Trip to Hampstead Heath and Hackney

We took a trip up to Hampstead to have a walk through Hampstead Heath. We walked up to Parliament Hill and tried to get something to eat in Kenwood House, but it was too crowded, so we walked down to The Parliament Hill Cafe where we could at least get a seat. Heading into Hampstead, we found it too crowded so headed back to Hackney where we had some drinks in The Lord Napier before heading home.

 

Hornchurch v Bognor Regis

On a rather wet Saturday a large group of us went to Hornchurch to watch them beat Bognor Regis 4-1.

 

Day trip out to 'Little Portugal'

We took a trip on the train down to Nine Elms in the area of London known as 'Little Portugal'. We first visited Delicias for lunch and did some shopping before walking through Vauxhall Pleasure Gardens (and past the City Farm) to pay a visit to The Madeira Cafe where we bought some Bolo do Caco. We then walked on to Waterloo and headed home.

 

Trip to Madeira with Ingvild and Jose

We're just back from a long weekend in Madeira with Ingvild and Jose for some sightseeing and plenty of good food and drink. The hot weather meant going for walks had to be done early before the heat got too much! 

On Thursday, we just took a trip into Machico for some shopping.We had lunch at Mercado Velho before a walk around the church and town centre before heading home.

On Friday, after breakfast, we headed off early to do the 11km Levada do Furado walk from Ribiero Frio to Portela which was pleasant as much of it is covered by trees so not too hot. After heading home, we got changed and headed to Funchal for a couple of drinks at The Hole in One, before a fantastic dinner at Cris's Place.

On Saturday we headed back to Funchal to visit the La Vie Shopping Centre where Jose bought a new sandwich toaster. We had lunch at Mozart (with the fantastic pork cheeks) before wandering through the old town and stopping for a drink at Bar Madeira, before heading home. In the evening we went for drinks and a meal with Tania and family  at Gate 23 and Piazza del Mare - UNDER the airport runway!

On Sunday, we took a drive up to Miradouro do Pico do Facho overlooking Machico, though it was a bit hazy. From there we drove onto Caniçal for lunch where an Ultra Madeira race had been taking part. After lunch at Cabrestante we headed home. After getting changed we headed out to Santa Cruz for dinner with some of Jose's friends at Taberna Petisco which had great food. We headed to Alameda Beach Club for a final drink before heading home to watch the Lord of Miracles procession in town, which we watched from up on high from The Francisco Alvares Nóbrega Viewpoint, near Jose and Ingvild's house.

Monday was a fairly quiet day where we went into Machico to visit Jose's parents grave and sort out his iphone eSIM. We ended up having both lunch and dinner at Mercado Velho (while Jose went to a school reunion in the evening). After a last drink at Number One Pub and Food, we headed home.

Tuesday was a quiet day packing and tidying up before heading home. A few photos are below, but all the photos and videos are here:

MADEIRA TRIP OCTOBER 2023

 

Trip to Leytonstone with Jens

We went out to The Red Lion in Leytonstone for dinner tonight with Jens. As Monday is a quiet night, the kitchen was closed, so we ordered from Yard Sale Pizza who delivered to the pub. With some great old music being played y the DJ it wasa fun night out.

 

Trip to Wanstead Park with Jens

We've got Jens staying with us for a few days, after National Express let him down we had to drive to Portsmouth to pick him up, getting home at 2.30am! After a late start on Sunday, we went for a long walk through Wanstead Park before heading for dinner at The George in Wanstead.