We have arrived in Horta!
We motored directly there as we wanted to arrive early this morning so
that we could get our VAT paid. We were duly inspected and we have
now paid and officially imported Elemiah into the European Union.
We are busy doing all the jobs that we had listed during the journey.
The Raymarine engineer has been and fixed our autopilot which means
that we don't have to hand steer all the time - that will make the
night watches easier. Roger has worked on the steering so we are
hoping that it will be a lot easier to use as we sail on to Portugal.
Clive the engineer recommended a great place up in the hills and we
took a taxi out there. The island of Faial (where we are) is
luxuriantly green. The fields are broken up with tall hedges of a
bamboo like plant. Each house seems to have its own cow, many with a
little calf, in the field behind. The views across to Pico, the next
island, are fantastic. We looked out east to where we are going to go
and the ocean was calm and sparkling in the evening sun. For once
though, I am glad that I am not out on it.
When we arrived at the restaurant, it was a little slice of heaven.
Two Germans run a beautiful little restaurant surrounded by flowers,
bamboos and trees. The house drops away to two outdoor rooms, covered
by wooden beams and boxed in by the tall bamboos. Steps lead to
another room and then onto the bed of a stream with huge round
boulders and an abundance of beautiful foliage. It was all simply
decorated but absolutely delightful and the hosts were too. They had
at least 3 cats and a golden retriever called Felix, and they liked to
participate in the evening as well. The food was marvellous. Going
out there and being in the midst of such green was like balm on the
soul.
When we came back into Horta, we fell into bed and slept the whole
night through - what bliss.
Rosemary and Ian
