Week ending 6th September
Nightsong
Mon 7 Sep 2009 13:43
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Another successful week exploring the 3 main
islands of the Madeira group. Last week we had just arrived at Porto Santo where
tyhe custom is to paint a record of your yacht's visit on the sea wall. With 2
artists on board we had to do the same and Iain and Susie produced this great
picture
 On the next day to Madeira itself where we joined
by John and Sue Clarke who overlapped for one day with the Perrings. The
following day we went on to Funchal the capital and enjoyed exploring the town
culminating in a visit to the famous Reid's Hotel where we had a drink. Picture
below shows JNVC in WSC (Churchill) pose on the balcony overlooking the
sea and the beautiful garden below.
 We spent the next 2 days exploring the south coast
of Madeira. Lovely warm (25C) , azure blue and crystal clear water but the
weather was typical with sunny mornings and greyish afternoons (occasionally
with a spot of rain) and little wind - but a very interesting and majestic coast
line. We must not forget that Madeira is a N Atlantic island!
Onto the Islas Desertas on Thursday - 400m high
sheer sided walls of uninhabited rock whose main claim to fame is that Ernest
Shackleton (of Antartic fame) died here is 1922 looking unsuccessfully for
Captain Kidd's treasure which is reputed to be buried here. Spectacular
anchorage (see below) but sadly we were not allowed to climb to the plateau at
the top 'cos of the need to be accompanied by a warden (this is a special
nature reserve).
 Finally back to Porto Santo where we spent the last
2 days of the Clarkes' visit - the weather was gorgeous so we stocked up
the first night then anchored off the wonderful beach for the second - before
having a great fast sail back to Quinto do Lorde in Madeira in a Force 5/6
northeasterly. Picture below shows Porto Santo in better light than the last
photo of our first sight of it in the rain!
 Back in 2 weeks to do some repairs then off to the
Canaries with Dave Morrish, Dave Wood and Keith Leighton
AJB
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