October

We found ourselves staying in Madeira longer than we originally planned and this was partly due to enjoyment and partly due to a bad weather pattern. A depression brought us South Easterly winds at about force 6 and large seas. These unfortunately found their way into the harbour at Calheta and caused great problems for the visiting yachts. We moved up the more sheltered end of the marina after 24 hours but it was not an easy move.

Angie looking anxious about entering the first tunnel
Halfway through the longest of the tunnels
The steep drop to the valley floor from the later stages of the walk
A tree growing from a flat rock in the Caldheiro Verdhe

On the recommendation of my sister we did another levada walk in the NE part of the island. This one started very gently but became more tricky as you progressed. The early part of the walk was on a broad path bordered by blue hydrangeas and tall cypress type trees. There was nobody else about and it was wonderfully peaceful. After the first couple of miles there was much more activity and the path grew steadily more narrow and rough as it climbed slowly along the side of the valley. There were plenty of opportunities for us to practice our German as we squeezed past other hikers. The valley we were in joined a steep sided gorge and the path became even narrower with spectacular views.

The wide path becomes narrower
The path gets narrower and rougher
Hydrangeas at the bottom of the Caldheiro Verdhe Levada walk

The mate needed some gentle encouragement and a little bribery to complete the higher section but we had not yet reached her worst nightmare - the tunnels! There were four tunnels to traverse and we had come prepared with our new LED head torches (lights). The first one was short and dry. The second was sinuous and muddy. The third was long and very wet and muddy. Somehow the mate was coaxed through and seemed unaware that a return trip would be needed...
The culmination of the walk was Caldeiro Verde (The Green Cauldron) where we had a picnic. There was a further walk into the Devil’s Cauldron but the days are getting short so we opted for the return journey only. Once again we could only marvel at the skill and foresight that has gone into the levadas in previous centuries.

The colours of the autumn aspens on our land in Colorado
The flowering Yuccas on our terrace in Ipswich
Bridget's bump is even bigger

As we travel we receive little reminders of the world that we have left behind for the moment. At our cabin in the Rocky Mountain the aspens have all turned to show their autumn (fall) colours and it is good to know that the family there is enjoying them. Bridget is getting ever bigger now and we are getting more and more excited about a first grandchild. Do hope Mark remembers to e-mail us with the news!

Fazil

My niece Katy has just delivered a son, Fazil, who looks delightful, so my sister has just beaten us in the first grandchild race.
Our good friend Aneta has sent us pictures of our terrace in Ipswich and the three Yuccas that have decided to flower - we are very grateful to her.

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