38 31N 027 00W Noonsite 5.5 Kts heading 100 deg
Pipedream
Wed 1 Jul 2009 12:16
As we sailed all around Pico on the way out, Chris was pointing out the various points in his volcano expedition. "I am real proud of that boy!" Made it to the top; and down again. Much was hand over hand climbing. He left at 7:00 AM and did not get back until midnight. He came back with some great pictures even.
George painted a Pipedream logo on the side of the wall at Horta and we all signed it before we left. There was quite a bit of contention for our spot at the wall and I was trying to get everyone going before another couple of boats 'parked us in' three deep against the wall. Matt hiked about 10 miles to the top of Faial and had a good look around the non-tourist sections of the island. Lots of wind mills, farms and cattle. Our closest contact to a real live English speaking native was the refrigerator repairman. Nice guy said he was 37 just starting to gray and with a pony tail. Married with one child living in the city of Horta proper.
We covered a range of topics. I asked him about the Azores independence movement that was written up in the old National Geographic we had (1976 or so). According to him his generation just does not care anymore about that. He said, "What for?" He was somewhat annoyed that he had to server about two years in the Portuguese military. They have none on the Azores. He said Nato had parked a couple of Patriot missile installations on the islands but that was the extent of it. He suggested that the US would take care of them if things got really dicey. I asked about the churches on the island. He said there were three, you had your choice between Catholic, Catholic, or Catholic. He said he no longer practiced but his daughter did. He did not like the public school system but did not want to spend the money for the private alternative - likely Catholic. He was in favor of Spain taking over Portugal which surprised us. Something about always being second best to Spain.
At any rate the refrigerator mostly works. For the techies out there he change both expansion valves, changed the gas over to F22. I am still having trouble with the electric portion. Frig is not demanding cool on a regular bases. Jumpered that out once already and froze the plates. We ended up buying a lot of fresh food this time anticipating a working system. Freezer is freezing water but runs a lot - lots of power consumption. It kicked on and killed the autopilot when we were on just batteries - ok with the engine running. Cut out the amphonal connecter on the deck and soldered all the wires together with a plastic deck through hull and the Radar is very happy now. The guy in front of me at the marine store litteraly bought the last antenna tuner on the island - the part I needed to get the radio working well.
Pete's sport bar ended up our favorite spot. Went there for our last meal ashore. The food was good, beer was cold, service was good and all at a good price - give it a 7 out of 10. George was able to refill his prescription at a local drug store. The stuff was 'over the counter' here. A couple who had been cursing for almost 9 years came in right before we left. Told us Cascaras (our next port) was great and that it is only a 30 minute train ride to Lisbon one of Europe's undiscovered gems.
We are all pretty much ready to be moving again even Chris. Feels like we stayed one day too long. Went to the farmers market and loaded up on produce, cheese, olives, and crackers. Then stopped at the butcher's for meat, slabs of lamb chops 4.85 euros per kilo? Whole chicken 4.95 euros each. Then Matt and Chris went to the big supermarket for what was left ( a new can opener!) George took on water and tied everything down - on the road again, or should that be on the waves again...