Fw: No go...
Sarah Grace goes to sea
Chris Yerbury and Sophy White
Sun 24 Jun 2007 11:40
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----- Original Message -----
From: Yacht
Sarah Grace
Sent: Saturday, June 23, 2007 8:22 PM
Subject: No go... Sailing is never
without its frustrations. Our planned departure for the UK this weekend is
now on hold for a few days at least as the forecast shows an unavoidable area of
high pressure en route. This would mean no wind or north/north easterlies. As
one seasoned sailor commented drily, the wind is always good- but usually for
some one else. In this case, perfect for going to Gibraltar or the
Algarve but not Plymouth. One of our scouts 2 days north is now getting
headwinds so talking to him brings home the reality of unfavourable
weather, marginally easing the great frustration of the morning round of weather
websites which all unanimously show the same adverse conditions. As soon as there is the prospect
of consistent sailing in the right direction we will be off- homeward
bound!
Another sad fact of
this nomadic life is saying good bye to people. Wednesday in the evening
sunshine overlooking the ranks of yachts in harbour was the time for a final
drink with the group of people we now know as friends from our shared
experiences on the previous passage. It was a very jolly gathering but
tinged by the knowledge we would be going our seperate ways next morning.
Exchanging email addresses, radio schedules and promises to visit homes in far
away countries eased the seperation. Also knowing how paths cross again
unexpectedly in distant ports means that we will again be able
to extend an uninhibited welcome to each other where ever and when ever we
meet again.
Before dawn
on Thursday we left Horta and sailed about 70miles to Terceira. The harbour
town of Angra Do Herismo convieniently started its annual fiesta week the next
evening. We spent the day exploring the island by car- again a beautifully green
rural landscape divided up into small fields by dry stone walls. I
even saw one field being tilled by a horse drawn plough. Compared to
Horta, Angra is much more cosmopolitian with the origional grand town
centre buildings restored over the last 20years since being nominated as a
world heritage site. It is a bit like a Portugese version of Bath with classic
buildings and streets from over 200years ago providing the shops and homes of a
still thriving town. It also seems remarkably devoid of a tourist element-
perhaps this is because everyone here seems to be Portugese even if they are not
strictly Azorean.
The fiesta began with
a 21 gun salute and the turning on of the very tasteful
street lights+decorations at dusk. As the place filled with thousands of
people a red carpet was laid that stretched for many blocks on top of the
cobbled roads. Over this there then came a long procession of floats and
groups of people in full costume, often accompanied by music and
dance, depicting different regions of Portugal's past empire. So
included were Brazilians samba-ing, Chinese dragon dancers, Indian dancers,
government soldiers fighting pirates and courtiers in full 18th
century attire. The trading route to and from the countries passed
through the Azores and Angra was for some while its principal port.
So while we are all
itching to get moving, there is lots going on here to help pass the time. And if
we stay long enough I wouldn't be suprised to see a familiar boat or two
from Horta catch us up and we will then be among old friends again
too.
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