Well, its really the Canical fiesta – one of the last places in Europe to give up whaling and where much of the sea action for John Huston’s ’56 version of “Moby Dick” was filmed.  Whaling was banned in 1981 but most of the elders of the town made their living from life on board “Sao Jose”, the last of the whaling ships to work out of the port.  Its still a thriving fishing port and the younger generation now make their living fishing for the Madeiran scabbard fish (evil looking blighter, but meant to taste very sweet), or the bigger trawlers which go further a field fishing for tuna for export to mainland Portugal.

Anyway history lesson over; we waited and waited – the anticipated departure time of the fleet came and went and two hours later we saw them leaving Canical and on their way to us.  A big fleet of about 50 boats and many people eventually arrived in the bay.  The pictures show our small jetty and the biggest of the fleet arriving at the dock, disgorging the band and many others who were walking up the hill to the church at the top.  The Madonna also travelled in the escort and was blessed once they had all got their puff back – it’s a big hill!

We chose the moment to take the rib across to Canical, believing parking would be a doddle.  The journey across was a bit wet and swellie, but we got there in time for a couple of beers and a rather large steak kebab.  The sides of beef hanging from the many stalls had to be seen to be believed, anyway you will have to use your imagination as I wisely decided not to risk the camera on this trip.  By the time we set off back, the fleet had returned, the Madonna transported to her resting place in the church and the serious stuff was about to begin.  We made our escape with a rapid and very wet tip back to the seclusion of our marina.  The fireworks sparkled and the party continues today.   We will leave them to it, we’ve a passage to plan and decks to be swabbed.  Moving on to Lanzarote tomorrow, should take a couple of days.

Mood pictures from the fiesta:

                                                                                    Sheena got the windward side of the trip back!