Hidden treasure

It's that time again - mid February - grey skies - forever darkness - sometimes sloppy slush - when I have my annual escape - to my timeshare in Madeira.

Timeshare got a bad press. The bottom dropped out of the market and second hand timeshares are cheap as chips. Flights to Madeira vary wildly in price and this year it's cheaper for me to have two nights B and B in another hotel and travel home on the Wednesday instead of "change-over day Monday"

Flying from Gatwick well before dawn, I prefer to face the busy motorway drive with oodles of time to spare and travel the day before.

I've stayed at this hotel the night before I fly a couple of times before, but I've only really explored it today.

They have a fitness room ! Bikes, weights, and this rowing machine that the little girl is enjoying with her mum.