Gardens and transport

Blue skies from the off today, so much so I had to wear my sunglasses at breakfast. It does feel wonderful in November.

The plan was to do a bit less today but I’ve still topped 20,000 steps!

Just a bit achy this morning but otherwise fine. We headed down to the marina to get whichever bus we could find first for several gardens we have highlighted to visit. There seemed to be a bit of a traffic issue with police presence. It turned out to be a lane closure in preparation for a Remembrance Service. So good to see.

We spotted a number 22 which took us to Monte so it was Monte Palace Gardens we arrived at just as the clock struck 11.00 am so we stopped for our 2 mins silence before  getting ourselves a coffee and exploring the gardens. The bus was full of locals who had been to the market and the streets almost impossibly steep but it was an interesting experience.

I liked these gardens as you wandered down through steep shaded terraces, tiled pictures, fountains, pools, lovely flowers including an Orchidarium and a strong Japanese theme. I particularly liked the many varieties of Tree Ferns and the lovely glimpses of the harbour and Funchal below. Chris was thrilled to see a Bolivian Fuchsia trees. A bonus was a free drink of Madeira wine with your ticket!

We exited into Monte to see the famous toboggans that descend from here. The street used to be cobbled and I’m sure we thought it was fun but I was happy not to do it again especially as someone told me there was a two hour wait!

We then took the Telerifico (cable car) across a magnificent ravine to the Jardim Botanico. Ticket for entry was included. Very different gardens but interesting too. The scent of Verbena as you entered was fabulous. The estate originally belonged to the Reid family. It was laid out in more open terraces which were themed eg indigenous plants, cacti, topiary etc but the highlight which features every where promoting Madeira is the carpet bedding. Made up entirely of different coloured foliage plants in geometric shapes. Extra

Unfortunately it was here my battery gave out and my spare, which I always carry, was in the suitcase!

We headed to the exit for the bus back to Funchal, as one had just gone we were sweet talked into a taxi ride back to the hotel.  
Given more time to spare we went to the Santa Catarina Gardens for a drink overlooking the harbour. The most ridiculously large cruise ship was preparing to leave - you can see it in the background of the blip. (There were water slides and a roller coaster on top of this thing!) We could hear whooping and cheering from on board - Hi de Hi? As it left the dock you could hear someone singing the Star Spangled Banner - each to his own. The fire ship was putting on a good display of its own spouting its water jets as a send off.

Chris has just sussed out the air con in our room after 4 nights so hoping for a cool nights sleep! ( He only used to sell it!)

Last night we did make it to Reid’s and we had cocktails and canapés in the Terrace Bar where afternoon tea is taken. The staff couldn’t have been nicer and recommended we had Poncha which is a Madeiran cocktail. Agua Dente ( rum from sugar cane) orange juice, lemon juice and honey. Fab.  We watched the sun go down over the harbour area,  well worth the visit at last. Extra 
On the way back we booked a place for dinner tonight. They had Espada / Scabbard fish on the menu. Delicious.