So it’s time for a quick update down here in what is usually a nice, warm and sunny spot. Only the last few days have seen lots of rain, thunder, lightning and not a lot of sun – nevertheless there are some sunny periods every now and again.

The East Atlantic OCC(Ocean Cruising Club) Rally pitched up a week or so ago and several events were hosted by the Marina and the Lagos Navigators and we did our bit. We pitched in for the dinners, several of which were very nice, made the sea trip to Alvor, a lovely little town about 7 miles away taking in the grottoes just outside Lagos on the way back, learned where we have been going wrong when fishing – everything it would seem - and came second, well last really, in our heat of the dingy race, not surprising really.  The rowing race was in inflatable dinghies and drew an audience of many locals and visitors alike and was a bit of good fun. Anyone who has tried to row an inflatable dinghy two up, and in a stiff cross-wind, knows how challenging and exhausting this can be and there were quite a few shenanigans going on – no names from us! The real winners were the folks from Bear – a American family of four, who are heading to the Pacific by way of Madeira, Canaries, the Caribbean and Florida – it’s a long story – and we wish them well. Most of the other OCC boats on the rally are heading west as well, most planning get make their way to New Zealand and Australia, and one to head clock-wise around the Pacific.

After that it was time to get into the swing of life in the marina. We are once again learning Bridge, have started some Portuguese language lessons and Susan has got the line dancing up and running once again thanks to Ingrid’s support – Ingrid is the marina manager. We are also looking to do some Sunday racing when it re-starts in a couple of weeks, if anyone wants us as crew. Finally, Andrew has broken out the guitar and is practicing for a music group that starts up at the end of the month, so we are keeping busy and getting through the list of boat jobs we have.

We are also very excited about the visit of Isaac and Alice very soon and are busy sorting things out for them to stay for a few days – really looking forward to having on them on board again, the last time they saw Andromeda was in Las Palmas just before we left on our Atlantic crossing. Isaac was only a baby and Alice was 5.

More in due course...........

Andrew and Susan

Andromeda of Plymouth

Marina de Lagos

Algave

Portugal

Silly joke:- “I was having dinner with Garry Kasporov and there was a check tablecloth. It took him two hours to pass me the salt.”

May the wind always be on your back and the sun always upon your face,
And the winds of destiny carry you aloft to dance with the stars.

Ps With the Volvo Ocean race having started recently, Susan and Andrew have succumbed to the lure of the virtual racing game again and are trying to navigate their boats(they have two each) around the course, any one interested in joining them can check it out at http://www.virtualregatta.com/. Their boats are Spidermum. Reservoir Frog (yes spelt like that), Peroo1954 and Orangeandromeda.