38:31.9N 028:37.5W Midday (BST) Fix 4 June 2010 Dartmouth Here We Come
Oboe D'Amore's Web Diary
Nigel Backwith
Fri 4 Jun 2010 13:11
2010
View our progress on Google Earth at: http://blog.mailasail.com/oboe
GPS Position: 38:31.9N 028:37.5W
Sea Miles (previous 24 Hours): 0nMs
Sea Miles to date: 3,151nMs
Present Course Over Ground: N/A°M
Present Boat Speed N/A kts
Average Boat Speed (previous 24 hours): N/A kts
Average Boat Speed to date: 6.1kts
Estimated GPS Position in 24 hours time: 40°:17'N 027°:24'W
Sea State: Harbour
Wind Speed and Direction: 14kts SW
Barometric Pressure: 1012mB
Three memorable nights in Horta on the island of Faial in the Azores sees us
refreshed, re-provisioned, re-fuelled and ready to go. What a unique place.
Portuguese through and through and with 15,000 inhabitants it has benefitted
from generations of development, culture and agriculture. Geologically it
is a group of impressive volcanoes, which erupt from time to time. Pico,
four miles away, is 2,352 metres high, with a peak that looks as if it has
been sharpened with a pencil sharpener. It can be seen below the clouds and
sticking out way above the clouds! It is an imposing sight.
We have enjoyed Horta very much. The people are friendly, helpful and proud
of their lifestyle. Everything "Is OK". Seldom is it "Not OK". They serve
the very best fresh fish and meat, simply prepared in zingy olive oil. The
highlight was the traditional fish and seafood stew known as Cataplana.
Everything is so inexpensive here. So much cheaper than Europe even; it is
quite hard to understand, especially as the quality of everything and the
levels of service are extraordinary. We all agree that we will come back
here.
In one hour's time we will shove off and head north east. The weather
forecast for the next few days looks pretty good. After that, who knows!
We'll take our chances ...
Nigel
Date: 4 June 2010
