Spanish Super Puma Stopover

In Search of Hope – by Sam Gannon

Seconded to the parish of Tililngdon, the Reverend Dolores has been presented with a challenge.

She’s living in an antiquated house and she’s cold. Furthermore, her new Bishop, Bishop Alice does not approve of ‘showgirls in dog collars.’

Determined to prove the Bishop wrong, she sets about warming her house – who cares if it smells of horse! There is the crochet club, jumble sale, and soup run to organise. And this year, the church bells will ring, no matter what threats are made. Even more so, the newly formed choir will spread a little joy this Christmas, even though they can’t sing – yet! And with a little help from Phil, her bassist, this year could be full of magic.

However, she has a fight on her hands as the townies out in Knob Hill – she must stop calling it that, are trying to stop her from ringing her bells. When Krystal with a K decides to do some volunteer work, Dolores sets out to see just how committed she really is.

Up to her ears in granny squares and squawking choristers, Dolores is revving up for Christmas, yet a deeper darker secret is beginning to emerge!

A secret that could blow the whole parish apart and put Dolores in danger.

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A Super Puma helicopter (AS32) of the Spanish Air Force landed at Madeira International Airport today for a technical stopover before continuing its journey to the Azores.

According to DIÁRIO, the aircraft arrived at 11:34, coming from Gran Canaria, having taken off from Las Palmas. The stay in Madeira is only for a technical stop, and the departure for Ponta Delgada is scheduled for 10:00 tomorrow, the 5th of June.

Super Puma is among the resources participating in the international search-and-rescue exercise ASAREX26, which takes place between the 6th and 10th of July on the island of São Miguel in the Azores.

Organised by the Portuguese Navy, through the Ponta Delgada Maritime Search and Rescue Coordination Centre (MRCC Delgada) and the Azores Maritime Zone Command, in collaboration with the Portuguese Air Force, the exercise brings together several regional, national and international entities. The aim is to strengthen cooperation among the different search and rescue services, improve operational coordination, and provide training for teams involved in emergency missions.

The programme includes a technical conference and several practical exercises, between the 7th and 9th of July, which will simulate challenging scenarios, including shipwreck rescue, diving accidents, cliff rescues, and first aid provision. The ASAREX26 finishes on the 10th of July with an aeronaval demonstration of maritime search and rescue off Santa Bárbara beach, in Ribeira Grande.

The arrival of the helicopter did not go unnoticed by aircraft spotters at Madeira Airport.

Samantha Gannon

info at madeira-weekly.com