Having successfully traversed Cabo de Sao Vicente from Sines, yesterday (Sunday) our arrival in Lagos was timed at approx Paul’s phone call time – well, he keeps doing it!   Seriously, got in early evening, and as we were registering, were administered a rude shock in terms of costs here.  The Marina is very expensive; especially for us big chaps, over 50ft is charged at one rate irrespective of length and it’s more expensive than anywhere we’ve come across - even on the South coast of the UK.  We have a more favourable rate because of being with the ARC, but even so will only remain here for a couple of nights, then anchor, as we think this is a foretaste of how much more expensive the Algarve is than Atlantic Portugal.  

Our second trip two-up was fine, though we had to motor sail as the wind was dead astern.   The Cape saw us with contrary winds and the sail down to Lagos was fraught with 25 kt winds (typical of the time of day and the coast) and an over-abundance of poorly marked fishing pots. We are now about to become tourists for a couple of days – in a very touristy resort at the height of the holiday season!

We’ve caught up with other ARC boats, and others in transit and its very much a self-help community.   For those who have been with us, the SSB still is not behaving itself and we hope that someone in the marina, who has similar problems, will join us in head-bashing a solution.  The satphone arrives tomorrow, with Barbara and Mick, so we will be able to let everyone know the way to text us whilst on the high seas.

Here’s a  picture of the Cape, plus a Brit boat going in the opposite direction at the Cape.