1st November Cascais
Neither of us had a good night last night (unable to sleep). Nick reckons it is due to the state the world is in at the moment (the Pandemic). Looks like the second wave is going to be worse than the first, especially in the UK. Also woke this morning to find out Portugal is going into a partial lock down, which includes Cascais and Lisbon where Joao (our engineer) lives. Nick thought we would not be able to get our engine fitted, or possibly even delivered, sent me into a panic 😯😲😫😭, what more can go wrong. Hopefully travel for work is allowed, l didn’t see the engine not being allowed to be dispatched to us, we may need to go straight to the Canaries from here though, no Algarve 😢. Stocked up for boat.
2nd Nov Cascais
Very overcast today, but not cold, both still in shorts. Went for a walk, and a paddle, very nice. Very strong winds forecast for the next few days.
3rd Nov Cascais
Been blowing a hooly all night, very little sleep. Hired a car and drove to Decathlon to buy an electric cooler, also bought a converter, a wind up + rechargeable light for the boat, shoes, and a fleece. Afterwards we took a trip over to Cabo Da Roca, was wild up the top of the cliff, but fantastic views of the scary coastline we sailed round when we arrived here.
4th Nov Cascais
Went for a load of shopping because we had the car. Spent the rest of the day packing away shopping, tidying, and organising boat.
5th Nov Cascais
Five weeks here now, engine not arriving till the 10th. A wet night, and morning, weather now taking a wintery turn. Went to get a birthday card, and colapsable boxes. Nick working on bilge pump which keeps blowing fuses, thinks problem must be wiring/connection, had to give up for the day as heavy rain started, we had thunder too.
6th Nov Cascais
Not a nice day today, very wintry, cold, and rainy. Bilge pump still blowing fuses. Nick is going to try a new pump. Got an appt on 16th Nov to apply for Portuguese residency. Posted Kirstin’s birthday card. Had coffee at Paul’s, back to boat, and Nick tested new pump, says problem must be with one of the switches. Ordered Kirstins birthday present of Amazon, will be delivered on the 11th, her birthday.
7th Nov Cascais
Nice start in the morning, blue skies, and some sunshine, but turned not so nice in the afternoon, wet, cold, and windy. Joao phoned, engine being delivered to his yard on Mon or Tues, he has arranged with yard for us to be lifted out a week on Mon. Nick had to msg him back as that’s the day we have our appt for Portuguese residency. Found out Kirstin will not be at home on her birthday for her birthday present delivery 😕. Nick still trying to fix bilge pump, had to stop as chandlery (for parts) closed. Taking engine mounts off, last one won’t budge, he eventually got it off after two hours, boats a shambles.
8th Nov Cascais
Did a load of washing, went for a short walk, then a coffee at the lighthouse.
9th Nov Cascais
More washing done. Lovely day, what a change from the cold, wind, and rain we’re having at times, blue sky’s and sunshine today. Still no word from Joao about the engine, it’s meant to arrive today, or tomorrow at his yard.
10th Nov Cascais
Got cruising chute out as it was calm today, think it’s been figured out how to use it. Found out engine has not turned up, Joao said there was no sign of it. After a bit of investigation, delivery company said they had the wrong address, but they have the correct address now, and it will be delivered tomorrow, well, it is Portugal 😏. Swaying whether to have chicken and chips tonight 🤔😋, save me cooking 😁.
Wed 11th Nov Cascais
Engine delivered today, Joao said we’re not being lifted out on Monday, he is only bringing the engine out to the boat on Mon, will be the afternoon as we have our appointment on the morning. Kirstin’s birthday, spoke to her via WhatsApp, she loved her presents.
Thurs 12th Nov Cascais
Quiet day.
Fri 13th Nov Cascais
Did a coastal walk today from Cascais to Estoril, then got a cheeky wee train ride back the two stops to Cascais. Treated ourselves to chicken and chips on the way back.
Sat 14th Nov Cascais
First weekend of extended curfew, from 1pm till 5am next morning, Saturday and Sunday for the next two weekends. We went for a walk, and paddle, Nick got soaked, water came right in upto his chest. Back to the boat for 1pm curfew.
Sun 15th Nov Cascais
Second day of curfew. Walk to the shops, aired bedding, cleaned and dried mats, Nick fixing new mount for bilge pump, not much else happening. Very cloudy and overcast, but not cold, both in shorts and T-shirts, very warm. Appt for Portuguese residency tomorrow (11 till 12pm), Joao coming in the afternoon, hopefully with the engine. Bitten again with a mosquito (two bites) , the wee bugger got into the forepeak during the night.
Mon 16th Nov Cascais
Had our appointments this morning for Portuguese residency (Nick was very nervous), we were successful, we are now (officially) Portuguese residents! Great news, however Joao, our engineer who is fitting the new engine didn’t turn up today (as arranged) to bring engine, and start the job, said his van broke down and he will be here tomorrow afternoon. So we headed out for a couple of hours on the beach as its a glorious day today, Nick had a wee swim.
Tues 17th Nov Cascais Engine arrived at boat. Joao can’t come back to start fitting it till Fri, has to get mounting plates made. Not much else happened.
Wed 18th Nov Cascais
Quiet day, Nick went up town shopping, l didn’t leave the boat. Kirstin video called.
Thurs 19th Nov Cascais
Very hot today 22°C, went to the beach. Joao says mounting plates for engine will not be ready until Monday, so we’re now not sure if he will be coming even on Monday to start fitting the engine! May be Tuesday, so we’re going into Lisbon tomorrow.
Fri 20th Nov Cascais
Went to Lisbon for the day. Visited the Castle Sao Jorge (a bit expensive at €11), Mostereiro dos Jeronimos Monastery, Monument to the discoveries, and Torre de Belem, we also had several rides on the trams, including the famous number 28 which we took to visit Alfama, the oldest part of Lisbon, then took the 18 tram to see the monastery and Torre de Bemem, discovered the monument to the discoveries (which we didn’t know about) on the way to Torre de Belem, both right on the water front (Tagus River). The monument to the discoveries was built to celebrate the 500th anniversary of the death of Henry the navigator.
Sat 21st Nov Cascais
Second curfew weekend. Went for a paddle before curfew at 1pm, such a bummer as today, and tomorrow are both to be lovely.
Sun 22nd Nov Cascais
Another glorious day, blue skies and sunshine, should have gone to the beach before curfew, instead of the mobile phone shop ☹️. Invited onto Ians boat (Naomi) for a meal of stew and dumplings, Luis from Daydreamer joined us, lovely evening, and good laughs.
Mon 23rd Nov Cascais
Nick a bit hung over today. That’s the advantage of being a teetotaller, l feel great 😁. Went up the town to try and get an appt to get our NIF number (we need to apply for health care in Portugal), Nick also tried phoning, no luck, he phoned Zelia and she got us an appt for 3rd Dec. Bought a load of shopping, Nick went and bought a WiFi hub first, then came up to Auchan (supermarket) to meet me when l was almost finished the shopping.
Tues 24th Nov Cascais
Did a load of laundry today, tried the launderette up in the town this time (on the recommendation of Luis next door on Daydreamer), a far better launderette than the marina one, and cheaper. Joao arrived at the boat unexpectedly around 3pm. He was delayed getting back to us because the man making the plates for the engine mounts had injured his back, and they had also lost his template drawing, so he had to do it all again, said he will be back tomorrow after he makes the plates.
Wed 25th Nov Cascais
Weather awful now, lot of rain and windy, started last night around 9pm. Joao came in the afternoon, plates for engine mounts still not right, is coming back tomorrow. Couldn’t do very much today.
Thurs 26th Nov Cascais
Very wet, and a horrible wintry day. Waiting on Joao again, he didn’t come, again!
Fri 27th Nov Cascais
Sunny today, but cold. Brightened up in the afternoon. Went out for a walk to Boco Do Inferno as Joao not coming till around two, had a coffee, and walked back to the marina. Joao came with his man, plates still need more modification, he won’t be back till Monday, we’ll be here forever at this rate! Went for a walk up town to look for a few things, turned out a lovely day. Tomorrow is my birthday, but can’t even go out for a meal, curfew from 1pm 😭.
Sat 28th Nov Cascais
My birthday🎂. Horrible wet day, and curfew from 1pm 😷😭. Went to Tasca da Linha for lunch, ate too much 🤢. Kirstin’s card arrived. Got an Indian carry out delivered to marina by Uber Eats, disappointing meal. Kirstin and Malcolm video called in the evening.
Sun 29th Nov Cascais
Curfew 1pm. Went up to the bridge to watch the waves coming in, not much else happened.
Mon 30th Nov Cascais
Joao came, mounting plates almost there, still need more alterations.