Meeting this year’s Rally participants in Mayflower marina, Plymouth feels like a distant memory, realising it was only one month ago is quite a hard to believe. The final prize giving took place last night (Tue 24th) in the Waypoint Restaurant, Marina De Lagos. Gathering at 2000 for drinks out by the pool followed by buffet dinner in the main restaurant, it was a lovely setting for the definitive get-together.

The final Leg of Rally Portugal ended with quite an exciting sail yesterday (Mon 23rd). After a windless start from Sines at 0700, the fleet headed south towards Cape St Vincent where they would follow the coastline heading East before arriving into Marina De Lagos. Conditions around the cape are generally fairly turbulent however at this time of year rarely are they too bad. After requiring to motor for a few hours yachts one by one began to hoist their sails and cut the engine power. It was fine downwind sailing with the fleet together capturing some fine photos of each other with their various colourful chutes.

Towards the end of welcoming the Rally yachts in Lagos on what had been a blustery last leg from Sines, with yachts crews fatigued by the testing conditions, a VHF conversation was overheard of Mariah reporting they were despite all their efforts unable to start their engine. This meant that the up wind conditions on the final beat into the bay at Lagos was going to be extremely testing, especially in the strong 25-30 knot late afternoon winds.

However exciting and enjoyable it is to sail off into the horizon to the next destination, it is always slightly sad leaving behind such beautiful places where you feel you could have easily spent a lot longer there. Sines was one of these places.

At 1000 this morning, Saturday 21st June, the fleet of 14 Rally Portugal Yachts headed southwest once again, destined for Sines. The start was moved forward as the wind had appeared to fill in quite nicely and participants seemed keen to get underway. The wind on the start line had picked up enough for a good start; also a very strong tide was running just outside the marina, which helped the yacht’s get more speed.

Last night was the Oeiras Prize giving party held at Praia Bar, a short walk from the marina. The bar was in a lovely location and the service was very good. The participants made the effort to dress up smart, which was much appreciated and the awards were well supported. We thank Porto De Recreio de Oeiras for supplying Rally Portugal with some lovely prizes.

An earlier start time was decided upon for the beginning of Leg 5 so that the fleet could get underway enabling an earlier time of arrival into Oeiras approx 55nm south of Peniche. Usually the wind is too light for a good sailing start at this time however due to the recent conditions, our 0900 start time was fine.

Time in Peniche has come to a close already for the Rally Portugal fleet. It has been a brief yet pleasant stay in this local fishing village.  A tour of the Historical Museum was put on by the local Tourist Office and we give special thanks to Dolores Valentim for her hard work during our stay and hope that she is able to make Rally Portugal’s 15^th anniversary as special as she plans it to be. The visit was enjoyed by all who attended, as was the city of Obitos that provided many photograph opportunities everywhere you looked.

When a yacht decides to throw a party they do it in style! Having stocked up on what they believed to be a good supply of booze for an afternoon party, and given the fact that every yacht brought along at least a bottle of wine, it was a perplexed Neal who reported to Rally Control early this morning that Bali Hai had been drunk dry. Was this perhaps because the last guests reportedly did not leave until the early hours, having started mid afternoon. Other yachts hosted the happy revellers as the crews moved the party around the Rally Portugal fleet during the course of the evening.

Today was the coach tour to one of Portugal’s’ finest Universities – Universidade de Coimbra. Just a 40-minute drive from Figueira Da Foz is Coimbra situated just east of the river Mondego. Coimbra University is very unlike ones you may see in other parts of the world especially the UK. The faculties are based around great buildings built in the 1700’s and have some of the most beautiful interiors in the world; mainly it’s famous library and unique Cathedral.

Due to the calm conditions an hour before the scheduled start time of 0700 for the leg from Povoa de Varzim to Figueira da Foz, with a forecast for similar conditions all day, the competitive element of the leg was abandoned, with yachts being encouraged to motor to reach their destination in time for the sardine BBQ at the Club Naval de Figueira.

Another day and another tour for the Rally Portugal participants today (Thursday 12th) as they departed the marina at 0900 for a visit to the Taylors Wine Lodge in the city of Porto. The brief tour around the Taylors lodge was most interesting; many thanks to tour guide Sonya for her expertise during the walk around. Two different types of port were tasted, a white extra dry Chip Dry Port to start with and a lovely 2002 Late Bottled Vintage Port afterwards. The view from the restaurant was quite something, as it looks over the River Douro in glorious sunshine.

As the fleet began to call up on VHF Channel 72 yesterday afternoon (Tues 10th) the clouds opened and provided a wet and stormy berthing operation. It was as if the first yacht alongside (Arwen of Bosham) initiated the storm and the last boat to tie up (Vision) ended this squally weather.
That said, berthing went successfully with no problems and every yacht received a traditional rug made by local artesans as they arrived.

Start of Leg2 Rally Portugal 2008 began this morning from Bayona. A beautiful sunny start made a very pretty site from the committee boat and the shore. Unfortunately the wind was not quite as strong as hoped however it was enough for every yacht to sail over the start line and remain without engine assistance. First across the start line was Rod Emberson’s 50ft ‘Bouzouki’ with a well times crossing. Behind her was Neal Stow’s Moody 49’ ‘Bali Hai’ closely followed by ‘Blonde Moment’, Paul Wade’s Hallberg Rassy 40’. The fleet now head south to Povoa De Varzim where they will be met by Rally Control (Andrew and Kieran) who will help them with berthing and welcome them after their days sailing.

The weather has been kind to the Rally Portugal fleet during our stay in Bayona this year. The warm Sun shone down on us all during yesterday’s (Sun-08th) first Rally Prize giving here in Monte Real Club De Yates that kicked off at 2000. With many bottles of both local red and white wine served throughout the function, as well as a fine selection of tapas, the participants kept them-selves topped up in between the announcements.

Yachts in Rally Portugal are not required to have long range communications and so once all the yachts are in that have been passing positions and the only yacht left at sea only has VHF radio there is always an air of anxiety amongst organisers, friends and family until they have called in to report imminent arrival. Thus it was yesterday as we all waited for Carrig Hannah with their crew of six, who had not managed to pass a position for several days.

The dock at MRCY this morning was very quiet and unoccupied. Many crews enjoyed their first night back on dry land and celebrated through the night. Arwen of Bosham kindly hosted a party during the evening with crew from various yachts paying a visit for a drink and a chat. Many participants made the most of the well presented and even more importantly well stocked Yacht Club bar as they sat in comfort not having to worry about whether or that they just saw a steaming light from a Bulk-carrier who is restricted in her ability to manouver in front of us. Along with these late night on-goings, four very tired yachts arrived over night and were in need of some sleep so it is understandable why there was silence around the Rally Portugal fleet this morning.

Here in the province of Pontevedra, Spain is the municipality of Bayona. This small local town boasts natural beauty and a great history with origins dating back as far as the Roman period.

After three days of last minute preparations at Mayflower Marina, Plymouth, the atmosphere on the dock this morning was one of apprehension and excitement as the yachts waited to cast of their lines and head to the start line at the Royal Plymouth Corinthian Yacht Club.

Participants enjoyed a pleasant evening down at the Royal Corinthian Yacht Club yesterday evening Friday 30th May as Rally Portugal’s first function was held. Over 45 people representing 12 of the 14 participating yachts were driven from Mayflower Marina to the Yacht Club by the Horizon’s Sailing Charity yellow shuttle-bus. Many thanks goes to John Worster who runs the children’s sailing charity and has been helping Rally Portugal with transportation for the participants for many years. Please visit Horizons website if you are interested in finding out more, www.horizonsplymouth.org