This time (Saturday) we completed the walk and very enjoyable it was too. It was about 5 miles alng the coast to Praia Formosa. Some of the views like that above were splendid.
The guest whom I mentioned in the previous post was, believe it or not named "Bonny" or possibly "Bonnie" who is with her Dad on his beautiful Sparkman and Stevens sloop "Tarimin" pictured below.
Our other guest was Steve. A single hander Brit resident in the USA who had rebuilt his Westerly Konsort after it was virtually wrecked on land in a hurricane in the Bahamas in 2019.
Bonny's Dad, Alastair was a little under the weather and so did not join us but he came over yesterday morning for a yarn. A smashing chap and clearly a very experienced sailor (some years ago he did a delivery trip on 'British Steel, Chay Blyh's old boat). He was was very complimentary about Bonny which of course was good for the ego.
The reason for having guests last night was that Steve had bought a large fresh fish from one of the locals but didn't have enough gas to cook it. I therefore volunteered Mick's culinary expertise and Bonny's facilities to prepare and consume the said fish. Mick did a fantastic job and we all ate like kings.
When we got to Praia Formosa we were somewhat bemused to see this sign....
A closer inspection shows it is indeed a store of beach ashtrays! An indication of the different attitudes that exist in the UK and Portugal!
We then had another remarkably good value lunch...
On our return to the boat, our French neighbours alerted us to a change in the weather and it's now likely we'll leave on Monday.
Today (Sunday) we have had a liesurely morning followed by omlett for lunch, on board. Once recovered we will go for another (shorter) walk - this time in the opposite direction - westwards from the harbour.
Tomorrow there will be three boats heading for Ponta Delgada; our French neighbours, our Irish friends, Percy and Onyar on "Hell Raiser", who we met in Funchal and ourselves. Alastair, Bonny and now Bubbles, Bonny's partner on board "Teremin", are staying on longer but also plan to cruise the islands so we may see them again. Steve, on his Westerly, "Khensu" is still to make up his mind about where he heads next. We'll have farewell drinks tonight.
I expect we'll leave around 1000 local time, (0900 BST). We should have light to moderate winds from the West and a flat sea and therefore a pleasant sail.
Stef typing
ReplyDeleteHello sailors, finally got organised and am having a jolly good time reading your blog on our tablet, rather than the mobile phone. Great reading/photos and I hope your sons will have a good time cruising around the islands before starting the voyage back to the UK. Best regards from the lazy marina bums Stef & Pete