10th January 2011 “Swis Kid arrived in Porto Calero with back pack and guitar in hand singing another song !! Se Phot0 link, and life was not going to be the same for many months !!
Perhaps we should let him take over the blog at this stage ???/ as a qualified language teacher and avid column writer for his local paper back home in Switzerland. He seems more qualified than me !! Even his English spelling is better than mine and he`s German ¬¬!! Pascal Beer wrote Pascal Wrote15th Febuary 2011 “ Gallego, Sandra, ..., ...,... (keep the art up high, folks), Marcos Llope (thank you for the basin concept, Nacho Vegas and sidre), Eva Lindberg (thank you for the picture, bella), la jente de la cajeron pirata (graaaaaciaaaas!), Anna (Brot und Tarot), Antonio, Kiki und die Crew der Tetera di Mina (muchas gracias, hombres. Caminante no hay camino!), Portugal: Ahmil & Delphine (merci pour tout), the Polish guys (thank you for everything), Max, Pedro and the street singers in Lagos (thanks for friendship and music), ...(thanks for storing my surfboard for four years!).
In Marokko: Zacharia, Mostafa, Camal & ... (merci beaucoup), ... (merci pour le taxi gratuit), Wilhelm (Robin Hood von Agadir), Raymond, Pippa & Tom (thanks, you made my sea-part of the trip start), Jean-Luc & Beatrice (merci pour les vêtements), Leonard & ... (you gave me a new guitar - and returned a piece of my soul)
Pascal Wrote “Photo”
Gallego, Sandra, ..., ...,... (keep the art up high, folks), Marcos Llope (thank you for the basin concept, Nacho Vegas and sidre), Eva Lindberg (thank you for the picture, bella), la jente de la cajeron pirata (graaaaaciaaaas!), Anna (Brot und Tarot), Antonio, Kiki und die Crew der Tetera di Mina (muchas gracias, hombres. Caminante no hay camino!), Portugal: Ahmil & Delphine (merci pour tout), the Polish guys (thank you for everything), Max, Pedro and the street singers in Lagos (thanks for friendship and music), ...(thanks for storing my surfboard for four years!).
In Marokko: Zacharia, Mostafa, Camal & ... (merci beaucoup), ... (merci pour le taxi gratuit), Wilhelm (Robin Hood von Agadir), Raymond, Pippa & Tom (thanks, you made my sea-part of the trip start), Jean-Luc & Beatrice (merci pour les vêtements), Leonard & ... (you gave me a new guitar - and returned a piece of my soul) “Photo” “Photo” “Photo”

15th January2011 Gran Tarehal, “Photo” Via Island “Lobos” “Photo” Top of Fueteventura
17th January 2011, Gran Tarelhal to Moro Hable “we liked it here . where we came with Boys last year,

18th January 2011
“Marow Hable to Las Palmas (Gran Caneria)
Few days here picking up supplies and getting ready for first leg of crossing the Atlantic “First stop, Sall, Cape Verdie.

20th to 29th January 2011
Las Palmas (Gran Caneria) to Sal (Cape Verdie Islands) Started with low wind and motorsailing, Winds soon picked up and we were sailing well. Only problem was we were heading for Dakar (Morocco) not Sal !!. Had to wait sevral days for winds to change and enable us to head for Sall ! Arriving in Sall on the 29th at 9am with great excitement, anchoring In Porto Palmeira “Sal”. ”Photo” Where we had great time enjoying the exploring. Water had to be distributed from central tank in the town toped up by tanker every week !”Photo LinkWater Station” The north is very rural and rugged landscape with slower pace of life to the south beech resort of Santa Maria, that is on the advanced surfers hot spot !
“Photo” “Photo” “Photo” “Photo”
3rd February 2011 Porto Do Tarafal “ Sao Nicolau” ” “Photo”
Anchored here for couple of days and wondered round town ! very much a locals place ! Different way of life here. Predominately Fishing and Salting of Tuna, and other large Fish.

5th February 2011 Mindelow “Sau Vincente” “Photo” “Photo”
Main trading port for centuries, and today! for ships heading west across the Atlantic Ocean. We arrived here in strong winds and poor visibility due to atmosphere being engulfed in fine red sand blown in from the Sahara desert. “turned the Yacht red and very difficult to clean !!. took nearly week to clear then we could see island of Santo-Anto opposite only 2 miles away. Spent a week here at anchor waiting for the winds to abait “Constant 20knts day and night. Wind power in abundance keeping the beers nice and cold !!. Provisioning yacht with essential supplies of food and water that 3 people would consume over the coming 3 weeks or so .
that loosely !!!. Hope to do it is less !! Also 4 days in the Marina run by German sailor Kia Brossmann who was very helpful with sourcing essential rudder tiller repairs. Here we met two German yachts one on either side, Geharte and Rita on Alegra, ???? on ??? we were to meet them again in Grenada. We also met up with French speaking Canadians, known as “FSCs” ?? ,Marline, with boys Rene and Ramone, on (Maro 4) Eagerly studding weather forecasts for drop in winds! We waited for good moment to set off. “Photo”Maro 4”

Atlantic Crossings ! “Photo ” ” “Photo ”
(Crew Andrew Marshall, Susan Mc Graham and Pascal Beer “Swiss Kid”)
With forecast of reducing winds over the next couple of days we set sail with intrepid enthusiasm, and horn blowing curtsies of Gerade on Alegra,”most appreciated” ! We needed good speed to get away from the influences of the Islands and reach more stable trade winds. I must admit our tummies did give way to a little queasiness’s induced by the steep Atlantic swells ! Also appreciation to the rudder and steering gear was forefront of mind. And was glad we strengthened the tiller arm back in Mindelo. (Most yachts that have been abandoned here through Rudder trouble and no Backup solution) We had no such backup either ! , only what we could rig up with bits and pieces! Known as jury rigged ! The 24v hydraulic Auto pilot proved well worth the Cost and effort and was adequately supplied with power from the Solar panels and wind generator, Both hydraulic and wheel pilots served us admirable throughout the entire passage of some 2140 Nautical miles, One small (Large) irritant was the noise from the Hydraulic pump keeping us awake at night, so we tended to use the 12v wheel pilot, also the winds tended to be lighter during the night. Took all three of us at least week to set ourselves into a balanced routine of doings,
16th February Photo of Sheilah “Sails set” “Photo link” sent to us courtesy of sailor on the Tanker Rio De La Plata (Hambourge Sud)
17th February First flying fish on deck, ”Photo Link”, “came to be a daily routine of collecting them up in the morning using the dead ones as bait.
The close we got to catching fish was to within 2 feet, shouted to Pascal not to try and lift it on the line, “to late he did and it got away! HaHa ! heard that one before !!. No photo Link ! after that sharks or sumut big just kept taking line and tackle, gave up after this !
25th February 2011 I must mention at this point fundamentals of GPS, its max display value is 999 “Photo Link” so we had to wait 10 days before it changed to 998 (Under Half Way party Time) small celebration was called for !! Crew, especially Suzy was glad to see the miles being eroded on daily basis ! boost to moral ! (Stake , Chips and pinacolada getting closer) !!
1st March 2011 Spinnaker flying “Photo” pushing us nicely along at 5 knts with 8knts of wind is pretty goodee for us !!
3rd March 2011 Only 186 miles to go “yippey” Moving the clocks on another hour now at + 3 hours. We believe St Lucia will be 4 or 5 hours in front ?. Should only need small adjustment when we get there !!
4th March 2011 At around 2200 hours with 58 miles to go we sighted light pollution from the Island of Martinique.
5th March 2011 At first light we were just able to make out Our destination Island of St Lucia looming up before us as daylight was breaking . With sence of achievement looming up inside us. Not to mention relief, excitement along with the many luxuries life ashore brings. Pascal Hoisted Ensign “Photo Link” which incidentally he had just finish making because we could not get one in Las Palmas. Sailing majestically rounded north tip of St Lucia and into the historic port of Rodney Bay, harts ponding and heads filled with massive pride in what we had achieved.
Arrival St Lucia “Photo” “Photo” “Photo”
From the Skipper, Many thanks to the Crew for the camaraderie and sprit of the adventure we all maintained during the crossing of the Atlantic ocean. “Team effort” ! Special thanks to Pascal Beer for documenting and producing a wonderful Video of the Event. “Video Link”
Pascal Beer Wrote
Auf den Kanarischen Inseln: Alex, Fillipo & Laura (somos todos Marcos!), Gildas & Marie (merci beaucoup, www.leventenpoulpe.com), Alex & Julia always Into The Wild), Andy & Suzy (well, I owe you so much that it would fill the rest of my acknowledgement space – better English kitchen than my prejudices would have led me into, English manners and slang (‘oly moly, these is some fine pair’a bristols. “No Photo” !!
Thank you for the best Atlantic crossing in my life, To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea... "Cruising" it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.
"I've always wanted to sail to the South Seas, but I can't afford it." What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security." And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone.
What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade.
The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.
Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of pocket or bankruptcy of soul?
To be truly challenging, a voyage, like a life, must rest on a firm foundation of financial unrest. Otherwise, you are doomed to a routine traverse, the kind known to yachtsmen who play with their boats at sea... "Cruising" it is called. Voyaging belongs to seamen, and to the wanderers of the world who cannot, or will not, fit in. If you are contemplating a voyage and you have the means, abandon the venture until your fortunes change. Only then will you know what the sea is all about.
"I've always wanted to sail to the South Seas, but I can't afford it." What these men can't afford is not to go. They are enmeshed in the cancerous discipline of "security." And in the worship of security we fling our lives beneath the wheels of routine - and before we know it our lives are gone.
What does a man need - really need? A few pounds of food each day, heat and shelter, six feet to lie down in - and some form of working activity that will yield a sense of accomplishment. That's all - in the material sense, and we know it. But we are brainwashed by our economic system until we end up in a tomb beneath a pyramid of time payments, mortgages, preposterous gadgetry, playthings that divert our attention for the sheer idiocy of the charade.
The years thunder by, The dreams of youth grow dim where they lie caked in dust on the shelves of patience. Before we know it, the tomb is sealed.
Where, then, lies the answer? In choice. Which shall it be: bankruptcy of pocket or bankruptcy of soul?
March 2011, Muntanas crew ! Suzy flown back uk !“Scan due again” Going back to my Mother and brother!, Pascal failed to return from Martineque So back with ownself once more ! “Must check my deodorant”
17th March 2011 Moved out of Marina and into Lagoon, ”Photo” picking up Buoy next to Tich and Stella (First met them in Rio Guadiana 2006) This was ideal as I needed ifo on diving. This was Tiches career in the Army. Decided to take theory on PADI internet site, as there was free Wi-Fi here. “Took me 4 Days “ ! “Photo” “Photo” “Photo”

2nd April 2011 Soufrier Bay, “And the Pittons” St Lucia “Photo” “Photo” Very pretty here, beautiful scenery ! Bit spoilt by the boat boys pestering and squabbling amongst themselves.
3rd April 2011, St Vincent (Young Island) “Photo” Very popular with honeymooners. Next day went ashore and took taxi to Kingstown to check in. Taxi drive talked nearly all the way and I hardly understood a word he said ! Strange sort of English ? . On my return found diving place and decided to take my first lesson ! “Photo” “Photo”

6th April 2011, Bequia (pronounced “Bekwee”) “Photo” “Photo” Anchored in Port Elizabeth, spent few days here, liked it very much. Many yachties have taken up residence here. Will definitely call here again.

10th April 2011, Union Island, “Cliffton” Had to come here to check out of St Vincent territory. Will try to avoid in the future ! Dificult to anchor, Holding Poor. Boatboys a pain. Dinghies stolen. “Photo” “Photo” One good point Met David and Vall on Barnstormer. Had nice chatt with them and he pointed out Sandy Island to me with free buoys.

14th April 2011, Carriacou, (Hillsborough) “Photo” Have to stop here to check in as this Island is governed by Grenada. All done, now off to Sandy Island, quick swim and Cupa tea ! “Photo” “Photo”
15th April 2011 Tyrell Bay, Great shelter and perfect anchorage, very popular with yachties “Can see why” Made all the more enjoyable with Sallys floating bar to visit. “check out her home made burgers”! “Photo” Spent quite a few days here, chilling out, Swimming, snorkelling, diving and visiting places like white island, “Possibly the best snorkelling site in all Caribbean ? “Photo” “Photo” “Photo” “Photo” Saw my first Nurse shark, Sting Ray, Eagle Ray, Lobster and many more !

3rd May 2011, Grenada, (St Davids Harbour) and home of Grenada Marine and Sheilah ! for the Hurricane season, “Photo” “Photo”
Back to UK “Very sad to leave her ! and Can`t wait to get back and continue voyaging !
Back to work on Marshall House, in Cheltenham, Coming along nicely ! Before “Photo” After “Photo”

Yippee !! New, Building Phase one comptleted ! Free to get back and see Sheilah !

Septmber arived and its Porto Santo "Madera" Here we come ! ! 5 Days and 480Knm we arrived in Porto Santo where we were met by Marinaro, Nelson helped us to tie up to Moring bouy and welcomed us ! Good start we thouhgt a! and it got better 1 enjouyed great week here, "well recomended"

13th September, Now off to Fuchal "Harbour" Madera . Waldons new Holiday stompin ground , "well in steves case less stompin and more horizontal !! sorry steve. Sure he wont forget it !.
Not so goodee for me me either Crew, Galley Slave, Orniment, she`s off back to her mother ! yet again !!. Perhaps its my deoderant ??.
Mooched round funcal, toke cable car up mountin and walked back down, well recomended, Photo

Suzy now left us ! Just me and Sheilah for next trip singlehanded to Canaris Via Salvagin Isands. No slip up`s here with navigation !! they not called Salvage Islands for nothing !!

After two days and 283knm me arived in Las-Palmas Gran Canera on 20th September, where i` m to meet Aidan and Nic flying out to join there Dad for some father sons bonding time !! Sue decided she wast going to be left out a! and joind them to !! Happy time was had by all. Sailed to Maro - Jable on Fuerteventure, then onto Los Cristianos Gran Canaria where we visited for Holiday when Aidan and Nic were 5 and 9 years old.Now a little biger
Photo Click Here
Photo =san miguel
Boys back in UK ! Its off to Marina San Miguel again on Teneriffe, and back to UK for short visit.
6th October 2010 Fly Back
20th November 2010 Return
On with few preparations then off to ISl Graciosa Island at the top of Lanzarote,
25th November , With short weather window we arrived in Grciosa, after 3 days and 270knm. Only to be told no room at Inn ! “Marina” !
Anchoring off beech seemed our only option ? Not wanting to move on and miss another opportunity to walk round Graciosa and its other sights. We nervously stayed put. I say that because we wer out of VHF radio range and no WiFi about to give us up-to-date weather information. And local radio talked about 60 to 70 kts wind, Not what we wanted to here !
Of course they came in the night, and we had to up anchor and leave, we found shelter just round east side of Fishing village of Orzola where the ferry leaves for Grciosa. Under the shelter of steep cliffs. Here we stayed for two days. Then the sky’s cleared and Barometer rose half way back to normal, so we decided move back to anchorage off beech “Behe del Saledo”. The following day we managed to set foot on Graciosa armed with picnic we set off round Island, Se Photo Links

After refreshments at local marina bar we dinghyed back to Sheilah all the time the wind was picking up and by the time we got to Sheilah we were soaked through. ! It seems Graciosa had more for us in store ! The wind increased all night we dragged anchor and by 4oc in the morning it was time to “we seemed mighty close to beech” After ditching the anchor line and applying full throttle we made it slowly to safety, this was the closest we have come to loosing Sheilah, “sorry sheilah” !! Back to our shelter round corner where luckily we stored gps position, Took us 2 hours to travel two miles with constant winds over 30kts and gusts of over 50knts. Never experienced anything like it before. I have to say it did give us a lot of new experience an new confidence in survival. !!
6th December 2010
Puerto De Naos “Arrecife” Se Photo link,,,,,, Se Photo link
Good shelter here, where we met like wise sailors sheltering form inclement southerlies !! Paul on ??? and Karan on ????, Ingo the German on ??? All waiting on calm N-Easterlies to set in and aide Atlantic crossing ! Here we also met Joe and Cindy on Monhearn wooden double ender, also en-root to Caribbean. Alos to meet her Swis kid Pascal Beer crew on another wooden ship not so aptly named the “Hooker” owned by Tom and Pippa. See Phot link
Little did we know it then but Mr Beer was going to be with us for our next long trip across the Atlantic Ocean. See photo link

18th December 2010 Onto Porto Calero for Christmas !! Posh place with polished brass bollards !!
See more photos !!
29th December Back to Uk Durrrrrrr!!!!!

Boatyard, Faro Photo Click Here

Sheilah neglected ! at least shes in the sun ! We back in UK (Cheltenham) Design Planning and construction of extention and new build to industrial unit, Very little has changed to this building over te past 15 years< "my workplace " ! Remember my story about the delivery Guy looking of Marshall House ! No wonder i cant find it ! its a F,,,,,,,,,,, Shack ! Bet he wouldnt reconize the place today, Photo Click Here

5th - 6th May 2008 “Ayamontee to Cadiz " Photo 1 Photo 2 Photo 3

7th May 2008 “Cadiz to Heulva” Photo 1

8th May 2008 “Heulva to Faro” Photo 1

Sailing cut short by property ties soon to be broken !!

September 2006 – April 2007

Was spent on TLC for house in Bournemouth and of, course Suzy, who it has to be said was a very very brave girl.

February / March 2007
To cheer Sue up we booked to see the hit show “Mama Mia” and onto the Strand Palace Hotel Covent Garden London. Brilliant, Fantastic, recommended!!

April / May / June / July / Aug 2007

My thoughts were now moving towards neglected Sheilah, and i was soon back on board starting on vast list to include, Installing stainless steel frame ,stantion gates, Bathing platform. Wind generator, solar panels, New cutless bearing, New prop shaft seal, new masthead navigation lights and wind anometer, 24v 6hp Bow thruster. 24v 1200w Windless (Lofrans Tigress).
As usual this work took al lot longer than expected not that this gave me too much concern , weather wise i was missing nothing. August soon arrived and a family get together in wharam went well.



Preparations for our return trip got underway, With me and Dad heading back across the English channel and our first port of call was Roscoff,

31st August– 1st September 2007 “Poole to Roscoff” Photo 1

Anchored in usual place !! Then onto before heading off. From here we cruised back down the Chennal –De- four and only just made it through the Raz before full flood got to much e getting used to stopping here ! Not even been ashore once !!
2nd September 2007 “Roscoff to L`Aber-wrack” Photo 1
then onto L`Aber-Wrac`h. L`Aber-Wrac`h which we liked very much and had a good look round before moving on south.

3rd September 2007 ““L`Aber-wrack, Channel-De –four, across Raz onto Audierne”
From here we cruised back down the Chennal –De- four Photo and only just made it through the Raz before full flood got to much . Once again ending up in Audierne “think we should get most frequent award !! Photo
Crossing the Bay first time round missed so many interesting places. This time it’s the long way round with more time for each port.

6th September 2007 “Audierne to Les-Sable D`olonn” Photo
Our next stop is Les Sables_D` Olonne where we birthed in Port lona, and got down to some exploring. Having found internet we booked Dads return flight home. As Dad flew out Mike and Dave flew in landing at La Rochelle. One can understand why this place is so popular with Brits !

11th September 2007 “Les-Sable D`olonn” to Archachon” Photo (Crew Change)

Arcachon had some supersizes for is, the first was the shifting sand banks as we sighted the channel markers we noticed the GPS course was taking us across land, Made note to notify C-Map. Once inside the harbour we couldn’t help comparing it to Poole.
Spent a very enjoyable couple of days here, the Brittiny coast was certainly growing on me. Dave Hill had some bad news from home, thieves had broken into his garage and stolen his tools, so decided to take next flight back home.

14th – 15th September 2007 “Archachon to St Jean de luz” Photo

Me and Mike sailed onto our next port of call Sant Jean de Luz where we anchored in the bay and explored the local area by dinghying into the small Harbour. Pretty place with good anchorage in bay and possible birth in small town quay.

17th September 2007 “St Jean de luz” to Henday” Photo (Last port and border of France and Spain)
Arriving in Henday (Boarder of France and Spain) we soon found suitable anchorage and dropped the hook. Later that evening as dusk fell the wind picked up to an astonishing speed in matter of seconds taking us totally by suprise. With mike on helm and throttle and me up font lifting our dragging anchor with one hand and using bow thruster with other fighting to keep Sheilah into the wind.(Thank God for new 24v toys) I have often read of this situation of wind funnelling its way down a valley. You live and learn and we sure did today, i shall be very wary anchoring in rivers with high cliffs on either side. Next day Mike Took train back to La Rochelle and left me soaking up the sun and reading my new book.
Crew Change Mike flew back and Suzy was due in a couple of days, leaving me with a couple a days peace and quiet sunbathing with the odd dip in river. Suzy arrived with tales of travelling difficulties in a country that you don`t speak the language.
Day to relax and candlelight meal in local restaurant went down very well.

22nd -23rd September 2007 “Henday to Santander” Photo (Back in Spain )! (Photo link)
Moving onto Santander the first marina was not a great success, moving further down river we found plenty of space in Marina de Santander, apart from toilets & showers other facilities were (Zero) ! And bus stop was considerable trek away.

26th -27th September 2007 “Santander to Puerto- Cordillera” Photo

Our next stretch of rugged sparkly populated coastline needed careful consideration with limited shelter for visiting yachts, Puerto du Cordillera was our choice and turned out not to be a wise one ! the entrance was extremely difficult with waves crashing on each side with zero room for error, then once inside swell was making conditions uncomfortable on the fishing quay where we ended up.
Hence we were off early next morning hoping for a good night’s sleep in our next port.

28th September 2007 “Puerto- Cordillera” to Viviero” Photo Photo

Rio du Viviero seemed to fit the bill and certainly lived up to our hopes. We anchored off Playa covas and spent couple of nights here exploring local offerings, recommend this place.

2nd October 2007 “Viviero to La-Corruna” Photo Photo

Was long over due for a visit, we are now putting this right, but as we approached the building line was decidedly ugly and disappointing, our choice of marinas turned out to be disappointing as well. (wash from passing vessels) also wave barrage marked in pilot book was removed 3 years earlier !!. “Forget marina off Moule” birth in Darcena du deportivo just a little further up again on starboard side. Stepping ashore was in stark contrast to earlier experiences, the old town buildings were spectacular and the precession of trams running everywhere was a real joy. Apm very happy, many cracking meals were found for under 10eure for two ! Would have loved to stay here longer.

3rd October 2007 “La-Corruna to Cala Camarinas “ Photo

Arrived in Rio du Camarinas with it blowing a hooly, soon found shelter on south bank under the protection of surrounding hills next to the only other visiting yacht and she was British !

4th October 2007 “Cala Camarinas to Rio –Arosa off Santa Uxia de Riberia” Photo
Rio –Arosa came highly recommended and didn`t disappoint well worth the tricky navigation avoiding rocks strewn everywhere not to mention vast areas of oyster beds spent comfortable night anchored off playa del coroso.

5th October 2007 “Rio –Arosa past Isl Ons to Bayona” Photo 1 Photo 2

Next morning we set off to have lunch anchored off Isla Ons, It was so pretty and tranquil being the only yacht there. However we were soon in for a shock as the fog came in thick.This did cause us some considerable concern as we were surrounded by rocks on all sides, also the crossing of Rio vigro and onto our shelter for that night “Bayona again” !. The GPS together with AIS was real tonic in these situations and a great sigh of relief came over us when flashing cardinal off Bayone came into view. (Photo link1) - (Photo link2) Spent 3 days here exploring meeting new friends and generally enjoying this delightful area, See above photo links,

8th October 2007 “Bayona to Porto” Photo 1 Photo 2

Back in familiar territory entering Lexious marina where we planned to stay for week or so while Andrew flies back to help son Aidan with business problem, Suzy stays onboard looking after Sheilah. On my return with female in tow ! only to find Suzy has made man friend with John next door solo sailing catamaran from England on root to Canary islands onto Fort Lauderdale USA. Good sheltered Marina, Only disappointment is dust from nearby container port. There is compensation with cafe opposite where 2 coarse meal of the day is 3.1/2 Euros !!. Andy Happy !!

18th October 2007 Porto to Rio Avero”(Nazair) Photo 1

Rio –Aviero came highly recommended and didn`t disappoint. Anchored in Biai de Sao Jacinto for peacfull night. Well sheltered up the river. Dinghyed ashore for mooch around. Not too much to see, Limited supplies available. Good place to relax ! Only just worked out this is also called Nazair, have often heard people call in her, now I know where it is !!

19th October 2007 “Rio Avero to Figueria Foz” Photo

Great place to get provisions and explore right in the centre of things. Always passed this buy on previous trips and may consider same ! as the price for 1 night stay was over 32 Euro !! Weather was hot and sunny so couldn’t complain too much !!

20th October 2007 “Figueria Foz to Penich” Photo 1 (Photo link)

Old favourite Peniche except for passing fishing vessels causing wash, Marina is very convenient to shops but we keep saying we will try anchor on sw side next time !! Also don’t forget funny arrangement for paying, Dock master is only in his office at certain times, best to pay the day before if you want to get away early.

21st October 2007 “Penich to Cascias” Photo 1 Photo 2

Always a great joy to stay in Cascias, Never disappoints, Today it is the dormitory of the Lisbon international working community and the "younger set" who enjoy the diverse and sophisticated night life. Us older ones do our best also !! Nicholas joined us for week of activities that included oceanarium (Photo link) which was most impressive. Water sports were also enjoyed (except by Suzy! ) she fed and watered us all week !!

25th October 2007 “Cascias up Rio Tijo,” Sexiel” Photo 1 Photo 2

For the first time we made our way up river under the Tijo bridge paying special attention to tide and depth which races through here at upto 4knts. Our plan was to try marina close to oceanarium that the pilot book stated should be finished by 2002. It was unfortunately closed due to silting and depth, this area seems to be plagued with this problem. Plan be was turn back and head for Sexiel on south side before dark. We only just made it as light was failing fast, dropped anchor off village which was a most beautiful setting. (Photo link) (Photo link), Had a wonderful 4days here catching the ferry back across river to Lisbon.

1st November 2007 “Returned to Cascia”

Back to Cascias where Sheilah was left for a week while Suzy and Nicholas returned to UK and Apm caught the bus to Tondela to spend week with Hugh and Jane.

8th November 2007 “Crew returned, Apm,Suzy,Wendy Collens”
Few days sightseeing in Cascias for Wendy. Then head south for Sines
.
13th November 2007 “Cascias to Sines” Photo 1 Photo 2
Just enough time for wonder round town take in the sights, Enough time for Suzy to try and launch herself down the slipway at Fishermans quay!! Never actually been in Marina always anchored in Bay.

14th November 2007 “Sines to Largos” Photo 1 Photo 2

Lively sail round Cape St Vincent, left the girls to it and went down below for sleep. Woke to hear wind and sea getting up and the girls still nattering ! it wasn’t long before a loud shout came “Marshall” !! made it safe and sound in the Algarve, or as Victor Meldrew might say one foot in the Algarve !! Very popular with us and many other Brits seem to have the same opinion !! The marina disco can be a little annoying !!History. Moorish and Renaissance influences abound in South Portugal's Lagos, from its fortress to its plethora of magnificent churches, such as the Medieval São João Hermitage, the 16th-century Santa Maria of Misericrida, the Baroque Santo Ant-nio and the 17th-century São Sebastião. While Lagos' history is rich, it is the area's fine beaches and beach bars, such as Bahia Beach Bar and Retiro do Marujo, which attract many of today's visitors. Frequent buses serve Lagos, making it the easiest way to get around. This was also the home of the famous Portuguese navigator known as Henry the Navigator.

17th November 2007 “Largos to Portimao” Photo 1 Photo 2

Our first time in Portimao we ventured right up the river to moor on pontoon off the town. This is a private pontoon although our neighbour advised us we could stay for night, he also advised us of impending southerly Gale ! Which prompted us to go back down river and into the marina. Wise move as it turned out, Gale held us here for nearly two weeks. Excellent place to be held up in i must say a real supersize was Portimao . The wooden beech walk is quite a future. (Photo link) (Photo link).

27th November 2007 “Portimou to Faro” Photo 1 (Photo link)

30th November 2007 “Faro to Ayamontee” Photo 1

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