Have some Madeira Ma' Dear.. 17th May
Chiscos - Atlantic Cruise
John Simpson
Tue 17 May 2005 10:29
 The skipper at the helm as we make landfall in
Madeira
Yes we have finally made it to Madera! We arrived
yesterday mid - morning after a temendous last 24 hours spent under
cruising chute in rising NE winds. Total passage time form Cascais -Portugal was
just under 4 days. Distance 530 miles. After the mid passage panic and worry of
running out of diesel, we eventually arrived with 1/4 of a tank left!
We spent yesterday anchored off Funchal - the tiny
marina there was abosolutely full (even though it is low season), and went
ashore and explored. The P&O cruise ship Arcadia was in town as well, so
there was no shortage of slightly deaf, jumper carrying old people( all
commenting that it was hot!!), going round the town in gangs looking for
innocent locals to accost!
In the evening we left for Calheta, which is about
14 miles west of Funchal. There is a new marina here where we can leave the boat
for the next two weeks.
Total log so far is 1557 miles. No real issues with
the boat - a slightly weeping diesel tank being the most serious. However, she
has inspired total confidence - particularly in heavy weather and we are really
looking forward to the next legs to the Azores and then to
Southampton.
We will resume this web diary on the 29th May, when
the new crew return and the next leg commences.
John and Regis
|