Ponta Del Guada,Sao Miguel, 21st August.

August still
Well what a good sail ! Which ended anchoring off the marina at Praia de Vittoria for a couple of days. This was when we realised that the genny problem was still with us! And the gas finally ran out. It was easier to move into the marina to get a refill and be able to access the shops for fresh veg etc. It also meant that Malcolm could begin testing again. He had got to the last lead and found an earth leak where a well insulated wire had rubbed right through to the metal casing and was causing a short. This was easily repaired and since the guy who helped us was having a look at Roakaldais he came over and added a few cable ties Yes ! Otto & Ester arrived on the Monday and had a meal with us which was preceded by a bottle of Champagne to celebrate ‘Piano’s birthday. They are returning to Lisbon en route for Greece where Otto will be doing a cargo run for 6 weeks to help a friend of his out. (Otto is a real Captain—but semi retired. Esther is going along for a holiday! We hope to meet up with them later in the year either in Rabbat or the Canaries.
The following day a German registered Halberg Wrasse 39. With Ziggi and Leila aboard. They were en route for the north after 10 years blue water sailing. Naturally we picked their brains over places which they recommended and would avoid over dinner and drinks. Thanks to both for their valuable experience.
Next day 17.35 We decided to slip for Sao Miguel the last Island on our list for the summer. We had another good sail (by which I mean no motoring), marred by one tiny problem. To set the scene : We slipped late afternoon so that we would arrive during daylight hours. We powered along at up to 7 knots in a sou’westerly breeze. After dinner Malcolm left me on watch and I was intrepid! Not noticing that the wind had filled in and with it some horrible showers. He must have been asleep because the next I knew he was peeking his nose on deck and suggesting that we ought to ‘reef’. OK good call (spoil my fun) it could have continued increasing …..
He asked the auto pilot to drive while we attended to the reef and it must have been drenched by rain because it just gave up ! A little cursing and after the sail change I was allowed to bed. I asked if he was going to steer by hand and he said no the auto pilot was functioning but not out on deck.
He 'woke me at 0300 for my next watch and by then it was working above deck again. I found this out when I asked it to change course a wee bit and it did as it was told. However now that it has failed twice under needy conditions Malcolm is determined to sort it out so that will be the boat job for Ponta Del Gada.
Arrived Ponta Del Gada 13.30 and now I’m keen that was 90 nautical miles in 19 hours so an average of 4.75 kts. (remembering I did 7’s on my watch please!)

Terceira second visit.

2nd August. Slipped for Terceira (again). Well it really was bumpy at anchor and the generator is now playing up (very intermittently—it must feel unwanted with all the attention given to the engine -hey ho what would we do with no boat jobs I wonder?
The sail was quite fast and with me now able to do a watch or two very exhilarating ! Although it was head winds all the way we did a very respectable 6 knots on my watch which pleased me no end! Of course Malcolm did all the hard work but this time was able to get some decent sleep. No whales this trip Arrived Angra de Heroism Marina in time for ‘teef.
Nice weather meant that we could scrub off all the salt and generally ‘spring clean’ the old girl. It is her birthday on the 14th so this is a start for the celebrations (if she behaves in the meantime!) We also welcomed another technician called Mr Carlos, he spoke excellent English having worked in the UK (Scotland). He listened to all that Malcolm had tried while scratching his head and muttering, then out came the Avo and he began taking readings (always a good sign)
Next he asked for the Service book and electrical plan. He was truly amazed that everything he asked for duly appeared with no fuss at all. Both he and Malcolm ‘ummed’ and ‘ahhed’ and then they tried disconnecting the built in battery charger (which isn’t used at all). Bingo ! The genny sprang to like as though nothing had been wrong!! We both had smiles across our faces and couldn’t thank the poor chap enough—Malcolm admits he would NEVER have found the problem. We paid the bill a token of 1 hours work because he likes working on boats so much now that he is retired. So now we are able to set off again with no problems (** watch this space!)
We spent a further couple of days having some fun. A trip to Praia de Vittoria for the last day of the festival and some more time looking round Angra. We were lucky enough to get seats at a folk-dancing festival and thoroughly enjoyed it.

12th August
After refuelling and paying the Marina we slipped for Graciosa. Just 50 Nmiles—so 10 hours expected. The trip began well with plenty of wind -so 6 knots of speed was very pleasing. But as usual the wind died and the engine went on. I had a quiet bet on that we wouldn't be in by eight o’clock. I wasn’t disappointed! The harbour turned out to be smaller than the pilot had suggested and there were no berths for us. The only possibility was a slippery wall. While Malcolm was sorting the lines out a local came by and attracted his attention to an electricity cable which connected 2 street lights and ran across the corner of the harbour—just where our fore stay sat! !!! This meant that we had to keep moving the boat back away from it as the tide came in or we would have been fried! Adding to the problem was a very choppy sea and the slippery wall ( which also had slippery steps) You can only imagine what terrific fun it was to be bobbing up and down while preparing and eating our meal and then trying to catch 55 minutes sleep before the alaruum went off to move the ropes . As soon as it was light we slipped (sic) for Terceira again

Flores July/August

28th Slipped for Flores, some good sailing and of course some motoring—just as we had given up on delivery of the starter motor ,paid the marina and had to return to the office to satisfy the bureaucratic police there, the delivery man arrived with the heavy parcel ! How neat was that? The sail was awesome in that I got to see whales up close eeek! the huge head came up to have a look at us and then slowly slipped back down. A truly memorable moment. Of course, my eyes were glued to the scene and sure enough I was rewarded with many more sightings of whales blowing in the near distance and quite a few Dolphins cruising alongside. I also watched the Cory's Shearwaters (Calonectris diomedea)who only do 2-3 flaps of the wing & then glide for a couple of minutes swooping just above the waves. It looks as though they may be fishing but after much watching I have not seen any dive into the water—yet!
We arrived at Larges harbour around 7.30 in the evening and were immediately invited to dinner aboard Roakeldais. What it is to have happy friends to meet you.

30th After a rest day to fit the new SM we helped Ester & Otto with another hike. From Faja Grande to Ponta do Albarnaz. It was a decent 4KM hike up to the picnic spot with varied flowers and scenery. Flores is named for its flowers and we were not disappointed. Now that it is ‘HIGH SEASON’ there are many more plants in flower. The Yellow and Red (in Ya face) Cannas, Agapanthi, and ginger all make a terrific show, This is really the place for those who enjoy nature.
Toured the rest of the Island , namely the Lakes in the Calderas of various volcanoes. All are accessible by car and have signboards up to give useful information. The best thing is that even though it is HIGH SEASON there are so few TOURISTS ! Continued around the island stopping at viewpoints so that you can see for yourselves.
31st did some more painting with Esther on what we thought would be the new marina wall, the locals tell us it will be for fishing boats but hey it’s good practice! Also made a lemon cake & birthday-card for Esther who celebrates tomorrow.

Meanwhile here is the hike: (you may have to click to take the box away)

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