37:57.059N 08:51.964W Sines
37:57.059N 08:51.964W Sines
23rd and 24th July
The day was hot with the sun shining in Cascais, people on the beach and tourists and locals walking around town. We set off from our mooring about 12 midday after the usual jobs of filling the water tanks, making everything secure and today changing our gas bottle and a visit to the Jumbo Hypermarket. The sea had a lumpy swell and not much wind. Sailed for a few hours and then our spinnaker went up. In all we sailed about 25 miles. We finished the day on the motor with the yacht rocking and rolling, we ate a lovely fish casserole on board as we sailed along. The day was long and we arrived in Sines in the dark at around 10pm. We could see what looked like castle grounds on the hill and loud music coming from a concert and search lights roving up in the sky. We went to sleep with the sounds of live music echoing off the shore. We sailed 10 hrs and covered 52 n. miles.
The music continued all night and at 9 am we were very pleased to have some peace and quiet when all the party youngsters called it a day. Our friends the GNR Marine police came on board again and yet again filled out their same form that has now been filed out at every Portuguese port. The GNR guy was very friendly and spoke good English so we learnt a lot from him. On walking ashore in the morning we could see many campervans and tents and travellers had come for what we were told was a three day concert. Bands from many parts of the world including Brazil, Holland, India and Finland were organised to play.
Sines is the birthplace of Vasco de Gama who discovered the sea route to India via the Cape of Good Hope in the 15th century.
In the late afternoon friends Peter and Jane from Loule near Faro call by to visit with Geoff. We chatted and had a drink in the cockpit and caught up with news.
Dinner was had in a very typical local restaurant sitting outside with a lovely view across the harbour. The fresh sardines and octopus were enjoyed by all. We went to bed to the second night of rock music ringing in our ears. Ear plugs to be worn by all on board.