Marina or Mutiny!!

Portimao, Portugal

 

Itinerary Portimao, Portugal: 22-25 October 2012.  On anchor.  A chance to swim, eat freshly caught seafood and relax on a pleasant beach or two.

 

Let it be known that we had envisaged sun, and lots of it in this dry Med climate.  Instead we had cold, rain and a worsening SW swell which eventually made the anchorage untenable. 

Praia Rocha in the distance

After more than a few days of being couped up on board (is this really cabin fever?) we all opted, on arrival in Portimao, for a little dry land time.  Off then to find a nice restaurant along the beach that fronts Praia Rocha, a spectacular string of white high rise lining ochre coloured cliffs.  This is a Brit enclave and is usually well patronised.  Not today though!  We had brought the cold & rain with us, so wide white beaches sported empty deck chairs and only a few brave souls (with surf boards) welcomed waves. 

Enjoying an "off boat" moment

Back on board, feeling content with life, and knowing that our final destination was only a mere 1½ hours sail away, we tried not to notice an ever increasing swell in the anchorage.  By midnight, GS had moved onto the saloon bunk.  Up early the next morning, both crew hinted to our strong-stomached Captain that a marina berth would be nice.  He called us “girls” and ignored our pleas.  So we opted for a morning (on dry land again) shopping in Portimao’s old town before taking lunch at our favourite restaurant, the floating Rivole.  This time we sampled freshly grilled swordfish and a very tasty tuna in home-made tomato sauce. 

Cap'n Stealth reading (and hiding) while the girls shop in Portimao

Back on board, BCK & GS made plans to catch the train to Faro the next day.  It seemed a shame to miss this delightful seaside city, the Algarve’s capital.  There was certainly no problem getting up early as overnight, WJ3 turned from restless to a bucking bronco.  BCK, having spent the night rolling across her bunk, threated to swim to shore.  GS spent the night sitting up in the saloon praying for daylight.  Our Cap’n slept well, naturally!!!    

Despite the rain and dark skies, GS & BCK couldn’t wait to get to the train station.  Somehow daylight saving had eluded us and we arrived an hour early at the station.  We didn’t care – it wasn’t rocking! 

Perhaps we could give Bruce a colour make-over?

While the mutinous crew toured Faro, the Cap’n single-handedly moved WJ3 into the marina.  Others on the anchorage followed suit and by the time the shoppers returned to their surprise Portimao Marina accommodation, only two (unoccupied) sailboats floated in the Arade.  So much for our planned two days of swimming, lying on the beach and visiting beach bars by dinghy.  Ha!

From: Ilha da Culatra, Portugal  Lat/Long: 36:59.994N  07:50.248W Date/Time: 22/10/12: 1130

To: Portimao, Portugal  Lat/Long: 37:06.72N  08:31.34W   Date/Time: 22/10/12: 1710
Time Taken: 33.5nm (5.5hrs)  Distance (this year): 578nm (90.5hrs)
Distance Total (since 2008): 10787.5nm   Weather: Cold, foggy, wet and windy; sun out occasionally   
Fastest Speed: Decent sail with only the two river entrances making for an “exciting” entrance and departure.