The tasting was great.  We decided to try five year old and ten year old for contrast.

The only challenge being remembering which hand you had the five year old and which the ten, although the taste was very distinct.

The setting was very well done and we enjoyed having the place pretty much to ourselves.  The coach party only arrived as we were leaving.

We had chosen Blandy’s tasting rooms; a family business for several hundred years their premises were picturesque.

As was Funchal old town.  All very different scenery to what we have seen in the Mediterranean over the last few years.

We thought we would visit Reids, a very famous and historic hotel.  We were not sure whether it was still in good shape or had faded but when we saw the price of afternoon tea (£25) and the immaculately dressed gentleman on Reception (perfectly tailored tails, none of your polyester fake stuff) we knew that all was well.

We didn’t stay for tea but were made very welcome to look round and it was a delight.  High ceilings, huge doors, chandeliers, stunning views and the pop of champagne corks.

We sneaked a couple of pictures but the website tells a better story.