3rd May 2009, Figueira da Foz

We left Nazare about 6:45am and the wind should have been about 120 degrees round on the port side and about 15knots, sea about 1 and a half to two metres – then later the wind was due to be lighter for a couple of hours and then come back round to nearer 50 or 60 degrees on the port side, increase to about 15 knots and the seas pick up to 2 – 2 and half metre. And that’s just about exactly what happened except that the light winds were lighter for longer and when it came round to the north-west it was just a little tight on the nose for a brilliant sail – however, it was still the best sailing we’ve had for a long while. Only had the engine on for going in and out of harbour and when the wind was too light to be comfortable in the swell ( and to keep the speed up ). Arrival in Figueira da Foz was a little unusual in the fact that they also (like Nazare) said that they were not really open because they have pontoons removed – however, not a problem because they have managed to find us a couple of comfortable berths away from the (reputed) swell & wash at the entrance to the marina. The marina is also very handy for the town – not too far to walk and has a superb covered market just across the road. We missed this place out on the way south earlier in our trip but are very glad to have seen it this time, it would have been a real shame to have passed it by.
Because we arrived on the 30th of April and the next day being 1st May and a national holiday (Labour Day) there were the compulsory fireworks at midnight (on 30th)….. very loud….. and for those who missed it – there was a repeat performance at 8:00am the following morning (yes; of the fireworks)…. Somebody must have thought it was a good idea…..
There are also displays of national dancing and other various activities during the holiday weekend – I’ve added a few of the better photos below just to give you a flavour of the atmosphere.
We are, as always, watching the weather for the next move up the coast which may be in the middle of the week. Watch this space.

30th April, Figueira da Foz

Just arrived 15:15 today from Nazare. All OK, more later. Route updated.

27th April 2009, Some Photos, Still in Nazare

Thanks to all who have left comments on the Blog – it’s always good to know that we are being read.
OK here are the photos that we have selected to bring you up to date from Lagos to Nazare. We will probably be here until Thursday….
First photo is of Trevor & Lesley (Kishorn of Ross) saying their ‘goodbyes’ before leaving Lagos to head East, then BB at the computer, the next 19 are from the weekend of the 4th which we spent at John & Rita’s, the area is near Carrapateira and Bordeira. Then 10 photos from the area north-east of Silves and in Silves & Ferragudo (across the river from Portimao) when we spent the weekend of the 11th with Nick & Anne at their place. After that we have a picture of Trevor with Jan & Baukjen (from J&B), T and Liz from ‘Little Else’ and then Ju also from ‘Little Else’ – isn’t it amazing that we have to go all the way to Lagos to meet people that normally have sailed the waters around Ardfern and we hadn’t seen their boat before. Then we have a picture of us on ‘Sheer Fantasy’ with Bob & Di after our successful trip up to Cascais from Lagos, followed by 3 pictures from a park in Cascais near the marina and 7 from Lisbon, and lastly one of us at anchor in Cascais bay before leaving for Nazare, then one of the locals at Nazare.

24th April 2009, Nazare

24th April
Nazare. We left Cascais marina on the 22nd and spent a night at anchor in the bay ready for an early start on the 23rd (5am) to go to Nazare, all the forecasts looked like it should be a good sail – however the weather didn’t develop as it was predicted and it turned out to be another motor-sail. Another long day and when we arrived in Nazare at 19:30 the Porto Recreo was (had been) shut – however, we parked up on the pontoons that had only been put back in action the day before and we scrubbed off all the guano that the seagulls had built up over the previous months. The night at anchor I managed to contact Kishorn of Ross (Trevor & Lesley, anchored about 30 miles from Cartagena) on 8101, didn’t hear Grand Slam (Andy) and didn’t hear the Dutch net.

It may be that we move on from here tomorrow (Saturday) or there again it could be a week … Still working on the photos…..