10th February 2017

All good things have to come to an end and today is our last full day in Madeira. I was back in the driving seat as we headed to the Madeiran capital of Funchal. We had driven past the city on a number of occasions and I was not particularly looking forward to my driving stint, having to find my way through the city to the car park we had pre-selected near the harbour. In the event with the help of the SatNav (yes - we're friends again!), it was pretty much a doddle with no wrong turns or 'U-ee's'. Our tiny tyres sounded like an American chase film as they screeched around 3 levels of the car park and then rather like a animal in pain when I finally parked up.

Funchal is a large city spread over many steep hills. As we just had a day to explore we decided to stick to the older part of the city. Our first stop had to be the renown Mercado dos Lavadores - the Workers Market. I love markets and this was a particularly good one. It has a fish and meat section which were just closing when we arrived and the fruit, vegetable and flower market in the centre which was still in full swing. The building is old and has a galleried balcony giving great views down onto the market stalls. As usual it begs the question why we cannot have the same sort of market and the same prices back home in the U.K.

After a few circuits of the market and the arrival of a guided tour group probably from the Fred Olsen cruise ship docked nearby, we decided to leave to explore the old narrow backstreets.

The main road is Rua Santa Maria which links the old town to the higher part of town. A characteristic of the street is the original artwork on almost all of the front doors of businesses and houses. Each one is a work of art in itself and I put together an album of a small selection of my favourite doors as well as some more of the market here - Market: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Emma-Durnford-LRPS-Photographer-186301661422523/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1375864512466226 and Doors: https://www.facebook.com/pg/Emma-Durnford-LRPS-Photographer-186301661422523/photos/?tab=album&album_id=1375872612465416

We finished our day with a trip on the new cable car which starts near the harbour at sea level and then rises to dizzying heights to Monte which we had visited earlier in the week. I consider it money well spent as the journey each way must be at least 20 minutes or so with stunning views and yet more rainbows. As we arrived late in the day we had somewhat limited time before the last car back so we only spent a short time admiring the views before heading back down again and heading home in the driving rain. The surf was rising in Paul do Mar on our return and the rain was lashing down for our final visit to our favourite local restaurant.

[Danette Thompson]

Fabulous market scene.

[Emma Durnford]

@danette Thanks - I love markets around the world, I take so many photos but don't get around to doing much more than using them for stock! I just like the atmosphere! :-)