20th Sept, Baiona.
Heading for Portugal. Raised anchor around 9am, and on way to Portugal, no wind, so had to motor, very calm, and misty. Passed La Guardia around 12.30, officially crossed into Portuguese waters approx 1.40pm. Spanish flag down, and Portuguese Courtesy flag raised. Arrived Viana do Castelo, Portugal around 6pm, our first stop in Portugal. Entrance to Marina down a river, passed harbour, left before the bridge. Went for a wander to look around, couldn’t find any shops to get something for tea, so ate out.
21st Sept, Viano do Castelo.
Sightseeing today around the old town of Viana do Castela. Then a cable car (funicular) up the mountain to see Santuario de santa Luzia. Stunning church, and breath taking views over the city.
22nd Sept, Viana
23rd Sept, Viana to Nazare.
Left Viano 9.40am, an overnighter to Nazare 120nm, saw dolphins off Porto.
24th Sept. Arrived Nazare.
25th Sept. Nazare
Sightseeing today. Walked along sea front at town beach, bought a Portuguese table cloth, tea towel, and hand towel. Got the Finicular up the mountain to the old town of Nazare at the top of the cliff, walked down to the North beach, went in to see the surfing exhibition, then got an electric tuk tuk back up the hill to the old town, ate out, not very impressed with meal.
26th Sept. Nazare
Shopping to stock up the boat.
27th Sept, Nazare
Nick went for diesel, and we went to the beach in the afternoon. Ewan took the Kayak round, Laura and the kids walked round, and arrived after we got there. Went for a meal with them in the evening, then a drink back on the boat. Leaving tomorrow for Peniche.
28th September Left Nazare, heading to Peniche, 24 miles
Disasterous day, first, engine wouldn’t start on either batteries, then Nick set off his life jacket, he had to use Fairwinds life jacket we brought for Darren. Eventually got engine started, and we pulled out of marina without any further disasters, until into open water. Was extremely rolly, large swells. Nick tried to put up cruising chute, didn’t work, and lines got all tangled after he took it down, cruising chute lines, and mainsail halliard line also got tangled round radar reflector. Unable to put main sail up, or get cruising chute packed away, and off deck, very uncomfortable journey with engine on, and only genoa out.
Marina was full up when we arrived in Peniche, and wouldn’t even let us go alongside someone to collect autohelm from Zelia’s Dad. Had to anchor and Nick had to go ashore to collect autohelm. Outboard started on boat, refused to start on dingy, Nick had to row. Also had to re-anchor, as we were to near to all the fishing boats coming by.
29th Sept. Peniche
Woke at 6, Nick awake, got up at 8, Otters Pocket (Ewan and Laura’s boat) gone. Set about trying to get cruising chute line down, and halliard line back over to correct side of radar reflector. Nick managed to untangle cruising chute lines, and get them down with not a lot of bother. Halliard line was another matter, took about an hour and a half, with the help of lines, and boat hook! Taped to deck brush and a paddle, we did it! Now just the engine to sort out.
Nick looked at the engine, wouldn’t start, eventually got it to start, he phoned Simon and Jennifer who are in Cascais (near Lisbon), they advised Cascais would be better for help with engine, and they have a very good engineer coming to there boat on Thursday, heading there very early tomorrow morning if engine starts, approx 10 hour journey, to be very windy. Went ashore, outboard started, dodged fishing boats, disappointed in Peniche, nothing much to see, dinner was a disaster too.
30th Sept. Peniche to Cascais approx 46 miles.
Left Peniche at 8am, engine started with some persuasion, engine died in open water round about 9.45, started making funny noises, and no revs, had to be switched off. Sailing under genoa, going to be a long day, very little wind, and only doing around 3kts, a bit rolly, but quite pleasant, and peaceful. Nick is going to try to sail onto anchor, but Simon and Jennifer are standing by if we need assistance.
Wind eventually picked up, gusting up to 30+ kts after passing Cabo do Roca (the most westerly point in mainland Europe). Arrived at entrance to Cascais bay around 6pm, but had to sail into the bay to anchor as engine started, but no revs, anchored at 6.30pm, Simon and Jenny came and helped us move closer into the Bay to re-anchor, as we were too close to the marina entrance, they then brought us chicken and chips, and bread. They are coming over tomorrow to discuss how we get into the marina (no engine), we need a tow. Then hopefully the engineer who is servicing their engine will be willing to look at ours. Both absolutely shattered, Nick was awake from 3am, me from 4. Hoping everything goes smoothly tomorrow, that we get into the marina without any hassle, and engine gets sorted. Just discovered tonight l missed Zhans birthday today, and it was her 40th!😪. Phoned Mum, bed at 10, Nick sound asleep, upset about Zhans birthday.