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.