Mon 5th April 2021 Cascais >Troia
Up early for plan to try and leave today. Nick went up to see maritime authorities to get permission to leave, not much luck, then Luis chased them up, finally got permission to leave! At long last (six months and five days) we’re finally getting out of Cascais!! Left at 12.30pm, heading to Troia. Arrived Troia 7.50pm, Nick suspicious gear box oil (pink) leaking.
Tues 6th April 2021 Troia
Gearbox oil is leaking, looks like they have overfilled it. Nick msged Joal, he probably won’t answer, could be serious, could have blown the oil seal, Nick spoke to beta, going to check oil measure, get reduced if needed, and hopeful oil has only came out of the breather. Twice the amount of oil added, Beta and Nick think oil maybe only coming through breather, hopefully oil seal not damaged.
Wed 7th April 2021 Troia
Went to the lagoon, had a swim.
Thurs 8th April 2021 Troia
Got the ferry over to Setubul. Lunch, visit to museum of works, some siteseeing, then shopping before heading back on the ferry.
Fri 9th April 2021 Troia
Had a swim at the beach next to the ferry pier. Warm. Nick emailed maritime police to ask permission to leave Mon, told they finish early Fri.
Sat 10th April 2021 Troia
Went a walk along boardwalk through sand dunes, then back along the beach to marina. Very cloudy and overcast, very hot sometimes when no cloud cover, light rain on the way back, then heavy later.
Sun 11th April 2021 Troia
Very cloudy and overcast again, but warm, to very warm at times. Last trip to the beach, but didn’t go in for a swim, clouds kept blocking out sun making it cooler.
Mon 12th April 2021 Troia > Sines
Left Troia around 9.20am heading for Sines, discovered on way out depth sounder not working. Nick got no reply from maritime police for permission to travel, marina said it would be fine. Had to motor all the way, as no wind to sail. Arrived Sines marina at 4.40pm.
Tues 13th April 2021 Sines
Went sight seeing round Sines, lunch of salads, l had a Greek salad, Nick thought he was getting octopus, but was tuna, visited the castle, then got steak for tea, and back to boat. Nick got depth sounder working.
Wed 14th April 2021 Sines
Very wet today, not nice, rained most of the time, just like being back home. Did laundry.
Thurs 15th April 2021 Sines
Went to find Lidl’s to get shopping, quite a trek.
Fri 16th April 2021 Sines
Nick noticed the lift was working, so went a wander along the front, up the lift, stopped for a drink at Sacarabos beer bar near lift, took ages to serve us, Nick eventually got his drink, l never seen mine. Then had a beer and coffee at the cafe at the bottom of the lift.
Sat 17th April 2021 Sines
Very hot. Went to beach, swimming, took salad lunch, went to try and get a meal out in the evening, nothing opened, got a meat feast carry out, Malcolm video called when leaving, told him we’d call him back later. Video called Kirstin, no answer to Malcolm.
Sun 18th April 2021 Sines Another very hot day, shaded the Cockpit and tried just chilling out as much as possible. May be leaving for Lagos tomorrow evening at 6pm, an overnight sail, Nick will phone Lagos marina tomorrow to see if restrictions are lifted. An amazing home made boat arrived today, Maria Agua. Lovely French couple sailed it all the way from France.
Mon 19th April 2021 Sines
Not leaving for Lagos today, Lagos marina said they had no word of restrictions lifted, and an official boat came in the marina looking over all the boats and people very closely. Strange times. Didn’t do much today, very warm, and we got a wee sail in the bay on Maria Agua.
Tues 20th April 2021 Sines to Lagos We have a new temp crew member, Freja. She sailed from France with skipper of Maria Agua. She has been attempting to get to Columbia to live with, and help a native tribe. But her skipper is indecisive when he is moving on, and where he is going to. She asked for a lift to Lagos or Faro, she is looking for a boat to Canaries, or anywhere nearer to Columbia. Leaving for Lagos today around 6pm, an overnight sail. Left Sines marina at 18.50, told by marina we didn’t need permission. Had a very rough sail, sea all over the place, Freja was very sea sick, Nick and l got very little sleep, and unable to cook any food, as it was too rough.
Wed 21st April 2021 en route to Lagos
Awful night, Nick decided to anchor at Sagres to try and get a few hours sleep before going round to Lagos, anchor Sagres 08.30, but we were unable to sleep, so Nick raised anchor, and we set off for Lagos at 11.20, motoring. Arrived Lagos around 2pm, absolutely shattered, Nick had to see the local police before marina would let us in (they have to raise a bridge to enter). Police was lovely after Nick told him we had Portuguese residency, said we were welcome, could stay as long as we wanted, and could leave when we wanted. Freja not declared. Got settled in marina, in bed for the back of eight, knackered.