Holiday Home in Madeira - An Ideal Writer's Retreat
Madeira has a temperate climate, stupendous, varied scenery, and so many flowers it is often called the Garden Isle.
Cabo Girao is the second highest cliff in the world. Funchal top left beyond the headland is an amphitheatre with a bay where many cruise ships stop. |
The old road along the north coast, but there is now a much faster tunnel through the mountains, where drivers can avoid the waterfalls that cascade down the cliffs. |
At this NW tip of the island the rocks of lava have been joined to make a wonderful sea water swimming pool. |
There are many deep valleys, and until fairly recently some of the villages could be reached only by steep tracks or steps. |
Much of the island is protected. These laurel trees are huge, remnants of the forests which gave the island its name. |
Above the laurel forests there is heathland, and on clear days both north and south coasts can be seen. |
This tiny levada is on the heathland, and there are many others which provide wonderful walks. The channels bring water to the rest of the island. |
Sometimes the mountains or the valleys below are shrouded in cloud. |
Women in national dress sell flowers in the old Funchal market. Here there is a colourful display of fruit and vegetables |
 In the fish market next door, many types of fish, including the espada, can be seen.You can sample them all in the many good value restaurants. |
Casa Olivers, is on the hillside above Ponta do Sol, about 25 miles west of Funchal. |
Ponta do Sol is said to be the sunniest place on the island. |
There we can sit out on the patio in T-shirts to have breakfast during December and January. |
Or watch the sunset. |
The generous patio faces south and looks out over the sea. |
To the left we have a mountain view, with the sea to the right. |
It's the ideal writer's retreat! During the winter 2007-08 I wrote two Regencies.
