Em Cima Da Varanda

A few days ago it was announced that weekly Covid testing for people without symptoms would end here on Madeira. We have brought some self test kits with us from home so we do one of these each and get negative results. The policy change has played havoc with our Saturday routine and it is difficult to get going this morning. 
Our digs are quite well equipped and mean that we can enjoy freshly squeezed orange juice for breakfast although clearing up after this only delays things further. Eventually we get under way , starting with our weekly trip to the service wash. Despite delivering our grungies an hour later than previously, we are told that they will be ready an hour earlier this week.
Today is marked down for a visit to D'Oliveira's, one of the island's Madeira wine producers. It is an easy, mainly level stroll across the city centre. Once again the sun is shining and it is pleasantly warm for unhurried strolling. We are made most welcome when we enter and invited to take a seat for samples. We are surprised to see that we are the only visitors as on our previous visit the place was packed.
In short order we are offered samples of medium dry, medium sweet and sweet Madeira. None of them are unpalatable and to our unsophisticated taste there is no discernable difference between md and ms. R takes the opportunity to inspect the facilities which are deemed worthy of one of her much sought after awards.
There is some serious money in aged Madeira. The 1937 bottle in the middle fetches €400 while the 1929 on the right is priced at €490. We divvi up for a bottle of three year old Medium Dry at €8.90 and thank the staff for their hospitality.
Our next target is the Mercado as R has a custard apple in her sights. She falls into conversation with a costermonger who supplies the required dessert fruit and then goes on to flog her a couple of avocados (€1.00 the pair). D has been looking for the latest in Madeiran traditional menswear and finds what he is seeking. The item is scrutinised carefully for CR7 logos but declared clean.
We sit at the pavement tables outside the market enjoying lemon tea(R) and beer(D) and plot out the rest of our day. On our way through we had checked out a restaurant that we wanted to try tonight, to discover that they were only open until 3 p.m. today and then closed until Monday. We reflect and replan. It's a sunny day and a leisurely lunch has considerable appeal.
A few days back we had a coffee at this place and were impressed by the slick salesmanship of the man in charge. We opt for Roast Pork (R) and Duck Rice (D) with a garlic bread starter. The portions are huge and the food is excellent.
After lunch we waddle back to base to recuperate. Eventually it is time to recover the laundry. Just outside the shopping centre there is a display that shows current temperature. Only a few seconds before this shot the display was showing 25°C - honest.
Back home we make the most of a balmy evening and take cocktails on our balcony.




Comments

  1. chouxdle6 February 2022 at 06:31

    Love the fishy Sri Lanka Tshit <3

    It is 'varanda' here as well. What it is this 'balcony'??

    Drab. Wish the maks was a tad more colourful.

    ReplyDelete

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