38:31.8N 28:37.5W - Terra Firma and a Coffee in Peter's
Yellowdrama IV
Skipper/Crew: Blake and Clarissa Richter
Sun 27 Sep 2009 15:41
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Hello Blog!
Close-hauled and chasing in to a strong 20 + knots of wind in
the dark on Thursday night, we were treated to an oceanic panorama of lightning
storms way off to port, starboard and on our stern. Not uncomfortable
but tired and in need of a few days relaxation on terra firma, we were
conscious of the fact that this would be our last evening-watch for several
days. As we sailed along into the night drinking warm cup-a-soup and
tea, we found ourselves wondering just if and when we
would glimpse the Azores the next morning. The last few days, it has seemed
as if the weather has been fighting us every inch of the way.
Those of us, who came off watch in the wee hours, were greeted
with the cry "land ahoy!" (somewhat in the tradition of Long John Silver and
others) around 10 am. With bleary eyes, we scrambled out off our berths.
Squinting, we identified some 65 miles in the distance a mountain peak rising
majestically out of the ocean depths.
A full day's sailing lay ahead however. By nightfall, we could
make out lights ashore. Yes! Real lights! Circa 2 am, Azores time, the crew of
Y4 planted their salty, coffee-stained and barnacled rubber soles on
terra firma in Horta Marina. Approximately, 2061 miles and 13 days since leaving
Boston Harbour Marina, we had arrived! Pooped, knackered, exhausted and elated
we congratulated each other, took photos and broke open the beer chest
to toast our arrival.
A vista of palm trees, rows of yachts and fishing boats, a
quaint port and rolling green hills with white-washed colonial-style buildings
and red-roofs greeted us in the warm morning sunshine. Horta, the 120 year
old harbour on the island of Faial is the first port of call for the
hundreds of transatlantic crew who stop off in the Azores each year. As
tradition demands, they leave behind elaborate and lovingly-drawn wall-art all
along the harbour concrete. Several thousand hand-drawn cartoons, flags,
ensigns, logos, names and sketches, ranging in size from that of a
dinner-plate to artwork over 2 metres wide represent a
vessel and its crew that called here over the years. For those who prefer
to leave their burgees and ensigns indoors, Peter's Cafe Sport is the
famous local watering hole for nautical visitors. Adorned with signatures,
pennants and souvenirs, the cafe offers a good menu, free wireless access, a
fantastic coffee at 75 cents (or three quarters of a European as Andrew might
say) and a G&T for 2.50.
Laundry attended to and with all chores below decks
ticked off, the Y4 crew made their way to the stationary showers where in the
blink of an eye, Mr. Turton and Mr. Hayes whittled back 2 weeks growth of
face-fungus to reveal their stunnng good looks and peachy baby's bottom flesh.
Meanwhile, having raided and plundered the local stores of every form of
chocolate and other provisions known to the good people of the Azores, Clarissa
and Sasha arrived back in port with sufficient vittels for leg deux of
Y4's odyssey to Cowes. All then repaired to Peter's cafe for several beers and
a fishy supper followed by a ramble around Horta by night.
More soon from the mid-Atlantic motley crew
Blake, Clarissa, Sasha, Steve, Andrew and Mark.
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