Pavoa de Varzim, Portugal. 041.22N 008.45W
Island Wanderer
Peter and Avril Brookes
Thu 22 Jul 2010 19:58
After a somewhat bouncy night we set sail early in
the morning heading for Portugal. The weather was perfect, although slightly
lacking in wind. We had just set the whisker pole to pole out the genoa when we
noticed a pod of dolphins swimming alongside. David and Helen spent the next
half hour at the bow taking photos and watching the dolphins' antics.
After a sedate start we noticed the wind creeping
up. By the time we reached Pavoa, we were doing 9 knots and the wind
was averaging 28knots.The only problem was how to stop! When we reached our
mooring, we realised there had recently been a "near gale" warning for the area.
Going downwind was fine, but when we turned into it to enter the marina we
experienced the full force of the weather.
The rugged coast of Galicia has been replaced by
much flatter open country and Pavoa itself is quite built up. The west coast of
Portugal is less popular with sailors, according to the guide books. We look
forward to discovering for ourselves if this is true!