Saturday17th to Friday 23rd August

Apart from a total of 10 miles there and back to Alvor for Sunday night Imagine has stayed in Lagos marina. She'll be here now until next Spring. We're stripped the sails off, moused all the running rigging, cleaned her inside and out. A new anchor roller is being built for us and the engines will be winterised and serviced when I return for 3 days in October. We'd love to carry on sailing but we've got exciting reasons to be returning home. It's been a season of two halves; first the challenging trip to get down here after weeks of preparation and months of planning. We did our longest non stop passage of 580nm to Bayona. We had some great sailing days, strong winds and miserable weather, and then we turned the corner into the Algarve. Since then we've visited pretty much every anchorage and marina between here and Cadiz and welcomed four lots of guests to join us. We've got used to wearing only shorts and t shirts. We've forgotten what rain looks and feels like. We've had great company and visited some great places. Our total logged distance is 1760.1 nm and combined engine hours of 402.1. Next year the Med.

Wednesday 14th to Friday 16th August

It was only a short distance to Portimao from Albufeira. With no discernible wind the motor did the work. It was good to be back at anchor tucked in close to the beach. In the morning we took a long dinghy ride up to the town. It must have been a saint's day as most things were shut. After wandering around we found the Pingo supermarket which was the highlight of our trip. The distance to Alvor was even less. We crept in at low tide and felt our way to anchor near the town. It was Emily's opportunity to eat sardines at a restaurant. Before lunch on the friday we moved round to the entrance to the lagoon. Our final leg of the journey back to Lagos was a matter of 8 miles so it was good to sail most of it in 20 knots of wind. Emily and Raff are leaving tomorrow and Lucinda and I only have a week before we head home. We've achieved our main aim of crossing Biscay and getting to Portugal. It's been wonderful to have friends aboard and to spend the summer just in t shirts and shorts. I's a bit sad to be packing up while the weather is so good but we have excellent reasons for leaving now. We've covered some 1750 miles and journeyed the complete coast of Portugal and then some.

Sunday 11th to Tuesday 13th August

We headed out early from Tavira to avoid getting stuck at low water. There was no wind but the ebb tide whipped up standing waves and a steep swell over the bar. Once out at sea things calmed down and with no wind we motored west. A large tunny net forced us out to sea before we entered the lagoon inside of Culatra. We motored beyond the town and anchored among the boats off the beach. Later after a swim ashore we repositioned in shallow water off the town. After exploring the town and having a drink we got back to the boat at sunset. There was just enough light for us to manoeuvre to a deeper spot for the night. On the Monday we did some shopping and then, later in the day, walked to the beach on the ocean side of the island. We had an indifferent supper on the island but the plentiful wine was palatable. After another expedition to the shops we headed off at lunchtime.

Saturday 10th August.

We had an early start to catch the ebb down the river. As we had time we left the Guadiana and headed 18 miles west to Tavira. We found an anchorage a short way up the river and took the dinghy to explore. If you like golden sands with wall to wall umbrellas, a row of beach bars, and a bass background beat then this is the place for you. We went to a fancy restaurant ashore and decided to leave when we could in the morning.

Wednesday 7th and Friday 9th August.

Sue and Roger arrived by train from Faro. We went into town in the evening and then headed up river the following morning. Getting back to Alcoutim was returning to familiar territory with familiar faces saying hello. Emily and Raff flew into Seville on the Friday and were picked up and delivered all the way to the boat. That evening was rock night in the cafe with a touch of Elvis.

Thursday 1st to Tuesday 6th August

The bus journey to Lisbon airport was straightforward. In VRSA the bus station is by the marina and the 9:30 bus took us to Lisbon where we caught a shuttle to the airport. We were back in the UK for the Wilkey wedding which was very special. It was wonderful to see the kids, Hester and Grete. And then it was back to Heathrow this time flying to Madrid. The flight was delayed and it took ages to get out of the airport in Spain. We managed to get to the train station with 30 minutes to spare. The TGV took us to Seville where we checked into a hotel by the station. We ate in town that evening and explored the amazing cathedral and royal palace the following day. We then took the bus back to VRSA. The boat was intact and unscathed.

Wednesday 31st July

Kennan and Melanie got home safely last night. In the evening it was show time in the bar. We had supper while listening to old rockers reliving their youth with a mix of classic rock combined with sub country and western. One of the guitar players was quite good and had been in recognised band in his youth before joining the police. When the tide turned we headed back down the river. The bridge looked as low as ever but on our 4th time under we had a moderate degree of confidence that we would make it. We moored in the marina in Vila Real and I went up to see the scary lady in the office to see if she would let us stay for a week. We were in luck and the boat will remain until we get back from the UK. The bus station is opposite the marina and a 9:30 bus to Lisbon is booked. So far so good.


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