Village fetes in Paradise

As I mentioned in earlier posts, August is a busy month in Madeira with all the village fetes around the island - every weekend. The unbelievable turn out amazes me every time. I'm certain at least half the island's population attend these great events.

S. Vicente's  last week started tuesday and ended sunday afternoon, and I, along with the usual crowd of pals, attended thurday, friday and saturday nights. No sleep but who cares?

S.Vicente's do was superb - the best of them all...great sound
 from Vespas Club

this is only a fraction of the crowd...

Claudia, my dearest friend, her brother and husband at the
start of the evening. She is leaving Madeira on a job assignment -
and I'm not happy about it :( 

Sofia is famous for never getting drunk - until this particular night
when she overdid it with  shots and ended up at the
car, head out of the window, spewing up

The gang and I - this weekend is Ponta Delagada - woohoo! 

Last night after a session at Warm Up bar that lasted until 4 am, Lisandra and I  went back to my apartment for more drink and chat, and at 8:30 she decided a swim in the sea would be a good idea. 

And it was! Diving into the coolness of the deep blue with our bellies full of booze was absolutely magical. The best hang-over cure ever!  I now want to make a habit of it - after all, here in Madeira the sea temperature ranges from 25 centigrade in the summer to a "chilling" 20 centigrade in winter - oh yes, and plenty of sunshine all year round.

Lisandra and I swam to that platform and rested a while - before the
crowds arrived

So, very little time to blog at present. Busy busy with work and partying. 

It's tough going...but someone's got  to do it.

:)

Swift update

Lately I have been immersed in work - more than I can handle. I have the opportunity to gig every night of the week and also the responsibility of helping to run bro's restaurant-bar, Porta XXXII - hence the lack of posting.

But, guess what?

I'm loving it

Warm Up Jam Session at Porta XXXII - We all stayed
until 08:30 am.  I've been busy working here...

...and doing this kind of thing ...

 So, that's it! Little time to blog, but I'm working on something of interest to post soon

:)

Update from paradise - and sunset pics

I've started working at Porta XXXII restaurant, (my big bro's place) and am enjoying it immensely.  I'll be helping with IT matters and promoting theme nights, especially the live music side of it.

As in "Door 32". Get it?

Working as I am leaves me with less time to blog, but I'll get round that little problem.

And now, for your enjoyment, here are some sunset pics from sunny Madeira

:)

Moments

Here are some pics at The Hole In One Pub - nice place.

Posing for a poster

Solo effort

Posing for another poster!

Mark and Sen just had to get in the act - Thanks guys

Same again

In full flow

 

I do have different clothes! - obviously the same night

:)

Holiday, glorious holiday

June 10 is Portugal Day. The most important day in our calendar. It is the date we celebrate Luis De Camoes  death - the Portuguese Language equivalent to Shakespeare -  the day dedicated to the Portuguese communities around the world and also National Day. Three-in-one, so to speak.

Luis De Camoes 1524 - 1580

  It is 2 pm, the weather is sunny and 26 degrees centigrade, Funchal looks sublime ( see pics below) and I feel happy.

Yes, I actually feel happy today!

Before I'm accused of being bi-polar, manic depressive or simply mad, let me explain.

This evening I play a gig at the 5 start Pestana Carlton Hotel...

The Carlton - 2 minutes walk from my apartment

 ...a place that has eluded me for a while, and I can't wait to check it out.  It may produce further gigs, something I'm hoping for.

I have also been offered a daytime job that will remove the anxiety concerning my financial status. Money worries have contributed to my depression of late.

Some say ´money isn't everything´, and I concur. It is 99% of everything.  Some say health and love are more important. I say I'd rather be ill and have money than be ill without it.  As for love...well, without money - the greatest aphrodisiac known - it is a much more difficult and elusive proposition.

Anyway, I feel good.

Happy June 10 to all.

:)