Quinta do Lorde Marina
Ile Jeudi
Bob and Lin Griffiths
Wed 1 Aug 2012 17:16
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32:44.48N 16:42.78W
Wednesday 1 August 2012
Distance Run 1.6 Miles !!
I wanted to clean the waterline which had become
very muddy during our long time at anchor in Portimao. We had noticed
that a lot of muck came down river when the tide was going out at Portimao and
we are convinced a sewer was being opened somewhere. The mud and slime
didn't wash off during the passage to Porto Santo so the only option is to
dive in and swim around with a scotch pad and sponge. The instruments
suggested the sea temparature was 22 deg C (I think they were mistaken) but
after the usual initial shock it was very pleasant and the hull came up
well. The striking thing is just how clear the sea is out here. It
is lovely to see down to the sea bed again - something which has not been
possible since leaving the Med.
It was rather rolly at anchor last night so we
decided to bring forward our visit to the marina at Quinta do Lorde which is
only a mile or so away. After checking in to the fuel dock for 130 litres
of diesel we were led to our berth with the help of the very pleasant marina
staff. It was lunch time so completing formalities was left for a
while. The marina comes highly recommended in the Atlantic Islands Pilot
Book for it's friendliness and we felt this was justified when checking in with
Katia later.
The marina is a 5 or 6 years old but the resort
properties being built around it are only just
nearing completion. The external finishes are all done and
landscaping is moving on quickly for a planned opening in November this
year. This should change the character of the place which is very quiet at
the moment, being located in the east of the island away from any towns or
villages. Not surprisingly in the current climate a lot of the properties
are still unsold.
The town of Machico is 10 or 15 minutes away by
road and Funchal is over an hour. The marina has good toilet and shower
facilities (with the largest shower cubicles we have ever seen in a marina) and
there is a washing machine, dryer, cafe / restaurant and wifi but very
little else. It has a nice feel to it though and the setting is quite
dramatic - the marina has been built under a cliff. The marina has a
courtesy bus which is essential to get to Machico where there is a large
Pingo Doce supermarket (we like Pingo's).
Quinta do Lorde Marina:-
 The restaurant and 'dummy'
lighthouse:-
 The lane (currently closed) up in to the
resort:-
 From the restaurant:-
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