Sailing from Lisbon to the Algarve

Sailing from Lisbon to the Algarve

The Return of the Trades The Portuguese trades made a thankful return for our overnight journey from Lisbon to the Algarve, making for a great downwind sail most of the way. And darkness never really materialised because the full moon shone brightly throughout the...
Lisbon

Lisbon

Lisbon After paying a visit to Carlos, our friendly Peniche harbourmaster, and paying him a reasonable amount for the nights berthing, off we went to Lisbon to spend a few days at Oeiras marina. This is another nice marina, similar to that at Douro in so far as the...
Douro to Figueira da Foz and Peniche

Douro to Figueira da Foz and Peniche

Saturday 28th July   Figueira da Foz The reliable Portuguese trade winds decided to go on strike just before our journey further south to Figueira da Foz. As a consequence, the engine stayed on all the way… a journey of seven hours.  At least we had a...
Port in Porto

Port in Porto

Wednesday 26th July Viana to Douro The sail from Viana do Costelo can hardly be described as relaxing. With the wind blowing between 18 and 22 knots from behind, and the distribution of lobster pots creating a bizarrely uncoordinated slalom course, we were frazzled...
Viana do Costelo

Viana do Costelo

It’s all Sunshine and Margaritas  There’s a well-worn saying countering the romantic image of lazy days, freshly-shaken cocktails and beautiful sunsets following a warm day in the sunshine: It’s ‘sailing is about fixing your boat in exotic...