the scent of pine and other flowers and fruits. Too bad we got there after 9 and couldn’t shop.

At the Marina we visited our usual restaurant . Great to be back where you are welcomed this warmly. Though I believe they treat everyone like that.
Took Mum to Camara de Lobos. Did not go all the way up to Cabo Girao, that was our first trip back in 2014 October.

Camara del Lobos is just a few kilometres from Funchal. Winston Churchill painted here in 1949. Since then nothing much changed, the colourful fishing boats are still waiting to be cleaned and repaired at the beach.
The sea was angry, huge waves were crashing against the barriers. Little houses surrounded us. Wondered what it must feel like to be awakened by the sound of the waves in the morning and falling asleep to sound of the ocean.

Did some souvenir shopping and had some poncha. Keep trying, hoping that one day I will fall in love with it, and I can blend in…accepted as a local…but to no avail. I don’t ! It is still way too sweet to my liking.

Took Mum up to Pico do Arierio. Last time I’ve been there was summer, when I decided to wait for the sunset foolishly believing that wearing a linen short and shirt will be sufficient. Stubborn as I am, stayed on and had my amazing sunset, photos to prove it, while father and son were waiting in the warmth of the taxi.
This time the scenario was similar, bitterly cold, still not properly dressed but the view was well worth it.
Father and son waited in the coffee shop with a strange looking Christmas tree in the corner about to fall every single time someone opened the door and a sudden gust of wind rushed in.

On our last day together we went shopping, bought a few things for her as my Christmas gift. Love seeing the joy in her eyes. Having cappuccinos in Forum Madeira and chatting was almost like in the old days. When we still got on and enjoyed each other’s company.

We had our ups and downs, we don’t seem to agree on anything. I am forever making the wrong decisions, don’t know how to manage my life. Or so she thinks.

This time it was peace and quiet, even my son noticed and wondered what happened to her grandma.

Could it be that she finally accepted the fact that she cannot control other’s lifes?
Could it be that her love for me is greater than her criticism?

I hope so. For her sake, for our sake. We need each other.

We all need our family.