32:44.50N 16:43.17W
Whisper
Noel Dilly
Wed 12 Sep 2012 09:08
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"Madeira - 11th September"
We left Porto Santo yesterday morning after an
early breakfast. The wind was a gentle breeze coming from the direction that we
wanted to go. We didn't mind, the sea was calm and a beautiful royal blue in
colour, we just enjoyed the sailing. We only saw two other yachts in the
distance and apart from the ferry from Madeira to Porto Santo, which past close
by and a fishing boat full of cheery fishermen, we had the ocean to ourselves
and our destination in sight! The journey took us far longer than we had planned
so by 3 pm we took the decision to start the engine other wise we would not
reach Porto do Lorde our marina destination. Eventually we arrived at Madeira,
it is a large island and we were at the eastern end. Here the land is once again
volcanic and just spectacular to look at, I hope the photographs are good, as it
is so difficult to describe the beauty of it all. The rest of the island is very
different, it is covered in Laurasilva forests and is very beautiful we are
looking forward to exploring the levada walks and fossil bed. The marina is
quite lovely, the water so clear that you can see the bottom and the many
tropical fish, so very different from the usual grey mullet. It is over looked
by a new purpose built village the architecture modern but incorporating the
traditional style & colours of Madeira. It is built on the side of the
towering volcanic rock and looks very attractive from the sea. Sadly
it appears to be little inhabited, we wonder if it is because of the financial
crisis or the fact that it is under the in coming flight path for Funchal
Airport not many miles away.
Today is a quiet day, arranging for gas bottles to
be filled, new battery ordered, flight booking, washing, sailmaker
visit etc. and just generally getting used to the heat "It ain't 'arf
hot"!
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