The Navy's Here!

One of the things that we forgot to mention yesterday was the presence of Royal Navy uniforms around the town. As we strolled the promenade we spotted a slightly odd looking vessel flying the White Ensign. Later research identified H131 as HMS Scott, an oceanic survey ship. Has Boris declared war on Portugal to divert attention from something?

Our plan today is to walk up to the fort that dominates the view from our balcony, Fortaleza do Pico. It is sunny and not very windy so the shorts are unfurled and the sun block applied. Just before setting out D checks the guidebook and spots the small print that states "Open Monday to Saturday".  Plan B is to visit Quinta das Cruzes Museum, described as a quintessential Old Madeira Manor House complete with gardens, open Tuesdays to Sundays. We find it without any difficulty and read the notice that tells us it is closed for maintenance until 8th February. Electing not to give up the height that we have gained we head eastwards. The map suggests that there are more gardens.

On the far side of a main road we see people strolling around amongst vegetation and water features. We ignore the car park adjacent, occupied by some kind of flea market where loud, unharmonious music of a type favoured by youth is blasting out. After a couple of false starts at locked gates we find our way in. It is an interesting space, dominted by a tall brick chimney. We find a seat and relax in the sun R spots an orange dragonfly ( or is it a damsel-fly?) and there are large orange butterflies all over the place. 

The highlight is a large piece of machinery, possibly some kind of beam engine, manufactured by Harvey & Co of Glasgow in 1907. The park has been created out of the remains of a sugar factory and is a small urban gem.

Wemove on in search of coffee, with a singular lack of success. Everywhere is either full or disinclined so we finish up back at base for our coffee. Coffee time drifts into lunch, then siesta, then it is time to prep for the evening. D is making Jhal Muri to remind us of what we are missing. Webrought a packet of Chaat Masala spices, the supermarket stocks puffed rice and all the vegetables that we need, the internet explains how to create a tamarind paste sustitute using marmalade and vinegar, low native cunning suggests a bit of dijon mustard in olive oil must be something like mustard oil and voila, we have a passable mix. To round of R's birthday treat we enjoy a glass of chilled Madeira with the mixture. Very passable.