Automóveis dos Açores

[Sunny Jim]

@motorpunkI haven't checked my work email in over a month now - I'd better check my testicles don't fall off too...

Last day in Madeira today, we're heading off to  the Savage Islands en route to the Canaries tomorrow. 

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Savage_Islands

[mat_the_cat]

Some great photos, and not just of the chod; but...  

On 1/24/2023 at 12:28 PM, Sunny Jim said:

a restless night with us being tossed relentlessly.

...you say that like it's a bad thing?

[Pieman]

On 1/25/2023 at 5:04 PM, Sunny Jim said:

Classics Corner. These two were parked together and appeared to be in regular use. Peugeot 504

😍 😍 😍 😍

[5speedracer]

On 1/25/2023 at 5:18 PM, Sunny Jim said:

The climate does seem to be kind to 4x4s that would rust at home. Suzuki Vitara.

Ideal for the local twisties, Seicento Sport.

Though I'd pick this GT Turbo over the Fiat.

Almost as ubiquitous as the Merc taxi, a fucking pan pipe band.

Yes,  they were playing Simon and bleedin' Garfunkel!

Tchau for now, your Man In Madeira signing off for today. 

Those pan pipe guys have been there for years.

[Sunny Jim]

2 hours ago, mat_the_cat said:

Some great photos, and not just of the chod; but...  

...you say that like it's a bad thing?

And last night I was woken up by the mooring lines slapping and rubbing. 

In other circumstances I wouldn't mind being woken up by a slap and a rub...

Sailing does lend itself to innuendo. 😁

[lesapandre]

I'm just reading this about a similar trip to yours in winter. Very well written - John Ridgeway also rowed the Atlantic with Chay Blyth.

If anyone is unsure of the geography - the book has this useful map:

They came back by the Azores but encountered some pretty heavy seas.

[Sunny Jim]

Thanks @lesapandreI'll have to check that out when I get home. 

Now in Tenerife after coming here from Madeira via the Savage Islands. Chod seems pretty thin on the ground but I did get some snaps wandering around Playa San Juan today. 

[Sunny Jim]

Off to La Gomera tomorrow. 

[Sunny Jim]

This evening's anchorage below Los Gigantes sea cliffs.

Passion Fruit Poncho as the sun sets over (Sod'em and) La Gomera. Salud!

[High Jetter]

Poncho or Ponche?

[Sunny Jim]

@High Jetter Autocorrect, I meant ponche! Gracias.

[Sunny Jim]

Sailed across to La Gomera this morning. 

Will these Dacias be available in the UK? 

Citroën arguably came up with the concept first.

[Sunny Jim]

Matching wheel hubs, arch liners and seat covers! 

@loserone

Exterior bonnet catches because race car?

Pogweaseled Getz.

Glad I'm not staying here.

 

[Dick Cheeseburger]

1 minute ago, Sunny Jim said:

 

Glad I'm not staying here.

 

When I visited Colombia on a 'study trip' a few years ago, I remember drinking the local 'Colon' beer in one of Bogota's bars. Still got the glass!

[juular]

La Gomera is one of my favourite places. We went a walk up in the forests and I remember asking the guide what the funny looking and very tall trees were.  It blew my mind when he said "heather". Basically the place has the growing season for heather all year round and it just goes bonkers.

[Sunny Jim]

@juularonly been here a few hours but already loving the atmosphere. We plan to get a bus into the hills and go walking tomorrow. 👍

[loserone]

I'd like to see the heather.  What's the local honey like?

[Sunny Jim]

Will report back! 

[brownnova]

Superb spots!!!! 

[Sunny Jim]

On 05/02/2023 at 18:34, Sunny Jim said:

Will report back! 

Local Heather is indeed mahoosive. 

Will extend search area for local honey.

Rather than spam the board with loads of images if anyone's interested I've uploaded pictures of La Gomera to my Dropbox here

I'm with @juular, it's my new favourite place.

[juular]

12 hours ago, Sunny Jim said:

Dropbox here

Your photos are absolutely stunning. 

Man, I need to get travelling again!

[loserone]

10 minutes ago, juular said:

Your photos are absolutely stunning. 

I looked at them and decided I am colder than I was before.

12 hours ago, Sunny Jim said:

Will extend search area for local honey.

Be careful with that, you can catch all sorts of stuff.

[Sunny Jim]

13 hours ago, loserone said:

Be careful with that, you can catch all sorts of stuff.

You know us salty dogs, a honey in every port!

[loserone]

Oh hey, is your companion with you?

[Sunny Jim]

No, he's staying on my brother's sofa. I can't imagine he'd make a good sailor!

[Sunny Jim]

Seat Arona Hire Car Review and Road Test 

Rent it, dent it, bang it, prang it
Bump it, dump it, scorch it, torch it
Crash and burn it, don’t return it
Lost deposit, let ’em earn it
Who cares, it’s on the firm
It’s a hire car baby

~ John Cooper Clarke 

The seasoned traveller will eschew the swanky premises of Avis or Europacar and instead walk a few blocks to the edge of town.  A flea-bitten, possibly rabid dog in the alleyway outside the premises will let him know he has found a suitable establishment and indeed Rentacar La Rueda proved to be such.

Upon enquiring within your correspondent was informed he could hire a Seat Arona for the day for a very reasonable rate if he was prepared to pay cash. He was offered no collision damage waivers or other such fripperies and no deposit was sought or taken.  Paperwork was minimal, a quick look at my passport and licence and I was handed the keys and was on my way. I'll post them back through the letter box in the morning as arranged. 

Based on the Volkswagen Polo platform, the Seat Arona is a subcompact SUV crossover (B segment). The exterior of this example was remarkably damage-free considering its provenance but the off-side b pillar interior trim surrounding the seat belt was hanging off and the driver's sun visor was MIA.

The washer fluid reservoir was empty and the dash displayed the warning 'Front Assist Unavailable' but these are mere trifles at this price point. 

The seats in the Seat were rather firm for this reviewer's bony arse but the interior was an otherwise pleasant place to be. 

La Gomera is bereft of motorways or even dual carriageways but the Arona proved itself an adept cruiser on the island's three A roads provided one could maintain momentum through the bends. Where it really surprised was its ability when the tarmac ran out, the crossover extra ground clearance coming into its own on more than one occasion.

In spite of its high centre of gravity it also coped well on the island's caminos sinuosos.

Sunny Jim Rating

Drive - 6/10

Affordability - 9/10

Fun - 27/10

Overall - 14/10

Buttered fuitcake bonus @AnnoyingPentium

[Pieman]

Never even heard of La Gomera before, looks a breathtaking place!  Nice Arona too, had a nearly brand new one of those as a hire car in the Czech Republic last year and it was a very nice drive.

Looking forward to more from your adventures, I'm very jealous!  (PS: the red-pink Hyundai is an Atoz, not a Getz )

[Sunny Jim]

Thanks @PiemanI'm not very up on Hyundais. Did spot a Pininfarina designed* Matrix the other day. What's going on with that rear quarterlight? 

[BorniteIdentity]

Lovely to see some photographs of La Gomera.  I went about 10 years ago to install (an incredibly high powered) FM transmitter for one of the English speaking radio stations.  Having sailed from Tenerife, it felt wonderfully unspoilt and like it had largely been left alone.

Nice pics!

[High Jetter]

"Nothing Handles like a Rental Car"