Yacht Wishing For The Moon

We arrived at Ponta Delgada at 0620hrs yesterday morning 28th May, and secured to the fuel and arrival quay. The marina rests behind high dark grey volcanic stone breakwaters, and appeared about 3/4 full.

Miles immediately jumped off and ran several times up and down the dock. Necessary after 18 days confinement for an active 16 year old! The offices opened at 0900hrs and we were welcomed by very pleasant and hospitable marina staff, Police, Immigration and Customs. Smiles all round. Then we fueled up and motored around to the West Marina which has less than 1/2 occupancy. Solid finger pontoons and in close vicinity to the town through an electronically operated gate. Somewhat soiled by seagull poop, but the staff acively cleaning it off. This problem reportedly due to the marina being unoccupied for some years and the gulls took over and are not easy to evict.

Quite a bit of ugly new concrete building, but the old town very attractive with typically portugese buildings edged in the local dark volcanic stone and cobbled streets.

We set to taking in laundry, rinsing off salty cushions and cleaning the BBQ on which we had roast lamb and baked potatoes on our last night at sea.

Today Karel and Miles off touring on the island, while I will repair the foredeck sail bags and do all the odd jobs which need to be done before we set off for the next 1000 mile plus voyage to the Mediterranean tomorrow morning.