Public Holidays 2019 / 2020

Oct 5 - Republic Day
Nov 1 - All Saints
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!’

New HIV Self Testing Kits in Pharmacies

2nd October 2019

The Health Administration Institute (IASAÚDE) confirms that the new HIV self-test is now available in pharmacies and non-prescription drug sales outlets (MSNRM) throughout the region.

However, IASAÚDE has stated that anyone buying the kit should be made aware of the following information.

– Advise on the proper use of the test in order to correctly use and interpret the results obtained.

– Understand the possibility of false positive or negative results and likelihood of their occurrence.

– Advise on action to be taken in case of positive, negative or undetermined result.

– Advise that no clinical measures be taken without consulting a healthcare professional.

Samantha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com

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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.