Weather Change

... for the better! No question, today was the warmest, sunniest day since we arrived in Funchal two-and-a-half weeks ago.Barefoot in sandals, no coat, lightweight top - and the joy of the deep blue Atlantic and matching sky! We made a DIY tour, following a different route up the hill behind Funchal, with wonderful views of the coastline, passing Pico dos Barcelos, using the regular buses, changing at Monte. (It was warmer there today than yesterday, but as there were two large cruise ships in the harbour, we're glad we chose yesterday to visit the palace gardens, before the cruise ships spewed out their passengers for their few hours' coach trip up to the gardens.)

Back in the town, we enjoyed lunch and beers at the poncha bar - where blipper Orchid99 and we finally caught up with each other. We shall meet again ere long.

Meanwhile, I achieved a longheld ambition and photographed our coach in one of the convex mirrors along the winding roads. I delight in catching sight of the bus we're on, distorted. As the buses fairly race along, it took many attempts to catch a couple of decent shots - one is my main blip, another, my Extra. The second Extra - at this rate I'll have used all the allocated 100 before Easter - shows how the Funchal sea front looks when the wind drops and the sun beats down. Delicious!