I was more than impressed by the new airport on the east of the island, a bit of a right hand turn to line up with the runway giving incredible views of the island. My trip was to sample the three golf courses on Madeira - and there are a number more. What I wasn't prepared for was that you cannot turn your head anywhere on these islands without seeing another breathtaking view. More later in my course reviews

A few weeks before my trip, Madeira was hit by a month's rain in a day. The terrible after effects made headline news across the globe, and unfortunately its safe to say, the Madeiran people could not have prepared for what happen as massive boulders tumbled down the gulleys in the mountain sides, rushing through villages and towns before reaching the sea.

Like every similar geographical island, its people live where normally it's the best place for communities to flourish and to be connected to each other but the huge amounts of water funneling off the islands' slopes were nothing that could have been planned for, washing away buildings and cars and ruining residents' lives - temporarily.

The restoration has been done quietly, very thoroughly - and quickly - so that the Island could get back to being rather a bit of a paradise in its own unique way. When you come here this Winter, next Spring or during the Summer, I am sure you would not find a trace of the physical damage that occurred. The Madeiran people will always remember though but stoicism is part of many island races and on my trip I met many locals. They were to a person charming, helpful and delightful company.

My guide for a tour of the damaged areas was Miguel. He took me across several temporary roads (which were more than good - and safe) and instead of using the tunnels that connect the two halves of Madeira, we went up the mountain road onto the old ridge to take in the view - or should I say panorama of this beautiful place, of which much more later

Sampling a local pastry in a shore-side cafe in Funchal, the capital of Madeira, and spending a little time talking with locals before the short hop to Port Santo was just the perfect way to round off a glorious day.

I could only sample a tiny part of all that Madeira has to offer outside of golf. There are walks and places to visit you will remember for the whole of your life, a fine cultural tradition and some splendid culinary experiences to be had, all of which are detailed in the 'Body, Mind, Madeira' guide books that is readily available here in the UK, and with more detail to be found on the Madeira Tourist Board web site www.madeiraislands.travel

Airlines:

Easyjet

TAP

From just after Christmas through to February my three course reviews will appear on the Features pages of this site - it is a wonderful golfing experience!