Sines, Portugal

Sawsealady
David Moore
Sun 5 Nov 2006 12:34
Ashore in Sines
 
We have covered over 830 miles since leaving Les Sable d'Olonne. We waited for the weather for several days - there were  several gales - Force 9 and 75 knots wind - then all quiet. We are in Sines waiting for the weather to improve to allow us to set off for the Gran Canaria.  Oscar has to leave so we were heading for Lagos so he could catch the plane home but put into Sines. We have been motoring the whole way except for 4 hours sailing.  Much of the tme we were goosewinged as well as running the engine.
 
11:30am - just left Sines, bound for Las Palmas - 630 mles away.
 
The history along the coast has been fascinating.
 
 
Last  night we looked at Vasco da Gama's statue - he was born here in Sines.
 
 
 
Earlier we saw a mural in Bayona showing the route Columbus took (which we are following).
He set out from Bayona.
 
 
 
Donald fancied being commodore of th Yacht Club there - he took over the race starting bridge,
 
 
At the fuelling pontoon we jostled for position with JOLIE BRISE (winer of the first Fastnet race) which was also sailing down the Portugese coast.
 
However we had to leave; with the replica of Columbus' ship, the PINTA on one side and the lovely Yacht Club on the other.