Figueira da Foz to Cascais 7th August
Posted at 1:51 PM, Sunday, August 9, 2009
Awoke at dawn for this legs early departure, hoping to both minimise wave heights at the river mouth by exiting at the 7 am high tide plus also trying to make it to Cascais (105 mile leg) in daylight. Cabo da Gata is the last headland as we arrive off Cascais, and nbot good at night as it is notorious for being strewn with lobster pots.
It worked on both fronts.
The Foz river mouth was flat water with no breaking swell to worry about, and the wind was from the north and first up quite fresh. Swagman romped along before the wind and what later grew to be a 3.4 metre swell, often topping 9 knots under main and genoa alone. We sailed the angles keeping the wind off our aft quarter, meaning we zig zagged going out towards the islands off Peniche and then gybing back in towards Cabo da Gata making our way south.
These islands off Peniche look all barren and deserted as one approaches from the north, but when alongside one can see the small community that exists there year roundnestled close by the light house.
One other interesting building set on the south east shore was we first thought a prison - there is another big one we visited once in Peniche ashore. A salient reminder Portugal has had a dictator in the not too distant past. But this building turned out to be a fortified monastery built by the monks of St John the Baptist back in the 16thcentury. Seems they had as many Moorish pirates visit in those days as they apparently get ferry visitors today. They've even installed a restaurant for guests.
We finbally whooshed around the headland that protects Cascais about 7 pm, dodged the pots like a winger dodging a back line, and finally fetched up into the luxurious marinas reception pontoon as dusk fell. Around 9pm.
This facility is big, but despite high season it seemed more than half empty. They are not cheap - and as this place was packed when we visited in 2005, we guess it lost lots of clients to an even newer (but possibly cheaper) marina at Oeiras just 4 miles away towards Lisbon.
We’ve both been looking forward to Cascais despite thehigh prices. The town is the Portuguese version of St Tropez or Portofino. Estorille isjust next door, and the locals do treat it as a favoured resort.
It is very chique with trendy boutiques down prettily cobbled streets, buildings nicely restored, and half naked bronzed ladies draped all over the beaches.
Nice private villas and houses also . Clearly lots of city workers build their seaside mansions out here.
As the Wallabies were playing Springboks in the Tri-Nations Saturday I simply decamped to the local Irish Bar all arvo. Despite my telepathic support from a long distance, we sadly saw them go down to a team that's almost certain to win the Championship. Despite the loss to a superior side it was an action packed game, and very sad to see some of the Auzzies loose their discipline and composure - resulting in them giving away so many points. It's usually the other way round playing the Africans. Shame.
Shame also to listen to Robbie Deans (who I used to really admire) sounding like a real negpot in the pre game interview. He gave the impression we did not stand a chance. Not inspiring really. Bugger result.
Sue on the other hand spent the same afternoon watching the Portuguese Junior National Show Jumping Championships being conducted in an adjacent park. I joined to watch also on Sunday. Superb venue, some fabulous looking horse - very and talented young riders. How do they control such beasties, eh?
Oh, one correction re rugby and re yachting to a previous posting.
Do you recall our newly chartered yacht club, the one proposed by Alan Sparkes when in A Coruna? Well it seems it is not named the Wobbly Yacht Club as I previously reported. With the greatest respect Alan pointed out we’d agreed a spelling of ‘The Waballies’ Yacht Club. My apologies for getting this play on the Wallabies name sooooo wrong.
Anyway, the sun is still up and it is warm as. We're lovin it after the lousy stuff for the past month. As winds today (Sunday) are topping 30 knots (and whilst it would make for a quick ride down to Sines pronounced Sinesh) 60 miles south, it could also be a bumpy night in Sines slightly 'open to the north' marina.
Astomorrow winds are supposed to be down under 15 knots, we’ve resolved to stay one more night in Cascais before heading off again. If we enjoy the sail towards Sines and do make good time, we may just keep going right round Cabo St Vincent to Lagos............
Off for drinks tonight on a three week old Amel 54 being sailed back from France to it's home in Malaysia. Super boat. Jealous as. Real nice guys, met them in A Coruna and again said hello in Portosin.
After drinkies we're out to revisit a cliffside restaurant we found last time here to enjoy a cheapo meal, a beer, the locals and the sunset.
Ahhhh.
John and Sue