Crossing Josephine

Our trip across to Portugal was less than exciting (hooray, hooray)and we only saw a smallish pod of dolphin herding fish for a tasty snack, pilot whales plonking along until they caught sight of us and then a few sea birds who appeared to be swimming their way across to Lisbon.  Yes…you’re absolutely right – we had very little wind. 



Shy Pilot Whales

The Azores High clutched at poor WJ3 for some 3 days until we managed to break free into the Portuguese trade winds called the Nortada.  Some days we slipped along and most evenings we were becalmed.  Finally, WJ3’s engine was cranked up….  So, our voyage became an endless motor, sail, motor, sail – well, for most of the 7½ days anyway!

Luckily, our worst problems were getting across the busy shipping lanes around the Cabo da Roca.  Large freighters funnelled in from nowhere and we saw more in the couple of hours crossing the shipping lanes than we had on our entire voyage from New York. True to form though, we arrived in Cascais, an easy anchorage outside of Lisbon, in the dark. 

WJ3 at anchor in Cascais

Having set the hook in a comfortable position (AND in sand, sand, sand not mud) we gave up the idea of travelling up river and on to Lisbon.  There’s no anchoring in the Tejo (Tagus) and most of the marinas are small; full to the brim with local craft.  Besides, we fell for the charms of Cascais.  Even though it is in part very touristy, it retains its old town appeal and is quite picturesque. 

(**This area on our charts is called Josephine.  As in “Not tonight Josephine”…no wind, no sailing, no cloud, no rain.  Just an ever-present swell!!!)

From:

Sao Miguel, Ponta Delgada

To:

Portugal, Cascais

Lat/Long:

37:44.3100N  25:39.8230W

Lat/Long:

38:41.8300N  09:24.8750W

Date/Time:

17/9/11: 1415

Date/Time:

24/9/11: 2200

Time Taken:

795.6nm (178hrs)

Distance:

4719.6nm (870.5hrs) (this year)

Dist Total

10091.6nm (since 2008)

Weather:

S-SW turning N-NW; 15kts most wind we had; 0-5’ seas;

Fastest Speed:

4.5 to 6.5kts depending upon winds & Josephine’s mood**