São Jorge, here we come

Scot Free III
Frank & Anne
Sun 8 Sep 2024 14:11
Left Angra on Saturday as more wind forecast than for Sunday. It turned out to be a brisk sail between the islands until we got into the wind shadow off São Jorge. Anchored off Calheta, a mixture of rock and sand. Suffered the noise of chain moving over rock all night, so off early to Velas.
A few very strong gusts, reminiscent of the acceleration zones in the Canary Islands, but probably katabatic winds which tumbled down the steep slopes just as we were about to put the engine on- this kept us on our toes.

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A lovely marina, very calm, no swell, a quiet night! São Jorge is renowned for its 40 plus fajas, plains formed at the foot of the cliffs either by a landslide or lava flow. Velas is built on one of these.
It is a picturesque town with pedestrianised streets, patterned pavements and squares, including the well kept Jardim de República.

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Experienced first rain since Horta, badly needed for the islands. People say it has got very dry, but not really apparent to the untrained eye.