To make this day extra special and festive we had decided to start today with a walk. But before the walk, first enjoy the last sunrise of the year, especially with a cup of tea at 1600 meters altitude.
We drove at a quarter past 7 from home to the viewpoint where we always go, so we'll be there well before sunrise. We brought a filled thermos, which we had just given each other as a present under the Christmas tree. Tea from Pukka with a blend of lemon, ginger & manuka honey. Isn't that how you want to start every day together?
Once arrived a small walk of about 10 minutes up from the place where we parked our car over the rough path with stones and crevices. Wonderfully fresh and around freezing point it is here at just over 1600 meters altitude. The small puddles and pieces of grass creak under our shoes as we walk up the path. But the creaking is the only sound you hear here, what a richness and so nice to experience. When we are upstairs we pour a cup of tea and both stare silently at the horizon around us. It's not the first time we are standing here, but that's how it feels. What a magic it always is, the beginning of a new day and this time also the last time of the old year.
For us it is so nice to be able to enjoy these little things together, which are actually the biggest you can wish for. The sun rises and the horizon turns as if it were a peacock that wants to show its most beautiful colours. This day is already a success, both of us realise that we live here together and are healthy as well.
Enjoying the beauty we just saw, we drive in the direction of Fanal. We would like to be there at an early moment, we thought. Once arrived a veil of fog and outside still a degree or three above zero. Fanal is a special place, a magical place that is centuries old. The view of the trees that stand here on the hilly landscape tell you that this is a place with history.
We walk together through this area, looking around us how it looks in the early morning. The feeling that you want to walk on and see more comes to the surface. We walk through the valley and from there up again, zigzagging through the landscape. The branches are overgrown with long stretches of moss and there through the first rays of sun coming over the hill. It seems like a fairy tale to be able to walk through here so early. After about 20 minutes at least 100 photos and a few minutes of this beauty filmed. Of that one tree, that light shining through the branches, my girlfriend standing on a hill and forming a beautiful image. We realise that we also have to go here with our friends from Holland, and the guests who come on holiday. You don't feel anything here and the silence makes it so special.
After an hour of wandering around here we decide to find a place in the early sun and eat our breakfast. While we sit here we look at each other and we know for sure. What a beautiful place we live in and what a privilege it is to experience this together with a whole life ahead of us.
Tonight together with our kittens and a crackling fire we make a beautiful dinner and usher in the new year.
From Madeira we wish everyone a healthy and happy year.
Hopefully we can welcome some of you here on the island. We will not disappoint you.
Love Anne & Dave
See this video of Fanal.
Made by the Digital Travel Couple
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