A 'flying start' into the Atlantic.

Just a short jump from Porto Santo.
see all photos »

As the GPS arrive it was time to follow our Norwegian friends 'EOS' south to next stop, Porto Santo, a small island just North of Madeira. Some 500 Nm and estimated 4-5 days in reasonable wind. We left Lagos and followed the beautiful Algarve cost SW. The wind started to shift and came from all directions, and the it all came loose. We used exactly 60 hrs from we left the fuel dock in Lagos and was safely moored in Porto Santos! Around 8,5knots in average tells something about the conditions. Luckily we had it at 120-140 degrees rather constant. Haffie and Imran Hans disappeared down and was gone! Waves heights in the 4-5 meters range (if not more), the log passed 15 knots in some of the surfs. It was just to hang on and 'enjoy'.

Porto Santo beach.
see all photos »

Of course we approached the harbor after dark, and the wind was still rather heavy even behind the island. The marina is located rather in the inner corner with a lot of small bouys lying around. A kind of approach You only get one chance to do it right, and it was only to hope we would find an empty mooring place. We made it safe, or I would not have written this! The mountain 'sheltering' the harbor made the wind speed even worse when it came falling down, and there were already quite some worried yachters there doubling all lines, and 'EOS' just shook their heads when they saw us appear all of a sudden from nowhere.

The steep Algarve coast as we left.
see all photos »

Porto Santos is 'the Beach Island' of Madeira just some ferry hours away. One long street, some kilometers of beach an airstrip and the ferry. most of the houses belongs to people from the main land. Hotel capacity seems to be rather limited, and so even restaurants, but we enjoyed a couple of days stay to get our souls 'to catch up' with the body! It was not quite the season to go swimming in the ocean at the beautiful beach, but the temperature was rather pleasant. We hold on until we heard that there was a possibility to get into the marina/harbor in Funchal, Madeira, and left as the Portugese navy and army started some traing war with helicopters and warships all over the place. This is the season where most boats head for the Canary Islands to cross the Atlantic, which somewhat jams up the 'parking spaces' on the way. However a 6 hours sail down and we managed to sneak into the marina and got moored as boat no3 from the dock side.

Small and cramped marina.
see all photos »

Madeira became one of the more popular tourist resorts back in the 1960's,mainly among the 'retired' generation, not too hot, not too stressed. We found it one of the best places on our entire trip. Except for beaches, the island has everything to offer. Culture, nature, friendliness, and lots of restaurants both in Funchal itself and everywhere far into the valleys and mountains. A real day trip into the mountains must not be forgotten. Somuch might be written about 'must see' and 'must do' on this island, i suggest You go there. It is totally different from most of the popular tourist islands in the region. recommend.

Playing time.
see all photos »

As the ARC left the Gran Canaria we hoped it would be room for us in the marina where we would wait for Kristina's arrival from Norway and we made the final preperation for the next short jump down to Las Palmas, GranCanaria.