Patience, powerboats and pouring rain
Regina
Espen Aalstad
Sat 29 Sep 2007 21:42
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Portimao
We left Lagos with mixed feelings: a wonderful town
though not having finally fixed up the boat as planned.
Somebody said fixing the boat in exotic
ports is what long distance cruising is also about. We are not amused. In Lagos
we were finally going to fix the bowspirit (but it still does not fit) and the
spinnaker pole (now is stuck in shipping in UK). Still our Lazy Jack is not
right and torn again & the spray hood comes loose: we need to wait
for a port with authorized supplier.
As we left Lagos to explore the caves for
anchor, the anchor winch did not work. Instead we had to go back to the
boatyard and luckily got help late on a Friday afternoon. A cable had come
off inside a forward closed off compartment. Should absolutely not
happen Jeanneau! Out patience is gone and we now need a major overhaul in
Cadiz.
Once the anchor was fixed, we had an excellent
afternoon sail to Portimao, also great as this was Grandma Erna's first leg.
With the wind now on the South we could not stay out for anchor as planned
and instead ended up in the middle of the World Championships for Powerboats (P1
- a smaller version of F1?). The boys are certainly happy, and from our mooring
we have great view of the powerboats testing their engines and roaring past.
luckily also some protection from buzz and nightlife for the rest of
us. We took the dinghy out to watch the ocean
race and exploring the river outlet. Must fun was maybe watching the powerboats
in the marina and being lifted out.
Last night's W Cup celebrations though was dampened
by heavy wind and rain! The skipper was not too happy about ashes from the
extensive fireworks on our white boat. Today is it pouring down non stop. We
have school on a Sunday and games all afternoon. Lucky us to have a creative
schoolteacher and Grandma in one!
We have met Tussy, another Norwegian boat and crew
were Elin has found a first friend in Henriette - finally another
teenager.
 Showcasing the boats just at marina
 A tough rider like is namesake - TRex.
 Not the way to happiness for sailors, but
impressive
 Tough guys
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