Azores
Purple Mist
Skipper: Kate Cope
Mon 17 Jun 2019 13:10
Our week in the Azores is coming to the end and there is a state of anticipation building for the race start tomorrow
It’s been a really lovely week connecting with all the other boats and swooping salty sea dog tales of massive waves, stormy winds and slamming hulls. It’s fair to say one or two beers have been drunk as well.
Thursday there was a very well organised tour of the east side of the island where we saw volcanic lakes, geothermal activity and swam in the thermal pools. We went to whatbis claimed to be the only tea plantation in Europe though I’m reliably told there is one in Cornwall up the River Fal.
The island is full of colour with Agapanthus, hydrangeas and New Zealand Christmas trees all in bloom.
Friday we went for a sail. Exehibitionist has been very much the party boat so we all piled aboard and sailed along with Milou and Polished Manx for a trip to the Ilheu da Vila. This a a flooded volcano caldera just off the coast. We tried to swim in but were not allowed as we didn’t have a ticket but we still enjoyed the view.
Saturday was a pontoon party with a skip of beer! Every boat brought a dish of food to share, all credit must go to Ertan on lazy otter who produced the most excellent dishes. He had also made us all the most delicious omelette for our sailing trip the day before.
Finally back to the boat, in talking to Keith from Nirvana (a fellow Sunfast 3200) he mentioned that both he and Zephyrin had broken the D ring that attaches the tack (bottom) of the jib to the boat. On investigation mine was also bent and wobbly. Luckily there was some riggers working on the broken forestay on “Walk on by “ next door who could take a look. After some mumbling in Portuguese about the weakness of French boats they have done an excellent job reinforcing it with some extra welding.
North coast with Agapanthus
New Zealand Christmas tree
Tea factory running with machinery from the 19th century
Tea Factory
Geothermal activity in the Furnas valley
Ilheu da Vila- a flooded caldera. Hosting the Redbull cliff diving in a few weeks time
A Skip of beer...always going to get messy
Pontoon party in full swing
The rewelded and strengthened D ring fitting that broke or bent on 3 out of 4 Sunfast 3200.
Another party on Exehibitionist
