Leaving the Azores

Neroli
Charles Tongue
Mon 28 Jun 2010 19:29

38:39.1N 27:13.2W

 

Horta, Faial

In the twelve days since the last blog entry, plenty has happened. Francoise and Diana arrived for a holiday, and Diana helped draw Neroli’s contribution to the artwork on the quayside at Horta, where generations of arriving boats have made their mark. First of all you have to find an empty or faded area to work on!

Charlie and Francoise had a day whale watching, Alan went diving, and they all had a day trip to Pico, taking their hire car off piste. Then they sailed to Terceira overnight and after a busy six tourist days there, including a trip to Biscoitos on the northern coast, Francoise and Diana flew home.

Another work of art in progress on the quay.

 

 

 

Neroli’s  piece – a simple balanced study in blue.

 

 

Terceira – 26 June

Terceira is a charming island.  The port dates from the early days of Portugese exploration, with the streets and pavements made from black and white cobblestones, with designs inset.

There has been a reshuffle in the crew. Late on Saturday evening, Paddy arrived back bringing his friend Wiz, another anaesthetist from Poole, who replaces Richard in the crew. Wiz claims to have caught exotic fish in his native Zimbabwe with the simplest of lures, and has thus been an easy appointment as Head of Fishing. Paddy, having failed to land anything in the first 3000 miles has taken it well, and been transferred to blog master as compensation. Wiz comes with several ocean crossings in his CV and already as I type this he is urging Charlie and Allan to help him set more sail.

Charlie has taken on the role of Head of Food, knowing where everything is stowed and deciding the menu for supper.

 

We left Terceira at midday and after motoring along the south of the island picked up a sailing breeze. The forecast is for favourable winds for the next few days, and we are currently making good progress in the right direction with a comfortable wind from behind the beam. The weather is warm – shorts and T shirts, almost as warm as the UK at the moment!