Cascais 38 41.8 N 09 24.8 W
ALKIRA
Charles & Maggie Bevis
Sun 11 Aug 2013 15:26
Arriving just north of Cascais a young chap came flying out of nowhere on his surf kite, we couldn't believe the speeds he was reaching. When he came up to our stern, steering his kite with just one hand, the other was waving, he wanted to know what speed we were doing? 8 Knots we shouted back! We guess he was trying to calculate his own speed! Don't suppose he gets to ask too many people that question! Anyway, a big smile and another wave and off he flew again; he was certainly very entertaining to watch.
We arrived in Cascais shortly before dusk and dropped anchor in the bay along with several other yachts of varying nationalities, again we seemed to be the only Brits.
The only other thing of note, as we slowed to bring in the sails, prior to entering to harbour, was the incredible warmth of the wind coming off the land, it took us both quite by surprise but felt so nice.
Darkness arrived so fast, by the time we had dropped the anchor and made sure all was well, it was dark and the town around us looked incredibly pretty all lit up. We had no plans to stay here on this passage, so Cascais and a visit to Lisbon will have to wait until we pass this way again in a few years time perhaps!
The downside of a comfortable anchorage in a busy harbour, with a pleasant view, was another of the dreaded summer disco's - boom, boom, boom until about 4a.m. How the residents stand it we just don't know, the noise permeates the whole of the surrounding area. To think these go on for two months every year in most major towns in Spain and now we know in Portugal too, would drive us crazy. One can only assume they happen once or twice a week, but we've no intention of sticking around to find out!
One other bit of bad news is that I broke my Kindle, accidentally knelt on it whilst following instructions to help set the main as the wind came up. Now, who's going to get the blame for that I wonder? A tragedy as I've nothing to read now, so hopes are pinned on Gibraltar!