22nd May

The plan today was to get up early and sail some 35 miles up the coast. Last night I wrapped the lazy line rope around the propellor (Mediterranean sailors will understand). Before we could go a diver had to cut the rope free. It was late morning by the time we were ready and the wind in the shelter of the marina was then blowing at 22 knots, waves were breaking over the harbour wall and the sea was a mass of white horses. We decided to return to our berth. By an amazing coincidence we were moored next to another 385. Our humble Portuguese wooden plank was not long enough to reach the shore. The only way we could leave the boat was by using their passarelle (non yachties can look it up). The diver said they had an old one knocking around the yard so I bought it and spent the afternoon inserting the socket into which it sits. I had lots of advice from our friends next door and also from Terry, a sailor from New Zealand.

Here we are next to Enigma.