Madeira - Day 48 - lunch at the marina

It was Dave and Nicola's last day and their unbelievable streak of fabulous weather held (they may have broken the "curse" of always bringing bad weather). We had nothing pressing on the agenda, maybe some shoe shopping, grocery shopping (while I still had some help with carrying it back) and a nice lunch out.

Walking out we stopped to admire the rose bush, in full bloom.

The buds start out a neon pink and fade as they open into flowers.

I hope this plant flowers before I leave so I can see what it is. It may be the plant that we saw along the sides of the road while on our taxi tour.

The Cathedral was open as we walked past, though just about to close. We  came in the back door and surprisingly that was the only place that had tile on the walls.

The nave was very ornate.

Stone pillars and white plaster walls

but unfortunately none of my photos of the ornate carved wood ceiling came out very well. I will have to go back and try for them again as the guidebook describes them as " one of the finest examples in Portugal of alfarge, or "knotwork", a technique blending Moorish and European elements" from Top 10 Madeira.

This sign was inside the cafe where we stopped for coffee, near the cathedral.

We were sitting outside but this pigeon had walked in, checked, among the feet, chair legs and purses, under the tables inside before strolling out the door, as if he owned the place.

The sign outside said the Military Museum was free and when we went inside and inquired

we were told we could see it "precisely at 3"

We walked along the seafront contemplating the lunch options (there are many) and settled on the Beerhouse as long as we could find a place in the sun, with the view, out of the wind. We succeeded a little too well as Nicola and Dave felt that had got a sunburn while eating lunch.

Dave ordered a beer and Nic and I, wines, but we were all given a sample of "local stout" to try. I don't really care for beer and I hated Guinness when I tried it in Ireland but we all agreed that this was rather nice. It was served cold, unlike the Guinness.

Dave is having beef at every opportunity not being a fan of fish.

Nicola had a skewer of fish

and I had tuna. It was a lovely relaxing meal with a view of the harbour and the city.

We walked, to shake down our lunch, along the harbour. There were no cruise ships in (Jose had told us yesterday that the season was about over) but this looks like a private motor yacht

and there was a cluster of fishing boats at the end.

We walked back, stopping for gelato, though I don't know how we had room, grocery shopped and caught the bus home. Time to catch the last of the sun on the terrace and then pack.

Later: Dave made appetizers.