Spain to Portugal

Ile Jeudi
Bob and Lin Griffiths
Thu 15 Sep 2011 18:59
37:06.80N  08:31.32W
 
Wednesday 14 and Thursday 15 September 2011
 
Distance Run  108 Miles
 
 
We left Rota at around noon on Wednesday and sailed for the first 12 hours (about 65 miles) when the wind died and we motored until a little after 3 in the morning when the wind improved again and we sailed for the last 20 miles.
 
We anchored at 6am in the dark in Portimao harbour on the Portugese Algarve.  It was a bit hairy as it was gusting 20-23 knots and some boats didn't have anchor lights on.  It took 3 attempts before we were satisfied we had allowed enough swinging room between us and other boats.
 
After sleeping until 11am we showered, tidied up and put our clocks back an hour as we were still on Spanish time.  I called John Holloway, an electrician who did a lot of work on our boat when we were here 6 years ago.  I am hoping he will be available to instal our Satphone and AIS equipment, unless he has retired.  I spoke to his wife, Ana Paula, as John is away in the UK until next Thursday.
 
We also called Mon and Nev to let them know we are here and to see if they can come down to Portugal.
 
We are hoping to see our friends Angie and Mark from Barbados who are in the Algarve this week on holiday with their children Anna and Ed, their spouses and granddaughter Lily.