Time Warp…Again

Lagos, Portugal

Actually, this is how we play up in Portimao

Well, here we are, in the marina at Lagos, playing the waiting game (and rather enjoying it).  Boat bits are the issue, as usual.  So, let me start with the weather.

The Atlantic has been a bit stirred up this year due to an exceptional hurricane season and some late tropical storms.  After sitting in Faro for a few days, we spotted an opportunity to get across to Madeira, and made our move to Portimao to clear out and stock up on fresh food for the hopefully, not-too-exciting 3 or 4 days crossing.  The day’s forecast offered a pleasant sail with 10-15kt breeze to help us along.  Even Faro’s Charybdis was caught napping at sunrise.  All seemed well; we were hurtling along to Portimao, when the Cap’n, working the main, heard a loud bang. 

Whatever it was, was not immediately obvious so we continued on to the Portimao Marina and checked in.  Next morning, our trusty Cap’n discovered damage at the base of the mast – a fitting supporting the mast and vang had corroded and given way exposing two bolts – and that sent us into a bit of a spin.  At best we could have more bolts drilled to secure the fitting to the deck or at worst, have the whole mast lifted and a new fitting inserted.  Further pressure was added given His Captainship’s 3-month visa (EU) was nearly up!

Alongside Sopromar's dock, Lagos_early morning calm 

Sopromar kindly managed to fit us in and a few days later, following consultation with Pedro and Paolo, the situation expertly rectified with a custom fitting installed and welded over the mast base (technical details will be on the H460 site).  The Cap’n of the Never-Ending Chore List has not been dragged off to police cells – just yet.  We are very cosy now in the Lagos Marina, despite rather chilly nights, and with the old town just across the river, a supermarket a short walk away and Sunday Roast on offer at Marina restaurants, who would not?   

There's time to catch up on chores

And a little time to relax_with Dive Club Cipreia

We’re hoping the parcel of boat bits manages to arrive this week (before those dock lines become too tight) and we can pick up another opportunity to hit the big blue.

Not Retreating

Faro, Portugal

For those of you who have noticed our sudden move east, rest assured we are heading south to the Canaries.  Soon!  When the weather provides us with a suitable window for the 3 day (or so) crossing.

Why then, are we in Faro?  You may well ask…  We splashed Thursday, 2 Nov just after 3pm and decided to make for Portimao to anchor rather than be wimps and seek the security of the Lagos Marina (otherwise known as Port Velcro).  We had our sea legs in mind.  So did the natural forces!  We had a bouncy ride over, reminding us that we had forgotten to stow away for Atlantic conditions, followed by a rattler of a night (shaken not stirred) on anchor given a wind against tide against swell.  Friend, KT, can attest to the delights of this experience.  On that occasion (2012), we sought relief in the Portimao Marina.  On this, we made post haste for Faro and its delightful (and calm) anchorage off Ilha da Culartra.  

The winds were strong and perfect for a brisk sail along the coast; a chance to get the bugs out and remind us why we subscribe to this boating life.  We were brought back to earth with the sighting of Faro’s notorious lagoon entrance.  Naturally, we had perfectly timed it for a challenging ride.  Imagine if you will, those (river) Bar Crossing videos…  We could have made one too but what we both really wanted to do was hide in the loo.  In truth, all we could do was hold on.  In we surfed (all 46 feet of us) as the water in the channel eddied and swirled threateningly.  Our forward momentum was brought to a sudden halt as we hit the outward current running at least 5kts.  It seemed to take forever before we actually moved forward to escape the clutches of this minor Charybdis.  

Hugs all round and lashings of wine after setting the hook, right on last light.  

On anchor - look no swell!

Our neighbours with barrier island Culatra beyond

Culatra Settlement & fishing boat harbour