Tuesday 21 July 2015

Flowers in the Atlanntic

We made landfall in Flores. Approaching  Lajes marina was a nerve wracking experience , especially standing on the bow. The swell was up and we had the head towards the cliffs but not to close as the rocks protruded. It was tight as we swung into the entrance.  We were lucky, our friends Linda  and Andy off SV Coromandal had arrived a few days earlier, so they were able to take our lines. 

Walking on land was not a pleasant experience after so many days at sea but it was a fantastic feeling to be safe with the prospect of fresh food!

After a welcome coffee, our first port of call was a cafe and  fresh meat, salad and chips. That ticked the boxes for us having eaten far to many tins and we ran our of fresh produces after 10 days.

Flores is beautiful and oozes tranquility.

 
Hydrangeas and agapanthus dominate with various shades of cobalt blue. Walls were adorn with  nasturtiums ........which also make good eating (tried to convince Amy). Being deprived of fresh produce for weeks.....I was on a mission for a snack.


It reminded me of Cornwall, but since being back in Cornwall it was very different.....the sun shone!

We spent a few days getting our legs working again and had a tour of the island with Linda and Andy. 

Evidence of the islands volcanic origins provided stunning scenery and the transformation of an island which derived income from whaling, into a tourist destination was commendable.



The beach adjacent to the marina has BBQs and picnic tables ....so we joined fellow cruisers for a few social events. Everyone had endured the Atlantic for many days and it was interesting to compare notes on the weather patterns. It was a bit of a 'how to avoid the gale session'. I  was all ears!

The one good thing about the marinas in the Azores. Is they are cheap and water and electricity are included. Our boat cushions had 'absorbed' moisture and salt  so we spent several days washing. From now on everything gets covered in thick plastic for  an ocean crossing!

 We sailed from Flores to Faial as we needed a few boats bits. Well it was more of a gentle motor!



The oily seas were back. Considering we had a few rigging issues it was just as well and it was also perfect whale watching weather. 




The approaches to Horta were stunning... Volcanic craters, columns basalt and a lighthouse inland buried by an eruption in 1957.


We thought we would anchor in Horta....which we did, only the dingy just got us to the shore before it deflated. You had to pay to anchor and marinas are cheap, so on balance we decided to go into the marina. Water was included  so  it was an opportunity to wash all the boat cushions. 


We had a wonderful couple of weeks, not venturing very far but enjoying Horta. We had considered flying back to the UK to sort things out and see our family, but in the end we decided to sail.


It was bright and sunny and downwind to start but then...



The layers went on, the fleeces came out and it wasn't long before we wore clothes day and night.


Being on watch was a challenge especially as we approached lands end. The number of ships awaiting to go up the channel was phenomenal, combine that with fishing boats, and a four hour watch became hard work.


Although it was still downwind sailing....it was rough . We had written in the log, force 4 but in reality it was force 6 and rough. The biggest issue was the lack of light and everything became grey, full and very very cold.




 We safely arrived in Falmouth and tied up in the marina. Our friend Peter arrived a few hours later. We introduced him to the finer delights of this county and Peter  lost his pasty virginity. 
Bring back in Cornwall after three years was weird.......we have not acclimatised and will be heading south ASAP. 



 It has been fantastic to catch up with friends and family. 





We decided to have a happy birthday for everyone and Lucy made us a beautiful cake.
 
We weren't the only ones that were cold!