Perfect Timing!

Today has been, without doubt, the warmest and sunniest of our entire stay. And happily we'd earmarked it for our visit to Madeira's Botanical Gardens. The trip was by all-in-ticket via two cable car rides - Funchal to Monte, then changing to the second cable car to the gardens. It's the first time we've visited for a few years, since fire put the second cable car out of action and singed the borders of the beautiful gardens. Today, the sun shimmered over the sea that reflected the fair weather cumulus, making it look most magical. It was great to be back!

Rounded off the day very enjoyably with another visit to the Madeiran Classical Orchestra. The first half of the programme featured guest cello soloist Pavel Gomziakov, who played the instrument till it became a part of him. (As with last week, my 'review' as such, is that of a non-musical person, who nevertheless loves live, classical performances.) Stupendous - Rossini and Dvorak! The second half was Tchaikovsky, beautifully played, and all led by guest conductor Martin Andre. As we live in the wilds at home, it's nice to grab a bit of culture while we can.

What to blip? I've changed my mind half a dozen times while I've been writing, but finally I've decided to blip the first thing I mentioned: the shimmering sea from the cable car. Can't resist adding Extras though: Martin Andre heading across-stage to find someone to look after the flowers he's been given (!), and the other of some of many courting frogs - noisy in the Botanical Gardens - I liked the way one emerged wearing a leaf (!) ... Nothing like using up 30% of one's Extras on one holiday, eh!