Povoa de Varzim
Moorglade's Voyage
Ted Wilson
Wed 11 Aug 2010 10:35
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Our position is 41:22.27N 08:45.92W
Wednesday 11 August 2010
We spent Monday doing laundry and working but not
really making any preparations for leaving the next day so it was a bit of a
scramble at 11.55 on Tuesday when we realised the bridge operator was probably
about to go to lunch and we wouldn't be able to get out until later. (The bridge
had been fixed on Monday as promised, thus making the washing machines a shorter
walk)
There was a reasonable breeze when we left and once
out to sea we were able to broad reach comfortably at 5kn with just the
headsail. On this passage we should have been passing a pilot scheme to generate
power from waves, which uses a semi submerged series of articulated modules. We
had a lot of indecision as to whether to go inshore or outside it, finally
choosing the offshore route as the wind was dying, but apart from some of the
buoys which mark it we saw nothing, in spite of much scanning through the
binoculars, so are unsure whether it is still there. That was the high spot
of the passage, which was very frustrating with the wind coming and going so we
had to motor some of the time. There was, of course, plenty as we arrived at
Povoa de Varzim to be greeted by a fishing boat charging out of the harbour,
circling us closely, and going back in - must have forgotten his nets!
.
The reception pontoon, where we had to tie up
initially, is really only designed for one boat at a time, so a German coming in
shortly afterwards got very impatient and started radioing the office, thus
delaying our check in and move to a final berth, still longer. The lady at the
office had many languages and was incredibly welcoming, explaining
where to find all shops etc and directing us to a choice of berths, however when
we started heading in that direction a man on the pontoon had other ideas so we
ended up next to Yavanna (the Swedish boat) again. Gordon from Cowes was very
helpful, taking warps and tying us up. He keeps his boat here and lives on it in
the summer (it has a herb garden in the cockpit), teaching Yachtmaster courses
back home in the winter.
The marina is very reasonably priced with showers
that are the best yet on this trip - obviously designed by someone who actually
takes a shower - and laundry facilities - pity we did our washing at the last
place - and apparently Wi-Fi at the separate yacht club - going there next. The
immediate hinterland looks a bit like a bomb site, but that's pretty much par
for the course round here and it's a bit of a walk to the shops, and although
the first view you have from offshore is high rise, parts of the town behind
look old and interesting.
We had planned to move on today but will now stay
at least another day and possibly two, using
one to take the Metro into Porto.
 The swing bridge closing behind us on leaving
the marina at Viana de Castelo
 Offshore view of Povoa de Varzim - seaward of the
high rise is a fantastic beach and apparently casinos. I guess this is where the
high rollers come!
 The fishing boat who forgot his nets!
 Marina at Povoa de Varzim after sundown, looking
towards the town.
 Kay's diet might not be going so
well
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