13th June - Povoa to Figueira da Foz
Sealion
Richard Martin
Sat 14 Jun 2008 17:08
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We set off just before 7.00am in zero wind for the
70 mile plus trip to Figueira, so there was no race start and we were left to
motor off.
Some two hours into the trip we ran across a group
of fishing boats casting off nets that were about 300 mts radius. As we zig
zagged through this fleet a thick mist descended giving us only 50yds visibility
at best - We travelled side by side with two other boats comparing notes on what
we could see on the radar screen, knowing that the fishing boats around were
casting these massive nets. At times we couldn't even see the boats by our side,
other than on the radar screen - We even wondered whether we might hit
them.
The mist was incredibly damp - Our hair and cloths
were glistening with dew.
After about two hours the mist lifted, the sun
started to warm up and a gentle westerly wind set in - up went the cruising
chute but with light winds we continued motor sailing except for about an hour
and a half.
We had a number of Dolphins who visited us on one
occassion staying with the boat for about 15 minutes.
Having arrived at Figueira around 6.00pm we
showered and then dug into a barbecue of Sardines at the marina club - None of
us want another sardine (for a day or two anyway).
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