Exciting Sailing

Christine's Atlantic Circuit
Peter Lansdale
Sat 23 Jul 2016 20:48
38:41.6N 09:24.7W   Saturday  23rd July.
 
We left our berth in Peniche this morning to sunshine and a gentle breeze which we thought would mean a full days sailing to Cascais. The berth had seemed rather exposed in the strong wind last night which together with the warnings in the pilot book about fishing boat wash meant we thought we were in for an uncomfortable and disturbed sleep. AS usual the wind dropped and the wash was not as bad as expected so all was well.
 
Once out of the marina we tried to sail in the 10knot breeze but it was directly behind us so with a swell running we decided the clattering about of the sails was too much and motored. By 10.30 with a little more wind we decided to head up a little to carry the mainsail and gennaker. We were now doing 8-9 knots which was marvelous sailing but not really in the right direction so after a while we turned down wind and motored again.
 
After rounding Cabo da Roca the wind was on the quarter so we tried the main and gennaker again, soon romping along. When the wind built to 22 knots we got the gennaker down with some difficulty and continued under mainsail. The wind built  rapidly so with 30 knots blowing down came the mainsail and we motored into Cascais marina.
 
The reception berth was difficult with the wind blowing directly off the pontoon, no staff to assist despite a single hander being ahead of us and taking 4 attempts to berth. But a very smart marina, very expensive, English prices. We are now tucked up at our berth with the wind howling through the rigging.