Wednesday 31st January 2024

We had our breakfast early and then took the hotel bus into Funchal. I think we chose the right day as it was cloudy but still at least 20 degrees.

We took the girls to the market and also found a baccy shop to fulfil their smoking habit!

We also had a look in at the fish market. Huge tuna (I love) in there and a lot of black scabbard fish (I don’t like them!)

There were a couple of cruise ships in.

We caught the hotel bus back and then went in for lunch. Madeira/Portugal is famous for their sardines and they were delicious.

An afternoon siesta for us all, it must be the change of air, it seems we all zonked straight out!

In the evening after dinner,  we had a good singer who seemed to sing a lot of the songs to Gilly! Maybe because she was dancing around so much! Again somehow we ended up last in the bar! But we have a fantastic barman who continues serving us even after the bar is officially shut!

Thought for the Day – “Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world.” ~ John Evelyn

Tuesday 30th January 2024

We had quite an early breakfast out on the terrace, hawk man was already there. He patrols the outside tables to keep the pigeons away.

Paula and Gilly don’t get up as early as we do.

So, I went swimming, of course Mal was unable to join me. Later we sat on the terrace and played cards, followed by lunch. Paula and Gilly came downstairs just as Mal and I were going back to the room for a siesta. They missed breakfast and lunch!

I heard from Pam and sadly her father passed away this morning.

We managed to get together for dinner outside, watching the beautiful sunset.

A few drinks first and then monkfish was one of the mains, so lovely. It felt a bit chilly (after 26 during the day) so after dinner we went inside.

We had a great DJ

and a very crazy evening (maybe something to do with the alcohol!)

The waiter found us amusing as we kept lining up our empty glasses!

All in all a good evening and the DJ is back next Tuesday.

Thought for the Day – “There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends.” ~ Jane Austin

 

Monday 29th January 2024

We left the house at 3am, dropped Ellie off at Rhys’s and then Rhys drove us to Gatwick. We met up with our friends Paula and Gilly who we were going on holiday with.

It was a very good flight with a comedian for a pilot. He was really funny. We arrived 15 minutes earlier than we should have done which was a bonus. We then got on the coach to take us to the Pestana Hotel, where we have stayed before. The rooms were ready as we arrived at 12.15, so were able to take our cases up and then back down for lunch and a much needed drink! However we had forgotten just how much spirit they put in the drinks. I think mine was more gin than tonic!

We have rooms next door to each other and we are over looking the small pool.

It is so nice to be back here and listening to the sound of the waves.

One of the staff brought this to our room, as we have stayed before…….nice!

We all had a bit of a siesta in the afternoon and then went down for dinner. It is nice here as it is all inclusive and you can have bottles of wine on the table or drinks from the bar. We have to keep in mind that their spirit measures are probably quadruple what you would get at home. Just love watching the sun set over the sea.

They had a singer performing but we spent the evening out on the terrace, not indoors. Just as well as I think we got quite loud and we were almost the last to bed!

We sleep with the patio door open listening to the waves.

Thought for the Day – “One of the most beautiful qualities of true friendship is to understand and be understood.” ~ Lucius Annaeus Seneca

Sunday 28th January 2024

Off to Kearsney Abbey. It is so nice when the sun is out. Of course Ellie loves her paddle in the stream.

We then had a coffee outside the cafe with a very wet and muddy dog!

In the evening we packed for our long awaited trip to Madeira. We should have been going in September as well but of course Mal was in hospital.

 Thought for the Day“I choose to make the rest of my life the best of my life.” ~ Louise Hay

Saturday 27th January 2024

The car was frosted over but the sun was out so we went to Minnis Bay.

The tide brought in masses of winkles.

We dropped a couple of bags of “stuff” off at the charity shop on the way home. Lots to sort out so bit by bit!

A good game from the Hatters (Luton Town) who won in extra time. Very exciting.

Thought for the Day“Keep your eyes on the stars, and your feet on the ground.” ~  Theodore Roosevelt

Friday 26th January 2024

I went to Westwood and met Rhys so that I could give him Lou’s birthday present and cake and also a package he had ordered to come to us so that Lou didn’t know he had ordered something for her. They are really busy this weekend viewing houses again.  I also  inspected his new taxi!

We watched the Spurs game in the evening, sad to say they are out of the cup! We then watched the final episode of Traitors. Poor Mollie!

Thought for the Day – “Dreams don’t work unless you do.” ~ John C. Maxwell

Thursday 25th January 2024

We went to Wingham woods and orchards.

On the way back , we called at Wingham Farm shop, more of their lovely Jazz Apples and of course they are all from their orchards.

In the afternoon we gave upstairs a really good deep clean! Tiring!

We watched the penultimate “Traitors”.

Thought for the Day – “What defines us is how well we rise after falling.”