Funchal, Madeira

When we were here 13 months ago, all that was visible of the area in the foreground was construction cranes, peeping over the top of tall barricades. Not all the construction is finished, but what has been completed is most attractive.

It was lovely walking round the town and along the coast in warmth akin to a UK June day, much better than forecast. We did have one or two tepid showers (and it's raining now, after dark), but it's great to be here. The locals are complaining how cold it is for February and they've recently had snow on the mountain tops in the north of the island, which is unusual.

Sipping a glass of Madeira as I write. Cheers!