Meeting the Prime Minister!

We walked up the red carpet and were greeted by the Prime Minister (!) of the smallest country in the world - the São José fort - otherwise known as the Principality of Pontinha. Apparently, it's the oldest fort on Madeira. At some point in its history, it appeared in the Guinness book of records as being the smallest independent country. It's now owned by Professor Renato Barros and is still being explored and developed by archaeologists, with funding and expertise from - among others - the University of Kent. It also houses a large number of stray cats.

In all the years we've been visiting Funchal, this is the first time it occurred to us to explore the seaward side of the harbour. This is how we came across the wonderful little country. It also gave us a close-up view of the huge floating hotel called Queen Mary 2. Hoards of cruisers were spilling out for a few hours on dry land. Now, at 5pm, the cruiseship is sounding her horn to announce her imminent departure. I don't think I'd like cruising.

Tonight we shall be back at Funchal's dinky theatre - Teatro Municipal Baltazar Dias - to hear the Madeiran Symphony Orchestra play another mix of light classics.