Madeiran Lizards

It may be January, but it's like entering instant summer as we walked round Funchal gardens today. So hot (well, 20 degrees centigrade) that the lizards were out sunning themselves in great numbers. They love this stone wall in the city's gardens, where they get shelter as well as warmth.

The island of Madeira is very beautiful, and the people so friendly. This is our second visit (the first being in 2005) and we love it. For the locals, of course, it's winter and they, acclimatised to the heat, are wearing coats and jumpers. We British tourists, therefore, stick out like sore thumbs as we walk around in our short sleeves through the streets of Funchal.

Oh, the joy of being somewhere warm in January! I could get used to this ...