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!