We have spent a very enjoyable few days in Maderia revisiting some old haunts as well

as discovering some new ones. Surprisingly last time we visited we managed to miss out

three gardens which we saw this time - one via a modern cable car which leaves from

the center of Funchal. We managed to get in some walks including a levada we hadn't

done before but due ot the weather could not do any on the mountains. Our marina was

first class albeit they are in the process of building a large village development behind it

with many cranes and diggers. The noise and dust was not a problem though. It is situated

on the far eastern side of the island which appeared to enjoy its own micro climate and was

a lot drier and sunnier than anywhere else!

We are now on passage and are again surprised at how cold it is - still around 10C air temp

at midday! Not so convinced about global warming - we are only 1800nm from the equator!