My daughter and I decided to spend a couple of weeks in Madeira. Why Madeira? Well, several family members have been there and loved it and I wanted somewhere that would be warm but unlikely to be overwhelmingly hot. I also wanted somewhere pretty quiet and not like Skegness-on-the-Med. Perhaps not the ideal location for a 16 year old who dreams of going to Ibiza, but she seemed quite enthusiastic when I promised a hotel with pool and sun - so we went for it!
We took off from Birmingham, early on a sunny morning, and I couldn't help thinking that we were leaving just as Britain got some summer at last.
My son didn't come with us - he was in India, having an adventure, with a group from school.
Tags: July 2012 UK coast aeroplane
Low cloud and rain... had the grotty British summer followed us here?
If we'd been able to see out of the left hand side of the plane then I think the approach and landing would have looked rather hair-raising!
These were in the grounds of the hotel that was almost next door to ours and we walked past them when we went into Funchal.
Some photos of the road down into town are below.
Tags: Madeira July 2012 Funchal
One of absolutely loads I saw in Madeira - and I loved seeing so many! I think I'm right with Lacerta dugesii as an ID - the endemic species - but not sure if there are any others that could be present.
This one was in Santa Catarina Park - and the shot below shows a typical mass of lizards on just a short stretch of wall.
Tags: Madeira July 2012 wall lizard Funchal Lacerta dugesii
Municipal Garden, Funchal. They seem very happy.
Tags: Madeira July 2012 Funchal