Madeira Weekly - The latest news for foreign residents, fresh every Thursday

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Public Holidays 2019 / 2020

Dec 1 - Restoration of Independence
Dec 8 - Immaculate Conception
Dec 25 - Christmas Day

2020
Jan 1 - New Year
Feb 25 - Carnival
April 12 - Easter
May 1 - Worker's Day
June 10 - Portugal Day
Aug 15 - Assumption
Oct 5 - Republic Day
Nov 1 - All Saints
Dec 1 - Restoration of Independence
Dec 8- Immaculate Conception
Dec 25 - Christmas Day

Autumnal Levada Walking

Experiencing Madeira though its levadas has to be one of the most thrilling and enjoyable activities you can do while you are here. And now that the weather is cooler it’s the perfect time to pick up a pair of hiking boots, grab your phone (for emergency calls and back up torch) and either head out on one of the more relaxed walks with a couple of friends or go out with a tour and experience the challenges the ‘Madeira rockers’ faced when they built the islands historic waterways.
This time of year, with the leaves of the deciduous trees turning into their autumnal hues, the landscape is a kaleidoscope of oranges, yellows and reds against a backdrop of evergreen and silver-grey eucalyptus. The walks themselves are graded from one to four, with four being the hardest, so now is a perfect time to break in those boots with a couple of beautiful easy walks such as Levada dos Tornos (Camacha to Monte), the Balcony at Ribeira Fria and the beautiful levada da Serra do Faial.
And remember ‘your boots were made for walking!’

Drunk Tourist Crashes Car into Wall

Drunk Tourist Crashes Car into Wall

15th December 2019

A tourist caused an accident in Achada de Santo Antão, Arco da Calheta this weekend.

Bad Weather Warnings

Bad Weather Warnings

15th December 2019

Porto Santo Line Cancels Tomorrow’s Sailing

Porto Santo Line Cancels Tomorrow’s Sailing

15th December 2019

Sousa Group’s New Container Ship Arrives Today

Sousa Group’s New Container Ship Arrives Today

12th December 2019

GNR Seizes 59 Wild Animals in Caniçal

GNR Seizes 59 Wild Animals in Caniçal

12th December 2019

Bordal – Embroideries of Madeira Christmas Experience

Bordal – Embroideries of Madeira Christmas Experience

12th December 2019

Regional Government Promotes Production of Avocado’s and Anona’s

Regional Government Promotes Production of Avocado’s and Anona’s

12th December 2019

Condemnation at the Closing of Last CGD Counter in Ponta do Sol

Condemnation at the Closing of Last CGD Counter in Ponta do Sol

12th December 2019

Christmas Village Hosts Animal Adoption Campaign

Christmas Village Hosts Animal Adoption Campaign

11th December 2019

630 More Deaths Than Births Registered

630 More Deaths Than Births Registered

11th December 2019

Sacred Art Museum Hosts Children’s Christmas Workshop

Sacred Art Museum Hosts Children’s Christmas Workshop

11th December 2019

Environmental Group Meets With Regional Government

Environmental Group Meets With Regional Government

11th December 2019

150 Children Decorate the Municipal Parks Christmas Trees

150 Children Decorate the Municipal Parks Christmas Trees

10th December 2019

New Skating Rink Will Cost 500,000 Euros

New Skating Rink Will Cost 500,000 Euros

10th December 2019

Levada das 25 Fontes Has New Temporary Route

Levada das 25 Fontes Has New Temporary Route

10th December 2019

Man Detained for Drug Possession

Man Detained for Drug Possession

9th December 2019

Red Cross Christmas Fair

Red Cross Christmas Fair

9th December 2019

Amusement Park Scare

Amusement Park Scare

9th December 2019

Bad Weather Affects Funchal Ports First ‘Turnaround’ Operation

Bad Weather Affects Funchal Ports First ‘Turnaround’ Operation

5th December 2019

Holy Trinity Church – Christmas Fair

5th December 2019

Autumn Gardening Tips

After perhaps the most topsy turvy year I’ve experienced weather-wise, it’s time to look at its effect on our gardens.
If like me you have spent most of the summer watering, you are probably relieved that the cooler weather is at least giving our gardens a bit of well-deserved respite. However, it’s not over yet as the long dry spring and summer has certainly taken a toll on my borders and garden as a whole. So now, before the rains (hopefully) set in, it’s time to take a cold, hard and ruthless look at your garden and decide what has to go! It may feel cruel, but straggly bedding plants, faded blooms and woody perennials are not going to recover, so the best thing is to pull them out.
Once you’ve been brutally honest and before you do anything else, dig over and rake affected areas and give you garden a thorough composting if possible. Your roses will love it! And now, it is one of the best parts of the season, planting bulbs for next year. Freesia’s, daffodils (if you’re cool enough), anemones and a whole abundance of bulbs are available for you to create your late winter and early spring borders come alive. My Narcissus are already poking their heads above the soil, and hopefully the two Camellia seedlings I’m nurturing are not thugs in disguise.
Don’t forget to trim back shrubs, cut hedges, prune roses and give everything a well-deserved feed. And above all else, enjoy your garden and the joy it brings.