Another week - w/e 19th July
Nightsong
Mon 20 Jul 2009 17:44
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Dear blog
We have finally made it to the Algarve and
beautiful it is too. Apparently last week was cool and windy down here but this
week it is glorious - the water temp has recovered from only 16C at Cabo St
Vincente to 24C today at Alvor.
Spent one day sightseeing in Lisboa before setting
off for Sines (pronounced Singe) on Friday. Sailed the 45 miles with a 20knot
northerly wind blowing us down the coast - enjoyed Sines despite it being a very
commercial port - the marina is excellent and the town interesting. Then on
Saturday we sailed the 60 miles down to Cape St Vincent - started off with
a Force 5 northerly so took a reef , which we shook out soon enough as the wind
dropped. Then we put up the code Zero which started to move us along at 7 or 8
knots. Wind started to increase and we spent 2 hours doing 9 -10 knots in a
Force 5 before we blew out the sail (the head attachment to its eye failed again
- not a good recommendation for Owen Sails). Then the wind dropped again and we
spent the last 3 hours motoring around Cape St Vincent in a nasty uncomfortable
swell before anchoring under the Henry the Navigator (1396 to 1460) navigation
school/fortress at Sagres. Walked to this yesterday morning in sweltering heat
before motoring to Lagos. Ghastly place full of Brits but had an excellent meal
in a more local restaurant.
Today we have gone on to Alvor and spent a great
hour in the surf on its beautiful beach before motoring up the very shallow
channel to the town - one of the advantages of a lifting keel. As Mark says a
river very much like the Deben with its sandbanks but in the sun! Tomorrow to
the islands behind Faro before going to Villamoura (ugh!) on Wednesday night to
pick up Thomas and friends on Thursday
Code 0 being repaired in Lagos. Too much
booze plus the weather and sea temp have put all in good
spirits
AJB
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