Today in pictures

[susie123]

Darren, Dianne, thanks for the welcome back.

Today I'm posting pics from our first stop, Funchal, Madeira. Rough weather delayed our arrival and we got there in the evening of the day we should have got there in the morning. However it meant we had time to go ashore then plus all the next day - but we would have to miss one of our stops in the Cape Verde Islands (more about that later).

The weather in Madeira was just right for me - low 70s and little humidity - very comfortable. First impressions were how green it was - and flowers everywhere. But it's not like that in the mountains as we saw the next day. Still, the warmth was lovely after leaving a misty damp Britain in mid-October.

1. First sight of land after four days - the outlying islands of Madeira
2. We won't have to rely on the promenade deck for our exercise for a day or two
3. There were already two cruise ships in harbour when we arrived - floating brick P&O Ventura dwarfing the German Aida
4. This rock wall was opposite our berth in Funchal
5. These trees were also opposite. High up on a rock wall a bit further along
6. An old fortress and foliage, taken through a gap in the roof of a walkway
7. Pinnacles and palm tree around the cathedral tower
8. Artistic doorway in the Old Town of Funchal - there were lots of others, all different
9. Cable car up to the village of Monte, above Funchal
10. Running statue in seafront gardens

[churchfcrules]

like the door

[susie123]

Originally Posted by churchfcrules

like the door

Yes, it really caught my eye - don't know whether they wrecked the door to do it or did a clever refurb job! There were lots of other nice ones around that area of town too - it's an arty quarter.

[susie123]

More holiday snaps from Madeira - hope you're not bored already...

1. Fort on the seashore
2. Ships lit up at night - ours is on the right
3. The greenness of the island disappears as you go up into the volcanic landscape of the mountains
4. And the cold and rain set in!
5. The second highest point of the island
6. The last remaining ice house - there used to be lots of these in the mountains
7. Traditional musicians - very touristy, but the show was very well done
8. Dancers with the above
9. Wicker worker, a traditional island industry
10. Part of the wicker menagerie at the wicker factory

[churchfcrules]

Originally Posted by susie123

More holiday snaps from Madeira - hope you're not bored already...

1. Fort on the seashore
2. Ships lit up at night - ours is on the right
3. The greenness of the island disappears as you go up into the volcanic landscape of the mountains
4. And the cold and rain set in!
5. The second highest point of the island
6. The last remaining ice house - there used to be lots of these in the mountains
7. Traditional musicians - very touristy, but the show was very well done
8. Dancers with the above
9. Wicker worker, a traditional island industry
10. Part of the wicker menagerie at the wicker factory

i wanna go walking on number 3

[susie123]

Originally Posted by churchfcrules

i wanna go walking on number 3

he he I thought of you as I posted that!

[churchfcrules]

Originally Posted by susie123

he he I thought of you as I posted that!

me, mi tent, n hip flask of JD, like a pig in the preverbal lol

[davemac]

Originally Posted by susie123

More holiday snaps from Madeira - hope you're not bored already...

1. Fort on the seashore
2. Ships lit up at night - ours is on the right
3. The greenness of the island disappears as you go up into the volcanic landscape of the mountains
4. And the cold and rain set in!
5. The second highest point of the island
6. The last remaining ice house - there used to be lots of these in the mountains
7. Traditional musicians - very touristy, but the show was very well done
8. Dancers with the above
9. Wicker worker, a traditional island industry
10. Part of the wicker menagerie at the wicker factory

I want one of those hats with a handle on, or is it a wick?

[susie123]

Originally Posted by davemac

I want one of those hats with a handle on, or is it a wick?

No it's a handle I think - the wick is in the wicker factory! Must say I was very tempted to bring one home...

[Restless]

welcome home!! nice pics and karma ++!

[mobertol]

Nice photos -have just caught up. I see it's a droplet time of year Dave -nice autumny selection.

Sue I love the "Picasso" style door. The volcanic part of Madeira looks to be a real contrast to lowland areas by the sea. Similar in someways to Tenerife. No shots of you or Richard yet -hope he had his Panama hat with him!

[susie123]

Originally Posted by mobertol

Sue I love the "Picasso" style door. The volcanic part of Madeira looks to be a real contrast to lowland areas by the sea. Similar in someways to Tenerife. No shots of you or Richard yet -hope he had his Panama hat with him!

All these Atlantic islands are volcanic - so I guess there will be some similarities.

Yes, I have a couple of shots of Man in Panama - will post later for you!

[susie123]

Originally Posted by Restless

welcome home!! nice pics and karma ++!

Thanks Rob - I see you have not been well, hope you are recovering.

[dawnrodd]

Hiya,

Susie, nice to meet you here and welcome back from your jollies. It looks like you had an amazing time. Thanks for sharing your photos with us, which are bill.

Dave, loving the recent photos of your outings the past few days. I've not had much chance to get much photography done since the weekend, so no photos to post. However, I have been looking through my archive of pics and there are a few older pics of Clayton and surrounds that I took over the past two years, which I may upload once I get a chance.

Cheers

Dawn

[susie123]

Some more from Madeira

1. This poor little doggy (wearing a traditional Madeiran hat) has been waiting for his owner by the door of the wicker factory for a very long time...
2. Modern church in Camacha
3. Lizards on a sun-warmed wall
4. Traditional finial on a house roof
5. Mermaid statue at the marina in Funchal
6. There was a bit of a breeze!
7. Preparing to raise the gangplank
8. View of Funchal as we left
9. Elevated highway and the cable car
10. Pilot boat leaving the ship