Rio Vascao

Thursdays Child
Robin & Joanna Minchin
Sat 20 Dec 2014 21:44
37:31.690N
007:30.787W
 
Blog via satellite as no mobile signal here at the entrance of the Rio Vascao
 
We returned to the eucalyptus tree at the Rio Vascao yesterday morning, in company with the beautiful Martha Primrose who had Harry and Isabelle on board as stowaways. After a picnic lunch ashore, we spent the afternoon collecting firewood, playing footie, building camps and getting sorted for BBQ supper before dusk.  It is such a beautiful spot, the one other yacht at anchor left (fled) when they saw us arrive so we were left alone to enjoy our bangers, spuds and baked apples on the coals before Georgie led us in a few carols huddled around the fire!
 
Much to Isabelle’s delight she was invited for a sleep-over on Martha Primrose with three other girls, they all had a very cosy evening on board and slept surprisingly well.
 
Today we again packed picnics and a flotilla of four rowing dinghies set off on the great expedition up the Rio Vascao. A peaceful winding fresh water tributary off the River Guadiana that has a Roman settlement at the top and remnants of a Roman weir still visible.
 
We had our lunch ashore with essential hot soups and hot drinks, in fact it felt most appropriately like a December picnic back home. The sun eventually broke through but it wasn’t warm enough to meander slowly along the river bank looking for the elusive terrapins so we have promised ourselves a return visit in the Spring when it is warmer!
 
A beautiful evening back on board. We cut down some olive branches which are now tied up in TC’s saloon and decorated with home made baubles, I found a string of battery powered LED Christmas lights which are now up and look very festive.  Georgie, Bol and I sat in the cockpit and had hot whiskeys and listened to the birdsong that brought the riverbank to life at dusk. The four children played below and munched on popcorn until dark when the three of them drifted back downstream to Martha Primrose.
 
Photos when we return to Alcoutim tomorrow and have better internet reception.