.... and we're off!

Pemandia
Peter Fabricius
Fri 22 Jul 2016 15:29
38:07.18N 25:51.66W

Malcolm, Judy and I have started our passage home,

The last two days have seen a mass of activity on board and ashore. Shopping parties have been to the covered market on the town. This is by far the best place to buy fruit and vegetables, fresher, nicer looking and cheaper. We have also found it to be an excellent source of fresh meat and cheese. On board, Emily and Judy have taken turns in the galley preparing and freezing some meals for the journey. Emily has done 2 meals of beef casserole with really nice looking, lean beef from the market and Judy has prepared some ratatouille as a way of making the vegetables last. While this was going on I checked rig, engine, generator etc hoping we will get home without any problems.

We had our last meal ashore last night, once again enjoying excellent fresh fish and local wine.

Emily and I were up early for her 0530 taxi to the airport. Her flight was on time - at least to Lisbon where she sent confirmation of her arrival. After a bit more sleep, we were all up for an 0800 start when we motored round to the fuel berth where we cleared out with the authorities. We were underway at 0930.

A great humid start and not much wind, but with just a brief use of engine we made our way W along the S coast of Sao Miguel. By the time we turned the corner we were singing our praises to the wind God who gave us sunshine, a calm sea and ENE 10 knots, allowing us to keep E of N as the extraordinary volcanic sky line slipped astern.

It is much too early to start thinking " if we keep this progress up it will only take . . ." but you can't help it!

Peter

Sent from Yacht Pemandia