30th June 2008 - Alvor to Cabo de Santa Maria (hole in the hull and our first fish)
Bali Hai
Neal Stow
Mon 30 Jun 2008 23:15
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We had just anchored yesterday when Richard from
Sealion appeared in his dinghy (at first we mistook him for some official coming
to move us along). They had arrived much earlier in the day and anchored
right up close to Alvor but Richard thought that there was no room for
us now. Even a mile further out, where we were, the place was pretty crowded
with people anchored close to the beach. Richard thought that most
were day trippers and sure enough by 6:30 there was only us and another French
boat left at anchor for the night.
By seven o'clock Julian was getting anxious about
missing the football (he comes to exotic climes on a sailing holiday and is only
interested in watching a match where Chelsea are not even playing!). We
get the dinghy down (with the new davit handles) and head off into town.
It was quite windy but fortunately Julian took the full force of the sea
spray, keeping his skipper well protected. When we arrived at the town we
passed Sealion who invited us on board for a drink but unfortunately I was
forced to decline in favour of the football.
In town, we found an excellent restaurant (with
five televisions showing the match) and some wonderful seafood. Lyn and I
shared a bottle of wine (or two) but for some reason Julian and Jim managed just
one pint of beer each. After dinner we did finally meet up with Richard
for a quick beer before heading back to the boat. It was pitch black and
although the tide was in there were still plenty of shallows and on several
occasions the engine hit a sandbank. We were able to continue by lifting
the engine but it was a bit worrying that we might have ended up being
stranded out there all night.
In the morning, everyone was much perkier and
I thought that things might be looking up. Unfortunately all my hopes were
dashed when the crew managed to swing the anchor into the hull when raising it -
leaving quite a dent. I am not a happy chappie.
After this poor start, the trip to Cabo to Santa
Maria went quite smoothly. We kept the bimini up and so had
plenty of shade on the boat. Unfortunately we had to motor quite a lot and
when there was wind we could only potter along at 4-5 knots. This did mean
that Jim and Lyn could have a go with the fishing equipment and within a few
minutes Lyn had caught a small mackerel. Although this feat was not
to be repeated, it is one small mackerel better than "Fisherman John" has
managed in the last two years.
Cabo Santa Maria is a large tidal lagoon/nature
reserve. We arrived mid afternoon, anchored and spent the rest of the
time lazing about. Jim has retired to bed and is clearly suffering from
the effects of the heat etc... rather than alcohol. Hopefully he will be
recovered for our BBQ this evening - although he is going to be eating
beefburgers instead of freshly caught fish!
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