Author: Paul and Claire

We let the lines go in relatively warm sunshine and headed out from the now almost clear wall from which the race boats and large yachts had all left. The wall was packed with spectators and well wishers. We were in no particular hurry to mix it up at the front so we moved at our own pace. We fell in nose-to-tail as we were funnelled toward the marina exit, creeping along and often just holding position, the band played, the fuel pontoon rocked, and we held our place inthe procession. By the time we were through the emotionally charged

All was going well for a full 24 hours as we glided south under cruising chute in 12 knots wind. At about 3pm yesterday after gybing to keep our course all went completely silent. Not a sail noise, hull sound or rope creak. Silence was not a good thing. We watched with fascination and horror as our cruising chute dropped to the sea beside us. The halyard had chafed through. So started a long arduous recovery of a sea anchor into the cockpit. Now 180 miles to go or 24 hours of rolling under mainsail only. Headsail furling drum still

Wouldn’t that be great. So how many issues can arise over 180 miles? Yacht troubles come in 30’s not 3’s!! On this passage….. Making 11 knots SOG through the Straits the forward heads flooded the central bilge A fridge door flew open repeatedly as it needed immediate defrosting – so started the defrosting process including eating anything that defrosted – where and when did we buy these?? What are they??? Is that cheese supposed to be green???? The generator was shut down in case it had an airlock as it appeared to be running hot; we are on edge over

On a small detour to pick up the post so it’s a 180 mile trip to Portimao from La Linea which takes us no further toward the Canaries. A quick trip through the Straits of Gibraltar with 27 knots off Tarifa and a SOG of 11 knots. Since then things have slowed and we returned are to motoring about 20 minutes after nightfall.

Cruising east of Portimao we entered the Canal de Faro within the marshes south of Faro airport. The approach has a huge tuna net which although marked within a 1 mile square drifts beyond the marks by quarter of a mile. Rounding the net the shallows rapidly and the entrance has tides which run at 4 to 7 knots. The channels are shallow (drawing more than 2.5m we are forbidden from moving at night). Dropping anchor as per the chart and pilot we anchored in peaceful isolation. Looking at AIS and the charts we could see yachts anchored to the