Reinaldo Mariqueo of the Mapuche people in Chile, formely the kingdom of Auraucania, plants an Araucaria Auraucana in the garden and explains about the tree and his people

The monumental ash tree behind the house came crashing down one fine summer day. The base of the tree showed signs of rot and the higher branches had been cut back twice in the hope that it would survive and not be blown over by the wind. Unfortunately such was not the case.

Wigandia is a pretty plant with large leaves and purple flowers, but it also has very invasive root system. In our garden it has spread to the cliff face where, along with Bougainvillea, it has become a real menace. Here, my daughter Claudia is shown clearing one part of the cliff.

 

 In May 2025 the Quinta sponsored and hosted the  Unrepresented Nations and Peoples Organisation conference on 'Self-Determination' held at the University of Madeira. It was an opportune occasion to inaugurate Silvio Cró's Monument of Simulanbuco, Statue of Self-Determination. The ceremony was presided by Dr. Paula Margarido, Regional Secretary for Inclusion, Work and Youth.

The old 'dumb waiter' was a lovely piece of machinery but no longer useful. We adapted it as a decorative feature. The doors initially opened into what is now one of the bedrooms, so we turned it around to face the corridor: a job for António, the skilful carpenter of Saul e Filhos.

 

In April 2023 the videoclip 'Luz do Túnel' by the Madeiran band NAPA was filmed in Palmeira 
 

 Harry Hinton was a keen hunter. Several stags heads hung in the round library and over the years they had become rather moth-eaten. Eventually we managed to have three restored by taxidermist João Fernandes and they now hang back where they belonged