Apologies for the lack of postings just recently, due to a short trip to Lisbon. This gave us the opportunity to visit one of our favourite restaurant chains – Portugália – which unfortunately does not have a presence in Madeira. Traditional Portuguese fare dominates the menu (at a very reasonable price) and the surroundings are always impressive (particularly in the original location on Av Almirante Reis), but with an emphasis on practicality showing that the food comes before pretentions. Maybe part of my appreciation is that they started life as a “Beer Hall” serving draft beer – one of the few things I miss about the UK. One of their most popular dishes is a serious version of a bitoque, pictures below. Meat can be chosen by weight and preferred cut – goodness knows how many calories are in the buttery sauce (soup almost) that the steak sits in – just “dunk” your chips and mop up what’s left with a bread roll. Wonderful! – then subscribe to Weight Watchers.
The history of Portugália dates back to the start of the century when the Leão Beer Company and the Portuguese Beer Company merged to form a company called the Germânia Beer Factory, which was created with the purpose of producing a beer that was “amongst the best in the world”. A large property was purchased on the Avenue Almirante Reis in Lisbon in 1912. During World War I, in which Portugal supported the Allies, the anti-German attitude resulted in an intelligent marketing measure and in 1916 the factory changed its name to Portugália Ltd.
The first beer hall or ‘Cervejaria’ was inaugurated on 10 June 1925 as an annexe to the beer factory and was launched due to a lot of customers preferring to have their barrels filled on-site rather than trust delivery vehicles – this was soon supplemented by the famous steaks and seafood, which rapidly became the signature dishes of the new establishment. Over the mid 1900’s celebrities such as the fado singer Amália Rodrigues were regular customers. It was such a popular establishment that its courtyard was chosen in 1933 as one of the settings for the film “A Canção de Lisboa”.
During the 1970s, with the 25 April Revolution, Portugália, like most of the companies by that time, experienced a few turbulent years. However by 1977 it began to expand the concept of the Portugália beer hall located in Almirante Reis Avenue into a network of restaurants that remained true to the same theme: property was bought on the Almirante Reis Avenue in Lisbon in 1912. Current Portuguese locations include, Cais Sodré, Belém, Porto Foz, Setúbal, Colombo, Vasco da Gama, Amoreiras, Oeiras Parque, Cascais Shopping, Almada Forum, Forum Algarve, Norte Shopping, Alegro Alfragide
More information at http://www.portugalia.pt/ Worth a try if you are on the mainland – they also have a cheaper “Balcao” menu if you are just looking for a snack.
Madeira voted second best island in Europe
The much respected travel magazine Condé Nast recently voted Madeira the second best island destination in Europe. First place was Bozcaada and the Turkish Aegean Islands
More information at http://www.cntraveler.com/readers-choice-awards
Portugal pays more for sovereign debt
According to the agency Lusa this morning (Fri): Interest sovereign debt are now rising in Portugal at all times, a day after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released the report of the fifth revision of the memorandum of understanding with Portugal.
Around 9:30 am, the interest of Portuguese sovereign debt to two years followed pressure, with investors demanding an interest rate of 5.083% (4.863% against Thursday).
The five and 10 years followed pressed interest in 6.057% and 7.992%, up from 5.992% to 7.839% of, respectively, on Thursday.
This is the trend of interest in Portugal a day after the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has released the report of the fifth revision of the memorandum of understanding with Portugal.
The Government will have to provide the ‘troika’ a detailed analysis of public expenditure will explain how to save over 4 billion euros in 2014 and 2015, specifying the measures by the end of February 2013. The documents released today by the International Monetary Fund specify that for this period the Government will have to find savings of four billion euros via spending cuts, and the program will end in 2014 if successful, with the deficit forecast for this year 2.5% of Gross Domestic Product.
The IMF also confirmed that the 4 per cent surcharge on personal income tax will remain until 2014 unless replaced by measures of similar size.
Also in Greece, Italy and Spain the interest follow the same upward trend, and unemployment in Spain has hit a record 25% (up from 24./6%)
Region appears as a challenge to the Government of the Republic in IMF/Troika review
The Diario reports this afternoon:
“The region is one of the factors responsible for Portugal not having achieved the objective of debt payment arrears. This is in the analysis of the IMF and the ‘troika’ (International Monetary Fund, European Commission and European Central Bank) in their fifth assessment disclosed yesterday.
“The IMF recognizes "complications due to the autonomy of some of the spending units", which leaves many of the delays in payments beyond the "direct control of the Central Government." It says "must be exercised stricter controls on local governments [municipalities] and Regional authorities", and even makes a bracket to reinforce the issue of Madeira. "Reporting failures need to be addressed quickly," warns yet.
“Given this negative assessment, the Government of the Republic ensures that the fiscal consolidation measures implemented by the Central Government "will also be implemented at regional and local levels." And promises to put into action a plan for monitoring, reporting and control of fiscal commitments.
“The regional secretary must also address the revision of the Finance Act of the Autonomous Regions.The Finance Minister Vitor Gaspar, promises to review the law which defines the financial relations between the State and the Regions, from top to bottom.
from dnoticias Winter comes to the watches in the early hours of Sunday
Do not forget an hour late
The clocks go an hour late on the morning of Sunday, from 02:00 to 01:00 in mainland Portugal and Madeira, and 01:00 to 00:00 in the Azores, officiating passage to winter schedule.
“The time will change the official time of summer for winter as early as next Sunday, October 28, following the European Union legislation. Existence of these times in Europe is a decision of the European Union as a whole and not a individual decision of each country. Accordingly, all make the transition on the same day and at the same time “, told Lusa the director of the Astronomical Observatory of Lisbon, Rui Agostinho.
“Both in mainland Portugal and in Madeira, who share exactly the same time, there will be a delay of 60 minutes at 02:00 on the morning of October 28. Azores will make the same transition at 01:00 to 00:00 local” , needed.
The decision to change the time twice a year – the transition to the winter schedule takes place on the last weekend of October and the transition to daylight saving time on the last weekend of March – has historical roots dating back to World War I. .
Rui Agostinho recalled that the time shift began as, by then, a need to allow adjust work schedules in order to save fuel, heavily rationed during the war.
It was the perception that the change would bring more benefits to society that any energy savings result that continue until the present day.
Currently, the countries that comprise the European Union reevaluate the maintenance of daylight – and winter – every five years, depending on the opinion of each of these same benefits, as explained Rui Agostinho.
Second said, “nowadays, studies are made by the European community show that there is an economic impact to be a decisive factor in making this decision. What is an impact on the daily activities of the people, feel work well for a time when there is more sun, yet move with the light of day. ”
This welfare “after also impacts the way we lead and accidents that are in good disposition of the people, which is reflected in the consumption of drugs. You can not justify this time for purely economic savings,” he said, adding that school schedules and routines of younger also have a great weight to maintain this standard schedule.
Rui Agostinho recalled that whenever the country experienced not implement the winter time, just always retreat by the decision, because they demonstrate the negative impacts of a lag with respect to solar time.
“The time that we implement now is the time that brings us closer to solar noon, and winter makes a difference,” he said.
Forgot to mention – there is wonderful old film footage of the early days of the original Portugalia Cervejaria in the “History” section of their web site http://www.portugalia.pt/
Please can you tell me if there is any up to date information on the dengue fever situation. I am returning to Madeira in 10 days with friends and feel I should give them as much information as I can. Many thanks.
Sandra, From what I can gather from the “diario” I think that with the recent heavy rain and the drop in temps (20*c currently) with the eradication programme, in the worst affected areas in Funchal, that the risk is now low….certainly we have no mosquito activity here in Gaula and Santa Cruz area etc…..maybe the tourst board would be able to provide you with an update? Hopefull?!?
Have a great Holiday/Stay here…..
from dnoticias XXIX Chestnut Festival takes place at 1 and 3 November
XXIX The Chestnut Festival, sponsored by the House of the People and the Nun’s Valley Folklore Group of the House of the People’s Nun’s Valley, due in the coming days 1 and 3 November.
The event opens at 9 am on November 1 with a performance of Banda Peasant Playground. That same day there will be the usual parade of floats, by 12:30, followed by the intervention of the President of the Regional Government and awards, as of 13 hours.
On 3 November, the Chestnut Festival will be especially dedicated to the musical entertainment, with a gathering of folklore.
The initiative has the support of the Municipality of Câmara de Lobos, Acaporama, Sports Club of Nun’s Valley, Board of Nun’s Valley of the parish, Schools and Local farmers of the parish and the Philharmonic Band of San Antonio
from dnoticias Meteorology predicts rainy Sunday
The Institute of Meteorology predicts that tomorrow from 12 noon until the end of the day, occurring periods of rain, sometimes strong.
Information provided to the DAILY realize that the possibility of tomorrow morning be issued a yellow warning due to the occurrence of rain at times strong. However, the same information shows that there are reasons for concern by the regional population.
In next Tuesday will recur rain or much stronger, however, the forecasts will be updated there.
Telegraph Travel section, 25th October. Confused?
“Dengue fever warning in Madeira
A British holidaymaker is recovering in hospital after contracting dengue fever on a trip to the Canary Islands.
A British holidaymaker is recovering in hospital after contracting dengue fever on a trip to the Portuguese island.”
Thanks Jon, we are always far more confident in people’s opinion locally ‘on the ground’ than any official line, which we have often found suspect, during the five years we have lived (part time) on the island! If there are any updates in the next week we would be grateful to hear of them. Thanks again.
Pleasure….I will keep my eyes & ears open!
Thanks Jon
from dnoticias
Civil Protection warns of the danger of landslides in areas affected by fires
The Civil Protection Madeira issued a warning because of the bad weather expected for tonight and tomorrow morning. The service calls special attention to the areas affected by fires in summer where the rain can cause flash floods. The same warning prompts caution in motor traffic and pedestrian control in mountain and exposed slopes.
The orange alert, the second most severe on the scale of the Institute of Meteorology predicts heavy rain, mainly after midnight, with wind gusts of around 80 km / hour, and also why, Civil Protection and demands attention to drivers recommends that you follow the directions of the authorities
from dnoticias Most insecticides are ineffective in ‘Aedes’
Alert the Directorate General of Health
Actualizado há 15 minutos
The Director General of Health said today that most insecticides are ineffective against mosquitoes dadengue but warned that fighting is more effective in simple gestures like avoid having domestic containers with standing water.
Studies show that the places where mosquitoes are multiplying preferably small household containers such as plates of plant pots, because the samples show a very high rate of larvae, Francis George told Lusa.
Since this is the stage where the development cycle of the mosquito is more easily disrupted, the Directorate General of Health (DGS) is warning the public to take simple steps to “turn the dish instead.”
“That’s where we have to concentrate. We can not use chemical insecticides because these mosquitoes (” Aedes aegypti “) are resistant. Insecticides that it is not resistant mosquitoes can not be used for environmental reasons,” said George Francisco.
According to the director general of DGH, no effective biological insecticides that have been used by health authorities, based on “bacilli thuringiensis.”
The first populations of the mosquito that transmits dengue fever were identified in the parish of Santa Luzia, having been developed with aim of eliminating them.
Besides the biological, we used three chemical insecticides to combat the mosquitoes, but the measure was not successful “because nature prevailed and ecological conditions found mosquitoes to multiply, as the subtropical climate.”
However, the responsible desdramatizou, noting that rates of dengue epidemic in Madeira are much lower than those of Rio de Janeiro, which this year recorded 135,000 cases, and “is not why people stop traveling there.”
Since the early were confirmed cases of dengue Madeira (October 3), it is known that this virus serotype 1, which has a behavior that is characterized mainly by causing many early cases, but less virulent than others ie, it reaches more patients but is less severe, “he told Lusa.
“Dengue fever is very common, almost always benign and is not transmitted from person to person,” he said.
Moreover, fever is an infection dadengue very common globally: two in five people are exposed to this risk around the world every year and is diagnosed nearly 20 cases of dengue fever in Portugal (imported cases).
The official noted that only some more severe forms have to be treated in hospital, and stated that in case of suspicion, people with fever should not take aspirin because it exacerbates the tendency to cause bleeding. “
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