a dot went for a walk: April 2012

Friday 27 April 2012

Tanger 04-27-12

Our current location. Chez Maggie nestled in the medina close to Socca Chico

We are in a room on the rooftop looking down over the port. This is our view over the medina.

An old woman holds on as the wind howls through the gate in the wall of the Kasbah

Gore Vidal's pied a terre a Tanger just across the plaza from Paul Bowles' house.

A ship in dry dock getting a makeover

Abstract's by fishermen cleaning their brushes on the wall of the port

Composition in Blue number 2

Repairing the nets.

With a little help from his friend

Composition in Blue number 3

The view from Cafe Central. The scene of some high drama by an older gentleman that was madder than a wet hen after being teased by some young whippersnapper.

The beach looking toward Spain

Camel on break

Still life with terrace

crates for fishes

Tuesday 24 April 2012

This is us on the glamourous rooftop deck of the Marriott, waving goodbye to the Clipper as it sails off to Rome -- ooops, well, we would have been waving if we'd been here yesterday evening when it left. Instead, we sat here for half an hour waiting for the waiter to notice us -- but he was too busy serving Antonio and Melanie drinks in the VIP area -- along with a bevy of bollywood stars and starlets -- all here for the Festival de Cine Espana (as everyone knows, flamenco bollywood is next years big thing) -- in fact, all of the above is just a figment of our fervid yet bored imaginations, as we waited in vain for service and finally departed (and even then he didn't notice us! Imagine!)

Saint Toribio in Cathedral who looks so nice and sweet but was actually the Grand Inquisitor of the Inquisition! (rhymes with terrible!)

Saint thomas

A sinner being punished!

John worshipping at the armpit altar of Saint Dolce of the Gabbana

St Paul has a hissy fit and loses his head

Roman amphitheatre

rainbow!

The shroud of Turin was in Malaga (exhibition at the cathedral) -- despite the absolute ban on cameras, here's our exclusive sneak preview!!!!

Walk.... Walk Faster!.... You have 64 seconds to wait for the next Walk...

Last day on the boat!

28 sails today!

The straits of Gibraltar!

Here's an overhead shot of the lunch buffet

Here's a drawing that one of our fellow passengers did of the Clipper and our route across

New Moon!

Prabhakar on the yardarm!

Princess Diana's monkey masterpiece!

John's half bat/half wolf response

A lick and a promise!

Stephen-tutenkamen!

A kiss goodbye -- from Lady Di!

Friday 20 April 2012

Apr 20 PONTA DELGADA

Weather report for the Azores

Our Captain channeling Joseph Beuys as he creates his "story time" story board, explaining the equation for calculating wind pressure on sails (to a dead hare -- that would be John) (or a live coyote -- that would be Stephen)

John in heaven (or at least as close as he's gonna get) -- the altar piece from the 16th century Jesuit cathedral

Sergeant Peppers Drum Majorettes

The Conga line of Bongo Boys

the Gato del Gado ain't too impressed by the band

the Gato is much more impressed by Sergeant Shoelaces -- a fashion which has now swept the ship, with all mates sailors and guests all tied up in knots

John has yet to join the shoelace bridgade but is keen to show off his new chapeau (a bit heavy for summer wear)

Reflections on a disaster (2 points for the first to spot the 2nd John)

the catacombs of the fort

leaving punto del gado (note the foreground instrument panels)

Arriving at dawn in Punto (sorry things are out of order, but we know you'll cope... says stephen)

more of same see above

view from municipal building in old town

sails going up!

more sails going up! 29 out of 42 were used all day today -- very rock and roll with much swelling from left overs of hurricane in north sea -- dishes were smashing -- drama!