Figueira da Foz - 40:08:85N 08:51:60W
Red Skies
David Alexander
Sun 14 Jun 2009 15:59
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On Friday 12th June we left Pavoa for Figueira da
Foz and after a quiet start had a storming sail down there under cruising chute.
Here we we due to stay until the Monday, which was perfect for us as Alison's
60th birthday was on the Sunday.
Friday had been a long day and it helped that a
sardine barbeque had been arranged by the marina, which was excellent - there
certainly was no shortage of sardines (or wine).
On the Saturday, the Rally had organised a tour to
Coimbra and also to Montemor Castle.
Coimbra was once the capital of Portugal and has a
university that was founded at the same time as Oxford and Paris. Once a royal
palace, it has a magnificent library, ornately decorated with exotic woods and
gold - reflecting the great wealth of the period when Portugal was 'discovering'
and colonising large parts of the globe.
The city is founded on the top and side of a hill,
with magnificent views of the local area. Once a year, the cobbled streets
around the University and Cathedral host a Medieval Fayre, with local townsfolk
and children in costume selling contemporary wares, bread, pies, leatherwork
etc. Also part of the Fayre were minstral bands and sword fighters - all most
astmospheric.
 Sword fighters in Coimbra
 Minstrals playing their bagpipes
 The middle of the street chosen for a Medieval
BBQ
On the way back from Coimbra we stopped at another
famous landmark, Montemor Castle. Unfortunately, the church within the castle
was being used for a wedding while we were there and so couldn't be visited.
Unfortunately for the bridegroom and wedding guests, the bride was already an
hour late when we arrived and had not made an appearance when we
left.
 Views from Montemor Castle
 View of Montemor Castle
On Saturday evening, we had a Gala Dinner at the
Casino. At the prize-giving before dinner we were gratified to learn that Red
Skies had come first on the leg on handicap adjusted time - this was,
naturally, a huge boost to skipper and crew, none of whom were at all
competitive (!!??).
 David and Alison displaying their 1st place prize
at the Casino
After the dinner we were treated to a show with
singers and dancers performing extracts from well-known musicals. In between
those performances, an amazingly talented and athletic gymnastic couple
thrilled us with a magnificent display of balletic lifts and other
feats of strength and ballance. The show stopped just before midnight and
dancing to a live band commenced. Don and Charlie had arranged that, as midnight
was reached, champagne appeared and the band played 'Happy Birthday' to
Alison. It was a super occasion and great fun.
 Birthday champagne at midnight
 What some 60 year olds get up to on their way
back to the marina
Don and Charlie had spent the early hours of Sunday
festooning Red Skies with balloons and banners, so there was little doubt for
anyone that someone was having a significant birthday. Later, we hosted a
pontoon party for the Rally before setting out for a gourmet meal in
town.
 Preparing for the party in front of a festooned Red
Skies
 The pontoon undergoing stress testing
 Alison making a speech after receiving her
cake
 Cook-it-yourself dinner (on a stone) for Alison's
birthday
All this excitement stimulated Alison to verse
(again):-
What an amazing three days
That Red Skies has had Povoa to Fig Won the leg - not too bad We went to Coimbra The old home of the King With a golden palace With plenty of bling And a medieval market What a sight to behold With stall-holders in costume Of days as of old We saw lepers and falcons Snake charmers and wenches And chain-mailed swordsmen Surrounded by henches We stopped at a castle With an imposing stone gate It was closed for a wedding But the bride - she was late Back in Figueira We changed for a dinner At the Casino - with prizes And Red Skies was a winner! A stage show with dancers In sequins and frills And balletic gymnasts With breath-taking skills At the stroke of midnight A loud shout was raised Ali was sixty - God she looked dazed The band played 'Happy Birthday' And we raised a glass What a lovely occasion To get a bus pass Later on in the day Red Skies asked the Rally To a pontoon party In honour of Ali The loads of good wishes Made me feel so touched What inadequate words Are 'Thank you very much' I had a wonderful day What a weekend to remember When I'm collecting my pension On a cold day in December Now we're off to Nazare And we're trailing behind But we're trying to catch mackerel And so we don't mind Alison Alexander = |