TODAY’S PHOTO : Thanks to Elaine O Sol … Cisne Branco, one of the tall ships berthed in Funchal harbour last week. It’s registered in Brazil and was on its way to the Cape Verde islands. Elaine will be pleased to know that from now on she will no longer be referred to as Elaine O Sol, as she is now promoted and in future will just be ‘Elaine’.
Talking of boats, if anyone on Porto Santo sees the yacht ‘Cantare’ stop over in the next few days, please ask if they need another ‘BOAT BUNNY’, and let me know, thanks.
Petrol goes down 2 cêntimos a litre on Monday, diesel by 1 cêntimo.
‘Jardim Agrees With Sócrates’. The headline I never thought I would see. Both the president of Madeira and the prime minister of the Republic agree that the airline TAP should be closed down and a new airline formed to rejuvenate the company financially. The company has massive financial problems, but European rules prevent the government from intervening.
‘New Whale Museum opens doors next summer – Santos Costa was at the location that costs €6 million’. The new Whale Museum in Caniçal was visited by the regional secretary for social matters was visited on Friday. The visit was also attended by Jacques Solaires, a French environmentalist, who helped design the contents of the museum.
The ‘Orange’ weather warning has now been extended to at least Monday, with strong winds and heavy rain all over Madeira.
I presume some of you have computers with Windows Vista, so just to say Service Pack 2 is available, and it didn’t update automatically with me, I had to do it manually. This should fix any problems with the original version, particularly security issues, and hopefully provide some improvements too.
UPDATES :
Talking of TAP and their financial problems, they are touting for new travellers to Madeira in their new campaign. €36 to Madeira from Lisbon & €52 from Porto, one way, for travel November to March (excluding around Xmas / New Year). Also €30 a room per night in the Calheta Beach Hotel, and €49 in the 5 star Hotel Melia.
In today’s new headlines:
‘Ribeira-Braveneses Want The Sea-Front Back – Traders in the centre complain of the mishaps of the reconfiguration of the sea front area’. They miss the days (5 years ago) when the tourist buses used to stop alongside the esplanade (now they stop at a car park just outside the main town). The population complains about the consequences of the new format of the town. Traders say there is a shortage of customers, shoppers complain about the lack of parking, and taxi drivers say that they are far from the buses (?). I couldn’t agree more, its a right mess, a nice looking mess, but a mess nether-the-less. As for the shortage of car parking, I think the Diário forgot to mention the word FREE. Plenty of parking around at a price, and maybe a short walk.
Number 220, Rua de Santa Maria, presumably in Funchal, fell down yesterday evening, putting neighbours houses in danger. The building has been unoccupied for 10 years. Neighbours had warned the authorities that the building was dangerous, as pieces had fallen off, but were told that that there was no danger. Yesterday the complete roof collapsed inside the building in a huge cloud of dust, and neighbours had to be evacuated. There is another headline ‘Rain Collapses 4 Houses In Funchal’. The picture was taken in Rua da Fábrica.
A big sigh of relief for Marítimo, as they whopped Académica 4 – 2 away from home, breaking a run of 3 consecutive defeats. Baba scored twice in the top performance so far this season. Nacional play Guimarães at home on Monday night (SportTV1 6 pm).
Today’s news translations : many thanks to Elaine in Garajau & Paul :
Inauguration Required Intervention of the Police. The PND party (Democrats) have often interfered with Jardim’s inaugurations, saying they are electioneering and their leader, Coelho, has often attempted speeches when Jardim is speaking. During the inauguration of the new link road between the port and the expressway. Jardim’s supporters and the PND leaders clashed, a cameraman was allegedly too close to Jardim, and the police and security guards had to intervene resulting in a police cordon between the PND leaders and Jardim’s supporters. Jardim has accused the police of working at the behest of Lisbon, by allowing the PND to interfere too much, and they are there to protect the government and it is the first time in 31 years of autonomy that the police lack control.
Quote from Jardim in Sao Vicente, "Who is ridiculous cannot earn the respect of the people."
Anger at Mix of Politics and Church. The Feast of Our Lady of the the Rosary began yesterday and ends Monday. In Sao Vicente, the PS and PSD parties have been paying for some of the entertainment. The local priest denies any knowledge of this but the public is not happy about their involvement and want the Bishop to intervene.
Weather Stories. An 83 year old lady and an elderly couple have been rehoused by the council after their homes made uninhabitable by rain damage. A car in a garage was destroyed when the roof collapsed. Trees blocked roads in Monte. The walls and old bridge around the riverbed at Ribeira Brava have been reinforced before the heavy rains arrived (pictured). The ‘Pes Livres’ walking club have still continued their program, Ponta do Pargo to Encumeada, this weekend despite the weather warnings. SPAD has rearranged the annual Blessing of the Animals from the 4th to now the 10th October. It occurs by the Statue of Francis of Assisi in the Municipal Park in Funchal.
Jardim ‘Boxed the Ears’ of the Madeira Business Parks. He states the management have not marketed the Business Parks enough and wants the councils to attract more clean industries. There are also talks underway to develop more trade with African countries.
Portugal is probably happy with Brazil hosting the next Olympics.
OCM Celebrates 5 Years of the Park with the Show ‘Popsinfonico’. It has been an ambition of the conductor Rui Massena of the orchestra to fuse popular and classical music and pay a tribute to traditional Madeiran music. This will be for the celebrations on the 10th October of the Madeira Theme Park in Santana. There will also be other groups involved, clowns, acrobats, jugglers, face painting and traditional craft workshops for the tourists to have a go during that weekend. Special ticketing/opening arrangements and details on their website www.parquetematicodamadeira.pt
Nun’s Valley Has New Garden. Sao Vicente Will Have Wine and Water. New garden inaugurated in Nun’s Valley, for both tourists and locals, with four sculptures entitled ‘The Fountain’. Sao Vicente plan to redevelop the old winery to help promote the local wine. The council also plan a pond including a waterfall, a mill, entertainment stage, open-air amphitheatre, market for local handicrafts and produce.
Will be Born the Party of the Animals. 200 signatures so far collected for political representation of a party member to represent legislation for animal welfare in Portuguese territories. There is an online petition, but you need to be a voter to participate. WEBSITE IN ENGLISH
Swine Flu vaccination program starts at the end of the month with 1100 doses. First, some health professionals and other personnel essential for the island security/utilities, if medically advisable. Then pregnant women and people under 65 years with chronic illnesses.
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