Saturday 8^th March – Alcoutim

37:28.247N 7:28.235W

We were feeling a bit sorry for ourselves this morning and decided it was going to be a quiet book-reading day.

The small yacht just ahead of us on the pontoon left very early and headed down river.  A little later, whilst we were having breakfast, a couple came up the river in their dinghy from one of the boats anchored just downstream.  The chap came and asked if we could help him with his lines as he brought his yacht alongside in front of us.  He told us that his boat was difficult to handle and when he turned up we could see that he was absolutely right – it is a very large and heavy boat with a concrete hull.  His job was made more difficult by the very strong Spring tides running in the river at the moment.  As he approached he only just missed us as he was swept towards the pontoon and we were pleased we were there to help.

Today was market day, so we took a short walk to the market - we restocked on fresh meat and fish.

Mid afternoon the guy from the boat at the far end walked past bearing cake and stopped to tell us that the travelling cake stall was in town.  Richard was duly despatched to investigate and so we enjoyed afternoon tea with some chocolate cake.  A supply of ginger cake is awaiting later inspection!

The reception on the internet was also very good this afternoon and I enjoyed an afternoon chatting with friends and family on Skype, catching up with news – though mostly I think I was getting in the way of the football.

A quiet night in is on the forecast, maybe with a DVD.