Hi admin, isn't it about time the holly & seasons greetings were taken down? It's supposed to bring bad luck if you leave the deccies up past 12th night!!! LOL

Hi I have just moved to funchal and would like to start work part or full time in a bar/ restaurant /cafe bar . I have all round experience in the restaurant business as I use to have my own Mediterranean Bar /Restaurant in Cardiff Wales for 10 years and very much a hands on from the kitchen to front of house. If there´s anybody out there that can help I would be very grateful.

Kind Regards
Sylvia

HI I 'm a 32 years old italian chef..I'm looking for a job in Portugal and I'd like Madeira too..if someone can help..this is my e mail
gcmpl@yahoo.it

HI I 'm a 32 years old italian chef..I'm looking for a job in Portugal and I'd like Madeira too..if someone can help..this is my e mail
gcmpl@yahoo.it

Roll on April 17th!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Happy New Year to you all, especially those lucky enough to spend it in Funchal.

I really enjoy reading all your comments about your Holidays it makes me really jealous as we only manage to get back to Madeira every 3 years or so.

All the best for 2012

Hello everyone, I've just checked out the webcam pictures and I see that they are now back to their correct positions. Does anyone know why the direction of many of the camera angles always seem to be changed at New Year? Sixteen weeks today and counting and we will be in beautiful Madeira. Christine.

Happy new year everyone

HAPPY NEW YEAR TO EVERYONE. Can anyone tell me what happens to most of the webcam pictures EVERY NEW YEAR'S EVE, PLEASE? Most of them always seem to point in a different direction. Love, Good Health and Prosperity to all. Christine xx

I've been wondering where you were Derek! A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL and wishing everyone wonderful holidays in Madeira. (Thank you for all your kind thoughts and condolences.) Christine

Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year to everyone.

Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year to everyone.

Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year to everyone.

Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year to everyone.

Happy Christmas and a wonderful New Year to everyone.

merry Christmas everyone

Desejo-lhes um Feliz Natal e um Prospero Ano Novo - cheio de boa saude, Abracos para toda a gente. I wish to you all a Happy Christimas and a Prosperous New year full of good health. Hugs to everyone. Christine.

Feliz Natal e Feliz Ano Novo para todo mundo.
Happy Christmas And Happy New Year to everone.

Merry Christmas one and all.

Feliz Natal

The year before last we were booked to go to Madeira for Christmas/new year but EasyJet wouldn't fly due to the bad weather in Madeira and we lost our holiday. Last year and this year we didn't bother booking for Christmas but are going in April for the flower festival. We have been for quite a few Christmas/New Years in the past but might try again in a year or two.

Hi Maurice,
Just deciding when to go to Madeira next. We were hoping to go at Christmas, as we did last year, but the fares are so expensive this year. Cant believe how much they have gone up. Will probably go February or March.

Where is everybody?

Seems the strike is affecting the mainland airports of Porto & Lisbon but Funchal is open.

Thanks for the info Terry. I also see something going on at the pier on the web cam.

Something seems to have appeared on the old pier next to the marina that looks like it's part of the lights.

Hi Margaret,
Thanks for the info, we had already seen it in the Jornal da Madeira. They started putting the lights up around the Cathedral on Saturday. It is a new company doing them this year.

Hi Terry & Maurice. regarding the Christmas lights I get regular emails from www.visitmadeira.pt and the last email this month gives 8th December as the starting date for the lights in Funchal. We have been going to Madeira for years at beg. of December for 2 weeks and there have always been some lights on. Perhaps they are delaying them to save money this year.

So sorry Christine

Hi Terry, I see what you mean about the Xmas lights. Looking at the webcams on the sea front there doesn't seem to be any lights going up. Most unusual.

Sorry for your loss Christine. Do keep in touch.

Sorry Christine.

Sorry Christine.

So sorry Christine. Best Wishes.

Hello everyone, I am sorry I have not contributed lately. Whilst we were in Madeira in September my stepson had a Stem Cell (Bone Marrow) Transplant. Kevin had insisted we still go on holiday as he would be in isolation and we would not be allowed to visit him. At the time when his transplant was taking place our friends Senhor Tony and Senhora Graca who own O Chef and O Chefe Steak House Restaurants, they took us to the their Church, O Colegio in the Municipal Square in Funchal. It is such a most beautiful church and I would recommend for everyone to visit. The Mass was very moving for us as Senhora Graca (unknown to us) had given Kevin's name to the Priest in order to be included in the Prayers for the Sick. It was so kind of them to take us to the Church and they offered as soon as they knew what was happening and they are such a kind and lovely couple. The Transplant all went well and eventually we received the news we were waiting for that Kevin was in recovery, although extremely slowly and last week he rang to say we would be able to visit very soon. Unfortunately Kevin suddenly contracted an infection which very quickly affected his vital organs. We were called to go to the hospital (we live a considerable distance away) and he died shortly after we arrived. I realise that this is not really about Madeira but I felt by the comments I have just read that some of you were wondering what had happened to me. I will check out the site again when time and feelings/emotions allow.

Very worried about Christine, as Maurice says, its very quiet.
Just returned from our two weeks stay in Funchal. Usually at this time of year we watch the Christmas Lights being put up (no Health & Safety!). Nothing at all this year, just a few on trees outside the Marina Shopping Centre, no displays in town or on the Pier. There are usually a lot on trees up the Estrada Monumental, but nothing so far. Does anyone know whats happening? Nobody we spoke to knew anything.
The new Promenade is very nice, and will be even better if they can get the shops opened.

It is very quiet on here just recently.

Still no word from Christine. Any news of her ?

Maurice, the links aren't working yet as the information and text is being worked on at the mo, which is why they are in a different colour. Had planned on them going 'live' sooner, but been a little busy with other things, but will be on line soon.

Our three weeks in Madeira Sept/Oct. had the best weather ever. The new road leading to the port is very good, unfortunately opened two hours after we left, but we managed to walk along many times whilst there They worked night and day to complete. Lovely views. Only once stopped by timeshare, sellin g weeks at Regency. Pleasant Englishman who used to work at Savoy and is not happy with how the staff there were treated. This time the lady in the tourist office
was very helpful, unlike in the past when they didn`t seem to understand why we would want information in English. Lots of shops seem to have closed, but not so many as here in our home town. Onlyu 11 1/2 months to goto be back there. We hope to find a reasonable apartment let so we can go back mid year.

The links just above here are not all working. Gardens of Madeira and Treasure Hunt - update don't seem to work.

No word from Christine? I wonder if she's back yet?

Hiccups LOL

Sorry don't know what happened there!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Maurice, hope you have a nice holiday, even though it is next year!

Hi Maurice, hope you have a nice holiday, even though it is next year!

Well done Maurice, hope you have a nice holiday even if it is next year!

Well done Maurice, hope you have a nice holiday even if it is next year!

Well done Maurice, hope you have a nice holiday even if it is next year!

Hotel.....

Woo Hoo!! Got flights booked and horel booked. Sadly not until April next year but at least this time we should be there for the flower festival.

I think at one time they had thought about buiding a chidren's play area on it. The last time I was in Funchal you could see that the waves were eroding the mound so it's hard to tell what will happen. In any event money would need spending and there isn't much spare money in Portugal right now!!!!

Hello,
I have asked this before. Is there any news what will happen with the landfill site on the boulevard/beach (avenido do mar)?
Kind regards,
Hans

Click on 'Page' and you'll see Compatibility View on the list of options.

Geoff, I use IE9 and it's fine. What you can do is set IE9 to use 'compatibility mode' on this site and see if that makes a difference

Hello all, I am using the new IE9 browser to view this site and it takes ages to download.
Is anyone else finding this site very slow to open ?

Hi everyone, It is still very hot here and unfortunately the mosquitos are making a meal of everyone. Maurice we may not go to Porto Moniz as it is so hot but will definitely do the trip in April/May.

Hello,
I am currently looking for accomodation for this winter (December-March) in Jardim do Mar, for a single person.
If anyone knows of an apartment to rent, or a room in a shared house, i'd be very grateful if you could get in touch with me (email: {name hereabove}@gmail.com )
Thank you! :)

Don't forget the bus trip to Porto Moniz. A good day out away from the mass of tourists in Funchal.

Hi Maurice, Derek and everyone. Just thought I would check to see if anyone had seen my message. No it wasn't me Maurice but I do wave my sun hat every time I walk past the people cam. Maybe you will catch a glimpse of me one of the days. It is very hot today. I hope the webcam is OK as I haven't checked it out as I can see the real thing. Sorry to all who wish they were here too. Christine

Hi Christine, was that you I saw thumbing your nose at us via the webcam yesterday? LOL

Hello everyone, here we are in Madeira, weather very hot last week but more changeable this week. I went to the Strawberry World office and GOOD NEWS - work is ongoing to improve the webcam pictures, hence the breaks in transmission occasionally. Hopefully everything will be improved by the end of the year to HIGH DEFINITION. I was assured they are fully aware of the following they have of their site. Christine Callaghan

Hi Maurice. Thanks for sorting out webcams.

The Swedish sailor Sven Yrvind, famous for sailing with his own designed boat Bris is on a new journey with a new boat design and is now (7 sept 17:39 GMT) 99 nautical miles north of Madeira and will land on your beautiful Island.

I guess he will land tomorrow 9 september. He has spent years on the Ocean with different homemade boats and is a real character. Check out his webside at http://www.yrvind.com for more info on this gentleman. There is a Spot map with satellite tracking of his sailing boat. This new sailing boat is something very different from what most people expects.

Give him a nice greeting when he arrives

Web cam sorted.

Please bear with us as the site is undergoing some changes!

Hi everyone again. Poor old Strawberry World are having a bad time with their Webcams. The pictures are a couple of days old and the date is set at 2nd Sept.! I'm sure Christine will sort it out. Have a nice holiday!

Hi everyone again. Poor old Strawberry World are having a bad time with their Webcams. The pictures are a couple of days old and the date is set at 2nd Sept.! I'm sure Christine will sort it out. Have a nice holiday!

We have been going to Madeira at xmas and New Year since 1997 and considering inflation and the price of oil it is down to the efficiency of the airlines that prices are still reasonable.

We live in Scotland and have given up on the Thomson Glasgow Monday charter which rips people off..
Needs effort but we fly down to Heathrow on the Sunday night relax in the airport then fly out early on the Monday 0640 with TAP returning via Lisbon and Gatwick and easyjet to Glasgow on 2nd January.

If you book early the prices will amaze you compared to the Thomson/Thomas Cook cartel. prices. I will worry if BA take over TAP which given their trqack record will reduce numbers of flights and put up prices.
Other way to go is via Amsterdam and of course Lisbon is the best hub of all to get to Funchal.
We are in our 60's now and much prefer cruising, any one want to buy a T1 xmas week and T0 New Year week ,runtill 2032. Wont split them..

Happy holidays
Ray

I have just seen the comment about TAP flights next year. We use this service every year and will be delighted to leave early in the morning. An extra half day in Madeira will be appreciated

Hi everyone. I have just checked on the TAP website and when they resume direct flights from Gatwick to Funchal next May2012, instead of a departure at 1350pm the flight departure will be! wait for it! 0615am arriving in Funchal at 1010am! The return flight is at 1145am the same as it is now.

Hi Christine and everyone. Re the flights to Madeira. We have one flight from Glasgow Scotland on a Monday Morning, Thomson flight, but Thomas Cook and Atlantic Hols. use it as well. In 2009 we flew from Edinburgh with Globespan they were very good and a lot cheaper but 2 days after we got home they went into liquidation. Like you Christine my husband retires this month (tomorrow) We go back to Madeira first 2weeks in December our 14th year. Have a good holiday and let us know if prices have changed much since last year.

Have a great time Christine (grren with envy) I'll not be going further than the pub this year LOL.

Hi Christine, thanks for message. You are so lucky to be going back to our wonderful Island. I hope that you and your husband have a fabulous holiday and give our love to everyone!

Hello Derek, Maurice and everyone, We go to Madeira on Monday for 3 weeks. I will visit the SW Office to ask if they can sort out the problems. I hope this will work.

The cunning devils have shifted the Cathedral again!!!! LOL

Hi everyone. Oh dear the Cathedral cam on Strawberry World is playing up again! Can anyone help to sort it out. Thanks.

Hi again. Heard some more news about flights. Thomson will cease it's Friday Flights from Manchester in 2012 and Thomson will also cease flying from Exeter in 2012. I am also investigating the other option and that is to go from Southampton by ship and it only takes 3days to Madeira,get off have your holiday and join another ship back to Southampton. I used to do that in the 1970's but they stopped it, but the word is out that they might consider it again.

Hello everyone. Well i have heard that the reason they are stopping the flights from Gatwick to Madeira from November to April 2012 is that they don't generate enough income even if the flight is full. The high cost of aviation fuel and the high rates Airports charge don't cover their costs. Plus the fact that BA might buy TAP, so there is a lot going on. Easyjet are also pulling the Madeira flights out of Stansted. Well as I said I will go from Heathrow, but it is more expensive and the flights go at 0640 in the morning! I tried to get an economy flight from Heathrow, but all they can offer is a very long flight with changes at Porto or Lisbon. When I checked Business Class that was ok for a direct flight, and the price for one person return....£628 !!!!!!!! watch this space I will keep you all updated.

Hello Derek and everyone, We always go from Manchester. It is now usually the Thomson flight which we always book through Atlantic Holidays as this includes luggage allowance and transfers to your resort. The April flight is at 8.00am although when we return home it is then the Summer Programme which leaves Manchester earlier. Therefore the September flight is at 6.00am. In September this year the cost was £638 for 2 and in April next year the cost is £628 for 2. Not the cheapest place to get to, as we all know! On top of this we also have parking costs for the car at Manchester but we do not use the Airports own car parks.

Thanks Geoff. I have left a message on the Trip Advisor site. I really do not understand why TAP are cancelling all flights to Funchal from Gatwick in mid November and not resuming these flights until April 2012. Maybe they are not economic, but I have to say every flight I have taken has been full. And Easyjet cutting back their flights, what's going on?Oh well I will have to fly from Heathrow at 0650 in the morning!

Hi Derek, have a look on theTrip Advisor website, in the Funchal forum, many replys on this topic and reports of cancelled flights from regional airports.
Me, I will buy a rubber dinghy and hand held GPS unit. Geoff..

Hi everyone. I heard that TAP airline that do direct flights from Gatwick to Funchal are stopping these at the beginning of November and then the flights will go from Gatwick toPorto and then to Funchal. I would be interested to hear from anyone about this and also how some of you currently get to Funchal.

Hi that was quick, everything is back to normal with the Webcams.

Hi everyone, has Strawberry World got something wrong with its webcam system as it is showing nightime all through the day. Hope everyone on here is well and ok.

Oops! Forgot to put the contact in as I would really like some more information about the Savoy Rebuild. Also I have tried to contact Geoff and Kath Heath but your link is not working. If anyone either wants or has information about the Savoy, please contact me here: mymadeira365@yahoo.com

Thanks
Geoff..

Hi everyone. Was speaking with a friend who has just returned from Gran Canaria and the island was empty of tourists (in the holiday season?) I wonder how Madeira is doing? He blamed it on high flight fares and the Euro. Personally I think they need to look at flight prices and hotel prices, because they are very high. they flew by EasyJet and the aircraft was only half full!

Would be grateful for information as well

I've just read the comment from John Taylor about the Savoy Rebuild and would be very grateful to find out further details. Is is possible that John could post details on my website at http://www.madeira365.com. I have a Savoy Hotel Forum there. Many thanks

Its all going ahead. Completion in August 2014. The deals have all been signed and according to Interval International on 5/8/11 the new Savoy Resort will be part of their exchange network. I can provide anyone who wants with plans of the new development, and confirm weeks are already being sold.
I understand the concerns of anyone (and many) people who have been worried about this development, but anyone will understand that when such a high profile death is involved (Roque) during such a development and with families, emotions often run higher than reason.
Anyway, completion will be 2014 and its starting up again.

Hello everyone, Have you all noticed just how much time is spent at putting up and taking down a stage/entertainment platform in the Parque Santa Caterina. I wonder if there has ever been any thought given to erecting a permanent structure for the many concerts which take place in the park throughout the year. Certainly at this time of year it seems that as soon as one stage is removed, then another almost immediately takes its place for the next show. Surely it would make a great deal of sense to consider if it would be feasible to provide a stage/platform area which can remain on site all year. Perhaps someone may know why this cannot be done - apart from the obvious costing factor. I would be intrerested to know the views of others.

By the way MAURICE we thank you for your kind offter to carry our bags! We are looking forward to our trip to Porto Moniz and other places by public bus. Thank you for all the information you have provided in order for us to do this. I hope others have found this useful also. This is certainly a good platform for getting to know those little nuggets and gems of information which help make each visit to Madeira even more enjoyable.

VOCÊ está convidado para fazer compras em nosso novo Site E salvar AS compras em casa. Gostaríamos que você visite nosso evento de inauguração de nosso novo site que oferece a você as melhores seleções em cada produto disponível na AMAZON, AMWAY e muito mais. Por favor visite www.dealsgalorehome.org e veja por si mesmo o que temos para lhe oferecer todos.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SHOP AT OUR
New Web Site AND SAVE AS YOU SHOP AT HOME.
We would like you all to visit our grand opening event of our new web site which offers you the best selections on every product available on AMAZON, AMWAY, and a lot more. Please visit www.dealsgalorehome.org and see for yourself what we have to offer you all.

VOCÊ está convidado para fazer compras em nosso novo Site E salvar AS compras em casa. Gostaríamos que você visite nosso evento de inauguração de nosso novo site que oferece a você as melhores seleções em cada produto disponível na AMAZON, AMWAY e muito mais. Por favor visite www.dealsgalorehome.org e veja por si mesmo o que temos para lhe oferecer todos.

YOU ARE INVITED TO SHOP AT OUR
New Web Site AND SAVE AS YOU SHOP AT HOME.
We would like you all to visit our grand opening event of our new web site which offers you the best selections on every product available on AMAZON, AMWAY, and a lot more. Please visit www.dealsgalorehome.org and see for yourself what we have to offer you all.

Hi Derek, Thanks for responding!...Much appreciated.....Hi Maurice, Nice comment...I recognize the Britsh style humour...have fun in Madeira. Greetings from cloudy Germany..Gina

And there was me thinking we had a possible romance starting!!!

Hi Gina, no it's not me. I am a single guy and always have been. I fell in love with Madeira when I worked on cruise ships way back in the 70's and 80's.

Hi Derek, I saw a comment from you on this blog. I am looking for an Englishman from Hull, Yorkshire who spent 5 yrs of his life with a German girl. His name is Derek Whitaker. As he loves islands, I wondered whether this is you that I am looking for...

Christine, just found a great little app for information about events on madeira Island that you wanted. It is called Meet Madeira Islands more details here.
http://www.madeira365.com/?page_id=5
It will work with the iPhone so you can have all Island info with you when away from home.
Geoff..

I was going to say that someone has moved the cathedral as it now lines up with the camera!

Thanks Christine the webcam 13 of the lovely Cathedral is back to normal. Thanks again.