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Aislig Bheag - Porto to Lagos 23rd June to 1st July - Better late than never



On the morning of 24th June, we decided to spend time on maintenance and then visit the town of Porto in the afternoon.  Eilidh, in preparation for leaving, decided to make good use of the shore power by plugging in her hair straightners, (yes, she did bring them).  Unfortunately the electricity must have been higher as on her first attempt at the left hand side of her fringe, it not only singed, but totally removed a large clump of hair leaving it smoldering on the ceramic plate.  After some quick restyling with a blunt pair of kitchen scissors, she was finally able to leave the boat.

 

We spent a lovely afternoon sightseeing in Porto, an extraordinary interesting and enjoyable town.  We enjoyed dinner in the square by the river and a cable car ride back up the hill to catch the Metro back to the marina.  

 

Eilidh left early to travel to Lisbon to catch her flight to France which she later discovered, was unfortunately was cancelled due to French air traffic control industrial action.  She had to make some last minute changes to her travel plans.

 

…..and then there were three.  John, Megan and I remained, so again decided to carry out some maintenance with the intension of sailing later in the day but then decided to spend a further night and set off early the following morning.  Alison and Megan set off looking for the chandlery as directed by the marina staff.  After half an hour walking, armed with a broken toilet seat which required replacing, a kind man in the supermarket was able to show us the empty ‘chandlery’, which evidently had moved.  We decided by the look of the information on the said shop, it was more likely to stock designer sailing gear than toilet seats and hoses, so gave up the search and returned to the boat for lunch.  John advised us that the other Chandlery he had been told about was, in fact, in the opposite direction, so off we set again, toilet seat in hand and arrived at the said shop, 25 minutes after it closed.  We did manage to secure some hose in a hardware store which incidentally was closed for lunch.

 

Found a great wee grocery which looked like it was trading from the shop owner’s living room and got supplies for the next leg, to Figuera de Foz on the 26th.  Motored most of the morning and then a northerly wind increased enough to sail the rest of the way arriving at 7pm.

 

Another early start under engine then put the sails up in a light wind, alas, not for long as the main halyard snapped and down in came, folding neatly into the lazy jacks.  So glad it happened when it did in such gentle conditions.  As the lightest, I was the lucky crew member to take to the boson’s chair on arrival in Peniche marina and climb/ be hoisted to the top of the 20 meter mast much to the entertainment of the passing pleasure boats, causing a rather disconcerting wash.  The job of repairing the halyard was done quickly, thankfully, and down to earth I came.  We enjoyed some pizza and salad washed down with some refreshing red wine.

 

On the 28th we sailed on to Oeiras arriving by 16.30 and met by Tony who had flown back out to join us again.

 

On the 29th we continued our journey on down to Sines, a lively and quick sail all the way and on the 30th completed the leg the remaining 77 nautical miles onward to Lagos, arriving in good time before darkness fell into Lagos Marine.  Better late than never!



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