Madeira 2026

[charlie]

Question for Paul.

How would you feel tackling something like this on today's walk? It was about 8 feet down to the field below and although there was still enough earth path left we opted to use the concrete and hold onto the adjacent wall

It will give us some idea what to suggest, it is after all supposed to a holiday and fun!

[charlie]

Some madeira news young Michael B (although we have known him over 20 years now so not as young as he was!) Tells us paleiro gardens are under new management and that he has now been employed to oversee monte palaces garden so both should start to improve.

Also if you hadn't already heard madeira have introduced a booking and fee system for some lavada walks, mainly effects the higher level and north coast walks but the main problem is you don't usually know if it's wet or fogged in until you get there, we would normally drive up and decide whether to revert to plan B. So it's not so much the cost 4.5euros but having to pre book a time slot.

If you are planning to use buses then you can't get to these walks easily by bus anyway, and if you go with a guided group it will all be sorted for you.

[Paul S]

8ft drop sounds reasonably scary unless there is 'stuff' growing to break your fall. :lol:
It does sound like there have been some changes that make things a bit awkward. The Canary Islands seem to be going the same way although I am not sure of the extent of those measures.
It might be that taxis are the way forward to get us places around Funchal - we most likely wouldn't stray too far from town. I recall them being very cheap and standardised there.
Anyway, next October is quite a way off yet.

[charlie]

Nice gentle walk along the levada above punta de pargo at the western end of the island

20261016_120603 by charliepridham, on Flickr

20261016_123914 by charliepridham, on Flickr

20261016_123925 by charliepridham, on Flickr

20261016_125914 by charliepridham, on Flickr

20261016_133037 by charliepridham, on Flickr

[charlie]

Last day today weather a bit iffy so paid a visit to the quinta magnolia

20261018_112209 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Some how this looked brighter and more eye catching in the flesh!

20261018_112325 by charliepridham, on Flickr

Took a picture of this first in the year 2ooo, they had tried to prop it with a log , it now appears the crown has re rooted

20261018_112415 by charliepridham, on Flickr

20261018_112422 by charliepridham, on Flickr

20261018_120359 by charliepridham, on Flickr

[valdypiero]

Charlie, are those first pics from Blandy's Garden?
And I love the pic with the Woodwardia radicans.

[charlie]

Yes thats Blandy's garden although I am not sure what ties the family still has?

[Stan510]

Very nice. The subtropics without the high heat,hot nights and humidity of the tropics. We are having an El Nino year with Manta Rays off the coast. Even a sea turtle laid eggs in SoCal. That was a historical first. Great photos Charlie.