Seixal to Potimao, Portugal and continuing elbow probs!
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Left Seixal
now the bad weather has finally passed through and sailed short 20nms back to
Cascais
We finally got to do the Sintra sight-seeing
day we attempted in 2009 – so this time we wisely did the
sight-seeing bit before we had lunch! We chose Acorda de Gambas
which was described as prawns in bread – we were assuming like a
loaf of bread. Turns out it’s bread sauce with prawns and 2 raw eggs
on top! Sounds disgusting but was actually very tasty with masses of
big prawns.
By the time we get back from Sintra, Magnetic Attraction
has turned up followed by Mahimahi. By now, my elbow has started acting up again
so went in search of painkillers! Sara and Magnuss come on board for drinks, so
we increase our Swedish vocabulary even more – adding Shit ballen (meat balls),
full (drunk), Nichter (sober), Skol (skol), ov buggar (we’re leaving) and fram
kraten (don’t ask!). Note to Magnus and Sara – please ignore spellings! Happily,
by the time they left I’d consumed so much white port my elbow’s not hurting at
all! My arm has kept me awake most of last night and now we
are both worried. Have a good sail to Portimao arriving around 8am the next day
after 120nms. However, I’m unable to do anything as my elbow is now agony. We
decide to call Stanmore first thing tomorrow and book me a flight home from
Faro. Meanwhile, we go out to dinner where I have a reviving steak in a touristy
restaurant which abound in the marina here. Other than that, it’s a fairly
deserted marina quite a way from the town but at less than 20E a night inc elec,
cant complain. Book a flight to Stansted for tomorrow and put my home
support team on notice! Kate flies home and I go out to anchor to await
developments. Also in the anchorage Drina and Pilgrim. Checked out the small flexible solar panel, which seems
not to be working. Asked the question of the maker who responded with yes it is
buggered they only last four years or so. Wonder why they didn’t mention this
when we bought it! Kate has an ultrasound scan of her arm and the conclusion
is that the lower connection has become
loose At anchor in limbo in the sun awaiting some conclusion as
to the problem with Kate’s elbow. In the process of moving up the river the
windlass motor packs up, and then the maritime police come and move me on to the
marina. Got the windlass motor serviced whilst I waited at the local boatyard
(mostly Brits working there!) and at a very good
price. In limbo in the marina, hiding from the foul weather,
which is sending a big swell into the anchorage. Bit the bullet and ordered new
service batteries, which will arrive in 5 – 6 days. Highs and lows trying to get
to bottom of Kate’s elbow trouble. Monday night woken at midnight by a screaming woman, who later said she was whistling! Up on deck I’m greeted by Nigel and Sarah on Steel Appeal drifting close by, and am asked “are you moving or is it us?!” Fortunately they missed our anchor cable and us! They end up reanchored very close to the harbour wall and I decide to go over in the dinghy and lend a hand. Eventually they get their anchor up and head for the marina and I go back to bed. |
