From Povoa da Varzim

Moonshine
Tue 26 Sep 2006 14:07
We left Povoa da Varzim at 11 this morning heading south. The boat has had a stressfull two months, with the remains of two tropical storms passing by. All the warps we put out two months ago failed. They, or rather the remains of them, were piled up on the foredeck in short broken lengths, where the marina staff had put them after repeatedly securing the boat with their own, much more substantial warps. Even those kept breaking.
All the unattended boats in the marina had recieved the same treatment. We could see no damage to anyone. Impressive care!
The sea on leaving was impressive too! Helene has bought up a big swell (you have that to come!). The mouth of the harbour had swells that should have graced cribber. 3 to 4 metre breaking surfing waves straight across the mouth - and in fog! Dry mouthed conditions for about an hour until we were through into deeper offshore water.
The forcast is for this swell to gently ease, before building again on Thursday, and then easing considerably. How do those people at cotweb know that?
We have been running for 3 hours now, with an estimated arrival time at Sines as about 5pm tomorrow. Light wind, and motor running to help a bit - all on radar through fog in lumpy seas. This is not Martini sailing!
Beats the hell out of work though.
Now here comes the test - can we send this?
Rod and Alun


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