Homeward bound

The Azores dawned wet and windy, and there was a question mark as to whether we would be able to dock, because of the wind speed and direction. But we made it. Since we were last here, the authorities have put up a purpose built cruise liner terminal. It has been done very wel, as it is effectively two stories high, but is no high the the sea front. This means that no-one has had their view spoilt.
Last time we were here we did the island tour, and very interseting and enjoyable it was. From Ponta Delgado, we went north to the other coast, and then slowly to the south. On the way, we passed a tea plantation(very enjoyable tea to drink), and some marvellous vistas. One of the items the Azores are most proud of are their pineapples, which they claim to be the sweetest around. They are much darker than we are used to seeing in the UK, and are certainly tasty. The trip ends at the botannical gardens, in the crater of a dormant volcano. Lunch and a tasting of the waters follows-if one is into that sort of thing!.
On this occasion, we decided to explore the town, and very relaxing it was too. Firstly to the market, where we found some unusual fish for sale, including one brilliant red one which I was assured was quite tasty. Next a stroll through relatively traffic free streets and some interesting churches. We had a sit and a coffee/beer in one of the squares, to watch the world go by. It did, but mostly fellow passengers! The wind started to pick up, and it became a little uncomfortable, so we set off to find some lunch (one must respect ones stomach!!). At the start of our jaunt, we had sought advice from the local tourist office on this subject, and were told that one of the best fish places in town was in fact next to the cruise terminal. So we sauntered back and found it.
They were right! We had a really good fishy lunch with a bottle of Azores wine, all whilst watching the rest of the worlsd pass by.
All too soon, it was time to return to the ship. Whilst we had been ashore, the crew had been having an official sports day, and our waiters were taking part. Fortunately the dining room one the Basketball, with both of them scoring, and one of the assistants the pool. There were some very happy guys serving us at dinner!!
Before then, we had a different sort of entertainment, in the shape of setting sail. The wind speed had risen, and we needed the assistance of two tugs, as well as all the ships power, it was still something of a struggle to get us off the berth. It was only when the Pilot cutter joined in, assisting the front tug by pushing on the bow whilst it pulled, that we got clear. It took half an hour, and it was good thing that the captain had turned Black Watch, on arrival, to be bow on to the entrance. Had the winds been as they were when we sailed when we arrived, we would not have managed to get in!
Since then it has been a bit of a lumpy bumpy roller coaster as we head towards the UK. Yesterday was gale, to day a bit less but still plenty of rock and roll! The forecast is to remain the same until we are in the Channel late on Tuesday
This will be the last posting until the photographs are added. Hopefully this will be in the next 10 days or so, but we have around 1,000 or more to process.