a relaxing day
Rhapsode
Wed 10 Nov 2010 08:43
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Yesterday was a different day altogether. Very
relaxing.
After topping up our diesel we took an aloguer to
the main town - a prosperous looking Ribeira Brava. Little gardens / parks with
clean streets and mostly brightly painted houses. Again, as have found elsewhere
in the islands there we got a strong sense of community spirit.
The town square was blocked by the army as we
entered on our little bus. I wondered what the townfolk had been up to - images
from 'Allo 'Allo popped into my mind. We discovered that the amy had been in
town for a while helping in making good flood damage and now that they had
finished they wanted to put on a show so that everyone knew they weren't just
menders of flood damage. We arrived towards the end of their demonstration when
they were demonstrating unarmed combat.
When they marched off they were followed by a
toothless little old lady who was almost bent double as she tried to march
behind them!
We were hungry and thirsty by then so we off in
search of sustenance. We were directed to a restaurant up one of the side
streets. Huge chairs with high backs, red tablecloths and quite an overpowering
ambience was on the menu. We sat for a while feeling as tho' we were on our
thrones but it was no place for three scruffy sailors so we left in seach of
something more suitable.
Andrew was in charge of the serach and led us to
the perfect place over-looking the ribeira and a pretty courtyard garden compete
with tamarind tree.
And then home again.
See, what did I say - a relaxing day!
As I sit out in the cockpit with moring cup of tea
I can see a cross on the top of the cliffs. I hoped it was a memorial to
someone who enjoyed sitting there but there is not much sitting on cliff tops
going on in this island. It is at least 500 metres high and the cliff face is
both bumpy and steep.
Happy sailing.
P, M & A
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