new hopes for 2026

With traditional and spectacular Funchal fireworks, we celebrated the passing of the turbulent year 2025. We were there live, and luck was on our side. Were the storm Francis caused a lot of problems and threatened to drown the event, the rain stopped when we left Fajã da Ovelha, and the poor visibility, which could have blocked our view completely from the high place where we always have our New Year’s Eve dinner, disappeared (And no, I am not going to tell you where this high place is).

There was no need for warm clothing this time around, it was very mild with 17 °C.

So join us virtually, switch to full-screen, turn on your sound and enjoy the spectacle!

So, with this taken care of, let me just express my hopes for 2026.

Peace, of course, is on top of the list. Realistically, this can only be achieved when the world rids itself from idiots with a dim wit and an oversized ego like Trump, Putin, Netanyahu and the likes. Though I am in no way religious, I am quite willing to say a little prayer for this, if that’s what it takes.

Also, I hope more people will finally see the light and start taking their responsibility protecting what little nature we have left in our industrialized West, and stop being careless with our planet.

Then, of course, I hope we all will enjoy good health and a fair amount of prosperity.

If these hopes come true, the main conditions for a happy life are met. The rest is up to us individually. So do your best, as I will do mine, and enjoy 2026!