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Webster - We're off again, again. for the final time......



Sunday 8th June 2014 Position 50 miles East of Santa Maria

The 1200 start of this final leg was a bit of a non starter with very little wind which was a bit of a disappointment, although a number of boats were jockeying for position for line honours. Actually, after the Civic reception we were treated to last night it was a bit of a blessing in disguise.

We were all bussed up the hill to the reception which was a relief as I don't think half the fleet would have made it without oxygen otherwise. The local mayor had laid on a spit roast and a buffet of loads of local foods and wine, including some port style fortified wine which tasted of madeira. There was beer by the barrel load, local crafts being exercised and later, traditional country dancing in local costume. A few beers and a couple of the ports later and the evening got off to a real swing, especially when the wine producer brought out his "special stuff", a clear liquid which has apparently been rejected by NASA as too inflammatory for rocket fuel! There was a blue tinge to it which for some was probably the last thing they remembered of the night; the idea was to knock it back in one then have a sip of the port to kill the taste, although it took a lot more than that. Phew!!

There were a few speeches, and a presentation of local weaved baskets and mats etc. to all boats. It was really good to see that the marina managing director for the whole of the Azores had come, with the mayor and a number of other dignitaries which made us all feel very important. There was mooted the idea of having an ARC rally to the Azores as a specific destination which sounded like a great idea to us - we all really have had a good time here and could have spent much longer in each port. Andrew Bishop take note.

The dancing was really energetic, accompanied by a small band consisting of an accordion, a Spanish guitar and singers, led by a lady that didn't quite have the looks of Soobo(Susan Boyle) and absolutely nothing like the voice! Blimey, the local cats even ran for cover but I had to defend myself with a serviette in each ear. We were all invited to join in after the formal dancing finished and we all donned hats, in my case a knotted hanky, and a girl tied a pinny onto me which made me look like someone from the Moulan Rouge so I had to show my skills at the Can-Can, as you do. So we all had a go at traditional dance and thoroughly enjoyed it whilst managing to avoid treading on my partner's feet all evening.

All good things come to an end and several of the fleet had to have Lyall drive them back to the marina as they were drunk in charge of their shoes. I think he ended up as a taxi service as there so many of them! Not us though, we were perfectly in touch with our senses, so I'm told.

Sunday morning we were woken by a brass band who had come down to the harbour to see us off, just like in Las Palmas at the start of the ARC.

After the start we put up the spinnaker but it was so light the boom was swinging back and forth so we had Igor on deck holding it out with his back, arms outstretched. Someone came over the radio and suggested we had crucified him!

The wind went even lighter after a while and most boats came past under engine - even Defyr, but we stuck with it for a couple more hours after which we joined in and motored too for a while until more breeze kicked in. We have to average at least 5 knots as we have to have Igor back in Lagos to catch an early flight from Lisbon on Sunday meaning arriving latest Friday evening. He is a VIP in Slovenia sitting as one member of three on their Judicial Parole Board that is meeting on the Monday so there he must be if a number of deserving cases are to be released this quarter! Otherwise on our conscience be it - the responsibility as Skipper has no bounds.

It is due to be light winds all night but hopefully more than nothing......


Hi Ho.!


Charlie
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