11th June 2005 - Leixeos to Figuera da Foz

Posted at 7:02 AM, Monday, June 13, 2005

Rally Control cancelled any competiveness on this leg due to a promised lack of wind. We were simply advised to lave when we liked and ensure we arrived in Figuera in good time.

They made a good choice as we awoke to a very foggy morning.  Last night had been spent at anchor off the local yacht club - the first time we had deployed the anchor on this boat.

Good job we had the radar overlay on the chartplotter in the cockpit as the area immediately outside the harbour was chockablock with fishing boats or achored freighters - and the fisherman take prisoners.  We met one steaming along at 9 knots and even though we could see him coming on the screen it was still a surprise to have him roar out of the fog with siren blaring on a directly reciprocal course to our own.

We deviated to starboard - he did not deviate at all.  We passed 50M apart and he was quickly swallowed up and gone.

Did most of this 60 mile leg under engine.  Can advise now that 2,500 revs on the Hanse gives us 7.5 knots and a consumption of around 2 miles per litre.

Rounding the cape north of Figuera found an absolute minefield of pots and short laid nets - seriously most not more than 40 foot apart.  Hopefully did not pick up too many on our run into the river mouth and marina.

Have had three lazy days in Figuera.  Spent that either visiting up country to Coimbra, drinking on the boats, and doing lightweight maintenance on Swagman.

Depart today (13th) for Peniche.  Weather is overcast so might even need wet weather gear!  Light rain in early hours of the morning - breeze seems good enough to sail but out of the south - so looks like a beat all the way.

Cheers

JOHN