Although the Sun was not much in evidence during our short stay on Terceira, we have none-the-less very much enjoyed the stop.  Angra Do Herosimo has been a UNESCO world heritage site since 1983 by virtue of its importance during the maritime discoveries Renaissance period that allowed trade between  the Orient, Americas and Europe.  It was twice the capital of Portugal, would you believe!  The architecture is quite curious, clearly influenced by the blend of cultures that visited the city in its formative years.  The bay is deep and protected from winds from all directions except the southeast and by two major fortified castles on each side of the bay, clearly needed when ships were loaded with foreign treasures.  Today the city is well maintained with cobble-stone streets and brightly colored buildings.  We took a guided walking tour of the city that included a walk through the Botanical gardens up to a great vantage point over the city and then to the Spanish Castle of Sao Filipe/Sao Joao Baptista do Monte Brasil, that protects the western end of the port and had another great vantage point.  The fort on the east side is Portuguese.  

We were amongst several who were directed to tie up in trots of 3-4 boats alongside the breakwater on the right of the photo above (behind the tree).  Fortunately we were not alongside the wall because the southerly swell was quite significant so most of us had issues with our lines chaffing, particularly those alongside the wall; Spindrift beside us had 3 of his lines chaff through in just one night!

Later that evening we had intended joining others in the rally to see traditional bull-running in a small village about a half hour’s taxi ride away but, maybe fortuitously, a taxi didn’t show up so Howard and I instead had a very pleasant quiet dinner at a little restaurant, The Captain’s Table, only opened 4 months ago by a former Turkish resident of the UK (Highbury Hill), married to a resident of Sweden, who arrived by sea a few years ago.  These islands produce many interesting foods (cheeses, pork, beef, fresh veggies) as well as decent wine, which he incorporated into the menu.  Mike and Benjy saw the bull-running and were happy to have seen it once but are unlikely to want to see it again.

We arrived in Ponta Delgada on Sao Miguel around 07:30 this morning, having had an easy overnight sail from Terceira.  Now breakfasted (berry pancakes with sausage) and checked in, we are ready to start exploring….