Special Day

Today is a special day. It's the Silver Vixen's Birthday. She's all grown up now. The Gorse Fox was up just before seven so that he could retrieve all of her cards from his case and lay them out ready for her to open when she woke. As usual, the plans for the day were a little fluid, but there was a nugget of an idea we had discussed last night.

The cards were opened and arranged on the table - this proved to be a good idea, but more about that later. We went down for breakfast then prepared for the day. At this point the Gorse Fox should point out that there was a lot of cloud about. The forecast had, for the first day since our arrival, said that there was no chance of rain until 1400, then only a 10% chance for about an hour. To clarify, all of the other days it has forecast 20, 40, 50 and 60% chance of rain and we have seen none. One look at this morning's sky instilled a degree of scepticism regarding the forecast. The Silver Vixen packed her umbrella and the Gorse Fox took a sweat shirt.

We headed into Funchal, along the marina, past the cable car terminus and on into the old town. It really was very picturesque and a study in charmed decay (the Gorse Fox means that in the nicest possible interpretation). We wandered through the streets and past the various restaurants, hotels, and churches. It was lovely.

We finally looped back stopping at the farmers' market(which also had a large fish market). It was a wonderful sight to see all of the fresh fruit and vegetables on display, almost hidden behind curtains of dried chillis and pimentos.

We went out on the roof terrace for a drink. No sooner had we settled down than it started to spit with rain. It never really came to anything, but the warning signs were there. Beware, they said. Ignore the forecast, they said.

We wandered back through the main shopping area, stopping here and there. We passed another set of gardens and went in for a look around. We  passed some street performers playing some excellent jazz with a trumpet, sax, tuba, drums and what can only be described as a thingmy-jig. The thingmy-jig was a series of hollow drums with no skins. They were played with paddles that created the noise by compressing the air in the 'drum' - but the bottom of the drum was a long flexible hollow pipe that amplified the sound and dictated the notes that were played. It was and excellent device and made some brilliant sounds.

We wandered back to the marina and up the hill to Reid's Corner, then round to the hotel. We settled on the patio for a tea (the Silver Vixen) and a beer (the Gorse Fox). While we were there Cousteau-cub called to wish the Silver Vixen a Happy Birthday and to have a chat.

We returned to our room. This is where the display of the Birthday cards had been a blessing. The person who tends the room had obviously noticed and called the hotel management. On the table was a card, a bottle of champagne, a chocolate cake, and some chocolates with birthday wishes form the hotel management. A nice touch.

Urban-cub did a Facetime call to the Silver Vixen. Clearly she has the remnants of a cold as does Ellie. Ellie found the whole Facetime experience a little confusing and whilst she watched avidly she didn't actually get round to interacting with us. Never mind, it is a bit magical really.

While this was going on the weather broke and the rain started in earnest. As the Gorse Fox writes, it absolutely thrashing down with rain. It's a good job we are not going out this evening - though we do have reservations in the Japanese restaurant downstairs. So much for weather forecasts!

Well the Japanese restaurant was a huge success. The food was exquisite. It was the first time that the Silver Vixen had tried sushi and, with careful selection, she thoroughly enjoyed it. The Gorse Fox was less selective and went for a mixed platter. This, again, was absolutely superb. Certainly it was as good as any sushi he has had before - even in California.