Leixoes, Monday
Thursdays Child
Robin & Joanna Minchin
Mon 13 Oct 2014 23:03
008:42.325W
The forecast is looking pretty grim so we may be here at least a week, plenty of southerly howlers coming this way from tomorrow onwards. Not sure where the northerly trade winds are but we presume they will come eventually.
Knowing TC was secure in the marina, we ventured into Porto. When the torrential storm kicked in we were in a "mall" so missed the worst of the weather, the afternoon was marginally better so we walked through Porto streets ending up in the historical area by the river (must have looked a sight dressed in full sailing kit!).
Peter's Sport Cafe provided welcoming tea/coffee/hot chocolates, the pins on the map behind us marked where customers come from, we put the first pin on the Isle of Wight. Good views up and down the river with its array of bridges, boats and buildings, tours of the 'Port Cellars' were on offer everywhere but we thought it more appropriate to visit those without children. Instead we took a funicular train ride and promised them a tram ride should we visit again later on in the week.
We continue to be pleasantly surprised by the very friendly Portuguese folk and their exceptionally good English. The children were befriended by a family on the train ride back to the boat and given sweets.
Fortunately Isabelle thought to buy a Portuguese/English dictionary in the mall which enabled us to tell the difference between fish fingers and chicken nuggets in the local shop this evening (they both looked the same on the boxes!)
Back to find TC had stretched her mooring ropes and the dinghy was full of water, we clearly missed a big storm.
