Saturday, July 1st, Angra Do Heroismo, Terceira, The Azores
 
After a couple more gray, rainy days in Horta, we took off this morning for Terceira.  It was supposed to be a sunny day, but we woke up to more rain, clouds and gusty winds.  Regardless, we were ready to move on.  Our 70 mile route takes us between the islands of Pico and Sao Jorge and then just north of east, to Terceira. 
    
We are hoping to catch a little of the Portugal - England World Cup game this afternoon, but it doesn't look like we will make it there on time.  Obviously, we are routing for Portugal (sorry Lisa, Melanie and Tony!) and might even have to delay our departure for the mainland if they make it all the way to the final.
 
We spent our last few days in Faial exploring the city, doing projects on the boat, and working on our painting for Horta's wall of fame.  The streets of the city are narrow cobblestone lanes lined with apartment buildings and small shops selling all sorts of merchandise.  We got a kick out of seeing farm fresh eggs for sale in the chandlery and spark plugs on display beside the AA batteries and toothpaste at the neighborhood cafe.  The farmers' market, tucked away in a pedestrian square on one end of town, offered local fruits and vegetables as well as some plums and strawberries imported from the mainland. 
    
 
The kids continued to enjoy the company of Celine and Anouk, running around the marketplace and sliding down the marina wall. 
    
 
You can see all of the boat logos that have been painted on the walls and sidewalks around the marina.    It is a sailor's tradition.  Each of the 1000 boats that passes through here every year leaves behind a painting lest they tempt fate and risk disaster.  The superstition started in the 1960s and 70s when there were a lot fewer boats out cruising.  These days, the artwork has consumed virtually every available surface.  Many of the paintings are old and faded.  When the writing is beyond recognition, the spot becomes ripe for a take over.  Choosing your spot can be difficult.  Our biggest criteria was convenience so we picked a spot just a few feet away from where our boat was docked.  It is also easy to tell people where to look for it, right by the customs house and fuel dock.
    
The girls helped dad clean it up and paint the background color for our logo.  Glenn, Joe and I all put our heads together to come up with the best way to get the ZIA logo drawn.  We finally decided to do a template of one set of the rays that we could rotate around the circle so it would be identical on all sides.  The tray that our trusty plant "Ali" sits in provided the outline for the outer circle and one of my serving bowls the inner circle.  I think it came out pretty well, myself!  I'll be curious to see how long it lasts.  Supposedly, once it starts peeling beyond recognition, you have to come back and redo it.  We'll see.
    
 
We are on the last 30 mile leg of our trip and the soccer game is due to start now.  We'll just have to hope they win this game so we can be sure to watch the next one live.  Our first night in Horta, Portugal happened to be playing the Netherlands and we watched the game from the local yacht club.  Such passion!  I nearly jumped out of my skin when they scored a goal, as I was ordering some food from the bar and not paying attention to the TV. 
 
6:30pm amendment - Forza Portugal!!!!!
 
Happy Fourth of July weekend!
 
Love,
Christy, Joe, Cassie and Juliana
Next entry >>>>>>>
 
Many thanks to our friend Craig Homenko for his assistance in setting up the website.
We also would like to thank our buddy Scott Brunner who has been kind enough to host the website on his server.
   

 
                                                            ©2005 Zia Later.   All rights reserved.   Your mileage may vary.   Void where prohibited by law.