Foz, Hot Fog, and Lulworth Cove only bigger

Salila
Peter Ablett
Thu 25 Aug 2011 07:46
Position 22/8/2011. 39:30.489N 9:08.312W

Fig Foz to Nazare. We had our first sail in thick fog, Hot Fog because it was extremely warm at the same time. Life jackets were worn, fog horn was tested, doubled the watch, and radar was deployed. Actually we just kept going, the main concern was fishing floats, of which there are innumerable quantities here, and the fishermen have a jack of dropping them just where you want to go.

A Danish lady and her Scottish partner (interesting combination) had told us of a marvellous place to anchor under the cliffs at Nazare, so we had a look. It must have been a lot more settled when they were there because when we got there the swell was rolly rolly , and about 30 seconds anchor drag away from the rocks. So we decided to push on to Sao Martinho do Porto, and were delighted to find a cove just like Lulworth, only about 3 times bigger. Perfectly sheltered from the swell, and good holding in thick mud. This part of the coast is a tourist resort for the Portuguese, and as the only yacht there we became the focus of attraction for hordes of pedalos, all very friendly.

The only problem with this place is leaving, not because of it's delights but the entrance is very shallow and in any sort of swell the waves break right across the entrance. It was calm when we left, but even so it was bumpy for a while.