In one of Clive Cussler Dirk Pitt adventure novels, the two bad guys meet aboard a yacht anchored in Alexandria, Greece. As I was reading this, I realized that during this whole trip, we were never anchored in a busy ancient harbor with Mediterranean architecture.   And this is when I realized that we forgot to go to the Med!

Actually, we didn’t forget. We are right on schedule, and actually homeward bound now.   We left Madeira Monday Sep 3, and headed south for the Canaries.  I actually cried about leaving Portugal!  I feel like I am leaving my new best friend!   The adventure is no where near over, but Portugal is, at least for now.

 

 

               After a month and a half in Marina Calheta, it was fun to return to Funchal.   Although Calheta had its perks!  It  was quiet, safe, we got a lot of work done on the boat,  I got a lot of painting done including a commissioned mural, an art show and one sold painting. Robert solved the mysterious 3. amp leak, installed the vented loop for the shower, changed all the filters on the engine,  cleaned the bottom and a host of misc other things to get the boat ready for passage making.   We met a bunch of  proffessional deep sea fishermen and learned a lot about  1000 lb blue marlin, as well as eating the freshest tuna we had ever had.   These fishermen are not just  going out for an afternoon boat ride with a rig out. Some of them invest more money in the equipment than our whole boat is worth!    We got to know and hang with the guys who work these boats, and it’s all sport!!!   The huge marlins get thrown back, and the huge tuna gets given away!!  

 

We also went on nightly walkabouts UP the hill either to the left or right, followed but DOWN the hill.  Not much flat besides the marina and some of the hills are so steep that down is almost as hard as up!!   We will miss Calheta.

 

Back in Funchal, we got to enjoy the end of their annual festival celebrating the tradition of making Madeiran wine.  But we had crew flying in and a great weather forecast so it was time to go.

 

 

 

    Here it looks like we are about to bump into the Western Sahara!!   

 

So you see, I am still learning how to “insert” photos here!      Lots of blank space (bear with me)  

Tomorrow we will be in the Canaries!

More MOTO Gazette to come!