Madeira and the Canary Islands : a practical and complete guide for the use of invalids and tourists / A. Samler Brown.

  • Brown, A. Samler.
Date:
1894
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Madeira and the Canary Islands : a practical and complete guide for the use of invalids and tourists / A. Samler Brown. Source: Wellcome Collection.

Provider: This material has been provided by The University of Glasgow Library. The original may be consulted at The University of Glasgow Library.

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    tions, to fix a price before setting out and to stipulate that guides, &c, must find everything for beasts and selves. A little relaxation from this rule at lunch-time and a moderate tip at the end of the journey is likely to satisfy all parties thoroughly. A good deal of bargaining is necessary. When a beast is engaged it is understood that the man goes with it. In the Canaries the arrieros are exceedingly clever in loading horses, especially if the rider will use a native saddle, albarda. In Madeira, however, nothing will persuade them to put anything on to the horse which is to be ridden. In hiring horses the visitor must remember that owing to the many scandalous cases of over-riding, for which our country- men and women are chiefly responsible, low prices will only be accepted when he is known as a moderate rider. Pack animals, which have brought cargo from the other side of any of the islands, can be engaged to take back passengers at considerably lower prices than tnose charged in the first instance. Animals of this sort are used to the roads and are rarely very much overworked. This is a hint for those who know how to bargain. When preparing for camping out, regard must be had to the fact that all baggage will have to be carried by mules or horses, and that these should not be required to take more than from twelve to fourteen stone when on a journey. Tent pegs should be made of iron or hard wood, owing to the nature of the ground. Petroleum can generally be bought in the villages. Those wishing to remain for the summer months will do wisely to remove to the hills. Parties picnicking or lunching in the open should always offer something to those who pass. Unless offered more than twice and pressed as well, this will be refused, but it is as well that at least one member of the party should offer it. This is a custom of the country which should never be omitted. The same rule applies in small country inns Avhen strangers enter and find others at meals. There are other local customs and prejudices which English people would do well to acknowledge. For instance it is usual for strangers meeting in an inn to recognise one another's existence and for a lady to bow to a gentleman who leaves the footpath on her account. Travellers leaving for the mountains will please note that the start should always be made at an early hour, in order to avoid the fogs and mists which frequently gather later on. Such mists are encountered at all altitudes in accordance with the weather. In the Canaries they are however most clearly defined, gathering as a rule at an altitude of from 3,500 to 5,500 feet and forming a floor some 1,000 to 1,500 feet m