Povoa de Varzim - 41:22:30N 08:45:93W
Red Skies
David Alexander
Thu 11 Jun 2009 14:41
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At last we were able to get away on Thursday 11 th
June, headed for Pavoa de Varzim. No formal start was involved and Rally boats
were free to leave when they wished.
On arrival at Pavoa marina, despite prior testing
of the bow thruster when switched on, when it came to be used in getting into a
very tight berth, just beyond a yacht with a very long bowsprit, it failed. This
required some very rapid reversing (of course there was a cross wind!) and close
quarter manoevering. Thanks to the energetic measures taken by the crew, the
only mishap was some slight grazing of Red Skies' toe rail on an unfriendly
anchor that was jutting out from the front of one of the adjacent boats in the
trot.
Diving down to ascertain the cause of the
problem, a length of abandoned rope was revealed that had been sucked into
the bow thruster and jammed it.
 David in wet suit retrieving the
offending rope
 Don holding up the culprit rope
After we had finally berthed we found that we were
close to Roy and Sally Ghijben on their boat 'Solange' who are friends
from Hythe. We were aware that they were sailing down to the Med
independently but it was a great pleasure to find that our itineraries were to
overlap for a while. Naturally, the occasion called for a little liquid
refreshment.
 Sally and Roy with Alison and David
We found that Pavoa was in festival mood with bands
playing and religeous processions taking place around the town. It transpired
that this was in celebration of those taking their first communion on that
day.
 A small part of a very long procession in Pavoa de
Varzim
Mishaps were not yet over and at the dinner at the
yacht club that evening, skipper David accidentally annointed his brave crew of
Don and Charlie with red wine - not what they deserved for all their hard work
in fending off boats earlier.
 Charlie and Don after red wine had been spilled on
them
As we had become to expect, this prompted some
fresh verse from Alison:-
So Thursday arrived
And still it was grey No wind and waves though Let's keep it that way Leave when you like Was Andrew's advice So we left quite early "Please let it be nice" We motored on South Only a 50 mile stint All glad to be moving Even 'Murray' our mint At last through the gloom A pale orb appears It something called sunshine Haven't seen that in years Things were going so well 'Till we came into port Turned on the bowthruster Heard its throaty retort It liked going to starboard But when berthing to port It coughed and it spluttered Not going there it thought With the help of marineros We got into a slot Then skipper donned rubber To check our poorly yacht A fisherman's rope Was firmly entwined Around the propeller Now that wasn't kind Much lighter of heart We set out for a drink Then another mishap And what do you think The skipper decided That his crew were just fine And to show his true feelings He drowned them in wine Poor Charlie and Don Were soaked toe to head In Portugese vino And yes - it was red They resisted the offer To strip to the buff Or have white wine thrown over One glass was enough We hope that's the limit Of one day's disasters And the rest of our voyage Will be peace ever afters |