Olhao

The day started with the usual sunny blue sky and we decided that we should visit Olhao. So we ordered a watertaxi which came to Stormbird to collect us. Then we zoomed into town at top speed with the 150hp engine at full tilt with Jules enjoying the speed. All the boats here seem to have only one speed that is full tilt and annoyingly they seem to come through the anchorage and have no respect for those anchored and we all have to endure the wash on a regular basis. Even the ferries come quite close and it is as they want to see what we are doing. I suppose they view us as visitors and in the way of their direct route.

 Olhao was a busy bustling place – not touristy really but lived in. There was a big purpose built market with one side being for fruit and veg and the other for fish. Mark suggested making a Cataplana so we bought some prawns, octopus and ray. We then meandered the streets off the main drag which were charming – narrow lanes with lots of coffee shops, bars and restaurants. These lanes were lined with the bows of small boats as decorations – all different colours with plants growing from them. We stopped to have a coffee and Corinne found some ant acid stuff for Mark. The girls enjoyed the shops and Mark and I went to the Chandlery which was about 70% dedicated to fishing. We did not have a casting reel so bought one some extra enticing lures so we were now stocked to fish when stationary rather than having to tow fishing gear.

 We had lunch in a back street restaurant and then bought some bread etc. It was extremely hot so we headed back to Stormbird again using a water taxi which line up like a taxi rank on a pontoon – as if in London. You take the first one and then they all move up. Of course it was mach speed on the way back and before long we were back on Stormbird.

 There were a few jobs to do such as washing down the hull and getting rid of some annoying fender marks etc. In addition the fan over my bunk was not working and with a bit of detective work we found the loose connection and with some new connectors all was working well again. This was hot work and so a swim cooled us down. It was not quite such an ordeal getting in this time. The weather seemed to be changing as the horizon was hazy and the sun as if it had a film over it.  We had heard and read about wild fires near Faro and wondered whether this was smoke from the fires.

We had sundowners on the rear deck – a rum cocktail and then Mark cooked a delicious Cataplana (fish stew). We sat out on the rear deck after supper – watching the stars, anchor lights and the wind vane which was swinging all over the place.  This made us sleepy. We seem to be getting into the rhythm of sleeping between dark and light. When it gets dark you feel sleepy and want to go to bed and are up when it gets light. I suppose you use the day ore fully doing this.

If you have any questions, comments, suggestions – do email me on hine.nick9@gmail.com