Our first week is over and it’s flown by!

All of the cobwebs and beasties have been removed - nearly - the boxes emptied, and we’re very slowly finding places for everything.

We have no tv signal, an intermittent internet connection, a trickle of warm water in the hot water taps/showers and an electrical system that needs updating - all of which will be done in Madeiran time. Oh, and an ATM machine that gobbles up Madeiran bank cards.

We have the most superb views here, lovely neighbours, a friendly local bar, gorgeous weather - I could go on - but this paragraph just cancels out all of the above niggles.

It’s also about the food! The photos show produce given to us by our neighbours ; a papaya tree planted last August as a 6” high sapling (with a chilli plant next to it!) and our Cup Final supper at our local Bar Rio last night (bbq chicken) .

Well done England!