chap, i.] RIBEIRO FRIO. LAMUCEIRAS. 23 



RIBEIRO FRIO. 



At length you reach the Eiheiro Frio. The scene here 

 presents a softer aspect, and forms a pleasing contrast to the 

 wild majesty of what you have just seen. If you have not 

 been there before, take your luncheon up to the levada; tbere 

 you look down the road you have come up, and see your old 

 friend the Penha d'Aguia at the bottom of the Metade Valley. 

 Passing along the same levada, round a projecting cliff, you 

 come upon all the peaks, in full grandeur arrayed before you. 



Leaving the Ptibeiro Frio, and riding through woods of til 

 and vinhatico, you mount to a Serra, where there is turf for 

 a gallop, a great rarity in Madeira. Again you ascend, and 

 when you presently descend, the shipping opens out, and now 

 Funchal smiles brightly upon you with its white sunny 

 look, as though it would welcome you back after your 

 northern tour. 



LAMUCEIRAS. 



On the whole, I think if I had to recommend an excursion 

 to a person who was only going to make a single one in the 

 island, I should be inclined to choose the Lamuceiras. Take 

 a cloudless day, start at eight o'clock, and go by the Caminho 

 de Meio. The hill is certainly steep, but you are rewarded 

 by a fine fresh air when you get to the top. The riding is all 

 very pleasant, first over turf, and presently amongst the bilberry 

 bushes, through which you pass for some miles ; then Point 

 S a .° Lourenco comes in sight, and at last, through groves of 

 laurels, you reach the Pico dAssoma. Here, on a bank of 

 violets, you may open the luncheon basket. Your fore- 

 ground is formed of evergreens ; the grand peaks of Ruivo, 

 Arriero, and Torrinhas are before you ; below them the 



