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David Fox and Jane Symonds studied Day Skipper theory for 4 days before being joined on Wednesday 25th May by John McCormack doing Day Skipper and Mark Gore doing Competent Crew and we were off on our 5 day practical course in the sunshine of the Algarve.
In near perfect weather we set off from Albufeira and visited Portimao, Alvor and Lagos.
Day 2: David skippered the first leg from Albufeira to Portimao which took in the sights of the caves and grottos near Armacao de Pera (was that submarine rock) and for a newly retired geography teacher the coastline with its stratered cliffs, pinnacle rocks, stacks etc was a delight. Putting into practice what we had learnt in class, "fixes" where flying onto the chart with great regularity with a whoop of delight as we found out where we were. A light breeze up from the south west enabled us to reach vertually all the way before it died off as we passed Alfanzina light house, so on with the motor (motor cone up!) and into the river and up to Portimao. Navigating up the river along the buoyed channel with places where the seagulls could walk out to greet us - just where was that number 3 buoy? Past the delightful fishing village of Ferragudo and up to the bridge, before spinning her round and then back to the marina at Praia de Rocha for the night. Well done David.
Day 3: Jane took the helm and skippered us on the 3rd day. John sailed us up the Portimao river first in a light breeze before we heading out through the breakwater under full sail. On the sail across to Alvor where we were to anchor for lunch, "Bob" made his introduction on the scene and "man overboard" was rehersed and we got Bob and Dan back safely.
Anchoring in Alvor, with David and John doing the anchor party, wrestling with the tripping line, we noticed the old dutch schooner that is usually at anchor there had now been washed up on the shore and was hard agroung, very sad.
Then having had a gormet lunch of tuna pasta it was time to weigh anchor and off to Lagos. Careful to miss the wrecks on the approaches to Lagos we came in through the breakwaters under power and tied up beautifully on the visitors pontoon and were allocated our berth for the night. They raised the bridge and in we came.
In the evening we visited Marilyn at her cocktail bar, MJ's for an evening of entertainment to celebrate her birthday, with a buffet feast to boot. Cheers. Then it was off to bed for an early start the next day.
Day 4; John took the "con" and ran the boat for the day. A lttle rain and lightning to start the day off didn't dampen our spirits, so it was all lines to slip, call up reception to raise the bridge, into the "holding position" and off we went. A perfect southerly breeze sent us thundering across the bay but it slowly eased as the sun shone hotter and hotter - out wiith the hats and sun screen. MOB was practised as we all got to grips with the exercise. Into Albufeira and then preparation for the night sail to find the sea mount.
Leaving at 2030 in a gentle breeze as the sun sank beneath the horizon over Lagos, we headed out. David and Jane on the navigation, John on the helm and Mark and Mark trimming the sails.
Did we find it? well yes we did once we had discovered that Davids torch was magnetic and affecting his compass!! With the stars out and sailing to a gentle breeze under full sail it was truely magic as all the shore lights twinkled to add a challenge to find the navigation lights. Perfect.
Day 5: Skills and drills and a rain squall thrown in for good measure. Lots of rope pulling as our crew was put through its paces.
Well done to you all on passing your qualifications and dont worry about the lack of sleep, you'll catch up soon enough and the sun tans look really good.
Hope to see you all back soon for more and thanks for a great weeks sailing.
- comments
Suprim Mimmi Andersson skriver:Ja du ! Visst e4r de4r unaberdrt.Har sje4lv varit i Albufeira med omnejd 4 e5r i rad.( var av de senaste 3 med Sembo) Alltid lika bra.He4lsningar Mimmi