Curral das Freiras, pirates and mountains.

We set off to visit Curral das Freiras (Nun’s Valley), set in the bottom of basin shaped valley. In 1566 the nuns living in a convent fled to this hidden valley, because pirates were attacking Funchal, and they remained there. The valley was difficult to reach until fairly recently when roads were constructed. It is a very fertile place and is known for producing sweet chestnuts and cherries.

On the way we stopped at a restaurant on the side of the mountain and had coffee. We got talking to the owner who was Brazilian and spoke Spanish. He has recently written an amusing book about the psychology of male and female relationships, and he also showed us the plans for his property which he is intending to turn into a small hotel. There were two stray and friendly dogs lurking around his courtyard, one had such thick fur around his neck that he looked like a lion. We left intending to return for an evening meal.

We drove through the valley of Curral das Freiras, and then up hill where we stopped for a while and had a small picnic. We noticed small lizards sunning themselves on the rocks, but they moved so fast it was difficult to see them properly.

If you click on this to enlarge the picture it is possible to see the houses and terraced garden farms on the mountain side.















This is the roof terrace on someone's house.

We then went up to Sierra do Serrado which is 3,300 feet above the valley. The vermilion flowers are aloes.

We then walked down to where we had left the car, and drove through impressive scenery back to the apartment.
We had dinner at the restaurant as it was a folklore evening. After we had eaten lots of young people entered in traditional costume, and began playing folk music and dancing, which was very colourful. Before we understood what was happening we found ourselves propelled to the dance floor, and we joined in (except for Mas who was quick witted enough to avoid dancing).