Reaching the Algarve
We woke at 5.15am to make an early start as it would be quite a long day. We had been following the Orca reports and some had been seen around Sines and we had met the Frenchman in Cascais who had been attacked near Sines. We therefore decided to keep close inshore as they do not seem to come in under 20 m or at least that was the advice to stay at this depth.
It was a misty damp morning with condensation everywhere and we edged out the harbour in near dark but we could just see enough. There was no real wind so we motored close to shore but with all the lobster pots it was like navigating an obstacle course as there was hundreds of them in lines – marked with small fags or sometimes very little marking them. We therefore took an hour shift on the helm and look out. The sun began to rise and there were beautiful cliffs along our route with lines and shadows and unusual structures. As the day wore on and as we reached the most southern western point the cliffs began to become more sand and sand dunes with deserted beaches and tracks coming down to them. This is the surfing part of Portugal.
In addition as we continued south it was quite difficult to keep close to shore but we did our best but by doing so this meant that the swell increased and so we were rolling a lot and could not use the sails which can sometimes counter the roll.
Finally Cabo San de Vincente the gateway to the Algave was in our sights. It was once known as the end of the known world and a springboard for the great Portuguese Discoveries. It seemed to take forever but eventually we were round and by this time the wind rose so we could sail again. Due to the repairs we needed to the Red Baron we had rung the sail maker from Lagos and he said he could do it. So we headed for Lagos about 30 miles long the Algave. Bo and Andy were also leaving the next morning early so to would be easier to leave from there.
So we arrived at 17.45pm , the sail man collected the sail and we took a berth on the hammerhead at D. We had to go along the channel through Lagos and they had to lift the pedestrian bridge to let us through. It reminded us of Tower Bridge in London. It had been along but satisfactory day – 80 miles, no Orcas and the sail man could repair overnight. The only problem when we arrived was that the engine would not turn off at the helm so we had to go into the engine room and manually find the lever to turn it off- somewhat annoying but it had happened before.
Delicious super again of Tuna (which melted in your mouth) and butternut squash and leaks with a Stilton sauce. We were now well into the Algave. We slept well knowing that long days for a while would be few and far between.