12th December

Merry Christmas!

Wow! what a month we have had. The sail across from Lagos was superb! The marina is quiet!
Praia De Rocha is the beach area for Portimão and that is where the marina is situated. At this time of the year the tourists have left and the shopkeepers are having their holiday before the Christmas season begins. Needless to say we have the beach to ourselves (almost) plenty of room to fly the kite!
Most of November was spent restoring the colour of the teak work and deck upstairs, the year in England had really done for the old girl. Now that she is sparkling again she's like a new girl I'm just wondering how long it will last...
After all the hard work, had a day out sailing in 'lightwinds' to try out the Multi Purpose Genoa (a pretty orange and yellow ) and in 6knots of wind we were doing 5knots of speed !!!! how about that for a 13 ton yacht! Lunch time was a gourmet salad with Smoked Salmon, a watercress dressing and freshly baked crusty bread. After lunch the wind died completely we almost reached for the engine... but along came small white horses and within 1/2 an hour we had 15knots and had to put a reef in - in case it was going to increase further! 'Piano' really loves the wind and Malcolm chirps Vroom Vroom.... when he is happy ! When we got back to the Marina we had to sit on the visitors pontoon until the wind dropped again.

Papa Jorges on the Marina front holds a Happy Hour on a Friday evening so it makes a great place to meet up with other inhabitants. We are getting lots of ideas for nice places to visit next year and further into the future. There are always yachts calling in on their way out or home.

Portimão is a large city easily as big as Reading or Canterbury and with all the shops you would find from Haute Couture to Chinese £ shops! Plenty of culture too 5 cinemas a huge theatre and plenty of free entertainment throughout the region put on by the Municipal Council.

Well, I'm off to do some shopping, just a 15 minute cycle to the supermarket but it will be busy today it being Saturday! ho hum..

I'll close now hoping that you all have a brilliant Christmas and wrap up warm if the weather gets cooler...still 19 degrees here!

4th November

Lagos
On the banks of the Rio Bensafrim another walled town—Oh how very British ! So many Ex- pats wandering around and living in apartments you would think you were on the south coast in summer ! Still underneath this veneer there are a few local jewels of history. It once had the first place where slaves arrived in Portugal now called the slave market, The Ponta da Bandeira Fort had an exhibition of ancient artwork called the ‘Panels of St Vincent’ which was found on a building site in Lisbon being used to support scaffolding! Needless to say it has been cleaned up and is now housed in a museum in Lisbon — a ‘National Treasure’
Decided that the Marina is too close to the main street and suffers from traffic noise so we are moving to Portimão, tomorrow!

Some Real Sailing!

Sunday 1st November sailed for Cabo de Sines—pronounced “cinch” - the birthplace of Vasco de Gama. This is the last place on the Costa Azul and I’m sure if we had been here in the summer would have been superb. November is still much warmer than it would be in England but the tourists have left so it is quiet. We spent a day looking around but were able to save pennies because most attractions were closed on Mondays.

Tuesday 3rd November sailed YES sailed for the Algarve. Well we had to motor ‘til lunchtime but after that the wind came up and we had a marvellous sail ! Even with the main fully reefed and half the Yankee we were doing 7 knots! If only the whole trip had been like this !!! Arrived at Lagos (pronounced Lagosh) around nine o’clock and had a quick fry-up before hitting the sack totally exhausted !

Before I forget I have put more images into the Picassa album because I just can't get round having them all at the top on this site! if anyone has ideas to help do leave a comment.

Cascais

Cascais
Saturday 21st October we sailed for Cascais but as usual we ended up motoring most of the way again! Hey ho , no complaints about the weather though, wall to wall sunshine AGAIN. Bora (Phillip and Erica) greated us, they are spending the winter here, and flying back to Antwerp to finalise business arrangements etc. Valzian II (Andy & Ruth) also in so we all had tea which progressed into ‘teef and didn’t feel like eating afterwards.
We took advice and walked to Estoril along the promenade taking a picnic lunch along the way. We also had a good look around the very pretty town of Cascais with a large supermarket where we stocked up on essentails.
Another day another walk this time in the other direction along to the lighthouse passing a blowhole which was pretty spectacular, also had coffee before returning for lunch. On the way we found a noticeboard which showed Portugals National Park so decided to make a bus trip to Sintra via the country route though the park.
Sunday 31st October The journey took 40 minutes but was well worth the value. Sintra is a charming town which is spread out across a few mountains. It is welkl served buy a circular bus tour so you can get off and look round at each castle or attraction before moving on again. First stop was the Moorish Castle with a footpath around the ancient walls. The views were awesome! Next stop was the Palace of Pena—an exuberant creation of Fernando of Saxcoberg Gotha, consort of Queen Maria II It is billed as the most striking example of Romantic architecture in Portugal noteable for its eclectic decorative style.
Finally...I must mention the only downside to Cascais Marina is the foghorn which is automatic and goes off with only the sightest reason, Phillip moved to another berth it was too loud for him!

Nazaré 18th October.

Arrived at Nazaré about 14.30 just ahead of Ruth and Andy, who I helped direct to a berth and tie up for a change. We plugged in shore power and had a cup of tea—there was no gas coming through so another problem to be solved. I’ll swear that ‘Piano’ knows when she can make trouble! After a pleasant sail ! Malcolm has been helped by Andy to try and solve the cause but has emailed Rustlers for their ideas. We may have news tomorrow ? Finally went for a walk along the beach .I made stroganoff on the camping gas burner phew a good job that I packed it ! I cooked Stroganoffand Ruth did the rice we ate on deck aboard Valzian II after prolonged aperateefs.
We took a bus to Batalha to visit the monastery where Queen Phillipa of Lancaster and her sons amongst whom Henry the Navigator were buried. A very impressive decorated Perpendicular Gothic building. Then went again by bus to Alcobaςa which was not as impressive ! We did however find a post-box ! Plus it was raining so we were not happy bunnies just pleased to get home to be warm and dry. We did have a great tea with cake and chocolate before we left. Also saw great waves breaking on the shore back at Nazaré so took pictures until the battery ran out.

Leixões & Porto 15th October ish

General concensus was to head south while the weather was holding—it was anticipated that our luck wouldn’t hold much longer so we set sail for Leixões. We arrived at 12.30 pm and anchored outside the harbour ‘til morning. It was blowing quite hard and I had a real job holding ’Piano’ head to wind while Malcolm up anchored. We had laid quite a lot of chain in the strong winds and it didn’t have much in the locker to weigh it down when it was wound up. This caused the chain to foul on the stripper which meant that the windlass could not be used. Malcolm had to use brute strength to pull it up quickly before we were carried onto a lee shore. With heroic strength he did manage! Another problem to sort when we get in!
Motored round and had help tying up from an English chap with a ferro concrete boat from Essex. He was waiting for a sail to be repaired. Malcolm spent the day repairing as best he could the windlass. He doesn’t like the look of the motor and ‘gubbins’ inside the anchor locker so will leave it until we get somewhere settled to repair. Andy and Ruth came in soon after us.
That evening we went shopping and exploring the old town which was again very pleasant.
Decided to visit Porto the next day and went by Metro. The guy in the marina gave us a couple of metro tickets which someone had left behind. The picture at the top is of Porto. It was a very tiring day on foot seeing all the Tourist attractions of the old town which has World Heritage status . Also treated ourselves to a very tasty Portugese lunch on the river listening to Andean music being played.



Arrived home well worn out. We set sail again after lunch on the 17th to do a night sail so that we would arrive in Nazaré around lunch time the next day. I cooked Mousakka ready for the night trip to save work below that night, and was able to enjoy eating it. I also did a couple of spots ‘on watch’ so that Malcolm could get some sleep. I felt quite good about it too.

Baiona.(Portugal) 14th October

Another very interesting town, here we were met by an harbour official in a motor boat to show us where to berth. Andy & Ruth got in later and the French Westerly was already in. After settling in we went for a stroll along the seafront and around the town which is on a hill. The following day we did some tourist items like seeing the castle

11th 12th October.

Islas Cies
After paying our Marina fees we sailed for Islas de Cies, which Wild Bird of Fowey (another Bowman 44 with Carole and Susie aboard) has written about in their blog.
We anchored off the beach along with all the local yachts and had a couple of days to explore. The anchor caused no problems here. Although you can get there by tourist boat most of the people visiting had yachts. It was crowded on Sunday afternoon. Monday was less crowded , Andy & Ruth arrived and we had the beach to ourselves.
Late afternoon we set sail for Baiona

Portosin 5th– 8th

Very nice Marina, we were caught by Andy & Ruth so I made a pot of Coffee and took it across. Supermarket up the hill and a small seaside town.
We took the 10 minute bus-ride to Noia (Noya) A bustling Old town with many supermarkets and excellent town centre. It being the off season the roads were being ripped up and re-laid ready for next year but we had a pleasant stroll looking at the architecture. Cake is served free with coffee in Spain as we found out at a café.

Left on the 9th and sailed for Caramiňal (9th - 11th)
Anchored off Caramiňal late evening here I made a big mistake while setting up the anchor I reversed too hard and there was a clunk from the windlass woe is me. I hope it is not too much damage… the bit which has come off doesn’t seem to do very much ! since it all works well without it. We had the Avon on deck and ready to use. No sooner had we anchored than a British yachtsman called Andrew rowed over to ask if we had any books to swap and then told us he had an art exhibition on in a local bar to raise funds for winter moorings and so on. After looking round the town and doing the shopping we then had tea with him and his Chinese wife Rika aboard their yacht ‘Brillig’ needless to say we swapped books with them but didn’t have time to see their exhibition. Rika is a concert pianist and has a keyboard on board.

Left early next morning for Islas Cies...

2nd October Muros

Muros
Wonderful weather and a charming little town.We stayed here for a couple of days, while Malcolm drained the gunk from the bottom of the fuel tank. The French boat we saw in La Coruna is here as are Andy and Ruth (Velian II) and Ludo aboard his Rival 37.

2nd October Muros

Another day sail around the coast passing cape Finnisterre and other 'points' nice to see some scenery!
Early evening we closed in on Muros and anchored off the beach, but next day decided to anchor nearer the town. Out came the Avon for the first time and we went into town to explore and do a bit of shopping. It seems amazing that we need something whenever we stop - I never used to do as much living on land ! The trouble is if I buy too much it just gets wasted.
Monday 5th October the German next door told us there was a depression on it's way in,so we motored across the bay to Portosin Marina where we have been waiting for it to pass away.
While the weather is warm there are very high winds and constant showers so it is not as much fun as it has been. Still the company is great with the same crowd around that was with us in Muros and La Coruna plus new people too.

1st October Camarinas

Just a day sail along to Camarinas where we anchored in a bay for the night.
Peaceful or What ?

27th September La Coruna

After an Excellent sail from La Rochelle to La Coruna we cane alongside at 0500 in the morning, secured and went to bed. The capitainery (An Irish Chap awaoke us later asking if we wanted a better birth with electricity. We moved to comfort. Lovely warm and sunny weather very pleasant environment. We stayed for a few days and even got the bikes out to go exploring. The most prominant object is the oldest working lighthouse called the tower of Hercules so we cycled along cycle tracks out to it and then on around the town/city stopping at any botanical gardens or parks. We ended up on the beach for a couple of hours. The sea was not quite warm enough for swimming though.
The only minor upset in La Coruna was the demise of the first gas bottle, it involved finding a supplier and getting the old one to him and exchanging it for a full one. Of couse this meanty a taxi. When it came to fitting it it was just a tad bigger than the old one so we spent the rest of the day getting it in place. In the end we had to dump the other empty spare. I have it on good authority that gas is cheap in Portugal. More when we get there!

La Coruna is wonderful. Sunny warm and envigorating. We stayed for a few days and even got the cycles out to go exploring. The oldest working Lighthouse in the world! called the Tower of Hercules. The old Town is wonderful, plenty of old architechture. Also the burial site of Sir John Moore - who led his men in battle during the Napoleonic wars. A very touching tribute by his men.
Shopping must be done early in the morning to get the best from the local market - much more fun than a supermarket !
The only hiccup in La Coruna was the demise of the gas bottle. None to be had at the Marina so a taxi was needed to get a replacement. It turned out to be fractionally larger so had to be wrestled into place and we had to ditch the empty french spare too. I have it on good authority that gas is cheap in Portugal so along with Port we already have a shopping list.

Sunday 27th September

First the 2 images above Low tide at Royan smiling faces after Lunch,and second the Marinaand yes you can just see 'Piano'We arrived in La Coruna at the crack of dawn today 0500. and have spent the day chilling out. Will add stuff next blog when we have some pictures for you!
Just to fill in the story where I left it at Royan. The batteries have now been sorted ! We now have two new engine batteries which have been working fine with all the rest of the latest electrical stuff. This means that 'Piano' is happy and Malcolm is too !
Reitpiet came into Royan on the Tuesday and called by for a chat, John & Bill have been up the Gironde sightseeing lucky them with time to take things easy. We decided to have a couple of hours on the beach as a compromise. Wednesday Marylin & Stephen Fillery came to lunch (while the electrician was here) and we had a truly memorable time chewing over the last 5 years and all the memories from the Challenge.
Thursday we set sail for La Coruna Spain. The weather out of Royan was beautiful and as usual we cracked on at 6 knots reefing at dusk just in case it increased. We didn't have to motor until we arrived, well by now it was 0300 and a decent nights kip loomed...

21st September Royan

We Sailed from La Rochelle to Royan yesterday getting in at just after 'teef time. (aperatif for those who didn't know). The weather started out gloomy first thing this morning but has improved to a comfortable 18 C. Just right for sorting out MORE BATTERY PROBLEMS! We did notice a strange smell on Friday but suspected it was the fish we had for dinner - when it lingered we tracked it down to the battery splitter and had the chaps come and fix it but it looks as though there may be an underlying problem. On inspection we have what looks like moisture and condensation in the battery compatment and the lead terminals leave a silvery deposit when touched. Scary or what? Two batteries are also showing RED which means they are dead so we will need 2 new.Another electrician is coming this afternoon so maybe he can fix it?
Meanwhile google on Corouan light house to get a feel for the gross history of Royan it would warrant a week even if we didn't have any problems.
I'm off to investigate...

17th September - La Rochelle

Today we are surrounded by the Clipper round the World Race - 10 Yachts which set off from the Humber on the 13th September and the first came in at Lunchtime yesterday. All 10 are now in and they are all happily cleaning their boats. See little 'Piano' far left of image. The sun made a poor effort to come out but I despair.
A nice French chap had a look at the battery problem and is setting up the Marina to let us stay and get it done tomorrow.
I must say that all contacts with French people have been positive They are all (so far) VERY helpful -
Meanwhile Malcolm is looking into the VHF (yes another minor hiccup) but I expect that will be easily fixed - most things seem to get done by magic they seem to have there own agenda!
Now for the daily trek to the shops.
Sailor Sue

Departure from Falmouth UK 12th September

Friday was spent with our heads in the locker putting a new computer into the autohlem. even that didn't sort it so Gary left us to continue trying to find a solution late Friday afternoon.
On Saturday we decided to finish setting up the Radar so we went for a sail and lo the autohelm kicked into action once again (after all the fiddling on Friday) so I said why don't we just
go ? and since we were on the right course we just carried on.
So here we are in La Rochelle - poor internet but I'm being quick the
trip took 2 days and a few hours. We averaged 6 knots . Piano goes like a
train. Even fully reefed and no yankee 6 knots !
I was pretty seasick so Malcolm did it all singlehanded. The new wind
generator made aweful howling noises at windspeeds 30 + and I think it
is broken !
We tied up at the new Marina and had a bite to eat then I went to bed while Malcolm checked us in. He came back and said we had to go immediately ! to the old Marina so we upped and left!
Today we went to the Marina Office and they have moved us again but we can stay for a day or two. It is the La Rochelle Boat show this week !! so everywhere is packed !!!
The engine doesn't seems to be charging the domestic Batteries so we would like advice please- if you have any ideas.
Apart from the incessant RAIN which has followed us here that is about it for today
Now to do some revisiting I haven't been here since the Challenge back in 2000.....

September 2009

The last few days of Falmouth, Cornwall and the dreadful summer weather. Malcolms' car has gone to its new home, Bohill Cottage is now a holiday let and the stores have all been inventorised so that they can be found. We now wait for the last 2 items and then a weather window to leave! Malcolm is prepared to motor to get to better weather!
We moved aboard earlier this week and have had a comfortable if wet few days, new port lights have improved the general bleak views. It seems as though everything we touch has caused some problem to hold us up. Just 2 tiny (I hope) niggles to sort out the positioning of the main Nav light and the sensor which tells us what charge the batteries have and which electrical systems are using power.
There is a weather High coming through which we will take to La Rochelle . Then let the fun begin.

As usual pictures in the Picassa album.
Sailor Sue

July 2009

July 2009
The latest, I expect many of you will have been looking out for our departure aboard 'Piano' – well we are still at the boatyard with the poor lady in pieces! Work on the saloon where the piano used to be is almost complete, presently being varnished before final fitting. The Nav area is causing problems fitting all the new equipment into the small area and of course wiring it up correctly. You notice this is all below decks ? Well there is the Cornish RAIN to contend with too, so above deck is going more slowly.
David Carne Rigger 'extraordinaire' managed to get the mast back in last week but it is wrongly positioned so needs lifting and easing forward a touch so that the standing rigging can be attached to its optimum position for fast sailing. Surprise today - that Rustler needed the crane again so Mast was repositioned and sits well.
Friday 24th ? And the Rutland 913 is up and running ! We christened her Wendy because she works in windy weather) Who said they were noisy ? Quiet as a mouse and 27 Volts in light airs ! (Notice the floodlights behind...)
I continue to bake cakes to keep the workers (shipwright Sol and mechanic/electrician Gary) happy aboard but I would much rather be loading up ready for the departure ! I'm guessing that it will be late August if they get a move on and the weather improves.
Expect more here when I can be more positive.
Sailor Sue

All Hands on Deck - Mast Out!

Wednesday 29th April - another 4 hour drive to Rustlers Boatyard! Managed to empty the contents of the lockers into a container with the help of Sol and a fork lift truck on Tuesday.Wednesday David and Ben arrived to demast 'Piano' see pictures for the full session.

Onward to Rustlers...

With all matters being so hectic I'm writing a quick note to record the sail from Dover to Falmouth.
On Wednesday 15th April we drove to Dover Marina and had the fuel filter changed as the last part of the Yanmar Engine service. After a cup of tea we motored into the inner harbour and set the sails. We departed around 5 o'clock in the afternoon to a gentle breeze but had to motor-sail all night and the next day to arrive in Plymouth late on Friday Afternoon.
It was a peaceful trip with sightings of many black markers showing fishing pots and Roger (chief crew) even saw Dolphins at dawn on Friday morning.
We investigated Mayflower Marina then tidied all the sailing gear away while Malcolm invited Carol and Susie around for a sundowner. Just a few sips with much natter about all our various lives past & present and all that has to be done before we can begin our respective travels. I couldn't resist a trip to 'Wild Bird' to see what mayhem was being done poor girls coping bravely in the face of 'builders' as we would call it on land. Wow ! they even have growing herbs AND a spice rack!
Back to 'Piano' for dinner and a few more sherberts.
Saturday : A hearty breakfast -cooked by Roger - before he left for Bracknell and a PARTY !
We paid the Marina and set sail for Falmouth. This was the first time on our own so we turned the Iron Horse off and really sailed it was great ! We arrived at Falmouth Visitors Marina early evening.
On Sunday we were visited by various sailors who seemed to know of 'Piano' - she is such a star -and old friends John & Val Thorne who updated us on old colleagues from the days of the Berkshire Sail Training Center.
Monday: a pleasant walk up to Rustlers yard to arrange to be pulled out early on Tuesday. So we began taking the sails off and storing extraneous gear - only to hear the phone ringing...it was Graham at Rustlers asking us to come along and be pulled out now...
So we were the last boat out on Monday and sitting on the hard just outside Rustlers front door for our final night before the work begins.
I'll stop there and see if we have any snaps to add on another day...