A Monarch of course

It wouldn’t be Madeira without the wonderful Monarch butterfly.

Today has been swelteringly hot and humid (27 and counting) and in the gardens the monarchs have been active.

I’ve had a gentle and leisurely morning, with plenty of stops to see what’s going on. 

I took the time to really enjoy the cathedral, the Se. I sometimes go to the Sunday services there. (I sit at the back with locals and it makes me feel tall….not my usual 5ft 2.)

I called into the marvellous Azores cheese shop, before heading for La Vie (the shopping centre that was renamed after the 2010 tragedy.)

Pingo Doce is a lovely supermarket, and today there was a group of charming volunteers, handing out paper bags to customers as they arrived. The aim is to persuade us to buy something, like pasta, rice, milk etc,  for the food bank and hand it to them when you come out. (Extra). They were doing extremely well.

I went to one of my favourite local restaurants, Restaurante Londres. It’s always full. I’ve often been there when I’ve been on my own, and they usually find me somewhere, sometimes sharing a table with welcoming locals.

They have good, simple food, and the Portuguese system of offering a half portion. I had bacalau a bras. ( Half portion, excellent value, but I’ve still no chance of finishing it !)  extra….

And finally - Christmas is coming, but it isn’t so much “in your face” (extra)