Leaving LAGOS - 7th May

PROGRESS
Andrew and Hilary Clark
Thu 8 May 2008 18:46

The final good-byes had been said, the last meal at Do Cais consumed, and it really was time to tear ourselves away from the warmth of Lagos. When the bridge closed behind us for the last time, and we had handed in our marina passes, then we knew that there was to be no going back!

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With PROGRESS fully stored and ready on the waiting pontoon, we set about finding oilskins and boots and warm hats, that had lain unused in the bottom of lockers for the past two years. And then at 0500 we were sliding out of the river, and weaving our way through the flottila of fishing boats that were out for the early catch, set off towards Cabo De Sao Vincente. The passage along the south coast was easy going, with a gentle wind coming off the land. Once we turned the corner and headed north, we had a NW force 4 on the nose with just enough sea to make the passage a real head-banging experience. But we had excellent visbility, mostly sunshine, and the dolphins came by the boat to say goodbye in their own way. At midnight we anchored in the bay at Cascais, feeling a bit bruised and battered after this first passage of the season.

Our good intentions to make a second early start, and press on up the coast, were blown away by the freshening north wind rattling the rigging when we awoke. So we are still here at anchor awaiting more benign conditions. After all, this is a cruise……..

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