Goodbye Spain! Hello Portugal!

Silhouette
Pieter, Pauline, Robyn and Kerry Lindeque
Wed 25 Sep 2013 15:34
41:08.5N 8:39W
 
Goodbye Spain! We are currently in Porto, Portugal. Since our last log we have visited the picturesque Isla Cies, Cangas in the ria Vigo, the historic town of Biaona and, our first stops in Portugal, Viana do Costelo and Porto. OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Isla Cies are three islands that make up a nature reserve. Luckily the hassle of getting the permit was worth it: with a lake filled with wildlife, beautiful woods and great (but tiring!) walks, we really enjoyed Isla Cies. We visited a light house on the top of the mountain and enjoyed a view of Galicia. Robyn and I have been hard at work with school. Despite having to learn Maths and French when you want to go to the beach, we have learnt lots! We are really enjoying learning woodwork with Dad and my current project is a sliding puzzle of our route. Robyn has just finished hers, a 2D model of Silhouette. 
After that, we arrived in Cangas, which was probably our favourite place, pudding-wise! During our first stop in the town we went in search of ice cream and ended up having two massive scoops each of the best ice cream we’ve had on the trip so far! Robyn and I had Ferro Rocher flavour, while Dad had chocolate and Mum had chocolate and fruits of the forest. Jealous, yet?
During our trip we have met some fellow sailors- the Weston family in their yacht, Pilgrim, Caroline and Patrick of the French Capsun, the Irish Peter Haden of Papageno and some others! It is really great to meet other sailors and being able to share experiences.
Next stop, Baiona! The city of Baiona is famous for being the first to know about the New World when the Pinta, one of Columbus’ ships, arrived there after their long journey from America. We visited the life-sizereplica of the Pinta in the marina. I learnt a lot about the discovery of America, OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERAincluding that the sailors brought back two natives to Europe!
We ate at the Baiona marina’s traditional yacht club. Despite having a rule of no children under thirteen, we managed to get away being five months older than we really are! I think it was because we were the only customers so they didn’t mind that Robyn and I don’t look twelve let alone thirteen!
After four days in Baiona we sailed to Portugal! Here in Viana do Costelo we found some amazing museums in the forms of the Costume Museum and the Gil Eannes. The Costume Museam is filled with traditional clothing of Portugal. Robyn and I were inspired by the embroidery, gold jewellery and clogs to design our own dresses. I really loved the Costume Museum!
I also loved the Gil Eannes, a 1955 hospital ship that supported the Portuguese fishing fleet off the coast of Newfoundland and Greenland. Now converted into a museum and youth hostel. I loved seeing the x-ray machine, the kitchen with its giant saucepans, the operating theatre and all the other exciting features of this intriguing ship.
Earlier the same day we visited the Elevador de Santa Luzia, a beautiful church on the top of a mountain. After riding in the funicular up the mountain and climbing to the highest point in the church, we ended up being at 220 metres above sea level!OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA
Our latest port of call is Porto in Douro River. It was here that our mosquito problem started. All together I have fourteen bites and that’s just on my face! Luckily we have taken to regularly fumigating the boat with various mosquito next. We also are putting mosquito nets on our windows and using anthisan cream every day!
On our second day in Porto we took a river cruise. After an uneventful train journey (apart from an incident with some overheating brakes) up river, we cruised down the river. Once again, Robyn and I had to lie about our age as children under elveneleven went half price. Still, it was easier this time. However it was worth it because in the whole cruise there were only twelve people aboard a very big ship! Not only that the staff were very nice and played ABBA when they weren’t giving commentary about the river. But my favourite bit in the whole trip, was going through one of the biggest locks in Europe! We dropped 35 metres, that’s twice as big as Silhouette’s mast! I have to admit it was rather scary when all you can see are the black walls of the lock and just a slither of sunlight above you!
We aren’t completely sure where we’re going next, Lisbon or Madeira. Wherever we’re going (as long as we have Wi-Fi) we will keep you up to date!
Kerry Winking smile