“37:44N 025:40W”

Wednesday 5^th June

Our first impression of Ponta Delgada was not very favourable as it seemed to have a lot of concrete high rise buildings, but on exploring the town it is actually quite pretty, especially in the old part with black and white buildings and cobblestoned narrow streets.

Yesterday, our crew – Dick and Ken – left us to return home. A shame they couldn’t complete the whole rally.  The evening before they left we invited “Sea Flute” (David, Tom and Paul) for a gin and tonic, plus the ARC staff who have arrived here (Mark and Cecilia) as the rest of the fleet arrive on Tuesday.

Last night we had a fun evening at the bowling alley.  We were divided into 4 groups but played as individuals. The winner will be announced at the final prize giving in Lagos on Sunday 16^th June. It will not be either of us!

Tonight our crew arrives – Liz.  We met Liz when we did the ARC crossing to the Caribbean in 2012 and have kept in touch ever since.  We have also acquired another crew member –Matt.  He and his friend Ben were crewing on the yacht “Talaria” but unfortunately she has engine problems. She had to be towed into the marina yesterday and needs a new engine.  Which meant the crew were without a boat to sail to Santa Maria and then on to Lagos.  As we have a spare cabin we have offered to take one of them – hence we have Matt. Ben has hitched a ride on “Amari” with Will, Dottie, Babs and Tim.

Tomorrow we leave for Santa Maria which is about 50 miles away.  We will be the last boat to leave as we have to check out with our new crew and Liz does not arrive until 12.00 tonight so we have to wait until customs opens at 09.00 tomorrow morning.