The far eastern end of Madeira is more like Porto Santo – very dry and rocky with minimal vegetation.

Well protected anchorage

Barren Peninsular!

We anchored in the bay protected from the brisk northerly winds for a few days so we decided to head our for a walk along the peninsular. The dinghy landing was interesting – the shoreline being a rocky beach with a sudden drop off ensuring that even small waves can cause dinghy occupants get a righteous dousing! (2016 was the year we went through no less than 5 dinghies – trying to come up with the best alternative. We’re now re-thinking that again!)

Time for another Dinghy re-think???

Our walk was interesting along the barren peninsular and up to the peak at the far end of the island. Loads of people about sharing the path and if we’d planned better we’d have had some cash available to purchase a beer at the surprising bar we found at the base of the peak! The rock formations of the coast were dramatic indeed.

Dramatic northern shoreline

Looks like combinations of Basalt and Sandstone??

We finally said goodbye to Madeira and set off for Santa Maria – the southernmost island of the Azores. With not much wind, it was always going to be a bit of a slow and noisy passage – but even so, we managed to sail nearly half of it – including a nice patch with the spinnaker.

I also managed to break a multi-year duck by catching my first fish – a small Tuna – in ages – right after we’d set the spinnaker – and we enjoyed a couple of nights feasting on fresh Tuna! Also while out with the Spinnaker, we spotted a large orange fender floating on the ocean – and managed to steer our way to it and Laurie captured the errant item – which had made it’s way apparently from Canada!

All the way from Canada!

Little Tuna – good for 6 small steaks!

We arrived in Santa Maria nearly 4 days later – and were quickly put into quarantine until we had negative results back from a PCR test… Santa Maria awaits us…