Author: Paul and Claire

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

Down the 100 miles of coast sailed from Cascais to Cabo Vincente we had Monkey and Donkey, as they referred to themselves, doing a mad double act on VHF channel 16 almost non-stop. All in English these guys yabber away at each other, play music and American cartoons or similar. The transmissions started around 10pm almost non-stop until maybe 6am but soon resumed again. Of course freight traffic from the shipping lanes told them to ‘go to a clinic’ and the odd yacht suggested ‘a different channel as they were a hazard to navigation’. The latter was well put and

Unfortunately the excellent Cascais festival winds up today and although we have moved on it is broadcast every night on Portugal RFM radio. WEe have particularly enjoyed Craig David, Dengaz, The Black Mamba and Monica Ferraz. Missed last night’s performance due to a beach party.

Leaving Cascais heading south with a N 15 knot forecast we set full sail in 9 knots wind and were making way nicely. Wind climbed to 15 then 23kn so we took a reef in the main but got a bit of an untidy roll in the boom. The main was then stuck as the wind climbed and we started hitting 8kn not knowing what was coming next. We took the easy option of tucking under a headland in smooth water and 5kn wind to sort things out before heading south again under gib only. It was slow going but

Originally a fortified Roman town and today a fascinating walled town. The town also boasts being the home of Ginja, a morello cherry liquor.

So having grabbed a prime anchor spot just off Cascais town we were about 200 metres from the stage which is set for the 5 day music festival. We were just finishing dinner, the sun was on it’s way down and we planned to go ashore and watch Craig David perform. Then along comes an orange fishing vessel with a local policeman telling us we had to move now as they were setting up the fireworks platform where we were anchored. Of course as we got ready to move the wind picked up through 20 knots, within a couple of

The pilot states that the bay is foul. A hired speedboat dropped anchor alongside us today and as over 20 knots of wind hit they wanted to leave. Cascais had other ideas and no way could they reclaim their anchor. We had a go at dropping a tripping line down their rode but we are not carrying any large shackles that would sink down the 6mm line which was at about 30 degrees. So we called the rental boat company and the guy tried every trick he could to free the line but eventually gave up and cut the line.

We sailed almost due south from the Spanish Ria’s to Peniche, Portugal. In Peniche we were amazed at how late everybody ate lunch and dinner. At how late we would get up in the morning. And that nothing was open when it was supposed to be even if we arrived at the opening time. We went to Mark’s bar which gave 3 time zones for something like New York, Paris and Berlinga. Berlinga was 6 miles away and corresponded to our watches. After a week in Peniche we went to catch a bus to the walled town of Obidas (where

For any of us that sail around Portsmouth there has always been a fine line on the chart off the shore of Southsea that runs out to Horse Sand Fort. This minor detail relates to the submarine defense wall. Wonder what happens if you hit it? We know of a visitor to the UK who hit it at 7 knots and immediately stopped. We understand that the metal hull & keel had to have very substantial repairs in Portsmouth and that the family crew was rattled. It’s a feature that is easily missed on our Solent charts.

Antonio and Josef, two very special Portuguese sailors who welcomed us to Peniche and Portugal in spectacular fashion. Antonio cooked Paella on Josef’s boat Azulum and brought it over to finish the cooking of the rice on our boat as we were eating on Aditi. The following evening he brought over the home produced wine. They have sailed back home to Cascais today and we wish them fair winds and hope the fog lifts for them.