Another week - w/e 19th July

Nightsong
Mon 20 Jul 2009 17:44
Dear blog
 
We have finally made it to the Algarve and beautiful it is too. Apparently last week was cool and windy down here but this week it is glorious - the water temp has recovered from only 16C at Cabo St Vincente to 24C today at Alvor.
 
Spent one day sightseeing in Lisboa before setting off for Sines (pronounced Singe) on Friday. Sailed the 45 miles with a 20knot northerly wind blowing us down the coast - enjoyed Sines despite it being a very commercial port - the marina is excellent and the town interesting. Then on Saturday we sailed the 60 miles down to Cape St Vincent - started off with a Force 5 northerly so took a reef , which we shook out soon enough as the wind dropped. Then we put up the code Zero which started to move us along at 7 or 8 knots. Wind started to increase and we spent 2 hours doing 9 -10 knots in a Force 5 before we blew out the sail (the head attachment to its eye failed again - not a good recommendation for Owen Sails). Then the wind dropped again and we spent the last 3 hours motoring around Cape St Vincent in a nasty uncomfortable swell before anchoring under the Henry the Navigator (1396 to 1460) navigation school/fortress at Sagres. Walked to this yesterday morning in sweltering heat before motoring to Lagos. Ghastly place full of Brits but had an excellent meal in a more local restaurant.
 
Today we have gone on to Alvor and spent a great hour in the surf on its beautiful beach before motoring up the very shallow channel to the town - one of the advantages of a lifting keel. As Mark says a river very much like the Deben with its sandbanks but in the sun! Tomorrow to the islands behind Faro before going to Villamoura (ugh!) on Wednesday night to pick up Thomas and friends on Thursday
 
Code 0 being repaired in Lagos. Too much booze plus the weather and sea temp have put all in good spirits
 
AJB