We were welcomed in Angra do Heroismo at nightfall with a display of fireworks.  Little did we know that these folks fire off the display as needed, day or night.  It is a real experience to drink your morning coffee at 0800 to a display of fireworks!  The winds in the lee of Sao Jorge were fluky but when we rounded the island, strong north-west winds and good swells greeted us!  We had a fast sail, 8-10 knots until in the lee of Angra. The first night at anchor was "rolly" , but the swell settled over a couple of days.  It is a most beautiful harbor.

After spending the morning bringing SHIBUMI back to "ship-shape" condition, we departed Velas at noon.  We had spent several evenings with Paul and Andy Atkinson on Talulah Ruby from Lanzorate, The Canary Islands.  They spent the winter the winter in the Caribbean and are on the way home via the Azores and Maderia.  Unfortunately they were marooned on Velas waiting for an engine starter motor which had disintegrated the week before.  They were able to show us the nightlife of Velas, the island's main port.  All we could do to help them was keep their beer cold!