Pisces 615: Lisboa, Portugal. Friday 21 August 2015

From the log with comments.

JB flew back to Oz on 8 August just as the weather turned hot! A lazy Sunday then Alice arrived for 10 days with a plan to make Lisbon if we could. Departed 11 August after breakfast and coffee with Delphinus in calm and became cold and misty as we motored along the coast arriving early evening in Viana. Remembered to change the curtesy flag as we were now in Portugal. Left in cloud and a rainy passage down to Povoa de Varim where we met up with Pierre and Ann-Marie. Drinks on Jubilaire II interrupted by a downpour and supper aboard Pisces. Moved on the next morning, 13 August and a sloppy motor-sail down to Leixoes (pronounced.Layoinsh) where we stayed for 2 days and visited Porto by bus. After some consideration I planned an overnight passage down to Nazare. We were tight on time and the entrances to Aveiro and Figueira da Foz were potentially dangerous in swell. We did not want to be stuck inside. So left Leixoes mid morning on 15 August and motored most of the way. Rainy and cold in the afternoon but a starry night with phosphorescent dolphins. We were out beyond the 100 meter depth contour where lobster pots are rare! Moored up in Nazare at 10.30 16 August. Rather rough marina but friendly folk and helpful little man in the shop who enjoyed speaking french with me. Long walk to get diesel from the Repol and departed late morningi n sunshine and NW 3/4. Good sail with Arthur at the helm until the wind dropped and I tried to put the spinnaker up but aborted after the halyard tangled. Into Peniche late afternoon and much shenanagans mooring. Ended up moving onto a rocky outside site and pinned in by the wind. Good dinner ashore but Alice had to climb over the gate as the office was closed. Rolly night and early departure for a very rolly sail with lone genoa and big swell down the coast and around Cabo de Roca. Took ages as we had to gybe a few times. Eventually got round Cabo Raso and about to relax when I spotted a marine reserve on the chart and the wind suddenly piped up to 30 knots. Very brisk sail through the pots overtaken by a beautifil ketch and into the luxury of Cascais marina, though more fun getting into our berth in the wind. Very pretty town and another good dinner before leaving in warm sunshine for the 20 miles passage into the Rio Tejo estuary, under the huge Ponte 25 de Abril up into the Tagus estury and into the marina Parques da Nacoes. Thursday 20 August bused to Lisbon and Alice flew back to London.

My Highlights.

A replica of the Pinta and the beach in Baiona.