Cut to the chase -

Impy looking smart at Ponta Delgada, Sao Miguel, Azores

If you just want to know WHERE WE ARE but don't want to trawl through all them posts: WE ARE IN THE AZORES (roughly opposite Portugal but who'd ever believe that? - it's blinkin freezin, honestly I'm not just saying that to be nice - even the bedsocks have been dusted off). More precisely: we are tied onto a pontoon at the marina do Ponta Delgada on the island of Sao Miguel. This is not where we wanted to be but hey ho the showers are hot and my bed no longer lurches about like its lashed to the back of a bucking bronco. The town is lovely - cobbled streets, inviting cafes, grand buildings and towering churches. In the square the horse chestnuts are blooming with pretty pink candles. The cakes are good and my painful longing for PG tips (just one bag) has been momentarily arrested because: they grow tea here! I was suprised when first I found out but now, witness as I am to the heavy rain and fog today, it all falls into place. We have taken up residence in the local shopping centre (can you believe it after all those beautifully empty miles of nothing but nature) because 1. it is warm 2. it is dry and 3. you can surf yourself stupid on their wifi whilst sitting in nice leather sofas. Call me shallow...