It had rained overnight so we were unable to have breakfast outside because of wet cushions. Dining inside had its benefits. I chuckled at ‘The Kitchen Cat’ manoeuvring around unexpected obstacles and saying ‘I’m here’ when something was out of place. The kitchen cat is a robot that the waiters stack dirty plates and cutlery on to. When it is full it is sent to the kitchen.
After breakfast we walked to the Museum da Quinto das Cruzes. The original house is where Captain Zarco, Madeira’s first ruler, lived when the Island was the newest addition to Portugal’s overseas colonies. The house was later rebuilt as a home to the Lomelino family and now houses decorative artworks. The grounds serve as an outdoor garden to archaeological remains.
We had lunch in the café located in the gardens. The café has a spectacular view overlooking the harbour below. We arrived just in time to avoid getting soaked by a sudden downpour. We ate outside and were kept perfectly dry by strategically placed parasols. After eating we lingered a while with a glass of wine in my case and a beer for Mr C until it was time for the Convent of Santa Clara to open.
We had a short wait until the convent’s doors were opened. The church attached to the convent is stunning and gives a feeling of stepping back in time. In addition to the church, there are many architectural and artwork features in the fabric of the convent.
After our visit to the convent, we walked back to town by taking an unfamiliar route to see where it took us. We ended up near to the Sacred Art Museum so we had afternoon refreshments including cake in the café next to it. Sadly, we had to sit inside due to another sudden downpour.
When the rain had subsided, we walked back to the hotel to chill out before dinner. We intended to dine in the hotel’s restaurant but they were fully booked inside with two big groups and so were only able to accommodate us outside. At rooftop height there was a cool blustery breeze and it was quite chilly, so, we booked a table for the next evening and opted for plan B, a nearby restaurant called 1811. This bistro is connected to Blandy’s wine lodge. The food was excellent, and once again I chose scabbard fish which this time was coated in breadcrumbs and almonds. We had a bit of a banter with the waiters, one of whom took Mr C into the wine cupboard to choose the wine for the meal.
Mr C ordered a pud, tiramisu, which was accompanied by a couple of glasses of medium sweet Madeira wine. Of course, I had to sample a spoon or two of the dessert to compliment my Madeira wine. In addition to the dessert, we were served with some spiced biscuits to enjoy with the Madeira.
After our ‘Fine Dining’ I am sure you have guessed that we returned to the hotel bar for a nightcap.
