Ihla da Culatra, Portugal: on anchor 20-21 October 2012
Itinerary Faro, Portugal. Anchor in a small lagoon behind Culatra, a
barrier island, to do a bit of
stork-watching (in the Parque Natural de Ria Formosa) then a quick swim in cold
Atlantic waters before exploring Faro’s old town (fun dinghy ride included in price).
|
Wet weather gear & harness - Faro here we come!! |
After two
long days of sailing we made it to Culatra, an anchorage in the tidal lagoon off
Faro. Not of course without our regular
wild ride over the upwellings and currents swirling through the harbour
entrance.
|
Upwellings through the Lagoon entrance |
Our sailing
days had been mostly fine with clear skies and good winds but somehow, Seville’s
rain (and cold) followed us here. Our arrival was
perfectly timed for Sunday so most shops were closed and swimming in crisp Atlantic waters off the
agenda too. Then Monday arrived with a cold,
dense fog which still had not lifted by noon.
Rather than sit on the boat watching even more movies, or dinghy in
chilling mists, we decided to up anchor and head west (in some interesting conditions) for Portimao.
|
Sailboats in a quiet tidal lagoon off Faro |
The exit out
was rather wild as we smashed into a huge swell (wind against tide) and later barely
missed a giant yellow tunny net marker.
It was out there in the fog somewhere!
Yes, we did have our radar on and let it be known, it has earned its
keep well and truly this season! Don’t
leave home without one…
BCK & GS were to return another day to Faro by train - the weather had not improved but at least they managed to take in a few sights between showers.
|
We toured the old city and museum while it rained...and rained |
|
Then we talked with a few locals |
|
Took in a Fado & Portuguese Guitar performance |
|
And the sun finally came out for our visit to Ingreja do Carmo and the Chapel of Bones |
From:
Puerto Gelves, Spain Lat/Long: 37:20.505N 06:01.364W
Date/Time: 19/10/12: 0800
To:
Ilha da Culatra, Portugal Lat/Long: 36:59.994N 07:50.248W
Date/Time: 20/10/12: 1935
Time
Taken: 130nm (19hrs) Distance (this year): 544.5nm (85hrs)
Distance
Total (since 2008): 10781.5nm Weather:
Wind NW 8-10kts; clear skies.
Fastest
Speed: Set off in the dark (at 8am). Rode the river doing 9kts at times to anchor
off Bonanza in time for heavy rain; watched movies instead of touring Bonanza! Great sailing next day to Faro; saw a few
dolphins and a rare sighting of a pod of small pilot whales - very privileged
indeed!