Post 7

April 20th- Any ideas for things to do or where to shop in Madeira?

We are presently about 400 nm West of the Straits of Gibraltar navigating for the best path through a low front that is quickly approaching.

The Strait of Gibraltar, also known as the Straits of Gibraltar, is a narrow strait that connects the Atlantic Ocean to the Mediterranean Sea and separates the Iberian Peninsula in Europe from Morocco in Africa. While it may be on my list to visit in the future, I going to settle for getting within a few hundred miles - it is east of us and we gotta make headway West; if the low front would simply get out of our way.

Good news is that it’s my turn for dinner tonight. Another first for me tonight, chili con carne. But no worries, Captain Anthony has a great recipe for it. All I have to do is (1) follow the instructions, (2)convert metric to the American measurement system, and (3) translate French to English on the packages and I’m all set.

Oh and don’t forget, a storm is approaching and things may get a bit sporty in the galley around dinner time - again! So me thinks I will prepare it early to avoid spilling a pot of chili on the deck. If I am successful, I will include a picture of the end product.

Now to more important matters. I’m going to be in Madeira for approximately 3 days. Just Live will probably arrive there early Monday morning. After picking up Jerry as crew, dropping off Bartek, working on the boat and purchasing more supplies, I may have one full day to go sightseeing.

Any suggestions on where to go and where to shop?

Don’t tell Terri, Taylor, Cara, or Doris but I should probably get them something special in Madeira. I expect since its airport runway is known for harsh landings, I doubt Terri will agree to fly there in the future for a visit.

Basically the airport is right at the edge of the island just north of Funchal and all the planes basically slam on the brakes as soon as they land so they don't run off the runway into the ocean. Good thing we are arriving by sailboat.

In the interim, back to playing with the dolphins and navigating this low front.

Cheers,

Paul

P.S. Remember, you can click on this tracker link to follow us across the Atlantic on an interactive map via Iridium Go - thanks to Captain Anthony.