Week ending 6th September

Nightsong
Mon 7 Sep 2009 13:43
Another successful week exploring the 3 main islands of the Madeira group. Last week we had just arrived at Porto Santo where tyhe custom is to paint a record of your yacht's visit on the sea wall. With 2 artists on board we had to do the same and Iain and Susie produced this great picture
 
On the next day to Madeira itself where we joined by John and Sue Clarke who overlapped for one day with the Perrings. The following day we went on to Funchal the capital and enjoyed exploring the town culminating in a visit to the famous Reid's Hotel where we had a drink. Picture below shows JNVC in WSC (Churchill) pose on the balcony overlooking the sea and the beautiful garden below.
 
We spent the next 2 days exploring the south coast of Madeira. Lovely warm (25C) , azure blue and crystal clear water but the weather was typical with sunny mornings and greyish afternoons (occasionally with a spot of rain) and little wind - but a very interesting and majestic coast line. We must not forget that Madeira is a N Atlantic island!
 
Onto the Islas Desertas on Thursday - 400m high sheer sided walls of uninhabited rock whose main claim to fame is that Ernest Shackleton (of Antartic fame) died here is 1922 looking unsuccessfully for Captain Kidd's treasure which is reputed to be buried here. Spectacular anchorage (see below) but sadly we were not allowed to climb to the plateau at the top 'cos of the need to be accompanied by a warden (this is a special nature reserve).
 
Finally back to Porto Santo where we spent the last 2 days of the Clarkes' visit  - the weather was gorgeous so we stocked up the first night then anchored off the wonderful beach for the second - before having a great fast sail back to Quinto do Lorde in Madeira in a Force 5/6 northeasterly. Picture below shows Porto Santo in better light than the last photo of our first sight of it in the rain!
 
Back in 2 weeks to do some repairs then off to the Canaries with Dave Morrish, Dave Wood and Keith Leighton
 
AJB