Katherine Ann Westabout

Rounded the Northern tip of Faial last night at dusk after a smooth and enjoyable day going through the passage between Faial and Pico and soaking in the magnificent scenery. Though mostly in cloud you could occasionally see the vineyards going almost to the top of Faial with the houses strung out along the, for the most part, single road. Just about all round the sea has eroded the land to vertical cliffs anywhere between 30 to 100 metres high with the vineyards cultivated to the very edge. Everything appeared very green and bountiful. Quite a few small fishing boats working out of Horta, some traditional, some modern. I hope they had more luck than I. Took a punt on staying fairly close to the shore, about 2 miles off, and though occasionally gusting and sometimes calm made reasonable time in the lee of this high Island. With stronger Southerly winds forecast I made a long leg just South of West on a port tack. This was of course to avoid a close lee shore with the incre asing wind and also to dodge the fairly active fleet of trawlers and long liners to the South of Horta. Swung on to a starboard tack later on in the night and with the wind increasing to a gusting 35 knots was down to double reefed main alone by dawn. Things have gradually improved since midday and now comfortably cruising on track under full sail with a beam wind of 15 knots. I will mention again the ever presence of the Pico volcano which makes up the entire island of Pico. The limited pixels available do not do justice to the scenery but here's a picture of the Northern tip of Faial, the most distant point from home. --------------030505060908020804020203--