Month: March 2019
Mainland property prices rocket.
Buyer-seller expectation gap increases to 22%
The Portugal News reports that the average price of property in the country rocketed by 15.4% in 2018. But while real estate continues to result in relatively decent profits for sellers, new data also indicates that owner’s expectations of their ............
Earth Hour “significant” in Funchal
Race marks Earth Hour
The Journal reports that, in addition to the outdoor candlelight yoga class at the Farmers Market already mentioned here, Funchal also saw an Earth Hour race for which ............
Motocyclist reaches 210 km/h on Rapida
Motorcyclist filmed himself doing 210 km/h
The Journal reports on a video being shared on Twitter this week by a motorcyclist doing 210 km/h leaving Funchal, heading towards the airport on the Rapida. The case is reportedly being investigated by the authorities.
The story was reported in Correio da Manhã, along with the video filmed ............
UK’s richest person in Funchal?
Hampshire II super-yacht in town
Thanks to Jaime for letting me know that the Hampshire II super-yacht is currently parked off Barreirinha at the end of the Old Town
It belongs to Sir James Arthur Ratcliffe (born 18 October 1952), the British billionaire chemical engineer turned financier and industrialist. ............
EU calls time on clock changes
Proposed end to spring and autumn custom by 2021 could affect Britain even if it leaves EU
The Portugal News repeats what has been reported here earlier this month. Portugal will have until 2021 to get to grips with not changing clocks during the final weekends of March and again ............
‘Madeira and Porto Santo: Together for Mozambique’
Campaign starts to aid cyclone-ravaged country
The Diario, among other media outlets, reports that the campaign ‘Madeira and Porto Santo: Juntos por Moçambique’ was launched by the Secretary for Inclusion and Social Affairs, was launched yesterday, 29 March, following the meeting of the Governing ............
Rain to stay for a while
Poor weather forecast to remain
The Journal forecast that the showers experienced in Funchal today will continue for the next few days, possibly until next Tuesday. This forecast lasts until ............
Rainfall causes flooding in Funchal
Localised flooding after heavy rain
The Journal reports that the forecast rain had barely started this afternoon, but quickly became evident, even in the centre of Funchal.
Car journeys were being ............
Tenerife air disaster – 42 years on
42nd anniversary of crash that killed 570+
The Diario recalls that March 27th marked forty-two years since the fateful ‘Tenerife air disaster’ occurred, an accident involving two Boeing 747s – one from KLM Royal Dutch Airlines from Amsterdam and another from Pan American from Los Angeles ............
Funchal moves to electric buses
129 electric buses by 2022
The print edition of the Diario headlines the remodelling of the fleet of buses run by Horários do Funchal
Horários do Funchal (HF) is the urban transport bus company that operates in Funchal. It is the largest transporter in Madeira, with about 22 million passengers per year.
Its urban ............
Earth Hour yoga in Funchal.
“Mega outdoor yoga class” at Farmers Market
Following on from the last post featuring Earth Hour being celebrated in Porto Santo, it has been drawn to my attention that in Funchal, Earth Hour is celebrated with a mega outdoor yoga class by candlelight: YOGA4PLANET 2019.
The Mega Yoga Class will be held at the ............
Porto Santo celebrates Earth Hour
Walk, Run and Pedal for the Planet
The Journal is reporting that Porto Santo is inviting its population to “walk, run and pedal for the planet” to mark Earth Hour this weekend. The event is scheduled for next Saturday, at 19:30 in Praça do Barqueiro.
The World Wildlife Fund’s ............
Airport affected again.
Flights continue to divert
Following on from yesterday’s post, reporting that the airport was affected by wind yet again, the Diario reports that an easyJet flight returned to Porto this ............
Bad weather affects Funchal port
Cruise ships forced to change plans
The Journal reports that the bad weather that has affected Madeira is preventing the normal operation of the activities in the port of Funchal. Due to the heavy seas and the wind that increased yesterday afternoon, the two cruise ships that were in port could not ............
Major drugs operation in Funchal.
200,000 doses of cocaine recovered
The local press have been reporting on a major drugs operation in Funchal, with the arrest of twelve people, some of whom were travelling on-board the cruise ship MSC Opera, which moored in Funchal at 7.00am yesterday. Six men and six women of various nationalities, ............
Another Calheta rockfall filmed.
Large boulder falls in Calheta
Cameras caught another dramatic moment as work continues to stabilise the cliff-face in Calheta – video below.
A previous “managed” rockfall of slightly smaller proportions was was caught on film by a drone ten days ago and reported here. ............
Minor airport problems tonight.
Three flights affected early evening
The day went very well at the airport today, despite the poor forecast – at least until 17.40, which as things stand was the last successful landing. This allowed most of the busy Monday traffic to clear without inconvenience.
The Diario reports that ............
Poor weather forecast this week
Wind and rain forecast
Poor weather forecast: After a grey day in Funchal yesterday, a poor week ahead is forecast, even for capital, which normally fares better than the rest of the island. The first forecast is from the Portuguese Weather Institute, IPMA (link on “Useful Links” tab above):
............
New coin to commemorate 600 years.
New €2 coin to mark the Discovery of Madeira and Porto Santo
To commemorate the “600 Years of the Discovery of Madeira and Porto Santo” special €2 coins will be issued, minted and put into circulation this year by the Imprensa Nacional/Casa da Moeda. The ............
Savoy Palace latest.
More changes to Rua Imperatriz D. Amélia
No news this morning – the most exciting thing being the latest changes to the road system around the new Savoy the transition phase of the work on Rua Imperatriz D. Amélia (pictured recently on the FN website). These are being implemented as the new Savoy ............