April 2013

In truth this is a month that I would not choose to revisit. Feeling unwell, just before you go on holiday is never great. Having to visit a doctor to whom English is a second language is an additional issue. As the month comes to an end the infection and inflamation I have experienced has necessitated three courses of anti-biotics, several visits to a nurse and the wound being cauterised by a doctor.

So what else has happened ... we visited Madeira. Here was somewhere that my wife had wanted to visit. Totally understandable it's climate makes it a place of interest for gardeners and botanists. Indeed the botanical gardens are of a high standard .

Madeira is a piece of rock, that statement tells you much. In a week I saw fewer than 5 bicycles. No one ever says "let's go for a gentle cycle ride". Yes it's hilly which normally wouldn't be an issue but I was in no fit state for uphill climbs.

We went on two coach outings which allowed us to see both sides of the island. The north coast was to me the most interesting and Porto Moniz was certainly worth visiting.

I learned about the decline of the banana industry, the result of the EU regulating the length and shape of bananas. I witnessed hill farming, and terraced being cut to produce surfaces for the growing of crops. Strangely the island has little in the way of indigenous wildlife.

A million tourists come on holiday to the island with a further half million arriving aboard ocean going cruise ships. It seems many people return are repeat holidays. The people were hospitable and friendly but a week was enough for me. On the plus side I read a couple of books,rested and saw more sunshine than I'd have experienced at home.