Seixta-feira

After four days of unmitigated excitement, visiting the four corners of the island and almost getting the car into fifth gear a couple of times, we opt for a relaxed Friday. The BBC forecast is a bit mixed with sunny intervals until late afternoon, then the possibility of showers. The Met Office suggests a cloudy, but dry morning, then relentless thunderstorms through the afternoon and evening. The view from our balcony is blue skies and fluffy white clouds. It is warmer than yesterday as well.

We opt for a stroll into town to do a little research, indulge in some light retail activity and find lunch somewhere. On the way into town we pass the British Cemetery where the gate is open. R is a big fan of mooching around cemeteries so she is thrilled. 

The research goes well and we even find a small square full of cafe tables that we had begun to think was a figment of our imaginations. A leisurely cup of coffee in the sun sets us up nicely. From here it is only a short step to the market which is in full flow. R is keen to buy a custard apple, which we first encountered in Baroda. She finds a suitable specimen and also some dried banana chips.

We stroll through the old town in the hope of finding a sardine lunch but there don't seem to be any on offer and in the end we decide that a sandwich will be perfectly adequate. We sit at a table in the sun next to a statue of a pair of oxen and satisfy our appetites. 

On the way back to the hotel we notice that there has been an upgrade to the street name at the top of the alley that is our shortcut into town. Last week it looked like this.

Now it looks like this

Gentrification is alive and well in Funchal. Beco de Coelho means Rabbit Alley. Back at the hotel we spend an hour reading by the pool and watching the thunderstorms fail to materialse.

As it is Friday we nip out to the pub for a glass where we are greeted warmly and get our usual table. On the way there is a very gentle shower lasting a couple of minutes. No thunder at all . Back up the hill we feast on pork and noodles before tucking in to the custard apple.

As today's post is not very exciting here is a "Name this fruit question". No not the oranges, the other one. There are two acceptable answers.