It is almost 70 miles from Nazare to Cascais so that is a long day sail. There is only around 13 hours of daylight and with the number of pot markers around, it is not a good idea to have to motor into a harbour in the dark. In fact the pot markers are everywhere so motoring in the dark risks getting a rope around the prop. The forecast for wind was for light winds only coming from the west so we knew it would be a long day motoring.
We left at 6.45am just as it was getting light and were surprised there was 10-15knots of wind from the south east allowing us to sail for the first couple of hours. Although beating into it, the sea was reasonably flat as the Atlantic swell from the north west was killing any chop from the wind. Unfortunately, the wind then veered and ended up bang on the nose for the rest of the trip down. We tried motor sailing but in the end we took the main down and just ploughed into it to try and keep up our target of 5.5 knots. This was the first day of consistent wind for the last couple of months and it would have been great to beat into it – just a shame there were no other options other than a 70 mile passage.
Sue skippered again. The sun decided to take a day off so it was fleeces and jackets and it felt quite cold with the wind over the deck.
We arrived in Cascais around six O’clock so overall had made good time. Pam and I had been to the marina before so knew the layout and procedures. There is a nice big reception pontoon and the marina staff do all the paper work (and everyone seems to speak good English). The pontoons are big and substantial and plenty of room between fingers. The fuel berth is by the reception pontoon and it is a very short walk to take our diesel cans up there.
There is no internet access at the reception building end of the pontoons although the marina are testing a system out. Unfortunately today it is not working. There are some free connections at the other end of the marina and at the big hotel on the sea front but that means taking the PC up to the bar. (Hardship or what!). Wifi aside, the marina has everything else. Very good showers, washing machine (although it is expensive) etc. With all of this comes a price. They want 40 Euros per night. Our plan is to stay here a week so it is going to be expensive but then we want to have a good look at the area and play tourists again. We have done quite a few successive day sails so it is time to take it easy. Sue leaves on Monday so that gives us 4 days to see the sights of Lisbon.
Above is a shot of the marina looking to the reception building. The “green grass” in the foreground has just been laid in front of a big tented area set up for the “Dragon” sailing class regatta. There are boats from all over Europe competing. I think it goes on until Sunday so will be interesting to see what that entails.
After almost three and a half months of sailing with nothing going wrong (other than the dinghy leak and the galley tap) we have now had a string of mis-haps. I told you about the plotter problem with the AIS (must get round to sorting that one!) and the lazy jacks (that’s now ok), well yesterday the catch that opens the oven door broke. We were not using the oven anyway other than to store a big pan but now we need a screwdriver to open it. The catch just need welding which I will get done down in Lagos– if I cant get a new catch from Plastimo.
More from Cascais tomorrow.
Pam and Andy, ladies first, just spoken to Robert and he gave me the web address. As I sit here under slate grey skies I am totally jealous of where you are. My travel recently has not been as sun-kissed as yours: Blackpool, Manchester, Birmingham, Newport and London. Look after Robert when he gets there and give my regards to Murray and Alan. Alan lives in my village. See you sometime and fair wind.
Posted by: nigel duncan | 22/04/2009 at 11:44 AM