Madeira blog

1

Grocery shopping or getting a drink on a terrace

gepubliceerd op: 15 May 2020
Maintaining a monthly blog in a period when the impulses from outside have disappeared does not seem to be easy at first. After all, we don't really experience much outside of our gate to write about. Provided you can count a weekly trip to the local supermarket. Let's not get into the details about that too much. Or is it?

 

A visit to the local super was just like any outing a pleasant activity for us. Armed together with our shopping bags to the village. Usually before a "garoto" at the bar in the supermarket, or on the terrace at our friends at New Era. Usually the latter is a less good option if we have more on the agenda that day. It has happened several times that this "cup of coffee" turned into a complete afternoon program with friends and acquaintances who also passed by and queuing. On such a day it is wonderful and you feel the freedom splashing off. When the afternoon is over and lunch gives way to toasts with wine, we just must not forget to get the groceries.

Schermafbeelding 2020-05-15 om 15.21.13 (1).jpg

At the moment, grocery shopping looks slightly different. The coffee bar is closed anyway, there is usually a queue of around 6-8 people in front of us and we put on our gloves neatly. Some people wear mouth masks and all are properly spaced. The supermarket manager welcomes everyone personally and takes another trolley into the store in turn. But not before the hands are disinfected and also the handle of the shopping cart. In Madeira it is all very orderly and neat. We notice that everyone adheres well to the "Covid-19 rules". This certainly contributes to the fact that there are still so few infections here.

Once in the store, we see that everything is just there. Something not always the case on this island, but it is remarkably well supplied. And that for more than 6 weeks now since Madeira was closed to the outside world. Apparently they are working extra hard to be able to offer everything. Despite the stricter work regulations, the store employees are also very friendly and helpful as always. For us, only the shopping list changes a little bit, we cook more at home and experiment more in our house. A wide range of recipes has already been added to the list of "guestproof recipes" for later. So much fun to do. The most delicious soups, banana carrot cake, fresh focaccia, apple crumble muffins and various oriental dishes. When we leave the till and drive home it is nice to be there again. It is a strange world with all those mouth caps and therefore (even) less intelligible words.​​​​​​​

Schermafbeelding 2020-05-15 om 15.21.32 (1).jpg

Once home, we usually fall into the routine of the day. It will be no different for many than it is for us. So it doesn't really matter where you stay in this world. That is also unique, right? What makes it special here is the view of the ocean and the door that is almost always open. We are also working on ideas that can be implemented when we can receive guests again. Things that make it even more fun and delicious to be here with us and things that make it easier for the guest. Think of activities that we enrich with our knowledge or additions of services such as BBQ on site in the mountains, or the provision of delicious filled picnic backpacks. So that we can give you the holiday feeling you deserve even more.​​​​​​​

Schermafbeelding 2020-05-15 om 15.21.59 (1).jpg

Our own reusable water bottles have now also arrived. These will be for sale later when you are here for a price that is more than 40% below the retail price, we pay the rest so that you really get something beautiful. It is perfect to take with you on your hike or activities here in Madeira and also to use at home or at work after the holidays. We have opted for a sturdy all-black Chilly’s Bottles from England. If you still want to do something, then something that will make you really happy! In any case, we are very proud of it.​​​​​​​36%-2.png

Abraco 

Anne & Dave

 

 

 

 

 




 


 

Messages
0 messages
Add Message
I'm not a robot

More blogs

31 October

More then 30 ideas on how to spend a rainy day on Madeira!

Of course, when you're on vacation, it's usually more enjoyable when it doesn't rain. But Madeira has more to offer during those rare rainy moments than most people might think. For us, it was quite a surprise to see how much there is to do on the island, which may not always be immediately apparent to visitors. Here's a nice collection of things to visit or do on a rainy day during your vacation here.

Lees meer
08 April

Digital Nomads on Madeira island

About six months after we finished our project here on Madeira in 2019, suddenly everything came to a standstill again. We were just getting used to receiving guests in our little paradise. On 14 March 2020, not knowing then, we waved goodbye to our last guests, the airport pretty much went on lockdown and here on Madeira we went into a fairly severe lockdown.

Lees meer
03 February

Our love for animals on Madeira

Three years ago, Anne and I came to Madeira to settle down. By now, most of our project has been completed. With some small fun things left to do, we wanted to go for the next step. A new pet seemed like something really nice to have again.

Lees meer
31 December

Final day of 2020

It is 6.30 a.m. on 31 December 2020. The alarm clock rings and we both get up from bed. It is the last day of this year that has begun. 

Lees meer
01 October

Banana island

Anyone who has not yet been to Madeira is mainly familiar with the name "Madeira flower island", but less obvious is the name "banana island". And that while the annual export is more than 600,000 kg to the mainland.

Lees meer
15 May

Grocery shopping or getting a drink on a terrace

Maintaining a monthly blog in a period when the impulses from outside have disappeared does not seem to be easy at first. After all, we don't really experience much outside of our gate to write about. Provided you can count a weekly trip to the local supermarket. Let's not get into the details about that too much. Or is it?

Lees meer
06 May

Recipe: Poncha da Madeira

In Madeira, you will find many roadside bars making Poncha. Often, this is already indicated outside with a sign with a picture of the traditional glass and a caralhinho (more on this later) next to it. 

Lees meer
20 January

It’s the most wonderful time of the year - 5 redenen waarom je in December naar Madeira wil!

Madeira is onlangs alweer voor de vijfde keer verkozen tot ‘Best Island Destination Of The World’, iets waar we met z’n allen trots op mogen zijn. Jaarrond kun je hier genieten van de mooie en vaak ruwe natuur, het zachte klimaat en lekker eten en drinken, Madeira heeft voor ieder wat wils! Zo ook in December, mocht je nog een leuke bestemming zoeken voor bijvoorbeeld de kerstvakantie.

Lees meer
08 August

The last step of our renovation and looking to the future

On January 11, 2018 we came to Madeira together to start our new life. A new challenge, a different work pace, better weather and, above all, more time for each other.

Lees meer
11 July

Arco da Calheta: Craft

From the first time we came to Portugal and Madeira, we were both in love with the type of Portuguese pavement stones called Calçada Portuguesa.

Lees meer
13 June

Arco da Calheta: Island mentality

Since we have been living in Madeira, a number of things have changed for us compared to our lives on Texel. There are great things that really make a difference, such as the climate.

Lees meer
09 May

Arco da Calheta: Octopus

After living in Madeira for almost 15 months, we moved in to our own newly renovated house 2 weeks ago. A reward for the long and intensive 6 months of renovation while living in the middle of the 'construction pit'.

Lees meer
11 April

Arco da Calheta: Island feeling

Six months in rubble and dust ... We regularly scroll through our (mega) digital archive of renovation photos. So much debris, time and again we are surprised to look at the 'before photos'.

Lees meer
14 March

Arco da Calheta: Time flies

Six days a week 'our' workmen are busy preparing everything, so our week is always completely filled. Every morning from 8:00 we are ready for all questions and we try to have everything arranged as much as possible.

Lees meer
14 February

Arco da Calheta: The move

About a year ago we boarded the plane together to start our new life in Arco da Calheta in Madeira. After running a catering company on Texel for almost 16 years, we were ready to start a new life.

Lees meer
07 September

Live your best life

Hotel-restaurant De Smulpot in Den Burg will change hands after almost sixty-five years. Owner Dave Huizinga is moving with partner Anne Rienstra to Madeira early next year, where they have bought an estate.

Lees meer