Aztec Dream - 13/12/11 - Out in convoy

Our first full day in Rodney Bay Marina we decided to dedicate to boat cleaning and planning activities for our stay in St. Lucia. In actual only the basics were achieved, as I bumped in to Simon in the chandlery and we took up their kind invitation to go out and anchor in the bay for the day....'to swim and enjoy a cold beer'. We also went ashore to the acclaimed pub 'Boisjambe' (wooden leg) on Pigeon Island, where we enjoyed a very happy party of Aztec's and Casamara's looking out over the stunning scenery. The boat did finally get cleaned and polished (courtesy of a very helpful local called 'Vision') the following day. It was also great to be able to welcome in some other boats that we had befriended along the way, particularly Spindrift of Jersey and Time Bandit. Yesterday. read more...

Aztec Dream - Log day 1 to 6 - Biscay Crossing

 An Ode to the Rally – Two miserable gits, a comedian and a nutter (aka “Team Portugal”) To Mayflower we went at the end of MayTo commence our crossing of the Bay of Biscay.Mervyn, Amanda and the Rosses times two,The autopilot played its part too.The start dawned fine with wind aplenty,Plymouth Sound and Eddystone Light were soon out of sight, the watch commencedAnd we sailed day and night.......  Many a story there is to be toldAs our journey began to unfold.The success of the water generator and AIS,Sometimes more wind than less and from where, one can only guess! The fishing boats that freaked “Mazda” out,Their use of radar sometimes in doubt!Watching the dolphins antics while dinner we ate,Photos of sunrise and sunset fit for the. read more...

Aztec Dream - Days 13 to 16 - Figueira da Foz

Figueira da Foz, our next taste of land,We have rarely seen so much sand!Like sardines the yachts were packed,Ask ”Manatees”, that’s a fact!Many a story there was to be toldOf fun with spinnakers, halyards and folds! The sardine BBQ we gave a miss,Poor Mervyn’s tummy in a bit of a tizz.Next day a trip to Coimbra the university to explore,The library gold, red and green,The bats amazingly keep it clean.Tales of students at their graduation,Stripped of robes and suits ending in degradation. Then to the medieval fayre, donkeys and syphilitic gummas to see,Much food being sold from small marquees.Lunch Italian we ate,With another Vinho Verde that was great.Moorish Montemor Castle our next stop,Endless panoramic views of the rice fields we got. Dinner at. read more...

Aztec Dream - Notions of Nazare

On a beautiful day, we surfed all the way to Nazare.Blue was the sky and the waves were rather high! Peniche had no dock, so Nazare was our next stop,Another marina full to bursting, we rafted to ‘Footloose’ after our surfing. We took the vernicular to the top, to sees views that would make your heart stop.A majestic church we visited in the square, with pictures in tiles that were very fair. Walking back through lanes down the hill, it felt very stillBut once on the front no more it lasted, our legs were sand-blasted! Our new crew, Ross and Sue, due to join us the next day,So a cleanup was needed to keep the dirt at bay. Up at 5am we sailed with the fishermen, Oeiras we were heading for,Sailing as the sun came up, who could ask for more!. read more...

Aztec Dream - Log day 20 to 22 - Oeiras Overture

Off to Oeiras we go, poor ‘Stealaway’ needed a tow,‘Pearl Fisher’ and ‘Casamara’ had a go, in this sorrowful tale of woe.All ended well I’m delighted to say, when Lisbon MRCC joined in the fray. The sea was of turquoise and blue, ‘Fire Dragon’ and ‘Serendipity’ were enjoying it too,Discussing lunch and what to eat, what ‘Fire Dragon’ were having sounded a treat.Oeiras a lovely marina they had, for some crew it was time to leave and they felt sad,Sue and Ross joined us....are they mad? Lisbon we visited the next day, only a short train ride away.We got a tad lost and ended up by the motorway.Having got back on track, we found the tram, which started rather packed,Views of Lisbon we enjoyed from the back and tram surfers we did not. read more...